BETTY HAD ALREADY BEEN a year at the Moody Bible Institute when John appeared among the students. His tall figure could not but attract attention. Betty noticed him; and about her, quiet and retiring as she was, he soon discovered something he had never found before, something that strangely attracted him. How do we discover violets hidden in the woods in spring?
The weekly prayer meeting of the China Inland Mission was partly responsible for the deepening of this friendship. It was held on Monday evenings, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Page, representatives of the Mission in the Middle West. Themselves devoted and enthusiastic missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Page had much to give to students and others interested in China. Betty was one of the regular attendants—for by this time her call to China was unmistakable—and John was soon found among their number. Sometimes after the meetings there would be a social hour, when refreshments were served and Mr. Page might introduce one or another of his favorite books. He loved to read from Samuel Rutherford’s Letters, already precious to John, and “never shall I forget,” he recalls, “the look in Betty Scott’s eyes as I repeated those wonderful verses on Immanuel’s Land.”
In the busy life of the Institute, the young people only met as fellow students, and so natural was their behavior that no one guessed that they had any special interest in each other. John’s time was much taken up with practical work in addition to his studies, especially after he assumed the care of a church in a rural district which was without a minister. Two hundred miles from Chicago, it seemed a long way to go once or twice a month, to care for this little group of hungry-hearted people. But how worthwhile it was may be judged from their own loving testimony:
We shall always remember his first appearance in our pulpit, and how pleased we were with his earnest message. His kind, courteous manner, his zeal and fresh enthusiasm and his helpful sermons won us completely. To reach our little town of Elida, Ohio, he had to travel some two hundred miles. His remuneration was very little, yet his interest in and affection for us were greater than the difficulties, and he remained our faithful pastor until he was graduated from the Bible Institute.
The church was a small building out in the country, surrounded by a farming population. John was entertained over the week ends with all the hospitality the members could afford. It was a refreshment to leave the city, even in winter, and his Elida friends remember his delight in the sky and stars, which the glare of Chicago painfully obscured. The work was not without its hardships and discouragements, but he took it as a test, to see whether he “could ever do anything for the Lord in China.” That he deeply felt his own insufficiency comes out in letters written at the as also his growing confidence in God:
Why should we not yield our fruit in season [he wrote to his brother Jacob], and why should it not be with us as with the man in the first Psalm, “Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper”? Is it too much to expect our God to do exceeding abundantly above? Can we put a strain on Omnipotence, or can we exhaust infinite Love? Lord, increase our faith!
Did the members of the little church realize how much travail of soul lay behind his ministry among them? That he was appreciated, perhaps more than he knew, is evident from their recollections:
He preached for us for more than sixteen months [writes one of the men of the church]. We were impressed by his great earnestness. He wasted no time. We were reminded of the saying of Jonathan Edwards, “I am resolved, while I live, to with all my might.”
Mr. Starr was always reverent in the pulpit. We were never disappointed in his preaching. Not once did he let down in his prayerful, painstaking preparation. His sermons were scriptural, inspiring and concise, never tedious. His rule was to “Go” to the people in the community who did not attend services. This often led to long walks, that he might minister to Christians, Catholics, or unbelievers.
John was one of the finest young men [wrote another]. He loved his Bible and loved to tell of Jesus. He loved to come to the country and see God’s wonderful handiwork in nature. He loved children, and would teach them Bible stories and many choruses. He loved to sing God’s praises.
This singing made a great impression in Elida, for John had a good tenor voice, and sometimes brought other students with him for special services. Once or twice they formed a quartette, and Elida people called them “The Happy Four.”
And indeed they were always happy and singing on their way [writes one of their hostesses who lived near the church]. Their wonderful singing and addresses told us so plainly that they knew the power of the Gospel of Christ.
John was more than our minister. He not only taught and preached, he was our close and intimate friend also. He visited most if not all of us in our homes. He was quick to see a joke, and could be jolly and enjoy himself wherever he happened to be, especially where there were young folks and children. And they loved him greatly. I can see him still, when he came up to see our little granddaughters, then only three months old. He stood for some time looking down into the baskets in which they lay.
“Such little tots!” he said. “And you never can tell what lies before them in life.”
He had a tender, understanding heart.
Best of all, he made the Word of God live for us. Every Sunday before the sermon, we had fifteen minutes of repeating Scripture from memory. Among his special Bible verses were: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee,” and, “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Faithfulness was a theme he loved to dwell upon: both faithfulness in the Christian life and God’s own faithfulness to us. How he could sing, “Great is Thy faithfulness!” Just to know him, to hear him sing God’s praises, to be near him was such a privilege. His life was full of the promises of God, and we were so proud to have him for our friend!
Another recollection of Elida people is the way John would come back again and again to the assurance: “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” That he was still proving this to be true in his own experience is evident from a letter written at this time. He was concerned to see, as he thought, just a shade of anxiety in his father’s references to the financial condition of the Star of Hope Mission. Supported by voluntary contributions, for no collections were ever taken, the work was entirely dependent upon God, through His people. John’s interest in home affairs was as keen as ever, and in the spring, after his first visit to Elida (January, 1931) he wrote to his father with a good deal of diffidence:
I would not mention what I am going to tell you now, if the Mission were not in the position it is; but I do want to give praise to God for the way He has led me during the past year. About twelve months ago, when I began to come to an end of the money I had taken to the Institute, I told the Lord that if I were to go to China I must know Him as the answerer of prayer here in the homeland. And the Lord has wonderfully shown Himself to me as Jehovah-jireh, and that right here in Chicago. Sometime, perhaps just before I leave for China, I may tell you some of these experiences. If I did not know before that God works today, just as of old, I know it now. And may I mention some of the lessons I have had to learn?
First, that it is all of grace. God does not reward us with what we need, because of our faithfulness. We are unprofitable servants at the very, very best.
Second, that it is useless to get down and pray unless we have searched the Word and let it search us (Psa. 139:23,2423Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23‑24)), even our thoughts toward others, our motives and desires. Once I had to wait three days for urgently needed help, to learn this lesson.
Third, that it is not our faith we must depend on, but God’s faithfulness—our faith being only the hand held out to receive of His faithfulness.
Fourth, that if the answer does not seem to come, there may be something in me that causes God to delay in very faithfulness. His faithfulness causes Him not to answer me, in such a case. He cannot encourage His servant in a wrong attitude by answering his prayers, can He?
Fifth, that faith must be intelligently based upon the revealed will of God. No because I have a supreme conviction that I need something or other, but because I find it is His will, I can pray with confidence.
Sixth, that I am not to expect the Lord to answer in just the way I suggest, or think best. Means and manner and everything must be left to the will of God. We keep on looking to our usual or possible sources of supply, forgetting that our real source supply is the Lord, and that He can use anyone, anywhere, with equal ease and freedom.
How I do thank Him for this past year! would not have had it otherwise, for all the ease of a bank balance. How could ever have learned to trust the Lord, even a little, if everything had gone smoothly? How could He have checked me up, had I not been entirely dependent upon Him? Of course He knows what we need! We can have blessed peace and rest without anything at all to depend on but His promises.... The Book has become a new Book to me, this last year.
Oh, how blessed I have found that promise: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:3333But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33))! That’s a business contract with two parties, God and ourselves. How poor would be our stay, if it were only the supplies in sight, or the people who usually sent the money! But, the living God—can He forget His own work? It is not our work; it is His. His interest in it exceeds ours a thousandfold. As long as we are in His will, He cannot forget us. Could Mother forget her boys? Try as either you or Mother might, you could not forget us....
Dear Dad, what a blessed thing it is that God thinks it worthwhile to test us! Workmen only spend time and trouble on materials they can make something out of. God will perfect that which concerns us, Hallelujah!
To one of his brothers John had written a few days before:
Take away anything I have, but do not take away the sweetness of walking and talking with the King of glory! It is good to let our thoughts run away with us, sometimes, concerning the greatness of our God and His marvelous kindness toward us. Looking back, what encouragement we find for the future, what wonderful leadings and providences! Oh, bless the Lord, my soul!
But there are always new testings to be faced, new opportunities of proving God, and such a time had come to John Stam now. For one thing, the call to China was more and more urgent.
A million a month pass into Christless graves over there [he wrote in that same letter to his father]. God can use us if only we are empty, broken vessels in His hand. Oh, how much more do we need preparation of heart and spirit than of the mind! Pray that I may have that.
Another question also was exercising his mind. For a great love had come into his life. John had never, in the years at home, preferred one girl friend above another. He had kept entirely free in heart and outward relations. He expected not only to go to China unmarried but to remain so for at least five years, as his hope was to engage in pioneering evangelistic work. The forward movement of the China Inland Mission appealed to him, and he was ready to offer for the mountain tribes of the west or the Moslems of Sinkiang. But now he faced a new situation. What did this great love mean? Was it a crowning gift that God was bringing into his life?
And Betty with her pure, sweet nature, did not hide from him that his love might be returned. Years before, when only a girl of eighteen, she had written with such a possibility in view:
My Ideal
I’ll recognize my true love
When first his face I see;
For he will strong, and healthy,
And broad of shoulder be:
His movements will be agile,
Quick, and full of grace;
The eyes of Galahad will smile
Out of his friendly face.
His features won’t be Grecian,
Nor yet will they be rough;
His fingers will be flexible,
Long, and strong, and tough:
Oh, he’ll be tall, and active
As any Indian,
With rounded muscles rippling out
Beneath his healthy tan.
~~~
His interest is boundless
In every fellow man;
He’ll gladly be a champion
As often as he can:
Oh, he’ll be democratic,
And maybe shock the prude;
He will not fawn before the great,
Nor to the low be rude.
He’ll be a splendid “mixer,”
For he has sympathy;
Perhaps his most pronounced trait
Is versatility;
If Providence should drop him
In any foreign town,
He’d somehow speak the language
And find his way around.
He’ll have a sense of humor
As kindly as it’s keen;
He’ll be a mighty tower
On which the weak may lean.
His patience and unselfishness
May readily be seen;
He’s very fond of children,
And children worship him.
He will not be a rich man,
He has no earthly hoard;
His money, time, heart, mind and soul
Are given to the Lord.
He’ll be a modern Daniel,
A Joshua, a Paul;
He will not hesitate to give
To God his earthly all.
He’ll be, he’ll be, my hero—
A strong-armed fighting man,
Defender of the Gospel,
And Christian gentleman.
Oh, if he asks a Question,
My answer “Yes” will be!
For I would trust and cherish
Him to eternity.
Had her girlish dream come true? How strangely her picture-poem seemed to fit John Stam! But she found much more in him than she had dreamed of then. Her own life had deepened. Her ideal now was spiritual fellowship, oneness of heart in the things of God. And that too was satisfied in this friendship.
But the way was not as clear as it might seem. Betty’s last term at the Bible Institute had come. She was leaving Chicago and had applied for membership in the China Inland Mission. If accepted, she would go out in a few months. John had another year at Moody’s. He was not sure yet about China. He hoped to join the C. I. M., but would have to pass a medical test and be accepted by the Director and Council. All this left room for uncertainty. He could not ask Betty to commit herself to an engagement, when his way might not open to follow her to China. And more than this, even if his going proved to be of the Lord, what about the life of hardship as a pioneer evangelist? He might be in work which would preclude his marrying for some years. Would it be fair to Betty to ask her to wait indefinitely?
Had he known the steadfastness of her heart and her capacity for unchanging devotion, he might not have hesitated on that score. The other consideration, however, did appeal to Betty as to him. Her path was plain. God had called her to China and had opened the way. John’s future was still uncertain. If health or other circumstances kept him at home, she could not turn back from her lifework. They had seen something of the sorrow and loss that had come to others through not seeking “first the kingdom of God,” through letting down spiritual standards and losing “the heavenly vision.”
So Betty went forward with her preparations, quietly leaving it all in the hands of God. Accepted by the China Inland Mission, she was to sail that fall of 1931. It was a comfort to them both that in crossing the continent she could spend a day in Chicago with John. And it happened to be a Monday. So they attended the prayer meeting together once more, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Page, It had been a wonderful day, down by the lake, in hours of talk and prayer. They were parting for a long, long time, perhaps years. They were not engaged, hard though it was to leave each other so. “God first” was the attitude of their hearts. Nothing must come before fore that loyalty.
Just before leaving for China [Mr. Page recalls] Betty attended the prayer meeting with John. When it was over they wanted to talk with me, and John, in a very delightful way, tried to tell what was in his heart regarding Betty. He thought we had not noticed anything! Then, speaking for both of them, he said that they were leaving the matter in the Lord’s hands, but felt that He was bringing them together.
How safe it is to leave our dearest interests there, in His hands! To his father, John had written:
Betty knows that, in all fairness and love to her, I cannot ask her to enter into an engagement with years to wait. But we can have a real understanding, keeping the interests of the Lord’s work always first.
The China Inland Mission has appealed for men, single men, to itinerate in sections where it would be almost impossible to take a woman, until more settled work has been commenced.... Some time ago I promised the Lord that, if fitted for this forward movement, I would gladly go into it, so now I cannot back down without sufficient reason, merely upon personal considerations. If, after we are out a year or two, we find that the Lord’s work would be advanced by our marriage, we need not wait longer.
From the way I have written, you and Mother might think that I was talking about a cartload of lumber, instead of something that has dug down very deep into our hearts. Betty and I have prayed much about this, and I am sure that, if our sacrifice is unnecessary, the Lord will not let us miss out on any of His blessings. Our hearts are set to do His will.... But this is true, isn’t it, our wishes must not come first? The progress of the Lord’s work is the chief consideration. So there are times when we just have to stop and think hard.
The parting was very near when this letter reached Paterson, and with a keen sense of all it meant, Father Stam exclaimed, “Those children are going to have God’s choicest blessing!”
“When God is second,” he added, “you will get second best; but when God is really first, you have His best.”