By: Casey Zachary

Elanor Chestnut was a medical missionary and martyr in southern China.

After being deserted by her father, she was raised by a single mother of modest means. Being extremely determined, she attended school and became a doctor. After finishing her training, in 1893, she was sent to China as a missionary doctor by the American Presbyterian Board of Missions.

Her missionary career and service was characterized by self sacrifice and determination. She built her own hospital and even took skin from her own leg to do a skin graft on a patient.

Ms. Chestnut was forced to evacuate China during the Boxer Rebellion. She returned just a year late. However, shortly after she returned, she was attacked with a pitchfork and drowned by a mob that stormed her hospital.

Here is a poem she wrote shortly before she returned to China for the final time.

Being in doubt, I say
Lord, make it plain!

Which is the true, safe way?
Which would be in vain?

I am not wise to know,
Not sure of foot to go,

My blind eyes cannot see
What is so clear to Thee;

Lord, make it clear to me.
Being perplexed, I say,

Lord, make it right!

Night is as day to Thee,
Darkness as light

I am afraid to touch
Things that involve so much;

My trembling hand may shake,
My skilless hand may break—

Thine can make no mistake.

**Information comes from the Evangelical Dictionary for World Missions