Daily Devotion

“Huang Naishang (Wong Nai Siong, 1844–1924), of Minqing, Fujian, was baptized in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1866. He later helped the missionaries translate the Bible and from 1874 was the key helper on their Chinese paper Zion's Messenger, where he wrote for smallpox vaccination and against foot-binding. In 1896 he used his own funds to launch Fubao, the first newspaper started by a Chinese in Fujian, which closed after a year for lack of money. He held his faith to the end: on his deathbed he asked his wife to hold up a picture of Christ and lay it on his chest, and he died on 22 September 1924.”

Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity · BDCC, "Huang Naishang" by John Barwick (bdcconline.net)

Scripture

John 8:32 “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Reflection

Through the press Huang Naishang called for smallpox vaccination and an end to foot-binding, an effort to enlighten his people that echoes Jesus' teaching that "truth sets people free." Secular knowledge may provide skills, but only truth from God can break the bonds of ignorance and sin. In this age of information overload, we should examine our hearts: do we absorb daily illusions that bring anxiety, or truths that bring peace? May we always be illuminated by God's word, spreading righteousness and love through our words and deeds, becoming the salt and light of the world.