When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. Psalm 138:3
Lee Youghee (c. 1945)
Bold Preacher
Lee Youghee moved with his family from Korea, where he had been a church elder, to Japanese-controlled Manchuria, feeling that he needed to stand more openly and firmly against the shrine worship being imposed on Christians in Manchuria. He started to preach against this practice. After some time, the principal of a school in the area threatened the Christians, including Youghee, but he seemed impervious to whatever threats were made against him. On one occasion he was warned not to return to a certain village, but he and a missionary friend ignored the threats and boldly went into that village – without being harmed.
In time he felt he should return to Korea. He was not allowed to preach in the churches there so he held meetings in people’s homes. One day the police surrounded the place where Youghee was staging such a gathering. A policeman entered, ordering him to come out. Many of the other Christians escaped, but Youghee was arrested and put in prison where he later died.
Ye have enemies; for who can live on this earth without them? Take heed to yourselves: love them. In no way can thy enemy hurt thee by his violence, as thou dost hurt thyself if thou love him not.
Augustine of Hippo (354-430)