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The Martyrdom
of Munson and Lyman in Lobu Pining
Biography
/ Henry Lyman
Henry
Lyman was born on 23 November 1809 in Northampton, Massachusett.
He was the eldest from three children. His father's name was Theodore
Lyman.
Lyman was sick during his childhood. Once he was really ill and
almost died. His parents were very sad and worded and so they
prayed to God for his recovery. In their prayer they promised
to educate him as a servant of God if he recovered from his illness.
His parents' prayer was answered and Henry Lyman became healthy
again.
When he was in elementary school he became a favourite student
of his teachers because of his talents and progress. Lyman's ambition
was to be a merchant or a farmer but because his parents' had
made a promise to God when he was a small child he was forced
to begin studies at Collegium in Amherst in September 1816.
He
was not a good student during his study in Amherst. He left the
religion lessons and the class. He became a leader of anti-religion.
His attitudes and actions always against his religious teachings.
Both of his parents were sad. Man proposes and God disposes.
At
the end of 1828 there was spiritual revival at Collegium Amerst
and Lyman became a changed man. This can be seen from his friend's
testimony who said that Lyman had been struggling with his thoughts
in a wild forest near Collegium.
During
his struggle one night he asked himself, "What shall I do?" His
friend helped him with some advice, "Surrender and be ready to
become a servant of God". Lyman did so and decided "to lead other
people who did not know God so that they could share his happiness".
This is known from a letter he sent to Canada.
In
1829 Henry graduated from his studies and registered his name
at Andover Seminary to continue his education to become an evangelist.
Then he met Samuel Munson. From the letter he sent to Andover
Seminary dated on February 1830 (where it is now kept) we know
how he made friends and shared his testimony.
He
often quoted from the Bible, Luke 9:23 "And He (Jesus) said to
them all, 'If anyone wants to come with me, he must deny himself,
take up his cross every day, and follow me". This verse became
his guide and helped him decide what he should tell unbelievers
about the Good News of the Gospel which to him meant that people
could be free from the consequences of sin and learn how to live
a life in praise to God. Henry Lyman prepared himself to face
his difficulties that might happen in his evangelism.
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