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The Martyrdom
of Munson and Lyman in Lobu Pining
A Martyr's
Death in Lobu Pining
We
know about the last days of these two faithful evangelists from
the news sent to their mission's leaders in Boston by Mr. Bonnet
who was a colonial government official in Sibolga. Bonnet received
the news from Lyman and Munson's guards. On their evangelistic
trip to Tapanuli, they were accompanied by two policemen, two
Javanese servants, some Chinese who carried their luggage and
a translator. They struggled for six days.
Although their destination was not very far away it was a very
difficult and dangerous journey. Thirty days later they arrived
in king Suasana' s area. The king suggested not to go directly
to Silindung before knowing the situation there first.
Munson and Lyman answered, "our purpose is to go to Silindung
to spread the good news and peace, so it is not necessary to observe
the location first". The group walked slowly with a strong and
certain will though they knew it took much energy and thought.
On
Saturday they continued walking without feeling tired. Lyman said
to Munson, "Today is Saturday. Tomorrow will be Sunday, a day
of rest". But as it turned out that day did not turn out to be
a day of physical rest but instead a day of eternal rest.
When
they arrived in Lobu Pining one Batak man from the group wanted
to be a guide. He offered to help them meet the people there and
look over the situation. In a few minutes Lyman's group met up
with people from Lobu Pining who were shouting and carrying spears.
These fierce people surrounded Lyman's group. Several people from
Lyman's group ran away because they were terrified. Only their
two Javanese servants stayed with the two evangelists.
Lyman
took off his hat which had some cigarettes in it and threw it
towards the people who had surrounded them. But none of them picked
it up. Lyman was stabbed by a spear. Munson and his cook were
also killed. The rest of Lyman's group were able to escape back
to SIbolga. That is the story of the murder of Lyman, Munson and
one of their servants.
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