In December 1858, shortly before the beginning of the American Civil War, an eighteen year old girl from Virginia gave her life to Christ. Standing only four foot three inches tall, Charlotte Diggs Moon was a witty young lady and a gifted student. Well-known pastor and professor John Broadus called Miss Moon “the most educated woman in the South.”
Lottie Moon used her education to teach girls in Kentucky and Georgia before she felt God call her to be a missionary. As one of few women appointed by the Southern Baptist Mission Board, Lottie moved to China in 1873. Full of God’s love and zeal, Lottie not only poured herself into the Chinese people but she constantly wrote home to tell of needs. “I write to call your attention to the fact that Virginia has only one missionary represented in all of China, and that one is a woman.” Later she wrote, “The number of men mining and prospecting for gold in Shantung is more than double the number of men representing the Southern Baptists! What a lesson to ponder.”
Lottie’s question to Christians in her nation was often: “What are you going to do?” In 1888, someone decided to do something and $3,315 was collected for missions. This was enough money to send three more missionaries to China. Little did people know that a tradition was started. To date, over three billion dollars has been given in the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions. The fruit of a life goes far beyond the years we walk the earth!
In Japan on December 24, 1912, on her way back to the States, Lottie Moon died. Her final words were: “We are weak but He is strong.”
“I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Quotes from The New Lottie Moon Story, by Catherine B. Allen, published by Woman’s Missionary Union, 1997; Send the Light: Lottie Moon’s letters and other writings, edited by Keith Harper, published by Mercer University Press, 2002
At the age of ninety, Susan’s mom Lou Taylor went home to be with the Lord early this morning, December 20. She lived a full life and we will all miss her. Thanks for your prayers for the family.