Emma Thirgood

Her pastor, the Rev. T. Bagley writes of her as follows:

I made the acquaintance of Miss Thirgood in 1879. She impressed me at once as one who, like Mary, “sat at Jesus’ feet.” She was deeply interested in spiritual things, much given to prayer, and anxious for the conversion of those around her. She had been from early years a scholar in our Sunday school, and afterwards became a teacher, devoted to her work, and seeking to lead her class to the Saviour. She was a warm friend “and zealous helper; much blessed in work among the young.” Such societies as the Young Christians’ Band and the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavour had a warm place in her heart.

She had long had a strong desire to devote herself wholly to Christian work, and in 1889 she gave herself up for the work of God in China. How well I remember the great missionary meeting in the Metropolitan Tabernacle [the church that Charles Spurgeon served as pastor], before she went out the first time; the ringing charge of that man of God, C.H. Spurgeon, and the fervent words of John M‘Neill! How she felt them all, and offered herself upon the altar of God’s service!

Emma Thirgood sailed for China on November 28, 1889. Six months afterwards, writing to a friend from Yangzhou, she says: “I feel I must write you a few lines to tell you how happy I am, and what great things the Lord has done for me. Is it not wonderful how he teaches us in China?” 

Such was her gladness of heart and humility of mind at the beginning of her work. 

For a time she was stationed at Ching Jiangpu one of the CIM stations on the Grand Canal. Afterward (1893) she went into the province of Gansu but no matter where or with whom she labored, she ever showed the same cheerful, bright, and gentle spirit.

The initial excitement of life on the mission field wore off, however, and the constant exertions and stress of being a foreign woman in a strange land began to take a toll on Thirgood’s health. By 1896, after seven years in China, she suffered a physical and emotional breakdown and returned to England, where she was described as “at the point of death.” After resting for two and a half years, Thirgood was given a clean bill of health and returned to Zhejiang refreshed and ready for the challenge. On the final Saturday before departing from England she said, “My heart is full of praise to the Lord for having, after two and a half years of waiting, so strengthened me that, contrary to the expectations of my friends, I am now able to return to the work I love.”

Pastor Bagley wrote of that time, “How well I remember that summer! We were together at the Keswick Convention. Her delight in the meetings was unbounded, and her joy in Christian fellowship intense.”

Emma was with Etta and Herbert Ward when they were all overtaken by the Boxers.

She watched in horror as the ruthless mob stabbed Etta and Herbert Ward to death. Seeing all this, “She knew there was no escape for her, and, kneeling in prayer, committed her soul to God. While in this attitude she received her death wounds and thus obtained release from her cruel tormentors.”

A.J. Broomhall and Paul Hattaway