By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

The Baptist missionaries who were martyred in Hopevale in Tapaz, Capiz.

On the early part of December 1943, in a place called “Hopevale” in the hills of Katipunan, Tapaz, Capiz, 11 American Baptist missionaries, together with other Americans who sought refuge with them, were most probably preparing for their Christmas celebration. This would have been their second Christmas since they evacuated in 1942. But they were not able to celebrate Christmas that year.

On December 20, 1943, the American Baptist missionaries, who were assigned to Central Philippine College, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, Filamer Christian College, and churches of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, were executed by the Japanese soldiers who captured them.

This December 20, 2020 is the 77th anniversary of their martyrdom. The martyrs were Jennie Clare Adams, Prof. James Howard Covell, Charma Moore Covell, Dorothy Antoinette Dowell, Signe Amelia Erikson, Dr. Frederick Willer-Meyer, Ruth Schacht Meyer, Rev. Dr. Francis Howard Rose, Gertrude Coombs Rose, Rev. Erle Frederich Rounds, Louise Cummings Rounds, and a little boy, Erle Douglas Rounds.

As we celebrate Christmas every year, may we remember the sacrifices of Christian martyrs throughout history. And ultimately, let us not forget that Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, gave His life and died on Calvary. This Jesus, who was visited by the shepherds when he was born, is the same Jesus who is our Good Shepherd.

Here is a poem by Rev. Dr. Francis Howard Rose, one of the “Hopevale Martyrs”, entitled “Jesus, Thou tender Shepherd”. He wrote this poem in Hopevale. We are grateful for the Filipinos who were able to secure it after their bodies and their belongings were burned by the Japanese.

“Jesus, Thou tender Shepherd of the sheep,
In vain we try this mountain trail to keep,
Keep Thou Thy flock within safeguarded door
And in Thy bosom, O bring us home once more.

Life’s dark enigmas everywhere abound,
Make, without Thee, a ceaseless nightmare round
Where shall we turn, in turmoil, loss, and strife?
Thou are our answer, Thou are Eternal Life.

Thou are the Truth, Incarnate Word of God,
All others fail to point us out the road.
Though seek we rest, our Quest will never cease
Until we find Thee, find Thee our Perfect Peace.

Jesus, Thou Mighty Shepherd of the sheep,
We trust our all, Thy pierced hands to keep
Against that day, in Thy fair Morning land,
When, in Thy Presence, before Thy face we stand.”