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China missionary Johan Alfred Rinell, who arrived in China in 1894, died
in China in 1941. His Chinese friends erected a stone to his memory. The
stone was destroyed, probably during the Cultural Revolution. The following
is a translation of the Chinese inscribed on that stone.
A Memorial Headstone for Rev. J. A. Rinell
Pastor, Rev. J.A. Rinell, a Swede from Europe, preached in China from
1894. In September he came to Jiaozhou [aka Kioahsien] from Dengzhou and
set up a Christian church in the southwest. He educated and led many Christians
for many decades. He got to know China well and the Jiaozhou natives accepted
him. They loved him and respected him. They even forgot he was a foreigner.
Rev. J.A. Rinell contributed to the local charity. In 1897, he went to
Qingdao. In 1914, Jiaozhou was flooded. What a terrible sight! The great
pastor felt sorry for the people. He gave away food and clothing. He treated
them. In 1918 he set up Rui Hua Hospital, and then Rui Hua Primary School
in 1900, and Ruihua Middle School in 1910. He also operated the post office
and made great contributions to communications in Jiaozhou. Rev. J.A.
Rinell paid much attention to literature and history. He wrote many books.
Unfortunately, he died on July 5, 1941, in Qingdao. In memory of him,
we set up this memorial headstone to show our love and respect for him.
The memorial headstone was erected in October by all the classes of Jiaozhou.
Translation of the memorial headstone is pictured on p. 177 of Yin Ying’s
book, Reminiscences of My Golden Years in Ruihua.
NOTES
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