Introduction to John Otte

Dr. Otte, pictured here in China during his medical missionary work.

Early in his time in Amoy, China, in the last decade of the nineteenth century, a blind man named Poe-Hia entered John Otte’s hospital, hoping for a cure. Blindness was not unusual, and Otte enjoyed writing about it, because of its intensity and metaphoric power of taking people from darkness to light. Always formal, Otte set up an operation, which gave him partial sight. Unfortunately, soon after the operation, a disease caused his vision to fail again. Poe-Hia, however, had a spiritual vision instead, then becoming known as “the blind preacher.” To Otte, this conversion was “the one glad note that drowns the cries of misery which often fill our hearts with woe.” In photographs with patients, Otte appears intense, focused, and formal. His brown eyes are engaged. He is dressed in neatly pressed formal wear, his moustache full but trimmed, and his short brown hair slicked back. He had a clear purpose for his patients that went beyond medicine. The blind preacher went to learn brail, study theology, leading services, and influencing others. To Otte, the blind preacher represented the ideal patient and embodied his work. He often wrote about him, referred to him as a foundational element of his ministry, and specifically referenced him in the official account of his work. In addition to helping clinic patients and admitted patients, Otte was there as a medical missionary to spread Christianity and ultimately change Chinese society. The line between his focus on the physical well-being and spiritual well-being, single-minded, arrogant missionary and genuine admirer of the people are not straightforward. Otte was almost always positive and praised God for all of those who gave their life to Christ, and for the money he received to continue working abroad as a missionary. Such praise, both by Otte himself and those who praised him, are naturally biased. It is difficult to find a more comprehensive story of John Otte beyond his intense and focused worldview. In the case of the blind preacher, Otte’s ultimate goal of changing spiritual society was fulfilled, no matter the cost.