James Hudson Taylor

James Hudson Taylor in 1865 (http://transformatum.com/2007/02/05/ monday-meditation-33-taylor-and-church-planting/)

As the psalmist David wrote in Psalm 84:11, “No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly,” so Hudson Taylor believed. One of the most remarkable missionaries of all times, Taylor was born in 1832 in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England. Taylor grew up in a Christian home but did not accept his parent’s faith as his own until the age of 18. From the time of his conversion, Taylor felt called by God to travel to China as a missionary. Recognized by many as “the father of modern missions,” Taylor shared the gospel with thousands of people throughout China. He also founded the China Inland Mission, which is still growing today. Amazingly Taylor translated the Bible into several different Chinese dialects and wrote at least one book about the Chinese. I find Taylor’s life exemplary because he consistently displayed sacrificial giving, prayer, and courage.

Hudson Taylor (www.phd.id.au/pages/christianity.html)

Through his life Taylor practiced sacrificial giving. Before leaving for China, he accustomed himself to the privations of Chinese living. He moved out of his aunt’s fancy house and into a small hut. In addition, he replaced his comfortable bed with one less so and rationed his money. Such foods items as “butter [and] milk…[Taylor] ceased to use, and [he] found that by living mainly on oatmeal and rice, with occasional variations, a very small sum was sufficient for [his] needs” (Taylor 26). Instead of living luxuriously on a doctor’s salary, he gave much of his profit to the poor and needy. Upon arrival in China, Taylor exchanged his English clothing for that of the Chinese and wore his hair in the Chinese fashion. Due to these sacrifices Taylor was accepted more readily by the Chinese and, therefore, was better used to fulfill God’s will.

As a missionary Taylor was a man of prayer who realized that he could do nothing without Christ’s help. From two to four in the morning Taylor spent time with the Lord in prayer. Similar to other missionaries Taylor could not control the provision of his daily needs or the conversion of the lost. Instead of worrying, he poured out his needs to God in prayer “day and night…in the name of Jesus” (Taylor 201). Not once did Taylor personally ask for funds; the Lord provided as Taylor needed. When Taylor first arrived in China in 1854, he needed an affordable home. Taylor prayed often and two days later God provided the ideal house for him. Similarly, Taylor continuously prayed for the salvation of the Chinese as he spread the Word of God. All throughout his life Taylor laid all of his requests down at the throne of Grace.

We can learn much from the courage depicted in Taylor’s life. In his readiness to move to China without the assurance of ever seeing his family and friends again, Taylor illustrated courage. Also, Hudson faced the ever-present threat of being captured, imprisoned, or killed by Chinese officials. He continued proclaiming the Word of God in spite of danger. It took courage to believe that his work would not be in vain; God would bring fruit from Taylor’s toils. Throughout his missionary career Taylor portrayed tremendous bravery.

In conclusion, Taylor’s life is filled with humility, prayer, and courage. Living this life was difficult, “but he knew it was vital” (Taylor 235), and so he persisted. Throughout the course of his missionary life Taylor helped bring some 13,000 Chinese to Christ (Taylor 238). From the time Taylor founded the China Inland Mission in 1865 to the end of his life, more than 700 missionaries joined the mission. This faithful servant’s life serves as an encouragement to me to diligently live a life focused on God and demonstrates for me an incredible model of a godly man who “stopped at no sacrifice in following Christ” (Taylor 236). Taylor walked uprightly, and God provided him with abundant fruit from his labors.