I first learned about Rev. Hudson Taylor's story back in 2016 while attending a Bible training class. The teacher mentioned him, sparking my curiosity. I then read the book J. Hudson Taylor-A Man in Christ and was deeply moved by a statement he made: "If I had a thousand pounds, China should have it; if I had a thousand lives, China should have them. No! Not China, but Christ. Can we do too much for Him? Can we do enough for such a precious Savior?"
Hudson Taylor was born on May 21, 1832, in England. His father was James Taylor, and his mother was Amelia Hudson. By the time he was 16, he felt called to preach the gospel in China. He made the journey at 21 and carried out his missionary work until he passed away on June 3, 1905.
From Rev. Hudson Taylor's ministry life, I've learned several important lessons for my spiritual growth.
Wisdom in Missionary Work
In 1855, Hudson Taylor decided to wear Chinese-style clothes, following a tip from Walter Henry Medhurst (who had already adopted Chinese clothing way back in 1845). He went through the trouble of having a Chinese barber on board, which took five or six hours of cutting, dyeing, and braiding his hair. While this might not seem like a big deal today, it was quite radical at the time for a foreigner to adopt the local customs so completely. This shows that effective preaching often requires thoughtfulness and a willingness to adapt. Acting carelessly can lead to undesired results, so one must approach the mission with wisdom.
Devotion to the Lord
Hudson Taylor's dedication to the cause of evangelism is beyond doubt. His entire life was devoted to the evangelistic work of the Chinese church. Just as his famous saying goes, whether it was energy, time, or money, he gave it all to this land of China. He would rather endure poverty himself, but still strives to be prosperous in the cause of evangelism.
But today, as servants and preachers, do we also have such a spirit of dedication?
Even though Christians are all dedicated to spreading the gospel, their spiritual lives vary greatly. Although believers are all serving the Lord on a daily basis, the responses when it comes to making sacrifices are quite different. Some of us are willing and eager to contribute, while others are hesitant and reluctant. After all, when it comes to giving something from oneself, for most people, they would prefer to receive more from the Lord. May Christians follow Hudson Taylor's spirit of selflessly giving for the Lord.
Faith in the Lord
Hudson Taylor was famous for his belief in "living by faith." Throughout his work as a missionary, he consistently relied on God, trusting Him through various challenges. Whether he faced financial troubles, danger to his life, or anti-missionary riots in China, Hudson showed what it means to follow and trust in the Lord.
The concept of "faith" might sound straightforward, but putting it into practice can be really tough. True faith means believing in something even when you can't see it. This is at the heart of what it means to look up to the Lord. For example, when Hudson was working with a mission organization and they failed to pay him on time, he decided to strike out on his own and preach independently. He even displayed Chinese couplets in his home that said, "Ebenezer" (Thus far the Lord has helped us) and "Yahweh-Yireh" (The Lord will provide).
Although many saw him as poor, Taylor didn't feel that way. He once said, "Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." His strong faith allowed him to experience God's help repeatedly. Whenever he found himself without money, donations would unexpectedly come in to meet his urgent needs. There was even a time when his cook told him they had only one bag of rice left. Hudson replied, "Then the Lord's help must be on its way."
This shows that people with faith perceive tough situations very differently from those without it.
Enthusiasm in Service
On New Year's Day of 1859, Hudson Taylor, despite being seriously ill, remained deeply concerned about the state of the mission work in China. In a letter to his father, he expressed, "The people here are constantly sinking, but God keeps blessing our work. However, we have been exhausted and need someone to help... Father! Since you have already given your son, please also give your influence."
Hudson's commitment to his mission was unwavering, even as his health deteriorated. As he said, "The sinking China worries me to death. I cannot be at peace during the day and cannot rest at night, so my health deteriorates day by day."
Servants should always keep the souls of the church and believers in mind. Hudson set an example for those who serve the Lord, always thinking about it and even worrying like crazy. If today's servants can learn a little of this, their service will surely present a brand new scene.
As a devoted preacher in China, Hudson Taylor was an influential figure and a faithful servant of God whose legacy continues to inspire modern ministers. His life's work teaches us that true service is rooted in heartfelt concern for individuals rather than mere adherence to rituals or external forms. Even in challenging circumstances, maintaining obedience to God's will and extending love to others is crucial. This spirit of selfless dedication is essential for the church today as it strives to meet the needs of its community.
Originally published by the Gospel Times
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by CJ Wang
