A Gospel Tract Transforms a Young Man
In the mid-1800s, a young man named Hudson Taylor embarked on a journey that would change the landscape of missionary work in China. Born into a devout Methodist family in Barnsley, England, Taylor's path was marked by a profound spiritual awakening at the age of 17. While reading a Gospel tract, he experienced deep conviction and committed his life to Christ, a moment his mother somehow sensed and prayed fervently for from miles away.
Called to China
Taylor felt an undeniable call to China, prompting him to prepare rigorously by studying medicine, theology, and languages. His dedication was evident as he lived in a London slum to acclimate to a life of hardship. On June 25, 1865, in Brighton, England, Taylor founded the China Inland Mission (CIM) with a passionate commitment to evangelize the inland provinces of China. Inspired by the sight of a congregation comfortably worshipping while millions in China lacked knowledge of God, he resolved to surrender to this calling.
Taylor's faith was the cornerstone of CIM's principles. He refused to solicit funds directly, trusting instead that God would provide for the mission's needs. His belief was encapsulated in his words: "God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies." This faith was not in vain. Taylor prayed for 24 skilled workers for China's 11 provinces and Mongolia, and within three years, 73 new workers joined the mission.
Taylor’s approach was revolutionary. He encouraged missionaries to adopt Chinese clothing and customs to better connect with the people they served. Despite facing immense challenges, including illness and the loss of loved ones, Taylor's reliance on God’s provision never wavered. One testament to this was when he gave his last half-crown to a starving family, only to receive an anonymous package the next day containing four times the amount he had given.
By 1910, the CIM boasted over 800 missionaries in China, 125 schools, and more than 20,000 Chinese converts. Taylor's journey from doubt to deep faith not only transformed his life but also the lives of countless others. "All God's giants have been weak men, who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them," Taylor noted, capturing the essence of his faith-fueled mission.
