I have read a number of biographies about Hudson Taylor but this is the first in a while. It provides a good overview of his life and ministry. The end of the book begins the description of the Boxer rebellion in the early 1900's during which many Protestant missionaries were martyred, although Taylor by that point was nearing the end of his ministry.

Taylor dedicated his entire life and witness to pioneer work in China and founded the China Inland Mission (CIM) which later became Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) and expanded to other Asian countries. CIM under Taylor developed branches in a number of countries around the world all of whom sent missionaries to inland China. The missionaries received mixed responses but this has to be the most convicting;

"How long has the Gospel been known in England?" Ni asked Taylor. "For several hundred years," replied an embarrassed Hudson Taylor. "What!" exclaimed Ni. "And you have only now come to preach it to us? My father sought after the truth for more than twenty years and died without finding it. Why didn't you come sooner?" It was a difficult question to answer.

Taylor believed in the principle of living by faith with no fixed salary and refused collections or any type of fundraising for the work. CIM workers were expected to adhere to the policy. His testimony that God is always faithful when His servants Honour Him is proved in this biography. He believed that denominational differences should take a back seat and CIM workers simply needed to sign to a basic doctrinal declaration. He also believed that missionaries should conform to the culture of their field as far as is possible without compromising the Gospel message. He wrote this to the man selecting CIM candidates in England

China is not to be won for Christ by ease loving men and women...The stamp of men and women we need is such as will put Jesus, China, souls first and foremost in everything and at every time- even life itself must be secondary...Of such men, and such women, do not fear to send us too many. They are more precious than rubies.

Those who served with CIM donned Chinese dress at an early stage, shocking their fellow missionaries from other organisations and offending some who felt that their position as foreigners helped them to gain an audience. At the time that may have been true but it also meant that a lot of Chinese would accept their message out of fear or cultural politeness, the message wouldn't necessarily reach beyond that to touch their hearts. They would continue to associate Christianity with the West rather than the reality that God created everyone and shows no partiality. Taylor's approach whilst radical in his day seemed to work as the Chinese saw that they were willing to give up their Western ways and to serve them. Westerners dressed in Chinese clothes certainly attracted attention;

The citizens of Nanxun generally approved of what the two men had done. One man followed them everywhere and took them into a teashop. "What you were preaching was the truth" he said. "I will pay for your tea." A group of men gathered around them at the table. "Are all idols false?" "What benefits arise from believing in Jesus?" "If Jesus is in heaven, how can we worship Him here?" "Take me to see God and Jesus," said one, "and then I can believe on them." "Do you believe the barbarian's doctrine?" Taylor overheard one man whisper to his friend.."Yes I do." came the reply.

Taylor was also very direct with the people about superstition and idolatry rather than the approach that some missionaries have adopted. After hearing of the origins of some of their idols who had later committed suicide.

"Then your idols were only men. And men who stole their master's property and did wrong by taking their own lives." Taylor went on to tell his guests for the first time about the true and living God who gave His only Son that whoever believed in Him might not perish but have everlasting life.

Hudson worked tirelessly for his cause and became well loved and respected for his dedication and willingness to give his time to people

"I have seen him come home at the close of the day footsore and weary, his face covered with blisters from the heat of the sun. He would throw himself down to rest in a state of utter exhaustion and then get up again in a few hours to face the toil and hardship of another day. It was clear to me that he enjoyed the highest respect from the Chinese, and was doing a great deal of good among them. His influence was like that of a fragrant flower, spreading the sweetness of true Christianity about him."

Taylor also had a message that can definitely be applied to us today

"How few of the Lord's people have practically recognized the truth that Christ is either Lord of all, or is not Lord at all! If we can judge God's Word, instead of being judged by that Word; if we can give to God as much or as little as we like, then we are lords and He is the indebted one, to be grateful for our dole and obliged by our compliance with His wishes. If, on the other hand, He is Lord, let us treat Him as such."

This is a well researched and written biography about a remarkable man who would probably distance himself from such a label due to thinking nothing of himself. Anyone with a heart for mission needs to read about the life and work of Hudson Taylor and this book is a good option.





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$10
A readable account of Taylor's life, his losses and the God who provided for him. Steer has pulled together key events, character traits and spiritual principles that formed the pioneer missionary and founder of OMF.

Group N1