circularthoughts

Chapter 6: Building in Troublous Times (1854)...

Taylor arrived in Shanghai with no one to meet him and no where to go.  He found his way to an already established missionary compound and they allowed him to stay.  He spent the next few months studying Mandarin and working to establish the new base for the Chinese Evangelization Society (CES).  He was under-funded and ill-prepared.  A few months in, he learned that the CES was sending another missionary family.  Taylor was responsible for making preparations for their arrival.  These were difficult days for Taylor; days that caused him to press into the Lord.

One cannot but be impressed in reading the letters of this period with the sacred ambition of Hudson Taylor's prayers; a subject worth pondering, if it is true that prayer, not circumstances, moulds the life, and that as are our deepest desires before God so will the trend of our outward experiences be.  Certainly nothing is more significant in the life before us than the longing for usefulness and likeness to the Lord he loved.  Not honour or success, but usefulness, widespread usefulness, was his constant prayer. 

His prayers were indeed to be answered beyond anything he asked or thought; but he must pray with yet fuller meaning, and go through with all the training needed at the Master's hands.  The iron must be tempered to steel, and his heart made stronger and more tender than others, through having loved and suffered more, with God.  He was pioneering a way in China, little as he or anyone else could imagine it, for hundreds who were to follow.  Every burden must be his, every trial known as only experience can teach it.  He who was to be used of God to dry so many tears, must himself weep.  He who was to encourage thousands in a life of childlike trust, must learn in his own case deep lessons of a Father's loving care.  So difficulties were permitted to gather about him, especially at first when every impression was vivid and lasting, difficulties attended by many a deliverance to encourage him.

As much of his usefulness later on was to consist in helping and providing for young missionaries, it is not to be wondered at that a large part of his preparation at this time had to do with financial matters and the unintentional mismanagement of the home Committee.  He had to learn how to do and how not to do for those who on the human side would be dependent on him; a lesson of vital importance, lying at the very foundation of his future work.  Hence all this trial about a small, settled income and large uncertain needs; about irregularity of mails and long-unanswered letters; about rapidly changing opportunities of service on the field, and the slow moving ideas and inaccessibility of Committees at home.  He did his best, and the inexperienced Secretaries in London did their best also.  But something, somehow, was wanting; and just what it was Hudson Taylor had to discover, and later on to remedy.  The iron was entering into his very soul; but from this long endurance was to spring heart's ease for many another.  (page 74)

I continue to be amazed by Taylor.  I also sense an emerging kindredship with this great man of God, as I, too, have been called to start a new work.  Not that I am anywhere near his stature in the Kingdom, but, oh how I long to listen and learn from his life...

Chapter 5: China at Last (1853-1854)...

My dear friend Marty leaves for China tomorrow.  This Hudson Taylor post is dedicated to his mother.  It is worth it...

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Hudson Taylor was finally leaving for China.  He sailed on a double-masted ship called the Dumfries.  The voyage would take almost six months. 

It was difficult for Taylor to leave his mother behind.  It was, perhaps, even more difficult for his mother.  Hudson writes of his feelings surrounding this goodbye:

My beloved mother had come over to Liverpool to see me off.  Never shall I forget that day, nor how she went with me into the cabin that was to be my home for nearly six long months.  With a mother's loving hand she smoothed the little bed.  She sat by my side and joined in the last hymn we should sing together before parting.  We knelt down and she prayed - the last mother's prayer I was to hear before leaving for China.  Then notice was given that we must separate, and we had to say good-bye, never expecting to meet on earth again.

For my sake she restrained her feelings as much as possible.  We parted, and she went ashore giving me her blessing.  I stood alone on deck, and she followed the ship as we moved toward the dock-gates.  As we passed through the gates and the separation really commenced, never shall I forget the cry of anguish wrung from that mother's heart.  It went through me like a knife.  I never knew so fully, until then, what "God so loved the world" meant.  And I am quite sure my precious mother learned more of the love of God for the perishing in that one hour than in all her life before.

Oh how it must grieve the heart of God when He sees His children indifferent to the needs of that wide world for which His beloved, His only Son suffered and died.

I see a lot of Hudson Taylor in Marty.  Today, I stood with Marty and blessed him.  I gave him a holy kiss and thanked him for going.  I reminded him that is was truly worth it.  Go, my friend.  Go, and may the kingdom follow your steps...

Chapter 4: The Lord Will Provide (1852-1853)...

Chapter 3 ended with Taylor making the decision to move to London to pursue additional medical training.  His desire was to use medicine as a tool to open doors for the gospel once he went to China.  Having made the decision to go to London, Taylor now was concerned with how to support himself while there.  The following is an excerpt from his journal on how he made the decision to trust God to meet all of his needs:

I felt that I could not go to China without having still further developed and tested my power to rest upon His faithfulness; and a marked opportunity for doing so was providentially afforded me.

My father had offered to bear all the expense of my stay in London.  I knew, however, that, owing to recent losses, it would mean a considerable sacrifice for him to undertake this just when it seemed necessary for me to go forward.  I had recently become acquainted with the Committee of the Chinese Evangelization Society, in connection with which I ultimately left for China.  Not knowing of my father's proposition, the Committee also kindly offered to bear my expenses while in London.  When these proposals were first made to me, I was not quite clear as to what I ought to do, and in writing to my father and the secretaries, told them that I would take a few days to pray about the matter before deciding any course of action.  I mentioned to my father that I had had this offer from the Society, and told the secretaries also of his proffered aid.

Subsequently, while waiting upon God in prayer for guidance, it became clear to my mind that I could without difficulty decline both offers.  The secretaries of the Society would not know that I had cast myself wholly on God for supplies, and my father would conclude that I had accepted the other offer.  I therefore wrote declining both, and felt that without anyone having either care or anxiety on my account I was simply in the hands of God, and that He who knew my heart, if He wished to encourage me to go to China, would bless my effort to depend upon Him alone at home.

Simply amazing.  Taylor sensed that he was going to need to draw deep from God while in China.  To prepare for this, he did what most would say was irresponsible.  How many of us would see two offers as God's confirmation of what we were doing and then choose the best deal?  Oh, to have the kind of faith and desire to go deep in my dependence on God.

Taylor went to London and God did provide for his every need.  During his training, however, he became very sick and nearly died.  He had to go back home to recover, which put his medical training on hold.  This led Taylor to decide not to pursue the medical training and to go to China as soon as possible.  Taylor did not know how this would happen, but God was at work. 

Great things were happening in China.  There was a revolution underway and the leader had been exposed to Christianity.  Many who had an interest in the evangelization of China believed that the doors were about to be wide open for the gospel.  In response to this excitement, the Committee of the Chinese Evangelization Society decided to start sending missionaries, fully trained or not.  Taylor was one of their choices.  The following letter was sent to Hudson Taylor in June of 1853:

17 Red Lion Square
June 4, 1853

My Dear Sir,

As you have fully made up your mind to go to China, and also not to qualify as a surgeon, I would affectionately suggest that you lose no time in preparing to start.  At this time we want really devoted men, and I believe your heart is right before God and your motives pure, so that you need not hesitate in offering.

I think you will find a difficulty in carrying out your plan (of self-support), as even Mr. Lobscheid could not get a free passage.  It is a very difficult thing to obtain.  The expense for a single man is about £60.  Might not the time you want to spend in acquiring a knowledge of Ophthalmics be spent more profitably in China?

If you think it right to offer yourself, I shall be most happy to lay your application before the Board.  It is an important step, and much earnest prayer is needed.  But guidance will be given.  Do all with thy might, and speedily.

I am, my dear sir, very truly yours,

Charles Bird

Hudson Taylor was on his way to China...

 

Chapter 3: From Faith to Faith (1851-1852)...

There are some amazing stories in this chapter; too many to share.  There is one, however, that stood out from the rest, at least for now.  I might post some more later.  Anyway, Taylor was living in Hull, receiving some medical training by working for a surgeon.  He had learned all he could and was beginning to get restless.  He wanted to go to London, believing that this was the next step in his preparation for China, however, circumstances seemed to stand in his way.  He could not find a job in London and he had no place to stay with only a handful of friends to even impose upon.  He strongly believed he should go, but could not see how it would work.  It is in this position of uncertainty that he wrote the following in a letter to his mother:

With regard to London, I began prayerfully to consider why I desired to take the step contemplated; and I believe my only object is that I may be enabled to serve the Lord better and be more useful in the advancement of His Kingdom.  This step I have every ground for thinking will be a valuable preparation for China.  Then why do I not take it?  Simply because I am in doubt about the wherewithal.  If my earthly father had offered to send me five or ten pounds in case of need, I should have resigned my position here without hesitation.  How much more should I go forward trusting in Him who says: "Take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?...Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.'  Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

To go on depending on circumstances seems to me like doubting the Lord.  Consequently I gave notice to Dr. Hardey on Saturday last, and shall go up to London whether I obtain a situation or not, trusting in the Lord.  I have heard of one today and shall write about it, though I do not think it will suit me on account of distance from the hospital.  As to getting a salary, that is quite out of the question.  If I can find a position that will allow six or eight hours a day for lectures, that is all I can expect.

Why was Taylor able to make this decision, even though circumstances suggested he should not?  Because he believed God's word.  That is the simple and only explanation.  It wasn't irresponsible for Taylor to move to London.  It was a step of faith, based on the word of God.  Father, help me to learn this lesson, again and again...

Chapter 2: The New Starting Point (1850-1851)...

There were two things that spoke to me in this chapter.  First, Taylor knew he was going to face difficulties in going to China.  He was single.  His denomination, the Methodists, did not have any work in China.  He had no money.  In the midst of these barriers Taylor maintained a faith in the God of the impossible.  He wrote in a letter to his sister:

I have not, as you know, the slightest idea how I shall go.  But this I know, I shall go, either alone or married.  I know God has called me to the work, and He will provide the means.

But who is to send me?  The Wesleyans have no station in China.  The Established Church have one or two, but I am not a Churchman, and would not do for them.  The Baptists and Independents have stations there, but I do not hold their views.  The Chinese Association is very low in funds.  So God and God alone is my hope, and I need no other.

The second is Taylor's pursuit of the Chinese language.  He had neither the funds to pay for a tutor nor the books from which to study.  All he had was a copy of the Gospel of Luke in Mandarin Chinese.  This excerpt from a letter to his sister Amelia explains how he was learning the language:

We find a short verse in the English version, and then look out a dozen or more (also in English) that have one word in common with it.  We then turn up the first verse in Chinese, and search through all the others for some character in common that seems to stand for the English word.  This we write down on a slip of paper as its probable equivalent.  Then we look all through the Chinese Gospel for this same character in different connections.  It occurs as a rule pretty frequently.  And if in every case we find the same word in the English version, we copy the character in ink into our dictionary, adding the meaning in pencil.  Afterwards, if further acquaintance shows it to be the true meaning, we ink that over also.  At first we made slow progress, but now we can work much faster, as with few exceptions we know all the most common characters.

I have begun to get up at five in the morning, and so find it necessary to go to bed early at night.  I must study if I mean to go to China.  I am fully decided to go, and am making every preparation I can.  I intend to rub up my Latin, to learn Greek and the rudiments of Hebrew, and to get as much general information as possible.

This put me to shame.  I have been studying Mandarin Chinese for three or four years now, and I have RosettaStone and all kinds of books and Chinese friends.  I have never had the devotion that Taylor had.  I pray that this will change...

Chapter 1: Set Apart Unto the Lord...

My favorite part of Chapter 1 was Hudson Taylor's testimony of his conversion, taken from his journal.  I will share it in full here:

My mother being absent from home, I had a holiday, and in the afternoon looked through my father's library to find some book with which to while away the unoccupied hours.  Nothing attracting me, I turned over a basket of pamphlets and selected from amongst them a Gospel tract that looked interesting, saying to myself, "There will be a story at the commencement and a sermon or moral at the close.  I will take the former and leave the latter for those who like it."

I sat down to read the book in an utterly unconcerned state of mind, believing indeed at the time that if there were any salvation it was not for me, and with a distinct intention to put away the tract as soon as it should seem prosy.

Little did I know at the time what was going on in the heart of my mother, seventy or eighty miles away.  She rose from the dinner table that afternoon with an intense yearning for the conversion of her boy; and feeling that, absent from home and having more leisure than she could otherwise secure, a special opportunity was afforded her of pleading with God on my behalf.  She went to her room and turned the key in the door, resolved not to leave the spot until her prayers were answered.  Hour after hour that dear mother pleaded, until at length she could pray no longer, but was constrained to praise God for that which His Spirit taught her had already been accomplished, the conversion of her only son.

I in the meantime had been led in the way I have mentioned to take up this little tract, and while reading it was struck with the phrase: "The finished work of Christ."

"Why does the author use this expression?" I questioned.  "Why not say the atoning or propitiatory work of Christ?"

Immediately the words "It is finished" suggested themselves to my mind.

"What was finished?"

And I at once replied, "A full and perfect atonement and satisfaction for sin.  The debt was paid for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

Then came the further thought, "If the whole work was finished and the whole debt paid, what is there left for me to do?"

And with this dawned the joyful conviction, as light was flashed into my soul by the Holy Spirit, that there was nothing in the world to be done but to fall down on one's knees and, accepting this Saviour and His salvation, praise Him for evermore.

Thus while my mother was praising God on her knees in her chamber, I was praising Him in the old warehouse to which I had gone alone to read at my leisure this little book.

Several days elapsed before I ventured to make even my sister the confidante of my joy, and then only after she had promised not to tell anyone.  When Mother returned a fortnight later I was the first to meet her at the door and to tell her I had such glad news to give.  I can almost feel that dear mother's arms round my neck as she said,

"I know, my boy."

"Why," I asked in surprise, "has Amelia broken her promise?  She said she would tell no one."

My mother assured me that it was not from any human source she had learned the tidings, and went on to tell the incident mentioned above.  You will agree with me that it would be strange indeed if I were not a believer in the power of prayer.

Nor was this all.  Some time after, I picked up a pocket-book exactly like my own and, thinking it was mine, opened it.  The lines that caught my eye were an entry in the little diary belonging to my sister, to the effect that she would give herself daily to prayer until God should answer in the conversion of her brother.  One month later the Lord was pleased to turn me from darkness to light.

Brought up in such a circle and saved in such circumstances, it was perhaps natural that from the commencement of my Christian life I was led to feel that the promises were very real, and that prayer was in sober matter of fact transacting business with God, whether on one's own behalf or on the behalf of those for whom one sought His blessing.

To have that kind of grasp on prayer...

J. Hudson Taylor: God's Man in China

One of my mights for the new year was to read more biographies.  This past Friday, a missionary couple that Every Nation is sending to China dropped off a box of books for me to hold until they return in three years.  I rummaged through the box to see what they had that I might want to read and found J. Hudson Taylor: God's Man in China, by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor.

I had recently been told that I would love Hudson Taylor because he was the kind of man who was willing to push the limits of conventional wisdom all for the purpose of advancing God's kingdom.  Sounds like my kind of guy.

All of this to say, I plan to read this biography and I plan to post an excerpt or quote or comment from each chapter.  Hope you don't mind...