Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret (HTSS): Chapter 1
November 3, 2008 – 4:17 pm
Chapter 1: An Open Secret
Summary
Directly addressing the title of this brief biography, chapter one establishes the theme of the book - Hudson Taylor’s dependence on his God for all things. The opening paragraph addresses the “intensely practical” nature of Taylor, being one who “lived a life of constant change among all sorts and conditions of men.” Though he did next possess great physical strength (in fact he was plagued by physical issues during his whole ministry), Taylor was a “hard worker and an efficient medical man…able to care for a baby, cook a dinner, keep accounts, and comfort the sick and sorrowing, no less than to originate great enterprises and afford spiritual leadership to thoughtful men and women the wide world over.”
But beyond these admirable qualities, “he put to the test the promises of God, and proved it possible to live a consistent spiritual life on the highest plane.” His greatest institutional legacy, China Inland Mission, opened up the remote parts of China to the gospel, enabling over “twelve hundred missionaries, [who were dependent] upon God for the supply of all their needs without promise of salary”, to freely plant churches in these regions.
The chapter ends by raising the question “what was the secret… of such a life?” It all boils down to this reality- “the simple, profound secret of drawing for every need, temporal or spiritual, upon ‘the fathomless wealth of Christ.’” The author concludes that we have access to this ‘secret,’ “for we have Hudson Taylor’s Bible and his God.”
Dr. Howard Taylor would like for us to realize that the “secret” to Hudson Taylor’s success is no secret at all. His choice of words for the book title appears to be for effect, because he frankly states that Taylor’s life is testimony, not to some top secret success formula, but to his great God, specifically the worth of His Son Jesus Christ. (cf. Col.1:18-19; 2:2-3, 10)
Editorial
Two elements are worthy of our notice in this first chapter:
First, Dr. Howard Taylor’s language in the second paragraph - “[Hudson Taylor] proved it possible to live a consistent spiritual life on the highest plane” - seems to lean towards the “second crisis experience sanctification” ideology (i.e. Wesleyan view of sanctification). We will see, through the duration of the book, if indeed Hudson Taylor held to this view or if Dr. Taylor’s language is simply ambiguous and/or confusing.
Second, throughout the biography we will observe Hudson’s Taylor philosophy of what is today known as “faith missions,” i.e. “depending upon God for the supply of all their needs without promise of salary.” Dr. Taylor says, about China Inland Mission’s [today known as the Oversees Missions Fellowship International or OMF International] faith policy, that it “has never been in debt… [and] never asks man or woman to join its ranks, yet has sent to China recently two hundred new workers given in answer to prayer.” [The book was originally published in 1932] Several questions ought to surface as we journey through this work: Should “faith missions” be the guiding philosophy of missions efforts? What is the Pauline model of missions support? Is it wrong for missions boards to recruit missionaries? Is deputation, speaking at numerous churches to raise prayer and financial support, a “lack of faith?” These are healthy questions to ask, as we strive to root our missions philosophy on Scriptural principles.
106 years ago this November, J. Hudson Taylor resigned as Director of the China Inland Mission. He left behind a legacy to all believers, particularly those involved in missions works in mainland China. Missions Mandate will highlight Taylor’s life and ministry during the month of November.
Each work day of the month of November I will post a summary of one chapter of Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor’s classic book Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret. Dr. Howard Taylor was the second son of J. Hudson Taylor, and followed in his father’s footsteps as a pioneer missionary, speaker and author.
