HTSS: Chapter 5a
November 10, 2008 – 9:28 pmChapter 5a: Faith Tried and Strengthened
Summary
Hudson Taylor’s growing experience in Hull, England was followed by more preparation in London. As a medical student, Hudson could have drawn funding from his father and the missionary society which was to send him to China, but he declined both offers, save the Society’s coverage of his medical school fees. He desperately wanted to grow in his dependence upon God for all provision.
In a letter to his sister before he left Hull, Hudson wrote “I know He tries me only to increase my faith, and that it is all in love. Well, if He is glorified, I am content.” His son writes that “if [his dependence upon God] could fail, it were better to make the discovery in London than far away in China. Deliberately and of his own free will, he cut himself off from possible sources of supply.” He goes on to write that “the outcome proved that in this decision the young medical student was indeed led of God.” Time and time again, his specific, child-like prayers were met with specific, Father-like provision from his Lord. In summary:
Suffice it to say here, that the loneliness and privations that were permitted, the test of endurance-when for months together he lived on nothing but brown bread and apples, walking more than eight miles a day to and from the hospital-and all the uncertainty as to his connection with the one and only society prepared to send him to China without university training, went far to make him the man of faith he was even at this early age [21 years old].
During his time of study in London, the Chinese Evangelization Society asked Hudson to sail at once to China to prepare a beachhead for further missions endeavors. From a human perspective, the request could not have come at a worse time - Hudson in the midst of medical school and China in the midst of a bloody revolution, the Taiping Rebellion [see these 3 articles for more information about this fascinating socio-political movement: Conservapedia, onwar.com, and Washington State University - World Civilization].
Due to the gravity of this decision, Hudson Taylor sought the counsel and prayers of his parents. He would wait to make his final decision until after they had given him their persuasion. A letter written to his mother expresses the bitter-sweet sentiments stirring in young Hudson’s heart:
If I should be accepted to go at once [to inland China], would you advise me to come home before sailing? I long to be with you once more, and I know you would naturally wish to see me; but I almost think it would be easier for us not to meet, than having met to part again forever. No, not forever! Pray much for me. It is easy to talk of leaving all for Christ, but when it comes to the proof - it is only as we stand “complete in Him” we can go through with it.
Remember, Hudson Taylor was only twenty-one years old when he wrote these words. God had gripped his heart, and he could not but give his short life to his great God and the cause that God had given him!
Editorial
3 Observations
- Hudson grew in his dependence upon God. In many ways, living in the bustling city life of London was more of a test for his commitment to rely on God alone than life in Hull. Here he was offered a “free ride”: tuition covered, room and board with his uncle, and living funds and beyond from his parents. But, other than his schooling, he refused all other support. The cost of living must have been higher than before; and the lifestyles surrounding him must have had some draw to the young man. But he did not waver, resolving that God had called him to “pray provision in.”
- Hudson, again, demonstrated the importance of being well trained for his task. By pursuing his medical degree, he hoped to be better suited to address needs of those he ministered among in China. This is why the option of sailing to China, giving up the possibility of his medical degree, was such a monumental decision. While many would not even think about aborting this educational opportunity, Hudson did not want anything to step in the way of what God wanted, and wisely took counsel with his parents concerning the matter. This ought to be a challenge to us to take all matters to the Lord in prayer, and to seek the wise counsel of godly leaders that our Lord has given us. And to listen and heed their advice! Often we say that we sought the Lord and godly counsel concerning a matter, but are not patient enough to wait and listen.
- Finally, young Hudson unreservedly committed his life to service wherever God would direct him, even if that meant to a nation torn apart by a rebellion, and whose interior had no significant Evangelical Christian presence whatsoever. Can we immolate Hudson Taylor’s example of leaving all, “as we stand ‘complete in Him?’”
In Chapter 5b we will discover the decision that Hudson Taylor made between giving up his medical education and setting sail for inland China.
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.
