Since the life of Paul and era following Pentecost, few lives have left the legacy and impact among the unreached and unengaged as that of James Hudson Taylor. His unwavering devotion to exalting Jesus "built foundations where there were none" (Romans 15:20) such that millions of Chinese believers trace their lineage in the faith back to this young man from England.Born in 1832, James Hudson Taylor spent the first decade and a half of his life in what he would later term as blasphemy and unbelief until (crediting the prayers of his mother and the grace of his Maker) he met Jesus at the age of sixteen. The Man from Galilee quickly became Taylor's preeminent obsession and preoccupation. By the age of seventeen, driven by a dream for Jesus to be magnified by every man, woman, and child He made, Hudson Taylor committed himself to a life amongst the largest unreached nation of his day: China.Taylor founded the China Inland Mission in 1865, which immediately employed grounbreaking targeted and strategic mobilization models which effectively drove the Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus into a nation, provinces, and neighborhoods where the name of Jesus had, nearly two millennia after the Ascension, still not yet been heard or confessed. Taylor's Retrospect over a life so well lived is a glimpse into the heart and mind of a man of single vision and should be studied by every Gospel pioneer.
The inspiring story of one man's love for God and his unflinching commitment to present the Gospel of Christ to the Chinese.Previously published under the title To China With Love, this book recounts the thrilling story of Hudson Taylor and the eventual formation of the China Inland Mission.Hudson Taylor left England on September 19, 1853, and did not reach China until spring of the following year. The long and arduous voyage, persecution, poverty, and the difficulties of culture and language did not deter Taylor from the divine task of his calling. Few men have been such an instrument in God's hands for proclaiming the gospel to a vast population and bringing so many Christian churches into being.The autobiography of a man whose influence in China is still felt today.
J. Hudson Taylor is known as a key influencer in modern missions – what is less known but more important is that his “methods” were to trust in the Lord utterly and completely. He chose to forgo financial support from his parents and other well-meaning individuals, but instead waited on the Lord in all things. He even went hungry rather than mentioning needs to those who would gladly have given, so strong was his faith in the Lord as the only true source of all provision. The Lord proved his faithfulness, providing in such a way as to show that the He indeed is good and wants to give good gifts to his children – even more than an earthly father. As a result of J. Hudson Taylor’s faith, countless others caught the vision, and the beginnings of a massive “missionary revival” was born. As you read this man’s recollections of his own life, you will be inspired to trust completely on the only One who is genuinely able to provide, and perchance you will catch a bit of the urgency for lost souls that caused this man to forsake all for the sake of others.
The great purpose towards which all the dispensational dealings of God are tending, is revealed to us in the fifteenth chapter of the First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "That God may be all in all." With this agrees the teaching of our Lord in John xvii. 3: "And this is (the object of) life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." This being so, shall we not act wisely by keeping this object ever in view in our daily life and study of God's holy Word? All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable, and hence no part is, or can be, neglected without loss. Few portions of the Word will help the devout student more in the pursuit of this all-important "knowledge of God" than the too-much neglected "Song of Solomon." Like other portions of the Word of God, this book has its difficulties. But so have all the works of God. Is not the fact that they surpass our unaided powers of comprehension and research a "sign-manual" of divinity? Can feeble man expect to grasp divine power, or to understand and interpret the works or the providences of the All-wise? And if not, is it surprising that His Word also needs superhuman wisdom for its interpretation? Thanks be to God, the illumination of the Holy Ghost is promised to all who seek for it: what more can we desire? Read without the key, this book is specially unintelligible, but that key is easily found in the express teachings of the New Testament. The Incarnate Word is the true key to the written Word; but even before the incarnation, the devout student of the Old Testament would find much help to the understanding of the sacred mysteries of this book in the prophetic writings; for there Israel was taught that her Maker was her Husband. John the Baptist, the last of the prophets, recognized the Bridegroom in the person of Christ, and said, "He that hath the bride is the Bridegroom: but the friend of the Bridegroom, which standeth and heareth Him, rejoiceth greatly because of the Bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled." Paul, in the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians, goes still further, and teaches that the union of Christ with His Church, and her subjection to Him, underlies the very relationship of marriage, and affords the pattern for every godly union. In Solomon, the bridegroom king, as well as author of this poem, we have a type of our Lord, the true Prince of peace, in His coming reign. Then will be found not merely His bride, the Church, but also a willing people, His subjects, over whom He shall reign gloriously. Then distant potentates will bring their wealth, and will behold the glory of the enthroned King, proving Him with hard questions, as once came the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon; and blessed will they be to whom this privilege is accorded. A brief glance will suffice them for a lifetime; but what shall be the royal dignity and blessedness of the risen and exalted bride! For ever with her Lord, for ever like her Lord, for ever conscious that His desire is toward her, she will share alike His heart and His throne. Can a study of the book which helps us to understand these mysteries of grace and love be other than most profitable?
We would draw the attention of beloved friends to the instructive passage with which the fifteenth chapter of Numbers closes; and may GOD, through our meditation on His precious Word, make it yet more precious and practical to each one of us, for CHRIST our REDEEMER'S sake!
For many years these chapters had no special interest to me; but I have never ceased to be thankful that I was early led to read the Word of God in regular course: it was through this habit that these chapters first became specially precious to me. I was travelling on a missionary tour in the province of Cheh-kiang, and had to pass the night in a very wicked town. All the inns were dreadful places; and the people seemed to have their consciences seared, and their hearts sealed against the Truth. My own heart was oppressed, and could find no relief; and I awoke the next morning much cast down, and feeling spiritually hungry and thirsty indeed. On opening my Bible at the seventh chapter of Numbers, I felt as though I could not then read that long chapter of repetitions; that I must turn to some chapter that would feed my soul. And yet I was not happy in leaving my regular portion; so after a little conflict I resolved to read it, praying to God to bless me, even through Numb. vii. I fear there was not much faith in the prayer; but oh! how abundantly it was answered, and what a feast God gave me! He revealed to me His own great heart of love, and gave me the key to understand this and the previous chapter as never before. May God make our meditations upon them as helpful to others as they were then and have ever since continued to be to myself. Much is revealed in these chapters in germ which is more fully brought out in the New Testament. Under the Old Covenant many blessings were enjoyed in measure and for a season, which in this dispensation are ours in their fulness and permanence. For instance, the atoning sacrifices of the seventh month had to be repeated every year; but Christ, in offering Himself once for all, perfected for ever them that are sanctified. The Psalmist needed to pray, "Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me;" but Christ has given us the Comforter to abide with us for ever. In like manner the Israelite might vow the vow of a Nazarite and separate himself unto God for a season; but it is the privilege of the Christian believer to know himself as always separated to God. Many other lessons, which are hidden from careless and superficial readers, are suggested by these chapters, which the Holy Spirit will reveal to prayerful students of His most precious and most perfect Book. The portions we have selected consist of first a short chapter, and then a very long one, which at first sight appears to have no special connection with it. But on more careful reflection we shall see that the order of the subjects referred to shows that there is really a natural and close connection between them. We shall find that Separation to God is followed by Blessing from God; and that those who receive large blessing from Him, in turn render to Him acceptable Service: service in which God takes delight, and which He places in everlasting remembrance. CONTENTS Introductory Part I. SEPARATION TO GOD: Numbers vi, 1-21. Institution of the Order of Nazarites Implicit Obedience Entire Consecration Holiness to the Lord Unwitting Defilement The Heinousness of Sin Cleansing only through Sacrifice Acceptance only in Christ The Presentation of the Nazarites The Law of the Offerings The Burnt-Offering The Sin and Peace-Offerings Part II. THE BLESSING OF GOD: Numbers vi, 22-27. Why Found Here? The Real Meaning of Blessing The Three-fold Benediction The Blessing of the Father The Second Person of the Trinity The Blessing of the Son and Bridegroom The Lord, the Spirit The Blessing of the Holy Spirit Sealing with the Name of God Part III. PRINCELY SERVICE: Numbers vii. The Constraint of Love God's Delight in Love-gifts Free-will Offerings Gladsome Acceptance According to his Service The Dedicatory Offerings The Display of the Gifts The Person of the Offerer The Importance of the Altar
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