“I thought for myself, I lived for myself,
For myself, and none beside —,
Just as if Jesus had never lived,
As if He had never died!”
HUDSON TAYLOR now found himself confronted by a difficulty, and a difficulty that could not be ignored. He was being assisted to obtain a medical degree, yet he did not feel justified in sparing the time absolutely necessary to fully qualify as a doctor. The longing to save was clamant and dominant, and at any cost he felt that he must seek the service appointed to him. He at once decided, and on 19th September, 1853, set sail in the “Dumfries.” He was accompanied on board by those whose love prompted them to pray, he himself being the most cheerful of the company. His mother remained on board until the last moment, and then from the wharf watched him depart. As the ship slipped away a cry of anguish burst from her lips, and, says Hudson, “I never knew until then what ‘God so loved the world’ meant.”
The voyage thus commenced was stormy and full of perils, for the powers of evil were opposing the young missionary. More than once the “Dumfries” was almost cast away; but at last, on 1st March, 1854, it anchored a wreck at Shanghai. Hudson found a welcome in the London Missionary Society’s quarters, and fully appreciated the kindness of the learned, devoted men there, who received him as a brother, although their ideas differed much from his as to methods of service.
For six months he remained a guest, and then the arrival of Dr. Parker, a married Man with three children, compelled him to move. A native house was secured, in which the whole party found shelter. Compelled to abandon it by the lawless state of the district, where fighting was going on, a small house in the L.M.S. compound was then placed at his disposal by the kindness of the Master he served.
Supplies from home were not forthcoming, for the friends in London did not realize the conditions then prevailing in China, nor even the needs of those who had gone into the field.
Hudson, active and in desperate earnest, although with a gentle energy, went with Dr. Edkin by water on an evangelistic tour. From city to city they passed giving away books, healing the sick, and preaching the Gospel. The success of this, journey led to another mission into the vast districts thick with human beings and dark with misery, woe, and sin. Peril was never absent, but, said Hudson, “I knew that I was where duty had placed me, unworthy as I am of such a position, and felt that though Solitary I was not alone.”
Another tour with Dr. Parker deepened his desire to have a hospital where the healing of the body might accompany the healing of the disease of sin but at least a thousand pounds were required to secure this hospital. To encourage His servants, the Lord put it into the heart of Mr. Berger to send ₤10 for the support of a child whom the missionaries were anxious to adopt and educate tor Jesus Christ. The value of a child had not yet become apparent to the Chinese mind, but those who had learned the pity of Jesus felt the yearning compassion that moved Him to live and die for the salvation of sinners.
Realizing that the vast multitudes that clustered in the cities of China were the race to which they were sent, the magnitude of the task to evangelist them humbled these missionaries, but because they were weak they caught hold of the might of the Holy Spirit. In the estuary of the great River Yang-tse there lay an island, only thirty miles away from Shanghai, the home of more than a million people, who amidst peach orchards and acres of wheat had never received from Protestant missionaries the Bread of Life.
To these untaught hordes went Mr. Taylor and Mr. Burden, a C. M. S. missionary of great zeal. They gave away books, healed the sick, and preached — Mr. Taylor using a huge bronze incense vase as a pulpit.
They purposed following the line of the coast, but their boatmen, craving for opium in the nighttime changed the course. This, however, resulted in the visit to another island now united to the mainland. There they evangelized with much success, and so they advanced until they reached Tungchow, a city with an evil name. Warned of the fierce character of the populace, they penetrated the city gradlly from the suburbs, gladdened when they heard a Chinaman tell his people that God loved them, that they were sinners, and that Jesus died to save them.
Assailed as black devils, they still went on, when they were seized by a tall drunken soldier. Others followed this evil example, and the two men were hustled at a fearful pace along the uneven road. Mr. Taylor, carrying a heavy bag, was exhausted, but he was maltreated and manacles were called for. A lesser Mandarin refused help, but the Superior to whom they were sent allowed them to distribute their books, and then sent them back to their boat.
The British and Foreign Bible Society, anxious to distribute the Scriptures in China, sent him forth with copies of the Word of God, and Hudson hoped to reach Nanking, the headquarters of the Tai-ping rebellion. The tour extended to twenty-four days, and 58 cities, towns, and large villages were visited and supplied with the sacred Scriptures. Of these, 51 had never before been visited by messengers of the Cross.
Then came to him an experience of Divine visitation and comfort that he found it impossible to relate. But he tells us that during one day while walking from place to place, tired and, bathed in perspiration, he was much refreshed in spirit by the thought that the Lord Jesus doubtless had often felt as did His servant while walking the hills of Palestine.
Accompanied by Dr. Parker, a new colleague from England, he and his friend Mr. Burden commenced their seventh journey, but they were hampered by the fact that the Home Society did not approve of their plans for securing headquarters.
Acting upon the conscious Divine leading, they sought and eventually settled at Ningpo, where some eleven foreigners were witnessing for Jesus, and where a school was established, in which two ladies named Dyer were engaged as teachers. There it was resolved to found a hospital which should prove a Bethesda to the sin-sick and sorrowing.
“How little can we tell all we are delivered from by our limitations in the wider service to which the Lord is leading us in ways beyond our ken,” said Hudson, and his words proved true of this settlement.
Mr. Taylor at Ningpo rented rooms and resolved henceforth to wear native dress and live upon Chinese food. In this he was separating himself from the other missionaries, who did not think this the wisest course to take. So wearing a pigtail and attired like those he sought to save, Hudson Taylor cut himself off from the mission band who did not agree with him on this matter. Feeling this slight censure, he says: “I am not alone. I have such a sensible presence of God with me as I never before experienced, and such drawings to prayer and watchfulness as are very blessed and necessary.” Because the desire to be completely the Lord’s servant, even in food and raiment, brought with it intense pleasure and secret springs of power.
Mr. Taylor also secured a footing in Tsingming, where more than a million souls were within his range of service. He made his headquarters in a city of between 20 to 30,000 inhabitants, and these souls he felt to be his charge. Said he: “I sometimes feel a sense of responsibility that is quite oppressive ―the only light-bearer—among so many. But it is wrong. It is Jesus who is to shine in me. I am not left to my own resources.”
Leaving an evangelist in charge of this important station, Mr. Taylor returned to Shanghai in order to secure clothing suitable for winter wear, as well as medical supplies. While thus engaged in securing the necessary supplies for Tsing-ming, two Chinese doctors and four druggists, finding their trade affected, bribed the Mandarin to expel the Christian teachers. For six weeks the Devil raged, then the Consul interfered and compelled Hudson to abandon the mission, although the Consul did not interfere with the Roman Catholics. Thus the work that had opened so auspiciously at Tsing-ming was closed, and it soon appeared as if the British Authorities Were intent in closing the interior provinces to the Gospel.
Hudson Was not daunted, he consulted his English friends as to the wisdom of renouncing Consular protection before penetrating into the inland provinces. White thus uncertain as to the future Mr. Taylor commenced his tenth tour of evangelization, traveling with the sainted Williams Burns and two evangelists. They carried in two boats literature and medicine, and the presence of the Lord was manifest to them as well as to those to whom they preached. Selecting a large town, they penetrated it gradually from the suburbs, preaching, giving away tracts, visiting temples, schools, and teashops, and everywhere wisely seeking to show Jesus in the tenderness of His love and the power of His saving grace. Mr. Burns was soon compelled to follow Mr. Taylor’s example and adopt Chinese dress, and with the like success.
Said one man to another, after hearing the sweet story that never tires, “Do you believe in this doctrine of Jesus?” “Believe! I certainly believe,” was the reply that gladdened the heart of the listening Hudson.
Thus encouraged, they went on to Blocktoun, a filthy den of robbers, smugglers, and the like lawless people. Commencing at the suburbs, they wrought their way into the city, and in a teashop bore witness to Jesus the mighty to save. But the smugglers attacked the boats, and then sent one of their number to demand ten dollars in cash and a pound of opium. If these demands were refused the boats were to be destroyed. The missionaries, unaware of this attack, were guided back to the teashop where they had been welcomed. Then they missed the messenger sent to warn them, and meanwhile the boats slipped out of danger. The brigands ordered tea, which the missionaries were to pay for, and while they waited the night grew intensely dark. The missionaries, ending no inquirers at the teashop, started to return, and met the captain, who was watching for them, and soon all the party were afloat and moved away unobserved. Then the rain fell in torrents, which checked the ardor of their enemies, and so they escaped from the hands of those who sought their goods and their lives. They came back to Shanghai, and there met a Christian captain, with whom they proceeded to Swatow, an important port in Southern China, the nest of opium merchants and stealers of men. They were offered a free passage, and duly reached a place where Satan reigned with undisputed sway. Securing a room over an incense shop, they thus began a work upon which the Presbyterians afterward entered with wonderful results. The two pioneers had to climb through a trap door to the wretched room for which they paid an amount which the friendly captain said would not keep him for a month in cigars.
One advantage Mr. Burns possessed, he could speak tile local dialect, and his companion at once sought to acquire the tongue of the lawless crowd amongst whom they had raised the standard of the Cross. The room was furnished at a cost of 1/1, for it held two bamboo stools and a bamboo easy chair.
The character of their neighbors will appear from the way in which they treated a wealthy man whom they had captured. Refusing to pay the exorbitant sum asked for his release, the man was subjected to cruel tortures, his anklebones crushed by a club, after which he paid what they demanded.
When the heat came on the Britons suffered much from the close atmosphere. Yet Mr. Taylor sat at wore, a towel at hand to wipe away the perspiration that streamed from face and hands. One who saw Hudson, tells us how he would at night come back to his little room beneath the tiles, footsore and weary, his face covered with blisters from the heat of the sun, fling himself down to rest, utterly exhausted, only to rise again after a brief sleep to resume his toil. He adds of Mr. Taylor that his influence was like that of a fragrant flower, diffusing the sweetness of true Christianity...
The heat of summer and the uncomfortable room over the incense shop caused the flower to droop, and Hudson began to search for other quarters. He went to and fro, and was enabled to rent a cottage at a little town, but when possession was asked, the landlord refused to admit the foreigner. “Go back,” he screamed, “Go back at once. My neighbors will not allow me to let you have the house.” A brief prayer enabled Mr. Taylor to accept the refusal calmly, and he went on with his preaching and distributing Gospels. The climate was unsuitable, the citizens were evil, and his servant asked anxiously: “What will you do? Where shall we go when darkness comes on? We cannot stay out all night?” “The Lord will provide,” was the calm answer, as Hudson in the streets and teashops gave away copies of the Word of Life. His happiness struck the Chinese, rod one asked him, “Where are you going to sleep?” “I cannot tell you. But my Heavenly Father knows. He is everywhere present, end never forgets the needs of His people.” “But are you not anxious lest you should get into trouble?” was the natural question. “No, I am not anxious,” was the smiling answer, “My heart is in perfect peace; the Lord will provide.”
He did, for Hudson was invited to sleep over a barber’s shop, and provided with a supper of rice and water gruel. To this humble abode many inquirers came, one man bringing some flowers. Hudson spoke to them all directing their thoughts to the Giver of all good.
Mr. Taylor was able to render skilled medical aid to the Mandarin at Swatow, which was now the headquarters of the missionaries, and as a result, the Mandarin urged them to commence medical work there. The condition of Mr. Taylor’s health made a change advisable, and though it meant leaving Mr. Burns alone, it was decided he should go to Shanghai for medical supplies. Rooms had been secured, and on Taylor’s return the work could be commenced. A free passage to Shanghai being offered him by an English captain, Hudson took farewell of Mr. Burns, never to meet him again. Mr. Burns, shortly afterward was taken prisoner, and sent under escort to Canton. On reaching Shanghai, Mr. Taylor found that the stores of the London Mission had been destroyed by fire, and his medical outfit had perished in the conflagration.
At least six months must elapse before fresh stores could be brought from England, and he had left Mr. Burns at Swatow to await his return. Hudson therefore determined to go to Ningpo and beg supplies from Dr. Parker to enable him commence work without delay. He set out, but did not reach Ningpo. Walking ahead, his coolies decamped with his goods and left him penniless. It was with much difficulty that Hudson returned to Shanghai. His servant had sold the goods, valued at about ₤40, and some thought that he ought to be prosecuted for the robbery. Hudson refused to do this, and pleaded in a letter with the thief to forsake sin and serve Christ. In course of time, by the providence of God, this letter found its way to England, and came into the hands of George Muller. He was delighted with the Christlike forgiveness of Hudson, sent him money sufficient to cover the cost of a new outfit, and ever afterward became a supporter of the mission.
The mission staff at Shanghai, in spite of their own losses, had offered to make good the deficit but as they could not afford it, the offer with grateful appreciation was declined.
The generous Mr. Berger at this juncture sent a check, so this evil only brought out the goodness of the Lord and His people.
Hudson went to Ningpo, where Dr. Parker had secured a foothold. There it fell out that he met with his future wife, a self-supporting missionary assisting in a mission school for girls. The news of Mr. Burns’ arrest, and the check at Swatow, led Hudson to remain at Ningpo; and he secured a small two storied building where he lodged and also conducted a boys’ school and dispensary.
He frequently met Miss Dyer, an active missionary, and the two saintly workers fell in love, but, alas, only to find trouble. The head of the school did not like Hudson Taylor, would not attempt to, understand him, and did her utmost to keep the lovers apart. For a while she succeeded, and while thus suffering the pangs of wounded affection, Hudson resigned from the Chinese Evangelization Society that had sent him out. This step left him free to go as God might guide him. This, however, did not lessen his difficulties, but soon he was encouraged by a little success in soul winning. Mr. Nyi, passing the mission house, heard John 3:1515That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15) and 16 read, and, said he, “In Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, I have found no rest. But I do find rest in what we have heard tonight. Henceforward I am a believer in Jesus.” He added sadly, “My father sought the truth for more than twenty years, and died without finding it. Oh, why did you not come sooner?” Mr. Taylor nursed a man who died of smallpox, and of course had to discard the garments he had worn in the sick room. He had given away most of his money, so could not afford to buy new clothes, but just in the hour of need a box containing all the raiment he had left at Swatow came to hand, and thus faith was both strengthened and justified.
In due time all the obstacles were removed, and Hudson Taylor and Maria Dyer were married. She shared her faith, for, said she: “I was left an orphan in a far-off land. God has been my Father all these years; and do you think I shall be afraid to trust Him now?”
Alas, the honeymoon was followed by a severe attack of typhoid fever, which laid them both lone As soon as strength came back they were at work in Bridge Street, Ningpo, and were gladdened by some marks of the Lord’s working with them. A basket-maker named Fang Neng Kuli, was struck by the picture of the Prodigal Son, He learned to read and resolved to keep the Sabbath holy. His master was content to pay him for six days, but not for the Sabbath. This meant a loss of two pence in pay and the expenditure of two or three-pence for the rest-day’s food. But this loss meant a real sacrifice, but it win; cheerfully made, and Neng Kuli was wonderfully successful in saving souls. Then his master refused to employ him unless he gave up the Lord’s day, and to compel surrender the employer induced other basket-makers to decline his services. Neng Kuli spent his time now in distributing tracts and in teashops speaking of Jesus to those who gathered Pere. There met a farmer who came from a distant village, supporting himself on the journey by cutting for cattle the grass by the roadside, and thus he heard the Jesus doctrine he had come so far to hear. He embraced it at once, was taught to read, and so he fed from the wonderful provision in the Bible stored for all who will take it as a gift. Said he to Mr. Taylor this Wang, the grass-cutter: “I think much of Heaven and Jesus. The weather is so hot. You see, I have to cut grass in the burning sun, and sometimes I hardly know how to keep on. And then I think of Jesus―Jesus and Heaven―and my mind becomes peaceful, my body so much rested, that I can do twice as much as before. Oh, it is wonderful the difference it makes when you just think of Jesus.”
Another Wang, a housepainter, was busy in a mansion up a ladder, decorating the guest hall, when a basket-maker (no less then Neng Kuli) was shown in to receive orders from the ladies. The painter went on with his work but his curiosity was aroused. The ladies were annoyed that the workman refused an order to make baskets for holding incense, and listened to a brief statement of the evangel. After they had tottered away, the painter came down the ladder and asked that he, too, might once more hear the story of redeeming love. He heard, believed, and in future years was a devoted helper of Mr. Taylor, and of course a soul-winner, too.
All was not pleasing for counterbalancing trials came with the blessing. Mrs. Taylor was sick, indeed dying the Lord healed her without the use of means for she had yet much work to do for Him in China. Then there was danger, and a window at the back held a rope down which she must slide to a boat lying moored if the mob attacked the mission premises, as they frequently threatened to do. So the peril came and passed, but in spite of difficulties and discouragements, husband and wife continued their obscure service, well content to fill a little space so that Christ be magnified.
Then Dr. Parker’s wife was translated, and he resolved to take his helpless children back to England. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor took up his work, and having no funds to spare, they taught the staff the lesson of living by faith, a mode of life that they had found so happy and successful. The hospital was soon restaffed, only those who were definitely on the Lord’s side were now employed, and tile blessing increased as the staff learned to put God first, and trust Him in things small as well as in the so-called greater matters of business life.
Widening opportunities presented themselves, but with the possibilities of greater service there came almost complete collapse of health. Leaving the hospital well provided for by “Jehovah-Jireh,” Mr. and Mrs. Taylor took ship for England, bringing with them Wang, the painter, who felt that they were not strong enough to travel without his aid, and thus passed their first spell of active missionary life in China.
Not much had been accomplished that could be tabulated, but thousands had heard or read the tale of undying love that story which will never fail to secure a heart in which to abide and out of which to operate for good.