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Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission #1-2
The Biography of James Hudson Taylor (Essential Classics) by F. & M. Howard Taylor
This is a biography of the famous missionary, James Hudson Taylor. His unbreakable faith in God during a life dedicated to reaching China's millions with the Gospel has been a lasting inspiration to many.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1965
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About the author
F. Howard Taylor
16 books14 followersSee also: Mrs. Howard Taylor / Geraldine Guinness Taylor
Frederick Howard Taylor a.k.a. F. Howard Taylor (25 November 1862 – 15 August 1946), was a British pioneer Protestant Christian missionary to China, author, speaker and second son of James Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, and Maria Jane Dyer.
Howard Taylor was three when his father founded the China Inland Mission. He was born in London during his parents’ first furlough in England together. In 1866 at the age of four he was taken with his parents, 3 siblings and sixteen other missionaries to China aboard the Lammermuir (clipper) as part of the famous Lammermuir Party. During the 4-month long voyage the ship was nearly wrecked by 2 typhoons. His sister, Grace Dyer Taylor died of meningitis the first year. When he was six the family was nearly killed by a rioting mob during the Yangzhou riot in 1868. Finally in 1870 he was sent home with his surviving siblings with Emily Blatchley to live in London, separated from his parents. His mother died in China soon after they arrived home in 1870.
Like his father, he enrolled in the Royal London Hospital medical college, completing his diploma in 1888. Hudson Taylor lived to see his son, Howard follow in his footsteps to become a medical missionary to China. He received Doctor of Medicine from London University and subsequently became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons as well as a Member of the Royal College of Physicians. He was an extremely capable student and received three high honors in his postgraduate studies.
Howard Taylor always had a close relationship with his father. 1888 was a special year for both men. Hudson Taylor was on his first tour in North America sharing the missionary needs in China. Howard Taylor had taken three months leave to go along, having just ended his year of medical and surgical appointments. Howard Taylor showed a deep interest to go to China long term. Hearing his father speak at various meetings, particularly to young students, had a profound influence on Howard. On 15 October 1889, at a Missionary Convention organized by the Students Foreign Missionary Union more than 1500 students attended. Of these, 152 signed the pledge, "it is my earnest hope, if God permit, to engage in foreign missionary work." The first name in the book of members reads, " Taylor, F Howard, MD, MRCP, FRCS (England), the London Hospital."
Frederick Howard Taylor a.k.a. F. Howard Taylor (25 November 1862 – 15 August 1946), was a British pioneer Protestant Christian missionary to China, author, speaker and second son of James Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, and Maria Jane Dyer.
Howard Taylor was three when his father founded the China Inland Mission. He was born in London during his parents’ first furlough in England together. In 1866 at the age of four he was taken with his parents, 3 siblings and sixteen other missionaries to China aboard the Lammermuir (clipper) as part of the famous Lammermuir Party. During the 4-month long voyage the ship was nearly wrecked by 2 typhoons. His sister, Grace Dyer Taylor died of meningitis the first year. When he was six the family was nearly killed by a rioting mob during the Yangzhou riot in 1868. Finally in 1870 he was sent home with his surviving siblings with Emily Blatchley to live in London, separated from his parents. His mother died in China soon after they arrived home in 1870.
Like his father, he enrolled in the Royal London Hospital medical college, completing his diploma in 1888. Hudson Taylor lived to see his son, Howard follow in his footsteps to become a medical missionary to China. He received Doctor of Medicine from London University and subsequently became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons as well as a Member of the Royal College of Physicians. He was an extremely capable student and received three high honors in his postgraduate studies.
Howard Taylor always had a close relationship with his father. 1888 was a special year for both men. Hudson Taylor was on his first tour in North America sharing the missionary needs in China. Howard Taylor had taken three months leave to go along, having just ended his year of medical and surgical appointments. Howard Taylor showed a deep interest to go to China long term. Hearing his father speak at various meetings, particularly to young students, had a profound influence on Howard. On 15 October 1889, at a Missionary Convention organized by the Students Foreign Missionary Union more than 1500 students attended. Of these, 152 signed the pledge, "it is my earnest hope, if God permit, to engage in foreign missionary work." The first name in the book of members reads, " Taylor, F Howard, MD, MRCP, FRCS (England), the London Hospital."
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 1, 2025
This was one of the most spiritually encouraging and challenging books I’ve read in a long time. Taylor’s continual reliance on the Lord’s provision, daily denial of himself, and deep desire for the salvation of others was beautiful to read about. His experiences of grief and loss were especially striking- his confidence that his wife and children were in the presence of their Savior and could finally rest in a way they had never been able to on earth was a good reminder to me of what we actually believe about death. I also really enjoyed reading about the practices of missions at this point in Christian history regarding denominations and cultural dress and support from home countries. Going to have to come back to this one again soon and reread it.
“God owns all the gold and silver in the world, and the cattle on a thousand hills. We need not be vegetarians.”
“God owns all the gold and silver in the world, and the cattle on a thousand hills. We need not be vegetarians.”
October 20, 2023
What a wholesome book!
November 19, 2016
Found this in Oxfam, and decided to buy to help with my family tree research, as my mother- and father-in-law followed the author to China as missionaries. Fascinating so far - the mindset of this young man who was convinced God was sending him to China. Common sense did not seem to be any part of his decision! But interesting too, reading about the Taiping Rebellion, first recognised in 1850, attaining remarkable proportions. Arising in Southern China, it swept over the central provinces and the Yangtse valley including the city of Nanking. "Arising among a heathen people entirely apart from foreign influence, this mighty upheaval, as far as it had developed, appeared to be a crusade upon distinctively Christian lines. The Ten Commandments formed the moral code of the new kingdom. Idolatry in all its phases was abolished with unsparing hand, and the worship of the true and living God substituted, in purpose at any rate. The Christian Sabbath was recognised as a day of rest and prayer, and all restrictions were removed from the preaching of the Gospel."
I have struggled to continue reading this book, partly because it is a very thick paperback, bound in such a way that it is difficult to keep the pages open at the place I'm reading, and even though it had water spilled on it while in hospital and is now in a somewhat tatty condition, I still find it hard to bend it open enough to read without hurting my rheumaticky wrists! But I will continue to the end, as I have promised it to my brother- and sister-in-law, as he was born in China while his parents were missionaries there! And duly delivered last week, will be net rested to hear their comments on it.
I have struggled to continue reading this book, partly because it is a very thick paperback, bound in such a way that it is difficult to keep the pages open at the place I'm reading, and even though it had water spilled on it while in hospital and is now in a somewhat tatty condition, I still find it hard to bend it open enough to read without hurting my rheumaticky wrists! But I will continue to the end, as I have promised it to my brother- and sister-in-law, as he was born in China while his parents were missionaries there! And duly delivered last week, will be net rested to hear their comments on it.
October 11, 2015
This was a really thorough insight into the work of God in and through one man, how he grew up to become a missionary in China and against all odds (financial, physical, spiritual) to establish the China Inland Mission. It showed the sacrifices he and many others made for the sake of the message that they wanted to share: he lost his wife, three of his children and spent much time alone and away from his family in order to tell those who did not know about the message of Jesus Christ. In this book, there is no sense of the missionary as a coloniser, rather Hudson Taylor and his fellow missionaries assimilated the national dress and food in order to identify with the Chinese people. We might think the days of mission work like this are coming to a close, but maybe we have a LOT to learn from these forerunners about how we reach out to the needy around us today. Getting alongside, walking in their shoes and sharing what we know about God - not in a bid to "covert" or "control", but to simply give them the opportunity to see for themselves the message of the Bible and, using the evidence, decide whether it is true.
May 22, 2007
It took a long time to read, and the style is obviously from an older age, but that only adds to it's atomsphere. You can feel the desire for God, and Hudson's love for people. Anyone wanting to be a missionary will see what it really takes to be an apostle - willing to endure hardship and danger, passion for Christ, increasing absolute trust in a Faithful God, sacrificial love for others...Most interesting of all in this wonderful view of Hudson's walk with Jesus, is his eventual realization of the finished work of Christ, of His victory, His ability, and our inability, of not trying to do the Christian life in our own strength, which the majority of us do, but to simply acknowledge, and rest in God's fathomless resources. Thus the chapter - the exchanged life, is an absolute must for every believer, as is the reading of the rest of this book, of a real hero of faith.
May 25, 2020
Insightful. Shocking. Sobering. Challenging! Humbling! God honouring! Every Christian, yes every Christian, irrespective of theology or denomination should read this account to the life and service of James Hudson Taylor.
Written by a relative with access to Taylor's private and public papers and letters this condensed book (originally 2 volumes) really does give a 'fly on the wall' insight into Hudson Taylor and his spirituality. While many (as I don't) won't agree with his acceptance and spread of 'Keswick teaching' we all have to stand back and see how the Lord used a single man to reach millions of Chinese people, even when the 'establishment' at best doubted and at worst opposed!
Taylor was preeminently a man of faith, who believed in his God, in God's word and in God's ability to provide, if it be his will. His most famous quote is probably, "Let us see that we keep God before our eyes; that we walk in His ways and seek to please and glorify Him in everything, great and small. Depend upon it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies." However, you will find many apt statements in his diaries and correspondence in this wee book.
If you are already involved in the Lord's work or are considering being involved in the Lord's work in whatever capacity, please, please read this book first and then reassess if you still want to serve the Lord!
A humbling 5-star read!
Written by a relative with access to Taylor's private and public papers and letters this condensed book (originally 2 volumes) really does give a 'fly on the wall' insight into Hudson Taylor and his spirituality. While many (as I don't) won't agree with his acceptance and spread of 'Keswick teaching' we all have to stand back and see how the Lord used a single man to reach millions of Chinese people, even when the 'establishment' at best doubted and at worst opposed!
Taylor was preeminently a man of faith, who believed in his God, in God's word and in God's ability to provide, if it be his will. His most famous quote is probably, "Let us see that we keep God before our eyes; that we walk in His ways and seek to please and glorify Him in everything, great and small. Depend upon it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies." However, you will find many apt statements in his diaries and correspondence in this wee book.
If you are already involved in the Lord's work or are considering being involved in the Lord's work in whatever capacity, please, please read this book first and then reassess if you still want to serve the Lord!
A humbling 5-star read!
October 25, 2020
A truly inspirational book. Whilst the language is a bit dated this book is really challenging to the modern day Christian. The dedication to the work of preaching the gospel, the expectation and endurance of suffering, the sacrificial lives of those who sailed out to China, the repeated priority of prayer first, then action, then finances all fly in the face of the Western Christian life which makes it all the poorer for it. What a remarkable work, especially the single women who went out alone to set up new mission spaces where no foreigner had been before. Encouraging, challenging and really inspiring.
May 21, 2018
The incredible life of Samuel Hudson taylor; always burning with a desire for the gospel to reach China, he learns medicine and goes to the country he has heard about but never been too! Forsaking all that he's known to reach the people and to remove hindrances he picks up Chinese culture, lives by faith and goes to where God leaves. Because of this one man's obedience, thousands are reached and a new organization eventually begins. Over a hundred are part of CIM by the end of his life. I enjoyed the life story, but not the unneeded detail and, at times, dry writing.
January 26, 2021
Absolutely wonderful biography of one of the greatest modern missionaries. This book is very detailed and expressive, and therefore, it took a lot of time to fully read and digest. However, the time was worth it, as the details paint an authentic picture of the ups and downs of a Christian disciple's life, as well as the birth of a mission agency. From personal experience, anyone who wishes to grow deeply and honestly will glean much from this book.
March 18, 2021
Hudson Taylor would never have wanted to be known as a spiritual giant, and I think that is one of the reasons he was so impactful in his faith. Even now, reading about his life over 100 years later, I am thankful for his example and how he followed Jesus. I too want to serve and be faithful and be a witness to the Light to many. Thankful for his example, at home or far away. To the ends of the earth may Jesus’s Name be known.
November 26, 2021
Hudson Taylor shouldn’t need an introduction, but I should have re-read these by now.
Volume 1 read: 8-22-2002/3-18-2003
Volume 2 read: 3-18-2003/1-7-2005
I believe that God used these (among a few other things) to bring me to faith and repentance at the age of 16. Hudson Taylor held to the faithfulness of God, and God held him, and He can do the same with any of us.
Volume 1 read: 8-22-2002/3-18-2003
Volume 2 read: 3-18-2003/1-7-2005
I believe that God used these (among a few other things) to bring me to faith and repentance at the age of 16. Hudson Taylor held to the faithfulness of God, and God held him, and He can do the same with any of us.
December 30, 2020
An extraordinary story of a giant of the faith, giving his whole life to serve God. Truly inspiring.
August 28, 2022
“There are not two Christs-an easy-going one for easy-going Christians, and a suffering, toiling one for exceptional believers. There is only one Christ.”
May 30, 2014
This massive two-volume biography of Hudson Taylor and The China Inland Mission is not for the faint-hearted, but I found it to be a lasting delight as I read it over the course of almost two years. Written in that grand old tone of 19th century literature, the books dwells not as much on the external particulars of the ministry as on Hudson Taylor’s spiritual adventure – although, by the time it is complete, there have certainly been enough pages to touch on plenty of material details as well. I recommend it highly, and found it a most effective summons to awake to the urgency and fleetingness of life. Some favorite quotations below:
“His capacity for happiness was like that of an unspoilt child.”
“Surely to need much grace and therefore to be given much is not a thing to be troubled about, is it?”
“Should we not rejoice when we have anything we can give up for the Savior?”
“Light will be no doubt be given you. Do not forget, however, in seeking more, the importance of walking according to the light you have.”
“There should be only one circumstance to us in life, and that Circumstance – GOD.”
“His capacity for happiness was like that of an unspoilt child.”
“Surely to need much grace and therefore to be given much is not a thing to be troubled about, is it?”
“Should we not rejoice when we have anything we can give up for the Savior?”
“Light will be no doubt be given you. Do not forget, however, in seeking more, the importance of walking according to the light you have.”
“There should be only one circumstance to us in life, and that Circumstance – GOD.”
September 10, 2024
Taylor was preeminently a man of faith, who believed in his God, in God's word and in God's ability to provide, if it be his will. He was prepared to tackle all manner of difficulties to preach the gospel in China. He also adopted Chinese costume and ate like the Chinese to bring them to God.
December 18, 2014
super hard for me to follow. if I put more commitment to it, I may have found benefit in it, but the writing style and fact driven content (in the beginning anyway) left me frustrated. did not finish the book, but glad other reviewers had the patience for it and found it a blessing.
January 3, 2016
Convicting from the first page to the last
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews