Borden of Yale: The Life and Legacy of William Borden - No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets

Men of Faith

by Mrs. Howard Taylor, B.F. Westen (editor)

The Inspiring Life and Legacy of William Borden, a Man of Unwavering Faith and Profound Impact

William Borden was extraordinary in almost every sense. Born into wealth and privilege, he could have chosen to live a life of luxury and ease. Instead, he surrendered it all for a life of service to Christ. "Borden of Yale" is the riveting account of a man who exemplified what it means to be fully committed to God.

Raised in Moody Church in Chicago and educated at both Yale and Princeton, Borden first felt the missionary call during a round-the-world journey gifted to him by his parents at the age of sixteen. The following year, he received a distinct call to dedicate his life to serving the Muslims of China, a decision that shaped everything he did from that point forward.

Though a scholar in his own right, Borden's theological insights were not merely intellectual pursuits; they were living beliefs that propelled him into action. From leading Bible studies in dorms and founding the Yale Hope Mission to serving as a director at the National Bible Institute and spearheading evangelistic efforts that impacted the entire city of Cairo, Borden was unwavering in his commitment to share the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As promising as his life appeared, Borden passed away in Egypt while en route to serve the Muslims in China. Thousands mourned, contemplating what might have been. Yet countless others have been inspired to follow in his footsteps to the mission field.

William Borden was a visionary, a trailblazer, and an inspiration for all who seek to follow Jesus Christ. This is not just a book; it's an invitation to reevaluate what truly matters and to live wholeheartedly for the Lord.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Christian, Biography Memoir, Church History

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1926

About the author

See Geraldine Taylor

Reviews

[Yibbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

You should read it, and I’m glad I did. It just took me a while to figure that out. But that tells you more about me than about the book, and even less about Borden himself. Please let me explain why it took me so long to appreciate this book and Borden himself.
First any book that starts out by tells the reader directly how much said book was appreciated by other readers has started off badly in my estimation. It just sets my teeth on edge and makes me highly skeptical. So, this one started off all wrong for me. Then the next section was torturously hard to sort out. It was the family history of both sides of Borden’s family. There were numerous sentences that I had trouble reading. I couldn’t place them chronologically or even grammatically at times.
The next section was much easier to read. It was an interesting look at the world through the eyes of a teenager at the turn of the century.
That was followed by the details of his college life. His faithfulness and energy in all things of the Lord was truly encouraging. Unfortunately, the vast majority of this section is drawn from numerous eulogistic letters. Hearing over and over how perfect he was started to get a little sickening. At about this point I started seriously considering quitting the book. Then they started quoting more directly from his own writings and explaining his actions and beliefs. That became very motivating as you start to understand his steadfast love for the Lord.
The ending was worth it all though. It was a beautiful picture of a life completely dedicated. All of his time, money, emotions, and desires were focused on glorifying God. His sacrifice was complete even before he gave his all on the mission field. It was deeply eternally moving.
You really should read it.

[Jessin Stalnaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you would like to experience conviction on every level, then this book is for you.
Not only do you read of the author’s high opinion of William Borden, but also of the countless testimonies and letters of people whose life he personally touched.
William Borden had literally seen the whole world and all it had to offer, yet he turned from it and chose Jesus. His life was one of immeasurable influence and his death was as equally far-reaching as his life.


“Apart from Christ, there is no explanation of such a life.”
“God needs lives that count — the world needs them.”

[Josh Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never have I read a book of a life lived so few years who impacted the Kingdom of Christ to such a degree! This book was written in 1926, just thirteen years after William Borden died and saw his Saviour face to face. Here I am, having never really heard about this man until earlier this year, 103 years after his death.

The fixed purpose upon which William set his focus upon was laser-like. The focus? The doing of the will of God for his life. At a time when many young men his age are only interested in girls, money, or partying, William wholeheartedly was pursuing God's will for his life - that of the preparation of the giving of his life to reach the Muslims in northwest China.

What I find fascinating about this story and what speaks to the character of this young man, was the "realness" of his walk and Christian life while going through college. He wasn't just preparing for some future event. He believed in reaching everyone possible around him while going through college. He prayed for and attempted to reach the hardest to reach on the Yale college campus. He started the Yale Hope Mission, to reach those whose lives had been primarily wrecked and ruined by sin. Although of a loving disposition, he remained unwavering on the truth of the doctrines of the faith and unashamedly held to them in his personal belief and also towards faith organizations to which he invested the money his father had left him.

It is so true what is on his tombstone - "Apart from faith in Christ, there is no explanation for such a life." From a human perspective, we do not understand why God allowed Borden to be on the field for such a short time.

I like what Walter Erdman, missionary to Korea and contemporary of Borden's, said after finding out about the death of William Borden:

"I have been thinking more and more, since the news came, that the length of time God permits us to stay here is not related to a certain amount of work He wants us to do, so much as to a certain closeness of relationship to Himself He wants us to attain."

Borden's intimate relationship with God spurs us on today to pursue Christ with all of heart, soul, and mind! May it be so with every single one who names the name of Jesus Christ!

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps one of the most impactful biographies I have ever read.

“Apart from faith in Christ, there is no explanation for such a life.”

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing biography! I understand this book is out of print. I picked it up in my church library. William Borden was an unknown to me before reading it. It profoundly moved me! What a life! He was described as "a man with the frame of an athlete, the mind of a scholar, the grasp of a theologian as regards God’s truth, and the heart of a little child, full of faith and love.” Used of God in a mighty way. Hands down, the most moving book I've read in years. Since picking it up a week or so, I've shared exerpts with a multitude of people. The highest recommendation!

[Jeffrey McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible life of devotion to God.

[James Harmeling]

Before there was Jim Elliot, there was William Borden. A generation apart, they both died young missionaries on foreign soil. But, Borden stands alone at the outset of the 20th century. The guy was incredible to do all he did by age 25. I’ve not read of any other youth who could match his maturity, achievements, and reputation barely out of seminary. Nothing in his brief life was wasted.
This memorable biography by Mrs. Taylor, Hudson Taylor’s daughter-in-law, documents some of the following about Borden:
• He was a millionaire, but he gave hundreds of thousands away while refusing to ever own his own automobile. He actually left $100,000 to go to a fund to help retired and ill-health missionaries. Who thinks of that at 25?
• He was revered by all classmates at Yale and Princeton, including noted church historian Kenneth Scott Latourette. He withstood these school’s liberal tendencies, started a rescue mission, and built a massive student Bible study in addition to other national and international ministries he engaged in while a full time student.
• Older generations so marveled at his maturity and abilities that both China Inland Mission and Moody Bible Institute put him on their board of directors in his early 20’s. He created and sustained many ministries that emphasized Bible distribution, evangelism, and rescue mission work.
• He refused to marry because he was determined to go to the hardest place on the globe to do mission work. He would reach Muslims in China where few ever dared go. He did not want to burden any woman to live in such conditions.
• John R. Mott and Paul Speer from Student Volunteer Movement; Henry Frost of CIM; R. A. Torrey of Moody; Charles Erdman and G. Campbell Morgan gave tributes to him upon his death.
• His death drew memorial services in New York and Chicago as well as four other nations.
If Borden had lived, he probably would have become one of the greatest mission minds and leaders of the century. As it is, his full spiritual dedication as a youth provides hope that God can raise up anyone to do anything at any time for His glory.

[Dan]

“…the length of time God permits us to stay here is not related to a certain amount of work He wants us to do, so much as to a certain closeness of relationship to Himself He wants us to attain.”

The theme of William Borden’s life was total consecration to God. Even more than his ministry accomplishments, what really shines through is his simple love for God and desire to obey Him in all things.

[Bryan King · Rating 5 out of 5]

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” That is the best way I know how to describe the life of this remarkable young man.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve heard of this book for many years but just got around to reading it. It’s mainly a collection of letters written by William Borden and those who knew him that tell an amazing story of a short but well lived life. He was an acquaintance of JP Morgan and would have been a peer of my great grandfather. It’s interesting to think about what life at Yale and Princeton would have been like in those days. He had an amazing impact for Christ and died at the age of 26 in Cairo, Egypt.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of William Borden is an inspiration. The use of his & his family's letters to paint his life was for the most part interesting. There were places though that seemed repetitious & dry at times. I'm sure that little is known about the last days of his life but it felt like the book suddenly came to a screeching stop. I did get more quotes to keep in the last 25% of the book.

[Simeon Brazzell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My personal favorite missionary biography! It is always challenging and convicting.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the Aneko Press newsletter each month, and it usually includes a free e-book. One recent one was "Borden of Yale," which I read.

I did not know of William Borden, who lived in the early 1900s. He was born into a family that was wealthy due to involvement in mining and real estate. He lived with his mother and sisters, his father having died.

William decided at a young age that he wanted to be a missionary, and during his freshman year at Yale he narrowed his interest to Gansu, a Muslim area in northwestern China. “A marked characteristic of Borden in later life was his unflinching loyalty to the doing of hard things.”

Ah, but “later life” for Borden wasn’t all that old. He died in 1913 at age 25, in Cairo, Egypt, where he was hoping to learn Arabic and Chinese prior to heading to Gansu. He caught meningitis and never made it.

You may wonder how much of a biography could be written of so brief a life, and admittedly I feel like the almost-300-page length was excessive. Much of the book consists of Borden’s letters and journal entries, and much of the later part is made up of letters presumably written to his mother after his death.

The private boarding “Hill School” Borden attended set him off on the right path. I loved its statement: “As with the aspiring athlete and the eager learner, so must it be with the young Christian. He must be taught to study the great Book of rules for daily living; to seek his great Captain in difficulty and to ask for guidance in prayer; to heed the coach who has gained wisdom and victory in his longer game of life; and to share counsels, joy, and confidences in brotherly meetings for prayer. He must realize that the test of his religious life is what he is and what he does when he is not on his knees in prayer, not reading his Bible, not listening to great preachers, and not participating in religious meetings.” Oh, that we had schools aiming for this in 2024! We would live in a different world.

It was interesting to hear him write about his high school coursework at age 14-16: “I have six studies, Chemistry, English History, French, Greek, English and Bible History. The English Comp is fierce. We have to make a literal translation of parts of Virgil or Caesar, and in class change this into idiomatic English. Then again we have to write on the character of people in the Sir Roger de Coverley papers, in the style of Steele.” I weep to compare this to today’s high schoolers, sitting around discussing “gender constructs.”

His home and schooling set Borden up well in his Christian faith. “Fortunately for the boy’s faith he was well-grounded in the Word of God, so that anything that seemed to him contrary to the truth awoke an energetic reaction in his soul.” I have noted the same thing in my life, and am similarly grateful for an early grounding in Christianity.

Borden did quite a bit of traveling, and I enjoyed hearing about his travels. Interestingly, in London he stayed at Hotel Russell, where my friend Leona and I stayed during a trip in the early 1990s. It was indeed a really nice place! And sorry for the tangent here, but some researching informed me that Hotel Russell also had several links to the Titanic. Several Titanic passengers stayed here before the doomed voyage, and the hotel’s architect also designed the most upscale portions of the Titanic.

As a student at Yale, Borden again applied himself to his studies “to a Phi Beta Kappa level” (I was a member of that as well!), and organized several Bible studies, not just among students but at a mission for a local mission for the poor. He was a real go-getter! “It’s awful — the need for Christ here at Yale!” he wrote.

A newspaper clipping about Borden read: “Young Millionaire Renounces World to be Missionary: William Whiting Borden, an American youth who is heir to $5,000,000, is to become a missionary to China. A majority of persons who read the announcement will be surprised. It is the popular impression that China gets, as missionaries from America, young men and women who lack other opportunities, and that to become a missionary to China is to agree to be buried in a heathen and ‘uncivilized’ country.”

Borden came down with meningitis in Cairo, and his mom and sister were on their way to visit. Unaware of his illness, his mom reported falling asleep one night on her travels, asking herself, “‘Is it, after all, worthwhile?’ In the morning as she awoke to consciousness, the still small voice was speaking in her heart, answering the question with these words: God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son. ‘It was strength for the day,’ she said, ‘and for all the days to come.'” Before his mom and sister arrived, Borden had died.

Borden’s death shocked all those who knew him. “It is the strangest, most mysterious working of the divine Providence I have ever experienced. The world had such need of William!” one of his Bible teachers wrote. Sadly, today “Gansu’s Muslims remain almost entirely devoid of the Gospel,” and the area is now under Communist control.

While undoubtedly sad, one can’t help but be motivated by reading Borden’s story.

[Tom Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For programming notes, my hardback copy is blue, and printed in Britain in 1926. The author, Mrs. Howard Taylor, was Hudson Taylor's daughter-in-law, an established missionary in her own right, and author of nearly twenty books. As a writer, her style is very much in the style of a chronicler. She tells a linear story highly seasoned with quotations from others and supported by voluminous quotes from letters. It isn't interesting so much as informative, and I did get a real feel for William Borden through the book.

...and he was a highly impressive young man. Raised in wealth and privilege, as a boy R. A. Torrey was his pastor at Moody Church and left an indelible impression. At 15, he undertook a lengthy trip around the world. The poverty and idolatry directly impacted his desire to become a missionary, a desire from which he never wavered in the final decade of his life. Mrs. Taylor does a fine job showing us the arc of his mental and physical and, above all, spiritual growth through his years at Yale, seminary at Princeton, and brief interlude after preparing for mission service to the heathen Muslims in China.

Borden was a fundamentalist, not an easy thing to grow into in the doctrinally loose intellectual environments of his day. Borden was dedicated to his daily time in the Word of God, and especially to prayer. Borden was an intellectual, fighting through liberal theology and embracing pursuit of biblical languages and modern languages prior to leaving for the mission field. Borden was a generous giver, giving away tens of thousands of dollars privately in his last few years, and leaving over a million dollars in his will for various fundamentalist missions works. Borden was a soul winner. We see him often passing out tracts, leading services at rescue missions, dealing with men during invitations, and pursuing his classmates for Christ. Above all, Borden was a Christian, deeply committed in loyalty to believing and obeying Christ.

As a book, it is middling. As the arena in which we see the shining example of a young man dedicated entirely to Christ and souls, regardless of temptation, it is outstanding. Absolutely worth your time to read.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a conversation with a sister-in-Christ about the inspiration of faithful and obedient followers of Christ, she leaped from her chair and invited me to borrow her copy of “Borden of Yale”. With no other explanation, she handed it to me.

And wow! Herein I read of the details of a life so incredibly well-lived for the glory of Christ! What an example William Borden has set for fellow believers around the world and throughout generations. The Gospel message that William proclaimed is the same Gospel message that we have today and are called to live out and to proclaim it!

This study of his life is an inspiration to me, giving me pause to think about how I spend my time, my money, even my thoughts and words. We all know in our “head knowledge“, that we are to store up treasures in heaven. William Borden clearly understood that in the many facets of his life, and he modeled for others what wholehearted, dying-to-self service to Christ’s kingdom looks like.

I struggled a little bit with the anecdotal style that the author used; I found sometimes things were hard to follow and I had to reread things many times to understand what was being said and by whom. It was only well past half-way through the book that I began to suspect that all of these anecdotes are likely from letters that had been written, possibly to his mother, upon his death; people reflecting on the impact and legacy that William made on their lives.

So, I do appreciate hearing the first hand account of people’s interactions with him. This makes me think of the value and importance it is to a grieving person to receive such edifying words from others when their loved one has passed away. The amount of people that have taken the time to record their memories of their interactions with William Borden are the very things that make it possible for us to read about him today.

May his testimony inspire you, as it has me, and spurn you on to love and good works, for the glory of Christ, our King!

[Renming · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wonderful Life -

Most of the people in the whole world has wasted their lives, in comparison with Mr. William Borden. That's the conclusion I made after reading the book.

He was called Borden of Yale with good reason - he was a Phi Beta Kappa, as well as the president of its chapter at the Yale University. Mr. William Borden was educated at both Yale and Princeton University, and it would be logical had he chose to take over his huge family business after graduation. But he never even gave it a thought to do that. Instead he chose to be a missionary working for the China Inland Mission.

He had everything. He was born into a formidably wealthy family, yet he gave away his inheritance without telling anyone; he was very handsome, yet he wouldn't consider getting married or finding a girlfriend, because he didn't want her to worry about his life; he gave himself totally to the Lord.

Lord Jesus loves smart people - William Borden, the Cambridge Four, John Sung, Frankie San... they're all very smart people. These are only the people I read about since last year. John Sung was also a Phi Beta Kappa and its president of the chapter at his university.

Jesus also loves stupid people like myself. After reading the book, I felt so shameful - I've wasted my whole life for nothing. But I got to do catching up.

[Anson Cassel Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

This classic biography recounts the brief life of William Whiting Borden (1887-1913), a young, athletic millionaire who sacrificed all in an attempt to reach Muslim Uyghurs in China for Christ and who died in 1913 following a short illness while studying Arabic in Egypt. The author, Mary Geraldine Guinness Taylor (1865-1949), herself a missionary to China, had access to many primary sources, including some of Borden’s letters and many testimonials written after his death. Borden was undoubtedly an unusually gifted and charismatic young man with a remarkable burden for missionary endeavor. Nevertheless, much of the book consists of long quotations and often reads more like an extended eulogy than a biography.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book started off intriguing and heart felt-I espeically loved reading Will's letters to his mother as a middle school and high school student. It was fascinating to hear about his dedication to his faith and deepening of his intellectual pursuits in regards to his faith in college. After a while, when Will was involved in many boards, committees, and seemed to be managing most of the family estate (?) at only 23 YOA it focused more on what all he was involved in and how he influenced others. He certainly was a man of singular desire to serve God. His commitment to prayer and missions was especially inspiring. His untimely death was certainly a tragedy. His mothers faith and hope in Jesus' transforming Will even in the last hours was also inspiring.

[Grady Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Convicting

Everyone who calls themselves “Christian” should read this book. How dare we in affluent countries say we sacrifice for our LORD and KING JESUS CHRIST until we see true sacrifice. Our LORD JESUS CHRIST sacrificed HIS life for our sins and took the wrath we deserved. HE paid the ultimate sacrifice!! But others throughout history have paid with their lives and given all their material blessings for GOD’s Glory!! William Borden was one of these. I’m so convicted of what little I do for the Kingdom of JESUS CHRIST!!

[Randy Corn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gets better as it goes along. The author quotes extensively from the letters which Borden sent to his mother. While is not a bad approach, it would have helped to have more third person observation of the life of this remarkable young man.

That being said, it is somewhat awe inspiring to see a young man of means who forsook all to follow his Lord. You can't read this book without questioning your own resolve to do the will of God. Well worth reading.

[Greg Helms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend. It’s worth your hours and contemplation. A life consecrated such as Borden’s will serve both to encourage and rebuke us as a ‘modern’ and distracted generation. All modern luxuries available to this young men, yet His eyes remained fixed on Christ Jesus. The souls of men counted as significant. He understood obedience and duty as joy and delight. Praise God.

[Christy Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life well lived

The book is very thorough in showing the consecrated life of William Borden. Through his written letters and impact upon others, one can understand William's complete dedication to life lived out by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. I finished the book feeling the call to a more dedicated Christian life.

[Collin Scribner · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s really slow, but was encouraging nonetheless! I found Borden’s example of personal devotion most compelling (his “morning watch,” his steadfastness in prayer, and his candor in caring about the spiritual state of those around him). It was also interesting to think about what the world looked like in the early 19th century from the perspective of a millionaire-turned-missionary. Good read!

[Christine Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring.
The first quarter of this biography moved slowly but it gripped me once Borden reached Yale and then on to Princeton and Egypt. He crammed more years of usefulness into his life than many do for a much longer lifetime.
The world needs many, many, more like him.

[William Kendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important reading for any serious student.

This is an important book for the serious student of the Word and work of God. Read prayerfully, let the Holy Spirit enable you in His service.

[Caitlin Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

A biography of one of the most inspirimg men I've come across

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

William Borden sounds like a great man, but this was not a good book.

[Fran Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Borden is truly an inspiration!

I’m 70 years old and wish that I could live as this young man and teach the Chinese the love of Jesus.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars not so much for the book itself but the life reflected in it. It is always good to be reminded of the power of God in a life consecrated to His use. Borden embodied this in every way.

[Hannah Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book about a life fully surrendered to Christ and the work He’s called us to - however long or short.