Hudson Taylor: Founder, China Inland Mission

Heroes of the Faith

by Vance Christie

From early childhood, Hudson Taylor (1832--1905) dreamed of becoming a missionary in China. Though he would struggle with his faith throughout his youth, by age seventeen he had settled his spiritual issues and acknowledged God's call to the mission field. In China, Taylor took the unusual step of adopting native garb, which helped him earn the respect of many Chinese. Depending entirely on God for his financial support and for protection from hostile elements of Chinese society, Taylor lead a work that eventually became the China Inland Mission, which laid the groundwork for much of that nation's modern-day Christianity.

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

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Vance Christie is a pastor and author best known for vivid retelling of missionary stories. He lives in Aurora, Nebraska and has previously written for the 'Heroes of the Faith' series. His website is www.vancechristie.com.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring book, to read about the prayer life and faith of this missionary was so convicting and hope filled! Very interesting to learn about the struggles, trials, and victories that were faced during the mission to reach the lost people of inland China. I received much encouragement in reading about Hudson's personal struggle with holiness and sin. As well as his conclusions about resting in Jesus & the sovereignty of God!! (Chp17)
A great read

[Jonathan Tomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great, and I would like to hear more.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this book off of my dad’s shelf while visiting my parents. I was able to read it in one day due to being on vacation. But it was still a super easy, great summertime read. I love this man’s story and all that he did for the kingdom of God and I believe all the details to be accurate. My critique only comes from the writing style. After reading some very well written books recently, I found it hard to read this. Hudson Taylor’s life was very suspenseful and full of a lot of emotion and unknowns. I felt like the author wrote the book very matter-of-fact assuming we all already know the ending, so why bother with bringing in some great set-ups and reveals.

In the end, I am thankful for the author’s desire to make missionaries lives known. I learned a lot and enjoyed the book. I’d be tempted to recommend reading one of his source books listed in the back of his book before this one, though: Specially Hudson’s own autobiography. I found myself giggling only the direct quotes from Taylor. He was clearly not only a gifted speaker, but a writer.

[Vincent Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatly encouraged and challenged through the life of this missionary. From the beginning, how his parents prayed that their first born son be a missionary to China to how much he depended on God for his every provision in his journey gave great encouragement pertaining to living by faith and having a strong prayer life. It was evident many times that if God were not working, his life would be crashing to an end. Encouraged to read more books on the lives of people whom God has used greatly for his purpose.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This missionary, like so many, was sold out to Christ and knew people needed to know of His saving grace. He went through amazing hurdles to get the word to the Chinese people in a time when there was great need for hope. I am always amazed by the early missionaries sacrifices and trials in getting the Word of God out to the unreached and Hudson Taylor is a man of humility, grace and mercy.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a well-written and engaging biography of one of my personal heroes. What an incredible impact this life—humbly surrendered to Christ and His service—had (and continues to have) on so many lives.

The following quote is of an interaction between Hudson Taylor and a Chinese Christian convert. I previously read it in a child's biography of Hudson Taylor that I read together with my oldest son several years ago. The impact of Nyi's question continues to resound as strongly upon this reading as it did the first time I ever read of it:

"A few days later Nyi surprised Hudson by asking, 'How long have you had the Glad Tidings in England?'
The missionary felt a degree of shame as he divulged, 'Several hundreds of years.'
'What?' exclaimed the man, 'Several hundreds of years? Is it possible that you have known about Jesus so long, and only now have come to tell us?' Sadness registered on his face and in his voice as he continued: 'My father sought the truth for more than twenty years and died without finding it. Oh, why did you not come sooner?'"

May the Lord send out more workers into the harvest—both around the world as well as in our own backyards—to tell the lost and dying of the good news of the gospel. And may we all be willing to faithfully share that good news with those around us!

[Evan Staffieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography on Hudson Taylor, Christian modern missionary to China and founder of China Inland Mission was fantastic!

Vance Christie did a wonderful job writing the biography and keeping the reader hooked on each page. Hudson's life is still inspiring, encouraging, and changing lives for Christ this very day all around the world.

I highly recommend this to every Christian, and unbeliever! You must see what a godly, praying man in Christ looks like! I promise you will be amazed.

[Charity Dušíková · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise and very readable biography. It seems to be just the right mix of everything: life story, faith experiences, work in China. Anecdotes are well-chosen and there is a great "further reading" section in the back. In 206 pages it gives a good foundational biography.

[Eric Anderson]

The most badass evangelist out there! Who brought all of China to capitalism and Christianity...oh wait, he didn't.
This guys every word was the shit to me back then. Something about not striving after peace but resting in Jesus, something, something.

[Emma Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hudson Taylor. What a guy. What a missionary. Never read or heard of anyone who depended on the Lord for their daily bread sooooo whole heartedly and completely. Usually not a fan on biographies but highly recommend this one. William Carey is next.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We loved learning about Hudson Taylor’s life and ministry. This book was really detailed and I was blessed hearing about all the ways God always provided for him. He went through a lot of hardship but his faith in God and his promises was incredible.

[C.J. Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of it is simply Taylor's autobiography reworded. Read it instead.

[Pamela Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational and deeply poignant. The biography of this man of faith impacted me so much that I named one of my children Taylor in his honor.

[Amanda Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing story!

[Michael Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good biography on an important man in the history of missions.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of the best books I have ever read. What an inspiring story of a man after God's own heart and his desire to see Christ be made known in 1800s China. I will read this again.

[Susan Hylton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction and overview to the man and the ministry. I knew nothing about him at the outset. I am amazed that God finds such faithful hearts.

[Gabrielle Houweling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting biography- missionary stories always encourage me about how we can trust & rely on God in all things

[Gabriel Wallis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book for a global studies class at Multnomah University.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now i know who started it all in China