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Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission #1
Hudson Taylor in Early Years: The Growth of a Soul
This is the public domain version of the biography of Hudson Taylor and his mission in China.
596 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1952
51 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
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 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 30, 2016
I'm trying to go back and rate some of my favorites from years past and get some good nonfiction books on my shelves! This book is not an easy read by any means...over 1000 pages with both volumes...but it is rewarding. I do think the first volume is a little more interesting, but I did persevere and I did finish! I would suggest reading only a chapter or two a day after your quiet time and simply planning for it to take a while.
This is a top-notch missionary biography. I do have to say, my hands-down favorite story was about how he had wandered from his faith in young manhood, and his little sister's constant and dedicated prayers were used to bring him back to a triumphant faith. :)
This is a top-notch missionary biography. I do have to say, my hands-down favorite story was about how he had wandered from his faith in young manhood, and his little sister's constant and dedicated prayers were used to bring him back to a triumphant faith. :)
May 22, 2020
I'm happy to say that I finished this. 😊
I'm struggling, however, to know how to rate it. Hudson Taylor's story is a solid 5 stars. His faithfulness and dedication and the amazing work God did in and through his life are wondrous to behold.
However, I personally found the writing style of this particular narrative on the tedious side. There's obviously exceptions, but I suspect many (if not most) modern readers would struggle to get through this book (and it only tells half his story.) I would love to see Hudson Taylor's story told in a more compelling, concise narrative making it more accessible to a modern reader. We have much today to learn from Hudson Taylor, but I'm not sure this biography enables many to do so. So, for that reason, I'm rating it 3 stars. It's well worth reading, but be warned that it's not a light undertaking.
I'm struggling, however, to know how to rate it. Hudson Taylor's story is a solid 5 stars. His faithfulness and dedication and the amazing work God did in and through his life are wondrous to behold.
However, I personally found the writing style of this particular narrative on the tedious side. There's obviously exceptions, but I suspect many (if not most) modern readers would struggle to get through this book (and it only tells half his story.) I would love to see Hudson Taylor's story told in a more compelling, concise narrative making it more accessible to a modern reader. We have much today to learn from Hudson Taylor, but I'm not sure this biography enables many to do so. So, for that reason, I'm rating it 3 stars. It's well worth reading, but be warned that it's not a light undertaking.
September 13, 2010
Detailed diary/journal entries make for a very long book, but it is a book that will challenge you to memorize Scripture a little more to have a ready verse for every life situation - how Taylor recalls, relies on, and frames everything he does with Bible verses is nothing short of convicting. His burden for the Chinese is so deeply felt that he undergoes monumental, to me, sacrifices and all with a beautiful spirit. His reliance on God is convicting, too - everything seems impossible, and yet nothing is.
December 7, 2017
My faith was strengthened by reading this book! It is only the first volume of a two-volume set and itself was over 500 pages long. If you have the patience to endure the length of such a book, it would be worth your while to start AND finish this book!
Several items that spoke to my heart from the life of Hudson Taylor:
1) His seriousness early in life (teenage years) at learning medicine opened many doors for him in his missions work just a few years later when he arrived in China. We should encourage our youth to pursue practical skills not just to make money, but to be used of God to open doors as they are sent out.
2) Hudson Taylor emphasized the importance of becoming one with the culture to which he was sent. I am not speaking of the sinful propensities or lifestyle of a certain culture. However, over and over again in this book, Taylor gives credit to God and to his Chinese dress as the means by which he was allowed to gain a foothold in many a situation.
3) Taylor operated solely by faith. The book highlights many times when he was weak in the faith in this area but how God often operated in spite of Taylor's week faith. What a blessing this was to my own heart as many times my lack of faith has given way to an enterprising mind as to how to make something happen on my own. Coupled with this was Taylor's vehemence against going into any kind of debt. "If the Word taught me anything, it taught me to have no connection with debt." This, coupled with his dependence on God for all his resources by faith, sets him apart from many Christians today!
I look forward to reading the 2nd volume regarding this giant of the faith of the past, a Mr. Hudson Taylor!
Several items that spoke to my heart from the life of Hudson Taylor:
1) His seriousness early in life (teenage years) at learning medicine opened many doors for him in his missions work just a few years later when he arrived in China. We should encourage our youth to pursue practical skills not just to make money, but to be used of God to open doors as they are sent out.
2) Hudson Taylor emphasized the importance of becoming one with the culture to which he was sent. I am not speaking of the sinful propensities or lifestyle of a certain culture. However, over and over again in this book, Taylor gives credit to God and to his Chinese dress as the means by which he was allowed to gain a foothold in many a situation.
3) Taylor operated solely by faith. The book highlights many times when he was weak in the faith in this area but how God often operated in spite of Taylor's week faith. What a blessing this was to my own heart as many times my lack of faith has given way to an enterprising mind as to how to make something happen on my own. Coupled with this was Taylor's vehemence against going into any kind of debt. "If the Word taught me anything, it taught me to have no connection with debt." This, coupled with his dependence on God for all his resources by faith, sets him apart from many Christians today!
I look forward to reading the 2nd volume regarding this giant of the faith of the past, a Mr. Hudson Taylor!
January 16, 2021
Tracing the life of Hudson Taylor from his grandfather's conversion through John Wesley all the way up until Taylor is about to found the China Inland Mission, this first volume primarily covers the major events that made Hudson Taylor a vessel useful to the Lord. While the next volume will surely cover many grand and marvelous feats of missionary success in the inland of China, the real work and miracle of the Lord is to be found in this volume.
The abundance of letters of correspondence between Hudson and his family and friends in England serve as a crystal clear window into the sweet, intimate relationship this young missionary had with the Lord. The variety of dealings, training, fellowship, and growth in the Lord made clear in this book really inspired and stirred me up in my own pursuit of the Lord. The life portrayed inevitably leads one to call out to the Lord, "make me like Hudson Taylor!" I've never been more impressed, encouraged, and edified in the reading of a biography. Praise the Lord for all that He did in this servant of God.
The abundance of letters of correspondence between Hudson and his family and friends in England serve as a crystal clear window into the sweet, intimate relationship this young missionary had with the Lord. The variety of dealings, training, fellowship, and growth in the Lord made clear in this book really inspired and stirred me up in my own pursuit of the Lord. The life portrayed inevitably leads one to call out to the Lord, "make me like Hudson Taylor!" I've never been more impressed, encouraged, and edified in the reading of a biography. Praise the Lord for all that He did in this servant of God.
August 18, 2021
My favorite missionary biography of all time. Along with many other readers through the decades, I have read both volumes multiple times. Both Hudson Taylor’s life experiences and the handling of his story by his DIL biographer permanently impacted my Christian walk.
May 25, 2020
So good. Such an example of doing all for God's glory, being willing to count the cost and pick up your cross and actually live out the great commission, trusting God wholly to provide.
July 1, 2015
The first book in a two volume set, this biography feels like an autobiography at times with all of the personal letters from Taylor to family members. I agree with other reviewers that at times the reading is slow in its pace of events but it resembles life in that way. You almost struggle along with Hudson Taylor as he longs and waits to be sent to China, as he adapts to the hardships of living through war both physical and spiritual, and rides the highs and lows that we all experience as we seek to follow God's leading. The reality of his humanness along with his genuine heart to be like Christ, and his burning desire to see the millions of Chinese come to know Jesus, is thoughtfully articulated by the narrator, carefully outlining the complete man vs. some spiritual superhero we so often see in missionary bios. I also appreciated how no small detail was overlooked from the extreme heat of the day causing burns on his shaven head to the length of the shirt sleeves and pointy toed shoes of the Chinese clothing that he chose to wear so that the gospel might be the main attraction among the people. I am truly excited to begin Vol 2.
July 7, 2015
Hudson Taylor is now a giant in the history of missions, but this book shows how difficult it was for him to make it to China and work in China at first. His challenges included lack of finances both at home and abroad, his own poor health, travel restrictions by both the British and Chinese governments, and civil unrest. His faith in the midst of these obstacles is both amazing and inspirational, especially considering how young he was at the time. The authors (his son and daughter-in-law) also heavily quote his letters to and from his family, making this the next best thing to an autobiography. The ending of the book left me hungering for the second volume.
June 1, 2014
Most biographies that range in the couple hundred page category feel like highlight reels of some great persons life. This two volume set, is at times as painfully slow as life, and that's what I loved about it. For one of the masters of 'the victorious life' this book shows a real man, who indeed learned to find his all in Christ, and suffered incredibly, but saw God work in amazing ways through all manner of risks, and steady faithful service.
August 21, 2013
I have read a number of biographies and the writer is as important as the subject. Great set of books to learn the heart of Hudson Taylor and the work that the hand of God did in China. The wisdom and spiritual maturity of Dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor make these books worth reading with a pen and notepad in hand.
January 10, 2014
This was perhaps the best biography I have ever read. Hudson Taylor's life was truly amazing in what God permitted him to accomplish. However, what stands out in this book is the author's ability to reveal the spiritual heart of this man. The book reveals the man's soul not merely the man's body. It is well written, captivating and convicting.
April 18, 2016
Far and away my favorite missionary biography, the two volume account of Hudson Taylor is an amazing look at the development of the man himself and the amazing work God accomplished through him. This stands at the top of the list of missions biographies and is worth the time and effort required to conquer this monumental account.
April 26, 2011
An excellent book. I was a little disappointed with the Kindle edition, though. One of the chapters was missing and there were many misspellings, probably due to OCR difficulties. But hey! It was only a buck!
March 27, 2010
read volume 1, not 2
May 28, 2012
Lots of inspiration within the pages of these two volumes! Impressive when you consider all Hudson Taylor gladly endured because of the call of God on his life!
May 8, 2025
An amazing story, really well written. At times, perhaps, difficult for the modern reader to understand. I did like Hudson Taylor's warning to his sister about the corrupting influence of the novel.
September 8, 2016
Great book! Practical teaching, and example :)
April 5, 2017
Hard to describe how spiritual challenging and renewing this was! What a delight to know this same faithful God of Hudson Taylor!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews