J. Hudson Taylor: The Classic Autobiography

by James Hudson Taylor

It is always helpful to us to fix our attention on the God-ward aspect of Christian work; to realise that the work of God does not mean so much man's work for God, as God's own work through man. Furthermore, in our privileged position of fellow-workers with Him, while fully recognising all the benefits and blessings to be bestowed on a sin-stricken world through the proclamation of the Gospel and spread of the Truth, we should never lose sight of the higher aspect of our work—that of obedience to God, of[2] bringing glory to His Name, of gladdening the heart of our God and Father by living and serving as His beloved children. Many circumstances connected with my own early life and service presented this aspect of work vividly to me; and as I think of some of them, I am reminded of how much the cause of missions is indebted to many who are never themselves permitted to see the mission field—many, it may be, who are unable to give largely of their substance, and who will be not a little surprised in the Great Day to see how much the work has been advanced by their love, their sympathy, and their prayers. For myself, and for the work that I have been permitted to do for God, I owe an unspeakable debt of gratitude to my beloved and honoured parents, who have passed away and entered into rest, but the influence of whose lives will never pass away.

- Taken from "J. Hudson The Classic Autobiography" (also known as "A Retrospect") written by J. Hudson Taylor

110 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2019

About the author

James Hudson Taylor was a British Protestant Christian missionary to China, and founder of the China Inland Mission (CIM) (now OMF International). Taylor spent 51 years in China. The society that he began was responsible for bringing over 800 missionaries to the country who began 125 schools and directly resulted in 18,000 Christian conversions, as well as the establishment of more than 300 stations of work with more than 500 local helpers in all eighteen provinces.

Taylor was known for his sensitivity to Chinese culture and zeal for evangelism. He adopted wearing native Chinese clothing even though this was rare among missionaries of that time. Under his leadership, the CIM was singularly non-denominational in practice and accepted members from all Protestant groups, including individuals from the working class and single women as well as multinational recruits. Primarily because of the CIM's campaign against the Opium trade, Taylor has been referred to as one of the most significant Europeans to visit China in the 19th Century. Historian Ruth Tucker summarises the theme of his life:

No other missionary in the nineteen centuries since the Apostle Paul has had a wider vision and has carried out a more systematised plan of evangelising a broad geographical area than Hudson Taylor.
Taylor was able to preach in several varieties of Chinese, including Mandarin, Chaozhou, and the Wu dialects of Shanghai and Ningbo. The last of these he knew well enough to help prepare a colloquial edition of the New Testament written in it

Reviews

[Stephanie Weisgerber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was always curious about Hudson Taylor, the famous missionary from China. In this autobiography, he details his interesting conversion to christianity and credits his mother and sister's intercession for his salvation experience. I notice a common thread among many called and anointed ministers of God back in the day. Many of them had an illness prior to their launching their ministry, one so severe that they were brought to death's door. (Kenneth Hagin and Aimee Semple Mcpherson among them, both had severe illnesses which almost killed them prior to their calling to ministry). Hudson Taylor is no exception. He contracted a severe infection from touching a dead body in medical school while having a tiny open wound on his hand, and this nearly killed him. However, due to his recent frequent fasting and very moderate diet, the head physician felt he would pull through, and with God's help he did. He gave his life to the Lord and felt the call to China during this point in his life. There are many exciting adventures and hardships detailed in this simple autobiography. After much trial and persecution, the China Inland Mission was formed which set up stations all over the world to send missionaries to China. We will never know the full impact of his life, but surely the persecuted church in China today owes much to this wonderful man of God.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true Christian missionary who went to China in the 1850's and shows the power of prayer. What a story!