PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
A Retrospect
Taylor, James Hudson, 1832-1905 · 40,656 words · 73 reading sections
Part 1
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56 wordsSECTION 2J. HUDSON TAYLOR, M.R.C.S., F.R.G.S.
_Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee._…
14 wordsSECTION 3TORONTO CHINA INLAND MISSION 507 CHURCH STREET
[Illustration: THE "LAMMERMUIR" PARTY. _See page 125._]…
8 wordsSECTION 4CONTENTS
CHAP. PAGE I. THE POWER OF PRAYER 1 II. THE CALL TO SERVICE 7 III. PREPARATION FOR SERVICE 13 IV. FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER 19 V. LIFE IN LONDON 24 VI. STRENGTHENED B…
134 wordsSECTION 5MAP OF CHINA
SHOWING THE STATIONS OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION: CORRECTED TO JUNE 1900 _To face page_ 131…
16 wordsSECTION 6ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Portrait of J. Hudson Taylor _Frontispiece_ 2. The "Lammermuir" party _Facing "Contents"_ PAGE 3. Honorary banner presented to a missionary 1 4. A heavy road in North China 7 5. Salt junk on the Yang-tsi 13 6. Travelling by mul…
337 wordsSECTION 7THE POWER OF PRAYER
THE following account of some of the experiences which eventually led to the formation of the CHINA INLAND MISSION, and to its taking the form in which it has been developed, first appeared in the pages of _China's Millions_. Many of those who read it there asked that it might appear in separate form. Miss Guinness inc…
738 wordsSECTION 8Part 8
While in this state of mind I came in contact with persons holding sceptical and infidel views, and accepted their teaching, only too thankful for some hope of escape from the doom which, if my parents were right and the Bible true, awaited the impenitent. It may seem strange to say it, but I have often felt thankful f…
807 wordsSECTION 9Part 9
Several days elapsed ere I ventured to make my beloved sister the confidante of my joy, and then only after she had promised not to tell any one of my soul secret. When our dear mother came home a fortnight later, I was the first to meet her at the door, and to tell her I had such glad news to give. I can almost feel t…
315 wordsSECTION 10THE CALL TO SERVICE
THE first joys of conversion passed away after a time, and were succeeded by a period of painful deadness of soul, with much conflict. But this also came to an end, leaving a deepened sense of personal weakness and dependence on the LORD as the only KEEPER as well as SAVIOUR of His people. How sweet to the soul, wearie…
885 wordsSECTION 11Part 11
After a time of preparatory study at home, I went to Hull for medical and surgical training. There I became assistant to a doctor who was connected with the Hull school of medicine, and was surgeon also to a number of factories, which brought many accident cases to our dispensary, and gave me the opportunity of seeing …
835 wordsSECTION 12Part 12
It has been very helpful to me from time to time through life, as occasion has served, to act again in a similar way; and I have never gone through my house, from basement to attic, with this object in view, without receiving a great accession of spiritual joy and blessing. I believe we are all in danger of accumulatin…
155 wordsSECTION 13PREPARATION FOR SERVICE
HAVING now the twofold object in view of accustoming myself to endure hardness, and of economising in order to be able more largely to assist those amongst whom I spent a good deal of time labouring in the Gospel, I soon found that I could live upon very much less than I had previously thought possible. Butter, milk, a…
862 wordsSECTION 14Part 14
My conductor led me into a court, down which I followed him with some degree of nervousness. I had found myself there before, and at my last visit had been very roughly handled, while my tracts were torn to pieces, and I received such a warning not to come again that I felt more than a little concerned. Still, it was t…
809 wordsSECTION 15Part 15
Next morning for breakfast my plate of porridge remained, and before it was consumed the postman's knock was heard at the door. I was not in the habit of receiving letters on Monday, as my parents and most of my friends refrained from posting on Saturday; so that I was somewhat surprised when the landlady came in holdi…
263 wordsSECTION 16FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER
THE remarkable and gracious deliverance I have spoken of, was a great joy to me, as well as a strong confirmation of faith; but of course ten shillings, however economically used, will not go very far, and it was none the less necessary to continue in prayer, asking that the larger supply which was still due might be r…
900 wordsSECTION 17Part 17
Just as I was preparing to turn down the gas, I heard the doctor's step in the garden which lay between the dwelling-house and surgery. He was laughing to himself very heartily, as though greatly amused by something. Entering the surgery, he asked for the ledger, and told me that, strange to say, one of his richest pat…
687 wordsSECTION 18FOOTNOTE:
[1] Since the above was written Mr. George Pearse has died.…
11 wordsSECTION 19LIFE IN LONDON
I MUST not now attempt to detail the ways in which the LORD was pleased--often to my surprise, as well as to my delight--to help me from time to time. I soon found that it was not possible to live quite as economically in London as in Hull. To lessen expenses I shared a room with a cousin, four miles from the hospital,…
790 wordsSECTION 20Part 20
Finding that I could not resume work, I went into the dissecting-room to bind up the portion I was engaged upon and put away my apparatus, and said to the demonstrator, who was a very skilful surgeon, "I cannot think what has come over me," describing the symptoms. "Why," said he, "what has happened is clear enough: yo…
925 wordsSECTION 21Part 21
Days and nights of suffering passed slowly by; but at length, after several weeks, I was sufficiently restored to leave my room; and then I learned that two men, though not from the London Hospital, who had had dissection wounds at the same time as myself, had both succumbed, while I was spared in answer to prayer to w…
65 wordsSECTION 22STRENGTHENED BY FAITH
ONE day the doctor coming in found me on the sofa, and was surprised to learn that with assistance I had walked downstairs. "Now," he said, "the best thing you can go is to get off to the country as soon as you feel equal to the journey. You must rusticate until you have recovered a fair amount of health and strength, …
837 wordsSECTION 23Part 23
Very much better the next morning, after seeing to some little matters that I had to settle, I made my way to the surgery of the doctor who had attended me, feeling that, although my uncle was prepared to pay the bill, it was right for me, now that I had some money in hand, to ask for the account myself. The kind surge…
654 wordsSECTION 24MIGHTY TO SAVE
RETURNING to London when sufficiently recovered to resume my studies, the busy life of hospital and lecture-hall was resumed; often relieved by happy Sundays of fellowship with Christian friends, especially in London or Tottenham. Opportunities for service are to be found in every sphere, and mine was no exception. I s…
803 wordsSECTION 25Part 25
He was never afterwards unwilling to be spoken to and prayed with, and within a few days he definitely accepted CHRIST as his SAVIOUR. Oh the joy it was to me to see that dear man rejoicing in hope of the glory of GOD! He told me that for forty years he had never darkened the door of church or chapel, and that then--fo…
324 wordsSECTION 26VOYAGE TO CHINA
SOON after this the time so long looked forward to arrived--the time that I was to leave England for China. After being set apart with many prayers for the ministry of GOD's Word among the heathen Chinese I left London for Liverpool; and on the 19th of September 1853 a little service was held in the stern cabin of the …
749 wordsSECTION 27Part 27
One thing was a great trouble to me that night. I was a very young believer, and had not sufficient faith in GOD to see Him in and through the use of means. I had felt it a duty to comply with the earnest wish of my beloved and honoured mother, and for her sake to procure a swimming-belt. But in my own soul I felt as i…
713 wordsSECTION 28Part 28
The captain complied with this proposal. I went and spoke to the other two men, and after prayer with the carpenter we all four retired to wait upon GOD. I had a good but very brief season in prayer, and then felt so satisfied that our request was granted that I could not continue asking, and very soon went up again on…
395 wordsSECTION 29EARLY MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES
ON landing in Shanghai on 1st March 1854, I found myself surrounded with difficulties that were wholly unexpected. A band of rebels, known as the "Red Turbans," had taken possession of the native city, against which was encamped an Imperial army of from forty to fifty thousand men, who were a much greater source of dis…
773 wordsSECTION 30Part 30
Of the trials of this early period it is scarcely possible to convey any adequate idea. To one of a sensitive nature, the horrors, atrocities, and misery connected with war were a terrible ordeal. The embarrassment also of the times was considerable. With an income of only eighty pounds a year, I was compelled, upon mo…
410 wordsSECTION 31FIRST EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS
A JOURNEY taken in the spring of 1855 with the Rev. J. S. Burden of the Church Missionary Society (now the Bishop of Victoria, Hong-kong) was attended with some serious dangers. In the great mouth of the river Yang-tse, distant some thirty miles to the north of Shanghai, lies the group of islands of which Ts'ung-ming …
724 wordsSECTION 32Part 32
On our way we passed through one small town of about a thousand inhabitants; and here, in the Mandarin dialect, I preached JESUS to a good number of people. Never was I so happy in speaking of the love of GOD and the atonement of JESUS CHRIST. My own soul was richly blessed, and filled with joy and peace; and I was abl…
822 wordsSECTION 33Part 33
Once or twice a quarrel arose as to how we should be dealt with; the more mild of our conductors saying that we ought to be taken to the magistrate's office, but others wishing to kill us at once without appeal to any authority. Our minds were kept in perfect peace; and when thrown together on one of these occasions, w…
752 wordsSECTION 34Part 34
After a long stay, we asked permission to see something of the city, and to distribute the books we had brought, before our return. To this he kindly consented. We then mentioned that we had been most disrespectfully treated as we came in, but that we did not attach much importance to the fact, being aware that the sol…
238 wordsSECTION 35WITH THE REV. WILLIAM BURNS
AFTER the retaking of Shanghai by the Imperialists, in February 1855, I was enabled to rent a house within the walls of the native city, and gladly availed myself of this opportunity to reside amidst the crowded population left to inhabit the ruins that had survived the war. Here I made my headquarters, though often ab…
753 wordsSECTION 36Part 36
Externally, however, our path was not always a smooth one; but when permitted to stay for any length of time in town or city, the opportunity was well utilised. We were in the habit of leaving our boats, after prayer for blessing, at about nine o'clock in the morning, with a light bamboo stool in hand. Selecting a suit…
855 wordsSECTION 37Part 37
First sent Tsien and Kuei-hua to distribute some sheet tracts. After their return we went with them, and in a space cleared by fire we separated, and addressed two audiences. On our return to the boats for lunch, we found people waiting, as usual, and desiring books. Some were distributed to those who were able to read…
883 wordsSECTION 38Part 38
In the afternoon we addressed the people on shore close to our boats, also in one of the streets of the city, and in a tea-shop, books being distributed on each occasion. In the evening we went as usual to speak in the tea-shops, but determined to go to the opposite end of the town, in order to afford those who lived t…
917 wordsSECTION 39Part 39
We then called all the boatmen together, with our native assistants, and read to them the ninety-first Psalm. It may be imagined how appropriate to our position and need and how sweetly consoling was this portion of GOD'S Word:-- "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the MOST HIGH Shall abide under the shadow of th…
588 wordsSECTION 40CALLED TO SWATOW
HAVING to leave the neighbourhood of Black Town thus unexpectedly was a real disappointment to us, as we had hoped to spend some time evangelising in that district. We were to prove, however, that no unforeseen mischance had happened, but that these circumstances which seemed so trying were necessary links in the chain…
704 wordsSECTION 41Part 41
A favourable journey of six days brought us to Double Island, where we found ourselves landed in the midst of a small but very ungodly community of foreigners, engaged in the opium trade and other commercial enterprises. Unwilling to be in any way identified with these fellow-countrymen, we were most desirous of obtain…
779 wordsSECTION 42Part 42
It was early in July, after about four months' residence in Swatow, that I left for Shanghai, intending to return in the course of a few weeks, bringing with me my medical apparatus, for further work in association with the Rev. William Burns. A new and promising field seemed to be opening before us, and it was with mu…
169 wordsSECTION 43FOOTNOTE:
[2] For words and music see the end of this chapter. [Illustration: Music: The Missionary Call]…
16 wordsSECTION 44"THE MISSIONARY CALL"
1. My soul is not at rest. There comes a strange and secret whisper to my. . . . spirit, like a dream of night, that tells me I am on enchanted ground.…
30 wordsSECTION 45CHORUS FOR FIRST FOUR VERSES.
_Vivace._ The voice of my departed LORD, "Go, teach all nations," Comes on the night air and awakes mine ear.…
21 wordsSECTION 46CHORUS FOR LAST VERSE.
Through ages of eternal years, My spirit never shall repent, that toil and suff'ring once were mine . . . below. 2. Why live I here? the vows of GOD are | on me; | and I may not stop to play with shadows or pluck earthly flowers, | till I my work have done, and | rendered up ac | count. 3. And I will | go! | I may no…
150 wordsSECTION 47MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES
IT is interesting to notice the various events which united, in the providence of GOD, in preventing my return to Swatow, and ultimately led to my settling in Ningpo, and making that the centre for the development of future labours. Upon reaching Shanghai, great was my dismay to find that the premises in which my medi…
763 wordsSECTION 48Part 48
Feeling very uneasy, I began diligently to inquire whether they had been seen. At last a man responded, "Are you a guest from Shih-mun-wan?" I answered in the affirmative. "Are you going to Hai-ning?" "That is my destination." "Then your things have gone on before you; for I was sitting in a tea-shop when a coolie came…
878 wordsSECTION 49Part 49
The afternoon was far spent before I approached the northern suburb of Hai-ning, where I commenced inquiries, but could hear no tidings of my servant or things. I was told that outside the East Gate I should be more likely to hear of them, as it was there the sea-junks called. I therefore proceeded thither, and sought …
987 wordsSECTION 50Part 50
"Listen to me," I replied. "I do not want your protection; I need it not; I am not a Chinese; I do not worship your senseless, helpless idols. I worship GOD; He is my FATHER; I trust in Him. I know well what you are, and what your intentions are, and shall keep my eye on you, and shall not sleep." On this, one of them…
828 wordsSECTION 51Part 51
I felt so much refreshed both in mind and body by the communion I had on my walk to the city that I thought myself able to finish the remaining six miles back to Shih-mun-wan that evening. First I went into another tea-shop to buy some native cakes, and was making a meal of them when who should come in but one of the i…
860 wordsSECTION 52Part 52
Before leaving the junk I told the captain and those on board that I was now unable to help myself; that I had not strength to walk to Kia-hing Fu, and having been disappointed in getting a passage to-day, I should no longer have sufficient means to take me there by letter-boat, which was an expensive mode of travellin…
536 wordsSECTION 53PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE
IT now seemed very clear that the lost property--including everything I possessed in China, with the exception of a small sum of money providentially left in Shanghai--had been deliberately stolen by my servant, who had gone off with it to Hang-chau. The first question, of course, was how best to act for the good of th…
874 wordsSECTION 54Part 54
"We cannot stay to discuss that now! Come, or it will be too late. I will give you five dollars" (then worth about thirty shillings in English money). "We won't do it for that," replied the men. "Give us twenty dollars, and we will drag." "I do not possess so much: do come quickly, and I will give you all I have!" "…
641 wordsSECTION 55SETTLEMENT IN NINGPO
THE autumn of 1856 was well advanced before I reached Ningpo, one of the most ancient and influential cities on the coast of China. Opened to the residence of foreigners in 1842 by the treaty of Nan-king, it had long been the scene of missionary labours. Within its thronging thoroughfares the busy tide of life runs hig…
808 wordsSECTION 56Part 56
And how blessedly He did lead me on and provide for me I can never, never tell. It was like a continuation of some of my earlier home experiences. My faith was not untried; it often, often failed, and I was so sorry and ashamed of the failure to trust such a FATHER. But oh! I was learning to know Him. I would not even …
832 wordsSECTION 57Part 57
"I have long sought for the Truth," said he earnestly, "as my fathers did before me; but I have never found it. I have travelled far and near, but without obtaining it. I have found no rest in Confucianism, Buddhism, or Taoism; but I do find rest in what I have heard here to-night. Henceforth I am a believer in JESUS."…
301 wordsSECTION 58TIMELY SUPPLIES
NOT infrequently our GOD brings His people into difficulties on purpose that they may come to know Him as they could not otherwise do. Then He reveals Himself as "a very present help in trouble," and makes the heart glad indeed at each fresh revelation of a FATHER'S faithfulness. We who only see so small a part of the …
863 wordsSECTION 59Part 59
After prayer and deliberation we thought that perhaps we ought to dispose of something we possessed in order to meet our immediate requirements. But on looking round we saw nothing that we could well spare, and little that the Chinese would purchase for ready money. Credit to any extent we might have had, could we cons…
659 wordsSECTION 60GOD A REFUGE FOR US
A SOMEWHAT different though not less manifest answer to prayer was vouchsafed early in the year 1859. My dear wife was brought very low by illness, and at last all hope of recovery seemed gone. Every remedy tried had proved unavailing; and Dr. Parker, who was in attendance, had nothing more to suggest. Life was ebbing …
887 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.