J. Hudson Taylor (1832–1905)

I grew up hearing about Hudson Taylor, but this was the first time I had read anything by him. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. Hudson Taylor’s writing was clear and intimate as he shared deep personal experiences and convictions about his life and mission. I was challenged by this book and look forward to reading more by him. My husband bought a collection of Ebooks by/about him. So I have quite a bit of reading to do.

Hudson Taylor was the founder of the China Inland Mission. This book, part of Bethany's "Men of Faith" series, is his autobiography up to the founding of the CIM.

In this book, he shares his salvation, and how prayer had such a powerful influence in his conversion, how God led him to begin living by faith in preparation for work in China, and his training in the medical field.
He then shares about his first trip to China, and the way his mission let him down, especially in the areas of show more financial support and encouragement. The book also shares how he was led to dress in Chinese style clothes, much to the consternation of other foreign missionaries. However, this one step gave him more success in talking to the locals than the others had. Taylor also shares how he met up with the Scottish revivalist, William Burns, and their work together in China.

The book ends with Taylor back in England and God's leading him to found the CIM, a faith mission where all missionaries must trust God for their finances, with the first "recruits" already on their way.

This is an excellent little book, easily read, but very powerful in the demonstration of how God provides for His children. One of Taylor's mottos was, "God's work, done God's way, will never lack God's supply." It was something he and the CIM proved time and time again.

Taylor is now considered a giant among missionaries, and this autobiography, along with the many biographies written about him, ought to be read by anyone with a desire to see how God can lead a man, and provide for his every need. show less

Dnf. Probably a good book for those looking for details about Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission. It felt a little like a mission report to me and seemed a little dry. I have a set of Ebooks by/about Hudson Taylor, so I’m going to try another book. I may come back to this sometime or I may end up just using it as reference material.

I think I picked the wrong book to read about Hudson Taylor. I would say that it is a good book but definately not the biography I would read about him. It is a bit old so some of the reading is tough and dry.