THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF HUDSON TAYLOR (1832-1905)

Text: Hebrews 11
19 September 2010

(I) FAILURE OF EARLIER ATTEMPTS TO REACH CHINA

1. Nestorian (Syrian cult)

a) 7 th Century

b) Allowed by the Emperor

c) Failed

2. Franciscan Mission

a) 13 th Century

b) Some inroads

c) Failed

3. Protestant Missions

a) Robert Morrison 1782-1834 (London Missionary Society)

b) Scottish missionary (served 27 years in China)

c) Interpreter of East India Company

d) Translated the whole Bible into Mandarin

(II) CHINA INLAND MISSION (CIM)

1. James Hudson Taylor

a) Language skills (Mandarin, Teochew)

b) Colloquail edition of the New Testament

c) Son of a chemist/lay preacher (James Taylor)

d) Studied Medicine

2. Faith Mission

a) Missionary work supported by faith

b) Protestant Ministry

3. Ministries

a) Schools (125)

b) Churches (300)

c) Organisation (800)

4. Suffering

a) Death of children

b) Death of wife (Maria)

Prayer of Hudson Taylor:

“Oh, for eloquence to plead the cause of China, for a pencil dipped in fire to paint the condition of the people.”

Letter to his sister, Amelia Hudson Taylor:

“If I had a thousand pounds China should have it- if I had a thousand lives, China should have them. No! Not China, but Christ. Can we do too much for Him? Can we do enough for such a precious Saviour?”

(III) OUR CHALLENGE

“For to you, it has been given on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Philippians 1:29

1. To believe in the Lord

2. To suffer for the Lord