Year: 1859
Hudson Taylor: age 27
From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes
My dear wife, Maria became deathly ill. I watched her eyes darken and her temples sink. As a medical person I knew the signs. If God did not intervene, I would lose her.
I spent long hours praying and caring for her in addition to my mission duties. One afternoon I looked at her frail body. An idea for treatment came to me. Before administering anything that might be dangerous, I ran to Dr. Parker's home, two miles away to ask his opinion.I prayed with every step for God's healing mercies for my sweet Maria. Once at Dr. Parkers home, I explained the idea. "Yes," he said. "Proceed." As I ran home, I prayed and soon sensed a peace, one that let me know God would spare her life. I ran to her room ready to administer the treatment.
But she had changed since I had left. Her skin color and eyes looked much better. The recovery process began. Praise God.
Spring and early summer kept us busy with missionary work, addressing the continuing war issues, and lack of financial support. Maria spent much of her time near home preparing for the birth of our second child due in July. Her safety became a big issue for me.
My boat remained docked at the river, ready for escape should our lives be threatened. You may recall I had used the boat last year to help missionaries escape violence against foreigners. Although a treaty had been signed, threats of harm became more real every day. And the danger not only affected missionaries, but also Chinese christians.
The first of July, Dr. Parker, recommended Maria come stay at the hospital to protect her from the war's violent outburst. Sunday, July 31, Maria gave birth to our first daughter, Grace Dyer. I must admit, she was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen.
Because of the constant wars, fresh water became difficult to find. Diseases had plenty of opportunity to attack the people. One day Dr. Parker's wife became sick with cholera and died within hours. The poor man. He asked me to take over the hospital while he took his five children back to Scotland.
Of course I agreed. I set to work right away trying my best. Dr. Parker left me with enough money to pay one month's salary to hospital workers. After one month, I hardly knew what to do. I didn't have a missionary income other than what might be sent with the Lord's leading.
Several of us met together and prayed for money to arrive soon. And yes, I meant within a day or so. The hospital cook informed me she opened the last bag of rice. God knew we would have this problem a month ago when someone had to send the funds we needed today. I am confident prayers can still be asked for help in this way.
The next day an envelope arrived. I opened it and found more than the amount of money needed for bills. Not much more, but enough to completely take care of paying for hospital workers, rent, and food.
You may think that the envelope would have come even if we hadn't gathered together and prayed. True, there are times God helps us when we don't ask--and times He chooses not to. I wouldn't want to take the chance. I much prefer to ask.
Why am I continually surprised at the blessings God gives? I don't know. Here I am twenty-seven years old. I have a wife who survived a deathly illness, a beautiful new baby girl, and the needed finances to continue the ministry for the time.
This verse came to me as an answer: "Call upon Me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will glorify Me." Psalm 50:15.
Please pray for Maria and me, that we may be a witness to the people in China.
J. Hudson Taylor
Missionary to China
Blessed by God
Do you have any questions?
Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com
Research resources: J. Hudson Taylor, An Autobiography by J. Hudson Taylor; It is Not Death to Die, a new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty; Hudson Taylor Founder, China Inland Mission by Vance Christie; J. Hudson Taylor, A Man in Christ, by Roger Steer, and Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr. &and Mrs. Howard Taylor.
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