Hudson Taylor- I Desperately Need Help

By Mary Vee
Year: July, 1864 
Hudson Taylor: age 32

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

A letter arrived from my friend James. He and his family have had a rough time in China. The poor man must have sobbed as he wrote:

"I never expected to see beggars and refugees like this. The poor creatures are homeless, without a source for food or water. They are starving and contracting horrible diseases. Many die. I say to myself, 'Why is Mr. Taylor staying in England making books while thousand are perishing without medicine for their soul and bodies?'"

I couldn't return yet, I needed a little more time to heal from my own illnesses. Those of us in England devoted more time in prayer, asking God to send more missionaries to help with the work in Ningbo. Miss Jean Notman expressed an interest saying she would love to go to China right away. We provided her with clothing and supplies and booked a passage on a ship.

Four Christian women boarded the ship and shared a cabin. During the voyage, Miss. Notman became upset with the conditions and requested a better cabin for herself. She billed the extra cost to me. This was the first sign of a problem. After arriving in Ningbo she went with the other women to the mission compound. The missionaries showed the new arrivals their sleeping quarters and the work there. Once again Miss Notman showed her displeasure. The work bored her. She quit after a short time and married a local Chinese man.

Sigh. 

We continued to pray, ask, and train others to go to China.

Isn't it odd how certain names describe a person's personality completely? Mr. Richard Truelove desperately wanted to go to China. He moved into the large home where missionaries received training and studied the Chinese language. New Chinese clothes were made for him and other supplies purchased for his trip. His excitement grew as the day of departure drew closer.

Truelove was to board the Corea with another missionary but missed the departure time. He found other transportation and caught up with the ship at the last port in England. While on the ship, Truelove became quite seasick. He might have overcome the sickness and been a great help in Ningbo, but this was not to be.

Not long after leaving England, the captain found a deserted ship carrying valuable cargo. He and his crew decided to tow the ship back to England and sell the goods. Once the ship docked back in England, Truelove got off, choosing not to sail on to China.

Two great candidates. Two more helpers to ease the burden in China. Neither one succeeded. 

My heart is burdened more than I can bear. 


Oh, Lord, how will we help the people of China if those we send don't stay to do the work?

Please pray for all missionaries to have a strong conviction to carry out the work God has called them to do.

J. Hudson Taylor

Missionary to China--home, in England--wishing I could be in China

Blessed by God

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.