By Mary Vee
Year: September, 1868
Hudson Taylor: age 36
From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes
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| photo courtesy |
Since two weeks have passed I have included the portion of my story from where I left off two weeks ago then continued the telling of this event..
"There they are!" Someone from the mob shouted.
We ran the race of our lives through the streets .... I remembered a different route and led George through some fields. Thanks to the darkening skies, we weren't noticed. Unfortunately, we had to eventually return to the main streets to get to the Prefector's house.
Rather than hiding in the fields where rats and other creatures could attack during the night, George Duncan and I took our chances, praying every step we ran for God's protection.
We came to the streets of the city and ran with all our strength toward the Prefector's home. The mob spotted us immediately, gathered their bricks and stones, and hurled them at us. We ran faster, but the mob closed in on us.
With only feet left to run before reaching the gate our hearts sank as the gatekeeper look at the mob, panicked and ordered the other guard to help him shut the doors. We continued to run, hoping we could reach the gate before they pushed the bar in place.
Bricks and stones struck us in the back and legs. We pumped our arms to keep ahead of them, but just as we touched the gate the mob crashed into us, knocking the gate open. The pressure from the angry group lunged us forward.
We leaped to our feet and ran to the judgment hall crying, "Kiu-ming! Kiu-ming", which means save life. Save life.
The Chinese custom states when anyone cries these words, the mandarin must listen to what the person has to say at any time of the day or night. To our relieve the guards escorted us to the secretary's office and told to wait to be seen.
As we waited the forty-five minutes our hearts cried out to the Lord for those still at the house. We could hear the mob's shouts even though they were a mile away. The door opened and we were taken inside a room where the Mandarin sat.
He squinted and scowled. "What have you done with our babies? Did you kidnap them?"
I could not answer his questions at this time. The longer he delayed any action against the mob the greater the danger for our loved ones. I bowed and stepped forward. "This is your fault. Had you taken action when we first asked, the problem would have been easy to solve. Now the mob is out of control. Our families must be saved before we answer any of your questions.
He nodded. "Yes I see. Calm the mob then ask questions. I agree." He stood and walked toward the door. "Stay here. I can do no good unless you are out of sight."
As he left the room, George and I prayed for our families and the other missionaries in the house under attack by the mob. I must admit. I am quite concerned.
J. Hudson Taylor
Missionary to China--Inland China!
Blessed by God even in time of torment
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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