Hudson Taylor-The Servant Who Would Not Turn From Jesus

By Mary Vee

Year: December 1877 

Hudson Taylor: age 45

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

Photo Courtesy

There are many amazing stories to share about the work God has done in China. I could fill many books just telling all of them.

For now I will share one.

One day as I sat in one of our missions, I heard a lot of noise in the next apartment. The walls were really thin, and in one place there was a hole.

Curious what made the neighbors laugh, I looked through the hole and saw their servant telling them about a story he had heard. He then told the man and wife about the the Prodigal Son. Apparently he had heard one of the missionaries tell the story, was touched that God could love him so much then accepted Christ as his savior.

The neighbors laughed and mocked him for believing such a ridiculous story. They gave him several chances to give up this new teaching and return to the teachings honored by their house. When the servant refused, the family threw him out in the streets. 

This happened in February. The winters were cold and the winds brutal. The servant didn't know where to go. He tried to get another job but no one would hire him. He became quite hungry and sick from the cold. 

Days later, the neighbors searched for their servant in the streets. When they found him they said, "Please give up the crazy belief you have in the God of the missionaries."

He refused again. 

At long last the family said he could return to his job because they could find no one as kind and could serve their family as well as he. 


Praise God for His blessings.

J. Hudson Taylor

Missionary to China--Inland China!

So Very Blessed by God 

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