Hudson Taylor-God Called the Major-General's Son

By Mary Vee

Year: 1884 

Hudson Taylor: age 52

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes
The Cambridge Seven Part 2

Cambridge University Photo Courtesy

Major-General Hoste had served with the Royal Artillery. He retired to his home in Brighton. As a godly man, he hoped--with all his heart that all of his children would one day love God as he had.

Over the years all but one of his children, Dixon, chose to love God. 

The major learned one day, that Dwight L. Moody was coming to speak in his home town. He and all of his family, except Dixon, were excited to go.

Dixon's older brother, William, had come home during a school break. William attended Cambridge and had heard Mr. Moody speak at a conference. He went to his brother's bedroom and, like any good big brother, convinced Dixon with a few playful jabs to come along.

Dixon may have gone with the family, but he didn't want to listen. He stood in the back and tried not to pay attention. His family went several nights, praying that Dixon would understand how much God loved him. 

One night, while standing in the back of the Brighten hall, Dixon heard the words in Mr. Moody's message. His heart felt heavy and he understood that all the bad things he did kept him from going to heaven. He bowed his knee and prayed. Giving his life to Jesus. And thankful for the gift from Jesus. The gift to go to heaven. 

"I knew right then," Dixon said, "I wanted to be a part of this work that Moody talked about. I wanted to be a missionary to China and tell them about the God who loves them."

Dixon wrote me right away. He told me about the meeting and his decision to accept God's gift of love. He also said he wanted to go to China and help. I offered to meet with him. His love for God showed on his face. I told him, "This is wonderful news that you are telling me. My advice, though, is to wait. Study God's word and know Him better. When you have done this, come back to see me."

Dixon had changed all right. He gave up smoking and spent time at the mission office helping. One day he went to Benjamin Broomhall's house. Benjamin was in charge of the mission office in England. While at his house, Dixon saw Benjamin's daughter, Gertrude playing the piano. "I'm going to marry her one day," he said to himself."

That September, Gertrude left with seventy other missionaries for China. 

Dixon thought about her every day she was gone. He studied God's word and followed the training program. He couldn't wait to be a missionary in China, not just to be with Gertrude, but much more--he wanted to serve God.

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