Hudson Taylor-What is A Real Christian?

By Mary Vee

Year: 1885 

Hudson Taylor: age 53

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes
Cambridge Seven Part 5

Photo Courtesy

I had so much fun the day the Cambridge Seven landed here in Shanghai. As usual when in China, I put on the typical clothes that any Chinaman would wear, and had my head shaved with only a long braid hanging down my back.

I didn't have the same skin color or slanted eyes, but otherwise, I could be mistaken for a true Chinaman. 

I went to the shipyard, and spoke only Chinese to the men. Then kept a straight face when the new missionaries looked at me strangely. They didn't recognize me!

I laughed then said in perfect English, "Welcome Cambridge Seven!" I showed them to the place where they would sleep until they had their assignments. The poor men also had to find their land legs. (When a person sails on a ship their legs get used to moving up and down with the water. After they step out on land their mind still thinks they are on water so their body moves up and down and side to side like it did on the boat. It takes a day or so for this to stop. This is called finding your land legs).

We had a big welcoming party for the seven new missionaries to help them meet local Chinese Christians and other missionaries. The newspapers wrote big articles about the new visitors.

Men and women in Shanghai loved these men already! They were invited to speak at meetings in which large numbers of people came. 

One night, the port chaplain came to the meeting. The young missionaries told the audience about the gospel of God. How He sent His son to die for all the bad things people have done. How God loves everyone. How we cannot go to heaven by doing good deeds. As long as we have done anything bad, which we all have, we couldn't go to heaven. Only Jesus, God's perfect Son, could pay for our sins. Only by believing that Jesus loves us and died to pay the punishment for all the bad things we did could we got o heaven. The chaplain listened.

When the young missionaries finished speaking, the chaplain cried. The missionaries asked, "If you died in the night, would you go to heaven?" In his heart, he knew the answer to be no. He had worked so hard to do all the right things, to learn all the right things to say, but had never believed in Jesus as the one who saved him.

He finally understood what it meant to be a real Christian. One who believed in Jesus. News of the chaplain's decision to believe in Jesus traveled fast all over Shanghai. Men and women who once thought they were Christians began to ask questions. Were they really Christians? The seven new missionaries and other missionaries, help to answer questions.

What a great time we had helping people to understand what God wants. All we need to do is believe Jesus, God's Son, died to pay for our sins. Believing in Jesus is the only way to heaven.

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

Hudson Taylor-Thousands Watched the Cambridge Seven Leave

By Mary Vee

Year: 1885 

Hudson Taylor: age 53

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes
Cambridge Seven Part 4

Cambridge University Photo Courtesy

We often need to remember that our parents love us and will do what they feel is necessary to take care of us.

C.T. Studd's mother had great hopes for her son to become a wealthy young man and to carry on the family name in a way that would make everyone proud.

She didn't expect her son to sell everything he had and sign up to become a missionary to China. 

She'd tried to her best to give him a comfortable journey. She even sent ahead wonderful items to make his new room cozy and comfortable. 

I felt sorry for her. She only wanted to take care of her son. After he left home, she wrote another letter to Jennie. "I'm sorry to bother you. I really must know what else could be sent for C.T. You see, he has barely taken any clothing. I don't know how he will survive. Please answer my letter as soon as you possibly can."

Mrs. Studd loved her son very much and realized she couldn't change his desire to go to China. After he and his friends went to meet their ship, she wrote Jennie again, asking for her to come to teach the family how to set up prayer meetings.

Mrs. Studd wasn't the only one who truly loved the Cambridge Seven. The night before their ship sailed, 3,5000 people gathered for a farewell meeting. There were no special seats for the wealthy. No reserved boxes. They all came and listened to the speaker, Stanley Smith, and were touched by the words:

"We do not go to that far field to teach this or that doctrine. We go to tell of a living, present, and reigning Christ who loves them. For years we have lived in England, enjoying what we had in Jesus when there were millions of people who had never heard of Him. We cannot tell you that a vision or dream sends us to China, but we can say the needs of those who don't know Jesus prevent us from staying in England...."

The huge gathering that night became headline news throughout every English speaking country in the world. Because of these seven men, many heard about the needs of millions who have not heard of God's love.

On February 5, the seven men set sail, traveling second class which has been described as good only for servants and dogs. Together, they planned to take the good news of God's love to the people of China.

Do you remember this whole story started with Dwight L Moody speaking at a conference of thousands of mocking students at Cambridge University? One brave man spoke. Seven brave men went.

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

Hudson Taylor-Poor C.T. Studd

By Mary Vee

Year: 1885 

Hudson Taylor: age 53

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes
Cambridge Seven Part 3

Cambridge University Photo Courtesy

C.T. Studd was one of the 'Cambridge Seven'. Young men who willingly gave up any future fame, a life of ease, and wealth, all to serve Jesus in China.

Studd may have known he should go to China from the first second the idea came into him mind, but his family.... Well, that was a different story.

Studd grew up in a huge house. His family had lots of money and gave him the finest clothes, took him to all the big events, cooked the best foods, and made sure their son had all the best.

His mother planned for Studd to marry a girl from a wealthy family, settle down, and start his own family. 

When she received word from her son that he planned to go to China, she didn't think this was the best idea. He could get sick. Who knows what poverty he might have to see? Why he might get dirty or not have what he needs. No. This wouldn't do at all. 

She also couldn't understand why C.T. sold all the things he had once loved and gave the money to China Inland Mission. Unheard of!

As part of C.T.'s preparation for China, he and the other six men training to go as missionaries had to spend time in the poorest parts of England. He saw what people really didn't have. He and his friends were saddened about the runned down buildings, little food, dirty faces. He never knew about them.

He wrote a letter to his mother, telling her he felt ashamed for the way he lived. "I have so many suits and all kinds of clothes, while many people right here in England are starving and are freezing in the cold. I want everything sold. Everything.

His mother didn't want to follow the instructions, but did anyway. She thought, "At least the money would all go to Hudson Taylor." But C.T. said to give the money to the mission for all the missionaries to use.

His mother wrote a letter to the mission. "I am thankful my son has had advice from an older man. At least Hudson Taylor is sure to keep my son dressed appropriately. The way he is acting, who knows what rags he might go about in when he goes to China. This would be terrible."

HIs mother wrote a second letter. This time to Hudson's wife, Jennie. "Dear Jeannie, Please be sure to watch C.T. Talk to him and let him know the importance of taking with him everything that is necessary to be comfortable in China. He seems to want to take very few things, hardly enough to last. And what will he do for cleanliness in the hot weather? He is young and needs proper advice."

Poor C.T. His mother even sent a trunk to China before C.T. left filled with all the items to properly prepare a room for him. Things like curtains, silverware, napkins, and all sorts of other items she felt were necessary. 

Yes, Poor C.T. He loved his mother, but he needed to be a true missionary to China. One who does not have more than the love of God. The rest he needs to depend on God to supply.

Come back next time to see what happens with our Cambridge Seven. 

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

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

Hudson Taylor-The Cambridge Seven

By Mary Vee

Year: 1884 

Hudson Taylor: age 52

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes
Cambridge Seven Part 1

Cambridge University Photo Courtesy

There are times when God wants us to let Him drop wonderful gifts in our laps. Much like the finances that He provided from people we never asked or had even met!

There are other times when God wants us to do our part. We had asked Him for seventy new missionaries to go to China to help with the work.

I met with Mr. Dwight L. Moody had become quite famous as an evangelist. He wanted to help us find the men and women who would be called by God to be missionaries to China.

Moody and a his friend, Sankey received an invitation to speak at Cambridge University for a week of meetings. They arrived on a Sunday and felt maybe they should leave. They didn't dress like proper cultured Englishmen, nor did they act like one. 

The turn out for first meeting surprised the men. One thousand, seven hundred students showed up. The men stepped onto the platform and prepared to speak. The students mocked them and made fun of them.

Sanky sang a few hymns. Sadly, at the end of each verse someone from the crowd shouted 'Encore', which usually is a compliment but not this time. The student said it with a sarcastic voice. Mr. Sanky kept singing what he planned and ignored the rude behavior.

When he finished, Mr. Moody came to the platform to speak. Several students from the crowd interrupted him with mean words, but he kept talking as if he couldn't hear them. At the end of his message Mr. Moody invited anyone who wanted to stay for a time of pray to come forward. Four hundred students stayed to pray while the others left.

God had blessed this meeting way more than Mr. Moody realized. Among the four hundred students who stayed to pray were seven men who God would use to do great things.

While many students came to cause problems at this meeting, God used the meeting for His good. Next week I will tell you about some of the men. You may have heard of them.

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