Hudson Taylor: The Evil One's Efforts to Destroy a Ministry

By Mary Vee
Year: February, 1867 
Hudson Taylor: age 35

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

The missionaries serving in our compound in inland China adjusted to a great daily routine. The work was not easy. We moved fast to complete the day's task. In the evenings we rejoiced in another day to serve the Lord.

Several months passed since we moved into this huge facility God gave us. We had a lot of repairs to make to damage caused by the war then moved on to remodeling needs for a hospital and chapel.

Word spread throughout the community announcing the opening of the hospital doors. The people became quite excited since the nearest hospital was many miles away.

On the morning of our first hospital day, we opened the doors and found two hundred people waiting to be seen. Some had been carried in liters. What a joy to help these people.

Right away, I prescribed medications, cleaned infected sores, and performed eye surgeries. If only you could have seen the patients faces when they opened their eyes after having cataracts removed. It was as the Scriptures says, once they were blind, but now they see.

I didn't stand silent while working. Oh, no. I shared God's love with every person, answered their questions, and explained meanings. While I worked with the patients, the other missionaries in our group mingled with those waiting and shared the good news of Christ's gift. One of the benefits: a crash course in learning to speak Chinese for the new missionaries.

I must interrupt this joyous report with other good news. During this month, specifically February 3, 1867, my daughter was born. What a blessings she brought to the whole compound. Every woman gladly took time to hold the little treasure.

About this time John McCarthy and his wife arrived to join our staff. What an instant blessing he became. Using his medical skills, he joined me in the hospital room and saw one hundred and sixty patients by himself in a single day. 

I find it difficult to express the complete joy and exhaustion we felt at the end of each day.

But...

As we know, the evil one goes about his work like a roaring lion.

Do you remember Mr. Nicol? The man I mentioned the last time? The one who refused to wear Chinese clothes or eat a Chinese diet? Yes. Well, it seems he had more trouble to cause. 

He wrote letters to the board in England, accusing me of allowing the lady missionaries to associate with the men. He knew they had their own separate quarters and were not allowed in any setting where the men were unless escorted by my wife. Still he chose to send several letters with accusations. 

The women wept when they heard the news. Mr. Nicol not only worked to hurt the mission and my ministry, he also hurt the reputation of the female missionaries. Fortunately, those in China chose not to listen to the troublesome rumors. 

The evil one was not satisfied.

Rumors sent around the Chinese people in Ningbo, where I first started the mission, stating Chinese people had been kidnapped off of boats at night by foreigners and taken to foreign shores and forced to do labor.

In Hangzhou, the city of our new mission, stories moved from one person to another saying Chinese people had been drowned in wells, and that I had poisoned patients during surgery. 

Sadly, as a result, the number of people coming to the hospital greatly decreased. The local people threw stones at the building and fights broke out in the streets.

Please pray for us to endure this great trial and that the work of sharing the love of God among the Chinese people can go forward.  

It would be really easy for us to give up. We could pack all our things and return to England. But I and the other missionaries with me have committed to fulfill the calling of Jesus Christ our Lord. We will stay.

J. Hudson Taylor

Missionary to China--Inland China!

Blessed by God even in time of trial

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.

Saul's Big, Big Mistake

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 13

From Saul's Journal

The Philistines had been a power threat to us for, well, ever since I can remember. 


The day Samuel held a ceremony to renew my title as official king of Israel, the Lord had led us to a tremendous victory over Nahash, the meanest, Philistine commander around.


Two years have since passed. Our armies had fought the Philistines more times than I care to count. Today we would fight again.


Thirty thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and a Philistine army as numerous as the sand on the seashore came to battle us at Michmash. The people of Israel hid in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, pits, anywhere they could find to escape the cruel Philistines. Some families crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead to hide.


I stayed in Gilgal, my home. Those who stayed with me admitted to their fear. We didn't have the equipment, chariots, horsemen, or army to fight back. How can an army fight without weapons?


Samuel had given me the Lord's instructions before each battle. This time, Samuel said, "Wait seven days, I will come and offer a sacrifice and prayers to God for our soldiers. The Lord will bless.


On the seventh day, I wanted to get the battle started. I went for short walks and paced a lot, I didn't like waiting.


The next morning, I expected to see the prophet Samuel waiting outside my tent. Maybe he'd tap his foot and tell me I should have been ready at first light. But he wasn't there.


I paced again and barely ate any breakfast. The men asked, "Seven days have passed...when will we go to battle?" I didn't know. I had waited as I was instructed. Where was Samuel?


The noon hour had come. No sign of the prophet Samuel. Maybe he was sick. Maybe he was hurt. Maybe he wasn't coming.


I decided I had followed all of Samuel's instructions by waiting seven days. The Lord expected a sacrifice to dedicate the battle to Him and I wanted to get busy. I ordered two scouts to look for Samuel one last time. No sign of him.


I couldn't wait any longer. I ordered  a burnt offering and peace offering to be brought and an altar set up. I shaded my eyes from the morning sun and searched the hills and valleys. Still no Samuel. 


The time had come for me to offer the sacrifice myself. I did everything like I remembered seeing Samuel do. 


But when the last words of the sacrifice left my mouth, Samuel appeared over the hill. 


He looked at the sacrifice and over at me. His eyes grew wide. "What have you done, Saul?" 


"Samuel, I waited seven days like you said. Much of our army had given up and scattered far from here. If I waited any longer we wouldn't have had any soldiers left to fight. The Philistines had prepared for this battle and would have overtaken us. A sacrifice had to be offered and you weren't here."


Samuel's face grew angry. He was really mad. 


He said, "Saul, you have done foolishly. You've disobeyed the Lord's commands which he gave you. God would have made you and your family king over Israel forever. But not any longer. The Lord has found a man dedicated to serving Him and has commanded him to be the new king. The kingdom has been taken from you, Saul.


Samuel refused to stay for the battle. He shook his head and walked away.


********************************
1. Who came to fight the Israelites?
2. Why did Saul wait seven days?
3. Why do you think Samuel did not show when Saul expected him?
4. Why did Saul offer the sacrifice?
5. Why was this wrong?
6. What punishment was given.


photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

I Will Not Give Up My Faith

By Mary Vee

From Glady's Aylward's Journal

What seemed like a wonderful start to the spread of the Gospel of Christ ended up in bravery and tragedy.


The communist took over the University in our city. They handed out surveys to all the students and forced them to complete the questions. I asked for one of the forms to see what the students had to do. 


At first, the questions seemed like other questionnaires: Who is your mother, how much money do your relatives have, and so on. 


But at the bottom of the form, in smaller print, the question which would soon cause great trials appeared. If the person sided with the government, he or she had to write a "O" in the box. If they didn't, he or she had to write an "X".


Five hundred of the university students had asked Christ into their heart in recent days. Some of the five hundred students answered "O" in their box, and others answered "X".


The students who answered "O" were taken to a special room and told to bully the students who answered "X". "Make them feel bad. Scare them into answering 'O' the next time."


The students did what they were told. The bullying hurt many students in more ways then just beatings. The students who marked "X" on their survey met each day for prayer and Bible readings to have the strength to face the day of torture. The communists found the group and placed a guard with each student to prevent them from meeting. The students grew hungry, tired, and beaten. 


After some time, the communists handed out the surveys to the university students again. The results: More students showed their faith by checking X! The officials became very angry. 


The next day the students who marked X in the box were lined up in a public square. An announcer called a your female student forward from the group. She pressed her thin shoulders back and walked to the microphone as she was ordered. The announcer barked, "I will give you one last chance to speak."


I didn't know if she would surrender or not. Her life was at stake. What would she say?


The girl stepped closer to the mic. Her clothes were torn, her body beaten, and she had lost a lot of weight. She said, "Before the last two weeks of training from the government...I thought I knew the Bible was God's Word and that Jesus died for me. And now...


"Now...I know the Bible is God's Word and that Jesus died for my sins." She stepped away from the microphone. Two soldiers grabbed her arms and dragged her a few feet away where she was beheaded...in front of all the others. Each of the remaining students who marked their box "X" did the same. They chose to stand for their faith in Christ.


There is a verse that comes to my mind, "Only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." While only Christians for a short time, these students showed the communists and the people of their city a resolve not to surrender their faith. 


I have two more stories to share with you before I end my work. See you next week.


Gladys Aylward

"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, 
 is laid for your faith in his excellent word! 
 What more can he say than to you he hath said, 
 to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled? 

 "Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, 
 for I am thy God and will still give thee aid; 
 I'll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand 
 upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 

 "When through deep waters I call thee to go, 
 the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow; 
 for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, 
 and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. 

 "When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie, 
 my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply; 
 the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design 
 thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine

Words by Keen 1787

The Prisoners and Mr. Shan

By Mary Vee

From Gladys Aylward's Journal

The governor gave me permission to go into the prison and tell the men about Jesus. He didn't believe that my words would make a difference.


The prison guards lined all the prisoners in rows and ordered them to sit in the court. I walked to the front of the group and told a few Bible stories. It took a while because the men interrupted me constantly with insults, rude noises, and cruel jokes. 


I must admit, at times like these the missionary life can be discouraging--but this did not give me any right to give up. I stood bold and told the Bible stories but when the men left without one person to show an interest in Christ, tears came to my eyes. 


A group of lepers lived outside the city. Several had accepted Christ as their personal savior. Visits to the camp became a highlight to my day. I shared my sadness about the cruel prisoners with several of the lepers who had become my close friends. Each day I went to their camp to pray, share, and tell Bible stories. I told the Christian lepers about the prisoners and how they laughed at the Bible stories.  Several spent hours with me praying for the prisoners.


A few weeks later one prisoner asked Jesus into his heart. Then another and another, soon five men had accepted Christ and willingly stood by me to give their testimony. Still, most of the men laughed and mocked the Bible stories. Oh the mean things they said made me cry when I left.


One day the guards pulled four new prisoners through the prison gate and shoved them to the ground. Chains bound their arms and legs. I didn't know they had murdered several people. God spoke to me as the guards jammed their feet on the prisoner's backs. As I watched God spoke to me, "Go speak with them, Gladys." 


Even with chains to hold these men captive they looked scary. I didn't want to talk to them.God spoke to me again."Tell them I love them just like I love you." Why did God ask me to do difficult jobs? I walked to the guard and asked, "May I speak with these men?"


He growled at me. "No!" I walked to the other side of the court and prayed for a few minutes then returned to the guard and asked again. "May I speak with these men?" Oooooo he became very angry and had me escorted out of the prison. The next time I went to the prison I learned three of the men had been killed. 


The one who still lived in the prison had an angry face. Mr. Shan became the meanest prisoner. He spit in my face and shouted terrible things. The others watched him and copied his horrible ways. I didn't want to be around him, but God asked me to go to the prison EVERY day. I asked all my friends to pray with me for Mr. Shan. Without the prayers of my friends I don't think I could have gone back to the prison each day. Soon others from the city joined me in the prison work.


Months had passed and only a few men accepted Christ. One day the men stood to leave the court for their cells. The guards force them to jog as they left and absolutely no one was allowed to speak. It was then, of course, it had to be at an awkward time, that God told me to speak to Mr. Shan. I didn't want to. No one was allowed to speak as the men jogged out of the court.


God repeated his instructions to me. "Speak to him." My muscles tightened and I couldn't think of words to say. Mr. Shan would soon pass by me. I would break the rules if I spoke to him, but God asked me to. Confused and quite nervous I leaned forward to speak to him as he jogged by and mistakenly touched his shoulder. "Mr. Shan, aren't you tired of feeling angry?"


He whipped his body in my direction. I thought he might hit me. "What do you care?"


I took a deep breath and said, "Because, my heart is content."


He growled and squinted. "Sure. Anyone who can leave this prison at any time would be content." 


His eyes pierced my heart. I didn't want him to hurt me, but I needed to finish no matter what happened. "I am content for quite a different reason, Mr. Shan. I know Jesus loves me and to prove His love He died for my sins."


When he left the court I realized I had done a terrible thing. In China: no woman is allowed to touch a man in public. Had I ruined an opportunity to tell this man about Christ? 


The next day, one of the Christian prisoners came to me and told me what happened after Mr. Shan left the court. The prisoner said Mr. Shan sat down in the inner court and refused to look at anyone. He asked Mr. Shan if he needed help. Mr. Shan raised his head. Tears filled his eyes as he spoke, "She touched my shoulder as one who cares, truly cares. No one has ever cared about me."


The prisoner stayed with Mr. Shan and listened. Then he told him about God's love. Mr. Shan asked Jesus to be his Savior that day. In the days that followed Mr. Shan showed the prisoners his new love for God. Because of the great change in Mr.Shan many other prisoners came to know Christ. 


Not by the words of one person do people come to know Christ, but the prayers and actions and words of many. Including you.


God's blessings on you
Gladys Aylward

The Missionary Doctor

By Mary Vee

From Gladys Aylward's Journal

photo courtesy visualbiblealive.com

I never knew how God would show me which direction to go in next. I have been surprised many times, like the one I will tell you about today. But this I know. I wouldn't have changed God's plan for any other adventure in the world..


I became ill with typhoid and pneumonia during the the journey across the mountains with the one hundred children. Yes, I became quite sick and never fully recovered. But now that I think about my missionary work after I became sick, I see God's plan. My illness played a great role.


I often found myself resting and healing in a hospital, mission, or someone's home in between my missionary work. While in each place, God allowed me to meet someone who had a need.


One day I was asked to teach a class to college students attending a week long conference. What a great idea! I could enjoy teaching. I gladly agreed but before my appointed time I became too sick to teach and ended up spending the week in bed in the conference housing. Seemed like a  confusing plan from God, right? Well yes until--


In the next room I heard a group of students mumbling. I put on my robe and walked to their door. Fifteen students were crowded around a map and praying. When one student finished praying the next student closed his eyes and put his finger on the map. The group of students prayed for the people in that city or village for about thirty minutes then a different student closed his eyes and pointed to the map.


After hearing these students do this each night I couldn't help but ask them, "Do you know missionaries in those places you've been praying for?"


"No," one answered. "We would go ourselves but we don't have the money or anything else we need to go. The best we can do is pray."


On the last day of the conference I finally felt better. Each day I had thought about the fifteen students and their dedication to the small villages. I had prayed for them and listened to their prayers each night. I packed my belongings and went to the room where the fifteen students prayed. "God has led me to go to those villages and tell them about Jesus." 


I don't believe I've seen a happier group of students in my life.


The next day I left for the first village. I told each person I met about God and His love for them. I went into the villages and told Bible stories and taught God's Word. I went from one village to the next, telling everyone I met about Jesus and what He did for them.


Many days later a Christian woman told me I could go no further on the road. There were no more villages beyond hers. How could that be? Surely someone lived in the mountain villages beyond that place. She said, "I'm sorry, there aren't"


I stayed in her house a few days. Each day I felt a tugging in my heart to go beyond that village and tell anyone I met about Jesus. When the Christian people of the village realized I would not change my mind, they appointed someone to go with me for safety and to help tell people about Christ.


Dr. Huang offered to go with me for five days but made me agree to return afterwards. I agreed.  We left the next morning. As we walked we talked about the Bible. I soon realized that although Dr. Huang loved Jesus, he didn't know the Bible stories and truths found in God's Word. 


Every moment that no one was on the road I taught the doctor Bible stories. He was a feisty fellow. As I told the stories he'd interrupt me and say I had the information wrong. He then said what he thought was right. I pulled out my Scriptures and showed him the page where he could read the story.


We walked. He read. He sighed and said I was right. Then we talked about the story. When we finished, I told a new story. He again said I was wrong. I showed him the page. He read the story. We talked. Over and over. I found this a wonderful game.


We met many people along the road who had never heard of Jesus. The more the doctor learned about the Bible stories, the more he shared with the people. Just imagine, we were the first ones to tell those precious souls about Christ. I wouldn't want to do anything else. 


The five days promised turned into nine days. Each day we met people who had never heard about Christ and His love for them. I am so glad we walked on this road.


Then the day came when we didn't meet any one. We found no place to sleep and no food. We set our bags down and prayed.


Come back next week to read the surprise God gave us.


Glady Aylward.


I don't usually write a PS. but this time I will. I really wanted to teach the college class at that conference and was sad at the time my illness wouldn't let me. If I had, I might not have noticed the fifteen students praying, and so on. Even when I think God is not letting me do something, He really is.