It Is Not Death to Die: A new biography of Hudson Taylor by Jim Cromarty

Author:Jim Cromarty [Cromarty, Jim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biography
Publisher: Christian Focus Publications
Published: 2014-07-07T00:00:00+00:00

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7 Broomhall, A. J., Hudson Taylor and China’s Open Century, Vol. 5, Hodder and Stoughton and Overseas Missionary Fellowship, London, 1985, p. 285.

33

A New Year—1871

An exhausted Hudson knew he had to make a change in his lifestyle or he’d have a complete physical breakdown. Going to bed before 10 pm and not rising before about 6:30 am was a step in the right direction. He also made Charles Fishe responsible for preparing The Monthly Gleaner.

His oversight of the Zhenjiang congregation meant conducting as many as six daily services with the result that his health deteriorated to such an extent that in the April, 1871 copy of The Monthly Gleaner Charles Fishe commented, ‘Mr Taylor has been very unwell for the last three months, almost wholly unable to engage in any work.’ With a constant pain in his side and chest he realized that he needed a good rest and his thoughts turned to England. Emily and his four children had been living with Amelia and her family, but owing to the collapse of her husband’s business, help was urgently needed to care for Hudson’s family.

The Bergers were both so sick that they sold a portion of their estate and spent most of their time in a coastal home. They were overworked and their continued support of the Mission had sapped them of their energy. Giving to the work of the CIM had declined and they were convinced that a speaking tour by Hudson would revive interest in the Mission’s work.

Over several years they had purchased, packed and forwarded thirty-two large containers of supplies. They were distressed when they learned of Maria’s death and of the sickness and danger faced by other members of the Mission. The news of the Tianjin massacre discouraged them as they became more fully aware of the danger faced by missionaries.

Because Mr Berger was seriously questioning the doctrines of eternal hell and election he believed he should no longer remain the British representative of the Mission.

Hudson knew that he was needed in England and some of his friends suggested he should return and marry Emily Blatchley.

As much as he loved Emily he knew they could never marry as she was so desperately sick that she could never fulfil the role of wife of a missionary in China. In a letter home he said: ‘I am, however, rather looking forward to reunion with my own Maria, than to any earthly union.’

He was encouraged by many good things happening in China—John McCarthy’s training school for new missionaries was doing well, and Ren was amongst the students who were taught the Scriptures and given opportunities to preach the gospel. Occasionally they visited tea shops to sharpen their language skills and speak of the Lord Jesus. Others accompanied Pastor Wang on preaching tours.

On one occasion Hudson walked hundreds of miles visiting the Mission members at Ningbo, Fenghua, Taizhou and Wenzhou.

In Hangzhou Jennie Faulding and Mrs Wang were happily visiting women in their homes which produced good results. Jennie’s

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