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Hudson Taylor
James Hudson Taylor (1832–1905). Born on May 21, 1832, in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England, to a Methodist chemist and lay preacher, Hudson Taylor was a British missionary, evangelist, and founder of the China Inland Mission (CIM, now OMF International). Converted at 17 through his mother’s prayers and a tract, he committed to missionary work, studying medicine and Mandarin in London before sailing to China in 1853 with the Chinese Evangelisation Society. Disillusioned by coastal-focused missions, he adopted Chinese dress and ventured inland, founding CIM in 1865 to prioritize unreached areas without soliciting funds, relying on prayer. Taylor’s preaching led to thousands of conversions, establishing 300 mission stations and training 849 missionaries by 1905. Despite personal tragedies—losing his first wife, Maria Dyer, in 1870, four children, and second wife, Jennie Faulding, in 1904—he persevered, authoring China: Its Spiritual Need and Claims (1865) and Union and Communion (1894). Known for his motto “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply,” he inspired global missions. Taylor retired to Switzerland but returned to China, dying on June 3, 1905, in Changsha. He said, “God isn’t looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him.”
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James Hudson Taylor emphasizes the truth that power belongs to God, and He demonstrates it according to His sovereign will, not erratically but in alignment with His promises. Despite facing formidable opponents and hindrances, believers can find strength in the Almighty God. Taylor highlights that God's power is not only His possession but also available to His people, who are supernaturally born, sustained, and led by Him. Just as Jesus declared all power given to Him before ascending, believers receive power through the Holy Spirit, who remains with them always.
Source of Power
"God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this, that power belongeth unto God" (Ps. 62:11). God Himself is the great source of power. It is His possession. "Power belongeth unto God", and He manifests it according to His sovereign will. Yet, not in an erratic or arbitrary manner, but according to His declared purpose and promises. True, our opponents and hindrances are many and mighty, but our God, the living God, is Almighty. Further, God's power is available power. We are supernatural people, born again by a supernatural birth, kept by a supernatural power, sustained on supernatural food, taught by a supernatural Teacher from a supernatural Book. We are led by a supernatural Captain in right paths to assured victories. The risen Saviour, ere He ascended on high, said: 'All power is given unto Me. Go ye therefore". Again, He said to His disciples: "Ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you". Not many days after this, in answer to united and continued prayer, the Holy Spirit did come upon them, and they were all filled. Praise God, He remains with us still. The power given is not a gift from the Holy Spirit. He Himself is the power. Today He is as truly available, and as mighty in power, as He was on the day of Pentecost. But since the days before Pentecost, has the whole Church ever put aside every other work, and waited upon God for ten days, that that power might be manifested? We have given too much attention to method, and to machinery, and to resources, and too little to the source of power.
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James Hudson Taylor (1832–1905). Born on May 21, 1832, in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England, to a Methodist chemist and lay preacher, Hudson Taylor was a British missionary, evangelist, and founder of the China Inland Mission (CIM, now OMF International). Converted at 17 through his mother’s prayers and a tract, he committed to missionary work, studying medicine and Mandarin in London before sailing to China in 1853 with the Chinese Evangelisation Society. Disillusioned by coastal-focused missions, he adopted Chinese dress and ventured inland, founding CIM in 1865 to prioritize unreached areas without soliciting funds, relying on prayer. Taylor’s preaching led to thousands of conversions, establishing 300 mission stations and training 849 missionaries by 1905. Despite personal tragedies—losing his first wife, Maria Dyer, in 1870, four children, and second wife, Jennie Faulding, in 1904—he persevered, authoring China: Its Spiritual Need and Claims (1865) and Union and Communion (1894). Known for his motto “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply,” he inspired global missions. Taylor retired to Switzerland but returned to China, dying on June 3, 1905, in Changsha. He said, “God isn’t looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him.”