I feel overwhelmed at the thought of trying to write a review that would do this book justice… it’s FULL of jewels.
I first read the paperback book “Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor” when I was 16 or 17; it is one of those books that I can confidently say impacted my life to the extent that my life was from that point forward changed.
Hudson Taylor’s was a life of extreme commitment to God and to the furtherance of the Gospel. He was a man of humility, a man filled with the Spirit, a man who lived out love for his neighbor, and a man who walked with God. I found encouragement in the way God prepared him during his younger years, for the way that God brought a young lady named Maria into his life, for the way he practically served God, and for the way he walked with God. I find encouragement in his story that he started well, continued well, and finished well.
In Eric Metaxas’ book on the life of abolitionist William Wilberforce, he said: “…a short period of the short life of one man is, well and wisely directed, sufficient to remedy the miseries of millions for ages.”
I think that this could be said of Hudson Taylor. His life affected the spiritual lives and destinies of thousands…I wouldn’t be surprised if it was millions, not just from his life directly nor during his lifetime along, but rippling outward from his life through others who were impacted and influenced by him and throughout generations to come.
May we be counted among those whose short lives are well and wisely directed; may God continue His work of changing lives through our lives. To His praise and His glory and for the good of our fellow humanity.
“I frequently felt at that time, and said, that if I pretended to believe the Bible I would at any rate attempt to live by it, putting it fairly to the test, and if it failed to prove true and reliable, would throw it overboard altogether. These views I retained when the Lord was pleased to bring me to Himself. And I think I may say that since then I have put God’s Word to the test. Certainly it has never failed me. I have never had reason to regret the confidence I have placed in its promises or to deplore following the guidance I have found in its directions.” (page 10)
The paperback book “Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor” is an abridged version (and very well done) of the two original biographies written by the son and daughter-in-law of Hudson Taylor. The first of the two is “Hudson Taylor In Early Years” and the second is “Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission.” Both are excellent and contain extra details the paperback does not contain. However, if you’re looking for a shorter book than what those two bring, the “Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor” is perfect.
The book I read in my teens is not to be confused with a different approach to this story titled by the very similar name “Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret.”
If a youth or adult is not used to reading 1800s English, this book (“Spiritual Secret of Hudson Taylor”) might prove a bit difficult to read, but I would say definitely worth the effort.
“If we are faithful to God in little things, we shall gain experience and strength that will be helpful to us in the more serious trials of life.” (page 43)
-Annie
PC: Matt Enterline
“Poor, uninfluential, and without what would ordinarily be regarded as training or talent for leadership, how unlikely that Hudson Taylor should ever become the founder and director of a worldwide organization embracing missionaries from all evangelical denominations and every Protestant land. Yet this was indeed to be the case, for He who is the great, the only Worker, still delights to use what has been well called ‘God’s five-rank army of weakness.'” (page 172, 173)
“There are several different ways of working for God, as Mr. Taylor reminded the little company. ‘One is to make the best plans we can and carry them out to the best of our ability. This may be better than working without plan, but it is by no means the best way of serving our Master. Or, having carefully laid our plans and determined to carry them through, we may ask God to help us and to prosper us in connection with them. Yet another way of working is to begin with God: to ask His plans, and to offer ourselves to Him to carry out His purposes.’ This, then, was the attitude taken up. Day by day the needs of the whole work were laid before the Lord, guidance being sought as to His will in connection with them. Mr. Taylor continued: ‘Going about it in this way, we leave the responsibility with the Great Designer, and find His service one of sweet restfulness. We have no responsibility save to follow as we are led, and we serve One who is able both to design and to execute, and whose work never fails.'” (page 335)
Enterline Girls 