Pastor's Corner

June, 2005

I read the biography of James Hudson Taylor, a man in Christ, a long time ago. The life of this man in Christ has made a tremendous impact on my life, as well as my ministry. Ever since the beginning of this year, somehow I had the urge to read this book again, but it was nowhere to be found on my bookshelves. When I went to attend the OMF Conference last month, I purchased a newer edition. I’m glad I was able to revisit the life of this man of faith who faithfully served the Chinese in the inlands that few missionaries dared to go, rather than in the ports on the coast. He was indeed a Chinese at heart with a Caucasian’s skin color.

One of the stories that stuck in my mind for many years is in the chapter on “A good Investment.” It was about the only “half-crown (British money)” he had. It brought tears to my eyes, reading once again how God answered prayers of this great man of faith. While Hudson Taylor was studying medicine, and working as a physician assistant, he was also seeking affirmation to go China as a missionary. Money was tight, but one day, he found that he had only a single coin left—one half-crown piece. His employer, Dr. Hardey apparently had forgotten to pay him when the quarter’s salary was due. At ten o’clock that evening, someone called him asking him to go pray for his dying wife and mother of their five children. The man’s family wasn’t able to find a priest who was willing to visit and pray with the patient unless he was compensated for his service. The family was poor and the children were starving. Taylor went with the man and said to himself that if he only had two shillings instead of a half-crown, he would gladly give the poor family a shilling. He told the man, “Don’t despair, there’s a kind and loving Father in Heaven.” Something inside rebuked him, ”You hypocrite! Telling these people about a loving God, and not prepared yourself to trust Him without half-a-crown!” It was a struggle, but he gave his only coin to the family. Walking home he said that his heart was “as light as his pocket.”

While eating his last breakfast the next morning (no food left nor money to buy), he received a letter with unfamiliar handwriting, and the postmark was smeared by the landlady’s wet hand. Without knowing where the letter came from or from whom, he opened the letter and found a pair of kids glove and a blank piece of paper. While he was holding them, a gold coin fell on the floor. “Praise the Lord! He exclaimed. “Four hundred percent for twelve hours’ investment.” This boasted his faith!

Time passed, and the money didn’t last. The rent was due the next day and Dr. Hardey continued to “forget” to pay him. He prayed if he should remind the boss. He received his answer, “Wait, My time is best.” At about five o’clock on Saturday afternoon, Taylor was watching some medicine being cooked in the laboratory, and Dr. Hardey was sitting in his chair. Suddenly, the doctor asked, “By the way, Taylor, isn’t your salary due again?” “It has been overdue for some time,” Taylor responded. Dr. Hardey said, “Oh, I’m sorry you didn’t remind me. You know how busy I am. I wish I’d thought of it sooner, because only this afternoon I sent all the money I had to the bank. Otherwise I would pay you at once.” Taylor felt sick! As soon as Dr. Hardey left the room, he poured out his heart in prayer to God. Still, he felt that God wouldn’t fail him. That night, he decided to stay at work till late at night so as to miss his landlady. At ten o’clock at night, just as he was about to go home, he heard Dr. Hardey laughing in the court. He went in to tell Taylor that one of his richest patients just went in to pay his bill in cash! Taylor received his pay. A patient went in to pay his bill on a Saturday night, in cash! What was the chance of that happening?

As you read this story, I’m sure some of you are processing in your mind that Hudson Taylor should have done this or that to remind his boss to pay him or even should have demanded his pay. It may be true that if he asked, he could have received his salary, but that wasn’t how Hudson Taylor reacted to the situation. I’m not suggesting that we should always be passive. I think what separates a “man in Christ” and a nominal Christian is that he uses circumstances to draw him to prayer and obedience to do the right thing—always trusting God. This and many other fascinating stories are written throughout this book. I suggest you get a copy to read it at your leisure. This book may help us to develop a leap of faith, which is dynamic. It may grow if you choose to cultivate obedience in the little things, or it may shrink if you choose not to. I pray that you would make the right choice.

Before I sign off, I would like to wish the fathers a happy Father’s Day. One thing that came to my mind while reading his testimony is that Hudson Taylor left behind a legacy of faith to his children and grandchildren. What are we leaving behind to our children?

Pastor Larry