A COOLIE FOR CHRIST

Deep in the annuls of Christian history lie many stories of great Christians. Perhaps one that is most amazing is the story of one man, whose faith, godliness and courage influenced countless Christian workers to live lives of extraordinary faith and zeal, and brought countless others out of heathen darkness into the saving light of Jesus Christ. Yes, I want to share with you the story of J. Hudson Taylor, a man whom God specifically called out of the ranks, to offer his life for the opening of China to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Stay with me know for in another moment I'll present the story called - A COOLIE FOR CHRIST!

J. Hudson Taylor is relatively unknown in the secular world. But most Bible believing Christians have either heard of him or know his exciting story. Let's begin now to look at this man and find out the reason for his tremendous use by the Lord. We begin by taking a journey of the mind, back into the early 1800's where in Barnsley, England a young man of seventeen is found sitting in the office of Christian minister. This young man, who later became one of the world's greatest missionaries in the Far East ¾ was asking his pastor if he had any books on China. The minister was puzzled and asked him what he wanted with them. Young Hudson Taylor joyfully responded and said that he personally wanted to go to China to be a missionary! Upon hearing that, his pastor scoffed at such a thought. The man of God told Taylor that China was no place for a civilized young man, and went on to say that the people there "hated" foreigners, called them "Pink Devils," and often tortured or killed those who ventured into the interior. However, young Taylor unflinchingly declared his determination to go where few had ever ventured before. Well, the minister said to Taylor, "Just give me one reason for leaving Yorkshire and going off to the other side of the world, and I'll lend you the biggest book on China that I've got." That's easy replied Hudson Taylor, " God has told me to go!"

 You see friend, the God of Christianity is a God who cares for all people. At the time of Hudson Taylor's specific call to missions, China was a "forgotten" land. Oh, missionary causes were established there on the coastline, but most treated the Chinese as uncivilized barbarians, and the Gospel of Christ was rarely offered to anyone there. Most thoughts of evangelism were centered on cultural rather than spiritual renewal. Moreover, in many other places from the South Seas, to Africa, the Gospel was being spread, so that seemed to be sufficient for the Church of Taylor's day. But God, my friend, was not satisfied, so He touched the heart of this young man to be the one to open the China door to God's GOOD NEWS. Yes it was "good News, " indeed. The fact that Jesus Christ could save all kinds of people from sin and death's penalty. I'm reminded of the popular limerick that says, " Red or yellow, black or white they are all precious in His sight.".

Of course, it all goes back to a couple of years before this specific call, when Hudson Taylor was much younger, In the summer of 1849, Taylor went into his father's library and took out a book about God and faith, to just pass the lazy days of summer. While reading it, God spoke to personally His heart of the need for all men to hear the Gospel, and the need for God's "saved ones," to go with the Good News for all to hear. Strangely, as Hudson Taylor was quietly reading, he told that he clearly felt the very presence of God near Him. He quickly rushed indoors and knelt by his bed and prayed.

"Oh Lord God, for the rest of my life I will do whatever You want me to do, and go wherever you want me to go."

Well my friend, it was at this early point in his teen years of life, that God got hold of this young man's heart and claimed him for service for His Master and King. Friend, don't discount the years of one's youth. Often it is God's most opportune time to direct young believers into God's perfect will for their lives.

Well, to prepare for this missionary journey to a place few would ever go, Hudson knew he needed a trade and a ministry of being able to care for and to reach these Chinese people. He decided to get some basic training in medicine and health care, so he saved his earnings and went off to a relative who was a doctor, to study and work there with him. As Hudson Taylor settled into this new area of health care and learning, one day on the way home, Hudson met a very poor ragged man who begged him to stop and help his family. Hudson was reluctant to stop his journey, but went with the man to his poor home. There Taylor saw the pathetic sight of a very sick woman with a newborn baby by her, and in the corner were a half a dozen ragged little children whimpering with hunger. Hudson saw there was little he could do for the woman who was near death, so he knelt by her bedside, with the heartbroken father, and prayed for God to heal her and deliver this poor family in their needs. As he was leaving, the father said in his British cockney " Can't ya help us just a little bit yerself, sir?"

Hudson wanted not to listen, for all he had left to his name was a half crown piece in his pocket that he desperately needed to pay his own rent with. No, he just couldn't do anything! Yet, the man pleaded and begged again, " Mister, a copper would buy her a drop of milk, and help us all, can't ya spare it, please? Well Hudson Taylor knew the only Christian thing to do, was give that last and only half a crown of his, to this pitiful and suffering family for their dire needs. So off the coin went and, out went Taylor penniless, and now himself without and in great pressing need.

The following morning, as Taylor was eating a meager apple for breakfast, his new landlady came in and said "Ere's a parcel for ya mister." Hudson took it with great curiosity, for he was not expecting anything. As he opened it, he stared in perplexity at the contents. In the package lay a pair of kid skin gloves. He took them out and curiously tried them on. Amazingly they fit perfectly, but as he slipped his hand into the second glove, his finger struck a lump inside. He carefully removed it and to his amazement it was a gold coin, a mighty half sovereign at that! There was no note, but no return address, and Hudson had spoken to no one of his immediate need. Yet, there it was, a gift as it were from heaven itself earmarked especially for Mr. J. Hudson Taylor!

Taylor said in later years, he never forgot this incident, for he knew that this was God's first moment of practically showing him, that no matter what he would spend or do for Christ, God would maintain his needs and his ministry calling for the rest of his life. Yes, from that day forward, Hudson Taylor gave himself completely to doing God's Work, regardless of the costs, and, completely trusting the Lord Jesus to meet his every need.

Well, time went by and Hudson grew to manhood and was finally prepared and ready to answer God's call to sail for China. On the way as the ship carried him to the Far East, they sailed closely by the shore of a cannibal island. The captain warned the passengers that these people were fierce cannibals and would stop at nothing to get their hands on them. Just as he said that, the wind that was blowing the ship along, abruptly ceased! A dead calm ensued. What's worse the current was now nudging them to the shore where many natives waited for their arrival and anew meal! The captain grew fearful and called Hudson Taylor to the deck. Knowing he was a missionary he asked him to pray for wind. Hudson said, yes I'll pray but you must set the sails to catch it. The Captain refused saying his crew would laugh at him doing that in a dead calm. Taylor insisted there would be no prayers unless he would unfurl the sails! Reluctantly he did. Hudson Taylor went below and got on his knees and prayed for wind. Within ten minutes, the captain was below banging on his door and said if you are praying please stop for the winds were so strong, they didn't need anymore! Such was God's way with Taylor all his life, as God delighted to answer prayers that were backed by faith to believe. Soon Taylor arrived in China. Upon visiting the people and area, Hudson saw the lethargy of so-called missionaries on the coastal areas. They refused to go inland, so against advice and even English political orders, he immediately went out into the Chinese villages, to share the Good News that Christ had died for them. However, a strange thing happened. Many crowds gathered around this strange foreigner, to hear him speak the Mandarin language. This thrilled Hudson, until one day a curious young chap drew near and asked Hudson this pointed question, " I've been pondering all the while you were speaking and the subject is no clearer in my mind." Hudson was thrilled, he felt this man was moved by God with conviction of sin, and was about to enter the kingdom of Heaven by faith. So, ready to plainly share the way of salvation with him, the man said further. " Honorable teacher, the buttons in the front of your honorable garment we understand its purpose, but what can be the meaning of the three buttons in the middle of your back on your honorable garment?" Then in antiphonal response, the crowd chorused, "yes, what was the meaning of your buttons?" Taylor was crest-fallen. His strange clothing and ways were a stumbling block to these people and a hindrance to being heard and believed. What was he to do?

Again it was a turning point for Hudson Taylor. He knew that if he was ever to reach these people, he had to be as much as possible ¾ like them. Yet, if Taylor would reject his western heritage and ways, and become similar to the Chinese, well all the English of the area would scornfully reject him, as well as his family back home. It was too much to even think about.

Yet, the still small voice of God was again calling Taylor, and God was encouraging him to make it easier on the people, by shunning the Western garb, and try to be a bit more local in his dress and ways. So Taylor decided that God's ways were always right, and he submitted himself and endured the painful shaving of some of his hair on his head. He also, dyed his hair black, and nearly died in the process by shattering a bottle of acid in his face. Yet he continued to do what he thought would help the people better accept him. He even wove what hair he had left into a pigtail, and then finally, he purchased Chinese robes of the common people to wear day by day.

Now when he went out to share Christ, his western ways and wear, would no longer be a hindrance or offense. Truly Hudson Taylor had become a "COOLIE FOR CHRIST." Whatever the cost to reach people for Christ, he was willing to pay that price that men might hear the Gospel and be saved from their sins and the impending eternal judgment to come. For many years Taylor served the Lord, and experienced God's marvelous provision and blessings. But also, Taylor learned that being a Christian does not keep us from the effects of this fallen sinful world. Paul the great apostle of the first century wrote in the Bible " ... we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God." ( Acts 14:22)

And so, Hudson experienced his share of these things in his service to Christ his King. Many trials, sufferings, disappointments and the failure of men plagued him and his work in China. He was often misunderstood, maligned, and ill supported by his fellow Christians. Why even the Devil had many temporal victories in his ministry and life, but through it all, Taylor learned that 

So, as J. Hudson Taylor trusted God to meet his needs, he inspired thousands of other young Christians to give their hearts to what was seemingly a new way of serving the Lord. Stepping out by faith, and entering what today we call faith missionary service, was the example set for us by Taylor himself. What is it exactly? It's simply trusting the Lord to meet one's needs in doing the work and will of Christ. Based on that promise. Rather than waiting for the supply, he forged ahead trusting that supply would come in God's timing. Although the missionary societies of his day were generally a poor means of support - Hudson soon began his own mission, based on his understandings of God's working. His missionary society soon became known as the China Inland Mission.

Soon God saw the time had come for this young man in this strange place, to have a wife and children. So, Hudson Taylor married and saw God's blessings. But, life was to deal him many tears. His beloved wife Maria became ill, and soon died of disease on the field. Hudson was left with small children and an aching heart. The Lord knew this, and again God sent his way a wonderful woman, who would fall in love with him and he with her. She saw that this wonderful man of God needed a wife and a mother for his children. They were married and missionary life continued on a more even plane now. And, for more than thirty years Taylor and his wife served the Lord winning countless souls to Christ and encouraging Christians to give their lives for Christ in missionary service. Yes, J. Hudson Taylor was one of the churches great missionary pioneers who opened the door in the Far East for God's Word to be declared unto the utter most parts of the earth.

Now you may wonder why I told you this brief account of this extraordinary man's life and ministry. Well, I've done it to bring you to realize that the Lord God of all the earth will go to any means to save men from every kindred tongue and nation. Hundreds of thousands of souls were dying daily in China, and no one there knew of the "Savior of men." So God aroused the soul of this one man, to begin opening the door for China to hear God's Good News. Yes the Bible says God loves this lost world so much, that He sent His Son Jesus Christ, to be born of man, and to live and purposefully die for us all. The classical Christian faith teaches that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary, was the all sufficient sacrificial payment for the sin of all the world of humanity. This radio program, your local Bible believing church, that vocal Christian work mate, or friend or neighbor - God has planted all these things and people in the lives of others everywhere, who are yet to be saved. Now, looking back on my ministry, I can say I've preached countless messages on this wonderful theme of salvation. I've personally shared the Gospel with tens of hundreds of people, and I've had the privilege to proclaim this GOOD NEWS on the air for more than one and half decades, to yes ¾ hundreds of millions of people! Why? Why have so many Christians prayerfully supported and sponsored such programs, missionary societies, and ministries? Well, I'll tell you -- for as young Hudson Taylor told his minister " God told me to go!"

Yes, God has told His church, and every believer in Christ for that matter, we are to go "into the highways and byways of life and convince people, to turn from the love of self to the love of Christ!. Yes, it is the duty of every Christian, his church, and those missionaries who are personally sent to witness Christ to the multitudes. And, we who stay back in this land, we must do no less in our own spheres of contact with the world! Now, in light of that my friend, I wonder, if you are a Christian today, have you been faithful to this mandate? The Bible commands every believer to be a light for Christ in the world about him or her. Moreover, every Christian is to be the salt of the earth, by creating a thirst for Christ in the hearts of those around them. (The Bible says,)

Every believer is to keep the darkness of sin from enveloping the world in which they live. This my friend, is a real and tangible work of the church. Moreover, I think it's high time we who claim to be Christians and believe in the fundamentals of the historic, classical Christian faith get back to that old fashioned faith. To that which called for gospel preaching and evangelistic teaching with conviction and holiness of heart, that called for Christians to live a godly separated life from the sinning world; and, to constantly exhibit a faith that accepts no less!

As I read and ponder the many stories of God's great men and women who have admirably served the Lord, I am humbled in my service for Christ. Oh that we could all the more, fully surrender our lives and hearts to the Master's call specifically for us. I think of the little poem Hudson Taylor often remembered, at the difficult times of his life, a poem that kept his heart warm for Christ. I want to leave it with you, as a means to touch your heart for the Savior. As I share it with you, may it call to you across the miles, to also surrender to either receive the Lord Jesus personally into your life, or for you to be God's faithful servant wherever you are. Here's Hudson's thoughts

Yes, one young man who was willing to hear the voice of His Savior clearly, stepped out in faith and won thousands to Christ who might never have heard. In addition, He launched today's modern faith missions programs that have sent forth thousands of believers to mission fields around the world. Oh how my heart aches for you my friend, most of all to know for sure that you are saved, and you know the Savior Jesus Christ! Do you know Him? Have you experienced a personal relationship with Him? Have your sins been forgiven by the blood of His death? Are you dedicated and living for Christ right now? Are you a responsible citizen in fellowship with a local Bible believing church group? My friend in the end, nothing will count in life more than these eternal truths. Make your days ahead count for Christ, and may His blessings be yours today and when He comes in glory. Amen.

• Radio talk #2997
• Broadcast date: July 20, 1997
• Speaker: Dennis L. Finnan, Commentator
• Program: The World, the Word & You! Radio Broadcast
• Address: P.O. Box 575 St. Charles, MN 55972-0575

The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures.A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request.These weekly radio commentaries can be heard in selected areas around the nation. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for 16 years, and serves as General Director. These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of all messages is available upon request also.

For further information, reprints, or a listing of all topics, please write to our speaker, Dennis L. Finnan(dennis@wwy.org),or visit our webpage at http://www.wwy.org/