Hudson Taylor's last bag of rice

Hudson Taylor's last bag of rice

By Mark Ellis
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

PARIS, FRANCE (ANS) -- James Hudson Taylor, the pioneering missionary to China, had his faith in God's provision tested after he took over the operation of a hospital with no visible means of support during the early phase of his ministry.

Hudson Taylor

It seems that Dr. William Parker, the medical missionary who established the hospital in Ningbo, was called back to Scotland after the sudden passing of his wife, which left four young children to raise. He supported the hospital through his private practice in China, but that funding would end when he departed.

Dr. Parker approached Taylor to take over. It would be no small undertaking, with an average of 50 inpatients on any given day, plus many more accessing the pharmacy. All the care to the sick -- along with the medicines dispensed -- were free. But where would the money come from to support it?

After fervently seeking the Lord about it, Taylor agreed to take over, "relying solely on the faithfulness of a prayer-hearing God to furnish means for its support," as recounted in the classic book, "Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret," (Moody Publishers) written by Taylor's second son, Howard.

In prayer, Taylor arrived at an important conclusion. "Had not God said that whatever we ask in the name of the Lord Jesus shal l be done? And are we not told to seek first the kingdom of God - not means to advance it - and that 'all these things' shall be added to us?"

There were no electronic transfers of funds in 19th Century China; it took five months for a ship to make it from London to Shanghai. So even if a letter was sent expressing the urgency of the situation, it would take months to hear something. When Dr. Parker left, there were only funds on hand to cover the current month's expenses.

Taylor called in his prayer team, the "Bridge Street Christians," who summoned an amazing faith to see beyond the present circumstances. They were quick to remind Taylor about his own teaching to them -- that God is a real Father who would never forget His children's needs.

Soon the funds left by Dr. Parker were used up and Hudson Taylor's own supplies ran low. Word about the hospital's financial situation reached the patients, and they began to wonder what might happen.

Taylor went to the mat with God. He redoubled his prayers. Day afte r day passed and there seemed to be no answer. Then came serious news from the hospital's cook, Kuei-hui: "The last bag of rice has been opened and it's disappearing rapidly!"

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