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
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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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