HUDSON TAYLOR The man who believed God by Marshall Broomhall

120 THE MAN WHO BELIEVED GOD
not court publicity, but the day for it had come. The
years of obscure labour were past, there was now to be
recognition and leadership. What he had learned in the
checkered months and lowly spheres at Shanghai,
Swatow, Ningpo, and East London was now to be employed
in a larger service. Those hidden years had been
God's preparation. They were his apprenticeship in
missionary methods, when principles were proved, plans
laid, and practical experience gained. He was now,
though only thirty-three, well versed in the use of the
Christian's spiritual weapons. "The signs of an apostle"
had been wrought in him, in all patience. As the great
Apostle of the Gentiles had for fourteen years served
first as an obscure pioneer, and then as a junior colleague
to Barnabas, before he entered into the full tide of his
activities, so Hudson Taylor had laboured for twelve
years in silence, and patience, in a narrow and humble
sphere, and had become thereby versed in the ways of
God. He had proved himself faithful "over a few things";
he was now to be set "over many things".
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the
earth", said our Saviour, and Hudson T'aylor's life was
to exemplify the truth of these words. Notable friendships
now came to him, men and women were attracted
to him as leader, funds were entrusted to him, closed
provinces were opened before him, and stations occupied
for the preaching of the Gospel. The meek do not
possess by force, but, as children, by inheritance. And
the childlike spirit was Hudson Taylor's strength and
secret.
We do not purpose telling in any detail the story of
the China Inland Mission-that has been done else-·
where. The object of this book is to study Hudson
Taylor himself, yet obviously the man cannot be separ-