HUDSON TAYLOR The man who believed God by Marshall Broomhall

XVIII
IT IS THE LORD
IT was not long after the death of little Gracie that
Hudson Taylor decided upon a forward movement into
the heart of China. All thought of repining was alien to
his faith in God, and never did any man more resolutely
cultivate the cheerful spirit. Within two months of
Grade's death he wrote home:
"Amid heavy trials we have had abundant blessings, and
so many obvious answers to special prayers, that it is with
thankful hearts we go forward."
And the following lines, quoted in the third edition of
China's Spiritual Need and Claims, under date of Hangchow,
r868, reveal his mind at that time.
"Who spoke of rest? There is a rest above.
No rest on earth for me. On, on to do
My Father's business. He, who sent me here,
Appointed me my time on earth to bide,
And set me all my work to do for Him,
He will supply me with sufficient grace­
Grace to be doing, to be suffering,
Not to be resting. There is rest above."
Though no man knew better how to rest in the Lord,
there was ever a note of urgency about Hudson Taylor.
He felt he was, to use a phrase of his:own, engaged in
"a race of time against eternity". This finds illustration
in the Preface to the third edition of the little book just
mentioned. In this he wrote:
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