HUDSON TAYLOR The man who believed God by Marshall Broomhall

XXII
THE DESIGN OF GOD
WE have considered the urge and drive of Hudson Taylor's
spirit, and the widespread influence of his life. In
this chapter we desire to look more closely at the character
and nature of his work. What were its outstanding
characteristics? It had both spirit and form, principles
and practice. But to him, just because he was practical,
the spirit came first. In all things he knew it was essential
to have the mind of God, and to follow the methods
and ways of God. God was to him the Great Designer,
and he believed that the Scriptures were given that the
"man of God may be complete, furnished completely
unto every good work." It was in the Scriptures, therefore,
that he sought the Design of God in all that pertained
to God's work.
Dr. W. A. P. Martin, who knew Hudson Taylor both
in his early days and in his later life, speaks of him as
becoming "the Loyola of Protestant Missions". And he ,
adds : "When I first met him he was a mystic absorbed
in religious dreams, waiting to have his work revealed".
But it is impossible to believe that a mere dreamer
should become so strong and well-equipped a leader.
The true mystic has ever been the most practical of men.
In the words of one of our greatest authorities on
mysticism, they are those "people who ~ee and experience
more vividly a Reality which t}J.ere is for us all".
Believing the words of Christ: "As the Father hath
sent Me into the world, even so send I you", Hudson
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