HUDSON TAYLOR The man who believed God by Marshall Broomhall

XXV
PIONEER AND BUILDER
ALTHOUGH we have not followed the latter portion of
Hudson Taylor's life in chronological sequence, the
reader will have recognized that he was essentially a
pioneer, and a pioneer in more senses than one. He was
always seeking to break new ground, always keen to
enter unoccupied territory, always anxious to proclaim
the Joyful News where Christ had not been named. But
he was equally a pioneer in his methods, in his return to
apostolic precedents; in trusting God, and God alone,
for men and for supplies; in taking God, with a daring
faith, at His word. He was also a pioneer in missionary
organization, and in preferring the direction of the work
on the field itself, rather than from home. Ordinarily, the
headquarters of a Mission are at home, and the work in
many lands. With him the work was in one field, and the
home departments in many countries.
But he was more than a pioneer; he was a builder.
This fact stands out in bold relief if we contrast his
work with that of Gutzlaff. It is an interesting coincidence
that Hudson Taylor was born when Gutzlaff was
engaged in his daring voyages up and down the China
coast. Gutzlaff was a pioneer of a remarkable order, a
man of great enterprise, of burning -z.eal, and amazing
industry. His passionate ardour powerfully influenced
Hudson Taylor's early enthusiasm, and brought into
being the Chinese Evangelization Society which sent
215