A RETROSPECT
By J. Hudson Taylor

Contents

I. THE POWER OF PRAYER
II. THE CALL TO SERVICE
II. PREPARATION FOR SERVICE
IV. FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER
V. LIFE IN LONDON
VI. STRENGTHENED BY FAITH
VII. MIGHTY TO SAVE
VIII. VOYAGE TO CHINA
IX. EARLY MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES
X. FIRST EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS
XI. WITH THE REV. W. C. BURNS
XII. THE CALL TO SWATOW

The Missionary Call Words and Music
XIII. MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES
XIV. PROVIDENTIAL GUIDANCE
XV. SETTLEMENT IN NINGPO
XVI. TIMELY SUPPLIES
XVII. GOD A REFUGE FOR US
XVIII. A NEW AGENCY NEEDED
XIX. FORMATION OF THE C. I. M.
XX. THE MISSION IN 1894
THE MISSION IN 1902
STATIONS OF THE C. I. M.

Chapter 1 Excerpt

The following account of some of the experiences which eventually led to the formation of the CHINA INLAND MISSION, and to its taking the form in which it has been developed, first appeared in the pages of China’s Millions. Many of those who read it there asked that it might appear in separate form. Miss Guinness incorporated it in the Story of the China Inland Mission, a record which contained the account of GOD’s goodness to the beginning of 1894. But friends still asking for it in pamphlet form, for wider distribution, this edition is brought out.

Much of the material was taken from notes of addresses given in China during a conference of our missionaries; this will account for the direct and narrative form of the papers, which it has not been thought necessary to change.

It is always helpful to us to fix our attention on the GOD-ward aspect of Christian work; to realise that the work of GOD does not mean so much man’s work for GOD, as GOD’s own work through man. Furthermore, in our privileged position of fellow-workers with Him, while fully recognising all the benefits and blessings to be bestowed on a sin-stricken world through the proclamation of the Gospel and spread of the Truth, we should never lose sight of the higher aspect of our work - that of obedience to GOD, of bringing glory to His Name, of gladdening the heart of our GOD and FATHER by living and serving as His beloved children.

Many circumstances connected with my own early life and service presented this aspect of work vividly to me; and as I think of some of them, I am reminded of how much the cause of missions is indebted to many who are never themselves permitted to see the mission field - many, it may be, who are unable to give largely of their substance, and who will be not a little surprised in the Great Day to see how much the work has been advanced by their love, their sympathy, and their prayers…

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