A Retrospect

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26744

Title

A Retrospect

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A Retrospect by James Hudson Taylor recounts the founding and early struggles of the China Inland Mission. Blending personal testimony with historical narrative, this memoir details the spiritual journey from skepticism to faith, the dangers faced in the field, and the divine provision that sustained the work. It serves as an inspiring account of obedience and prayer in missionary service.

Summary up to 500 words

In *A Retrospect*, James Hudson Taylor chronicles the origins, development, and spiritual foundations of the China Inland Mission (C.I.M.). The narrative begins with Taylor's personal conversion at age fifteen, a pivotal moment where he accepted Christ after reading a Gospel tract, coinciding with his mother's fervent prayers. Following a period of spiritual deadness, Taylor felt a distinct call to service, leading him to Wu-chen in 1856. There, he faced hostility from salt smugglers and local authorities, yet found profound encouragement in the local reception of the Gospel. The text highlights the mission's reliance on prayer and divine guidance, illustrated by a dramatic incident where boatmen were saved from a violent mob through providential circumstances. Taylor details the formation of the C.I.M., emphasizing that the work is God's work through man. He urges readers to trust in God's provision, noting that missionaries relied entirely on voluntary contributions without guaranteed income. The book covers the mission's progress up to 1902, including the devastating Boxer Rebellion of 1900, where 58 missionaries and 21 children were martyred. Despite the loss of life and property, the mission reorganized and continued its work. Taylor emphasizes the necessity of prayer for the advancement of the Gospel in unreached areas. The book concludes with statistics on the mission's growth, noting that by 1902, over 6,000 converts had been baptized and stations were established in ten of the eleven previously unreached provinces. Taylor invites readers to join in prayer and support for the mission's ongoing efforts.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• History
• Travel