The year 2025 marks the anniversary of several significant events in Christian history, including the 160th anniversary of the founding of the China Inland Mission (CIM). Additionally, June 3, 2025, celebrates the 120th anniversary of the passing of its esteemed founder, Hudson Taylor. This article aims to honor and reflect upon these important occasions.
In February 1905, Hudson Taylor embarked on a journey to his cherished second homeland, China, accompanied by his son, Dr. Howard Taylor, and the latter's wife. They arrived in Shanghai on April 17, just in time for the spring meetings at the China council. This allowed them to engage with key colleagues, including Mr. D. E. Hoste, Mr. John Stevenson, and Mr. James J. Meadows. Afterward, the group traveled to Yangzhou, where Hudson Taylor would spend his final Easter. Subsequently, he visited the Chinkiang British Cemetery in Jiangsu Province to pay his respects at the graves of his beloved wife, Maria, and their children.
On April 29, 1905, Hudson Taylor caught up with his good friends Dr. W. A. P. Martin and Dr. Griffith John in Hankow, Hubei, where they were captured in a precious photograph together. At that point, the combined missionary journeys of the three men in China totaled 156 years. Dr. Martin had arrived in China in 1850, followed by Hudson Taylor in 1854, and Dr. Griffith John in 1855. From May 1 to 31, the trio traveled through Henan Province, visiting churches and connecting with fellow workers. They were warmly welcomed and embraced wherever they went.
On June 1, 1905, Hudson Taylor and his team finally set foot in Hunan Province, a place they had dreamed about day and night. Taylor often remarked, "In China, any place with the character 'nan' (meaning south) is 'nan' (meaning challenging), and Hunan is the most challenging of them all." They were warmly greeted at the pier in Changsha by Frank Arthur Keller and Dr. Barrie of the CIM. After a brief twenty-minute journey in a sedan chair, they arrived at the CIM's house on Xueyuan Street. Taylor was thrilled to see that the CIM had truly taken root in this challenging land, a place they had prayed for over the past thirty years.
On June 2, 1905, it was raining the whole morning. Following lunch, the group made their way to Tien Sin Koh in Changsha. Remarkably, Hudson Taylor ascended to the second floor of the pavilion without showing any signs of fatigue. From this vantage point, he took in the views of Yuelu Mountain and the Xiangjiang River in the distance, as well as the city of Changsha up close. Witnessing the flourishing spread of the gospel in this place, often referred to as the City of Iron Gate, filled Taylor's heart with deep emotion.
On the afternoon of June 3, 1905, all the missionaries living in Changsha gathered for a reception with Hudson Taylor. Before the event, Taylor changed into a finely tailored set of Shandong silk attire. After the meeting, he returned to his quarters, where he rested in bed and read letters. Around 8 p.m. that evening, at the age of 73, Taylor peacefully passed away, returning to the Lord without any signs of illness. That night, the Christian community in Changsha came together, spontaneously donating and helping to organize Hudson Taylor's funeral.
In accordance with Taylor's expressed wish to be interred alongside his wife, Maria, in the event of his passing while in China, his coffin was carefully escorted and transported by ship from Changsha to Hankou in the early hours of June 4, 1905. Upon its arrival in Hankou on the morning of June 5, the coffin was promptly transferred to another vessel bound for Zhenjiang. When this vessel finally reached Zhenjiang on June 7, the flag was lowered to half-mast.
At 7 a.m. on June 9, 1905, Hudson Taylor's funeral took place at the Chinkiang British Cemetery. All Chinese attendees wore white robes, while all foreign attendees wore white ribbons slung across their shoulders as a sign of condolence. The service was officiated by Rev. Hoste, who was the general director of the CIM, and Rev. Saunders delivered the eulogy in Chinese. Following the eulogy, Miss Robinson led the girls from an American School in Zhenjiang, as they sang hymns in repetition around Hudson Taylor's grave.
Following the burial of Hudson Taylor, the CIM decided to build a memorial at the Taylor family graveyard. This monument was crafted by a company located in Stoke Newington, Greater London. The inscription on the tombstone reads: "Sacred to the memory of the Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, the revered founder of the China Inland Mission, born May 21, 1832, died June 3, 1905, 'A man in Christ.' (2 Cor. XII:2)." This memorial was erected by members of the CIM as a heartfelt expression of their deep respect and love for Taylor's enduring legacy.
On August 17, 1965, the Zhenjiang Timber and Building Materials Corporation received approval from the Zhenjiang People's Committee, as documented in Government Document No. 122. They were given permission to use 3.8 mu of land east of Xiaotielu Alley (which included 0.773 mu of cemetery space for foreigners) to build warehouses. In preparation for the development, all above-ground graves within the cemetery were leveled. Large tombstones and stone sculptures were transported away in four truckloads, with the majority ending up in the wilderness behind the Zhenjiang Iron and Steel Factory, while a smaller portion was taken to Changjiang Road by a transportation company for use in the construction of public baths. Fortunately, a few items were salvaged by the Zhenjiang Museum and brought in for preservation, including the notable monument of Rev. Hudson Taylor.
In 1988, Dr. Jim Taylor, the great-grandson of Hudson Taylor, along with his wife and Rev. Hu Shihui of the Zhenjiang Church in Jiangsu, found the Hudson Taylor Memorial monument at the site of the former British Consulate (now a museum) in Zhenjiang. In 1999, this memorial was subsequently relocated to the Daxi Road Gospel Church in Zhenjiang.
On August 28, 2013, the graves of Rev. Hudson Taylor and his wife were moved to the Xuande Church in Zhenjiang, where a memorial service was held to honor them. The service was attended by Rev. James Hudson Taylor IV, the fifth-generation descendant of Hudson Taylor, along with his wife and staff from Yanbian Church in Jilin and Xiaoshan Church in Zhejiang. The choir and over one hundred congregants from Zhenjiang Gospel Church also participated.
On April 15, 2014, the graves of Rev. Hudson Taylor and his wife were relocated to the pedestal of the bell tower at Xuande Church. The relocation ceremony, which took place at Xuande Church in Zhenjiang, was attended by pastoral staff from the Zhenjiang Church in Jiangsu, the choir from Daxi Road Gospel Church, and various other believers and guests. Within the newly completed bell tower, the first and second floors have been designated as showrooms for biographical materials related to Rev. Hudson Taylor.
(Published by the Christian Times, the article is reprinted with permission from the WeChat Official Account: "In Search of Missionary Footprints.")
- Translated by Joyce Leung
