Hudson Taylor: Fit to Serve

This is an electronic version of our Glimpses for Kids children's worship bulletin inserts. These are designed to present Christian biographies for Children's church, educational or worship ministries.

Hudson Taylor.

Bump! Bump! Thump!

Fourteen-year old Amelia Taylor ran to the stairs to see what was causing all the commotion. "Hudson! What in the world are you doing with your feather bed?"

Amelia's seventeen-year-old brother looked down the stairs with a smile. "I'm getting rid of it--they don't have comfortable mattresses in China, you know!"

"Getting rid of it? Mother is not going to like this!"

"Oh, she'll come 'round. Remember, China was Mother and Father's idea in the first place! People there don't have it as good as we do--sleeping on hard boards ought to toughen me up."

Amelia jumped aside as the heavy mattress landed on the kitchen floor. "I'll help you drag it outside," she said. "Let's store it in the shed in case you change your mind. Those hard boards are going to be awfully uncomfortable!"

When he was born, Hudson Taylor's parents had dedicated him to serve God in China. At age eighteen, Hudson felt the call to China and began preparing in earnest. Now that Hudson was doing all he could to get ready for China, Mrs. Taylor grew concerned. Getting up extra early every day to study was one thing, but going out into the cold for rigorous exercise was another matter. "Hudson, you'll catch your death of pneumonia! Come in and sit by the fire," she begged. Hudson had been a sickly and weak child, so Mrs. Taylor had pampered him for many years.

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"Now Mother, don't worry," Hudson replied. "I'm feeling stronger already! The crisp air and hard work are just what I need."

Reluctantly, Mrs. Taylor allowed Hudson to follow his plans. He rose early to study languages; he exercised in the crisp cool air; and he learned to live with few comforts. God even provided Hudson with a way to learn medicine so he'd be better able to minister to the people in China. But there were some lessons that only life's trials could teach the young man. Hudson wanted to learn to trust God and follow His voice before heading to China. This would take some practice.

Hudson walked on deep in thought when a man who recognized him as the doctor's assistant grabbed his arm. "My wife's in there an' she needs help." Hudson was quick to respond. His heart went out to people in need, and this man's need was obvious.

Hudson Taylor learns a lesson of faith that serves him in China. Find out how in part 2 of this "Glimpses for Kids" children's worship bulletin insert.