'A Retrospect' Summary

A Retrospect is a memoir by J. Hudson Taylor, a British missionary to China who founded the China Inland Mission. The book was published in 1894, two years after Taylor's death.

In A Retrospect, Taylor recounts his early life and his calling to missions. He describes his decision to go to China, his experiences there, and his thoughts on the importance of prayer, faith, and self-sacrifice in missions.

Taylor was born in Barnsley, England, in 1832. He was raised in a devout Christian home and had a strong desire to serve God from a young age. In 1853, at the age of 21, Taylor traveled to China as a missionary.

Taylor's early experiences in China were difficult. He faced many challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences, and ill health. However, he never gave up on his calling to reach the Chinese people with the gospel.

In 1865, Taylor founded the China Inland Mission, which was a radical departure from the traditional methods of missions at the time. Taylor believed that missionaries should be willing to go to any place, regardless of the danger or difficulty. He also believed that missionaries should dress and live like the people they were ministering to.

The China Inland Mission was a success. Taylor and his colleagues were able to reach millions of Chinese people with the gospel. Taylor himself traveled extensively throughout China, establishing churches and schools.

A Retrospect is a fascinating and inspiring book that offers a unique glimpse into the life and work of one of the greatest missionaries of all time. It is a must-read for anyone interested in missions or Christian history.