25 June 1865 – HUDSON TAYLOR AND THE HEARTLESS POWERS

Heart that bleeds for Jesus is always kind, compassionate, generous and gracious towards others. Heart that greedily wants power, control and domination, would always heartlessly bleed others to death, and suckle that blood, to nourish itself to fatness. It is sad and tragic, if the one who bleeds for Christ, and blesses others, and the one who bleeds the blood of others, heartlessly, are the from the same “stock” and same nations. It is like an angel and devil coming from the same stock and same nations. Unbelievable isn’t it? Sadly it is true. This is a reflection of people in the fallen world, and our hearts, where one is a saved sinner, wanting to help and bless the others, while the other is a cold, cruel, clever and unrepentant sinner, plundering others to get what he wants, and enjoying what he is doing, with a desire to do even more.

History records that on *25 June 1865* – precisely 160 years back – English pioneer missionary J. Hudson Taylor, unable to bear the thought of perishing millions in the east, particularly in China, prays for twenty-four willing and skillful workers, and founds the mission organisation, China Inland Mission, which is later known as OMF – the Overseas Missionary Fellowship International. 
– “Hudson Taylor’s legacy extends beyond the numbers of missionaries and converts. He is remembered for his unwavering faith, his commitment to cultural sensitivity, and his pioneering spirit in reaching the unreached people of China. His life and work continue to inspire Christians to this day.” – Google AI

While the British and the American colonial powers landed on the shores of China to plunder and pillage its people to death. Sadly this continues even today. I wish not to wade into politics, but if I claim to be a Christian but behave like a cutthroat ruffian and a rogue, it at least demands a mention, while taking about a kind and generous person like Hudson Taylor, and many other such wonderful Christians from the very same lands. It is a tragedy, to say the least. Small wonder then, people in these lands have rejected God, unable to bear the hypocrisy, duplicity and the unfettered plundering of simple and ignorant people, yet maintain a facade of religiosity.
– “5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually…11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” – Genesis 6:5,11

Hudson Taylor, and many like him have poured their sweat, blood and money into bring the gospel to the nations who never heard about the gospel. They were actively and faithfully supported by many in their  nations, despite their tough and difficult financial situations. No amount of thanks to these kind missionaries, would suffice to repay the debt we owe, for daring to venture into places like China, India, Africa and some many other places. Thanks be to God for raising a generation of such daring Christians, burning with heavenly zeal. We still find such amazing and wonderful people even today. I personally know a few of them, and I am blessed. We love you dear brothers and sisters in the LORD. Thank you.

Yet, cold and cruel people still exist, whose god is their own self, and their faith is only in the power they weild, and do all that they can, and much more, to expand it through control, domination and subjugation of all, by any and all means. Allow me to quote from the historical records of the government of USA, so that we see that it hasn’t changed any bit even as on date. What a tragedy.
– “Western traders, including those from the United States, had long sought a variety of Chinese products (including furniture, silk and tea), but found there were few products that China wanted from the West. American trade with China began as early as 1784, relying on North American exports such as furs, sandalwood, and ginseng, but American interest in Chinese products soon outstripped the Chinese appetite for these American exports. The British had already discovered a great market in southern China for smuggled opium, and American traders soon also turned to opium to supplement their exports to China. Beyond the health problems related to opium addiction, the increasing opium trade with the Western powers meant that for the first time, China imported more goods than it exported. Settling this financial problem eventually led to the First Opium War between Great Britain and China, from 1839 to 1842. After defeating the Chinese in a series of naval conflicts, the British were in a position to make a large number of demands from the weaker Qing Government of China, in the Anglo-Chinese Treaty of Nanjing. Not to be outdone, U.S. negotiators sought to conclude a similar treaty with the Chinese, to guarantee the United States many of the favorable terms awarded the British. The Chinese readily agreed in an effort to keep all foreigners on the same footing.” – Office of the History – Government of USA

When googled to know about the opium wars in China, Google AI popped up this response, which tsken from the British government’s history websites.
1- Who caused the Opium War in China?
– The British – The First Opium War broke out in 1839. It is called the ‘Opium War’ because of one of its major causes: the British were smuggling opium from their Indian colonies into Chinese ports against the wishes of the Chinese government.
– “Historians estimate that 90 million Chinese people (33% of the population at the time) became addicted to opium as the result of the 19th-century opium trade.” – All for the sake of money, power and control – greed at its evil best.

It is good for Christians all over the world to read history, and know the facts. It helps us form our opinions well, and helps us arrive at truthful conclusions. Deception is the name of the game. As we enter into the last days, this would be put to use, much more than ever. We can already see it. Beware my friends, the lies and deception. 
– “12 A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth; 13 He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers; 14 Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord. 15 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.” – Proverbs 6:12-15

May the LORD help us to live for Him, as His true, faithful and obedient servant and child. Hold onto what the Bible says. Live for God at all times, despite the cost and the sacrifice we are called to make. It is worth every penny. Even so the LORD help us.