Church History
The following testimonies were excerpted from these Christians’ respective biographies or from personal testimonies.
Hudson Taylor
The beginning of it all was a quiet hour among his father’s books, when young Hudson Taylor sought something to interest him. His mother was away from home and the boy was missing her. The house seemed empty, so he took the story he found to a favorite corner in the old warehouse, thinking he would read it as long as it did not get prosy.
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Many miles away, the mother was specially burdened that Saturday afternoon about her only son. Leaving her friends she went alone to plead with God for his salvation.
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Many miles away, the mother was specially burdened that Saturday afternoon about her only son. Leaving her friends she went alone to plead with God for his salvation. Hour after hour passed while that mother was still upon her knees, until her heart was flooded with a joyful assurance that her prayers were heard and answered.
The boy was reading, meanwhile, the booklet he had picked up, and as the story merged into something more serious he was arrested by the words: “The finished work of Christ.” Who can explain the mystery of the Holy Spirit’s working? Truth long familiar, though neglected, came back to mind and heart.
“Why does the writer use those words?” he questioned. “Why does he not say, ’the atoning or propitiatory work of Christ'?”
Immediately, It is finished shone out as in letters of light. Finished? What was finished?
“A full and perfect atonement for sin,” his heart replied. “The debt was paid by the great Substitute. 'Christ died for our sins,' and 'not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.'”
Then came the thought with startling clearness, “If the whole work is finished, the whole debt paid, what is there left for me to do?”
The one, the only answer took possession of his soul: “There was nothing in the world for me to do save to fall upon my knees and accepting this Savior and His salvation to praise Him for evermore.”
Old doubts and fears were gone. The reality of the wonderful experience we call conversion filled him with peace and joy. New life came with that simple acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, for to “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” And great was the change that new life brought.
Longing to share his new-found joy with his mother, he was the first to welcome her on her return.
"I know, my boy, I know,” she said with her arms about him. “I have been rejoicing for a fortnight in the glad news you have to tell.” (Howard, Spiritual Secret 16-18)
