Geraldine Taylor Quotes: Mrs. Howard Taylor on Surrender and Prayer
MissionsBiographyPrayerChristian Life
Geraldine Taylor wrote biographies, so most of the famous lines in her books belong to someone else: Hudson Taylor's letters, William Borden's diary, Pastor Hsi's own words. This page is different. Every quotation below is Mrs. Taylor's own, from the sentences where she steps back from the story and tells you what it means. She had a gift for that. In a line or two she'd sum up a life, or a hard lesson, and send the reader back to God.
Each one is copied exactly from her books in TheWay Library, with the book and chapter, so you can read it in its setting. For her life story, see who was Geraldine Taylor. For a guide to the four books, see Geraldine Taylor books.
On the surrendered life
This was her great theme. Every book she wrote is about what God can do with one life given over to Him.
It is the surrendered life that counts, for through it God can work.
Borden of Yale '09, Coming Home
No reserve, no retreat, no regrets had any place in Borden's consecration to God.
Borden of Yale '09, The Finished Course
That second line is the source of the saying "no reserves, no retreats, no regrets," which is often printed as Borden's own words. It's hers, describing him.
Borden's life counted because it was rooted in Christ, fed daily upon His word, was subject to His Spirit, breathed the atmosphere of prayer, was poured out for others.
Borden of Yale '09, The Unfinished Task
The cross of Christ had cut him off for ever from the old life, and from rest in anything the world could give. Nothing could satisfy him now but genuine holiness, unbroken fellowship with God who was his life, his all.
Hudson Taylor in Early Years, Here Am I; Send Me
If he saw that in anything his life did not square with the Word of God, that ended it.
Borden of Yale '09, Wider Activities
On the cost of being used by God
She didn't pretend it was easy. Her heroes paid for what they did.
Love first, then suffering, then a deeper love — thus only can God's work be done.
Hudson Taylor in Early Years, Not Where Christ Was Named
In these days of easy-going Christianity is it not well to remind ourselves that it really does cost — to be a man or woman God can use?
Hudson Taylor in Early Years, That I May Win Christ
One cannot obtain a Christ-like character for nothing; one … cannot do a Christ-like work save at great price.
Hudson Taylor in Early Years, That I May Win Christ
No strength of Christian character can be obtained without discipline. For every man who will really follow Jesus, there is a cross.
Pastor Hsi of North China, How the Work Spread
Certainly nothing is more significant in the life before us than the longing for usefulness and likeness to the Lord he loved.
Hudson Taylor in Early Years, Building in Troublous Times
On conversion and the changed life
Pastor Hsi is first of all a conversion story, and she wrote about the new birth with joy.
It was the hour of the Spirit's striving with this soul, the solemn hour when to yield is salvation.
Hudson Taylor in Early Years, As for Me and My House
The chains of his opium-habit had fallen from him. Renewed in spirit like a little child, his heart overflowed with love and joy.
Pastor Hsi of North China, The Great Change
Thus it was impossible for Hsi to be silent about his Saviour. As well might the sun keep from shining, or the heart that loves and is loved, from rejoicing.
Pastor Hsi of North China, The Great Change
What living power there is in the Word of God, applied by the Spirit to a heart prepared for its reception!
Pastor Hsi of North China, West of the River
The chief inspiration of his life, and his strongest reason for faith, was the fact of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour from the dead.
Pastor Hsi of North China, Ready to Depart
On prayer and trusting God
She believed the work abroad rose or fell with prayer, at home and on the field.
Prayer was no unwonted effort, but the natural outgoing of a heart long accustomed to turn to God.
Hudson Taylor in Early Years, Here Am I; Send Me
But faith that prevails is not always found either in individual believers or in churches. Its secret is a close walk with God…
Pastor Hsi of North China, Not Against Flesh and Blood
Buildings might be put up and organization developed, but unless prayer kept pace with these activities all would be in vain.
Borden of Yale '09, Wider Activities
Hsi was beginning to prove not only the trial but the blessing of an empty treasury that casts one upon God.
Pastor Hsi of North China, How God Provided
But he came to see that to be right with God is the chief thing; and that sickness may be a means the Lord is using to draw the soul nearer to Himself.
Pastor Hsi of North China, Ready to Depart
On home, children and money
Some of her wisest lines are about ordinary things: a godly home, a child's faith, a fortune.
For at no time is there greater capacity for devotion or more pure, uncalculating ambition in the service of God than in early childhood, when the heart is full of love to Christ.
Hudson Taylor in Early Years, Nurture and Admonition
To his last day, by the grace of God, the man could have looked into the eyes of the child without shame.
Borden of Yale '09, Boyhood
Borden not only gave his wealth, but himself, in a way so joyous and natural that it was manifestly a privilege rather than a sacrifice.
Borden of Yale '09, Introduction
Mr. Morgan at the age of seventy-five left little more than half as much to the work of God as William Borden left at twenty-five.
Borden of Yale '09, Stewardship
On missions and the unreached
She wrote to get people praying and going. These lines are her appeal.
The real test for fitness for missionary work abroad is not so much a high educational standard as the faith and love, the prayer and devotedness, that win men at home.
Borden of Yale '09, Missionary Outlook
First, last, and most of all it is love that wins, love that interprets rightly the Gospel message and makes real to darkened hearts the love of God in Christ.
The Call of China's Great North-west, Far-off Liangchow
One Christian home among the aborigines of Kansu; one little light amid the darkness!
The Call of China's Great North-west, Children of the Mountains
Who will, by prayer, prepare the way for the messengers God will surely send to these long-neglected tribes of north-west China?
The Call of China's Great North-west, Children of the Mountains
It is a new thing in Kansu to have the Gospel carried far afield by Chinese Christians, unpaid and unsent save by the Spirit of God.
The Call of China's Great North-west, With the Dawn
We are moving forward with the dawn. Day is beginning to break over these distant regions.
The Call of China's Great North-west, With the Dawn
Read the stories behind the quotes
These lines hit hardest in their setting, at the end of a chapter you've just lived through with Hsi or Hudson Taylor or Borden. Start with Pastor Hsi of North China, then read Borden of Yale '09 and Hudson Taylor in Early Years. For Hudson Taylor's own words, see our Hudson Taylor quotes. All of her books are on the Mrs. Howard Taylor author page.