More Answers To Prayer
This unusual and merciful help from God was a great blessing to me, adding much strength to my faith. But ten shillings, however carefully used, will not go very far.
It was necessary to continue in prayer, asking that my employer remember the larger part of my pay which I had not yet received.
I became more serious in asking God to remind my employer that the pay was late. It was not the need for money that troubled me.
I could have had that at any time by just asking. But the big question in my mind was if could go to China or not. I was troubled that my lack of faith and power with God would prove to be so serious as to stop me from entering this great and honorable work.
As the week ended, I felt very ashamed. There was not only me to think of. On Saturday night, a payment was due to the Christian woman whose room I rented.
I knew she needed it for her living. I was troubled with the question of asking for pay so that I could give her the money I owed. Yet, by doing that, I would admit to myself that I was not able to do the work of a missionary.
When I had free time from work, I gave nearly all of Thursday and Friday to serious calling on God in prayer. But still on Saturday morning, my problem was not solved.
My serious cry was for the Lord to show it was my duty to break the silence and speak to my employer. Should I continue to wait for the Lord’s time? After much prayer, I felt that it was best to wait for His time. I was sure that God would help me in some way.
So I waited, my heart at rest. At about five o’clock that Saturday afternoon, the doctor had finished his paperwork and completed his last duties for the day.
Sitting in his big chair, he began to speak ofthe things of God. He was truly a Christian, and we had many happy spiritual visits together. I was doing a medical test and boiling a pan of water. It was very good for me to be so busy.
All at once he said, “Tell me, Taylor, is it not time for your pay again?” You can imagine my feelings! I had to swallow two or three times before I could answer.
With my eyes on the pan and my back to the doctor, I told him as quietly as I could that it was due some time ago. How thankful I felt! God had heard my prayer. He had caused my employer to remember the pay without any word from me.
He answered, “Oh, I am so sorry you did not remind me! You know how busy I am. I wish I had thought of it sooner, for only this afternoon I sent all the money to the bank. Otherwise, I would pay you at once.”
It is impossible to describe the terrible feeling caused by these unexpected words. I did not know what to do.
Just at that time, my pan boiled and I had good reason to leave the room with it. I was pleased to get away and keep out of sight until after the doctor had returned to his house. I was very thankful that he had not seen my sad feelings.
As soon as he was gone I found a place to pray and poured out my heart before the Lord. Soon, a sense of calmness, thankfulness, and happiness came back to my heart. I felt that God had His way and was not going to fail me.
I had prayed to know His will early in the day. As far as I could judge, guidance had forme to wait quietly. Now God was going to work for me in some other way.
As usual, I spent that Saturday evening alone reading the Bible and preparing to preach in the usual lodging houses6 on the next day. I waited a little longer than usual. At last, about ten o’clock, I put on my coat and was preparing to leave for home.
I was thankful to know that by the time I arrived, the landlady would already be in bed. There was certainly no help for that night. Still, God may bring help for me by Monday enabling me to pay what I owed for my room early in the week.
As I was preparing to turn off the gas light, I heard the doctor’s footsteps in the garden between his house and the office.
He was laughing to himself as he entered and asked for the record book, telling me that a very unusual thing had happened.
A rich man had just come to pay his bill. What an unusual time this was to go out to pay a bill. It did not come to my mind that it might have anything to do with my problem. It might have made me feel ashamed.
But it made me laugh to think about a man who was rolling in wealth, coming after ten o’clock at night to pay a doctor’s bill.
He could have done this easily in the morning. It seemed that somehow he could not rest with this on his mind and felt that he must come at that unusual hour to pay what he owed.
The amount was written in the record book. As he was about to leave, the doctor turned quickly and gave me some of the money. To my surprise and thankfulness, he said “By the way, Taylor, you should take this money.
I do not have any change, but I can give you the rest next week.” Again I was left – my feelings undiscovered – to praise the Lord with a happy heart that after all, I might be able to go to China. To me, the thing was not a small matter. In difficult situations, thinking of it has given me great spiritual rest and strength.
Soon, the time came for me to leave Hull and receive medical training at the London Hospital. After a short time there, I had every reason to believe that my life in China would begin. I was very happy because ofthe willingness of God to hear and answer prayer.
He showed himself more than willing to help His half-trusting and frightened child. But I felt that I could not go to China without more work in developing and testing my power to rest upon His faithfulness. Soon, a special chance was given to me.
My father had offered to pay for my stay in London. I knew that because of recent losses, it would mean a real sacrifice for him to meet this cost. This came just when it seemed necessary for me to go forward.
I had recently come to know the Committee ofthe Chinese Evangelisation Society under which I finally left for China. I met its able leader Mr. George Pearse who became my much-loved friend. He worked for the Stock Exchange.2
Not knowing of my father’s offer, the Committee was also kindly prepared to pay for my stay in London. When these offers were first made, I was not clear as to what I should do.
I wrote to my father and the Chinese Evangelisation Society leaders, advising that I would take a few days of prayer before deciding the path to follow. I told them of the offers that each had made. While waiting upon God for guidance, it became clear that it would be easy to refuse both offers.
The leaders of the society would not know that I had put myself wholly on God for my needs. At the same time, my father would think that I had accepted the other offer.
I wrote and kindly refused both, feeling that without anyone to worry about my needs, I was simply in the hands of God. I felt that the Lord knew my heart and wished to send me to China. He would bless my effort at home to depend upon Him alone.