China Inland Mission

China Inland Mission
Name	China Inland Mission
Founded	25 June 1865
Founder	James Hudson Taylor
Headquarters	Initially London, later Shanghai
Defunct	1950s (operations transferred)
Merged into	OMF International

China Inland Mission. It was an interdenominational Protestant missionary society founded in 1865 by the British missionary James Hudson Taylor. The organization was pioneering in its focus on evangelizing the vast interior regions of Qing Dynasty China, which were largely unreached by other missions. Its innovative principles, including reliance on faith for funding and adoption of local dress, profoundly influenced modern missionary practice and led to significant growth until the mid-20th century.

History and founding

The mission was formally established on 25 June 1865 in Brighton, England, by James Hudson Taylor, who had previously served in China with the Chinese Evangelisation Society. Deeply affected by the spiritual needs of inland China during his first missionary journey to Shanghai and beyond, Taylor published a pamphlet titled "China's Spiritual Need and Claims" to rally support. The founding vision was crystallized during a pivotal moment of prayer at Brighton Beach, leading to the creation of a society uniquely dedicated to penetrating China's interior provinces. Its early headquarters were established at 6 Pyrland Road in London, but operational control soon shifted to the field in China.

Missionary work and expansion

Missionary work commenced with Taylor's return to China in 1866 aboard the sailing ship Lammermuir, accompanied by the first party of missionaries, later known as the Lammermuir Party. The mission strategically focused on unreached inland provinces such as Shaanxi, Gansu, Sichuan, and Yunnan, often opening stations far from treaty ports. Missionaries engaged in direct evangelism, distributed Bible translations and Christian literature, and established churches, schools, and modest medical clinics. By the late 19th century, it had become the largest missionary organization in China, with hundreds of workers from nations including Britain, the United States, Australia, and Scandinavia.

Organizational structure and principles

The mission operated under a distinctive set of principles that broke from contemporary missionary norms. It was interdenominational, accepting applicants from all evangelical Christian denominations, and was governed by a director, a role held by Taylor until his death. A core tenet was the "faith principle," whereby missionaries did not solicit funds but relied on unsolicited donations, believing God would provide. Administratively, it emphasized field-based leadership from its headquarters in Shanghai and later Yangzhou. Missionaries were also encouraged to adopt Chinese dress and customs to reduce cultural barriers, a practice Taylor himself championed.

Impact and legacy

The mission's impact was substantial, contributing to the establishment of indigenous Chinese Protestant churches and fostering a generation of local Christian leaders. Its methods influenced global missionary strategy, inspiring other "faith missions" like the Africa Inland Mission and the Sudan Interior Mission. Following the expulsion of missionaries from Communist China in the early 1950s, the mission reconstituted itself as the Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF International), redirecting its work to other parts of East Asia. Its extensive archives and publications, such as "China's Millions," remain valuable historical resources for scholars of Missiology and modern Chinese history.

Notable missionaries and figures

Beyond founder James Hudson Taylor, key figures included his wife, Maria Dyer Taylor, an accomplished missionary in her own right. Pioneers like Jonathan Goforth of Canada, known for revival meetings, and Mildred Cable, who with Francesca French and Eva French conducted extensive itinerant work on the Silk Road, were prominent. James O. Fraser pioneered work among the Lis people of Yunnan, while William Whiting Borden, though he died young en route to the field, left a significant legacy through his dedication. Later leaders included Dixon Edward Hoste, who succeeded Taylor as General Director.

Challenges and controversies

The mission faced immense challenges, including the physical dangers of travel, outbreaks of disease like typhus, and periodic political instability such as the Boxer Rebellion, during which dozens of its missionaries and their children were killed. It also navigated internal tensions over theological interpretation and missionary methods. Furthermore, its presence sometimes sparked local opposition and anti-foreign sentiment, conflated with broader imperialist tensions in 19th-century China. The ultimate challenge came with the rise of the Chinese Communist Party, leading to the complete withdrawal of its personnel by the early 1950s.

Category:Protestant missionary societies Category:Christianity in China Category:Organizations established in 1865