Mary Geraldine Guinness Taylor

Mary Geraldine Guinness Taylor, also known as Mrs. Howard Taylor, was a British Protestant missionary who dedicated her life to service in China. Born into a family of prominent revivalist preachers and authors, she was the daughter of Fanny Grattan Guinness and Henry Grattan Guinness. Her father was acquainted with James Hudson Taylor, the founder of the China Inland Mission (CIM). Mary Geraldine married Frederick Howard Taylor, James Hudson Taylor's son, and became a missionary herself.

She began her missionary work by teaching a Bible class for factory workers in London before joining the China Inland Mission at the age of 23. In 1888, she traveled to China, embarking on a long journey that took her through various ports before reaching Shanghai and eventually Yangzhou. After completing her training, she was stationed in Henan Province. During her time in China, she met and married Frederick Howard Taylor, a medical doctor also serving with the CIM. Taylor developed a talent for writing, which led her to author numerous books detailing the history and biographies of missionaries associated with the China Inland Mission.

Born in 1865, Mary Geraldine Guinness hailed from a family deeply involved in religious work. Her parents, Fanny Grattan Guinness and Henry Grattan Guinness, were influential revivalist preachers and writers. Her father had connections with James Hudson Taylor, the founder of the China Inland Mission. Before embarking on her missionary career, Mary Geraldine was active in London, teaching a Bible class for factory girls. At the age of 23, she committed herself to the China Inland Mission and made preparations to travel to China.

In January 1888, at 22 years old, Mary Geraldine departed London for China aboard the P&O vessel Kaisar-i-Hind I. Her extensive journey involved stops in Gibraltar, Naples, Aden, Colombo, Penang, and Singapore. Upon reaching Hong Kong, she was welcomed by members of the London Missionary Society and the Basel Mission. The missionaries proceeded to Shanghai, where they exchanged Western clothing for traditional Chinese attire. They then traveled inland via riverboat and barge, reaching Yangzhou on March 23, 1888. After her training in China, she was assigned to Henan Province. She later married Frederick Howard Taylor, a fellow CIM missionary and son of the founder.

Mary Geraldine Guinness Taylor became a prolific author, recognized for her extensive writings on the China Inland Mission and its personnel. Her literary output included over 20 books, many of which focused on missionary biographies and the history of the CIM. Her works provided detailed accounts of the lives and experiences of those involved in missionary efforts in China, contributing significantly to the historical record of the mission.

“Oh! if English Christians only knew the need and the longing willingness of these dear souls to hear the glad tidings, and the joy, the unspeakable joy of a missionary's life, they would surely cry from the depths of yearning hearts, "Lord, here am I, send me, send me."”