The winds will never waft the story; but they must waft us...

Recalling an experience, the pain of which could never be forgotten, Mr. [Hudson] Taylor went on to tell of a Ningpo convert who, full of joy in his new-found faith, had inquired: "How long have you known this good news in your country?" "We have known it a long time," was the reluctant answer; "hundreds of years." "Hundreds of years," exclaim the ex-Buddhist leader, "and you never came to tell us!" "My father sought the truth," he added sadly, "sought it long, and died without finding it. Oh, why did you not come sooner?" "Shall we say that the way it was not open?" continue the speaker. "At any rate it is open now...What are we doing to bring them the tidings of Redeeming Love? It is no use singing as we often do: 'Waft, waft ye winds the story.' The winds will never waft the story; but they must waft us. The Lord Jesus Christ commands us, commands us each one individually – 'Go,' He says, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.' Will you say to him, 'It is not convenient'? Will you tell Him that you are busy...or for other reasons cannot obey? Will he except such excuses? Have we forgotten that 'we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ,' that every one may receive the things done in his body. Oh, remember, pray for, labour for the unevangelised millions...or you will sin against your own soul!" ~Hudson Taylor and the China Inland Mission: The Growth of a Work of God, excerpt from chapter 1