6. The Appeal of His Approach. His entry to his hearer's interest was always at the highest ethical level. He spoke of family, mother, and home, and preached under the national flag. His credibility was bolstered at every turn by his life and actions such as never allowing a collection to be taken for his ministry from the street Services although many listeners wanted to do so many times. Instead, he would announce where he was Scheduled to preach the next Sunday and indicate that a collection there would be appropriate.
7. The Authenticity of His Spirit. Taylor and his supporters advocated a deeper Christian life doctrine -- a "second work of grace" which they believed could lead into a path of unreserved commitment to God's will, an absolute confidence in His power, and an unquestioning love for Him at all times. This strain of Wesley an "sinless perfection" ultimately spawned many of the holiness groups which exist today including the charismatic dimensions of this emphasis.
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Most contemporary mainline preachers will opt for the more stable "soul's union with Christ" view of sanctification expressed through the "Keswick" movement and in such volumes as Henry Blackaby's, Experiencing God (1994), the finest expressions of which are now revealed in such works as John Piper's Desiring God (1996) and its outstanding theological sequel, God's Passion For His Glory (1998). But, whatever your preference, while no one but the Lord could judge how close to such a standard William Taylor came, his life undoubtedly glorified God in unusual ways. His obedience was indeed thorough, his faith immovable, and his love unwavering.
Our materialistic culture displays its own "Gold Rush" mentality. Such lessons from the life and approaches of William Taylor are just as relevant for today as they were one hundred and fifty years ago.
For further reading:
J. Edwin Orr, Evangelical Awakenings In the South Seas (Minn. MN: Bethany, 1976)
Paul, John H., The Soul Digger (Upland, Ind. Taylor Univ. Press, 1928.
Rousselow, Jessica L. and Winquist, Alan H. God's Ordinary People -- No Ordinary Heritage (Upland, Ind.: Taylor University Press, 1996).
Taylor, William, Four Years' Campaign In India (New York, N.Y.: Phillips and Hunt, 1880).
Taylor, William, Infancy and Manhood of Christian Life (London, UK: S. W. Partridge, 1875).
Taylor, William, The Model Preacher (New York, N.Y.: Carlton and Porter, 1857).
Taylor, William, Seven Years' Street Preaching In San Francisco (New York, N.Y.: Carlton and orter, 1857).
Taylor, William, The Story of My Life (New York, N.Y.: Eaton and Mains, 1896.