C H I NA APAN KOREA , J , AND FORMOSA

Showi ng M issio n Statio ns o f Canadian C hurches

Mission Statio ns

Presbyteri an

M ethodi st

Angli can

Provi nces Railways —i T he Great Wall Th e o le gle a l S e mlna w

P r e s e n t e d b y

Th e Re v . Ro b e r t

H owa r d

T H EI LAND A T I F L S B E U U

I sland B ea utiful

The S tory of Fifty Years

i n North Formosa

BY

DUNCAN MACL EOD

E A OF RE F TH BO RD FO IGN M ISSIONS O PRESBYTER I AN CHURCH I N CA NA DA C ONFED ERA T ON FE BU D NG T O RONT O I LI IL I . 1 923

CONTENTS

CHA PTER I “ ILHA FORMOSA E EOPLET H I R R I E E E II TH P , RUL RS AND LIG ONS

III THE PATHFINDER OF NORTH FORMOSA

I V O E B E FI E M R A OUT TH PATH ND R .

R V NEWEA . THE IN NORTH FORMOSA

VI GROWTH OF THE NATIVE CHURCH

VI I B K NEW I REA ING TRA LS

VIII TO OTHER CITIES ALSO

’ I ! WOMEN S WORK

! WHAT OF THE FUTURE ?

I U E FORMOSAN FACTS AND F G R S .

I LLUSTRATI ONS

PAGE

TAMS UI HARB OR Fron ti spi ece THE FAMOUS FORMOSAN CLIFFS

GOUGING CHI PS FROM A CAMPHOR TREE

TEA PICKERS AT WORK

TH E P FAMOUS TEM LE AT HOKKO

CHURCH AT SI NTI AM

E E E E E FI DE F G ORG L SLI MACKAY , TH PATH N R O NORTH F ORMO SA

DR . E MACKAY AND HIS STUD NTS

P T AMS FIRST HOS ITAL AT UI .

MACKAY M EMORIAL HOSPITAL

C E 1920 GRADUATING LASS IN TH OLOGY ,

RE D A . D D . . . V . W U ILLIAM GA LD , . , AND MRS G UL

K SE I DAI TOTEI IRK SS ON AT

’ I OPE E E M T AMS 1907 190 S . UI G RLS SCHOOL N D B Y TH W. . AT IN

M S B E E . O F OPE E PR S NT W . . ARDING SCHOOL OR GIRLS N D B M 9 Y W. . S TAMS I 1 16 . AT U IN

’ B E TAMS UI OYS MIDDL SCHOOL ,

OPE M A K E IA PI A . RATING ROO , M C AY M MOR L HOS T L

xii FOREWORD

1 84 during the French invasion in 8 . Tod ay all is ffi changed . Persecution has ceased ; O cials are not r friendly , and many themselves Christian e ” cognize the social value O f Christianity and CO

Operate in promoting the Church Of Christ . Amongst the impressive stories Of striking con versions given i n this book is one in which an Official invited the missionary to Open a mission because he found himself unable to suppress the T . e vice that prevailed h mission was Opened , not and the Gospel did what the law could do . Whilst there have been persistent appeals during for the years more foreign workers , and unquestion ably larger results would have appeared had the f sta f been strengthened , yet there are at the present time twenty foreign missionaries with educational and medical institutions that have grown o ut Of the one seed sown fifty years ago . It was a fruitful seed and has multiplied many f fold . There is hope in the future . Sta f and equipment and popular favour are full o f promise . Even the heathen recognize the superiority o f

Christianity over other religions they have known . 1 1 When a cholera epidemic raged in 9 9 , the Mackay Memorial Hospital was used by the non - Japanese , and Christians and Christians were

treated without discrimination . Many were dying

daily , but it was noted that no Christians died who

obeyed instructions , which they usually did .

Christians were allowed to assemble , Whilst heathen

assemblies were forbidden . In the presence Of FOREWORD

a i i a c u de th Chr st ns were cheerful , onfident , hopef l , i a u a u wh lst the he then were fretf l , fe rful , s per s i i a t t ous and thereby the more exposed to d nger . The heathen acknowledge that Christians ‘ are a not or h ppier In their homes , given to Opium a gambling , more cleanly in their h bits and more f sanitary in their surroundings . Upon such ound a tions wh at may not the h arvest be when the cen tenar ! a y celebration comes In the l st analysis , a a however , notwithstanding all these dvant ges , all will depend upon the maintenance o f th at consecration O f life Characteristic O f the founder

Of the Mission and Of his successors . acLe O d a a TO the Rev . Duncan M the prep r tion o f this volume was a labour Of love . Mr . Mac ’ Leod s national characteristics enabled him to a and understand and appreciate Dr . G . L . M ckay his fellow missionaries as few others could . Fur loughs are supposed to be for rest and recuperation for future work , but missionary furloughs are f Sadly invaded by invitations di ficult to refuse , but to which the missionaries cheerfully respond . fitti n l The series Of prayers , which SO g y closes each chapter , has been prepared by Rev . J . Lovell f a D . D o Murray , . , Director the C nadian School to Of Missions . Thanks are due him for the valuable addition he has thus ma de to the book . The editing and publication Of this interesting story was placed in the hands Of the Rev . H . C .

f w ar . Priest than whom e e more capable Mr . Priest 5 services in behalf O f the missionary educa xiv FOREWORD

tion Of the young people Of all o ur Churches is

generally known , but his large share in the pub lication Of missionary literature for young people n is ot SO well known . By his careful and accurate editing Of this volume he h as placed the Church

under further Obligation .

M K Y . R . P . AC A T H EI LAND A T I F L S B E U U

Th e I s la n d Be a u tifu l

CHAPTER I

I LH A FO RM OSA

H I ESEa N geogr phers inform us th a t once h a upon a time some fierce dragons , which d a dwelt for ages ne r Foochow , China , be ’ i and stirred themselves nto activity , for a day s f frolic , glided out unseen through the depths O the O f ocean . Arriving in the vicinity the present o f a a a island Formos , they bec me exceedingly pl y a ful , and fter ploughing through the earth itself , a f they m de their ascent , throwing up the blu f at

Keelung head , and then , writhing their way to S a wards the outh , with violent contortions he ved a a up a regular series of hills and mount ins , until t a a fla f a l st , with p O their formid ble tails , they threw up the three cliffs which now m ark the ex treme south Of the Island . 2 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

Physi cal Features

i i n d a i on Descr pt on a Loc t . The island Of For “ ” mosa , called Ilha Formosa (Beautiful Isle) a by the Portuguese m riners , who were the first Europeans to visit it towards the Close Of the sixteenth century , may be compared to an ill Shaped pear with a somewhat elongated stem at the south . Its position would indicate that the restless wave , the persistent ocean current , the frequent earthquake and the raging typhoon , f i through millenniums O act vity , had gradually separated it from the rest O f the islands in the

Bashee channel to the south .

The island lies lengthwise , almost north and

O ff - a south , the south east coast Of China , separ ted from the mainland by a channel abou t ninety miles wide a t the north an d two hundred miles in

at . width the south From Amoy , China , the boat

- - trip occupies twenty four hours , from Hong Kong

a . three days , and from Moj i , J pan , three days was Formosa , in early days , numbered among the LO O h a C u Isl nds , and was once known by that r name . Fo several generations the Chinese have “ ” or — a called it Taiwan , Terraced Bay , word that is thought by some to have been derived from “ “

T on h oan S . g , meaning Eastern avages I t was probably on this a ccount the Dutch always “ referred to the aborigines of Formosa as East

Indian Savages . Off the west coast some sixty miles , lies a group

4 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

precipitously , deep down where the waters Of the

Pacific lap the solitary crags beneath . Many a traveller has tried to describe the won “ derful sight O f these famous cliffs Professor “ bOO k Chamberlain in his , Things Japanese , pictures them thus : “ The cliffs on the east coast Of Formosa are the highest and most precipitous in the world , towering ’ in places sheer six thousand feet from the water s edge .

The Scenery is Of rare beauty . From the ’ water s edge to the very tips o f these mountains may be seen trees , large and small , shrubs and f grasses O all sorts , growing In a most luxuriant a a manner . In some pl ces there are m rks Of large landslides , but there are few places where the wild or savage cannot find a path at least a foothold , when chasing the deer and wild boar from o ut their mountain lairs . i Mou n ta n s . Directly inland beyond these lofty peaks , near Central Formosa and under the Tropic of Of Cancer , and rising to a height feet

‘ - iitaka a above sea level , stands Mount N , also c lled

h O f . Mount Morrison , t e pride Formosa Few have i s not on ever reached t highest point , only account Of the danger due to the presence Of savages in the O f O f neighborhood , but also because the expense the trip , which cannot be undertaken without a a large party O f Japanese gu ards . These mount in

- tops are snow capped for a good part Of the year . Lofty mountains are associated with deep valleys ILHA FORMOSA 5

i . a s and turbulent rivers TO this , Formos no ex i As on cept on . the traveller stands a mountain out one top , there stretches before him unbroken O f a u a panorama be utif l min rets , deftly carved by a n a Mother N ture , foami g casc des , deep gorges , a a a and str nge mixture Of evergreen me dows , nestling in the restful lap Of the lower hills and r surrounded by young groves o primeval forests . ak es L . Formosa can boast Of but few lakes , an i i s the most famous being Lake C d d u , named

after the first Dutch missionary . This lake , situated in one Of the most picturesque spots among a a the mountains Of Central Formos , at an elev tion u Of over two tho sand feet , has become , in recent o f i years , a centre great interest . W th a View to centralizing a t this point all the electric plants Of i the sland , the Formosan Government has under a O n a S taken oper tions large scale . everal hundred i a h s feet h gher , tunnel a been Opened through which a mountain stream is to be turned for the p u rpose O f raising the l ake Sixty feet higher than i ts original level . Between the lake and the valley below there is a drop O f probably a thousand feet in the first two miles . Here a huge power house is to be erected that will supply the whole i island with l ght and power . At the present time a ra ilway is being opened which passes within a and mile or two of the lake , extends some distance i beyond , nto the heart Of the savage territory . h Typ oon s . Formosa is famous for its periodical oo typh ns . Indeed , there are those who credit 6 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

Formosa with creating these destructive agents . O f On the contrary , the lofty ranges the island , two

hundred miles long , Often check the onward rush

Of the typhoon toward the Chinese coast , turning

it from the north to the west and south , and thus causing it to pass away in a strange and mystic

- stillness , while the fear stricken onlooker gazes at the mass Of wreckage , the mad mountain torrents and flooded plains , which it leaves in its path .

Following a typhoon , the Taihoku plain generally

becomes a veritable inland sea , with Taihoku city a floating island in the centre . The rushing mountain streams overflow their banks , at times carrying away bridges and acres of paddy fields . Great efforts are constantly being made by the Formosan Government and large sums expended to protect life and property and counteract the damaging effect Of these typhoons . In 1920 Taihoku experienced the highest flood for i n forty years . The whole plain and city , cluding the mission compound , were several feet under water . Houses were flooded , and the on Chinese , rafts , scoured the district for lost n en property . As the Japa ese policemen were gaged in their work o f rescuing the people and f bringing them to places O safety , they discovered the hospital caretaker , up to his waist in water , holding high in his protecting arms his pre cious pig . Not until his much prized possession had been safely locked in one Of the upstair bathrooms

Of the hospital , where it was kept until the flood ILHA FO RMO SA 7

h ad passed , did he respond to the call to assist in S a i rescue work . uch tre tment to this an mal , SO o much de spised in some ther lands , is by no means a uncommon in Formos . Eh ak s a art qu e . Formos is the centre of the a a A a nd a J p nese and Philippine rchipelago , is ne r a the centre Of the earthqu ke zone . Consequently earthquakes are qu ite frequent occurrences . They c or seldom , however , create much ex itement result i s in serious d sa ter , though a few months before the writer reached Formosa a very heavy earthqu ake a in Kagi , a city in Central Formos , destroyed many houses and lives ; and the summer after his arrival a still more severe earthquake did considerable

damage in North Formosa . It is not generally known that the study Of seis l m o ogy was started in Japan . Leading European scientists were invited by the Government to come and study the phenomena Of earthquakes on their n t o ow native soil . The result has meant much a and rchitects builders throughout Japan , while o ur own has mission reaped no small benefit , since mo re effective measures are now used to make i secure the foundations Of all our m ssion buildings .

While this involves a heavier initial outlay , it ultimately effects greater economy and relieves any

fear Of actu al danger fro m ordinary earthquakes . li m t e C a . The climate O f Formosa varies from a i wet , bleak cold to extreme he t , w th no frost or o t a sn w excep upon the mountains . Gener lly i i i i speak ng t s h u m d and hot the most Of the year . 8 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

The climate in the north differs considerably from that in the south . In North Formosa , January ,

February and March are the Cool winter months , one whilst in the south this period is Of ideal , sunny weather . June , July , August and September are the hottest months throughout the island , while in

October , November and December the heat moder

‘ ates and the weather is enj oyable . The average temperature ranges from fifty degrees Fahrenheit - fiv e in winter to eighty degrees in summer , but , owing to excessive humidity , the heat is more trying than in countries with a drier climate . The fact , f however , that o the missionaries and business men belonging to the foreign community in the island , some have been living in Formosa from thirty to forty years , is evidence that to many foreigners , at least , the climate is not too unfriendly .

h ‘ ext rem f O f TO escape t e e heat O summer , most a a the mission ries go to their mountain cott ges , which are located about two thousand feet above ’ - or sea level , and are distant only two three hours T m s i j ourney from either a u or Taihoku , where the two mission compounds Of Canadian Presbyterians s are situ ated . This summer re ort is a great boon to the missionaries , and particularly to their wives and children . i s fre D sease . Among the various diseases that quently become epidemic , malaria has been the most troublesome to the foreigner . The anopheles mosquito , however , which is the malaria fever O f carrier , is no respecter persons , except in the I LH A FORMOSA 9

i measure in wh ch it seems to love fresh diet . Among the great services rendered by the Japanese has been that Of reducing the mortality from i i n malaria . At the present t me , except a very few swampy districts , this disease is not considered a serious hindrance to life or work in Formosa . h i W t e An ts . White ants are not creatures that the missionary may overlook . Why does he waste time on them ? Just because they waste his time and property more effectively than any other creature . They are the most destructive , yet the

a a . most f scinating , cre tures we know They carry on their work O f destruction in silence and in Ob Sc ri t be u y , through day and night , in the earth on a a neath and the e rth bove , and are not afraid to aspire to the most exalted elevations or the finest mansions .

The instinct Of this pale , soft , and innocent looking little creature is amazing . He seems to o t a find u , in some mysterious way , that a cert in desirable article has been pl aced in some p articular i i . a to a a spot A leader st rts d scover tr ck , wh ch may be through a small hole in a concrete founda tion . He will bore through wood , or even lime plaster , with perfect ease . Once he has Opened a O f small passage the size his body , the whole army Of his followers silently and in an apparently end less procession march on toward the Object Of attack . With wonderfu l precision they cut a hole and a through the floor enter box , a desk , the leg Of a r a f a t ble o a bureau . The le der O the gang 10 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

evidently has no difficulty whatever in directing

Opera tions a t the precise spot . Their work is ao

complished SO skilfully that , after the Whole army

h as deserted the place , the destruction they have wrought will be known only by the hollowness Of

the articles they attacked . The Government Of Formosa has for years made a careful study of this

industrious little insect , and has been endeavoring to discover chemicals and Oils that will effectively

prevent its destructive operations . The white ant creates a serious and perplexing problem for

the missionary architect , though experience is beginning to teach how it may be at least

partially met . The Mission Boards at home will have to bear in mind that these natural destructive agencies

— white ants , earthquakes and typhoons can never

be completely overcome and that , therefore , to

build solidly at first is the only wise policy .

Natural Resources

A i u lt u r al d u s gr c Pro ct . Formosa is rich in ag ric lt ral u u products . The land yields two full

crops Of rice a year , Of which several million bushels a annu lly are exported to Japan . Since Japanese o f occupation , the work irrigation has been largely

developed . Among the important products are

- camphor , sugar cane , tea , mille t , maize , barley , s potatoes Of all description , indigo , pease , beans ,

peanuts , hemp , j ute , and other kinds Of fibrous

. ar grasses The principal fruits e oranges , bananas ,

ILHA FORMOSA ” 11

umalos p , persimmons , pineapples , plums , peaches , a mangoes , and other v rieties for which only the natives have cultivated a taste . m h Ca p or . Camphor production in Formosa o goes back tw hundred years , and at the present n time is o e Of its most valuable industries , well ’ over ninety per cent . Of the world s camphor being produced in that island . The Chinese immigrants of earlier days , whose ancestors had already dis O f i covered the art d stilling camphor , as soon as their curious eyes caught sight Of the primeval to camphor forests Of Formosa , gave themselves on its production . Later , the more warlike High landers , the Hakkas , who were immigrants from

S . outh China , came From the first they chose the strip Of uncultivated foothills bordering on the

- territory Of the wild head hunters , and began to turn the hillsides into tea and Sugar- cane planta tions , potato patches , and paddy fields . The more aggressive o f this sturdy and daring people took to camphor distilling . For generations many deadly feuds took place between the Hakkas and their savage neighbors , who gradually were driven farther into the moun i tain fastnesses . Many of the Ch nese were killed

- by these head hunters . The savages would stalk among the lower hills for days until they got their game . Little time was lost in severing , with the knife which always hung from their belt , the head O f their u nfortun ate victim . With pride they would carry back to camp the trophy o f their c su cess and valor . 12 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

The Hakkas themselves became experts at the f r . t oo same game They , , would stalk o their on f prey the outskirts o the foothills , and in turn snipe the savage , taking , not the head alone , but the Whole carcass , and feasting on it with satis faction and relish . The current belief among them was that savage flesh was the choicest .

There are many Hakkas , some Of whom are now evangelists , who can recall such experiences .

The Hakkas constantly gained ground , until to- day they have the perpetual leasehold O f a large tract Of territory , once the lawful possession Of the aborigines . Because Of the unscrupulous way the camphor forests were being cut down by these colonists , the Japanese authorities have made the camphor industry a Government monopoly . The process by which the camphor is extracted from the tree is simple , but interesting . The i x saw machinery s inexpensive . With the a e and the distiller first fells the tree . Then , taking a

- gouge shaped hatchet , he cuts out of the tree small

- chips cross wise . These chips are placed in stills c am which are heated by a fire u nderneath . The phor vapor which rises is made to pass through i s iron pipes into boxes , where it cooled by running water . There it condenses into crystals resembling hoar frost . This crude camphor is pl aced in vats , where , as it settles , the camphor Oil sinks to the i s a bottom and thus extracted . The c mphor then

il - is put into bags and the o into coal oil tins , and sent to the factory at Taihoku . ‘ ILHA FORMOSA 13

a a i O f The J p nese , w th their keen sense nation al are a on development , c rrying the work Of camphor on a a tree afforestation l rge scale . Formosa is consequently likely to continue for generations to a lead the world in the production Of c mphor . a i Su gar . The sug r ndustry Of Formosa was begun by the first Chinese colonists in the sixteenth was i a centu ry . I t cons der bly developed by the and a as w s Dutch l ter , the records show , a m u ch a a O f Koxi n a en cou r ged by the f mily g , the first

Chinese Governor . Under J apanese experts this h as become one O f the most thriving industries O f a a o i the island . J panese sug r c mpanies have n a n d u creased rapidly , m ch territory has been

- i secured for sugar cane prod u ction . I t s to the credit of the Fo rmosan Government that Of re cent years l aws h ave been enacted for the protection Of private Fo rmosan farmers against the injustice f a o i and coe rcion O these priv te c mpan es . are a a There now m ny large sug r factories , Oper

- - a a i ated with u p to d te British m ch nery , where the services O f all foreign experts h ave been dispensed with and where a most lucrative business is being o a m a conducted . In the m unt ins there y still O f a be found a few mills the Old , crude type , Oper ted a i by H kkas , in which the cane s crushed by iron a - f rollers , propelled by the w ter bu falo . The change from the crude Chinese method to that Of the modern Japanese mills i s a striking illustra tion Of i i the enterpris ng spir t Of the Jap anese people . T i ea . The Ch nese immigrants were the original 14 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

cultivators Of Formosan tea , the most popular

blend Of which is Oolong . The first European to w discover the value Of this special blend as Mr . T a s i Robert Swinhoe , the British consul at m u . 1867 About , the first shipment was sent to America . The export trade from the first has been largely in O f the hands British , American and Chinese mer

chants , but , Of recent years , the Japanese have

entered the field . They tried , but withou t s uc N w cess , to develop green tea trade . o they have O f several firms , the largest which is the Mitsui on Company , carrying black tea trade . Of late years the Formosan farmers have not shown much enthusiasm in tea plantations . They are finding other ways Of making a livelihood and more profit from other agricultural products . c Moreover , they are dis overing that , whilst they

- cannot make tea growing pay , the Chinese tea brokers and middlemen are reaping huge profits .

In this connection , it is gratifying to know that the

British and American firms , which have been n carrying o trade in Formosa for about sixty years , have always maintained a reputation for fairness and business integrity . The writer has Often heard the farmers state that if Chinese mid dlemen were as fair and as honorable as Western merchants they would have no complaints to make . O i m I h p u . n t e ninth century Opium was a d brought to China by travelling Arabs , n in the twelfth century was imported from India in sailing ‘ ILHA FO RMO SA 15

i a f vessels to the ma nl nd O China . At a much later a was a a d te , China ctu lly forced to Open her ports and to her markets the Opium trade . When the Chinese colo nists came to Formosa they brought o and i with them the pium the smoking hab t . At the time J apan took possession O f the island a bout f . O seven per cent the people were Opium users . After much deliberation as to the future treatment o f i i these drug add cts , the pol cy adopted was a system Of licenses in order to bring about the a a gr du l suppression Of the use Of Opium . The u a a licenses had to be sec red within cert in time , i a u . fter which no more would be ss ed Thus , as

O ld u a a is the sers pass w y , the number being r e f d uced . o O a a an In spite , h wever , the f ct th t y who use i t witho ut a license are imprisoned o r

a are i a o f i he vily fined , there st ll m ny th s cl ass in i the sl and . The Opiu m industry is carried on in Fo rmosa as a

r - i i p o fit m a k ng Government monopoly . It s hoped that as the moral enlightenment O f the n ation a u s dvances , p blic Opinion will become o strong that the Government will find this policy unten a ble and will effect the total prohibition Of the C i u u h . a trade In h na , altho gh the Opi m trade s a c 19 17 been illeg l sin e , the Chinese Government h as been unable to enforce the law . Poppy fields h ave aga in begu n to appear in m any sections Of a a i th t v st Republ c , although there are encouraging instances o f recent attempts at effective s uppres 16 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

sion . Unfortunately , the menace has appeared in another form , particularly in China . Opium in the form Of morphia i s being manufactured in S large quantities in Britain and the United tates , sold to Japanese firms and by them smuggled into

China . The suppression Of Opium in every form has a O f become problem international significance . It h as been under discussion at the Hague and recently at the Washington Conference . At pre sent strenuous efforts are being put forth to secure the suppression O f the Opium traffic by the passage O f the Miller Bill through the United States Con i ts A gress . The League Of Nations , through d on f visory Committee Tra fic in Opium , is endeavor ing to secure that countries where the poppy is grown shall gu arantee to restrict its cultivation to a quantity sufficient t o supply only medicinal see requirements . Many would rej oice to the Formosan Government remove this blot from her good name and put the drug beyond the reach of her people .

Tobacco . The tobacco industry in Formosa has already become a Government monopoly . Probably more money is spent on tobacco in its various forms than on opium in its worst period .

Men and women , young and Old Of every class , both Japanese and Formos an , are addicted to this

a i n h bit , some Of whom are cigarette fiends as curable as opium smokers . Western nations ,

18 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

channel , stuck their horny heads under the northern hills , bored their way in a wild and tortuous fashion and tossed up in their onward march the majestic mountains which to - day form the backbone Of this picturesque island ? was I t left to the Japanese , who have never Shown much respect for the foolish superstitions to Of the Formosan people , develop this industry . d a - To ay , however , the m jority Of the mine owners “ ” are Formosans . During the recent Great War Formosan coal was exported to all the seaports in the East . r l m Gas an d Pe t o eu . Natural gas and petrol e m n u also have bee found , but , as yet , have not been developed to any great extent . Three years o f ago , near the city Taihoku , a group Of men , for of when digging water , struck a vein gas . A superstitious Old lady , fearing they had let loose the fumes from the nether world , took a bundle of joss set to paper to the spot , and fire it , at the same time imploring the gods for mercy . Her appeal must have been unheard by the gods , for suddenly her f r - hair caught fire , and but o these same well diggers she would have perished . B orits Petroleum was first discovered near y u , - a S in mid Formosa , by an Americ n . everal wells are now operated in that district by a Japanese

Company . Natural gas , which is available in the

- same district , is used for operating the Oil wells .

The Oil is inferior to Western Oil , but this is probably

due to the need Of a better refinery . ILHA FORMOSA ” 19

h Su lp u r . In the neighborhood Of the Daiton hot range , in North Formosa , are found many

sulphur springs . Half an hour by train from

Taihoku brings one to the popular resort Of Hokuto ,

where hundreds da ily enjoy the hot sulphur baths .

G old . The presence Of the treacherous head i n Karenk hunters the region Of the o plain , makes gold - mining in that section a dangerous enter

n t . prise , though it is carried o o some extent The chief gold mines are near Keelung . A few years ago there was a great rush to this Formosan Klon

. h as dyke While the rush subsided , these mines are still in operation , and produce a fair amount

Of gold . As in other lands , the gold mines have brought physical , financial , and moral ruin to f many . Stories Of the wreckage o human life in this district are many and varied among both a a J p nese and Chinese youth . Trad e an d n d r I u st y. The trade and industry of Formosa have been rapidly increasI ng In recent i years . Keelung harbor s becoming a centre Of considerable importance because Of the amount Of valuable export trade that passes through this seaport .

A Prophecy and a Challenge Thus briefly have we reviewed the marvellous a a n be uty , the main physic l features a d the natural resources Of Formosa . Interesting as those are , in these studies we are concerned with them mainly ’ in their relation to the extension O f Christ s King 20 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

do m . Formosa is yet one Of the isles that wait ” for His law . a As those brave voy gers Of early days , sailing along the coast O f the island and catching a glimpse O f its mountain peaks , its glimmering cascades and its terraced plains , exclaimed with glad surprise , “ ” Ilha formosa ! ilha formosa ! — ( Beautiful isle ! beautiful isle !) shall not we Of later days take these same words as a prophecy Of the time when ’ of ho Formosa s people , as followers Him w is the ” Fairest among ten thousand , shall know the a n beauty Of the Lord , d when , in a vastly wider , deeper sense , the island shall indeed be Ilha

Formosa . iBrapcr

GO D o ur ou n ti u C eato acce t our , b f l r r , p grati tud e for thi s world o f beauty i n whi ch Th ou h ast placed u s and for th e sen se O f beauty through whi ch Th ou can s t s peak t o us O f Thy A O f T h o s ai se hee and we Self . ll y w rk pr T ; wh ose eyes h ave b een gladd ened by th e wond er a nd loveli ness O f th e thi ngs whi ch Thy fingers have fashi oned would also o fler Th ee ou r lovi ng prai se .

AY all who re mai n i n ignoran ce O f Th ee throughou t th e world and es pe ci ally th ose wh o dwell i n t h e I sland O f Form osa be brough t t o know that Th o u h ast m ad e th em for Thyself and th at on ly t hrou gh T hy red eem i n g work can th e u gli ness an d di sord er O f S i n be rem oved and th e radia n ce o f th e divi ne ima ge com e i i M h e e u f i n to th e r possess on . ay t b a ty O h oli ness en ter i n to th eir lives as they open their eyes and th eir h eart s to th e ligh t O f th e knowledge O f th e glory O f God i n th e f i face O Jesus Chr st .

ND i t h ou an t O ai es t o d esu s w l T gr , f r L r J , that T hy m essage m ay be con veyed m ore and m o e wid e th o u h o ut o mosa th at r ly r g F r , Thy spiri t m ay be comm u n i cated rapidly from i e t o i e un ti all O f th e I s a nd eauti u h a l f l f , l l B f l S ll be radiant i n the b eau ty o f h oli n ess a nd shall blossom wi th Thin e own fairness as a gard en O f ’ t he hi for hi m e s Lord . Gran t t s T ne own Na s e E A N . ak . M CHAPTER I I

H THE PEO PLE , T EI R RULERS AND RELI GIONS

HO are the pe ople living in the Island ? Beautiful What is their history , and what do they believe ? These are ques We tions that at once arise , and to which must have some answer before discussing mission work

there . Naturally we think first Of the early

inhabitants .

The Abori gi nes

s r u Vari ou G o ps . The aborigines of Formosa may be classified into three main groups . First , hi - oans be the Ch h , or green savages , who have come famous on account Of their head - hunting propensities , and who may be divided into nine f t distinct tribes , all of which di fer , to some ex ent , in customs and dialects . The second group is made

- - up Of the Ami and Lam si hoan tribes , who inhabit the Karenko and Pinan plains along the east - and coast of the island . These are semi civilized , , 22 A ND 23 THE PEOPLE , THEIR RULERS RELIGIONS

since the arrival of the Japanese , have engaged

in farming . Pe ohoans o The third group consists Of the p , r ” Sekh oans savages Of the plain , and the , or ” O f b cooked savages , who , recent years , have e S f come quite civilized . ome O them were brought into contact with Christianity during the Dutch

occupation , while most of them throughout the island have been influenced by the mission work of was Pe ohoans modern times . It among the p and Sekhoans a a i n th t the English Presbyteri n Mission , S a e n outh Formosa , to a l rge extent , had its first a i i n i b tr nce , wh le the north these tr es were brought i Dr under the nflu ence of the gospel during . George ’ Leslie Mackay s lifetime . They are , however ,

fast passing away , and the survivors are being i a rapidly ass milated , through intermarri ge , with

the more Virile and progressive Chinese race . Th ei Or i i i r g n . The origin O f these abor gines is i clouded in mystery . There are no records to n form us who the immigrants were that first set S foot on Formosan soil . ome claim that they were

Negritos from the Philippine Islands . There are traditions to the effect that their ancestors came i n from the south , being driven north the typhoons . f f The existence O so many tribes , di fering in cus

- toms , folk lore , and dialects , has SO far proved a O knotty problem for the students f ethnology . It may be safely assumed that the aborigines O f For mosa have a mixture o f Mongol (Proto - Malayan) and Indonesian blood . The island , doubtless , was 24 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL originally inhabited by some Of the same people who moved northward on the general wave O f migration and Occupied the Philippine Islands as well as the southern part Of Japan . There are evidences of some distant blood relationship be tween them and the inhabitants Of the southern

islands of Japan . At all events Japan , without

doubt , had some intercourse with Formosa even

in prehistoric days . Very early in historic times , Japanese pirates scoured the Pacific coast as far a south as M cao . How they could miss this large f t island it would be di ficult o surmise . Th ei r s l i on an d r l I o at C u e ty . Though we have no accurate record O f their earliest intercourse with

the outside world , there is abundant evidence that for generations these tribes were accustomed to n o carry o warfare with ne another . The only policy on which they agreed was their stubborn ll resistance to a outside political interference .

Japanese , Chinese , British and American ships on O f came to grief the stormy coast Formosa , but scarcely any Of their unfortunate crews ever r survived , owing either to the cruel waves , o to the

more cruel savages . SO far no Christian work h as been done among t the savages . For years the wo missions , South

and North , have been keeping this most urgent call before the home churches in England and O f Canada . Surely the evangelization a hundred thousand savages is a problem to challenge the

heroic young people Of our land .

26 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

Dutch language . I t was required that on Sundays they should dress in Dutch fashion and conform t o certain other external regulations . h i i l r f T e r Fa u e . The di ficulty in bringing about any permanent moral reform was a cause O f contin

ual distress to the missionaries , though the Rev . Robert Junius received much praise for the great changes which were brought about in the people

during his years Of toil among them . It i s inter ffi esting to notice , however , that the Dutch O cials claimed that a short time after he had returned to the Fatherland , several villages rebelled against

their authority . A few months after Koxinga drove the Dutch f out Of the island , there was scarcely a trace O their O f or work , in the Shape schools chapels , to be seen .

The natives , encouraged by the Chinese colonists

and soldiers , removed every vestige of the Western S religion . everal of the missionaries and teachers were cruelly treated and at least three Of them

were crucified . Two hundred years afterward , in 1865 , when the first English missionaries arrived in Old Formosa , the only trace Of the Dutch Church they found was some books which fell into their

hands . i l d a Wh y Th ey Fa e . Some reasons may be d of vanced to explain , at least partially , the failure

the work O f the Dutch Church in Formosa . First , the policy Of transplanting a Western system of Church and State among these simple - minded A ND 27 THE PEOPLE , THEIR RULERS RELIGIONS

For people was a mistake . the most part , it was the political rod with the name O f the Church , f rather than the moral persuasiveness o the Gospel , that brought about the changes effected in the outward conduct o f these subjugated people . Idolatry was punished by law and religion was a f a matter o st te compulsion . The missionaries came , not merely as heralds O f the Cross , but as ‘ O fli cials Of the Dutch Church , supervised by the flfi i l state O c a s whose headquarters were at Batavia , in Java . It was the case of a political organization making use of the civilizing agency of the Christian

fo r . Church , the purpose Of developing its own trade n The missionaries taught ot only Christian truth ,

— but also rice planting and other crude industries , effe a policy which , no doubt , could have been an c tive evangelizing agency , had no state authority i been associated with t. Alfred Russell Wallace , on the famous scientist , who , while a tour in the

Dutch Malay peninsula , wrote at length on this subject , was delightfully surprised at the work which the missionaries had accomplished among these backward races , but while giving great credit to for them their success , called the method Of the “ Dutch government parental despotism .

In the second place , some Of the missionaries were led to become traders themselves . Their salaries were paid out O f the revenue which passed through their hands . Liquor and tobacco allow u a ces were sent them from B atavia . They were in 28 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL charge O f the hunting lic enses which were granted annually to the Chinese hunters . Furthermore , the temptation to waste much precious time at i the chase was naturally very strong . Each m s sionar a y was allowed three hunting dogs , and e ch

‘ teacher , two . It is quite conceivable that some Of them spent more time in hunting than in mission work . a In the third pl ce , there were several moral lapses among the teachers sent o ut from Holland . f Some Of the O fenders were imprisoned , while others r were sent back to their homeland . There a e certain sins among civilized races , which , under the traditional laws Of these savage tribes , are followed f with severe punishment . Japanese O ficials con fess that some of the outrageous acts O f the head h ne unters , as when they rose in o night and Slew all the Japanese in the district , were due to the mis i conduct O f their soldiers . All these unworthy n ciden ts in missionary life among the natives would create doubts in their minds as to the motives O f

- a nd even their father superior , nullify in no small measure the Spiritual impressions and atmosphere created . a a In the fourth place , b ptizing by vill ges , as well as on personal profession of faith , was common among the Dutch missionaries . Mass movements in any land carry with them possibilities O f large and very serious dangers . Men are saved not collectively but individually . Those who have A ND 29 THE PEOPLE , THEIR RULERS RELIGIONS

been too free with the water Of baptism have often times had to drink their own bitter tears Of

repentance . The D u tch regime came to an end before the missionaries were able to extricate themselves from this bondage Of state and Church— a system h as which , in the Western world , not contributed a to spiritu l freedom , much less did it do SO among

the primitive races Of Formosa .

Formosan Chi nese

The Formosan Chinese m ake up the large i i m aj or ty Of the popul at on . Their first connection with Formosa goes back several centu ries . Before the Dutch a rrived the more daring O f the Chinese traders and hunters had had some intercourse

- a a on with the semi civilized s v ges the west coast . i a The pol tic l relation , however , between China and a a 1662 Koxin a Formos d tes from , the year g drove D the u tch ou t Of the island . Following the civil i f zing influence O the Dutch , they crossed the channel in thousands and began to establish colonies . om i n O f K i n a a 1661 con C g ox g . About the ye r ditions in China were m arked by much unrest a nd

on f a . disorder , account O the T rtar invasion The a Koxin a f mous Chinese pirate , g , whose mother was J apanese and whose father was a great Chinese a w rrior , could never be reconciled to the ruling in 30 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

on f China Of the Manchu dynasty , account o the shameful treatment his father had received at their hands . He was successful in several encounters , but at last , completely outnumbered , was defeated near Nanking . With his brave soldiers , he with drew to the neighborhood Of Amoy . His position in China becoming too uncomfort able , he entered into negotiations with the Chinese i colonists in Formosa , which resulted n his appear on 1 ing , early e morning in 662, under the Dutch ! Fort , eelandia , with three hundred Chinese ships

- fiv n manned by twenty e thousand soldiers , a d f demanding its surrender . After nine months O the most heroic resistance by the Dutch Ofii CI aI S

. as as and soldiers , well by missionaries and teachers , they were compelled to surrender . Few pages in history are more heartrending than those which relate the story of the sufferings Of these brave

Hollanders . The missionaries seemed to have ff su ered most , even at the hands Of the semi civilized savages whom they had sought in so Koxin a many ways to help . g did not long enj oy 1 n 663 . his triumph , his death occurri g in Th e H kl kk o os an d H a as . With the coming Of Koxin n ga , the Chinese colonists swarmed i to

Formosa by the tens o f thousands . This tide Of immigration continued steadily for several gener a tions during the Chinese regime . A large stream poured in first Of a ll from the district around Amoy H oklos in South Fukien . These were called , and AND 3 1 THE PEOPLE , THEIR RULERS RELIGIONS

spoke the Amoy dialect . A later influx was from the Swatow district in North Kwangtung Province . a These were called H kkas , and spoke the Hakka a dialect . When the Jap nese took possession in 1895 was , the Chinese population reckoned at about ’ 1 6 a f Koxin a s From 6 3 , the ye r O g death , till 1 95 n 8 , when the Japanese took possession , was o e long period O f sanguinary struggles with the savages and Of ceaseless rebellion among the u Chinese themselves , witho t order or safe govern n ment in the isl and . This was practically the co dition when Dr . G . L . Mackay landed in North 18 2 Formosa in 7 .

J apanese Occupati on

Th e om i n f h a n C g O t e J pa ese . The Japanese n w o govern Formosa . The events that led up to f their occupation o the island are interesting . It should be borne in mind that China had no legal

Koxin a a se - claim to Formosa . g was a pirate , and it was with no right and without compensation that he took possession Of the island . With the o f L O h a annexation the O C u Isl nds by Japan , For mosa was brought into closer geographical relation a with that country . Wh tever intercourse the J apanese had before with the Formosans was o f a a a a a c su l n ture . The incident is recorded th t when a a the Dutch l nded in Formos , they found a group 32 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

a Of J panese settled in the south of the island , who claimed ownership . The Dutch requested as much f land as could be covered by the hide O an ox . Struck by the modesty Of the request the Japanese h I d e agreed to it . The Dutch took a , no doubt

- f that Of a huge water bu falo , and cutting it into narrow strips , tied these together , forming a line long enough to enclose a plot Of ground on w hich they built Fort ! ealandia . The story goes on to a relate that the J ap nese left Formosa in disgust , while the Dutch settled down to the task Of estab li i sh ng their colony . By this time the Japanese h ad traders become interested in Formosa , though no political issues h ad yet arisen between the two nations . 18 7 1 I n December , , the month in which Dr . a G . L . Mackay landed in South Formosa , a l rge Japanese vessel from the LO OCh u Islands was wrecked on the south coast o f Formosa . The a m j ority Of the crew were murdered by the savages . f A few escaped . When the news O the disaster reached Japan they s ought redress from the Chinese

Government , but were told that China had no j urisdiction over the unsubjuga ted tribes in For 1 73 mosa . In 8 a similar shipwreck incident occur O f red , but this time the Japanese took the matter own demanding penalty into their hands , a course which nearly led to war between the two nations . It was averted by China agreeing to pay an i n dem n ity to defray the expense O f the Japanese

34 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

on board a Japanese vessel , in the outer harbor

Of Keelung . ’ Japan s victory , through her shrewd and self

assertive diplomacy , helped in her rapid rise to the

rank Of a leading world power . Since that event , she h as a by successive moves , added gre tly to her n t political prestige , o only in the East , but in

the far West . i i i n t h e lan d Upr s n gs I s . The signing of a

treaty was an easy matter , but the subj ugation Of

the frantic Formosans , who were maddened by the a t n cowardly c Of the Chinese governme t , was not so

. n easy a task The Japa ese , however , were not to be intimidated by the general uprising throughout

n . ff the isla d They e ected a safe landing , and , in a of n very short time , took possession the orth , and c moved southward till they rea hed Tainan , the Old

capital Of the island . Within a year the whole

Chinese population was practically subdued . LO l ca uprisings , espe cially among the Hakkas , con

r . n tinned fo some time The last o e , which 19 13 occurred in , resulted in nearly one hundred

' Hakkas being beheaded . According to the public n f statement Of the Japa ese O fi cials , Formosan Christians took no part i n any Of these local uprisings .

Su bju gati n g Savage Tri bes . A tremendous task still faced the Japanese government— that Of subj ugating over a hundred thousand head -hunters who inhabited the mountain fastnesses . These AND G O 35 THE PEOPLE , THEIR RULERS RELI I NS

O f for wild , savage tribes , lords the soil millenniums , were not found amenable to either moral or physical pe rsuasion , but fiercely resisted all encroachment on their territory by the invaders . There were serious diflerences at headquarters as to the best S method Of suppression . ome Of the Japanese thought these savages were not human beings .

However , those with saner and more humane views w c on the day . The poli y Of gradual conquest by force and constant diplomatic negotiations has practically brought about the subj ugation Of these tribes . Many lives were lost , both Japanese and f Formosan , and much money spent in the di ficult o task . The scaling f steep and lofty mountains covered with primeval forests , and the crossing Of r was deep go ges with their turbulent streams , an experience to which the Japanese soldiers brave a nd fearless as they are , were u naccustomed . Their loss during the campaign amounted to about ten thousand . Often in the middle Of the night , the savages would come down on an isolated patrol of and soldiers , murdering them all , take away , as f trophies o their prowess , every head they could carry . For the purpose Of protecting them not selves , for the extermination Of the savages , as v al some reports ha e stated , wire fences , loc ly electrified , were constructed by the Japanese . ’ Ja an s Tre of r p atm en t H e Colony . Gradually these savage people were p acified . In groups Of

fifties and hundreds , they were brought to the chief 36 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

s centres and hown civilized life in the cities , towns and villages throughout the island . They are now being taught farming and other methods of making a livelihood . Many schools have been established among them . It is hoped that in a Short time the privilege may be granted Of preaching to them , ’ O f without restriction , the gospel God s grace . The limitati on now existing will be referred to in a later chapter s The writer believes that the best policy would be to appeal to the Japanese Christian Churches to undertake this as their own Home

Mission work .

When Formosa was ceded to Japan , the eyes O f n all the world were o the Japanese Government . The Western nations wondered how she would succeed in her new experiment O f subj ugating and colonizing alien races .

Shortly after her occupation of the island , a Governor-General was appointed with complete as military control , well as civil administrative powers . Many reports were scattered abroad about the treatment the Formosans received at the

‘ hands Of the Japanese d uri ng this period . Doubt less there were instances of the most trying pro vocation , as when the massacre Of J apanese men , women and children by the Formosan brigands was followed by cruel reprisals . The reports sent home by the missionaries regarding conditions at that time indicate that there were two sides to the situ was ation . Rev . William Gauld , who in charge AND 37 THE PEOPLE , THEIR RULERS RELIGIONS

1895 : Of the Canadian Presbyterian work in , wrote “ ’ a a Formos is now part Of the Mikado s domain , O f and with the restoration peace , it will , we trust i share n the civilization of th at Great Empire . a Dr . Mack y , after his return from furlough the i “ follow ng year , wrote in his report : Many Japanese soldiers and coolies have shown their Of hatred to the religion Jesus , and many Japanese Christians have stepped to the front for Christ

our . King Personally , I have met with nothing save respect and kindness from Japanese f a . coolies , soldiers and O fici ls , civil and military I am acquainted with a few Offi cers whose de meanor , during those dark days , has been worthy

Of the highest commendation . n u There were , o do bt , isolated cases where the behavior Of certain classes o f Japanese was most a i i n ggravating to fore gners from the West , and

tolerable to the better class of Formosan people . a on The presence Of brig nds , who carried pillage and u a m rder , and who created gener l excitement a i and confusion among the peace ble inhab tants , made it v ery difficult for the Japanese soldiers to distinguish between the innocent and the guilty . Those who hated the Christians took the oppor tu n ity afforded for venting that h atred by falsely i i i O f i mpl cat ng many them , and in th s way were the

‘ cause Of many Christians being put to death . i t was f Whenever , however , reported to the O ficials a that those arrested were Christi ns , they were 38 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

released . The result was that many heathen feigned Christianity by carrying Bibles and hymn books on their persons . Following the turbulent of f state a fairs that marked the first few months , conditions soon began to settle down . Order was O f established and an era progress inaugurated .

The worst feature , probably , of the whole code Of criminal laws in Japan is the principle that the accused is reckoned guilty until he has proved himself innocent . This has Often led to men and women , in order to escape torture , telling what they thought the policemen wished them to tell . f The Japanese O ficials themselves , without doubt , have recognized the serious consequences that must inevitably grow out Of a basic principle SO utterly wrong .

Ed ca i l . u t on a System The Japanese were scarcely a year in Formosa when they began the introduction of an educational system for the For sad re mosan youth . I t will always stand as a flection on the backward state Of the island at that time , that Mr . Katori , head of the educational department , and his five associates were murdered in their O fli ce by a group Of misguided Formosans .

Notwithstanding this unfortunate circumstance , ” a system of National Education was established that year . This interest in education has ever since been d o maintained . To ay there are normal sch ols , ’ middle schools , girls schools , technical schools , an THE PEOPLE , THEIR RULERS AND RELIGIONS 39

agricultural school , and schools for experimental

farming and forestry . Complaints have been made that the Japanese have Shown no desire to give an Opportunity for higher education to the

Formosan youth . It is true that some Officials at the head Of the Department Of Education took

the View that the Formosans , being a subject race , a did not need such educ tional advantages . The

- civil administrators in Formosa to day , however ,

are planning better things . A new educational

policy is now being outlined by the government , which provides for additional middle schools for

boys , a few Of which will be opened to both Japanese and Formosans alike —a great advance on the Old

policy Of racial separation . At the present time , f hundreds o Formosan young men , and a con si e abl d r e number Of young women , are in atten dance at the chief centres Of learning in Japan . r Medi cal Ad van ce . In no department has Fo mosa made more progress under Japanese rule than a in that Of medicine . Over twenty ye rs ago a medical school was established in Taihoku . It was not long till many Formosans were considering the medical profession . From this school forty to sixty students graduate every year . In Taihoku one city are two large hospitals , Of which will f compare favorably in size , sta f and equipment with the hospitals of Western cities . In the larger centres throughout the island there are hospitals under the direction o f Japanese and Formosan 40 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

n doctors , while most Of the smaller. tow s boast Of a government dispensary and a Formosan doctor .

Among these native doctors are a few Christians , o ffice - several Of whom are bearers in the church . Er i n c u a em en Of r l r o g t Ag cu tu e . One of the most important steps taken by the Formosan f r Government , o the encouragement Of farming and f industry in general , was that O handing over the land to the people as their perpetual possession . f Under Chinese control , it was the property o land owners , and the tenant never knew when he might have t o move . The opportunity was now given to all to put in their claim for the land which they were occupying , and to have it duly registered . The consequence was that as soon as these farmers realized that the land was their own and that under Japanese law their property was safe , they at once took a new interest and began improve ments on the land . Complaints are sometimes made that in remote sections , where subordinates are in control , the Japanese citizen receives better treatment than the Formosan , but generally this difficulty is removed by more careful supervision f on the part O f higher O ficials . ri l d v n M at e a A a ce . Without fear Of criticism , one has to admit that Formosa under Japanese rule during these twenty - eight years has made remark one om able progress i n things material . When c pares the present prosperity O f the people and one conditions in general with the past , is compelled

42 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

intelligent . The younger generation , however , is

becoming so rapidly Japanese in manners , language

and dress , through education and constant associ

ation with the Japanese , that one can readily conceive O f the final merging Of the two races in

Formosa . The recent removal Of hindrances to intermarriage will accelerate the process Of assimilation . M r l r Soci al an d o a W on gs . While in material f af airs there has been remarkable advance , in which i n the people have benefited exceedingly , matters ro moral and spiritual , we fear there has been no p gress , except in SO far as Christian missions have ff l a ected the socia and religious life Of the people . e n Some features , new to Formosa , have b e intro d uced that have n ot been for the moral uplift Of

n . the atives Prostitution , which is legalized in f h Japan through a policy o segregation , as been introduced into the island , and has brought moral disaster to many , Japanese and Formosans . If we in the West were free from many Of these social and moral evils , we could more readily criticize some Of the Objectionable features Of the ethics of the Japanese government , but whilst living in glass houses ourselves , we may well hesitate before casting stones . Reli i ou s i ber t g L y . From the missionary point

Of View , there is the greatest religious liberty in

Formosa . Christian work is conducted without

“ any hindrance o n the part O f the government or its AND E3 O THE PE PLE , THEIR RULERS R LIGIONS 4

ffi to sa o cials . It is safe y that never has there arisen during these years any misunderstanding between the missionaries and the government ffi S o cials . ometimes , where policemen did not know Of the existence Of this liberty for the pro a tion f p ga Of the Christian faith , di ficulties have

occurred between them and the Christians , but in every case these difficulties have been settled by f on the higher O ficials in a satisfactory manner , several occasions policemen having been removed

to avoid further trouble . We question if any country enj oys a larger measure Of religious liberty

than do the Formosan people at the present time . a - on Some years go the Governor General , assuming ffi to u O ce , gave instructions have a religious cens s

carefully taken in Formosa . As a result Of the

census , he publicly expressed his Opinion that only the Christian faith was doing anything for the moral

uplift Of the people . Under the sane and able

- administration Of the present Governor General ,

Baron Dan , it is expected that even greater pro b gress will e made along every line . n es h u r h es Japa e C c . TO meet the Spiritual needs Of the Japanese citizens , the Presbyterian , the Congregation al and the Episcopalian Churches

of Japan have been organized , some Of them for

Over twenty years . They are not , however , meet th to - ing e needs , any extent , Of the non Christian -s community . They are self upporting , but , having

no outside financial support , they are not in a 44 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

position to take up the task Of the eva ngelization own Of their people in Formosa . We fear the Christian Churches Of Japan have not yet fully realized their responsibilities in this important : matter . A visit from the Japan Evangelistic f Band , under the capable leadership o Mr . James f Cuthbertson , gave striking evidence O what might and be done along this line in the future . He three ’ able evangelists conducted a three months cam ai n p g throughout the island , both among the

Japanese and the Formosan people , with marked success .

The Reli gi ons of Formosa

Lack Of Reli gi ou s G en i u s i n t h e People . The

one a longer lives in Formosa , the less he v lues the i i n rel gious genius Of the people . Unreality and difference to the moral dem ands Of any practical

religion are manifest . Often the most ardent devotees O f their religI ons are the most immoral f men in the district . It would be di ficult to find anywhere religion and morality more completely separated . The gambler goes up to the temple to

pray , not as a publican , not even as the pharisee , but as a man who implores the gods to help him in

robbing another Of all he can , though he knows it ’ i may mean the ruin Of that man s fam ly . The f young woman who lives a life O shame , with her

gold necklace and anklets , her showy rings , and

THE FAMOUS TEMPLE AT HOK KO

CHURCH AT S I NTI AM AND 45 THE PEOPLE , THEIR RULERS RELIGIONS

her h air bedecked with golden ornaments , goes up without a blush on her face and prays to the gods to give her prosperity . The tragedy O f it all i s th at few even think Of the flagrant incongruity . a r a are on As in Chin , the th ee m in religions C

f i an ism a and . so uc , T oism Buddhism These are a completely merged , th t the follower Of any Of the three has a tinge O f each in his or her religious life

an . d practice We must first of all , however , con i sider the religion O f the abor gines . n i m i A sm . A stu dy of the religious beliefs O f the aborI gI nes reveals the fact that while there is a wide divergence among the different tribes as to are the actual Objects of worship , all spirit wor i are sh ppers . TO some these spirits resident in the s n r u o moon , while to others the spirits dwell in the mountains . A few worship idols , though idol worship is not genera l throughout the various

tribes . A peculiarity Of the savage religion is found in the Ami tribe . They believe in the imperishability O f spirit and in the existence O f a heavenly place Of rest , but they condition their entrance into heaven u pon the acceptance of a certain rite or ceremony O f O f consisting the sprinkling water , coupled with “ ” a f pr yer , by an O ficial Prayer T eacher . Once O f S every year , in the month eptember , the Prayer ” Teacher is called in and the service held . In this way they feel tha t they are assured Of an entrance

into the land Of eternal happiness . 46 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

n c O f n a The exceedi g fero ity the aborigi es , s

- exemplified in their head hunting custom , which i is common to nearly all tribes , s one reason why they have been left so long without Christian

teaching . They regard this savage custom as an f observance o ancestral teaching , and therefore Of

deep religious significance . n ia i m Co fu c n s . The longer one studies Confu ci anism the more deeply one i s convinced Of the difficulty Of placing it among the classic religions Of f r the world . Except o the repeated mention Of “ n t r heaven , which could o have had any pe sonal f r on n s sign ificance o Confucius himself , e fi d s s carcely any trace Of deep religious genius , uch as i i s found , for example , n Buddhism .

Taoi sm . s n Taoism appears as a filthy , poi o ous stream that has filtered down the wider current of ’ n s n Chi a superstitious life , gatheri g more filth n i o ts downward course , til! at last it has perme ated and degraded the whole religious life Of the people .

The result is a conglomeration Of spiritism , demon ism e - , witchcraft , sorc ry , fortune telling and other ss elements which have brought bondage , blindne ,

n . ignorance a d spiritual death In fact , the Taoist priests are the most useless and degraded m en in the t re island . They e ntertain the peo ple a their li i o s a o r n g u perform nces , such as the rite f escui g o a souls fr m purgatory , by repeating most degr ding Me o ld . n rhapsodies and women , young and , i as listen till all hours n the night , and regard it n pleasant entertai ment .

48 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

1920 According to the government figures for , Formosa h as a total population Of Of these , are Formosan Chinese , are aborigines , while are Japanese citizens . The rest are Chinese from the mainland and about 80 foreigners , consisting Of Consuls , business men , teachers , Roman Catholic priests and British missionaries from England and Canada . Of the O f total population the Island Beautiful , the Can adian Presbyterian Church has assumed the re sponsibility for the evangelization Of upwards Of one - sh one and half million . Is e adequately dis charging her Obligation ? iBraprt

GOD who h st m e f , a ad o one blood all nati ons O f men h e s e i , lp u to r cogn ze our ki n ship wi th all manki nd and to count the m en and women O f Formosa our ve ry brothers and M h m i h i s te s . a we to o n T me s r y , w y rcy and wi sdom the gospel O f T hy Son has been mad e known and whose life has been enri ched a nd i ed the e t i n f m i upl ft r by , h k o the n love and

humility .

LI ER s m ll i - EV u o a a se es t m fr r c al lf ee a nd from any d epreciati on O f those i who are less pr vileged than we . Touch o ur hearts wi th Thine own compassion for those wh ose h eart and whose flesh cry out f r ee the i i n o b t wh n o Th , l v g G d , u o can o ly grope i n vain a fter Thee until they find H im wh o i s th e Way and also the Truth

and the Life .

I VEs t di sce n the rI celess a u a u o r p v l e nd the unlimi ted possibili ties O f every child i ne howe e di stant and diffe ent om O f Th , v r r fr H us to es ect e e m n ourselves . elp r p v ry hu a i t to e e ence the ca ci t f r God personal y , r v r pa y o i n every soul and to sh are Thy yearn i ng over every i ndividual life to whi ch Th ou art longi ng h se G an t t hi s 0 G d f r the . o o t o reveal T y lf r , , Th Son Wh o i s the De si e O f tions sake O f y , r Na

i f h e o d . EN . and the L gh t O t W rl AM

— I . B . 4. CHAPTER I I I

TH E PATH FI N DER OF NORTH FORMOSA

S we have seen in the previous chapter , the Canadian Church was not the first to begin

missionary work in the Island Beautiful . Two hundred years before its pioneer representative was sent , Dutch missionaries had been at work in the South and the island had been consecrated by 1865 a their blood . In , the English Presbyteri n

Church established its mission in the South . North for Formosa , however , was virgin soil missionary effort and into this field the Canadian Presbyterian

Church was divinely led .

Erl e rs a y Y a

The founder O f the Canadian Presbyterian

Mission in North Formosa , Rev . George Leslie D ! r D . . was Mackay , , born in the Township of o ra , on 21st of Oxford County , Ontario , the March , 1 to 844 . His parents came Canada from Suther H i l i 1 30 . s andsh re , Scotland , in 8 grandfather was a Highland soldier who had fought at Waterloo , a THE PATHFINDER OF NORTH FORM OSA 51 distinction that doubtless was not without its i n n on flue ce the family Of six children , Of whom the future missionary was the youngest . At all events ,

Ge orge Leslie Mackay all his life carried with him , n e ot only the bearing Of a Highland soldi r , but the authority of a Highland Chieftain .

Those were stirring days in Presbyterian circles .

The same year that Mackay was born , the Presby terian Church in Canada passed through an experi “ ence similar to the memorable Disruption Of o f the preceding year in Scotland . Many the “ ” congregations withdrew from the Auld Kirk and formed the Free Church . Among these was the ’ ! a to a orra congreg tion , which M ckay s parents '

was . belonged , and Of which the minister Rev D nz i h o onald M acKe e , w , like many others , preached every Lord ’ s Day in both Gaelic and

English . In those days there were few Sabbath schools o r ’ young people s societies . That did not mean , ! however , that the children Of orra settlement n o received religious instruction . It was indeed ’ far otherwise . George s parents brought with them from the Highlands o f Scotland their sacred

traditions and strong religious convictions , and cherished them the more in their new log- cabin in

the backwoods Of Ontario . The books commonly found in the homes O f the people in those days were S the Holy Bible , the Confession Of Faith , the horter ’ “ “ o rf l S Th Catechism , Boston s F u o d tate , e ’ ” “ En Saint s Everlasting Rest , The Anxious 52 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

’ uirer q , Guthrie s Great Interest , Samuel ’ “ Rutherford s Letters , and Memoirs Of Robert

Murray M acCheyne . It was in such an atmosphere our Formosan hero was born , nurtured and partly equipped for his life work . From his earliest years George

Opened his heart to eternal realities . If you had hi s asked him when he began to love Saviour , he could not have told you . If you had asked him why he became a missionary he would have ’ referred you to God s eternal purpose and counsel . From his childhood he was deeply impressed with O f things divine , and under the faithful ministry M a Kenz i Mr . c e , as well as the religious training

Of godly parents , he yielded his life fully to the f service O the King Of kings .

The godly , Highland home Of those days pro f d . O uced strong , robust character The altar

- family worship was the Chief corner stone , and the atmosphere was wholesome and impressive . There the Sabbath of the Lord was a delight . The ne thoughtless might look upon the day as o Of long , weary hours , but to George it was one Of peculiar enjoyment . Then there was the memorable “ ” Communion Season , when the Highland mini “ ” s t rs e , together with the Men , spoke on the “ f . . O ! uestion At such seasons , Rev John Ross , M K zi Br e field . ac en e uc , used Often to assist Mr , for it was through this man Of God that Mr . RO SS was led into a personal experience O f Christ .

Guided by these religious teachers , George drank THE PATHFINDER OF NORTH FORMOSA 53

i deeply at the founta n Of religious truth . The

Bible was to him a constantly Open book . TO him the ancien t prophets were real . With his vivid imagination he Saw them as giants standing on mountain peaks Of a great spiritual drama , and Often longed to scale the heights from which they peered into the future and to see the expanding

. too plains beneath He was a great lover , , Of the i a Psalms , wh ch , with m ny other passages , he learned by heart . Before reaching his teens , he had also committed to memory the Shorter

Catechism. a n i After finishing , at early age , his publ c school i S h s . a course , he followed teacher , Mr h w , an ex cellent - school master , to the high school in Ome a mee . M ckay never Shared in the sports . He preferred a book and the quiet byways and green meadows to the playground .

Mi ssi onary Ambi ti ons

O f first - At the age sixteen , he secured a class ’ teacher s certificate . He was , however , already hearing strange voices from unknown lands and having visions Of regions beyond . Only the ’ Eternal knew what was going on in Mackay s f' he art d uri ng those years o f silent but persistent preparation . He was not an ordinary youth , and a O f was not likely to follow the ordin ry tracks man . Two piercing eyes he had , but more piercing still he were the eyes Of his soul , with which saw Him 54 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL who is invisible and the life work that seemed to u be mapped o t for him by Providence .

Determination was written distinctly on his face , and having heard the divine call , he made up his mind that whatever talents God had given him on were to be placed the altar , without reserve , f for the service O his Lord and Master . Even in his youth there was much Of the Highlan d mystic element fashioning his life . Few people knew what he was thinking about , and fewer still knew i what h s next move would be . When a mere lad teaching school he used his spare hours in the study of theology and medicine .

Few men , who , like Mackay , were not professionals in medicine , have had such a remarkable career in that sphere of service . Of special interest is his record in teeth extraction . As one reads Of the number of teeth he extracted during his missionary on career , in some years upwards Of a thousand , e is tempted to imagine that his very presence among a group Of Chinese produced a strange desire to get rid Of their teeth . AS he grew to manhood his heart was stirred at the thought O f the great needs of the heathen world .

Had not the story Of India , as told by that prince ff on among missionaries , Dr . Alexander Du , his 1854 t tour through Ontario in , come o his ears when he was ten years Of age ? Had not the famous missionary to China , William Burns , passed through ! orra in his boyhood days and turned the young heart of the future Formosa missionary to

56 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL devoted to service in a land in which Christ was to t not known . His next step was return o Canada and offer himself for missionary service to his

Church , although there were few in the home Church who knew anything Of the youthful probationer .

Appoi ntment and Ordi nati on

His application for foreign mission work was in the hands Of the Committee and his speedy de parture depended solely on the decision of the

General Assembly , which met in ! uebec city on the 2 187 1 ud . Of June , The young probationer was invited to be present . The Assembly was agitated with questions Of hymns and organs , Auld and

Free Kirk problems , and the new Church Union movement . These questions , however , had little interest for young Mackay , whose thoughts were absorbed in the enterprise which had become the passion Of his life , namely the evangelization Of the world . The Committee ’ s report urged the Assembly to favor mission work among the heathen , and stated that “ a man has Offered and the Church seems prepared to meet the liability . Mr . Mackay , S o f a tudent the Church , having passed the winter f i s n w i . o n under Dr Du f , this city , ready to under h ” take t e work which the Church may appoint . The Assembly accepted the Committee ’ s report in the following minute THE PATHFINDER O F NORTH FORMOSA 57

f f ’ That the Of er o Mr . George L . Mackay s services as a missionary to the heathen be Cordially welcomed , and that he be , as he is hereby , called by this Assembly to go forth as a missionary of the Canada Presbyterian Church to the foreign field : “ That China be chosen as the field to which Mr .

Mackay Shall be sent , “ That the Presbytery Of Toronto be authorized to ordain Mr . Mackay to the holy ministry , and e a to make arrangem nts , in ccordance with the f r Foreign Mission Committee , o his designation to ” the work whereunto he has been called . 19 187 1 On the evening Of September th , , the ordination service took place in Gould Street

Presbyterian Church , Toronto , where Rev . John D D memor M . King , . . , was pastor . That was a I n able evening . addition to Mackay , there was ordained that evening a young probationer , Rev .

George Bryce , who had been recommended by

Dr . King to establish Manitoba College in Winni peg . Both the Home Mission and Foreign Mission

Committees were represented , the former to de signate Rev . George Bryce to the work in the West , and the latter to designate Rev . George Leslie

Mackay to that in the far East . These three men mentioned , each Of whom afterwards gave such fruitful service to the Presbyterian Church , had , ’ in turn , the honor Of filling the Moderator s chair at the Assembly . Mackay was now actually set apart for the work upon which his heart had been set SO long . One 58 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL month was left him for the visitation Of the Can “ i adian churches . He himself called this the ce ” age Of the Presbyterian Church . Many Of the ministers did not take him seriously , and con sequently their congregations were by no means enthusiastic . But Mackay was not to be discour o t hi aged . In fact he struck u Of s vocabulary the word discouragement . He had seen a heavenly h vision and to it e could not be disobedient . He had pledged himself faithfully to follow Jesus to a far distant land , and his Church had accepted him for that service .

Departure

Departure for his chosen field involved separation

‘ from home and loved ones . While in such natures as those Of the Mackay household sorrow may be t f buried ou O sight , it is none the less keen , and

Mackay shrank from this ordeal . 19 hi On the th Of October , a month after s de signation , he bade farewell to his people . His departure that morning was the talk of the district .

There goes George Leslie Mackay off to China . ” I wonder what will become o f him ? one might be o heard saying t another ; while another , with a : keener mind , uttered what was more significant You will never guess what the next report Of Mackay will be ; he has always been a mystery to ” Y s O ff ! Not us . e , to China quite a simple v en undertaking in those days . It was a grand THE PATHFINDER OF NORTH FORMOSA 59

’ ture , a great leap Of faith in God s purpose and Of l trust in His infinite resources . His credentia s ” on were the Great Commission , written large

fl - O f the tables Of his heart , and also on the y leaf the Bible presented to him by the Foreign Mission

Committee .

On the Voyage

187 1 On the first day Of November , , we find on Ameri ca Mackay a passenger board the , in San a t and Francisco h rbor . As the ship moved ou , n later as it left the mountain tips o the horizon , a f sense O deep loneliness , such as he had never before experienced , swept over him . Behind him he left

friends , many Of whom , it is true , no doubt mis O f understood him , ahead him lay a new and strange O f land , with yet stranger people . Some his I feelings at that t me he disclosed in his writings . “ ” “ or one Sooner later , he writes , enters Geth semane ; I found mine that day , and in the little cabin the soul was staggered for awhile . It was doubtless cheering to him to look forward to - landing in Hong Kong , where the British Flag

floated , and where he would be assured Of British on freedom and protection . A good deal Of time the voyage was spent in studying the map o f

ss a . China , in addition to several mi ion ry books Y ears before he had heard Rev . William Burns S relate the story Of the work in watow and Amoy , where the English Presbyterian Church had estab 60 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

li sh ed m I S I O n promising S centres . That story was still fresh in his mind . By the time he reached China , he had doubtless learned something f also Of Formosa , for many stories o adventure in that island had already spread throughout the

East .

- On his arrival in Hong Kong he was met by Dr .

Eitel , an English missionary , and the next day visited Canton , where he found two American mI SSI onaries one h a , Of whom he d known at Prince t on - . A few days after reaching Hong Kong , he on S S was his way to watow . The watow mission aries had been informed of his appointment to a Chin , and had heard Of his arrival . They had hoped that Mack ay might co - operate with them in their mission work , but they did not know their m an ? He was soon convinced that this was not the field he was seeking , and so moved northward to visit the mission station at Amoy .

Echoes Of Formosa had reached him , however , and he felt he could not settle anywhere till he had

. SO seen that island , drawn by the mystic cords O f n destiny , he is next to be found o board a small steamer making for Takow in the South of For

. o not mosa He had strong convicti n that , China , ac but Formosa , was to be his field Of labor , and cordi ngly wrote home to the Foreign Mission f s Committee to that e fect . The Committee at fir t questioned his wisdom , but his first report after landing removed their misgivings , and led them to the conclusion that divine leading had guided this THE PATHFINDER OF NORTH FO RMO SA 6 1 choice Of field by their first missionary to the far East . The English Presbyterian Chu rch h ad started f 1 6 O a 8 5 . work in the south the isl nd in . Dr

a . J mes Maxwell , Rev Hugh Ritchie , and others , i a a h ad establ shed a promising st tion at T kow and , ’ o f a a at the time M ck y s arrival , were opening a new ld station at the O capital , Tainan , from which place they h ad been driven a few years before . When i a n . Mack y landed Takow , he learned that Mr Ritchie and family were visiting chapels twenty C six miles away . With a hinese convert as a i se t o f gu de , he out in search the English mission was i n 1 1 a 87 . ary . Th t December , From then 7th o f M 18 72 was till the arch , , he entertained in ’ that missionary s home . We h ave followed Mackay all the way from the home l and to Sou th Formosa . We see him now M r Ri h I . tc e s a sitting in a corner Of home , Chinese teacher by his side . While studying Chinese a a u of colloquial , he m kes caref l study conditions throughout the island . He learns Of the million Chinese in the North who h ave never heard the a i u Gospel . He feels th t the myst c to ch Of the hand that has hitherto led him is urging him to be i n up and enter the field the North . At length he i makes known his decis on to Mr . Ritchie . God ’ a bless you , M ckay , is his friend s glad response . SO with the opening Of spring , we find Mackay and Dr D A Ritchie , with . ickson , who joins them at n a S ea -Dra on a a a ping , on bo rd the g , sm ll ste mer THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

- on h north bound , and March 9t they reach the ams i harbor Of T u .

B egi nni ng Work i n North Formosa

N 0 other s pot in the north Of Formosa i s so r beautiful , whether viewed from the land o from m i sea T a s . the , as u harbor The charm of such a landscape touched the Canadian missionary , and ’ “ Mr . Ritchie s exclamation , Mackay , this is your parish , found its echo in his heart . It was indeed - of his parish for twenty nine years arduous , z ealous labors . From the harbor could be seen the Old Dutch

Fort , the British Consulate , the lofty Daiton mountains , whose highest peak rose feet sea com above level ; and across the river , more t manding still , towered o a height Of feet

- ' T a s i e n im . m b autiful Koa The little town Of u , fiv with a population Of e thousand , nestled along

- the river bank , and extended over the hill above .

A feeling Of adventure , mingled with a strange and compelling attractiveness , filled the mind Of the young Canadian missionary , to whom the whole territory was handed over with the prayer and i blessing Of h s fellow missionaries . A simpler way Of transferring territory which belonged to the

King Of kings could not be imagined . k AS M ac ay stood looking at the whole panorama , n the mou ntains , the river windi g southward like a i s monster serpent , the villages on t banks and the

64 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

could enter into every innocent hilarity that might

be going the rounds . From the records left Of t his

trip , the experiences Of the trio must have been intensely interesting and novel to the young

missionary , as they endeavored to accomplish t he n impossible task Of evading Chi ese smells , Of - O swallowing Chinese mince meats , f defying For O f mosan mosquitoes , teaching the pigs better t manners , and of becoming reconciled o the fellow i ship O the familiar guests Of a Chinese inn . I n the of course a few days , they reached the most north f erly station o the South Mission , where the boun dary line between that and the new mission was defined . After a few days spent among the

converts in a Pepohoan village , Mackay , with one t ams i Chinese , started back o T u , there to begin his work alone among those who hated and de i “ sp sed the barbarian .

Earl Ex eri ences y p

’ Many of Mackay s experiences during the first

few months are recorded in other volumes . That f n the arrival o the Canadian missionary , a Formosa

preacher and a cook , should cause such commotion , and stir up SO much animosity at the very begin

ning , may be a surprise to some . Before Mackay

arrived , wild rumors were in Circulation about the “ ” Jesus Doctrine . It was reported that the foreign missionaries plucked out the eyes and hearts Of all the converts after death to make THE PATHFINDER O F NORTH FO RMO SA 65

i i to - med c ne , that they sent men the market places on a to throw poisonous drugs me t and vegetables .

These , and other stories still wilder , were freely circulated . An idea that was prevalent , over which was a the people were much excited , th t foreigners came with the purpose Of taking possession Of the S a island . ome time before Mack y arrived in T am sui S a , the Chinese in outh Formos , instigated a i by influenti l men , molested both Roman Cathol c and English mission chapels . On receiving the at report , the British Consul , who was the time in

- - O f- Hong Kong , sent a British man war direct to a a Anping . The Chinese were l rmed and pled with the English missionaries to continue their

u . work , promising no f rther trouble

Fi rst Frui ts

While crossing the Pacific , Mackay had prayed that God would give him as hi s first convert a young man Of such gifts and graces as would make him f a e fective in pre ching the gospel . The Lord seemed to be preparing the way for an answer to h ad . a his prayer One afternoon , after Mack y his T ams i settled in little hut in u , a man Of pleasing demeanor and above the average in intelligence , a entered the room , desirous Of t lking with the mis si n r H o a y . e had travelled extensively in China an d was therefore more ready to enter into con a hi . s vers tion with a foreigner On second visit ,

Mackay gave the young man a hymn book . It

- I , B . 5. 66 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

was not long before the missionary became fully convinced that this was the one for whom he

had prayed . ’ The story Of Giam - a-hoa s conversion i s related in ” From Far Formosa . He developed into a man f r o singular ability in eve y line Of Christian work .

He was a good teacher , and preached with Clearness

of thought and language . The young missionaries

could follow him , both in conversation and in the an pulpit , much more easily than they could y other

native . He acquired a remarkable knowledge Of

Church law and order , and seemed to have minute t ff f acquain ance with all the a airs o mission work .

- Mackay put absolute confidence in A hoa , and

made him his lifelong companion . ’ Mackay tells the story Of A- hoa s first prayer in “ the following words : He never attempted public

prayer in his life before , and the request came upon l n him unexpectedly . Immediately he fel o his

knees before a rickety Old bamboo chair . He was n terribly in earnest , and his halting words a d broken petitions were charged with most intense

emotions . Grasping the arms Of the chair firmly u m with both hands , he shoved it over the hard , r a om ani even floo , making a hideous , creaking cc p ment to his faltering sentences . By the time his prayer was finished he had moved half-way across the room . A- Before long hoa had three companions who , in after years , rendered much useful service for the as Church . One of these w Tan He , who became THE PATHFINDER OF NORTH FORMOSA 67 the first pastor called by the people to a settled

GO - u pastorate ; another was Khoan j , who for forty years preached in North Formosa . These young disciples became greatly attached to their new teacher and under his teaching made good pro gress in the knowledge Of Christian truth . S 1873 al On the second abbath of February , , ’ most a year after Mackay s arrival in North For mosa , five converts , in the presence Of an astonished and frenzied Chinese mob , publicly professed their faith in Jesus Christ through the rite Of baptism .

On the following Sabbath , the same young converts

sat . round the table of the Lord Thus , through these sacraments , the Christian Church was founded in North Formosa .

The record Of incident after incident moves on .

The week following , we find Mackay with his con verts opening the first Christian chapel at the little

O f - - village GO kO khi . In this chapel he per

' a formed his first Chinese marri ge ceremony , a ceremony which even to - d ay creates much excitement .

Rei nforcements Arri ve

The North Formosa Mission was now founded , but the task O f evangelizing the multitudes in that region was becoming increasingly serious . The medical needs Of the people must have led Mackay to feel that the starting O f medical work would help probably more than anything else to remove 68 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

existing suspicions , for he had not been long in Formosa before he wrote home asking that a

out . medical missionary be sent In response , Rev .

. . 1874 . J . B . Fraser , M D , was appointed in as Dr ’ on 29th Mackay s colleague , and January Of the following year he and his family reached Formosa . One can readily understand something O f the nature Of the welcome accorded them by the senior mis ’

i r . s ona y . Dr Fraser s letters written at that time not only voice his deep sense Of the worth Of the work , but Show that , with a keen and accurate mind , he had a high estimate Of the value Of medical work in the missionary enterprise . Dr . ’ on Mackay s letters , the other hand , tell Of his f ’ high appreciation O Dr . Fraser s personal Character and Of his medical skill . I t was a great disappoint on ment , when , account Of the death Of his wife , i . h s two Dr Fraser , with motherless daughters , had 1 to return to Canada in 877 .

The following year , Rev . Kenneth Junor , a man who had already given promise Of a successful to career in Bermuda , was appointed as colleague

Dr . Mackay . Mr . Junor , with his wife and their o n b y , Frank , sailed from San Francisco o April 1 st 18 8 . . , 7 Shortly after their arrival , Dr Mackay “ wrote Of the new missionaries , I need not tell you

f . that I will never forget the kindness O Mr and Mrs .

Junor . They are getting on famously here . God bless my dear fellow- worker and partner for their ”

f . o so . care one unworthy as myself Mr Junor , THE PATHFINDER OF NORTH FORMOSA 69

’ was a a in turn , much impressed with M ck y s force

Of ch aracter and hi s physical an d mental energy . Dr M ac An incident mentioned in a letter from . hi “ kay reveals a very tender side Of s nature . In

f . as the midst O my illness , and when Mr Junor w ff su ering from a severe attack Of fever , their dear con little boy was suddenly prostrated , took i m ls on s 2 . v u , and on Friday at p was taken home ! to glory . Dear Frank Just the evening before he died , he carried a plate with food into my room , was got up on the bed and sat beside me . Frank a bo i s a real good y , and now he yonder , away , way , in the highest heavens , around the throne where ” ten thousand children stand .

’ M ackay s M arri age

During the same year two other important o a events ccurred in the life Of Mack y . One was

O f - kah im the taking Bang , and the other , more portant still for his whole future career , the taking O f a wife from among the Chinese people , a step which he , without doubt , believed would further hi s the cause which was pressing upon heart , - an namely , the establishment Of a self supporting d

- self governing Church . The following message from Mackay to the Foreign Mission Committee “ brought nO little surprise : In May I was married T am su i to a Chinese lady by the British Consul at , and at once returned to the country to visit the i ” stations w th her . 70 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

Mrs . Mackay from her earliest years possessed U a strong and attractive personality . pon the Christians who constantly came to their home sh e a exercised a wholesome influence . P tient , humble sh e and Winsome , was always a friend to the poor , and those in trouble never failed to find in her a

helper . Many others in her situation would have

become haughty and overbearing , but it was not SO

with Mrs . Mackay . She still retains her genial

and kindly disposition , and is much beloved both

by the native Christians and the missionaries . Toward her husband ’ s successors she has never manifested any jealousy or aloofness . There are few whose fellowship the missionaries appreciate more than that Of Mrs . George Leslie Mackay .

CHAPTER IV

MORE ABOUT THE PATH FI N DER

Fi rst Furlough

HERE were three things Mackay O f Formosa never expected to do : he would never Sit in

a sedan chair , he would never take a furlough , and he would never marry . But he was not the first man who changed his mind and kept his “ ’ O f greatness . From the time Mackay s arrival in

Formosa , the Canadian Church was kept constantly informed Of the work which appeared to carry so much promise . The Foreign Mission Committee h ad scarcely time to take in the significance O f one report when another , more interesting still , would reach them . As year followed year the work grew f and flourished . In the midst O this remarkable of development , the founder the mission , with mingled feelings , had to face his first furlough . Word was received that Mackay Of Formosa was

coming home . Some unfortunate experiences he had on landing in Canada in 1880 marred somewhat the beginning

7 2 MORE AB OUT THE PATHFINDER 73

a a o f his furlough . At l st he re ched his native

i - i n Prov nce . His home coming aroused much i terest i u a n ! a . , part c l rly the orr district Many there were who wanted to see and hear the man who

a h ad - had slept among sav ges , had such hair breadth escapes , had defied Chinese mandarins and Chinese hi s mobs , and who had brought home with him as “ f see wife a native o Formosa . TO the Black ” bearded Barbarian who had such a record was no ordinary event .

A mong the Chu rches

After a short rest , calls from various congrega o ti ns began pouring in upon him . Everywhere u i u a m lt t des were e ger to hear him , and he was i s worth hearing . It safe to say that never in the history Of our Can adian missions has there been a missionary who cou ld rouse the emotions o f hi s hearers as could Mackay of Formosa . Few could rise to su ch a high pitch Of missionary enthusiasm and genuine eloquence . We heard Mackay Of Fo rmosa and will never forget him is the testi mo ny to this day Of many who then were thrilled hi s a . on by ppeals His presence the platform , his i characteristic gestures , his black , p ercing eyes , his p assionate utterance and his complete self a bandonment moved people intensely . The burn i n hi s o g fire within own s ul kindled many hearts . “ ” When he sp o ke O f Beautifu l Formosa it was with 74 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

a wistful yearning that revealed his love for the

island . Describing the impression he made while on fur Record lough , the had the following : Dr . Mackay

is a prince among missionaries , possessing , in a - n marked degree , self denial , tact , courage and e th usi asm o r beyond most men . We need not tell u A readers how successful he has been . n Assembly report records the interest he aroused in that body : “

D . D The presence Of Rev . G . L . Mackay , . , who

- has been SO pre eminently useful in Formosa , was a feature O f special interest in the General AS sembl y . His earnest and pathetic missionary addresses will be long remembered by all who heard ” ’ him . During this furlough , ! ueen s University very fit ti ngly conferred on him the degree Of Doctor

Of Divinity .

His Chinese wife , who accompanied him where

ever he went , created much interest . The recep

tion accorded both was most enthusiastic . By

request they visited the Eastern Provinces , where they received a welcome nO less cordial than that

in his own Province . Before they left Canada the churches o f the Woodstock district held a farewell meeting for

them in the Woodstock Methodist Church , at which the Honorable Oliver Mowat was present and expressed his deep interest in Mackay and his on work . Mrs . Mackay , being conducted to the

platform , told briefly , her husband acting as inter

76 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

materi al was gathered together . His mind was a continu lly o ccupied , while crossing the Pacific , with the near realization O f his long- cherished 30th o f as dream . On the November , they neared hi Formosa , he expressed s feelings in these words : “ ’ Already Formosa s mountain ranges seem to rise ! s . n up before u Roll o , wild Pacific I never ex

ect ou . p to cross y again Winds and waves , favor ” u S still . The reception given the Mackays by the For mosan Christians was most enthusiastic . The seashore at T am sui was lined with his Spiritual children , waiting to greet their beloved leader and n his wife as they landed . AS they stepped o Shore “ - an ! the shout arose , Kai Boksu , peng Kai Bok

- - su an ! ! . niu , peng Pastor Mackay , Peace Mrs ” a ! M ckay , Peace It was a happy hour for both Of them , to be back again in their home and among their beloved people . The memory O f his experiences in Canada only intensified the enthusiasm Of the missionary on hi s return . Rev . Kenneth Junor had been in charge n duri g his absence , and Of the manner in which he had managed the affairs Of the mission Mackay one can spoke in the highest terms . Indeed , imagine that it may have been a n ot unprofitable for season the converts . With the quietness that f characterized the di ferent type Of leadership , they would have opportunity to realize more fully what they had actually committed themselves to when MORE AB OUT THE PATHFINDER 7 7

i ’ they accepted the fore gner s religion . The a m a Christi ns y have learned , too , that God uses varied types Of men for the extension Of hi s kingdom .

B ui ldi ng Oxford College

NO sooner was Mackay back than hammers were pounding rocks in the mountain quarries , while saws , axes and planes were at work getting out and fitting beams and fashioning doors and windows for the new college . Stones and lumber ’ came together as by the magic touch Of a Wizard s

' wand . The returned missionary changed at once the quiet routine Of the mission compound into the

- Old time activity . The foundations were laid ; daily the walls rose higher , and soon the super structure took on the appearance Of a miniature palace to the astonished admirers . The building was completed and fitti ngly named

Oxford College , after Oxford county , where the ’ money for it had been raised by Mackay s friends . a u 1882 The formal opening took pl ce in J ne , , just six months after his return from furlough , with foreigners and many O f the native converts present . It was an historic event in the history O f the mis ’ sion . Two interesting items on the day s pro gramme were the presentation to the wives O f the trained helpers Of twenty - four sewing m achines a f a which had been given by Mr . W nzer O H milton , and the announcement o f a gift from Captain and 78 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

M r s . Mackay , Of Detroit , Of money toward the f T ams i 00 erection O the u hospital , and $5 to help

— in building the chapel at Bang kah .

Junor I vali ded H o M r . n me

The college finished , Mackay was keener for work than ever . By this time Mr . Junor was speaking the language fluently , but was subject to constant attacks Of malarial fever . The same I disease was g V I ng Mackay also no little trouble .

The policy Of living like the people , in order to appear in perfect sympathy with them , may be ’ n followed , but ature s laws are exacting and any i ts . breach carries penalty Time , money and much physical distress are saved by following -a reasonable course Of self-protection in all Eastern lands . Mr . Junor , broken down nervously and physically , was compelled to return to Canada 1882 in December , .

M ass M ovement on the Gi ran Plai n The same year Mackay sent home a glowing account Of the work in Giran Plain on the east coast . After describing conditions there , and his stating the urgency Of the situation , he closed letter with a request for to enable him to e build two chapels , that together would a com “ ’ F r m . o odate two thousand hearers God s sake , ’ do not refuse , and don t delay . he added . I t would have been interesting to have watched the

MORE AB OUT THE PATHFINDER members Of the Home Committee as they listened to this story o f the mass movement on the east coast , and especially as they heard the heroic appeal for money to build two chapels . What could they do in the circumstances ? There was only one

was . a thing , and it done speedily A cable c rried “ the message , The money will be sent . Of the mass movement here referred to little need be said . The Pepohoans on the Giran Plain are fast dying r out , o are being assimilated by the Chinese , who on this beautiful plain number one hundred thou sand . In the early days , the Gospel had no access o f f a to these latter , but recent years an e fectu l door h as been opened and the work is very encouraging .

Ordai ni ng Nati ve Preachers

We have already noticed that Rev . Kenneth Junor and his family had to return home on ac

- count O f ill health . Rev . John Jamieson and his wife reached Formosa the following year . About i this time Dr . Mackay seemed to change h s policy regarding the sending Of missionaries from the home

land . He gave his attention more anxiously than

ever before to the producing Of a native ministry , for as his chief hope the future . In the spring Of 1884 he launched out on his long- cherished policy

by ordaining two native preachers , both promising

— A- hoa and capable men Giam , his first convert ,

and Tan He , one Of the first five who were baptized n f 1 o 873 . I the spring After ordaining them , he 80 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

wrote home , The Foreign Mission Board need not ” concern itself about sending out another man , DO and in another letter , not think that the men

you send here are superior , I long to see a native ” - church self supporting . The comment Of the on Committee this statement , which appeared in

Record was - the at the time , somewhat non com “ mittal . The Committee thoroughly agrees with ‘ of Record the editor the , who says we are heartily

at one with Dr . Mackay in the belief that the raising Of a native ministry is the shortest method ’ O f m I SSI on ar solving the y problem , only we are agreeably surprised to find that he is in a position ” to inaugurate it so soon . ’ a on Dr . Mack y s policy is e with which all his successors would heartily agree , but they fear one or that with but foreign missionary , even two , his desired goal would not be reached for many f years or even generations . I t is worthy O note

that with the increase Of missionaries , male and - fi female , self support has increased more than v e f fold . The present attitude O the North Formosa Mission Council may be gathered from the request 1922 it sent home , in , for at least fifteen additional

missionaries .

The French B lockade

O f The task supervising the many outstations , where pre achers were seeking to meet the spiritual needs Of the converts , was becoming too much for the missionary and his two ordained pastors . w Furthermore , a heavy cloud as hanging over

82 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

a n f darkness , d a new stimulus to the enthusiasm O the intrepid missionary . After the smoke had Nec ta en con passed away , he wrote home , m umeb t s a ur .

Arri val of the Caulds

189 1 . In Mr Jamieson died , after having spent six hi s years in North Formosa , and wife returned

to Canada . Mackay was once more alone , and finding the task Of supervising a growing work too for m a much one n , he wrote home to the Board r asking fo a colleague . The Committee responded 1892 by appointing Rev . William Gauld , and in ,

M r . s . he , with Gauld , reached Formosa

William Gauld was born at Westminster , in the

county Of Middlesex , Ontario . When a lad Of

sixteen he and his brother George heard Mackay , ’

on . when his first furlough , in St Andrew s Church ,

London . After the evening service , while walking

home , William , turning to his older brother , said ,

I am going to be a missionary . As he grew up th e conviction deepened . His mind , however , was

turning to India . After serving as public school

teacher , he took the course in arts at the University

Of Toronto , and in theology at Knox College . When the Foreign Mission Board was anxiously looking for a suitable colleague to join Mackay in ’ l a his work , William G au d s n me was considered

for the position . The report Of the Committee “ s tated , That Mr . Gauld had recommended

himself by the work which he had done in college , MORE AB OUT THE PATHFINDER 83

in the home field , and by the interest he had mani fested in Foreign Mission work . He was recom mended as one well fitted for the responsible position to which he was called .

’ M ackay s S econd Furlough

. Mrs . After the arrival Of Mr and Gauld , Mackay

prepared to return on his second furlough . Fes

i i i f M rs . a t v t es in honor O Dr . and Mackay and f mily were at once planned by the pastors and preachers .

The news spread a broad . Both Christians and

heathen joined in the great farewell . NO less than seven hundred converts were there to bid their

loved missionary farewell . In a letter written at

the time , he said , Heathen and Christian , wealthy and indigent , literary and unlearned , combined to

' Show us respect , and wish us a safe journey to the f fatherland , and a quick return . Bands O music

greeted us and escorted us from station to station ,

amid the firing Of guns , the waving Of banners and s the whizzing Of quibs . A man awaited us along

side the road with a hundred pounds Of beef . Wonderful ! Wonderful ! The changes these eyes have seen in twenty - one years ! As all classes treated me as they liked when making my first so tour throughout North Formosa , I allowed con verts and others to do j u st as they felt disposed o n

this last trip . 6 h f S On the t O eptember , nine months after the M r D s . r . arrival Of Mr . and Gauld , Mackay and 84 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

a n E o m ress o I di a family s iled for Canada the p f n . On their first furlough there were but two Of them ; now there were , in addition , Mary , Bella and

George , a small Mackay clan , and when in the

Highland kilts they made an interesting group .

They took with them Mr . Koa Kau , a bright young

Chinese student , who in later years married Bella

Mackay , and for several years served in the hospital with Dr . Ferguson . He is now an elder in the largest church in Taihoku city .

It was a heavy responsibility for Mr . Gauld , with only a few months experience O f the work and with but little knowledge Of the language , to be left alone . Mackay , in a letter written just before

: . his departure , expressed his confidence thus Mr Gauld will make his first attempt at preaching next Sabbath . He will visit the people and preach see as he is able , that all mission property is kept in repair , provide preachers with periodicals . administer the sacraments Of baptism and the Lord ’ s supper This I am sure he will do true well and , as he has shown himself earnest and

M rs . true among us . Gauld has her hands full she h as I consider is doing her duty , as she done in wn her o sphere all along , and with her quiet way , and earnest , sensible manner , her influence will be m ” greater than if she were attempting the i possible .

Mrs . Gauld has now spent over thirty years in For Formosa . Few women have got as near the mosan people as she has during her experience Of Sh missionary life . e has nursed them , washed their sores , cured their ailments , turned their

86 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

When the elders learned that it was M ackay ’ s intention to Spread a map at the service on the

Sabbath day , they simply , but emphatically , told n him such could ot be done . The contention be tween the session and the missionary can be

imagined . It resulted in the Highland missionary

being defeated by the Highland elders , and Mackay having to address the congregation without the n ot f map . It is di ficult to imagine something Of r the Celtic fire that bu ned that morning , and , some passages Of the address directed at the session . ? But the victory Of these elders , three each left a legacy to Foreign Missions Of about a thousand dollars . The clash Of arms between the clans O f ! resulted , as usual , in favor Mackay It was but natural that there should be a general desire throughout the Church that the missionary pioneer and his remarkable work should be recog n i zed and honored by his appointment to the Acc r highest Office in the gift Of the Church . o

dingly , when the Assembly met that year in St .

John , New Brunswick , Mackay was chosen Moder

ator , a position that he filled with great acceptance .

The Work Left B ehi nd

Whilst the Mackay family were enj oying a two ’ years furlough in Canada , the work in Formosa was making quiet , but steady , progress . The fears and misgivings in the minds of the members Of the Foreign Mission Committee were removed i n by the reports received , as the following record MORE AB OUT THE PATHFINDER 87

i M r d cates : It is with much satisfaction that . Gauld h as entered on hi s work in Formosa with such sympathy and judgment as encourages us to

expect gratifying results . The Committee was ’ somewhat alarmed lest Dr . Mackay s return home would lay upon him a responsibility he might n ot be able to bear . These fears have been dis i f s ated . S p everal di ficulties have arisen , in which

Mr . Gauld and the native pastors and preachers associated with him in the oversight of the work have acted with such wisdom as to assure us that i ” the mission s safe in his hands . The work thus steadily prospering was thrown into confusion by the war between China and a of J pan . The taking possession the island by the 1895 Japanese , in , has been dealt with in chapter two . Mr . Gauld was the only missionary in charge

. and at the time His patience , good judgment , common sense throughout that exciting and trying period meant very much to the mission . It was a time Of great anxiety for the native Church for ff the Christians su ered much . We can picture f something o the experiences Mackay , so far away from his beloved converts , went through in this O f their time trial . The suspense Of the Foreign

Mission Board can be gathered from the following , which is taken from the preface to their report “ for 1895: The Eastern war caused a good deal O f speculation and anxiety as to the probable effect upon our mission shou ld Formosa become a Japan ese possession . Of this only can we , at present , be o of assured , that the G d the Nations will rule over 88 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

all . In the meantime we gratefully report

M r . that Mr . and s Gauld have been in health and

protected from harm . The latest is that all

foreign ladies had left Formosa , and that Mrs .

Gauld , upon the advice Of the British Consul , had ”

t o . gone Amoy The report which followed ,

. ne written by Mr Gauld , was o Of the best in the f history o the mission .

I n Formosa Once M ore

In the fall Of the year 1895 Mackay and hi s

family reached Formosa . One can imagine how eagerly , after his deep anxiety , he greeted his

friends , native and foreign , and sought exact news of the situation . His testimony regarding the manner in which Mr . Gauld and the native pastors had carri ed ‘ on the work during that critical period “ is a striking tribute— The work has been kept intact . 1 89 . In 9 , Mr Gauld and his family returned to

Canada , on their first furlough . Dr . Mackay was left alone , supervising the work , under a new

Government . The changes brought about were gradual . The authorities were friendly disposed towards the Christians , and the work was allowed to go on unhindered . Though unremitting in his labors , the fell disease , which finally proved fatal to the intrepid missionary , was developing rapidly . O f Mr . Gauld and his family returned in the fall 1 00 for 9 , and the first time Mackay welcomed back n to Formosa a colleague who had been o furlough .

90 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

Significance to the Church in Formosa . But the r grief Of the Church was not hopeless o despairing . o f a The founder the mission had been taken aw y , f but the great Head O the Church still remained .

S ummary of H i s Work and Character

i . h s Dr George Leslie Mackay passed away , but

O f - works follow him . The fruitage his twenty nine years of missionary service was marvellous . We have seen the conditions under which he began his i m l SSl on work . When he died , there were n the one hi foreign missionary and s wife , two native

- pastors , sixty preachers , twenty four Bible women , nearly eighteen hundred communicants and sixty chapels , Of which more than half were established in Pepohoan villages , although with the passing away of the Pepohoan race , these have practically disappeared . This fruitage is the more remark able when one remembers that i t was the fruitage O f f on mainly the labors O e missionary , together t wi h his native helpers . endeav The writer never saw Mackay . He has ored , however , to discover all the information t possible relating o him and his work , especially from the Formosan brethren upon whom the im pression made by their beloved leader was deep and lasting . The estimate given in these two chap ters is based upon this information gathered from many sources .

Dr . Mackay was no more nearly perfect than many others . His zeal many times overcame his MORE AB OUT THE PATHFINDER 9 1 j udgment ; he saw wonderful things where m anv others saw only the ordinary ; he h ad a graphic way Of telling stories and describing events ; he loved the mountains and gorges and disliked the a plains and the common places . His fiery temper f u ment sometimes led him into di fic lties , but he

or . could never retrace his steps , accept defeat He was a soldier by nature , a commander who seldom a consulted his subordinates . He never displ yed own organizing gifts , for his inspiring personality was strong enough to be the sum total Of the organizing factors Of his whole mission work . He f created , perhaps , more awe than a fection , more admiration than appreciation but this was i n evitable in a character so reserved and so far removed from the close companionship o f others .

Those were days Of Chinese mandarins , Of wild O f robberies , political Oppression , Of actual lawless ness . Tenderness and timidity would have been misunderstood and might have been the ruin of the cause . Some men would have wilted in the presence O f some O f the dangerous situations that the heroic founder O f the North Formosa mission O f O f had to face . But those days bitter opposition , deep prej u dices and suspicion have passed away . Methods that then seemed successful would be entirely unsuitable in these days O f law and order .

Let us be thankful for the day in which we live , and seek to do our Share as faithfully as did those who have left us such an example Of loyalty to a great cause and passionate enthusiasm for their God

given task . 92 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

on Mackay seldom , if ever , met a person whom he did not leave a lasting impression , many O f which are on record . In closing this chapter , we cannot do better than quote from some O f these : “ High over all other features Of his character , l redeeming him from littleness , ennob ing his nature , adding force to his faith and making his life a ’ factor in the Church s history , was his simple trust

in God , his unquestioning belief in an evangelical

- own Gospel , his deep cut conviction as to his life

f‘ S work , and as to the mastership O Je US Christ in

the lives Of men , unreserved enthusiasm , passionate

surrender Of himself to Jesus as Redeemer and King . Brave little man it is good to know his ’ kind ; and to have his face clear In one s memory is

- to be fore strengthened a gainst the common men ,

and the presence Of common life . f w He was a little man , firm and active , Of e

words , unflinching courage and one whose sound common sense was equalled only by his devotion

to his Master . “ out one TO me , Dr . Mackay shines as Of the

greatest missionaries Of any age . We may thank f r God o all he Was and did . ’ Dr . Mackay s grave is a beautiful spot in a “ ” of of corner Fort Meadow , at the back the new

middle school grounds . It is enclosed by a brick - he wall , and by his side rests the saintly Tan , the . first pastor inducted into a self- supporting Charge

in North Formosa .

CHAPTER V

THE NEW ERA I N NORTH FORMOSA

T N w Ei o Po he e ra n Mi ssi n li cy

ET an si i n H r t o . With the passing Of the a f founder , new and extremely di ficult a situation faced the mission . The Formos n Christians were fully persuaded that Canada h ad - s for w s no other Kai Bok u to send , he as o entirely f di ferent from any other they had hitherto known .

Moreover , they were in a position now to express more freely what had been finding a place in their for minds some time , due no doubt , in a large S measure , to the fact that in the outh Mission ther e existed a fully organized Church under a

Presbytery . There was the feeling that they n t an might o need y more foreign missionaries , o f but that , with the help Mr . Gauld , the native n leaders could carry o the work . It was evident that they had not yet fully realized the greatness n r was o the seriousness Of their task . It the wise judgment and firmness Of Mr . Gauld and the good hand O f God on both the mission and the missionary that guided the mission so smoothly and success fully through that critical period . 95 96 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

m i n Th u r l w “ Co g Of o Fraser . It was but nat a ural that Mr . Gauld should feel more keenly th n ever the need Of a colleague , and urgently request that a missionary be sent at once to share in the growing burdens Of the Mission . In response , ’ Rev . Thurlow Fraser , a graduate Of ! ueen s

University , was appointed , and with his wife 1902 reached Formosa in the fall Of . From the

first Mr . Fraser took up language study with vigor

- and enthusiasm . His free , whole hearted manner and buoyant spirit appealed strongly to the

Chinese , especially to the preachers and students . He made rapid progress in the study Of the lan guage , and during his short term Of service gained a close acquaintance with the problems Of the native Church . It was during his time that an important document Of large significance to the work Of the M ission was prepared and forwarded to the General Assembly . i r r r r Dem a Des e fo La ge ocr cy . During Mac ’ - hi s a kay s later days , Giam Chheng hoa was sole d

- f . he O viser Tan , the saintly pastor Shinten , hav ing passed away some years previously , Giam Chheng- hoa was the only one who could help in

the executive side Of the work . NO doubt more authority had fallen to his lot than was conducive

- to mutual good will . There was a growing dis satisfaction with the policy Of perpetuating the

rule Of a few in Church affairs . The missionaries felt the situation and took steps to meet the th nascent , democratic spirit Of e infant Church .

98 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

O f form the Presbytery North Formosa , o f which the bounds will coincide with the bounds Of the Canadian Presbyterian Mission in

North Formosa , within which bounds are

resident William Gauld , Thurlow Fraser , and - hoa Giam Chheng , ministers , and also For

mosan elders , and o r Whereas , we believe that u Object should be to build up a native Church rather than to

perpetuate foreign control , Therefore we petition that the Presbytery SO formed shall be empowered to resolve itself

into a Presbytery Of the Formosa Church , com petent to receive students Of theology on trial for license , and proceed to ordain them , and in general to superintend congregations and e sessions within its bounds , without refer nce

to a higher court , until there shall be a native

Synod . Whereas we believe that the time has now ’ come when we should have in our Girls School

competent Canadian lady teachers , and as this question is pressed on our attention by the

ever increasing demand for female education ,

Therefore , we petition the Foreign Mission Committee to take such action in conjunction with the Woman ’ s Foreign Missionary Society as will result in the sending out Of two compe

tent single lady teachers at a very early date . o f Whereas , the majority the students entering Oxford College to study fo r the minis ERA I N O RMO SA 9 THE NEW NORTH F 9

try are almost wholly unprepared to begin the

study Of theology , Therefore we petition the Foreign Mission Committee to give us permission to erect a ” a r building for a prepar tory o a middle school . These extracts clearly indicate that the mission aries fully realized the manifold needs Of the mission in View Of the Changing conditions and the n ew regime . They reveal also the fact that a new spirit Of democracy had taken hold Of the mission . Before the Presbytery O f North Formosa was

. a organized , Mr Fraser , who had had a l rge share had in preparing the above petition , to leave a and Formos retire from the work , owing to the - f ill health O his wife .

The New Ei ra n Mi ssi onary Rei nforcements

eal f om Mr App r . G au ld . After his return from furlough , Mr . Gauld recognized that , in order to retain the ground already won , and at the same time carry on a more aggressive evangelistic work among the masses who had as yet been scarcely touched , large additions to the staff were abso l l ute y necessary . Consequently he immediately sent home an urgent appeal for four missionaries one one e ordained , m dical , and two lady mission aries . It was a large and courageous request , and reveals how deeply he realized the need Of this for i policy the miss on . The Foreign Mission Com mittee was no less courageous or alert to the 100 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

pressing needs Of North Formosa , for the four missionaries asked for were appointed to the field . i l New Mi ss on ari es We com ed . It was a great day for the Formosa Mission and for the Church

when five young , enthusiastic missionaries set sail

. 1 0 for that field In the month Of November , 9 5, Y R . . . ev . Milton Jack , Rev J Ferguson , M . D . , and s Mrs . Ferguson , Mis Janie Kinney , and Miss T ams i Hannah Connell reached u , where they were

accorded an enthusiastic welcome by Mr . and

M rs . . Gauld and the Formosan Christians The arrival O f this splendid group Of missionaries won derfull y revived the spirits Of the native pastors , preachers and converts . giving to them fresh evidence Of the tender concern o f the Canadian Church and added assurance that that Church intended to lay , broad and deep , the foundations

Of the infant Church in Formosa . i h an a e L ear n n g t e L gu g . The two mission am s i of houses in T u were now full life , good cheer and youthful enthusiasm . The new missionaries had before them the task O f mastering the For mosan language . Every room that could be spared was turned into a study , in which a mission ary and his or her teacher spent every morning and afternoon repeating , with painful monotony , the O f Chinese tones , all which , to these beginners , were , for some time , very much the same . Their encouragement was that others before them had of acquired a knowledge the language , and that where others had succeeded they were not likely

102 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

visitors , who would tell the missionaries how clever

they were and what distinct articulation they had , at the same time turning round to the teacher and

asking what the missionary was trying to say . r Just because the Chinese seldom laugh , o even

smile , when the missionary makes mistakes , it should not , therefore , be imagined that they have f not a keen sense O humor . Follow them home and hear them tell the others the wild blunders of the

foreigners . Hear the roars Of laughter as they O f s relate the linguistic mistakes the mi sionaries . A chapter could easily be written relating the cur at f rent j okes among the Chinese , the expense o

the missionaries , and it would furnish most

amusing entertainment . Th r i D e Doct o n em an d . As soon as the Chinese learned that there was a doctor among the

new missionaries , it seemed as though the whole

town immediately fell ill . They did not wait for out an invitation to call . They soon found the ’ doctor s house , and simply blockaded it at every or opening . There are no private rooms in the d i nar y Chinese house , and naturally they did not respect any private room there might be in a ’ foreigner s house . The doctor might expect to be accosted in any corner Of his house , at any time Of

the day , by those with sores and ailments who were seeking relief . I t was by no means an easy task for Dr . Ferguson to protect the hours set apart

for Chinese study . What consideration had a sick Chinese for the time or language study Of a ERA I N RM S 103 THE NEW NORTH FO O A foreign doctor ? The result was that his afternoons were frequently given over to meeting the needs M r f f . o the sick and a flicted , with Mrs . Gauld and

Koa - kau as interpreters , until he himself was able

t o . use the strange , new language

T Ea i o z i o he New r i n M ssi n Organi at n

i r m e Cou n c ls Fo d . With the increase of the missionary staff came the need for mu tu al discus sion Of mission problems and the framing Of common policies . The senior missionary was the only one who h ad been long enough in the country to know the conditions . Councils were established , ad problems were discussed , new policies were ed v ocat and adopted , and minutes recorded and forwarded every month to the Foreign Mission a en Board . Thus the younger mission ries were abled to gain an effective knowledge Of the situation . 1907 By the fall Of , the year the writer reached

Formosa , the Councils were already directing the regular work Of the mission with considerable f e ficiency , even though the senior missionary was absent in Canada . i si Of Dr R M cKa o V t . . P . a y. The visit t For mosa that year Of the Foreign Mission Secretary , Dr M K o f . . a R . P ac y , was an event deep interest to the Formosan Church , for it revived , more than anything else had done since his death , the memory “ - Of their beloved Kai Bok su . They were able 104 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

to meet and talk with one O f whom they had heard their father in the faith frequently speak in the

“

early days O f the mission . During his travels in M acKa the East , Dr . y probably had no experience that touched hi s heart more than his visit to the

Island Beautiful , with its lofty mountains and its

- low lying plains , and above all , its thrilling mem ori es of the great pioneer he had known SO well .

Ar r i val Of Du n an M cLeod . r c In Novembe , 1907 , the writer and his wife reached Formosa .

During his first two years , spent in language study ,

he visited many of the outstations . His first

- travelling companion was Giam Chheng hoa , the

Oldest convert and pastor , and the most intimate own friend , outside his family , that Dr . George

Leslie Mackay ever had . r i En i m Agg ess ve va gel s . Visits to heathen

villages , in company with the students , soon con v i nced him that the evangelization O f North i s Formosa was in t very infancy , and that the

masses were scarcely touched . The Older gener “ ation had heard the name Of the Jesus Doctrine , ” - s and Of Kai Bok u , but even Of these the younger generation was entirely ignorant— except

in places where there was a Christian chapel , and

'

where converts lived . During the last few years ’ O f Mackay s life , the work Of Oxford College had

absorbed most Of his time and energy . Pastoral visitation among sixty stations could not be carried on with any degree Of efficiency by one n to sa foreign missionary and o e native pastor , y

106 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

h n f i i n n r im C a ge o M ss o Ce t e . Several other 19 11 portant events marked the year . With the increase in the membership Of the staff it was necessary to begin building residences and other institutions . After much deliberation , the Mission Council requested the Foreign Mission Board t o grant permission to buy land in Taihoku , the capital , it having been decided that the proper development of the work necessitated the trans ferring O f the mission centre from T amsui to that city . The request was granted and land was bought about a mile out Of the city , that would be f suitable for the erection O a hospital , a theological i college and s x mission residences . A few months a after the purchase Of the land , Mr . Gauld was p pointed to the supervision Of the building operations ” on the Mackay Memorial Hospital .

The New Era i n edi cal Work M

l f Er l r k a u e O a V y Wo . From the inception O f a h as r the mission , medic l work been one Of its e cognized features . Mackay found its great value , both in removing prej u dices against the Christian sa religion and as an evangelistic agency , to y nothing Of its immediate worth as a ministry Of ’ healing . During Dr . J . B . Fraser s short period T am sui h os i tal in Formosa , p was built , as the centre f ’ O . the medical work After Dr . Mackay s death , this department Of the work was seriously handi capped O n account Of there being no one to take FIRST HOSPITAL AT T A M S UI

B u i lt I n 18 8 0

KA E IA PI A T AI K U M AC Y M MOR L HOS T L , HO

108 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

om tion called after the mission founder , was c l 1 12 p eted in 9 . The formal Opening on December h 26t was an interesting event . The Civil Governor f and several leading o ficials were present , and in their addresses expressed their appreciation O f the of s work the mi sion founder and that Of Dr .

Ferguson , in the establishment Of such a humani

tarian institution in the city Of Taihoku , not

forgetting to express , in glowing terms , the credit to such a building was the mission builder .

On the following day , about a thousand converts ,

from all parts Of the field , gathered in the quad rangle Of the hospital . The history Of the forty of i i n years mission work was reviewed , from ts ce ti on p , by some Of those in whose memory the wonderful record still lived . Among those present

GO - u one was Khoan j , who was Of the first five converts and who had given nearly forty years to o f the preaching the G ospel . Many were the on memories Of the founder rekindled that occasion . Such an event made an appropriate celebration O f the fortieth anniversary Of the North Formosa

Mission . h T s of Medi l Mi i o s T e e t ca ss n . The work Of medical missions is extremely fascinating to anyone interested in the missionary enterprise . It demon can wa strates , as few other agencies , and in a y non - readily recognized by the Christian , the real spirit and practical character Of Christianity . At

a . the s me time , it is a mighty evangelistic force

Whilst patients are being treated in the hospital , ERA I N THE NEW NORTH FO RMO SA 109

they see the Gospel in action and are made familiar

‘

with its story . Naturally the more satisfactory results are secured from among those who remain a in the hospital for longer period , but even to those who come but once the Gospel message is made

known . In this way literally thousands hear the Word who otherwise might never be brought into

touch with Christianity . Especially was this true

in pioneer days . It cannot be too emphatically stated that the test O f the fruitfulness Of a mission hospital i s not confined to the number Of patients reported at the f o f end O the year , and the number operations for f the removal o physical pain and suffering . A further test is the measure Of Christian influence which the hospital exerts and the extent in which it helps in the evangelization O f the non - Christian community . If it fails in this , it fails at a point Of supreme opportunity , and its claim for the support f S O any Missionary ociety is vastly reduced . In f view O this , it is peculiarly gratifying to know that the North Formosa Mission Hospital has al ways been a strong evangelizing agency . Many stories Of the triumphs Of medical skill and Of divine grace could be narrated .

l h er u s n . Fu r ou g of Dr . F g o The completion Of the Memorial Hospital was a source O f great satisfaction to the Council and more particularly

to the medical missionary , who had spent two or three years in preparing plans and regulations , while at the same time ministering with unflagging zeal 110 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

to the sick . The necessity Of having to return to

on - Canada a well earned furlough , so soon after the

Opening Of the institution , was a source Of deep

regret to him , particularly in View Of the fact tha t there was no doctor who had been long enough in the country to have acquired a knowledge of the t l Chinese language , o whom he cou d . h and over

charge Of the work .

M edi cal Re ru i t s . O f 19 11 c In the fall , Miss n Isabel Elliott , a trai ed nurse , reached Formosa , 19 12 m n and in the spring Of , a few O ths previous ’

to . on Dr Ferguson s departure furlough , Dr .

A . A . Gray and Mrs . Gray arrived . When Dr .

Ferguson left , Dr . Gray and Miss Elliott assumed the responsibilities Of the medical and nursing

work O f the new hospital , with Mr . Koa Kau as

M rs . interpreter to Dr . Gray , and Kau , who was ’ Dr . G . L . Mackay s daughter , Bella , interpreter was to Miss Elliott . This a policy that the North Formosa Mission Council is never likely again to ’ follow . It resulted in Dr . Gray s complete phys

ical and nervous collapse , and in his having to be

invalided home and finally to resign from the work .

M rs . Dr . and Gray had endeared themselves both to their fellow- missionaries and to the Formosan

people . Dr . Gray had revealed a genuine love fo r the native people and a true missionary a m ost f spirit , while Mrs . Gray had become e ficient

- worker among the women . TO their fellow mission aries their permanent withdrawal was a matter Of keen disappointment .

112 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

19 14 there had never been a middle school for boys in North Formosa . From this great lack in the life Of the native Church the mission had suffered 1902 seriously . In , as we have seen , a petition was sent to the Foreign Mission Board asking per ’ mission to open a boys school , but owing to the lack Of trained teachers , the organization of the of 19 14 middle school was postponed till the spring . wh o Mr . George W . Mackay , was now on the ground and ready to undertake this important work , was appointed principal by the Council , and in April O f that year the school was opened in

Oxford College , where his father had Spent his best and happiest years . I ts Val u e an d Need s ; Since its opening the i ts middle school has amply j ustified existence , and has demonstrated its value in educating the youth Of the Church and as an effective evangelizing agency . A large proportion Of the students come

- from non Christian homes . Many Of these during the last seven years have professed their allegiance

to Jesus Christ . Several , some Of whom came to

the middle school from heathen homes , have

already entered the Theological College . At the w or present time t o capable teachers , ordained

missionaries with teaching qualifications , are

greatly needed , especially in View Of the enlarged school which will be made possible by the new now middle school building , in the course Of

erection . The new regulations outlined by the Formosan Government demand the raising of the ERA I N O RMO S 1 13 THE NEW NORTH F A

S T ams i standards Of education . ince the u Middle h a School s complied with these regulations , and i ns i thus receives government recognition , the t tu tion will become an effective agency for the teaching f o the children Of our Church , the conversion of non - Christian students and the spread Of Christian knowledge throughout the island .

Mr . Mackay was in charge till his recent fur a lough , during which period Mr . Dowie had ch rge ’ of the school . Mr . Mackay s perfect knowledge Of the Formosan langu age has added much to his a his a other qu lifications , while Christian ch racter has had a most wholesome influence . Though a a h as not an ord ined mission ry , he been most O f successful in directing the minds the students , among whom the spirit O f evangelism is very mani fest , to the Christian ministry . Mr . Williams , who 9 1 arrived in 1 9 , has been devoting much attention to the deepening of the spiritu al life

Of the school . nti rI n I n Mrs . Mackay , who has been most u g her a devotion to the Formosan youth , herself a te cher and by profession , has given much Of her time a energy to the teaching Of English . By h ving these l ads in their home and making them feel and that they were interested in them , Mr . Mrs . Mackay have helped to remove the tendency to regard the school as a Western institution . Th e Govern m en ’ li t s Po cy . It is a cause for a deep gratitude th t the Formosan Government , especially under the civil administration of Baron

E— 8 T. . . 114 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

Dan , has taken a deep interest in the higher edu f r cation O the Formosan youth . Remarkable p o gress has been made in primary and public school work for both boys and girls . The serious lack has been in middle schools that would compare O f favorably with those the same grade in Japan . The new policy Of increasing the number Of these institutions and o f raising the standard may i n di cate the possibility Of the Government having i n in view a university for Formosa . Such an stituti on would render large service in preparing the Formosan youth for the new responsibilities that a more liberal franchise would bring to them . The Christian Church would rej oice if such a policy were carried out . It would make possible a more effective supervision Of the morals Of her young men . At present , hundreds Of Formosan youths are Open to the perils O f the larger educa i l s t ona centres in Japan . I t is safe to ay that to no other project would the Formosan men Of wealth contribute more willingly and liberally than to an institution Of higher learning , such as a

Formosa University . ’ Mr k l K a 19 17 Rev . Jac s Rem ova t o ore . In . Milton Jack was appointed to the teaching staff o f the Chosen Christian College and with his fa mily removed to Seoul , Korea . Mr . Jack was in charge

Of the Theological School in North Formosa , for 1907 1 16 9 . the greater part Of the time , from till

At the beginning Of the New Era , during the trans i tion stage , when much executive work had to be done , Mr . Jack , with his keen executive ability and

116 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL work of giving to these young men entering the

Christian ministry a thorough preparation . Both the Mission Council and the Foreign Mission Board earnestly desire that this College , in the very near future , shall be thoroughly equipped and supplied f with a full and qualified sta f . r Ki n d ergar t en Wo k . A new department has been recently added to the mission work in North

Formosa . Owing to the fact that henceforth no can private primary schools be opened in Japan , the Mission Council took advantage O f the field which presented itself among the children o f the l arger cities for Kindergarten work . For this was special work Miss Jennie Hotson appointed , 1 and in the fall Of 9 18 reached Formosa . After spending nearly two years learning the Formosan to dialect , Miss Hotson went to Japan study the

Japanese language .

Losses and Gai ns i n the Mi ssi on Stafi

i r r Re t rem en t Of D . Fe gu son . On account o f i h ' m . ill health t beca e necessary for Dr Ferguson , in

f 1 18 . the spring O 9 , to gO to Japan On his return his health was still SO impaired that his leaving for

Canada the following year was imperative . The fear that he might not be able to return to the work which he had so ably organized , and to the institution which he had so recently founded , was O f a matter grave concern . The subsequent news ERA I RMO S 11 THE NEW N NORTH FO A 7

Of his retirement from the work brought deep dis a ppointment to the mission . Dr . Ferguson left a lasting impression on the Formosan Church and n - o the non Christian community . He was highly f respected by the Japanese O ficials , especially those

in the medical department , because Of his sincere m i l character and his ed Ca and surgical skill . A o f man Of few words , Of sane judgment and fine

Christian principles , he took the deepest interest O f in all departments the work Of the mission , and in the many and intricate problems Of the nat ive

Church . i l l sed A Splen d i d H osp ta , bu t C o . The Mac a kay Memori l Hospital has been closed since Dr . 1 1 h as Ferguson left in 9 9 . What this meant to the mission can be but faintly imagined . TO the missionaries , who have to look daily upon their large hospital which could be filled every day in the year with sick folk to whom it could minister o f healing body and soul , it is a source Of constant and bitter heartache . The situation cannot be remedied until the Church at home makes it possible for the Board to send out doctors in suffi

r - cient numbers to warrant its e Opening .

Add i i on s t o th e S aff . 19 19 t t In October , , Mr .

and Mrs . Gauld returned from their third furlough . The hearts Of the missionaries were greatly

. Mr cheered by the arrival with them Of Rev and s .

George A . Williams and family and Miss Maude mon hs l r t ate . Ackison , and , a few , Of Dr Kenneth A . 118 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

’ Denholm , a graduate Of ! ueen s University , and

M rs . Denholm , who resigned and returned to 1 22 Canada in 9 .

The latest additions were Miss Mary Haig , who 1 20 9 . . . arrived in Formosa in , Rev W G Coates 1921 1 22 f 9 . O in and Mrs . Coates in All these give O f promise much useful service in the years to come .

Present Urgent Needs

The history and progress Of the work for which ’ the Women s Missionary Society O f the Canadian

Presbyterian Church is responsible , will be dealt

with in a later chapter . The following summary gives the number Of men missionaries which the North Formosa Mission Council have asked fOr as their minimum requirement to meet the immediate needs : 1 — . Four ordained missionaries one for Giran

Plain , with its inhabitants , one for the Si n hiku one one c district , for Hakka work , and for supervising the Sunday School work through the mission . 2 for . Three medical missionaries the Mackay

Memorial Hospital . f r 3 a o . . Two te chers the Middle School

4 . . One business manager h o In response to this call w will say , Here am I ; ” ? send me Or if that is not possible , who with similar dedication will reply , I cannot gO myself , but another shall be sent to represent me ” ?

CHAPTER VI

GROWTH OF THE NAT IVE CHURCH

A n I ndi genous Church Necessary

HE most fundamental phase o f missionary work in non - Christian lands i s the planting

and developing Of an indigenous Church . It is essential that the missionary constantly bear in mind that his mission is not to transplant to the i land to which he goes a foreign nstitution , but rather to plant there a Church through which the

genius Of the people may express itself , and which shall be in harmony with the particular conditions t under which they live . TO perpe uate Western

ecclesiastical divisions would be deplorable . CO - Operation between the missionary and the

Church leaders , mutual sympathy and the recog ni i n t o Of mutual responsibilities , are necessary in achieving the task o f building up a Church which is founded on the New Testament , but which in superstructure is in harmony with the religious history and genius , as well as the social conditions for and customs Of the people . The responsibility building up such an indigenous Church must be placed more and more on the native leaders . This GROWTH OF THE NATIVE CHURCH 121

calls for the training Of men who will be worthy and

qualified for this great task . There is reason to be profoundly thankful that the North Formosa Mission has escaped some o f the difficulties which have arisen in other mission fields in this

connection . The growth Of the indigenous Church must be i hi n ‘ b w t ut . not only from , also from without If it is to develop , to perpetuate its life and its faith , it must seek both to build up its members in know ledge and godliness and also to carry the Gospel i message to the whole unevangelized commun ty . This chapter sketches the story Of the development

— Of the North Formosa Church in self government , self- support and self- propagation during the last

fifty years .

Growth i n S elf- Government

o n d i n r F u at o Wo k . During the lifetime o f the founder , the field resembled a large diocese , with one i practically missionary as sole adm nistrator . There was not yet sufficient material with which the pioneer missionary could build up any elaborate organization . Foundations , however , were laid , but more Canadian and Formosan workers were needed for the preparation Of the required material . Th e r sb r an i z P e yt e y Org ed . Three years after ’ Mackay s death , the first Presbytery was organized for and met the second time the following year . R o f ules procedure were prepared , and committees 122 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

appointed to consider and report on various de artm en ts p Of Church life and work . This step

‘ marked a decided advance . The Church was taking on the appearance Of a self-governing institution .

Ordi n a i on of as or s . 1 6 t P t In the spring Of 90 , six out - new stations were Opened , some Of which were among the Hakka people , and in the following ’ year , the preachers conferences , more fully dealt with in another connection , were organized . More

- important still , from the standpoint Of self govern

- ment and also Of self support , was the ordination , as pastors , Of four native preachers . Three Of these were inducted into self-supporting congrega to tions , and the fourth was appointed the pastoral of supervision the Giran Plain , as the representative

Of the Mission Council . A few months later one another preacher , at time a sorcerer , was ordained and inducted into the largest charge on D i i a tote . the whole field , that in the city Of One -i - son n . Of the four j ust mentioned , a law Of Dr

- Mackay , was called to the famous Bang kah

Church . These events , taking place within SO short a period , were as significant Of the progress and stability Of the work as were any Of those recorded in the more exciting days Of the pioneer ’ s life . Were the founder to return he would rej oice to find several Of his Old students and evangelists ad settled in pastorates , and assisting in the ’ ministration O f the Church s work . i n d Nor th and Sou th Un i t e n Sy o . Shortly

124 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL and for ten days methods Of teaching and kindred r topics we e taught and discussed . The deepest interest was taken in this new phase Of Christian work , and the conference will doubtless become a permanent institution . Recently the Synod authorized the publication f O the first hymn book for the Union Church .

Formerly there were two hymn books in use , the one in the South being in the South Formosa dia lect and differing slightly from the Amoy Church hymn book , which was in use in the North . This unnecessary confusion has now been removed , and a hymn book produced which i s larger and much more suitable for general use in church and Sunday

School worship .

Last spring the Synod Of Formosa , which is now on ecclesiastically independent , put itself record as recommending and urging that the use Of strong drink and narcotics in any shape or form be di s r cou aged by all the Christians . The Synod has also decided that the diaconate shall be established throughout the Church .

Growth i n S elf- S upport

r Au gm en t at i on Fu n d C eat ed . The growth o f the native Church in self- support is no less con

- spi cuous than its growth in self government . After the Presbytery had been at work for three years , it recognized , in common with the Mission

Council , the necessity Of urging upon the native

- brethren the duty Of self support . The larger GROWTH OF THE NATIVE CHURCH 125

a was and stronger congreg tions , it increasingly felt , should come to the help Of the weaker . From that time this subject was under discussion at every 19 10 Presbytery meeting till , in , an Augmenta tion

Fund was definitely established . Since then a new spirit Of sympathy and co - opera tion has character i z i ed the whole life Of the Church , expressing t self i n a steady annu al increase in contributions to all the funds . Eli h d O th er Fu n d s stab s e . The needs Of the widows and orphans O f the deceased pastors and c f preachers became the Obje t O their next concern . was a u The question t ken p by the Presbytery , and , in a short time plans were adopted for the estab “ ’ ’ li shm en t O a u Of a Widows and rph ns F nd , to be followed no t long a fter by the Aged and I nfirm ’ a Ministers Fund , the two funds being malga i 1 21 i s o f mated n 9 . It to the credit the Formosan Church that this joint fund has a lready reached the splendid sum o f and has done much to remove anxiety from the minds Of those who are getting Old in the service Of the Church . There ” has also been established a Home Mission Fund , the interest on which has now been used for severa l years to meet the expenses Of evangelistic meetings for non - Christian people in the neighborhood of the

Christian chapels . In addition , liberal gifts have been made every year for outside Objects , such as S c f r the British and Foreign Bible o iety , while o recent famine relief in China the North Formosa

Christians contributed about a thousand dollars . 126 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

i s h h h G vi n g of t e C u rc . The rem arkable growth Of the Church in the gra ce O f liberality is evidenced in the comparison Of the givings for 1907 with those f 1 21 1907 O 9 . In , the total amount Of the con tri butions 1921 was In , after subscribing for the Jubilee Fund about the total givings o f 500 amounted to an increase per cent . in fifteen years .

owth i the i ri t o Eva eli Gr n Sp f ng sm

Evan eli sm efi n ed . g D Probably the most en couragi ng feature in the growth Of the Church is the progress made in self- propagation or aggressive us evangelism . Let consider what the evangeliza tion Of a field means . In Formosa , the masses are in towns and villages , while many live in small hamlets situated on river - banks or on mountain

or . sides , among clusters Of bamboo groves How is the gospel to reach them and what does the task involve ? The year the writer reached Formosa the China Centenary Conference met in Shanghai . At this Conference a definition Of evangelization was given which is worth repeating . It was as “ follows : TO reach every individual in the Em pire with such a knowledge Of the world - saving mission , the redeeming death and resurrection , and the heart- transforming power Of the Lord Jesus

Christ , as will suffice for the acceptance Of a per ” sonal Saviour . This Objective includes in its a scope every town , Vill ge and hamlet in Formosa , or to China , Japan , every class Of Society down the

128 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

folly Of heathen superstitions and idolatry , and yet be slow in grasping the full significance O f the Christian faith and the beauty and blessedness O f

the Gospel as revealed in Jesus Christ . Until they

have , and until the fires Of Pentecost have burned

away much dross , they will not have that passion for the salvation Of their own people that will send

them forth as flaming evangels . i i Th e Task Of th e M ss on ary . I t is in this great

task Of deepening the Spiritual life , Of leading his co - workers t o the higher heights and the triumph O f a a ant places the bund nt life , that the foreign for a missionary will , gener tions to come , have a O f large and vital place in the life the Church . a hi s Should he f il here , he will fail totally in mission . The one who calls men and women to a life O f

holiness , consecration and service , and leaves them constantly hungering for more Of the divine hi s own life , ever keeping soul sensitive to the

Macedonian call , will always remain indispensable

to the life Of any field Of Christian work . h h h Vi t al t o th e Li fe Of t e C u r c . Whatever other qualities may be possessed , the evangelistic

to . spirit is essential a growing , indigenous Church Important as even self- government and self support are , they are not enough . The church Of

- - Laodicea was self governing and self supporting ,

but was by no means in a healthy condition . If a Church is failing to reach out into the regions

beyond , she will not and cannot progress in any Vital GROWTH OF THE NATIVE CHURCH 129

a i a as a i sense . The situ tion in Ch n , summ r zed by Dr Do M a Gilli v ra S a ai si n ifi . nald c y , of h ngh , is g hi f S cant . In closing s estim ate O a ymposi u m on

Evangelism , he emphasized the following fou r points : ( 1) The testimony is overwhelming that aggres sive evangelism is characteristic Of the Chinese a O f churches , and is responsible for the l rger part 2 w the increase in numbers . ( ) In the ne fields growth must be by fresh inroads on the m asses O f 3 a of the heathen . ( ) There is d nger slackening 4 i in settled charges . ( ) There s d anger Of separa

tion from the heathen community . Testimonies from leading men conversant with conditions in Jap an proper will help us to see how difficult it is for indigenous churches to devel o p if they fail to accept the responsibility O f evangeli

zing their own territory . At a recent conference “ the situation was briefly summarized thus : That a Church to which we have tr nsferred , presumably ,

everything that belongs to a Christian Church , is not u o f , apparently , adeq ately conscious its res ponsibility as an indigenous Church for the

O f . Christianization Japan This , surely , is no

ultimate solution . An independent Church must surely assume the responsibility Of carrying on its u own extension work . We m st leave with each indigenous Church a burning sense o f its res ponsibility for the evangelization O f its own

unevangelized nationals .

— I . B . 9 . 130 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

zed Ev Growth i n Organi angeli sm

A s far as Formosa is concerned , mission work was in the early years purely evangelistic . The mis sionary led his evangelists into the regions beyond the small groups Of Christians which he had already n won in the tow s and Villages . Through this method men and women were led into the Chris tian Church . With the growth Of the mission the local work and the teaching Of students absorbed ’ the larger part of the missionary s time . During f r some years there were districts where , o lack O f time , the sacraments were not dispensed . The f r pioneer missionary , specially fitted o evangelism f as he was , had to become the general director O a i one miss on plant , with no to direct the evangelists in the work . Even before he passed away , the workers had lost largely the art Of going into the highways and byways and calling the heathen into i . ffi the fold After the Japanese occupation , a d culty arose in that it was scarcely possible for the Formosan preachers to engage in such work without meeting with police interference .

A u es ed li . r S gg t Po cy The modern mission , o gani z ed as it necessarily must be with its various O f departments work , carries the danger Of the evangelistic work being neglected on account Of the s O f growing demands Of pastoral upervision , the a and O f educ tional work , various other depart

a . ments . Out Of large experience , Dr Campbell to Gibson , the veteran missionary China , expressed

132 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

a a - ppointed to this work , had p ssed his second year a a a a a i l ngu ge ex min tion , he beg n w th his fellow workers to pl a n evangelistic work in the non - Chris

tian communities . Street ch apels were rented in several districts where prea ching was carried on

several nights a week . The missionary , with a groups Of ev ngelists , preached in towns and Vil

n - lages , o street corners and vacant lots , in market

- places and court yards , and even in heathen O f temples . In the case the younger genera tion Of a h ad pre chers , who seldom preached to heathen a at was a udiences , the task first not an ttractive f f o ne . or It was di ficult the missionary , dull

foreigner that he was , to understand their apathy in a work that to him was the all- absorbing mission f a O . his life The men who , in the e rly years , had followed M ackay up and down the land were now advanced in years , yet it was among them the most ardent spirits were found . They were r e f ld on minded O O times , and these evangelistic trips many were the reminiscences O f pioneer days the mission ary heard . i i n fe en es an d Ev n li m D str ct Co r c a ge s . One feature O f the work contributed largely to the f 1 success Of this movement . In the spring O 907 the Presbytery divided the field into three districts , in each Of which was established a half- yearly con O f ference for the benefit the pastors and preachers . At these conferences two d ays were spent in dis cussing problems arising out Of the growing needs

Of the infant Church . The third day was given GROWTH OF THE NATIVE CHURCH 133 over to the examination Of preachers on Biblical a nd a u u u i a rel ted s bjects , nder the s pervis on Of i i i a m ss onary . Every even ng the pre chers divided i and ac . into groups , went forth pre h ng the Word On account O f the presence O f the foreign mission as a a ary , there w no interference from the J p nese a ac at policemen . The enthusi sm Of the pre hers these conferences was most encou raging . The Christi ans were stirred and the heathen around S i i became interested . tead ly and pers stently the “ ” “ i O - SO i sp rit Of evangelism grew till p , plant ng ” f a a the seed O the Word , became most f miliar h n r ti n i term in t e co v e sa o Of the Chr stians . En li s i M i n s i n h l va ge t c eet g C ap e s . It was not long before the leaders in the Church began to a i a a a i be re lize , w th some concern , th t g p ex sted a and a tween the Christi ns their he then neighbors , and that all around their ch apels there were mul i a t tu des yet untouched by the Gospel . Fin lly the a u Presbytery took up the m tter , and , after m ch a i th e deliber t on , decided that the interest on

Home Mission Fund , previously referred to , shou ld be u sed in esta blishing speci al evangelistic a a meetings in twenty or more ch pels every ye r , with a View to reaching the heathen communities i n o a their immediate neighb rhood . In order th t a the best results might be Obt ined , the Presby ’ tery s Committee on Evangelism drew up the following regulations : (a) Printed Copies Of the ’ week s programme were to be distribu ted among

b - the people . ( ) A regular gong beater was to gO 134 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

round the town every afternoon announcing the f c S place and hour o service . ( ) everal o f the best

speakers were to be invited , and asked to forward

their subjects , which were to be specially suitable

for heathen audiences , to a committee Of arrange d ments . ( ) The Christians were to be ready to

welcome their heathen neighbors , to direct them t o seats and to distribute hymn books and Christian

literature . They were also to provide for the

food and entertainment Of the preachers . These

special meetings have been kept up for years , with

the interest steadily increasing . The chapels

have been usually filled , and often crowded , for

weeks at a time . l f h i s r k Resu t s O t Wo . Direct results have been

secured from this method Of work , but more far reaching is the changed attitude O f the people to ward chapels , evangelists and converts . The wide chasm between the two communities has been

gradually closing . The Christians are not now

looked upon with the same suspicion and dislike . The pastors and preachers are regarded as worthy o f of members society , men all ranks associating

with them freely . Leading men , such as town elders and clerks , though not Christians them a selves , Often attend these speci l services , and publicly advise their people to come and hear the Christian doctrine ” They acknowledge the im provement it has brought about in the lives and

- conduct of many . I n Formosa to day there are many among the more intelligent classes who are

136 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

O f Forward Movement the Canadian Churches , a a with the result th t , a week or two l ter , the Pres bytery met and discussed the inauguration Of a ”

Forward Movement in North Formosa . The

proposal was enthusiastically received . It seemed most fitting that such a step should be taken in View Of the approaching Jubilee o f the Formosan

Church . Thus the Forward Movement was launched , having as one Of its chief Objectives the speedy evangelization Of the non - Christian com m ni i n u t es . A standing Committee o Evangelism was f appointed , which took entire control O the evangelistic bands referred to above . h m n Su ccess of t e Move e t . From its inception the work has been carried on with enthusiasm and success , as the following extract from the report for 1921 indicates : “ The Forward M ovement gathers greater en h i r t us asm as the year Of ou Jubilee draws nigh .

The twelve evangelistic bands , in addition to con ducting their regular church services , preached in 330 outlying Villages ; and people heard the

O f for . gospel , many them the first time This is an increase Of 50 per cent . over the reported hearers f O last year . I t is impossible to tabulate all the fift - fiv e results . Still we do know that y persons made a definite decision to begin the Christian life , Of whom quite a number handed over their idols to the preachers and became regular worshippers at ff the church services . Besides these special e orts in the heathen Villages , evangelistic services were

- held in twenty two churches throughout the field . GROWTH OF THE NATIVE CHURCH 137

- i i At least 106 n on Chr st ans signed decision cards . Thus the spirit Of o ur Forward Movement i s u u deepening . The most enco raging feat re is that i s it an indigenou s movement , carried on largely by the Formosan brethren who have assumed

entire responsibility for its success .

Growth i n Numbers

This chapter ‘ would be incomplete without re ference to the growth of the Church as revealed in

its present numerical strength . An explanation

ought , however , first to be given , lest misleading conclusions be drawn from comp arisons between the past and present which might reflect seriou sly

on the work of the last twenty years . It may be easily gathered from statistical tables that there were more chapels in the days Of the founder than

at the present time , and almost as many converts . A El i n Im portan t xp an at on . It should be borne in mind that in earlier d ays it was impossible for one missionary to find out much about the life and co Di i ndu ct O f the converts . scipl ne was almost was f impossible . It extremely di ficult for the foreign missionary to Obtain information from the a Formos n brethren . There was also considerable u u i an influx thro gh lter or motives , such as c be

- found in many mission fields to day . Further f f i c more , lack o su fic ent supervision left chur h f r rolls unpurged o years . Names Of members who had been dead for years were left on by careless preachers . The fact that in the Giran Pl ain the 138 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

! revision Of the Church rolls took severa l years i n di cates how an d f slow di ficult this process was . During the last fourteen years the numbers re ported from the East Coast have been gradually diminishing . With the rapid passing away O f the

Pepohoan race , over thirty chapels on that plain dwindled down to eight . Almost all these chapels , however , are now in Chinese centres and , with the Chinese converts who furnish a more permanent foundation , the Christian cause in that district is u in a much more enco raging condition . are Furthermore , there now several ordained m I SSI onari es , eight ordained pastors , and regular sessions functioning in the general discipline Of the M membership Of the Church . oreover , the stan dard O f life and conduct and the knowledge Of Christian truth i s very mu ch higher and the danger Of ulterior motives that were peculiar to social and political conditions O f the Old r! gime has been considerably reduced . a or There are fifty pre ching stations chapels , r each o f which has a native preacher o pastor .

a I n - Eight p stors are self supporting charges , while a all the rest are partially s upported by thei r st tions . In our educational institu tions there are several who at one time were pu pils in these schools and h w o , having gone to Japan and graduated from colleges there , have returned as Christian teachers to the schools in which they formerly studied . n h n s M em bers a d Catec u m e . At the end o f 1921 two thousand three hundred and seventy - four on e six baptized adult members , and thousand

GROWTH OF THE NATIVE CHURCH 139

hundred and twenty- five baptized children were a reported . There were ne rly three thousand who came more or less regularly to the church services

and received Christian instruction . Many Of these are on the borderland be twee n Christianity o f and heathenism . Some them , while , for various not reasons , yet baptized , have forsaken heathen ism and recognize themselves as part Of the Chris

tian community . Though heathen superstitions

and idolatry have lost all charm for them , they have not yet surrendered fully to the claims O f the

Lord Jesus Christ . The scarcity Of evangelists , who have the powe r Of reaching the consciences O f men and who can show the folly of the heathen at religions and , at the same time , present the O f a a m a tractive power the Cross Of C lv ry , y account for such a large number every year who are still on the catechumen list rather than on the list Of members . h l Su n d ay Sc oo s . There are nearly two thou sand Sunday School scholars and over two hun u dred teachers . The preachers , tho gh they have n O a i i had speci l tra n ng in this work , have become i f deeply nterested in it o recent years . They Su a S superintend their own nd y chools , and among their helpers are many who have gone through o ur T am s i Christian schools in u . This is a most an promising field Of labor , for which it is hoped ordained missionary with special Sunday School i training w ll soon be appointed . Th e h r i s i n m m n i C t a Co u ty . In North Formosa

the Christian community , including baptized adults 140 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

and children and adherents with their children , may be set at ten thousand . This means that for every one hundred and fifty Of the population there is one person who has direct connection with the

Christian faith .

Though much progress has been made , especially in more recent years , in the planting Of an indigen o s u Church , the work still to be accomplished is a challenge both to Formosan and foreign workers . There is much cause for gratitude to God for the

o- harmony and c operation which , throughout the years , have characterized the relationship between the Canadian missionaries and their efficient CO laborers , both men and women . The help Of the foreign missionaries will be required for many years to come — a fact that the Formosan brethren are realizing more and more , as they become more O f keenly conscious the needs , and as they find the missionaries becoming more familiar with the life and problems Of the people to whom they have gladly and unreservedly given their life service . F r of o the present position the Formosan Church , fo r its growth in knowledge and spiritual power , in effective organization and in aggressive evan li e sm God . g , we may well thank May the Church in Canada , by its prayers , its loyal support and the f f maintenance o an adequate missionary sta f , help to hasten the day , that is ever the goal Of the foreign missionary enterprise , when the Formosan Church herself shall be able to take over the full responsibility for Christianizing the Island

Beautiful .

CHAPTER VI I

B REAKI NG NEW TRAI LS

UCH interest gathers round the extension ,

during the New Era , Of the work into new

fields . The activities Of the mission have not been confined to establishing institutions and to organizing and building up the Church from k within , important as that wor is . New territory S has been added to that already occupied . ince 1905 eighteen new out - stations have been opened in North Formosa . Several are in the Hakka

‘ territory , three in the Taiko region , seven in on Karenko two Giran , two the Plain , in the Kiirun

one . f district , and in Taihoku At most o these

points churches have been erected , while in a few places the Christians still worship in rented s treet chapels . This chapter will deal with only one Of one these districts , but in which the Christian

faith has made great progress Of recent years , and in which there have lived some Of the most remark

able converts that North Formosa has produced .

Planti ng the Fai th i n Tai ko

Ta iko is a market town with a population Of a a bout five thous nd , situated in the centre Of a Ew 14 BREAKING N TRAILS 3

a i i a o a l arge f rm ng d strict l ng the seaco st , at the

- south west corner o f the North Formosa field . ca i n i are Around this town , s ttered every d rection ,

scores Of villages and h amlets . In both the town and Vill ages are m any men Of wealth and O f

literary attainments . S Tan Ki iong , the converted scholar whose life a a story makes up a l rge p rt of this chapter , was a M a - - o born in the vill ge Of liong p , three miles from H i s was a a a was Taiko . father we lthy f rmer who f c a a O f also a district O fi i l , man liberal education i T a n and good repu tat on . Ki Siong was the

youngest Of four sons . The three Older brothers were prosecuting their studies O f the Confucian i Ki Si class cs , but ong was sent to herd the cattle . He compl ained o f hi s hard lot and begged to be a llowed to study with his brothers and prepare for H i s the examinations . father sent him to his ’ a on grandf ther , who , seeing the young lad s on earnestness , gave him the permission he sought , condition that he find a substitute to herd the a o cattle . He found po r boy whose highest ambi i to u e at t on was get eno gh to , and this the lad would ’ an i n be su re Of in T Ki S o g s home . W a au S a h tever f lts Tan Ki iong had , over tten l was n f t on to dress not o e O them . While other young men Of ordin ary means would be attired in a i ci a exami fl sh ng colors , espe lly when sitting at i a a a n a . n tions , he would ppe r common g rb Others might ride on horseback o r in sedan chairs ; he preferred to travel the two days ’ journey to the 144 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

f Si n hik o r n t o c u . ci y , New Bamboo , o foot On o ne occasion he w as made the Object o f ridicule by two proud youths on the j o urney . When they reached the city , the examiners , noticing the appearance Of these young aspirants clothed in ’ on mandarins costumes , turned them with the S bitterest sarcasm , and , pointing to Tan Ki iong , son declared that he , though the Of a wealthy a nd f set farmer an O ficial , had them an example of common sense and humility . His grea t thirst for knowledge was his outstand a f Con fu I an ing char cteristic . In his studies o the c a cl ssics he made great progress . But in spite Of S his many praiseworthy traits , Ki iong had certain moral weaknesses . Though gentle in manner , he of had a very sharp tongue . He was small stature ,

- slim and sickly looking , for he followed the example hi s Of grandfather , his father , his mother , and three

Older brothers , all Of whom were Opium smokers . Most o f the morning he spent in bed smoking Opium ; in the afternoon he would take a walk around the farm , then return to his room to pass the rest Of the day with his classics , his Opium and

- H - his tobacco water pipe . e was short sighted from his youth , a trouble the Opium habit only intensified , until at last , from constant rubbing , i h s eyes became seriously affected . He was about thirty years O f age when Japan took possession Of the island . Being a man Of means and trustworthy , he was by the “ chosen f Japanese as district O ficial . In this position he

146 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

he rose with fear and trembling , and addressed the ‘ f a O ficial thus , In all my life I h ve never drunk liquor . May it please your honor to excuse me ? By my side i s a young friend who is an expert at this business . I am sure he will gladly take my ’ n share as well as his ow . As yet I had n ot touched my own gl ass . Most earnestly I begged ffi i ’ that I also might be excused . The O c al s per suasion , however , prevailed , with the result that I was taken home in a sedan chair . When I awak ened from my long stupor , my mother was by my

she . side . Later died But the habit lived on . When Tan Ki Siong first came into contact with Christianity his hunger for knowledge was still

' h e was a a keen but physic l wreck , and was far from S peace and happiness . uperstition and idolatry for had ceased to appeal to him , while a mystic and a as a religious enthusi st he was , Confucianism was a barren field . TO secure the satisf ction his heart craved and a s a last resort he began the study Of vegetarian Buddhism . In the town Of Taiko there were several v eget arian Buddhists who were urging him to enter their sect . These he kept busy with his questions , but could get from them no direct answers unless he signified his readiness to be initi ated into their religious mysteries . It was while he was studying o f their system that , in the providence God , the way Opened for him to gain a knowledge O f Chris tian truth . At that time there were two or three people in BREAKING NEW TRAILS 147 the district who h ad heard the Gospel in the mi s

i i i - f a a S a M d a . O s on hosp t l t hok , Formos One

i - Sa a was a H o k a . these his own serv nt , Every bb th i H i O k - a a morning , before dayl ght , , with nother

a a . young man , wou ld dis ppe r These two would “ San sah r - - a v il walk to o , o Three Forked River , lage twelve miles distant , where a Christian chapel h ad a a been recently opened , and fter ttending two a O f services , would w lk the twelve miles the return

u . a journey , reaching home at s nset M ny times h ad they prayed th at Go d wou ld o pen a pl ace Of a i worship in T iko , in order that the people m ght have an opportunity Of hearing the Christian truth and th at they themselves might n o t h ave to travel

r a T an Ki H i O k - a so fa . One d y Siong asked why a o lad u a n o r he , p or , who co ld neither re d write , was so a m an O f a happy , while he himself , me ns

i H i k - a i and a so u a . O educ t on , was nh ppy s mply “ O a u answered , If you g to he r the Jes s doctrine , m a you y be h appy too . Sa a u Early next bb th , witho t the rest knowing a T an S o and H i O k- a nything Of their plans , Ki i ng

- - n started for Three Forked River . O their arrival a the servant introd u ced the master to the pre cher , and the whole Sabbath was spent in the chapel . a u a a was an a The pre cher , tho gh not schol r , e rnest m an and three times every Sabbath preached to

a and . was s int sinner There , however , little in a T an S the three ddresses th at appealed to Ki iong , for he had long befo re left behind the superstitious beliefs the preacher was earnestly condemning . 148 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

He remained all night , asking questions till the For early hours O f the morning . several Sabbaths on he continued coming , and on e Of these Visits h ad met the first foreign missionary he ever seen , a Rev . Milton J ck , who was much impressed with his singular earnestness and thirst for Christian truth . I t was not long before he found that ff O f d Christianity O ered the forgiveness sins , a oc on trine which made a deep impression his heart . After travelling to the various chapels and spend ing whole nights with the preachers , he returned

at - - to his first spiritual adviser Three Forked River , and made known to him his decision to be a Chris tian a nd his desire t o have a rented chapel opened a n in Taiko . The pre cher told him he could ot be n a Christian a d remain an Opium smoker . Tan S : a Ki iong , in his characteristic way , replied H ve you not been preaching that God is infinite in ? can power I f that is SO , he not help me to give up Opium and give me strength to escape the agony ” o f the experience ? Together the preacher and the enslaved Opium smoker went down on their knees and Tan Ki Siong vowed to God that never again would he use Opium even if it should mean

his death . From that hour he never again touched a the drug , and in three d ys was quite recovered from the usu al effects that accompany the breaking

O ff from this habit . I t was such a triumph Of ’ divine grace that never since has he doubted God s f r O . power , o the great reality the Christian religion ’ n Ki i on am i l e m e h ri s i an Ta S g s F y B co C t . Tan Ki Siong was a believer for two months before

150 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

orm osan s T an S eigners or F , Ki iong , by the sheer O f o f force his character , the keenness his mind , and his absolute disregard for everything but his

- newly found faith , always attracted attention and a commanded a he ring . He had an entirely new u way Of expressing Christian tho ght , a way that

was striking , and at times amusing , to those who had accepted the Christian faith in the garment Of

orthodox Biblical theology . A S r ee - h a el an d i s er i es t t C p t S v c . Not long ’ Si on s f r after Tan Ki g decision o Christ , a street chapel was rented in Taiko and the preacher from Three - Forked - River transferred to this important

- market town . The news soon spread throughout w s the district . When the chapel a opened , several in the district , both men and women , who had

S a a . heard the Gospel at the hok hospit l , where Dr O f David Landsborough , the English Presbyterian for a Mission , over twenty ye rs has been carrying a on a most remark ble work , united with the con n verted scholar a d the new preacher . Every evening the chapel was crowded and as m any more stood in the street listening to the new doctrine .

Notwithstanding the opposition that was aroused , the number Of enquirers increased .

- fiv e In the little hall , only twenty by fourteen feet in Size , with a curtain four feet high separating a the men from the women , these pre ching services u a continued . The women wo ld enter by back door and take their seats in the enclosed area . BREAKING NEW TRAILS 151

r i After two o three addresses were del vered , the i i n congregation would disp erse , wh le the more t erested would remain listening to the preacher , Tan Ki Siong and others as they talked quietly on i a O some phase O f the Christ an mess ge . ften times a little group O f converts would continue the i i ccom conversation till m dnight . For Sleep ng a m od ati on seats would be drawn together providing space wide enough to accommodate half a dozen ’ a - a men , while for the mission ry s camp bed corner

Not would be cleared . infrequently , however , the a i a Odour Of leeks and g rl c , dded to the extreme heat , i n forced him to find a place for his bed the street , much to the interest and entertainment Of the

- b passers y . NO matter how early he rose , it was impossible for him to escape the curious gaze O f the folk on the other side Of the street . h h r h T e New C u c . The growth during the first

' f en year was tru ly rem arkable . The number O ui rers and q steadily increased , the converts found that it would be necessary for them either to rent r larger quarters o to bu ild a church . Through O f as special prayer , they sought the will God to T an S what course to follow . Ki iong soon secured a a o a from a we lthy heathen ch ice plot Of land , and church fifty feet long by thirty feet wide was for erected , which the converts , though not yet a i c a su b b ptized , together w th the re ent dherents , a a scribed nearly a thous nd dollars , in ddition to ’ a a sever l hundred d ays l bor . At the back Of the TH E I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

was church built a house for the preacher , as well as rooms for the itinerant missionaries . h e h u r h O en i n T C c p g . The church Opening was a great event . In addition to the missionaries and f several Japanese O ficials who were there , people came from all parts bringing various kinds of pre

sents , such as scrolls , clocks and other useful old a articles . An Christian wom n , eighty years

- Of age , walked fifteen miles from Three Forked S River , where Tan Ki iong first heard the Gospel ,

back . h om and after the service started e , the same

day , filled with a great j oy because Of the things sh e had seen and heard in that heathen market r i town , where three years before there were p act

ally no converts . The followI ng Sabbath sacraments were dis

d . S en se . p for the first time Tan Ki iong , Mr Lim , a and also scholar , many others were baptized , and within a year several elders and deacons were ap f r pointed . Though the company O believers g ew

n o . and prospered , they did t escape trials The following year a typhoon partially destroyed the O f main building , the repairs which cost several

hundred dollars . A second typhoon entirely de for stroyed the room the missionaries , and again with cheerfu l hearts the Christians came forward

with their gifts for repairing the damage . f North o Taiko are several Important towns , and

m any Villages . The story Of how the Gospel gained an Oanli T sush O entrance to Byon , and is most

154 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

the house was standing in the doorway , but did not O f return the salutations the Visitors . They e n red - te the general living room , which was also used as a bedroom , and found seats wherever they could . O f After a few moments awkward silence , the scholar began admonishing the woman , who was on f r still standing the doorsteps , o her folly in opposing her husband coming to hear the Christian religion . After listening for a moment she dis appeared into an adjoining room and returned with a stout bamboo stick , about four feet long , and on took her place the steps again , guarding the doorway . Again there was silence , till the scholar O f ventured a few more words counsel . Then the storm broke . In a fit Of temper the stout little woman leaped on the floor and beating it madly t e she with h bamboo stick , vowed would die before sh e would accept the Jesus doctrine . ’ I t was now the missionary s turn . He arose and , S . O standing beside her , said a few words startled was she at hearing a foreigner speak in he r own for sh e tongue , that the moment forgot her temper and listened Come unto me and I ” r s will give you e t was quoted . The word peace h arrested her attention . On being asked if s e desired this peace , and wished them to pray for ”

Y es . her , She answered A peculiar hush fell upon the little company as , standing there , they prayed that the God Of peace would bring into this stormy soul His own gracious calm . AS the missionary and his friends were about to BREAKING NEW TRAILS 155

a a i go , the wom n g ve them a press ng invitation i bu t to stay for d nner , this was impossible as it was necessary for them to press on to another i a . V ll ge Before leaving , however , the missionary told the woman he would expect to see her next Sa a and bbath , with her husb nd their little son , at

a . to O the Taiko ch pel On turning g , they found the a doorw y blocked with a crowd Of curious onlookers , wh o were ready to li sten ; SO advantage was taken Con Of the opportunity to preach the Word . s i cuous a - p in the crowd was a large , co rse looking

i - a Ch nese , with a pock m rked face , who , at first , was a ngry , thinking the barber had told the mis si onar of wh o o n i a y his misdeeds , but , be ng ssured that they knew nothing Of his past , listened attentively with the rest . Sa a a Next bb th , when the mission ry entered the o chapel , some time bef re the service , there in a sat a hi s i bo and corner the b rber , w fe and little y ,

- i all the pock marked Ch nese . They remained d a and , S y promised to return the next abbath , which they did and contin ued coming for six months , until meetings were opened near their i a own V ll ge .

e i n n i n s i n Oan li . B g g Byon , where these new a i o he rers l ved , was not m re than two miles from w n ! a . S o no a nli Tan Ki i ng , elder and an able a h ad a Oanli spe ker , sever l friends in the district , an i among bo th the wealthy d the l terary cl ass . O ne d a and y , with the preacher the missionary , he i i — Vis ted th s market town . They had supper in 156 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

the house O f a young storekeeper wh o had become interested in the Christian religion through his on mother , who a previous occasion had heard a missionary preach under the shade Of a banyan to tree , close her home , and who , at that time , had for asked Christian literature , stating that she was anxious for her son to get a knowledge Of this

doctrine , as he was in need Of reform . This night ,

after supper , he cleared an unoccupied store , filled

it with borrowed seats , and placed at the back

several boxes for a platform . The new hearers n from Byon were o hand to lend their assistan ce . The result Of this Visit was the opening Of a rented street - chapel and an invitation t o Tan Ki Siong to for leave his farm , the time being , and come to O nli 19 13 a . In the spring Of , he moved to that

town . After a few months , several decided to be identified with the new converts and an at

tempt was made to buy a lot in the town , with a o f View to building a chapel . A number the towns

people , however , combined to frustrate this plan .

Nevertheless crowds came to hear . Several gave up opium and the number O f those truly interested

in the Truth steadily increased . h i r - i e Tan Ki Si on g an d s Wate p p . The manner

- to in which Tan Ki Siong gave up his water pipe , h which at this time e was still wedded , will be Of a interest . While he was living in rented qu rters at O nli a a , his three sons c me home from college on their vacation . The Oldest could speak fluently

158 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

’ That morning the elder s sons had the happy task n W Of gathering up nearly a doze pipes , hich they n kept to show t o the missionary o his next visit . r h f h e r k n G owt o t Wo a t Byo . The work in

Byon at first met with much opposition . The ’ wh o so barber s wife , had vowed vehemently that sh e would rather die than accept the Jesus doctrine , and later had been converted , was bitterly per f secuted , and even beaten for her faith . Di ficulty arose in securing a lot for building a chapel and in buying the Clay required for making the brick . But again the converts called for special prayer

- was and again the answer came . A lot bought , a man was found who gave freely all the clay re ’ quired , and soon a little chapel and a preacher s a house were erected , for which sever l hundred dollars was contributed by Elder Tan himself . a Every Sabbath , morning and fternoon , the chapel was filled with converts and adherents . One Of the most interesting Of the converts was wh a a an Old scholar o was wealthy farmer , but i m l m k r O u s o e . heavy p This man , after having t o been led a knowledge Of the Truth , became an f intimate riend Of Elder Tan . He was a veritable

Nathaniel , manifesting a spirit Of remarkable a gentleness and meekness . On several occ sions S the writer , with Tan Ki iong and an elder from

Taiko , has spent a most enj oyable evening in his on O f home , conversing the absorbing theme the

Gospel . All Of these three were Chinese scholars ,

- all had been opium smokers , and all had had their BREAKING NEW TRAILS 159

a eyes partially ruined through th t habit . TO r a meet these men , now SO ma vellously tr nsformed , so perfectly h appy and so devoted t o spreading the w Gospel broadcast among their own people , as an experience not soon to be forgotten and a cause for the deepest gratitude . The first visit O f the writer after his return from fur lough was on the occasion Of ordaining elders a and deacons , as well as Of dispensing the s cra T ai - ments . The kah elders were present to help S in the services Of the day . everal candidates were received for baptism . Among them was a u h ad man who , two years previo sly , been cured Of a serious illness by the mission ary doctor an d H i h ad become a believer in Christ . s wife h ad a followed him to the ch pel , weeping because he was to be baptized . As the service was about to ’ th e a a was commence , mission ry s ttention drawn a i to woman outside , sitt ng in the ditch with a

o . was shawl ab ut her head On enquiry , it found ’ sh that e was the man s wife , bewailing the fact that her husband was th at d ay entering the d oc trine and would be henceforth lost to her . O n being told what his wife was doing , the husband “ a : She m a as a s id y weep long as she ple ses , I have delayed two yea rs for her . I want to be

- F r baptized to d ay . o two whole years this m an h ad i i been a Christian d sciple , and now noth ng could hinder him from carrying out his purpose a i n Of publicly confessing his f ith Christ . was This , however , not the only interesting event 160 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

r that marked the se vice . After the elders and deacons were ordained , and while an a ppropriate was hymn for the occasion being sung , an angry a looking woman , above the ordin ry size , who had heard that her husband was among those to be O f baptized that day , came to the door the chapel Old t and sent an woman to call her husband ou . on Immediately his appearance , seizing him by the sh neck , e pulled him first to the right and then to the left , pounding his head at each turn . After

‘ he r wrath sh satisfying in this energetic fashion , e

a re - departed , while her husb nd , entering the chapel , resumed his seat and picked up the strains with the rest of the worshippers , as if nothing had happened .

There is an interesting sequel to this incident . on Before the writer returned his second furlough , n a O f he went o e evening with group converts , men

Oanli . and women , to to preach On arriving he found a house made ready for the meeting with a s o platform built in the outer court , that people

as . could hear in the street , as well inside In a short time the house was thronged with heathen women , while crowds stood outside . After the service , the mistress Of the house talked with the I m i ss on ary enthusiastically about the gathering , when to his surprise he discovered that she was the r very woman who , two o three years previously , had beaten her husband at the chapel door . His patience had broken down her prej udice , and now she was a regular bearer o f the Gospel .

162 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

si nce soul were delivered , and ever has professed hi s . was faith in Christ Later he baptized , and h as since been one of the leading Christians in the place . Among the other helpers in the work at this centre for several years were a Chinese public was school teacher , who an earnest Christian , and ’ his a T i wife , graduate Of the Girls School in am su .

A new railway is being opened , which passes T sh through su o , ! anli and Taiko , rendering the evangelization o f this whole territory more practi cable and making it possible for the missionaries to reach with compara tive ease whole stretches Of country hitherto diflficult Of access .

The Taiko congregation , which is now self supporting with an ordained pastor and devoted a elders and de cons , looks upon this whole district as theirs to evangelize . The work is most pro mi si ng and is a cause for j oyous thanksgiving and r fo ea rnest prayer th a t it may continue to increase .

In the Opening Of these three stations , Tan Ki

Siong , the converted scholar , was the moving spirit . N r hi for o did s work end there , his influence has widened until it has been felt not only throughout the whole field , but also throughout the island . He is a splendid example Of what God is doing for the Church o n the mission field in raising up a strong , native leadership that shall make possible the indigenous Church for which we all earnestly pray . iat aper

R I VEus O God e ca use we so eat O G , , b gr ly i n limi t a nd O b scu re Thee i n T hy work gs . ea rts cond e m n us as we reali ze how O fte n Tho u has t b een prevente d from do i ng ma ny i r s i n u s nd t h rou h o ur a e s m gh ty wo k a g pr y r , r i d i nc ease o ur e f u u n e e . o b eca us O o b l f L r , r i h s we conside t h e wond e s O f Th a ce fa t , a r r y gr i n Formosa and a m on g a ll non - Chri s ti a n peoples .

EM I ND us tha t h owe e m uch si n v r may ab ound grace d oes m uch more a o und tha t T h Go s e i s the e owe b , y p l v ry p r O f God u nto the salva t i on O f th ose O f high or low es ta te o f es ecta e or o utca st , r p bl s i n ne s O f the sch o a o r the i no a n t r , l r g r M e e s con i nce f pea sa nt . ay w b o v d O Thy power and willi ngness to save to th e u tte most that we sh a th ou h t he r ll , r g a e rs O f o ur a i th se t hee ee to wo pr y f , T fr rk i T hy m ira cl es o f red e m pt on .

Er th th e o m o s n h i s i ns m p ay a t F r a C r t a ay ha ve a com ma ndi ng s e n se O f the ir re spo nsibili ty to share Th ee wi th their cou ntry m en i e t he m n to the mi s i n ie s . G v o t a d s o ar access to the mi nd s and h earts O f the no n - Chri s i i e h e t e n e i n i i t ans . G v t m u t ra c publ c a nd n i a te i n season a nd o ut O f season and e n pr v , , b yo d all else h elp the m to bea r wi tne ss by the exhibi tion o f the ir love a nd by the e loquence O f their i own su e nd e ed i es . Cont nue O C i st rr r l v , hr , to wi n Thy vi c tori es i n h um an h earts i n Fo r mosa a nd i n o the a nd s u n ti the ea th s h r l , l r all be filled wi th the gl ory o f God a s the wa ters

he e . I T h n m e co e t s a n a we . A a EN . v r y pr y M CHAPTER V I I I

TO OTHER CI TI ES ALSO

H ow the New Doctri ne Entered Ki n ori p

I NPORI is a market - town with a population on a Of three thousand , the north co st , about ’ three hours walk from Kiirun . The plain in which the town is situated is surrounded O n a on three sides with high mount ins , while the fourth

sea - a a lies the coast , long which are sever l fishing a villages . About ten thous nd people are to be found on this small plain and in the surrounding i s one foothills . It Of the most isolated spots in a North Formosa . At the time the Japanese c me the chapel was destroyed , and every vestige Of

Christianity disappeared . For many years no

O - u missionary visited the place . G Khoan j , who m ri used to live in Ki pori painting temples a d idols , on O f on a and was e the first five converts , sever l occasions told the writer about the needs Of this neglected corner .

e ki n u n d . 1 13 a Br a g Gro In 9 the mission ry , with two or three preachers , spent three weeks in this town . On hearing Of the arrival of the Christian

166 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

A e on d i si S c V t . A year later another Visit was Ki to n ori . made p On this occasion Tan Ki Siong , who was then preacher in the Mackay Memorial

Hospital , accompanied the writer . AS they reached the outskirts Of the town , the children coming from school , recognizing the missionary , shouted , Jesus ” is com I ng ! Jesus is coming ! and running home advertised most effectively the arrival O f the

Visitors . That evening a large crowd gathered f r - o the preaching service in the market place . Two or three men who had heard the Gospel on the previous Visit , one Of whom had already cast away his idol , were much interested . This man was very desirous that a place should be rented for a street w s chapel , but such action at that time a considered premature . The genuineness Of his interest was evidenced by his coming several times to Taihoku S and the town of hirin , a distance Of about fifteen miles , to hear the Gospel . A - h 1 1 Str eet c apel Ren ted . Early in 9 5 the mis si onar m y , with two native pastors , paid Ki pori still another Visit . They stayed three days , and this time rented a house which would serve both as a r chapel and as a home fo a preacher . The Japanese Official showed his interest by providing them with comfortable quarters during their stay . Already several had become deeply interested and when they learned that a pre acher was to be sent to live in their town , they were much delighted . After the necessary repairs to the house were completed , an TO OTHER CITIES ALSO 167

earnest preacher was placed in charge Of the work . six h ad wor Within months , forty become regular and i shippers , while receiving instruct on in the i u O f Christ an tr th , had begun the study the o R manized script . The first year there was much difficulty in getting any O f the women or girls to enter the chapel . Gradually , however , their pre O f ev ent u j udices were removed , some the women ’ i ally entering the women s scho ol at T am su . From its establishment the cause at this centre continued to prosper . i s i s n d s m er sh i F r t Bapt sm a Pre en t Me b p . At the first baptism al service about fifteen men and o ar w men were baptized . Now there e over fifty baptized members . The last time the writer visited Ki npori over a hundred Christians and ad h r e ents were present at the morning service . b These Christians , moreover , have een liberal with their means and faithful in bearing witness to the o b S O f G spel among their neigh ors . ome the young lads are looking forward to the Christian ministry , while two or three h ave expressed a desire to be a own come ev ngelists to their people . An d ol h k l s l I t at Spo e Fa e y . While space does n ot p ermi t rel ating m any Of the interesting i n cidents that have m arked the history O f this promising corner Of the field , the story may be O f a i told a f m ly who were converted to Christianity , i c a a a i w thin re ent ye rs , in Vill ge three m les from Ki n i or . u a p The h sb nd , a farmer , had been absent 168 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

from home for several weeks on business . On his

a hi s O f return he ccused wife unfaithfulness , which

' h e 9 s solemnly denied . In a fit Of madness he went i O ff to consult the gods . After go ng through the

u a c us al he then rites prescribed in su h a case , he managed to secure from them the information he desired . I t is remarkable how these dumb idols can be persuaded to say that which meets the wishes Of their devotees ! With this assurance

wife fs from the gods Of his guilt , he determined to punish her , going so far as to threaten to kill her .

In the good providence Of God , the man heard

the evangelists preaching the Gospel . They told

Of the lying propensities Of the gods . This daring accusation arrested him . After thinking it over he decided that he would learn more Of the new doc

wa s a O f trine . The result th t he was convicted his

- O f folly , Of his ill treatment his wife and Of his own evil life . His wife was anxious to learn Of the ’ new religion that had so changed her husband s heart and will . The result was that they both became earnest , happy Christians . One morning , 1921 a short time before his return to Canada in , the writer called at their home . When he was leaving , the woman , with her husband standing by , “ handed the missionary the idol , saying , Take it , pastor ; take it to your cou ntry ; it nearly cost me ” my life . Both are now baptized and are living happy Christian lives .

17 0 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

a Giran City and Rato , the l tter an important

- market town . At that time , in the whole Giran plain there were but one or two Chinese families

connected with the Christian Church . The fol lowing year , having been given the supervision Of on the churches the plain , the writer spent a month Sa there , dispensing sacraments , examining bbath ev an eli s schools and , with the preachers , holding g i t c meetings every evening i n Giran City . This method Of work was continued for three or four years . From the very first it was evident to the missionary that , if the Chinese were to be won to l the Christian faith , the chapels wou d have to be transferred from Pepohoan Villages to Chinese

- towns . A street chapel had been rented already in

Giran City , the capital Of the plain , and a native pastor had been stationed at Rato ; but as yet the “ ” - l i n r Chinese kept aloof from the level p a e s . I t o f was a serious case race prej udice , the Chinese possessing a very marked sense Of superiority .

A Ch i n ese Conve . 19 14 rt In , after the mission ’ ary s return from furlough , he again spent a month

in the district and , with the evangelists , preached

t o the heathen in Giran City every evening . At on e Of these services , a Chinese , pushing his way through the crowd till he got his shoulder against

the doorpost , listened attentively to two addresses . After the meeting he earnestly inquired Of the m I SSI onary if what they were telling about this Jesus was really true ; if He could do - all they said

was . He could for men . He told that it was true TO OTHER CITIES ALS O 17 1

The following evening he came again , and again i the third evening , this time br nging his two boys a SO and sitting inside ne r the front . earnestly did he listen that apparently he forgot the presence S Of the Pepoh oans . On the abbath he and his two

boys were present at the morning service , and in the evening his wife sli pped in among the Chris

tian women . It was evident that the man was deeply aroused and his heart touched by the

truths he had heard . a t On the Monday , when the man was away his

work three miles from the city , his wife , having ’ a heard that the pre cher s mother had just died , bought a flag and presented it as a token Of her

recognition of the new religion . This SO enraged the mother- i n -law that she beat her daughter-i n - law most unmercifully . When the husband reached home he went to the ancestral table on which stood the family gods and , taking the central idol , solemnly declared to his mother that he was an through with past superstitions d idol worship , as he had decided to become a Christian and , as a sign Of his determination to be henceforth a follower O f the new religion , he dropped the idol at his ’ a mother s feet . He continued to attend the ch pel services and was soon able to read the New Testa

was . ment . The following year he baptized TWO i d years later his w fe took the same step , and to ay i the whole fam ly are in the Christian Church . u i ldi n h e h u h B g t C rc . Gradually the prej udices C i o Of the h nese , previ usly referred to , weakened . 172 T H E ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

i Many began to venture ins de the ch apel . All a a u i would accept Christi n liter t re , wh le some would

gO SO far as to buy gospel tracts . For some time it had been known th at a gift o f several thousand a i dollars had been made for church in G ran city . The preparations for building now aroused m u ch f . was interest Land bought , but great di ficulty

arose over getting the thatched cottages removed , for as soon as the owners heard that the foreigners t o a wished buy , they immedi tely demanded an o f f exorbitant price . Through the help the O ficials ,

however , the land was cleared and , in a busy thor o h fare O f ug in front the Confucian temple , the “ ” Jane Hunter Memorial Church was built . A a large bell , presented by an old Pepoho n widow , e rings out a reminder before every servic , whether —d a o r Sa week y bbath , that the Gospel message is an a to be delivered , and gives invit tion for all to “

u . come and hear the Jes s doctrine The church , with a residence for the preacher and four ad j oining rooms for the use Of the itinerant mission

a one . ries , is Of the finest buildings in the city f Soon after the completion O the church , Tan Ki Siong was appointed to Giran to help in eva n elisti c r g work , and his Oldest Son , a g aduate Of the as Theological College , w assigned to Giran City chapel . The new church , the gifted young

r p eacher and his father , as well as the devoted wife a u a and the faithful mother , combined to ro se gre t interest and enthusi asm in the work . A few

174 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

ol was the talk of his d companions , the gamblers

Of Taichu . I t was not long before there was a m arked change in his general appearance . In six months one could l hardly recognize him . One day an o d gambler ha O f friend , who d not heard his conversion , came to the door Of the hotel where Lau Thian- lai was sitting fanning himself . The friend , not t e

- cognizing him , asked him if Lau Thian lai was in .

On being told that he was , he went through the house shouting for his Old companion . Failing to to find him , he returned the man at the door and

- accused him Of telling a falsehood . Lau Thian lai ” - ! . is not in he exclaimed The hotel keeper , with O ld a an f miliar smile , looked at him and said , “ ’ - Or Which Lau Thian lai do you want , last year s ’ ” a ? this ye r s The man was startled and asked , “ ” What on earth h ave you been eating ? I have been ea ting the Jesus doctrine ; sit down and I will ”

o u . tell y about it , he replied of This was the man who , at the time the mis ’ si onar s to to y visit Giran j ust referred , had be come an earnest preacher , while still the owner Of f r the hotel . He had been deacon in Taichu o two to years , and at the time Of this visit Giran was an elder . An n eres i n on r i n I t t g C ve s o . The special meet ings in the new church were well attended . A few nights after they began a Chinese woman was led to hear the Gospel , with results that were singularly T O OTHER CITIES ALSO 175

Sh e was o f a a a interest ing . the wife J p nese a a hi s a registr r , who had w sted subst nce by drinking i i i a a a and gambl ng. The w fe be ng g mbler lso , i they soo n reached the end Of the r resources . The m an decided to cast his wife and their young dau ghters ou t Of the house , while he kept the sons .

was u a a The wom an th s pr ctic lly on the street , i a a w thou t home , when the Christi ns invited her an a u sh e to come d hear the Gospel , ss ring her would she receive peace . The first night entered by a a an d u a a a b ck door , being m ch t ller th n the verage a o a Chinese wom n , bent d wn in her se t the whole evening while l o oking up steadfastly at the o a a speakers . The foll wing evening she came g in i and on the third inv ted her husband to a ttend . At a a o f u o first he l ughed , but fin lly , out c ri sity , he a a c me , intending simply to st nd at the door and i H e u o a l sten . was , however , led p to the fr nt se t , where the text above the pu lpit a rrested hi s a t tention . The following evening he returned , and a o gain n the third evening , this time bringing a a a l rge Japanese colored n pkin , full Of Objects Of o i w rship , belonging to h mself and to his wife , his a was whiskey vase and wh t left Of his cigarettes . one a Thus , in act he g ve up the past and trusted

S - - God for his whole fu ture . iong tian H im hi never a or o a a and dr nk sm ked g in , entered o n the Chris h a tian life wit rem rkable earnestness . On the “ ” a O f his b nd hat he wrote the word Christian , so th at others might know that he h ad passed from 176 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

death unto life and that he had changed masters .

He understood the Gospel , trusted Jesus implicitly , and consecrated his whole life to God and to the f extension O His Kingdom .

The following year , the writer had the h a ppy privilege on e Sabbath day Of baptizing the whole

family , together with nine or ten Chinese converts .

S n - - hi Soon afterwards , io g tian Him was the means o f f the conversion Of a Japanese O ficial , who had t o been a drunkard , and given beating his wife f when under the influence o f liquor . This O ficial and his wife were both led to Christ through the

- o f faithful witness bearing this earnest convert , and at the following communion season were bap

ti zed in the Chinese Church . He was afterwards and a promoted transferred to T ihoku , where he

j o ined the Japanese Congregational Church . The conversion of the Japanese registrar and his

family deeply stirred the Christians . From that

time the work prospered and O ld prej udices gradu !

- —hi ally disappeared . Siong tian Him was ordained

an elder two years after his conversion , and in that Office has served faithfully and has given liberally i Of h s time and means . Recognizing the value on and power Of Christian literature , he bought e hundred and fifty dollars ’ worth of Christian books

for distribution among those who , he thought ,

a - would make good use Of them . A Sund y school a cl ss for Japanese children was started , which he ’ a took charge Of every Lord s day . He is striking f “ illustration O the power Of the grace Of God .

178 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL seasick crossing the Formo san channel and on arriving in Kiirun they found they had missed the boat . This necessitated the crossing O f several ranges Of mountains which in such stormy weather f was an exceedingly di ficult task . But being a

- a - u strong man , Tiu p undertook this j ourney and was successful in bringing the sacred fire to Rato . After first burning incense on his own ancestral hearth , he went proudly and lit the incense sticks in the temples Of the town .

The sacred fire from Foochow , however , could neither avert nor drive away misfortune from the ’ town clerk s family . Never before had there been Not so much Sickness in his home . a month passed without his having to call in a sorcerer to drive O ff some evil spirit . About this time a rented preach ing hall was opened near his home , and his little daughter started coming to the Sabbath school , where she soon learned some Christian h ymns and the Romanized script . The mother also became interested . She formed an acquaintance with the ’ preacher s wife , and began attending the services .

Her interest in what she heard increased , much to the alarm Of her husband . The little daughter made such progress in the Sabbath school that the preacher proposed that sh e should be sent to the ’ i was T am su Girls School . The mother willing for her to go , but the father most strenuously opposed it .

While this proposal was under consideration , speci al evangelistic meetings were opened in the TO OTHER CITIES ALSO

Rato chapel , in connection with which Tan Ki son - - Siong , his , the hotel keeper , Lau Thian lai , and t other preachers were called in o help . The town

- a - u was a to for clerk , Tiu p , persu ded come and the a h ad so first time hear the Gospel , ag inst which he Often spoken and the co nverts Of which he had so thoroughly despised . The first night he expressed astonishment at the good teaching he heard . He continued coming every evening while the special meetings l asted , with the result that the little i t T am s . daughter was allowed o gO to u Indeed , it was her father who took her across the very moun tains over which two years before he h ad travelled

with the sacred fire from a FO O Chow shrine . In the f i s a course o a year h wife was b ptized , while he him self became a regular attend ant at the Church services and started to learn to read the New

Testament in Romanized colloquial . It was not a nd long before he believed , at once became a ’ faithful witness Of the Gospel of God s grace . On one occasion Tiu - a - pu Visited the writer in i n Taihoku . He came to tell the missionary an eident th at h ad made a profound impression on

his mind , and that had aroused in his heart the deepest gratitude to God for His goodness in de ' livering him from the power o f supersti ti on and a idol try . That day he had been looking after the i a n f r a bur l Of o e o the men who , two o three ye rs

before , had gone with him o n th at fruitless pil h grimage to Fooc ow . Three days previously the m an h ad a Pak- gone to the f mous temple at kang , 180 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

- in Mid Formosa , where , while burning incense

- tso a before the goddess Ma , he had suddenly f llen bO d h ad b T ai down dead . The y een brought to hoku , where the policemen had hired coolies to a on c rry it to a graveyard the outskirts of the city .

Here the coolies had lef t it in a hole full Of water .

one - a - u Some had sent word to Tiu p , the converted who saw town clerk , immediately responded and that proper arrangements were made for his ’ friend s burial .

- - Tiu a pu is no uncertain Christian . Even be fore he was baptized he Observed family worship H i in his home . s liberality may be illustrated by the fact that he has Offered as much land as may be necessary for chapel grounds from a large plot he has bought in the centre Of the town . There n a are ow in Rato sever l Chinese Christian families , s r who , with the Pepohoan Christians from the u a one rounding vill ges , have united in establishing church in the town . Thus hath God wondrously H i wrought by s Spirit in the town Of Rato .

A Mi ssi on S tati on Needed at Gi ran

Interesting incidents in connection with the Opening Of pre aching halls in other Chinese centres a in the Giran field could be rel ted , but space does not permit . Throughout the plain there is much need Of missionary su pervision . The Mission i Council is looking forward to Open ng , in Giran an a city , a mission station with ord ined missionary S and two lady evangelistic workers . uch a station

182 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

O f Then at the command the skipper , they are turned around , stern shoreward and the call is given . Immediately the savages , with a char acteri sti c n yell , pull the boats o the top Of the e a on high wav s and l nd them high up the beach .

The feelings Of . the passengers can be better im a i ned g than described , as during the thrilling land on f ing they squat the bottom o the boats . The saw writer once a boat turn perpendicular , capsize and split in two on the beach . The men escaped , but the mail - bags were scattered over the raging i surf . That day there was no landing n Water

Lily Harbor , and the steamer had to seek a safer anchorage .

S u ccesses at Phoeni x Grove

From Water- Lily Harbor to a point sixty miles to the south a light railway has been built . Thirty miles south is the town Of Horin , or Phoenix Grove , the most remote preaching station in the territory

Of the Canadian mission . Some years ago a few on Christians settled in this Vicinity , some farms , others in the neighboring foothills for the purpose

Of distilling camphor , and a few in the town . While supervising the building Of the new Church at the north harbor , the writer , with a preacher , Visited s en Phoenix Grove . The Christians were mo t thusi asti c and asked that a preacher be sent to n them , a request which was granted the followi g year . TO OTHER CITIES ALSO 183

19 15 w In , successful evangelistic meetings ere held mi s at this point , when three preachers and the siOnary Spent a week Visiting Villages during the day and preaching to the heathen in the town every evening . Much opposition was met with on the rm sans part Of the more influential Fo o . k o f A young man , the boo keeper the Camphor

Company , who had never heard the Gospel before , told the town elder that he was going to hear the n t O Jesus doctrine . The elder advised him o to g and tried to discourage him by saying many un a o u i complimentary things b t the new rel gion . The m an was a young , however , not to be discour ged , i i n but was present the first even ng . He was tellige nt and courteous and from the first was deeply interested . The following evening he was

- o at the street chapel bef re the meeting Opened , and i i a sought an interview w th the miss on ry . The third evening he stood up in the middle Of one Of the addresses and enquired if he might ask a ques i t on . Then , turning round to the audience he said : I have heard now fo r three nights and not while I do understand much yet , I believe , from a a what I have he rd , th t these men are telling the i truth . I do not bel eve this foreign missionary would come all these thousands Of miles to tell us i ” a s . wh t not true Then , turning to the mission ar a a a y , he sked , What guar ntee h ve you that this Jesus can forgive sins ? I have not lived a good life and I want to know more about the forgiveness 184 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

in Of sins . NO heathen that town had a better

reputation than the bookkeeper , but that n ight his heart was touched ; the truth entered and

found good soil .

After his conversion , he wondered how his par ents would take the news O f his having become a

Christian , for they had never yet heard the Jesus was doctrine . It not long , however , before they too followed his example and became believers . A few months later he wrote a letter telling how thankful he was for having heard the Gospel . A year afterwards he was baptized and we heard that he had been ordained a deacon in one Of the South mission stations . The Christians at Phoenix Grove were greatly ’ encouraged by the bookkeeper s conversion . A number Of heathen gave up their idols and several names were added to the list Of adherents . Their O f next step was the erection a church . The Japanese Official gave a large plot Of land in the for centre Of the town this purpose , and the town had k n t O elder , who advised the boo keeper o to g and hear the Gospel , sent in a contribution Of

- twenty five dollars to the building fund . The Christians themselves raised nearly seven hundred dollars , in addition to the labor they gave . In

1921 the church was completed . There are now on om about a hundred names the list , including c i m un cants and adherents . Prej udices are being gradually removed and the prospects for the future are most encouraging .

186 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

already been indicated . His family had great f him respect and a fection for ; indeed , we have rare ly seen more obedient children . The love was mutual , for he sacrificed much in order that his sons might be well educated an d fitted for useful an service for his Lord d Master . Few among the Christians Of Formosa have possessed such unwavering faith , such surrender Of O f heart and life , such consecration means , such enthusiasm for the evangelization of his own people and such respect and affection for men O f another race as Tan Ki Siong , the converted scholar .

Formosa can never be the same without him . He has gone to his reward ; his influence has been far reaching and his works do follow him . There , in S yonder glory , a trophy aved by grace , he finds a fitting place in that throng seen in vision by the apostle John After this I beheld , and lo a great multitude which no man could number , Of all

nations , and kindreds , and people , and tongues ,

stood before the throne , and before the Lamb , ” clothed with white robes , and palms in their hands . iBraper

H O eat Sh e he d O f m an i nd we T U gr p r k , th ank Thee th at T hy co nce rn and love i ncl ude us and all m e n a n d that T hy h eart i s moved wi th compassi on fo r those whom Thou d ost see scattered a broad wi thout a sheph erd across all the m ea d ows and m ou n tai n -sid es ’ h n h f r ll O f the o d s i e . We t a ee too o a w rl l f k T , , the m en and wom en who have SO shared T hy compassion as to go wi th Thee i nto d ifficu l t and rem ote places seeki ng th ose th a t were lost .

EI LL h n h fo r SP C A Y d o we t a k T ee those who have go ne fro m ou r land to En e h e i h e ts m o e co u a t a Formosa . r g r r r a nd m ore as th ey see th e tri u m ph s O f T hy Cross i n th e c i ti es a nd hamlet s O f th e M n h i m s n C I sland . ay th ey a d t e r For o a O workers be given h eal th a nd protecti on and th e d i re ne a o f T h S i i t SO th a t a ly w l y p r , i i n i G a nt fru t may crease to th e r account . r that t he new conve rt s m ay be establi she d i n ai th a nd i n od i i n and th at t he f g ly l v g , young Ch urch may grow i n z eal a nd spiri tual energy and may rej o i ce i n a grea t i n h e i n i i ga t r g to ts fellowsh p .

Eesee h hee h i r c O God t a t e n o u b T , , w h om eland m ay be gen u i nely con cerned fo r th e se h h e h r o t er S e p t at a e not O f o u r fold . Give t o each one O f us a passionate d esire for th eir salva tio n and a spiri t O f i ntercession i n th ei e ha u n ti all sha e u h t i n an r b lf , l ll b bro g d th ere shall be joy i n th e pre se nce O f th e a ngel s O f G i h od and n th e eart O f th e Good She pherd . F i or H s S EN . A ake . M CHAPTER I !

WOM EN ’ S WORK

B egi nni ngs of Work for Women H E first reference to definite Christian work among the women Of North Formosa is 1 ’ found in the report Of 879 . The Women s MI SSI on ary Society for several years forwarded a

definite sum Of money to Dr . Mackay to be used

in the education Of the Christian women . In 1 8 r . . 79 M s . Junor assisted Dr and Mrs Mackay in

the instruction Of a number Of women converts . 1 1 r 88 . f In , Dr Mackay sent home a request o a grant O f three thousand dollars for the erection Of a ’ Girls School building . The request was granted 1882 was and in the building completed and opened ,

- fi e with an attendance Of forty v pupils , mostly

from Giran Plain . Th e i s h l iffi F r t Sc oo . There was considerable d

culty in getting . the Chinese converts to send their in daughters to the school , SO much fact that it had to be turned into a combined school for women and on girls . The school was built the same beautiful plot as that on which Oxford College stood . The absence O f a high wall around it led the Chinese

190 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL forwarded to the Foreign Mission Committee in 1902 contained a strong appeal for two unmarried lady missionaries to be sent out to reorganize th e ’ S Girls chool . In response to the request , two teachers were appointed and sent to Formosa in o f 190 the fall 5, Miss Jane M . Kinney and Miss

H annah Connell .

S chool Work

After two strenuous years spent in acquI rI ng the

Chinese language , these two devoted workers ’ for f began to plan the opening O the Girls Schoo l . The deep interest O f the Formosan Government in all the educational institutions established in the island was an important factor in the situation . f In order to secure the largest possible e ficiency , the two lady missionaries , before Opening the school , visited the sister missions both in South Formosa on and the mainland , studying most carefully policies and methods Of work . ’ i rls h o l O en ed G Sc o p . The opening Of the new ’ S 1907 Girls chool , in October , , was an historic f r f event o the Womanhood O North Formosa . Th at such was possible so soon after the arrival Of wh O f the missionaries , o had not had two full years S wa to a language tudy , s a tribute their f ithful and n efficient work . One ca imagine the fear and trembling that seized the twenty- four timid girls T ms i who arrived in a u , when they found themselves n o t only inside the school , with a wall six feet high surrounding them , but actually locked in the

192 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

was taken Of this opportune time to a dd to the

regular course a high school department . The standard Of this new department corresponds to f that in similar Japanese schools or girls , with the

addition Of definite Christian teaching . The most on Of the work is carried in the Japanese language . Thus students who wish to proceed to Japan for more advanced work are well fitted to enter schools

Of higher education there . Th e On l om an D r i n rm s y W octo Fo o a . Mention

should be made Of a bright young Christian girl , a T am sui n who , after gradu ting from the school , we t t she o Tokyo , where studied medicine for several 1920 she and years . In graduated returned to “ Formosa , the first and only woman doctor in the

whole island . She is an earnest and attractive young woman and desires to spend her life helping own i s her people . At present there no opening r for her in ou mission , as the hospital is closed . In the meantime sh e is engaged in medical work in

the government hospital at Taihoku . ‘ n e r du f h e h l O P o ct o t Sc oo . On the outskirts O f T am s i u is a palatial home , owned by a very wealthy

Chinese . In accordance with the usual custom Of

the rich , he has taken to himself three wives . He

- is well educated and , though not a Christian , he appreciated the advantages Of a Christian educa ’ tion for his daughter and sent her to our Girls

S . chool At first the wives , who were all heathen , n were ot in favor Of her being sent . Gradually the Gospel found a lodging in the girl ’ s heart and She WOMEN ’ S WORK 193

i sh w s became a true bel ever . At once e a con

cerned for her family . Little by little , throu gh her

influence , the three wives became favorably dis

posed toward Christianity , and welcomed the Bible

woman as she came regularly to the home . Before a long , all three were ttending church , and soon learned to read and write Chinese in the Romanized ar form . Now they e all professing Christians . The father as yet has given no signs Of becoming a too Christian , but we dare to hope that ere long he , ,

for . a will be won the Kingdom The d ughter , after ’ S a a graduating from the Girls chool , went to J p n for and u further study , th s to fit herself for still

larger serv I ce for her own people . As we think what her life might have been— one O f ease and an luxury , with marriage , doubtless , in time , into other wealthy heathen homeb — and contrast that i a on w th wh t it is , e Of usefulness , happiness and ’ f r a service o others , we th nk God for the Girls SchooL Their school duties made it impossible for the two missionaries to give mu ch attention to the

heathen women throughout the district . During the summer holidays trips were made to the

country , but these trips had to be occupied largely with Visiting the homes Of the pupils and their

friends , endeavouring to increase interest in the

school and to secure more pupils . ’ om en s h l W Sc oo . It soon became apparent to them that a great need existed for a Bible school where women could receive instruction and be pre

I R — . . 1 3 . 194 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

out pared to go and teach their own sisters . In 19 10 the Women ’ s School was built and Miss Con nell appointed to take charge . The women came n n - as s from o Christian well a Christian , from poor as well as wealthy homes . Since then many o f the preachers ’ wives have taken advantage Of this f r training and have come to the School , some o shorter and some for longer periods . A few have ’ taken a full two years course and graduated as

Bible women . Many have been able to take only

a shorter course , and have returned to their homes not only to become better wives and more i ntelli

gent mothers , but also to take an active part in own Christian work in their communities . The too h as school , , been a direct evangelistic agency , in that many who entered as heathen have gone

out decided Christians . h e rk In st an ces of t Wo . Among the instances two that might be given Of work Of the school , are

- - Of special interest . Peng a chim was the wife Of a

- - well to do heathen , an Opium smoker , who lived in

Taiko . She was taken ill and went to the mission was hospital at Shoka , which not far distant , where she was brought under the influence Of the

Gospel and became an earnest believer . TO her o on j y , her return home , she found a chapel had been recently opened and crowds were coming to

hear the Word . She began attending the meetings ,

but in this was much opposed by her husband , who n went so far as to beat her o some occasions . She persisted , however , in coming .

196 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

wore , she stole away . On her way to the mountain temple she passed through her home town , and her mother , hearing news Of her , brought her to her home for the night . I t was a singular providence that led the writer on this occasion to the city Of Taichu to have an

- interview with Lau Thian lai , the converted hotel keeper . That evening a few Christians were i n v i t - ed to a prayer meeting in his home . Among them was the woman referred to above who came f with the daughter , now a young woman O twenty wo sh e t . , whom had sold sixteen years before The O f missionary knew nothing the circumstances , but

12: 1- 3 a the message , from Romans , was speci lly suitable to one who was about to dedicate her life to Buddha . Peaceful Heart had never heard the

Gospel before , and at once responded . The result o f was that , a few days afterward , instead going ’ to the Buddhist temple she came to the Women s sh School . While there e revealed a keen mind and m i s was very receptive to Christian truth . The sionari es O f one spoke her as . Of the most promising women who had ever passed through the school . f 1922 She graduated in the spring O , and at once went ou t to bear the good news Of peace and de Y ’ liverance to others . The Union oung People s H umesv ille Society at , Manitoba , has undertaken her support as a Bible woman . i h l m en k e i Fa t fu Wo Wor rs . It s fitting that mention should be made Of two other most faithful women who are still in active work . Mrs . Iap was WOMEN ’ S WORK a teacher in the O ld School for Girls in the days Of a and a i i a i Dr . Mack y , after the l dy m ss on r es had c i reorganized the s hool , cont nued teaching for some D a a sh e h as years . uring the l st few ye rs been a Bible woman in the city a nd has accompanied the missionaries on their country trips . Her know ledge O f the Bible and her long experience as a

Christian have made her a most valuable worker .

Refined in appearance and manner , she has no f a di ficulty in g ining an entrance to heathen homes , where her message is always a ppropriate and help h as o f ou r ful . Her daughter been teacher to one n h as missionaries , while for several years her so i ’ been a d spenser in the hospital . F r M r LO o the last four years s . has been used in a i a a s ngul r way in winning others to Christ . N tur ally she is very reserved and before becoming a o n Christian was seldom seen outside her w home . she a w diffi Even after bec me a believer , it as with dence that sh e ventu red out among the Christian ’ women . After her husband s death sh e attended the Women ’ s School and manifested special fitness i n for Christ an service . She ot only understands ' a Christian truth in a rem rkable way , but is able o ff to convey her kn wledge very e ectively to others . She h as a peculi ar gift for person al work and in her i wa a qu et , earnest y is re ching many hea rts with the Gospel message . Th e Mi ssi n a t ff n e sed o ry S a I cr a . Miss Mabel Claz ie 19 10 a 1 11 arrived in and Miss Lily Ad ir in 9 , ’ but owing to the needs Of both the Girls School 198 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

’ s and Women s School , as well a the hospital , it was impossible to organize the evangelistic work among

the women in the country . Both were needed in

these institutions to relieve others . Owing to lack Of mission aries it was n ot till about 19 14 that definitely organized plans were undertaken for

country work among the women .

M edi cal Work Among the Women

A u ccessfu l u l - i n n er r S So W . The work fo wo men carried on in the hospital h as been most en co ra i n u g g . When Dr . Ferguson reorganized the T am sui one medical work in , Of the first to come under his care was a poor widow , Mrs . An . She ne was an interesting character , and o whose name h as been familiar in the hospital and in many she chapels for the last fifteen years . When came to the hospital sh e was advanced in years and dis M r s . eased almost beyond remedy . Gauld , who knows the Chinese language and understands

as t o . Chinese women few do , helped look after her A small corner was given her in the outer court O f

the hospital . Through the skill , patience and

perseverence O f the doctor she finally recovered . After having learned to read the Chinese in the sh e Romanized form herself , began teaching other i n - patients and soon became an active personal

worker . Among others who shared her ministry

- a was Bok , a blind young man , a heathen , who had f i . or come to T amsu Hospital . Mrs An cared

200 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

O ff - uneven mud floor , Opened a small living room . The only light that entered it came through the a door , a small opening in the w ll , and some small

- panes Of glass in the roof . A miserable home made on she structure , which lay , served as a bed . The

only other furniture was a table and a bench . On the walls were posted Bible pictures taken from sh e Scripture rolls . Here lay for over six years . She greatly desired to lead her husband to Christ

w s . and for a time a hopeful But , alas , he grew

tired Of asick wife , and brought a second wife into

the home , which did not further her hopes nor add

- to her comfort . Her sick room was Visited by e r many , including the missionari s , all Of whom e cognized that here was one to whom the Saviour was so precious that bodily ills and discomforts f r o . sh counted little Always patient and bright , e was ever ready to Speak to others Of the love Of

Jesus . During those years Of illness many a neigh bor heard the Gospel from her lips and even learned

to read and memorize hymns . sh e she At the time was confined to her bed , had n sh e a ot yet been baptized . When learned th t She could be baptized and receive the sacrament Of the ’ sh e Lord s Supper in her little room , was very she h ad happy , for had long wished for this , but

been reticent about making the request . One

Sabbath , after communion service , the elders , a missionary and his wife and Miss Connell went ’

r . down to M s . Ban Heng s home It was an ex eri en p ce those present never will forget , SO manifest WOMEN ’ S WORK 20 1

was the presence Of the Spirit i n the simple bap i w ti sm al and commun on service . Her joy as Sh e she now inexpressible . felt had obeyed the and wa a comm and Of her Lord s re dy to gO . From a i n a r th t t me o , at the close Of e ch communion se i n T am sui O f vice the church , a little group three or and four , with the pastor , went to her home SI m le was there , at her bedside , the p feast held that commemorated the love O f Him wh o had brought

such peace into her life . A time came when sh e appeared to be growing a She little stronger . had a great desire to go to the ai Mackay Memorial Hospital in T hoku , not only

in the hope that she might be helped , but also with the thought in mind o f the opportunities She would a a f h ve there Of speaking to other flicted ones . a all a Dr . Fergu son m de rrangements necessary for a a the tr in journey , and himself ccompanied her h . S e , a to the city lived ‘ there for some months ble a a to move bout the hospit l wards , speaking to the a women patients , blessing to many , a wonder to all a and a bright , h ppy witness for her Lord . on a a But her mission e rth was bout finished . Sh e T am sui a returned to , and not long fterwards i God called her to h mself . Hers is a crown Of a Sa m ny jewels won for her viour . None Of us who knew her can ever fo rget the fragrant infl uence “

She a . Of her life . being dead , yet spe keth Th De m en e Nu r si n g part t . On the Opening Of a a o a the M ck y Memorial H spital in T ihoku , the ’ Wom an s Missionary Society became responsible 202 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

D for the Nursing epartment , which , in the fall Of 19 12 a , Miss Isabel Elliott was ppointed to super intend . In former years there were neither foreign nor Formosan women nurses ; relatives O f the pa t ients on came to wait them , under the supervision

O f male dispensers and ward coolies . With the opening Of the new hospital everything was changed . The foreign nurse , however , soon dis for covered that much patience was required , it was no easy task to make the Chinese respect the sani tary laws Observed in Western institutions . AS Miss Elliott had to commence her duties in the hospital before she had learned the language , an interpreter was required . This position was very

Mrs . ably filled by Koa , formerly Bella Mackay . Several young women who had attended either the ’ ’ Girls School or the Women s School were received in training , graduated in due course and , through the good services of Dr . Ferguson , received govern ment diplomas . r m i si n rk l sed A P o g Wo C o . During these few years a most promising work was carried on among the women in the wards Of the hospital . There f were many cases O remarkable healing , not only

Of body , but also Of soul . Not only were Christian hymns taught and Scripture texts memorized , but many Of the patients learned to read their Bible s in the Romanized script . This necessary and promising work has been stopped and the hospital closed since 19 19 on account o f the Board not being able to send medical missionaries . Since then

204 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

After a stay Of from one to three weeks in a centre to s the curiosity changes real interest , not o much h r a sh in e , personally , as in the mess ge e brings . Part Of her work is the organizing Of the Christian women into classes for definite instruction in the Bible and for teaching them to read the Romanized colloquial . Usually the mornings are spent with

- to - these classes , the afternoons in house house

Visitation , and the evenings in evangelistic services O f in the chapels . Thus the number Bible readers among the women is being steadily increased , the Christian women are being strengthened and many

Of the heathen are being influenced for Christ . One Of the greatest j oys in the country work is that Of meeting those who were formerly in the or schools , but who are now wives Of preachers other workers , taking their places faithfully in the O f service Of the Church . Some these are in remote t eu and lonely corners , and o them the Cheer and cou ragem ent given by the Visit Of the woman mis i s on ary means more than can be expressed . The friendship Of school days is renewed and strength ened , as together they talk over and engage in the o work Of the h me community . These former pupils are always ready to accompany the mission a a ries and , in many inst nces , have already paved the way to heathen homes as well as to the homes

Of the needy . The great regret is that because r f w for there a e so e missionaries free country work , such Visits can be made only infrequently . k n h m en i n i ko Wor Am o g t e Wo Ta . In the ’ WOMEN S WO RK 205

town O f Taiko work among th e women h as devel i n a a i oped . in a few years , rem rkable way . Th s town has been visited several times by both the

married and unmarried women missionaries , and classes for the women h ave been held from two to

four weeks at a time . The women showed much enthusiasm in learning to read and in memorizing a u w Scripture . Their response to Christi n tr th as

surprising . Nine years ago a weekly Bible cl ass was organized and in all that time the cl ass has ’ o never missed its meeting . The past r s wife , who ’ at one time attended the Women s School and i s h as now the devoted mother Of eight children , been for largely responsible its signal success . The women also have organized a Saturday house - to house visitation for the pu rpose Of inviting their

heathen sisters to come to church . with the result that there are more women than men now attending

the Sunday services . One cannot think Of the native workers this dis t ri ct has produced without rejoicing and looking forward with confidence to the yet greater things

Of the future . At the present time more Christian workers are to be fou nd in the church in Taiko O f than in any other part the field . It will be O f ’ a a interest to know th t not only the p stor s wife , ’ bu t a lso the doctor s wife , who is himself an elder , ’ ’ a i a deacon s wife , preacher s wife , and a B ble a all a wom n , rendering f ithful service in the Taiko ’ a congreg tion , are graduates Of either the Girls ’ or the Women s School . Other places might be 206 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

mentioned where the progress is equally en r i n cou ag g . I t i s a cause Of much j oy that two new women missionaries are preparing for country evangelistic

work , the most needy department Of the mission .

One has been appointed specially for the Hakka :

district .

’ Other Forms of Women s Work

The latest department in the women ’ s work is

the kindergarten . In connection with the chapel Dai totei - in , a kindergarten Sunday school class was two organized years ago , which has created a great

deal Of interest and enthusiasm . There are three — Si nchiku — centres Taihoku , and Giran where kindergarten schools could be opened to great advantage . Though the wives Of missionaries are not ap pointed by the Mission Board in the same way as f the other members Of the sta f , they are among the

most active Of the missionary force . In addition to the multitudinous duties that fall to them as ’ missionaries wives , all Of which contribute in large measure to the life Of the mission , some have taught music and others general subjects in the Middle ’ r School o in the Women s School , while others T amsui again have conducted Bible classes in , in

Taihoku and in outstations , or have accompanied n their husbands o evangelistic trips in the country . Some years ago the wife Of one O f the missionaries

208 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

A University Graduate with Normal Training ,

A Domestic Science Teacher , ’ A Music Teacher for the Girls School ,

Seven Women Evangelists for Country Work ,

Five Women Evangelists for Hakka Work , Two f r H O klO Women Evangelists o the District , Two f r Nurses o Mackay Memorial Hospital .

Whom shall I send and who will go ? iBrayrr

TH OU Wh o a rt ligh t and i n wh om i s n o d a ness a t all we re co ni e h ee a s th e rk , g z T o nly an swer to th e gloom O f si n and sorrow and i We i n h ee h um d eat h n the world . br g T ble and h earty thanks for th e brightness whi ch Jesu s Chri st has brought i nto the lo t O f woman h We ess h ee Son of M a th at ood . bl T , ry , wh erever Th ou h ast b een m ade to prevail i n h uman rela tions Thou h ast lifted woman from n e t o o i n ca e om imi tation to i i glect l v g r , fr l pr v d i n n e f n e e om d e a at o to a estat O o o . l g , fr gr h r

ESS e e seec h ee the omen f w O L , b h T , w Reac t em wi Formosa . h h th Thy i i n n en i Gospel of emanc pat o a d l ghtenm ent . h B i Open their hearts t o T y truth . e w th th e wom en mi ssionari es that are at work am ong them as th ey procla im Th ee i n the omes the a side i n cha e schoo h , by w y , p l , l i i e Th essi n i h a nd hosp tal . G v y bl g r c ly n th he to the Bible Wom en . Gra t at t y m ay be ab undan tly e quipped through i n st uc i on and e sona e e i en ce SO t ha t r t p r l xp r , they m ay give the ir wi tne ss i n d em on stra

tion O f th e Spirit a nd i n power .

AY T hy gracious blessi ng res t u pon th e ’ Wom an s M i ssi onary Soci e ty th at h as been the means O f conveyi ng T hy m essa ge O f h I n e love i n to Form osa and ot er land s . larg r m easure m ay th e Chri sti an women O f our homeland j oyfully Claim the privilege O f sh ari ng Th ee wi th th eir si sters throu ghout th e o d for the o O f the ame hi ch i s a o e w rl , gl ry N w b v N e n me E. e A v ry a . M

— I .B . 1 4. CHAPTER !

WHAT OF THE FUTURE ?

HE Christian Church has made remarkable!

progress in Formosa , both in the North and S in the outh , during the last fifty years .

The work , however , is but begun . For every Chris on tian in the Island Beautiful , there are e hundred

— non - and twenty two Christians , and among a population of only 150 preaching sta of a tions . The inadequacy this is even more p parent when we are reminded that Formosa has Villages with a population Of from 300 to 500 900 500 each , and with from to towns with a population Of from to 82 with from to and 20 with from to and 1 1 cities with from to This list does not include the thousands Of small

- hamlets scattered over the mountain sides , among the bamboo groves , and in the little nooks through O f out the island . Unless the progress the last a fifty years is greatly accelerated , gener tions will ’ w n pass before Formosa s people are o for Christ .

We need to remember , however , that the area O f Of the island and the size the population , while

212 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

What of the H i ndrances?

i n r r l l New H d an ces fo O d . The o d hindrances

to progress , such as ancestral worship , superstition ,

conservatism and illiteracy , are giving place to

modern problems . With the neglect Of the Con i n f a . uc Classics , ancestral worship is passing In i n deed , Formosa , the whole Confucian system is

falling to pieces . The rapid progress Japan has made along modern educational lines is responsible for the rising generation Of Formosans seeing the

emptiness of many Of their Old beliefs . TO a large extent , however , Japanese and Formosan teachers

are agnostic in their attitude toward religion , with

the result that , while the young people are growing up with their faith in the Old superstitions shat t ered to , nothing whatever is being given them to take i ts place . h i i r En r en d b t De l n n . Id olat y t c e u c g Idolatry has on still a firm hold the masses . Belief in the malign activities O f evil spirits and in the influence for good

Of the idols , which represent the spirits Of the

Virtuous sages Of the past , still exists . The masses still believe that the neglect O f worshipping the idols will arouse their anger and bring misfortune and that paying them homage will be rewarded by good luck , good crops and general prosperity .

The younger generation , however , is getting be yond the childish credulity Of their fathers . Many temples are falling into disuse . Only few are being repaired and few are patronized with any measure WHAT OF THE FUTURE ? 213

O f i r e Of enthusiasm . The waste money on the r ligious festivals i s being discouraged by the a a i o f J p nese . The nfluence the Japanese rule h as certainly broken the backbone Of Old Chinese u O f conservatism , while the introd ction all kinds Of Western goods i s greatly ch anging the a ttitude

Of the entire nation toward the outside world . All this has contributed in no small measure to i f the decl ne O idolatry . Illi e a ei n Rem o ed t r cy B g v . One Of the great i hindrances to real progress h as been ill teracy . Probably n O nation O f modern times h as done SO much in removing this hindrance from its national i l fe as Japan . In Japan proper at the present are il time only five per cent . Of the population i a i n a six l terate . In Formos , e rlier days , only in a i a thousand could re d , and the gnorance of the a a people was ppalling . With the est blishment Of u i o p bl c scho ls in the island by the Japanese , this has been entirely changed and a condition created much more favorable to the rapid spread O f the

a . Christian faith . This is evidenced in m ny ways The sale O f Christi an literature and the number Of tracts and Bible portions distributed i s increasing a are ste dily . Two colporteurs now in the field , while one of the missionaries is to be set apart for the work Of transl ation and the preparation of i Christian l terature . All the young people in Formosa who have gone through the public school i i are b l nguali sts . What they cannot read in the Chinese character they can read in the Japanese 214 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

script , while all Christian young people are able to read the Romanized colloquial . The daily news papers are issued in both the Japanese and the

Chinese languages . Thus the illiteracy Of th e people is being removed and with it one serious to hindrance national and religious progress . But though some Of the Old hindrances to pro gress are disappearing in a measure , there are to day many grave problems that imperil the true advancement Of the people Of Formosa . i l i Soc a H n dr an ces . Among the main hindrances the Formosan Church h as t o contend with at the present time are those common to all lands . One could wish that Japanese rule in Formosa were marked by a larger measure Of social reform . Though crime has been reduced to a remarkable f extent , much to the credit O the Government , the O f Vices opium , gambling , intemperance and prostitution still remain , with their debasing f e fects upon the life of the people . It should be stated that Opium and gambling are on the de SO crease . On the other hand , while many Of the nations are effecting important temperance re forms , in Formosa breweries are rapidly increasing .

The Japanese are fond Of liquor . Many Of them , indeed , have been ruined through intemperance . Unless the curse Of strong drink is removed from on their national life , e sees nothing ahead for them but disaster . In their addiction to this evil , the

Formosans are beginning to imitate them . There are no restrictive measures in the island . One

216 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

“ problem to Jesus Christ . If He is revealed in the O f H i s lives followers , if His Gospel is fully preached a a and His principles f ithfully applied to all soci l ,

moral and religious conditions , there need be nor n neither fear question Of the fi al result . The

challenge is to u s .

hat o the Encoura ement W f g s But we must review some Of the encouraging features and incentives to progress which are to

be found in Formosa at the present time . l i ber In di vi d u a L ty . The presence Of law and

order , together with complete religious liberty ,

encourages people to think independently . The individual can follow more freely the dictates Of his own conscience without being threatened by or p aternal , social political authority . Christianity as is being recognized a source Of social good , a for force that makes the moral uplift Of the people . not Many who , for various reasons , do wish at present to become Christians are glad to have their

children receive Christian instruction . A spirit

Of freedom is abroad . M or l s Reco n i zed Ch i i n a . r st a g Furthermore , the evils which are placed under ban by the Chris tian conscience are now recognized as real evils and

detrimental to public life . Everywhere the pas tors and preachers are looked upon as surpassing

in education , in life and in conduct the priests Of

- S the non Christian religions . orcerers , fortune tellers and necromancers are considered not only WHAT OF THE FUTURE ? 217

a to useless , but even detriment l the true progress a ar o f the community . The Christian pre chers e Often invited by J apanese Officials to give addresses on problems Of moral reform before audiences non - i m ade up entirely Of Christian cit zens . Chris i i u i t an ty is th s coming to be recogn zed , not SO i one f much as a foreign relig on , as Of the religions O the people and a force for individual and n ational righteousness . r r h e Mi ssi on r Rega d fo t a y . The fifty years that the missionary h as been in North Formosa have shown how utterly false and foolish were the accusations that in the early years were charged can a against him . He now associate with all Cl sses withou t any sense Of embarrassment or aloofness and a a on h s being created , is ppreci ted as e who a a come to the isl nd seeking the good Of the people . 1 21 In 9 , the writer was in an accident in a midnight was a express train , when the engine badly b ttered i a by a fre ght train and a fireman killed . E rly in a the morning , as the p ssengers Viewed the wreck a age , they expressed much surprise th t there had not been more loss Of life . Recognizing the one rm missionary in the crowd , Of the Fo osans on i shouted , The missionary was board ; that s

. a o or why we were not killed Fifty years g , less , he would have been blamed for the whole disaster . A i u d e o ar d th e h i st i an s New t t t T w C r . In the earlier d ays many wild stories were circu lated con cerning those who connected themselves with the i . a foreign relig on They had given up their p rents , 218 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

they were rice Christians , they worshipped n or neither spirits Buddha , they had lost all their n O natural endowments , they were better than pigs or dogs— these and many accusations wilder still

- e . were fr ely circulated TO day all is changed . It is surprising how generally those things which mark the Christians are being recognized . They are not afraid Of evil spirits , they worship God . every Sabbath , they are happier , the men have only one wife , there is less quarrelling in their homes— these distinguishing marks Of the Chris tians are recognized freely and remarked on by

- the non Christians . One Of the most interesting things which the heathen Observe about the Christians is that they f are less subject to disease . Many cases O remark able recovery among the Christians have become known to them . The fact that healing has been Obtained through the use of natural means does not lessen their belief that it is due directly to the ’ Christians God . It is true that the percentage Of Christians who succumb to epidemics is smaller f n n - than that O the o Christian community . Statis 19 19 a tics bear out the statement . In the Mack y ’ hospital was used for three months by the Japanese medical department , to meet the critical situation that had been created by the scourge Of cholera . rm n Both Japanese and Fo osa s were treated .

Several deaths occurred every day . All around the hospital were Christian families who were allowed to meet every Sabbath in the chapel , while

220 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

rm s n than in former years , the Fo o a s might well imitate the Simple and unpretentious ways Of a the J panese . The influence Of Christianity upon social cu s m a i n toms y be seen the conduct Of funerals . The

quietness , orderliness and solemnity that mark

the Christian funeral procession , at the head Of which flags or banners bearing appropriate texts Of Scripture are carried by boys from the Sabbath di s school , is in striking contrast with the noisy and

orderly funeral processions Of the heathen , marked

as these are by the beating Of drums , the weird

music Of chanters , and the procession Of mourners

in sackcloth . This contrast is making its appeal

- to the more thoughtful among the non Christians . Probably nothing more strikingly illustrates the outstanding difference between Christianity and the heathen religions than the Christian attitude

toward death , the funeral procession Of the Chris

tians and their burial Of the dead . Increasingly , Christianity is having its effect upon the soci al

life and customs Of the people . l O Con di ti on s Affect i n g Wom en an d Gi r s . W manhood is acquiring a better status in Formosa .

This is a social fact Of the greatest significance .

- In the matter Of foot binding , the Japanese have been very tolerant with the Formosan women .

They have never forced them t o unbind their feet .

Among the young , however , the custom is for bidden , and it is only a matter Of time till this WHAT OF THE FUTURE ? 221

f injurious practice will be a thing O the past . At the present time cloth and leather shoes are com m nl a o y worn . The doing way with this custom will mean very much to the womanhood o f For O f mosa . The Old secluded life the Formosan girls i s passing away . In increasing numbers they are a ttending public schools , where , both in the classes n a u and o the pl ygro nd , they mingle with the boys . The young women travel on trains with the u tmost freedom and Often attend the Christian chapels

with their friends , particularly during seasons O f i special evangelist c services . In this way non Christian women are coming into Closer contact i and so i w th the Christian women , the opportunit es are steadily increasing for the exercise O f Christian

influence . Th r h l e In d u st y of t e Peop e . Still another en cou ra in g g feature is the industry Of the people . ’ Formosa s population Of over three million has only about six thousand square miles Of the island for a occup tion , the remainder being mountainous

and a . covered with primev l forests Nevertheless , the problem Of unemployment is never even heard a a admi nis Of . There is work for all . J p nese tration a , which is strongly opposed to social p ra a O f sites , urges every person c pable earning to i engage in some means Of making a livel hood . As a to to soon s a young lad is able work , he has do a i his part toward the upkeep o f the f m ly . One fact to be mentioned in this connection is 222 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

a th t , except in the high schools , the love Of healthy sports h as not yet been d eveloped in

Formosa . For the pleasures that mark Western v life , the majority Of the people ha e but little time , while many Of those pleasures as yet make very little appeal to the Form osan s or other peoples Of the Orient . There are signs , however , that the place Of recreation and physical development is coming to be recognized in the lands Of the East .

What of the Challenge

h h ll n e f h u u r Notwithstan T e C a e g o t e F t e . d ing the marks Of progress and the encouraging one features that have been reviewed , cannot think

Of the future Of modern Asia , Of which Formosa is a part , without feelings Of supreme concern . Its re rapid development in recent years , its vast sources both in material and in men , its tremendous possibilities either for weal or for woe to the rest

Of the world , constitute a challenge that the West dare not ignore— a challenge that demands that un the East should know , without a shadow Of certainty , the redeeming and regenerating power f Of Him who alone is the Author O world salvation , world peace and world b rotherhood . Th e h all en e O f h i le f C g t e Ju b e . Fifty years O missionary history and service in Formosa now challenge the Church in Canada . The devotion and labors , the heroism and successes of Mackay ,

WHAT OF THE FUTURE ? 223

i the p oneer , and all the missionaries who have a followed in the noble succession , surely call for devotion on the part Of the Home Church equal to that O f the foreign workers . The growth th at God h as so graciously given to the mission d u ring these fifty years is a challenge to larger faith and i n creased effort . Then there was the solitary mis “ ” sionary who was regarded as a foreign devil ; now there is a staff Of twenty Canadian mission a fift - six o f ries and y Formosan workers , nine whom ar e ordained , with open doors on every hand and a i an a invit t ons to come d est blish churches . Then the pioneer had yet to win his first convert ; now there is an adult membership Of with a a b ptized children , and unb ptized attend 19 12 con ants . In , the North Formosa Church

- u or tributed towards self s pport yen , nearly 1921 in , that amount had grown to yen , or over Then there were no schools or hospitals ; now we ’ have a Theological College , a Women s Bible ’ ’ S S a S chool , a Boys Middle chool , Girls High chool , and the Mackay Memorial Hospital . During these fifty years the Canadian Church h as been loyally investing its money in support of this work . The only way by which those investments can be protected and the dividends increased is by the Church giving to this work a larger and more a dequate support . 224 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL

What of the Need of Workers ?

“ S one sa sk i ome may y , But why a for more m s si onari es ? Why not depend upon the native workers for the evangelization Of their own ? countrymen It is probable that , were the mis i sionaries to be withdrawn , the island would

eventually be evangelized , but the accomplishment Of the task would thereby be pushed into the indefinite and distant future . The missionary is needed in Formosa and will be needed for many f r f r years yet , o leadership and direction , o training workers and for projecting into the various agencies that aggressive , dynamic force SO essential to the success Of the work and which , as yet , is not pos sessed in any large degree by many O f the native evangelists . Were any suggestion made to with draw the missionary , the first to rise in vehement protest would be the native leaders . Any step that would weaken , in any measure , the institutions where workers are trained , where they get their knowledge Of Christian truth and a deeper sense o f their responsibility for the welfare Of their own people , would be disastrous to progress and a most serious hindrance to the speedy evangelization

O f the island . r h i l Work ers N eed ed fo t e H osp ta . The Mackay

Memorial Hospital , a splendid building with ex ll nt for ce e equipment , has been closed the past on five years , not only account Of lack Of doctors ,

226 THE ISLAND BEAUTIFUL mate number for which one missionary should be sa considered responsible . Some y others

Even at the rate , thirty mission aries would be required in North Formosa . As a matter Of fact , there has never been more than one missionary whose time h as been entirely devoted k to pastoral and aggressive evangelistic wor , and when any one ordained missionary was home on

was . furlough , that field Of work left vacant

Although the outlook was never SO hopeful , the needs were never so great . Giran , with its o f Of a population , an average a thousand to the square mile , has never had more than a brief visit from the foreign missionary . At the present time , se ven Formosan evangelists are seeking to f meet the spiritual needs O those people . One ordained missionary and two women evangelists are urgently required for the task Of their evangeli i f . z at on . An e fectual door has been opened The Taihoku plain has a population Of over in the city and another in the surrounding for towns and Villages . One missionary the city , and one for the towns and Villages is a very modest f request or such a field .

For rk Am on h e Abori i n es . of Wo g t g One the , f as yet , untouched parts O the Formosan field is that r Of the aborigines o Hill tribes , Often known as was Head Hunters , to whom reference made in

Chapter two . These untamed savages inhabit the mountainous region Of Central Formosa and seldom come into contact with the outside world WHAT OF THE FUTURE ? 227

except to barter for goods which they themselves of cannot produce . The total number these people , a i 1920 as estimated by the J panese authorit es in , was An earnest attempt is n ow being made by the Government to persuade them to accept a higher form Of civilization and abandon 25 their barbarous habits . Already schools have i 105 been established w th teachers and pupils . One and thing , however , is lacking that the su hi n kn 1 f t a ow ed e O . preme g, g Jesus Christ NOW is the opportune time for an aggressive campaign Of

evangelism among them . The fetters Of the past are being broken . The dawn Of a new day is casting its first faint rays Of light upon them . What shall that day bring to them ? For h kk s n d h e H OkI O S t e H a a a t . Reference has already been made to the Hakkas in the Si n hik c u . district , to the south Of the railway There are eleven preaching stations among these people , but , they have never had a foreign mission o n ary who could preach in their w dialect . This district needs at least one ordained missionary and inchik i two women evangelists . The S u pla n has a populatio n in the city Of and three times that number in the surrounding Villages . In the city a fine plot Of land has been bought , and a mission station is to be Opened in the near future . Several missionaries Should be located here to carry on the work among the Hakkas and the H O klO S O f x this e tensive territory . 228 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

’ m en For orm osa s o . F W Through the schools , ’ the hospital , the women s classes and other ’ orm osa s agencies , many Of F women have heard the gospel and not a few have come to know its power and freedom . The task remaining , however , the responsibility for which faces the women Of the

Church in Canada is great and challenging . During the last eighteen years the Women ’ s Missionary Society has sent ou t nine women missionaries . This does not , however , represent n the actual working force o the field . Among this number there is now one vacancy and always some on ! are absent furlough . Nine workers What are these among the mu ltitude o f women and girls in North Formosa , especially in these days when

Old customs and prej udices are fast breaking down , when large numbers Of women and girls are desiring education , and when their minds and hearts are opening to Christian truth as never before ? ’ For The needs are clamorous . women s work alone the Council is now asking for fourteen new workers . A modest request surely , in View Of the f i n present sta f , SO terribly overworked and SO adequate i n View of overwhelming opportunities . ’ For orm osa s h i l r F C d en . Dare we forget the children Of Formosa ? The opportunities for i n fluenci ng the non - Christian children are steadily increasing . The children of the Christians meet w with them in the public schools , where , O ing to the passing away o f bitterness and prej udices , much

230 THE I SLAND BEAUTIFUL

the Island Beautiful His name is known i Kingdom s established .

He has sounded out the trumpet

that shall never call retreat , He is sifting out the hearts Of men

before His j udgment seat .

O be swift , my soul , do answer

Him , be jubilant my feet , Our God is marching on ! iaraper

h e h i ch a r t i n h ea en h a o ed UR Fa t r W v , ll w h i n m T K d o m . be T hy N am e . y g co e Forgive u s th at we h ave O ffered wi t h so li ttle si n ce ri ty th e prayer whi ch o ur Lord h as ta ugh t u s and h ave wi t hh eld from Th ee o u r m ean s r a en t s ou r i n tercessi on s and our i e s and ou t l , l v , SO th at t od ay th ere a re land s th at know li ttle n i s e s th a i fo r T h l O f T hy love a d l a t w t y aw . u s th at i n s it e O f o u r ai u es o ur R emi nd p f l r , selfish ness an d ou r di sloyalty Th ou ar t trusti n g us still t o m ake T hy m e ssage kn own to a ll

m an ki nd .

AY all ou r confidence be i n Th ee a s we re cogn i z e the diffi cul ti es t ha t confron t u s a nd th e opport u n i ti e s th a t l ure n o i h u s t o re n ewed e d eavor . F rb d t at T hy people sh ould h old Th ee b ack i n a ny way from reveali ng Thyself a s th e on ly ’ i e M th Red eeme r O f th e world s l f . ay ose wh om Thou h ast ch ose n for mi ssi onary servi ce j oyfully answer T hy call ; a nd le t n one O f u s fail Th ee i n thi s d ay O f Thy

power .

EEPEr ti t ud e for th e i N o u gra V ctori es O f T hy Gospel i n N orth Form osa and give u s coura ge and fai th as we fa ce th e u n fi ni shed

task i n t h e I sland . Po ur o u t T hy bl e ssi n g upon the m i ssi onari es there wh o represen t Thee and us and on th e eade s O f the nati e Ch u ch l r v r . M ay th e glad t idi ngs O f T hy love go swiftly through ou t th at regi on and thro ugh o u t all and s un ti e e nee sh a bow to h ee l , l v ry k ll T a nd e e t on ue con ess th at esus Ch i st i s o v ry g f J r L rd , h h t h e f God t e a t e . A o t O EN . glory F r M RM A FA T A D I E FO O S N C S N F GUR S

Po pulat ion O f o ur Field (t he nort her n part O f t h e I sland)

17 500

St aff and Membership M i ssI on ri eS Can adia n a . For m osan O rda ined Men For mosa n Unordained Men Ad ult Members hip B a pt ized Children

Unba pt i zed Attendant s .

Schools and H ospitals 1 Theologica l College ’ 1 Wo men s Bible Schoo l ’ 1 B oys Middle School ’ 1 Girl s High Sch ool 1 M ac kay Memor ial H ospita l (closed for four years because O f lack O f doct ors)

Self-Su pport r s r 19 12 n o t r u t o s O f N . Fo o a u c Y e C n ib i n m Ch h in , r s f F r o s rc 92 Y n o t ut o O N . o a u 1 1 e C n ib i n m Ch h in , (One yen i s equ ivalent t o fift y cent s)

EES N D 8 Ordained Eva ngelist s 3 Doctors 3 Middle Sch ool Teachers 1 Chemi st 1 Director O f Religio us Ed ucat io n 1 B usiness M an ager

Wo men 5 Evangelist s 1 D oct or 3 N urses ’ 1 M usic Teacher for Gi rls Schoo l 1 D o mest ic Scienc e Teacher

234 I NDE x

I M rs 9 ap , . , 1 6 . ra r sourc s 1 n e e 7 . Mi e l , I ust r O f h 22 t e o 1 . nd y pe ple , ss o or a zat o 103 n n . Mi i g ni i ,

o at H on . O v r 74 M w , li e , . ac Mr nd Mrs 1 0 1 cc ur . a 1 D . 0 4 r . 89 J k , , , , M l e , , . 148 .

a Mr n s 2 so a d Mr . 79 8 J mie n , . , , . Nat v urc ro t Of 120 i e Ch h , g w h , . a I I unt er or a urc J ne Me , Nat ura r sour c s 10 m i l Ch h l e e , . 1 2 7 . N era ss o e n n o cy 95. w i mi i p li , a a For os c 33 J p , a ded t o, ; N ta a o 4 n e u t . m ii k , M n , r at o s t 24 t r at el i n hip wi h , ; e N u rs ro t 13 be , n , 7 223 . m g w h i , t Of her co o s 35 men l nie , . a a s cr a law 38 J p ne e , imin l , ; ! a 155 nli , . c urc s 43 va st c h he , ; E ngeli i O u 14 pi m , . a 44 u r For B nd , ; n mbe in Oxfor o 7 d C llege , 7 . s 48 oc 10 3 o a cu at o 1 . m , ; p i n , , u r K 68 6 o t 7 79 . J n , enne h , , , ac fu H art 195 f 222 Pe e l e , . u c a O . J bilee , h llenge , -a-c 194 Peng him , . Pe ohoans 23 79 90 169 K renk 18 1 22 p , , , , . a o a . , , pl in , sca or s 3 33 K r 116 Pe d e , , . art or 206 . inde g en w k , , tro 1 u 8 . K ss 100 Pe le m , inney, Mi , . o x rov 182 Ki n i 164 P e G , . or . h ni e p , a a 22 K K u 84 103 P n n Pl n , . oa a . i i , , o u at o 48 210 Koxi n a 17 26 29 3 1 P p l n , , . . i g , , , , ort Art ur 33 P h , .

- ort u u s 2 Lau T a lai the co v rt P g e e, . hi n , n e ed - r s t r for 7 o r 1 3 9 121 . t 7 . P e by e y, ed , h el keepe , m , LOOCh u I s a s 3 1 33 l nd , , . Lusco ss 1 1 1 Raw 170 17 7 mbe, Mi , . , , . R o s O f For os e a 44 . ligi n m , R ous r M D t 42. acGillivra r . o 129 el be y , a . g y, D n ld , i i li R tc H u 61 . ac a a t . 78 . e , g , M k y , C p , i hi h — Ro a at o cs 4 ac a or L s 50 92 n l 8 . M k y , Ge ge e lie , , m C h i , M s L . 0 ac a r . . 7 . M k y , G , c M nd Mrs Sava s 22 34 45 a a r . a . . W. . M k y , G , ge , , , kh ns 2 Se oa , 3 . ac a or a H os ta 107 S f-su ort ro t 124 M k y Mem i l pi l , , el pp , g w h in , . 11 201 202 224 s r 7 . S o o t at Of 33 , , him n eki , e y , .

c Dr R . 103 oc co t o s 42 . S a a . a 214 k y , P d n , 219 . M i l n i i , , M cL M n M s t u a eOd r . a d rs . u ca S ort att to ar s 22 , n n , , d d 2. D p i e w , 3 104 r 1 . . Suga , r c 3 S r 19 at a a a 9 . u u . M e i l dv n e , lph , c v c 39 S Sc oo s 139 a a a . a . Medi l d n e , und y h l , r 1 o 14 c o 06 . S o R rt a . Medi l w k , winh e , be , INDE! 235

T 142 a o . z r M r . 7 7 a . ik , W n e , , 7 War a and a a 8 . Tan Ki S o 143 172 1 , in J p n , 85. Ch i ng , , , i li r n M s 1 l a s M r d r . 1 W . a 3 T s 4 , , , ao 5 46 . i m , , 1 1g T ea 13 , . o c a att t u 203 W men , h nging i de , ; T o o ca o 115 225 co t o s aff ct 220 he l gi l C llege , , . ndi i n e ing , ; or o a t outstat o s Ti - - 7 w k a g , u a u 1 7 . m n i n p ,

203 . To acco 16 b , . 228 o or rs . W men w ke needed , T susho 16 ’ 1 . , o s or 188-209 W men w k , ; begin T oo s 5 yp n , . n i n s O f 188 . h g , D E A D E T U

U PI 26 1 -25 0 5

C H I NA APAN KOREA J AND FORMOSA

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