From Rev. Hugh Ritchie, Toakuneng, Formosa, 27th Oct. 1874.

The Messenger and Missionary Record [Feb.1st] 1875 p.44-45

From Rev. Hugh Ritchie, Toakuneng, Formosa, 27th Oct. 1874.

Blessing Received at Toakuneng（杜君英）. — “ During the past three days I have examined twenty-five persons who have for two and three years been pretty regular in their Sabbath attendance, and of this number four men and four women were received by baptism. Two years ago this station passed through severe trial. At that time there were some twenty worshippers, but owing to the forbearance shown to heathen neighbours, holding nightly meetings with them in members' houses, and the faithful preaching of Christ by the helper, there are now over a hundred who hear the Word weekly. Three of the women received are wives of members, the other is an aged person of seventy-two. All the men are heads of families. Their confession of the Lord Jesus was decided and intelligent ; they worship God in the family, and their children meet with the helper daily in School.

This village is literally a '' den of robbers." There are over a hundred persons who subsist by cutting their neighbours’ rice, digging their potatoes, and lifting their cattle. These men set all authority at defiance, take to the mountains when sought for, and return to their career of plunder when the danger is past ; but about ten miles to the south of this, the Mandarins have been to construct a road from west to east, and if they succeed it will render property more secure in this district. The military governor is watching Japanese movements, and using his soldiers to cover the advance of the road-makers in savage territory.

We are still in suspense as to the ultimate issue of these movements, but we know all these untoward events will be controlled and overruled so as to effect the complete diffusion of the glorious Gospel over the whole island. We have long been praying for the opening up of savage territory, and as we are about to be reinforced, it will be desirable to see a wider area covered by the Protestant mission, specially eastwards, so you will not be surprised if we expect from the final adjustment of this national dispute an answer to our prayers. “ Surely the isles shall wait for His law” Akau (阿猴/屏東)— This chapel is our most substantial and costly place of worship in the south. It will hold about 400, and as there is a piece of ground at the back belonging to us, which is now surrounded by a high wall, at a trifling expense accommodation could be provided for as many more. There are two small rooms upstairs — one for the helper and another for the pastor. Such a sleeping apartment in this damp and aguish region adds immensely to a European's comfort.

Behind the new building there is a schoolroom, where also the brethren on the Sabbath retire for their prayer-meetings. Our machinery is more complete than at any other station ; but of the numerous enquirers there are only three who have given any evidence of genuine repentance ; and what avail is it. to have the pins of the tabernacle well ordered, unless the glory of the Lord fills the place ?

Takao.(打狗/高雄) — “I returned here after spending four days in Alikang (阿里��). The three elders ;met, and we purged the roll, restoring two persons who had been- suspended, and expelling one who gave no signs, of repentance. On the Sabbath about 150 were present, and four men and one woman, who is the wife of a member, were received. One of the men is the chief doctor of the place, and since he was aroused to seek Christ personally, one of the deacons who knows him well told me that when called to see his patients he speaks to them about the necessity of the new birth. His besetting sin was a violent and haughty temper, but from the testimony of his shopman I learned he had greatly improved of late in subduing this passion. May the Lord make him a light in that dark community !

Between services there was a meeting with the mothers and their children. One boy on being asked whether Jesus or his father was to .be trusted most, replied, “ Jesus never tells a lie.”

Digitized by VjOOQIC

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ZKK.aaEfignresB Aim MiasieKiJLT juscoxs. 45 wliat »v«il is it. to have the pins of ike tabeniMle well ordeiady onlesB the ^ory of l^e LtMrd filk the nlaee P Tazao. — ^I returned xiere after spending four (days in Alikang. The three elders ;met, and we purged the roll, restoring two perBons* who had (faeen- suspended, and expelling one who gave no signs, of repentance. On the Sabbath about IdO were present, and four men and one woman, who is tiiie wife of a member, were receiyed. One of the. men is the chief doctor of the place, and since he was aroused to eeek Christ pevspnaUy, one of the deacone who knows him well told me Ihat when called to see ms ftatieDts iie ^Nsalosto them about the neeessity of the new birth. His besetting sin was a yiolent and hatigfaty temper, but from the testimony of his shopman I learned he had greatly improved of late in subduing this passion. May Uie Lord make him a light in that dark «ommuni1y 1

Between serviees there was a meeting with the mothers and tiieir ««hildreai. One boy on being asked whether Jesus or his £a,ther was to .be trosted jnost, replied, (' Jesus never tells a lie.')