Sketches from Formosa.

CONFIRMING THE CHURCHES QI
Cheng-sui was another who was examined and passed
for baptism. He, also, is a good reader ; and, in the case
of young persons who have had the opportunity of learning
the easily acquired romanized form of the language, we
have come to regard this accomplishment in the light
of being one important qualification for admission to
Church ordinances. Now that the New Testament, in
so simple a form, has been prepared for their special
benefit, we feel that there is a necessity to insist on the
duty and the privilege of their being
able to consult it
for themselves. Cheng-sui is only eighteen years of age,
and is the principal support of his widowed mother.
One cannot but like his frank, amicable manner. He is
said to have always been a well-behaved boy, very unsel-
fish, and one who loved his mother by doing everything
he could to make her happy. His knowledge of Scripture
is tolerably good, and I cannot refuse to believe that, in
some measure at least, the Spirit has taken of the things
of Christ and shown them unto him.
Brother Li and his son Hut-a from Giam-cheng, with
another man named Tsu-ong, were also received for
baptism on this occasion. These five candidates had all
been hearers since our services commenced at Peh-tsui-khe.
They manifested a very proper spirit during a recent
time of persecution there, and did much by their example
to strengthen and comfort the other brethren. Hut-a
is a particularly promising boy, a fluent reader, sharp, and
yet modest ; and one who, in a year or two, may do good
work as a teacher. The two others cannot read, but
there is reason to hope that they have been brought to
feel their helplessness as poor sinners in the sight of God,
and to trust in Christ alone for salvation.
The above-named brethren received baptism at Hwan-
a-chan. A goodly company of friends from Thau-sia
and Peh-tsui-khe were present at the services. It was