Sketches from Formosa.

158
SKETCHES FROM FORMOSA
at all to compare with it : its ancient history, literary
renown, and large population being far ahead of anything
to be met with in Formosa. Our colleague, Dr. Grant,
has his Hospital there, and he is the only European
resident in the city. I have never met with any man who
seems more thoroughly beloved by people both inside of
the Church and out of it. His abundant labours in the
Hospital are fast opening up a large and magnificent region
inland from Chin-chiu, about which our mainland brethren
will have something interesting to say before very long.
I was myself charmed with the country all along the north
bank of Chin-chiu river, while the Eng-chun valley
seemed to be simply an ideal spot in which an inland
branch of the Mission might be established at some
future time. The old Church Elder who was with me
knew the region well, and led on through 1;he district city
to a number of large villages, where the people gladly
listened to all we said to them.
On our return journey to Amoy, we halted for a night
in the house of Brother Kiat, who attends the services
at Sian-wan. He accompanied me to the chapel there on
Saturday, and it was my privilege to receive him and
another man into Church membership on the following
day. In various out-of-the-way places are met with
persons who had been inmates of the Hospital at Chinchiu
and the roll of ;
patients kept, shows that thousands
of such people must be scattered throughout this part of
the country. What a pity that two or three married
missionaries cannot now be spared to go and take up their
residence in Chin-chiu ! Why does not the Church at
home send out a like-minded clerical brother to labour
with Dr. Grant ?