Sketches from Formosa.

PLEASANT BANISHMENT TO AMOY l6l
work in their fields, but no sooner went to the village temple
than the building became filled with women and children,
and about a score of elderly men. I began by saying
that we had come with good news to them that morning,
even to tell them how they could all be made holy and
happy, both for time and eternity. The first twelve verses
of chapter v. of St. Matthew's Gospel were then read, and
a long address followed on the way by which even they
could attain to the character and the blessedness of the
man therein described. It was very encouraging to observe
the respectful attention paid by the female portion of
the audience, one old woman especially giving earnest
heed to the words which were spoken ; and, at the close,
asking me if all I had been saying were really true. Several
short addresses from the others were afterwards given,
and before leaving the people purchased from us over two
hundred cash worth of Christian tracts.
We then removed to a village about three miles off in
another direction, one object of our going there being to
have some conversation with a Church member who
required to be spoken to about his long-continued absence
from public worship. I was glad this brother took in
very good part all we said to him. He did not attempt
to justify himself, but frankly admitted that he had been
living in a careless way for years past, that during all
the time he had been very unhappy ; but that, with God's
help, he would again try and walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith he had been called. After this, more than an
hour was spent by us in addressing a crowd of the villagers
who assembled at the foot of a tree, and who listened to
our message with much apparent intelligence and goodwill.
One man asked what kind of ceremonies should be used
in the worship of God if it was necessary to burn incensesticks
or gilt-paper in presenting any petition to Him.
Of course, the Chinese know nothing whatever of worship
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