Sketches from Formosa.

XXXVI
SEED AMONG THORNS AND ON GOOD GROUND
TEK-A-KHA is a Chinese village about ten miles south-
east from Takow, in which Christian work has been
carried on during the past six or seven years. At first
the movement was greatly indebted to the influence of
a military graduate of the place, whose sincere profession
of discipleship led many of the poorer people to become
interested in the Gospel. The present condition of things
there will be seen from the following Notes of a recent
visit.
I arrived on a Saturday afternoon, and at once began
the examination of several candidates for baptism,
who were all somewhat unresponsive, and had little
that could be said either for or against them in the
matter of their daily conduct. It is when dealing with
people of this class we often have much difficulty in
knowing the precise course to take. Any answers they
do give show some familiarity with the saving truths
of Scripture, there is nothing positively blameworthy
in their lives, and here they are of their own accord
applying
for admission to the Church of Christ. It
is very evident one must either accede to their request,
or have some presentable reason for keeping them back.
Not that one is able in every case just to place the
finger, so to speak, on the answer or that particular
part of the conduct which not only justifies but enjoins
our refusal. There is a great deal in a man's appearance
and manner, and much may be learned of his present
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