Sketches from Formosa.

240
SKETCHES FROM FORMOSA
Pastor Lim Chiah-be of Chiang-hoa to deliver the ordina-
tion address. As an illustration of the difficulties which
sometimes arise in tropical climates, the Resolution of
the Presbytery had this qualifying clause :" Should
heavy rain make it impossible for a quorum of the Presby-
tery to meet in that distant region,
those who can be
present are hereby empowered to make such arrangements
as they think best in the circumstances." Happily no
such untoward event interfered with the interesting
function.
I set out from Taiwan-fu on yth April, Mrs. Campbell
and my daughter Mary accompanying me. We came
by train as far as Wan-lim-koe, and spent that night in
the rooms of our chapel at Chau-e-tun, five or six miles
further east. Next day, our journey lay over a new
road into Po-li-sia, and we reached Aw-gu-lan about 5 p.m.
My time was very much occupied the three following days
with meetings and in the examination of candidates for
baptism, and then came the great day. There had been
heavy rain for weeks before, and as the hour drew near,
we got a little anxious at the non-arrival of Pastor Lim ;
but just as we were about to begin proceedings, he made
his appearance, travel-stained and hungry, but glad to
be in time. There were no vacant seats in our large
chapel that forenoon. There were plants and decorations
in abundance, and the spacious platform was occupied by
the members of Presbytery. The service lost nothing
in impressiveness from its simplicity ; and as Mr. Tsan
knelt in sight of the congregation, and was solemnly
ordained by the laying on of hands, not a few eyes were
wet with tears of joy and "
gratitude. Then said they
among the heathen, the Lord hath done great things for
them ; yea, verily, the Lord hath done great things for
us, whereof we are glad."