Sketches from Formosa.

24
SKETCHES FROM FORMOSA
beginning to be interested in a religion which enjoins
men everywhere to manifest the spirit of fairness and
sympathy with each other. They added that the Sunday
services were always well attended ; some coming out
of mere curiosity, others from selfish and worldly motives,
and still a third class that they might render acceptable
worship and be better fitted for growing into the likeness
of their Lord and Saviour.
Our next halting-place was in the market-town of
A-li-kang, about twelve miles northward from Pi-thau.
There we spent the Sabbath, and there our worthy
Chinese colleague received a most hearty welcome from
the brethren. He seemed to have great power in
speaking
to them at our forenoon service. I noticed
the crowded audience sitting spell-bound under his long
and stimulating discourse ; and no wonder, for the
preacher displayed a remarkable fulness of knowledge
regarding the beliefs, the customs, and the needs of the
people before him. Whilst listening to him, one could
not but feel the importance of having an educated native
ministry in every part of China. Men like Pastor lap
are able to adapt themselves in a way the missionary
can never do, and to overcome difficulties which must
always hamper any mere sojourner in the country. The
afternoon meeting took the form of a Communion service,
presided over by Mr. Ritchie. Between fifty and sixty
adult members were present and partook of the sacred
symbols. I had little effort in following the greater part
of Mr. Ritchie's most suitable address ; and, altogether,
the occasion was one to be remembered, a time when
the presence of the Beloved Himself imparted new
strength and melted the soul into gratitude and joy
unspeakable.
A good walk of sixteen miles to the north-east on
Monday morning brought us again into that hill region,