Sketches from Formosa.

HAVING A BRIEF HOLIDAY 25
where I trust the Lord may graciously prosper my own
ministry for many years to come. We had no sooner
arrived at Bak-sa than arrangements were made to
commence the important duty of examining candidates
for baptism. This work occupied the greater part of the
week, and was found to be rather tiring, but also very
interesting. We always began early and sat till late,
being able to overtake only nine or ten names in the
course of the day. It was a matter of the most joyful
surprise to me that so many people were there, and with
reasons so substantial that their names should be entered
upon the baptismal
to Mr. Ritchie, and had long been members of the
roll. Some of them were well known
Communicants' class ; and they all appeared to have,
at least, a clear enough head-knowledge of the way of
salvation. After mature deliberation, it was decided
that the three men and eleven women whose conduct
the native Elders were most satisfied with, ought to be
received into Church fellowship on the approaching
Sabbath.
I was very much pleased with the examinations at
Kam-a-na. Many of the answers given to our enquiries
were touchingly simple, and came so far as one dared to
judge in such matters from those " who were born not
of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man,
but of God." Some of the artless replies they gave
appear still to be ringing in my ears.
"
No, baptism
would not save them ; they were saved by faith in Christ,
and because of His work ; but they wished openly to
confess Him and to grow in the knowledge of His
doctrine."
There must have been about five hundred persons who
took part in the services at Bak-sa on Sunday. Many of
the Kam-a-na brethren were there to witness the solemn
admission of another company into the visible Church of