Sketches from Formosa.

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SKETCHES FROM FORMOSA
I prefer to quote Dr. Maxwell's words regarding him.
He says : Our
departed brother and Elder in the
Church was a signal witness to what the grace of Christ
can do in and by
a Chinaman. Bun was not a man of
superior gifts, and his education had been very meagre.
For many years he had been an opium-smoker, and his
employment as a tax-gatherer was not one in which the
better qualities of Chinese human nature find much
stimulus to development.
But on the other hand was the fact that, at his con-
version, he had accepted Christ with his whole heart.
The Master drew all that was in the man into His own
service, and gave the new weapon an edge which increased
in keenness with daily use. If other gifts were only
common, there was at least a rare spiritual gift. His
whole heart was in his Master's work, and constantly on
the alert.
He accompanied the first foreign missionary to occupy,
as was supposed, the humble office of chapel-keeper ;
but he speedily became the missionary's right hand in
the work. He was ever ready to speak for Christ in the
chapel, on the streets, in the Hospital, but most of all to
individuals ; and this diligence in work for others was
fitly matched by his unfailing delight in the personal use
of the Word, and in secret prayer. His advanced years,
even when he first reached Formosa, and the entire
absence from his Christian character of anything like
trifling, made his presence in the Mission of great value.
Not only the members and adherents of the Church, but
the outside heathen, learned to respect the Christian
dignity
of the old Elder. He became the constant
referee in all matters of difficulty which arose amongst
the native brethren. And other curious matters would
occasionally come before him. Sometimes the missionary
and his wife have welcomed the old man when he would