Sketches from Formosa.

FAR AFIELD NORTHWARD 5 1
of an influential Chinaman who came to a knowledge of
the Gospel during his residence on the mainland. He
certainly treated us that day with all the simplicity and
kindness of an earnest-hearted Christian. I believe that
A-chun is one of God's hidden ones. He lives a consistent
life before his heathen neighbours, and even his enemies
regard him with respect. We came afterwards to know
that he has supplied funds for helping one of the mainland
missionaries to bring out a Bible Dictionary in Chinese.
O, that God would speedily raise up hundreds and thousands
of men like this ! It must be largely through such
an instrumentality that the compacted mass of heathenism
around us will be broken up, and the kingdom
glorious Redeemer established in its place.
of our
Lord, speed
the day ! It is sure to come. The first glimpse of dawn
can now be seen, and the full reviving flood of glory
must soon flow in to dispel the gloom of poor benighted
China.
We had proceeded on our way for only a few miles
when another village, of five or six thousand inhabitants,
lay before us. A few stragglers passed, and then we were
surrounded by a good-natured crowd of persons who
began to criticize our dress, and to speculate on the
business we might have on hand. The greater number
seemed pleased to think that the outlandish-looking
individuals before them knew something of their language.
Some invited us to come and rest before going farther. As
it was a gorgeous evening, and the villagers had just
concluded the work and bustle of the day, we went
forward to an elevated piece of ground near a Buddhist
temple, where a large orderly crowd soon gathered.
Proceedings were commenced by singing one of our
beautiful Christian hymns, and then Mr. Mackay and
myself tried to make them understand something about
repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.