Sketches from Formosa.

FAR AFIELD NORTHWARD 57
have commenced the erection of what promises to be the
neatest place for Christian worship in the Island. A
special feature of it is that one of the little side galleries
is to serve as a sleeping-room and study on the occasion
of our own visits. The arrangement is a very important
one. While moving about over this wide field in all kinds
of weather, we sometimes require to spend the night in
dark filthy dens which cannot be wholesome. On such
occasions any discomfort arising from the presence of
lizards, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and even of the active
persistent little flea can easily be got over if one keeps
strong, and there is water at hand for having a good
bathe. So far as climate is concerned we have really
nothing to fear, and yet the missionaries are often laid
up with fever, while mercantile residents at Takow and
An-peng enjoy a fair amount of health. To put the whole
that other brethren should
thing right it is only necessary
imitate the considerate action of our friends in Po-li-sia.
One upper room at each station would be an immense
advantage . We
cannot afford to have invalids in Formosa .
The morning after my arrival I went over to Gu-khunsoa,
where the second of our Po-li-sia chapels has been
built. That village is situated at the base of the hills,
on the north-eastern side of the Plain. It is one of the
principal bartering places between Po-li-sia people and
the savages of the interior. The preacher gave me a
warm welcome, and at once called in six persons who
wished to receive baptism ; but, at the close of a very
prolonged examination, I could see my way to admit only
one of these. He is a young man of considerable intelli-
gence, and one who has made good use of his Chinese
New Testament. Our preacher spoke highly of the
sincerity of his profession, and said he was well fitted for
being useful.
Early J-sCLLl\ on \.
Friday morning I went on to the third of