The Gospel in Formosa

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 21, 1884

The Gospel in Formosa.

THE mission work in Formosa, under the care of Rev. G. L. Mackay and colleagues, of the Canada Presbyterian Society, is achieving great results. Mr. Mackay has given himself entirely to the service, has married a Chinese wife, and devoted his life to the conversion of Formosa. In North Formosa there has been, he reports, a remarkable revolt from heathenism. Some time ago he telegraphed that 1,000 were seeking Christian instruction. He now writes that he is below the mark when he says that over 2,000 have thrown their idols away and expressed a desire to worship the true God. In one village a chapel has been opened, in another of upward of 200 inhabitants, every soul wants to be a Christian, every house is cleared of idols. In another village of 300 the people have begun to sing hymns. The people in one village offer 150 days' labor, those of another offer 100, in the erection of chapels. He calls for $2,500 immediately to erect ten chapels. In another letter he writes of Sa-ksk-sig, one of the worst places of North Formosa. Hitherto the mission could hardly get a foothold there because of the ruffians. Now there is a large chapel, which the more respectable people are beginning to fill.