Missions Christianity was first carried to Formosa by the Spanish priests.
Then came the Dutch in 1624, but in 1662 the Chinese invasion swept them out of the country and put many of the converts to death.
The Dutch missionaries neglected to translate the Bible or train native pastors and all Christian teach- ing was soon forgotten. For two hundred years Formosa was without the gospel, then England sent some Presbyterian missionaries in 1865 and in 1872 our Canadian church began work.
It was agreed to divide the field, the English Presbyterians to be responsible for the southern half, the Canadians the northern.
MEDICAL WORK
Medical work had its early beginnings under our first missionary, Dr. G. L. Mackay, who had sufficient knowledge of medicine to be of great service to the sick whom he constantly met ; indeed his diary again reveals him as a man of more than ordinary ac- quaintance with every known science, anatomy, physiology, astronomy, botany, history. The science of medicine was only known in its crudest form in Formosa and practised by the native quacks. Wherever the missionary went he sought to enlighten the people, teaching them simple remedies, seeking to heal both body and soul. Malaria is one of the most prevalent diseases on the island, and is known to cause decay of the teeth. It is commonly told of our missionary that his forceps Laundry Day, Tamsui Girls' School Women's School, Tamsui, Formosa Japan — North Formosa Missions 155 and the Bible always went together and he and his students would be found in an open place extracting teeth and preaching the Gospel. He taught his students the use of simple remedies that they too might be the more helpful. A hospital was eventually erected in 1878, and be- tween that time and 1882 thousands of patients were helped and healed and were led to a knowledge of the Saviour. With the retirement of Dr. Junor, who joined the mission in 1878, the medical work was suspended.
Re-Opened
Medical work was again opened up in 1904 when Dr. Ferguson was sent out. The buildings had become dilapidated and too small, but with such equipment as was available he cheerfully began his work. Then came the removal of our headquarters to Tai-peh, the capital, and a new general hospital was erected in 1912 for both men and women pa- tients, suited also to modern and Japanese demands in its equipment. It is fittingly called the "Mackay Memorial Hospital." Both Chinese and Japanese officials came to the opening and rejoiced with us in this advanced step. Dr. Ferguson and Dr. Gray are in charge. The nursing department is under the care of Miss Elliott, a trained Canadian nurse. Already a band of nurses have graduated. They are all Christian girls, some of them from the girls' school. They have proved themselves efficient. A nurses' home has been erected where a happy home environment is fostered. Here the Bible-
