Taiwan Church News

3221 Edition

November 18 - November 24, 2013

Church Ministry News

Historic 'North Formosa Mission Report" To Be Published in Chinese in 2015

Reported by Lin Yi-ying

In order to let the Christian mission, medical contribution and education legacy of Dr. George Leslie Mackay, anextraordinary Canadian Presbyterian missionary, to be known to Taiwan society and worldwide, a thanksgiving service and publication signature ceremony was held on November 11 between the Mackay Memorial Hospital and Tamkang Senior High School.

Both parties agree to publish three series of books in Chinese or other languages, under the main subject as "North FormosaMission Report - A Chronicle of Northern Church, Medical Contribution and Education Legacy". The first series of Northern Church composed of 5 volumes, from 1868 to 1901, has already been published in English at June 2012. But this new publishing project would translate this first series into Chinese, together with the second series(1901 - 1915) and the third series (1916 - 1923), preserving the precious records and journey of this great Missionary Mackay in Taiwan.

This publication project is initiated from Mr. Yao Chung-rong, former principal of Tamkang Senior High School, who made lotsof efforts to get the micro-film of Mackay's missionary diary from Canadian Presbyterian Church. After the translation and proof readings of Missionary Louise Gamble and the devoting efforts of chief editor Chen Kuan-jou with many other school colleague, the first series of North Formosa Mission Report was finally published in June 2012. Both Zeng Kuo-chang and Domoon, Managing Director and Principal of Tamkang Senior High School respectively, paid their tribute to these heroines and heroes behind this wonderful publication, as they helped to offer Taiwan society an amazing historic legacy in faith.

Rev. Hwang Tsun-shen, Managing Director of Mackay Memorial Hospital, remarked "Never the bough and leaves of a tree could beprosperous without a deep root; People will not have a vision in depth without knowing their own history". He saw this publication deal as a means to glorify God's name. Yang Yu-cheng, Superintendent of Mackay Memorial Hospital, expressed "I believe Mackay on the heaven now should smile to see what we have witnessed about the love of God!"

Translated by Peter Wolfe