Taiwan Church News 3868 Edition Unboxing and Homecoming: The Artifacts of Dr. Elizabeth Christie and Rev. Duncan Ferguson By Staff Report On April 2, a collection of artifacts belonging to Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn Christie (宋伊莉莎白醫師1868-1901) and her husband, Rev. Duncan Ferguson (宋忠堅牧師1860-1923), arrived via air freight from Scotland. The items were unboxed in a joint ceremony featuring with the staff of Sin-Lau Hospital (SLH): Vice President Chun-chun Huang (黃俊鈞), Rev. Stone Chhioh (石連城), Rev. Sean Li (李盈賢), and Rev. To-ka Ông (王多加), alongside Rev. Lo (盧啟明) of the PCT Archives. This event marked a historic moment as folk artifacts collected by missionaries over a century ago finally returned to their place of origin. A Century-Long Journey Following Dr. Elizabeth Christie’s untimely death and burial in Tainan, her personal belongings were sent back to Glasgow. Over the decades, the collection was passed down through generations: from her parents to her eldest brother, then to her younger brother James, followed by James’s eldest daughter Elizabeth, then to Elizabeth’s daughter Catherine and her brother John, and finally to Catherine’s cousin the Very Rev. John Christie. In early October 2025, Rev. John Christie wrote to PCT General Assembly missionary Ms. Carys Humphreys, expressing Christie family’s desire to donate the artifacts. This gesture fulfills the wishes of Catherine’s relatives, to see these items returned to their “homeland.” Rev. John Christie is no stranger to Taiwan; in 2015, he attended the dedication of the Dr. Elizabeth Christie Memorial Chapel at Madou SLH and guided by Rev. Thien-hiên Kho (許天賢). Moreover, Rev. John Christie donated the couple’s precious diaries in 2015. He has also been a key supporter of Jenny Chen (陳韻如), Chairperson of the Scotland Taiwanese Association (蘇格蘭台灣協會), in promoting grassroots diplomacy. The Collection: Faith Interwoven with Culture The costs of this donation were shared equally between Rev. John Christie and SLH, with the PCT Archives handling the conservation and organization of the items. The collection includes: • Intricate Carvings: Wood, bamboo, and shell ornaments, including models of looms and weavers, seated statue, wooden slippers, sun hat, and rattan scepters.
• Textiles: An ornamental door banner (門彩) and a tablecloth.
• Framed Banner: A wooden plaque inscribed with “明道濟世” (Bêng-tō Chè-sè, Proclaiming the Logos to Save the World), gifted to Rev. Ferguson by Gô To-Goân (吳道源1868-1928). Historical Note: Gô was a legendary figure—an active deacon at Thai-pêng-kéng Church (太平境教會) and a donor of the land for the Tainan Christian Cemetery, but who later joined the True Jesus Church (真耶穌教會). Legacy and Future Horizons The Fergusons were a formidable “power couple” in medical missions. Rev. Ferguson famously worked alongside Rev. Thomas Barclay (1849-1935) to negotiate the peaceful entry of Japanese forces, saving Tainan City from bombardment. Dr. Elizabeth Christie was a rare and highly skilled female physician of her era who pioneered modern medical care for women in Taiwan. The collection reflects the deep intersection of the Gospel and culture, offering a gazing into folk life through the eyes of early missionaries. As SLH celebrates its 160th anniversary, it looks forward to continued collaboration with PCT Archives. Together with neighboring institutions—including the Tainan Theological Seminary, Taiwan Church Press, local schools, and churches—they aim to promote “cultural mission” through walking tours and curated exhibitions. 中文版：https://tcnn.org.tw/archives/271412 |