Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-04-26
From the Tract Magazine.

From the Tract Magazine.
1ABoRs OF MIR. GUTzLAEE IN CHINA.
In a communication from Mr.. Gutzlait,
dated Macao, Dec. 90, 1884, describing
an extensive tour on the coast ot Chlna, III
which he visited the island of Formosa, he
gives the following interesting descriptions.
Distribution at Po.tow on the Sabbath.
The Goth {of JULY was fine summers
day. 1t was the Lords Sabbath, and my
whole mind was filled with heavenly JOY.
So went towards a place called Po-tow,
singing and rejoicing in the Lord, my pock-
cts and bags filled with medicines, and the
boxes with books. Onthc beach we met
Il number Of poor individuals engaged in
collecting few small oysters, which they
careli.!ly salt and eat with their potatoes.
1t was impossible to pass them without
giving them few books and talking some
words of consolation. The farther VIC
penetrated inland the more numerous the vii
lagos. In passing small ravinc, the people,
aware of my having books, had placed
themselves so advantageously that | had
either to satisfy their demands or to 90
back. Thus opened my treasures and
began the distribution the presents were
received with the warmcst thanks, and
had only to regret that my stock was soon
exhausted yet consoled tlnm with hav
ing another box in the boat, whilst,
standing under tree, | commenced
my medical operations. Many an indlvd-
al was pfofusc in his gratitude, and some
offered small presents which | refused to
accept. A numerous train accompanied
Inc to the boat, and it was 4 wonder that she
did not sink, for the crowd around it, who
,cadcd up to the neck through the ,rater, was
very large. When every leaf had gotten
its owhcr, they took a cheerful farewel,a and
requested me TO revisit their village.
Disappointment Of an old Soldier.
The following days were passed in SINH
Iar visits. had often to wade through
swamps and bitches, and thus found no fur
ther use for shoes and stockings. Often
have regretted that some old, well deserving
individuals did not share in the general scram-
bic, and solicited me in vain to bestow gift
upon them; especially one old soldier, about
the age Of 60, who knew how to read, and
was dcsirous to make himself acquainted
with the contents of the Christian books.
IIc had stood considerable time in anxious
expectation, whether the young men of the
village would leave him one book. Tie came
finally up to me, seeing the hopelessncss of
the case, and forcing his way through the
crowd, obtained Il book, which another
snatched again out ofhis hand. He was at
this instance Of rapacity almost moved to
tears, and bcsought me instantly not to for.
get him at the next distribution.
Impetuosity for Books.
Anxious TO prevent the impetuosity, pla:
cell m,ysclf upon rock, addressed the in
haBtants of large village, and cxhorted
theate behave quietly during the distribu.
ton which was to ensue. They promised
obedience to this injunction; but scarcely
had iepepcd the book box, when they for
cot themselves, and became themselves the |
distributors, assuring me that they would
pcruse taem with the greater cagerness,
since they themselves had made the choice.
l could not help myself, and yielded TO their
wishes.
HospitaHty and Kindness Of the People.
In visiting village by village, hamlet, |
by hamlet, where principally scattered the
Scriptures, | met with the most aaectionatc
reception There was not hovet where |
wc were not invited to stay over the break. !
fast and to partaAe Of their homely fare.
The women, too, showed themselves most
officious to render us small services, and |
waited for us with tea when they saw us ad-
vance toward their houses. \ man whom
| had known previously took 4 great inter-
est in making the people acquainted with
the object of our mission, in order to draw
the attention of his neighbors to the books
and to increase the interest felt in them.
Indeed ! haze never found so much kind
care and so ready desire of obtang the
Scriptures as on this occasion. Therefore
blessed the Lord for his goodness, whilst
praying that he might pour out his Holy
Spirit for the salvation ofthese poor people:
AS the demand was so very general, and
nv visits frequent, my large stock amoun-
ting to more than | used to circulate form-
crlv in Southern Asia within two years, was
exhausted.
S.oamping of the 6oat-loss Of Medicinss-
Damage to Books.
Itook the last box to a village inhabited
by the refuse of the people. The sea was
running high and our boat swamPed; the
book box, however, was carried safely on
shore bv the surf. All wet, jumped through
the surf on shore. My medicine was all
lost and floating about; but / rejoiced that
at least the box had been saved. Defcrrlng
the distribution till some Of the books which