The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
—Romans 10: 11-15
Clearly, the 19th century Canadian Presbyterian missionary, Rev. Dr. George Leslie Mackay, must have had gorgeous feet (if you’re inclined to take the text literally!) For 10 days in March, six of us were the personal guests of the North Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan as they celebrated with great joy the 140th anniversary of the arrival of the pastor they lovingly call “the black bearded Bible man.” From March of 1872 until his untimely death from cancer in 1901, Mackay laid the foundation for Christian witness which remains a significant component of the overall life of the people of Taiwan, formerly known as Formosa. Born in Zorra Township, Oxford County, near the city of Woodstock, Ont., the breadth of Mackay’s legacy in Taiwan is unimaginable until you see for yourself the profound influence of his tireless efforts in many avenues of human life. More than just the remarkable feat of planting 60 congregations, Mackay also saw to the establishment of schools and colleges, but is probably best known by all walks of Taiwanese people as the founder of the world-class Mackay Memorial Hospital, now located in Taipei. Because of his commitment to improved dental care, he personally extracted more than 21,000 teeth! As a Christian minister of the gospel, Dr. Mackay was simultaneously a dentist, an educator, a botanist, an evangelist and a tireless advocate for public healthcare. He believed he was called to minister to the whole person, not just to the spiritual being. In recognition, he was elected in 1894 as the moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. He used the bulk of his moderatorial year to travel the country, sharing the story of person-to-person mission in Formosa, and writing of his experience on that “beautiful isle” in his book, From Far Formosa. While in Canada he had a profound impact, encouraging many among his Canadian colleagues and friends to consider or prepare for overseas mission work.
Today, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan is a growing denomination which is twice the size of our own membership. As a church, it has a strong history as a proponent for human rights and democracy, as well as an unwavering commitment to the bolstering of aboriginal rights. Its efforts and success in the work of evangelism are evidence of the Spirit’s presence in its ministries and leaders. In all of these critical areas, our Canadian church could do well to learn from their passion and experience. The hospitality which our Canadian group received at every turn was incomparable beyond measure, and a constant reminder of the biblical imperative to receive one another as from Christ.
We are blessed to be in partnership with people of such fervent faith, whose emigrants to our own shores continue to proliferate the fire of Dr. Mackay. Both his work and the history of our relationship with Taiwan can be explored at our National Presbyterian Museum (presbyterianmuseum.ca).
In the spirit of mission,
