Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A little history lesson...
People and History
The population of Taiwan is over 23 million, most of whom live in the cities and villages of the plains and foothills, largely on the west side of the island. About 400,000 (a little under 2%), are Aborigines, the island's original inhabitants, who divide into eleven tribes (Though the government recognizes only 9 tribes) and are racially and linguistically related to the Malaya-Polynesian peoples. Scientists have discovered that they may have inhabited Taiwan for 15,000 to 20,000 years.
The largest segment of the population, often called "Taiwanese," makes up about 19 million or 85% (about 73% is Amoy [Ho-lo] speaking, 12% is Hakka). They are descendants of settlers from southeast China who began arriving in Taiwan about four centuries ago. They migrated from the provinces of Fujian and Guang-Dong to escape hardship and to seek freedom and happiness in Taiwan. At no time did these settlers come to Taiwan with the idea of contributing to the territorial expansion of China. Over the years, due to inter marriage, much of the populace cannot now claim pure ethnic roots.
However, a succession of foreign governments (the Dutch, Spanish and Ching [Manchu] Dynasty) took control of various parts of Taiwan from the 17th to the 19th centuries. In 1887 the failing Ching Dynasty made Taiwan a province of China, but eight years later, in 1895, when China lost the first Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan was handed over to Japan "in perpetuity." As a Japanese colony for 50 years Taiwan experienced considerable development in city planning, agriculture, industry, transportation, public health and education. At the end of World War II in 1945, the Allied Forces instructed the Chinese Nationalist Government to accept the Japanese surrender of Taiwan to undertake, temporarily, the military occupation of the island as a trustee on behalf of the Allied Powers.
In 1949, China fell to Communist forces, and the Nationalist Government, along with many soldiers and civilians, fled to Taiwan. And so, once again, the people on Taiwan were under the rule of people from outside - a rule presaged by a massacre, wiping out at least 20,000 elite Taiwanese leaders and youth by Nationalist troops, which began on February 28 [2-28], 1947 and lasted for several weeks. About 3million (13%) of the current population of Taiwan consists of these "Mainlander" troops and civilians and their descendants.
During the past decade we have also witnessed a great influx of migrant workers numbering in the region of 300,000. During the years since 1949 Taiwan has experienced rapid economic growth, so that it now has one of the highest standards of living in Asia. Meanwhile, the Nationalist government (continuing to claim in its constitution to be sovereign over China, Mongolia, Tibet, and Taiwan) has become increasingly isolated diplomatically, as most countries have transferred their recognition to the People's Republic of China as being the actual government of China. Taiwan is thus isolated from the community of world nations.
Except for the brief interlude from 1945 to 1949, Taiwan has been effectively separated from China since 1895. Because of this historical separation, Taiwan and China have developed along separate lines, resulting in quite different political, economic and cultural conditions. Despite the dream of the Nationalist Government in Taiwan and its rival Communist Government in Beijing that Taiwan must belong to China, it is in fact neither necessary nor desirable to try to join them together. Beijing claims so adamantly that Taiwan cannot "be separated" that they will not forswear use of military force to consummate “reunification”. It is these facts which make the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, and many others, prefer the "Independence" option, and support the sovereign rights of the people in Taiwan to choose their own future without outside interference.
Presbyterian Church In Taiwan (PCT)
Although Roman Catholic missionaries came somewhat earlier, Protestant mission work that continues today began in Taiwan with the arrival Dr. James L. Maxwell of the Presbyterian Church of England (today the United Reformed Church - URC) in Tainan in 1865 (this date is considered the beginning of the PCT). He was soon followed by Rev. Dr. George L. Mackay of the Canadian Presbyterian Mission (the Presbyterian Church in Canada -PCC), who began work in Tamsui in 1872.
From the efforts of the English missionaries in the south and the Canadian missionaries in the north, a Taiwanese Presbyterian Church began to take shape. Little modern development had been initiated by the government in Taiwan, until the Japanese takeover in 1895, but, interestingly, many modern institutions were first introduced by the church. For example, the first school, the first hospital, and the first printing press in Taiwan were all established by the Presbyterian Church.
During the Japanese colonial period, in spite of strong pressure from the authorities to use Japanese, the PCT continued to use the Taiwanese language in its activities. Because of the increasing militarism of Japan in the late 1930s all foreign missionaries were expelled, and this gave the church an early experience of complete independence. Evangelism among the Aborigines started at this time despite ruthless Japanese opposition. By the end of the war 4,000 -5,000 Aboriginal people were ready for baptism.
From The Presbyterian Church In Taiwan Website/History
Reverend George Leslie Mackay, 1844-1901
Son of Scots immigrants, Presbyterian missionary George Mackay was born near Embro in Zorra Township. In 1872, he founded the first overseas mission in Tamsui, Taiwan. An unconventional character, but sensitive to local needs, Mackay practised dentistry and trained local clergy. He married a Taiwanese, Tiun Chhang-Mian, and had three children. The "Black-Bearded Barbarian" worked in the Tamsui region until his death, established 60 chapels, several schools and a hospital. In 1881, he raised funds here in Oxford County to help build Oxford College, Tamsui, which later became a university. He was also an outspoken opponent of the Canadian head tax on Chinese immigrants. An inspiration to the evangelical missions movement in Ontario, Mackay remains a national hero in Taiwan.
(Ontario Heritage Foundation)
The population of Taiwan is over 23 million, most of whom live in the cities and villages of the plains and foothills, largely on the west side of the island. About 400,000 (a little under 2%), are Aborigines, the island's original inhabitants, who divide into eleven tribes (Though the government recognizes only 9 tribes) and are racially and linguistically related to the Malaya-Polynesian peoples. Scientists have discovered that they may have inhabited Taiwan for 15,000 to 20,000 years.
The largest segment of the population, often called "Taiwanese," makes up about 19 million or 85% (about 73% is Amoy [Ho-lo] speaking, 12% is Hakka). They are descendants of settlers from southeast China who began arriving in Taiwan about four centuries ago. They migrated from the provinces of Fujian and Guang-Dong to escape hardship and to seek freedom and happiness in Taiwan. At no time did these settlers come to Taiwan with the idea of contributing to the territorial expansion of China. Over the years, due to inter marriage, much of the populace cannot now claim pure ethnic roots.
However, a succession of foreign governments (the Dutch, Spanish and Ching [Manchu] Dynasty) took control of various parts of Taiwan from the 17th to the 19th centuries. In 1887 the failing Ching Dynasty made Taiwan a province of China, but eight years later, in 1895, when China lost the first Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan was handed over to Japan "in perpetuity." As a Japanese colony for 50 years Taiwan experienced considerable development in city planning, agriculture, industry, transportation, public health and education. At the end of World War II in 1945, the Allied Forces instructed the Chinese Nationalist Government to accept the Japanese surrender of Taiwan to undertake, temporarily, the military occupation of the island as a trustee on behalf of the Allied Powers.
In 1949, China fell to Communist forces, and the Nationalist Government, along with many soldiers and civilians, fled to Taiwan. And so, once again, the people on Taiwan were under the rule of people from outside - a rule presaged by a massacre, wiping out at least 20,000 elite Taiwanese leaders and youth by Nationalist troops, which began on February 28 [2-28], 1947 and lasted for several weeks. About 3million (13%) of the current population of Taiwan consists of these "Mainlander" troops and civilians and their descendants.
During the past decade we have also witnessed a great influx of migrant workers numbering in the region of 300,000. During the years since 1949 Taiwan has experienced rapid economic growth, so that it now has one of the highest standards of living in Asia. Meanwhile, the Nationalist government (continuing to claim in its constitution to be sovereign over China, Mongolia, Tibet, and Taiwan) has become increasingly isolated diplomatically, as most countries have transferred their recognition to the People's Republic of China as being the actual government of China. Taiwan is thus isolated from the community of world nations.
Except for the brief interlude from 1945 to 1949, Taiwan has been effectively separated from China since 1895. Because of this historical separation, Taiwan and China have developed along separate lines, resulting in quite different political, economic and cultural conditions. Despite the dream of the Nationalist Government in Taiwan and its rival Communist Government in Beijing that Taiwan must belong to China, it is in fact neither necessary nor desirable to try to join them together. Beijing claims so adamantly that Taiwan cannot "be separated" that they will not forswear use of military force to consummate “reunification”. It is these facts which make the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, and many others, prefer the "Independence" option, and support the sovereign rights of the people in Taiwan to choose their own future without outside interference.
Presbyterian Church In Taiwan (PCT)
Although Roman Catholic missionaries came somewhat earlier, Protestant mission work that continues today began in Taiwan with the arrival Dr. James L. Maxwell of the Presbyterian Church of England (today the United Reformed Church - URC) in Tainan in 1865 (this date is considered the beginning of the PCT). He was soon followed by Rev. Dr. George L. Mackay of the Canadian Presbyterian Mission (the Presbyterian Church in Canada -PCC), who began work in Tamsui in 1872.
From the efforts of the English missionaries in the south and the Canadian missionaries in the north, a Taiwanese Presbyterian Church began to take shape. Little modern development had been initiated by the government in Taiwan, until the Japanese takeover in 1895, but, interestingly, many modern institutions were first introduced by the church. For example, the first school, the first hospital, and the first printing press in Taiwan were all established by the Presbyterian Church.
During the Japanese colonial period, in spite of strong pressure from the authorities to use Japanese, the PCT continued to use the Taiwanese language in its activities. Because of the increasing militarism of Japan in the late 1930s all foreign missionaries were expelled, and this gave the church an early experience of complete independence. Evangelism among the Aborigines started at this time despite ruthless Japanese opposition. By the end of the war 4,000 -5,000 Aboriginal people were ready for baptism.
From The Presbyterian Church In Taiwan Website/History
Reverend George Leslie Mackay, 1844-1901
Son of Scots immigrants, Presbyterian missionary George Mackay was born near Embro in Zorra Township. In 1872, he founded the first overseas mission in Tamsui, Taiwan. An unconventional character, but sensitive to local needs, Mackay practised dentistry and trained local clergy. He married a Taiwanese, Tiun Chhang-Mian, and had three children. The "Black-Bearded Barbarian" worked in the Tamsui region until his death, established 60 chapels, several schools and a hospital. In 1881, he raised funds here in Oxford County to help build Oxford College, Tamsui, which later became a university. He was also an outspoken opponent of the Canadian head tax on Chinese immigrants. An inspiration to the evangelical missions movement in Ontario, Mackay remains a national hero in Taiwan.
(Ontario Heritage Foundation)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Itinerary
SCOTT AND ANNE IN THE EAST
Friday, April 2
Toronto – Seoul – Korean Air (KE-74) – 23:50
Sunday, April 4
Seoul – Taipei – Korean Air (KE-691) 10:45
Arrive in at 12:15.
Monday, April 5
Travel by train to Tainan
Tuesday, April 6 – Friday, April 9
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT)
Saturday, April 10 – Sunday, April 11
Travels in the South and Central provinces of Taiwan
Monday, April 12
Touring Taipei
Tuesday, April 13 – Thursday, April 15
Hua-lien, Yu-shan Seminary, Taroko Gorge
Friday, April 16
Tamsui, Tamkang High School and visit with Louise Gamble
Saturday, April 17
Taipei – catching our breath.
Sunday, April 18
Taipei – Beijing – China Airlines (511) 16:05
Sunday, April 18 – Friday, April 23
Touring Beijing and the Great Wall of China
Staying at Holiday Inn Central Plaza
Friday, April 23
Beijing – Seoul – Korean Air (KE 852) 11:50 (arrive 14:55)
Seoul – Toronto – Korean Air (KE 73) 21:30
Arrive in Toronto Friday April 23 – 21:25
Friday, April 2
Toronto – Seoul – Korean Air (KE-74) – 23:50
Sunday, April 4
Seoul – Taipei – Korean Air (KE-691) 10:45
Arrive in at 12:15.
Monday, April 5
Travel by train to Tainan
Tuesday, April 6 – Friday, April 9
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT)
Saturday, April 10 – Sunday, April 11
Travels in the South and Central provinces of Taiwan
Monday, April 12
Touring Taipei
Tuesday, April 13 – Thursday, April 15
Hua-lien, Yu-shan Seminary, Taroko Gorge
Friday, April 16
Tamsui, Tamkang High School and visit with Louise Gamble
Saturday, April 17
Taipei – catching our breath.
Sunday, April 18
Taipei – Beijing – China Airlines (511) 16:05
Sunday, April 18 – Friday, April 23
Touring Beijing and the Great Wall of China
Staying at Holiday Inn Central Plaza
Friday, April 23
Beijing – Seoul – Korean Air (KE 852) 11:50 (arrive 14:55)
Seoul – Toronto – Korean Air (KE 73) 21:30
Arrive in Toronto Friday April 23 – 21:25
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Photo: Sidney Chang
I worked with Rev. Sidney Chang for a couple of years while he was the minister at Tweedsmuir Presbyterian Church in Orangeville, Ontario. I served part-time as youth minister there in exchange for accommodation at the church manse for my family and me. Anne worked at a local printing shop and the kids were 3 & 5 years old. Sidney had twin sons, Stanley and Jerome, in the youth group in Orangeville. I got to know them very well. Stanley gave Laura one of her first piano lessons and look where that went.
Photo: Sidney with Laura and David in 1997 when we visited him in San Francisco.
Now Sidney is retired and he has moved to Taipei where he works for the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan as a translator. He has been trying to get all of his Canadian friends to visit and finally, now is the time that Anne and I can go and see our good friend again.
The first week of our visit will be spent at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan where we will be official representatives of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. After that we will visit many of the churches and holy sites throughout Taiwan including a day with Ms. Louise Gamble. Louise is a member of St. Andrew’s, Owen Sound and teaches at Tamkang High school in Tamsui, Taiwan.
We are looking forward to the spiritual significance of this trip. There is inspiration to be found in the holy sites of any of the world’s religions. I know we will see many Christian sites in Taiwan but I am hoping to be able to see sites of the other faiths of the island – Buddhism and Taoism.
After Taiwan we plan to travel to Beijing, China and visit many of the holy sites there plus a trek and sleep-over on the Great Wall of China. Our guides describe many religious elements of Beijing that have survived the Cultural Revolution such as the Lama Temple and The Temple of Heaven. We look forward to discovering unique things in these places.
We will post pictures and thoughts to this blog on a regular basis so check back often to find out what we’re finding out.
Godluvya
Scott & Anne
The first week of our visit will be spent at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan where we will be official representatives of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. After that we will visit many of the churches and holy sites throughout Taiwan including a day with Ms. Louise Gamble. Louise is a member of St. Andrew’s, Owen Sound and teaches at Tamkang High school in Tamsui, Taiwan.
We are looking forward to the spiritual significance of this trip. There is inspiration to be found in the holy sites of any of the world’s religions. I know we will see many Christian sites in Taiwan but I am hoping to be able to see sites of the other faiths of the island – Buddhism and Taoism.
After Taiwan we plan to travel to Beijing, China and visit many of the holy sites there plus a trek and sleep-over on the Great Wall of China. Our guides describe many religious elements of Beijing that have survived the Cultural Revolution such as the Lama Temple and The Temple of Heaven. We look forward to discovering unique things in these places.
We will post pictures and thoughts to this blog on a regular basis so check back often to find out what we’re finding out.
Godluvya
Scott & Anne
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