Let love be the driving force for harmony. Let us cast prejudice and hatred aside. Let us emulate David Landsborough and his son, transcending blood ties and geographic boundaries to truly cherish Taiwan.
In the spirit of altruism, Dr. David Landsborough Sr. (
Born in Scotland in 1870, Landsborough Sr. was assigned to the Prebysterian Church's mission in Taiwan at the age of 25. One hundred and eight years ago, Landsborough Sr. founded the Changhua Christian Hospital. His deeds remain a shining example for medical practitioners, including the widely-read story A Skin Graft Given with Love. He opened a new page in Taiwan's medical history and set up a paradigm for the medical profession.
A Skin Graft Given with Love tells the story of Chou Chin-yao (
Although the surgery failed due to mutual exclusion between heterogeneous bodies, Chou was on the mend. Later Chou even became a missionary under the Landsborough couple's guidance. In Changhua, everyone knows the heartwarming story. It is also an act of benevolence imprinted forever on the Chou family's memory. Chou himself once said, "Though the piece of skin could not be grafted onto my body, it is sewn in my heart."
That was not the end of the Landsborough legacy in Taiwan. To continue in the spirit of his father, Landsborough Jr. helped the Presbyterian Church in Changhua hold the first-ever foot washing ceremony in November, 1997. At the foot-washing, the superintendent of the Changhua Christian Hospital, Huang Chao-sheng (
Landsborough Jr. himself was even more considerate to his patients. In winter, he would warm the stethoscope with his hands before he examined patients so that patients would not feel the instrument's coldness.
Landsborough Jr. picked up where his father left off. After taking the job of the superintendent of the Changhua Christian Hospital, he not only helped the poor acquire medical care but also gave financial support to the needy children for school. His selfless commitment also influenced his colleagues, who displayed a philanthropic spirit. At the age of 28, Marjorie Amy Brooking (巫瑪玉) caught a tropical fever from her patients and died. On her tombstone was inscribed: "Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go: Life That Shall Endless Be."
If love could be fully integrated into life, it could be the driving force for world peace. Love is casting away prejudice and hatred.
Love is transcending blood ties and geographical boundaries as the Landsboroughs exemplify. When receiving the Taiwanese American Society's Award for Social Service, Landsborough Jr. expressed his sentiments by introducing himself as "a British Taiwanese who grew up in Changhua." He sees his responsibility in other people's need.
Landsborough Jr. and his wife dedicated themselves to serving Taiwan for 28 years. During that time, he never recieved any paycheck from the Changhua Christian Hospital. When he retired and returned to the UK, all he took with him were two valises and deep affection for Taiwan. Although his homecoming is brief, his valediction "to serve the people on this land with a humble heart" has left us inspired.
Landsborough Jr. grew up at the foot of Pa-Kua Mountain in Changhua County. With a medical degree in neurology from the UK, he chose to dedicate his youth to Taiwan, without regrets. The Landsborough family exemplifies the spirit of philanthropy.
President Chen Shui-bian (
Indeed, the Landsboroughs contributed their youth, knowledge, blood and even skin to the people in Taiwan. Their love for Taiwan is the true love worthy of our respect.
I savored every word of the Landsborough story. Between the lines is the sparkle of humanity and Taiwan's vitality.
Cheng Jim-ming is a professor of journalism at the Graduate Institute of Journalism, Chinese Culture University.
TRANSLATED BY WANG HSIAO-WEN
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