Itineration Incidents--Kaiwha--Christian Evidences--Buying
Christian Books instead of an Office--Seed Sowing--Moxa’s Boy
in the Well--Kugungers Again--Pung Chung--Pyeng Yang--The Needs
of the Women.
Another long trip into the interior was taken the following year, some
newly arrived missionaries from Canada who wished to study methods and
people accompanying us. Just before this Mr. Underwood had revisited
the river villages where there were Christians under his oversight,
and found as usual a steady growth everywhere, not that there are no
drawbacks, none who have backslidden or proved insincere, but that such
instances are marvelously rare, and that the encouragements far exceed
the discouragements, that the little groups are steadily growing in
numbers, in enlightenment and the home life is vastly higher in tone.
At Haing Ju a commodious new chapel had been built, a fact which the
people had kept as a surprise for the missionary. As usual he found new
groups of believers which had sprung into life since his previous visit.
The beginning of one of these at Kimpo, as related by Mr. Shin, was
very interesting. Mr. Shin said that one night as he lay asleep he
thought he saw the Moxa come up to him, with the long walking-stick
in his hand which he uses on his country trips. Prodding the sleeper
vigorously with it, he said, “Come, come, why don’t you go to work; get
up and go over there (pointing across the river to Kimpo) and pass
on the Word.” Shin woke up, but fell asleep again, and again the Moxa
came back and even more urgently bade him get up, and go and carry the
gospel to Kimpo. Again he awoke, and the third time fell asleep, and
dreamed as before. He knew no one at Kimpo and had no reason to think
there was any more hopeful opening there than elsewhere, but the dream
impressed him so strongly, that he felt he must go. When he reached
there, he found one or two families whose interest had become awakened
through some books, and who were longing for some one to come and
teach them more. One man, once a burly and notorious prize-fighter, is
now the leader among the Christians in that vicinity, and one of the
shining lights among the river villages, and this same Kimpo is one of
the most promising centers of work.
The training class, the instruction of which was part of Mr.
Underwood’s business in the interior that fall, was to be held in Hai
Ju. The class was taught five hours each day, and women who would come
were met and taught by me in my room. One hour after the men’s class in
the afternoon was given to street preaching, our Canadian friends, Dr.
Grierson and Mr. McRae, helping immensely with music and singing and
in the distribution of tracts. A general meeting for prayer and Bible
study was held in the class room every evening.
When the class had adjourned, we proceeded to make the usual circuit of
the part of the province under our care. As on the river, so here along
the sea and in the mountains, the numbers of new centers of gospel
growth were amazing. “It springeth up he knoweth not how.” In one place
a couple of old men, travelling along rather weary, sat down by the
roadside and as they rested sang a hymn. A farmer whose house was near,
overhearing the strange words of the song, came and questioned, and
ere long became a believer, with his family. From this household the
blessing overflowed for neighbors and friends. In another case a young
bride made a strong stand for Christ in the heathen family into which
she had married, until she had won over the entire family to the same
faith, and they again had brought others. These are only a couple of
examples that were paralleled in many communities.
Some of the answers of these poor half-taught people when catechised
were given in a previous chapter, another that of an old woman I
thought significant and touching. When asked where Jesus was, she said
promptly, “He’s right here with me all the time.” “Yes, but where else
is he?” Confused and troubled that she could not satisfy the Moxa, she
said, “I’m only a poor ignorant old woman, I don’t know where else
he is, but I _know_ he is right here in my house all the time.” The
devotion of the people to us, because through our hands had come the
bread of life, was to me exceedingly affecting, and everywhere the
relation existing between the people and their Moxas is a peculiarly
close and tender one. When one of the missionaries was sick for some
time, the women in the country villages through a large section held
united daily prayer for her for several weeks. This without her
knowledge, quite spontaneously, and without prearrangement among the
different localities.
The following year I was providentially hindered from making the
trip to the country with my husband, but in 1900, with Dr. Whiting,
Mr. Underwood and our little son, I was again able to go to Whang
Hai province. We started in February, and as there was now a little
steamer which had begun to ply between Hai Ju and Chemulpo, we decided
to profit by it, as this would be both easier and cheaper than the
old way. _Kaiwha_ (as they call progress) had “_twessoed_” (become)
considerably since our last trip. A railroad had been laid between
Seoul and Chemulpo, with trains traveling about fifteen miles an
hour. The steamers referred to are a marvel also as specimens of said
_kaiwha_. About the size of an ordinary despatch boat, or small tug,
they are not too commodious.
[Illustration: CANDY BOY]
There are two cabins, neither of which is high enough for tall people
to stand erect in, one of which, with hardly room for three or four
to occupy it with comfort, is packed with the unhappy second-class
passengers. The other is somewhat larger, about twelve feet long by six
wide. This room contains a table and six chairs, and in it are often
stowed from ten to twenty first-class passengers. Here one meets “the
world.” Korean officials, Korean, Chinese or Japanese merchants, French
Romanist priests, strolling acrobats, singers, dancing girls, and
Protestant missionaries. All except the latter smoke until the air will
slice nicely, and many of them indulge in native or foreign liquor till
their society is almost past endurance.
The boat follows the river northward past the historical island of
Kangwha, with its picturesque walls and gates, till it flows into the
sea, an arm of which our course crosses at this point to reach the
shore on which lies the little village which is the port for the city
of Hai Ju. On the day in question, when we profited for the first by
all these contrivances of _kaiwha_, the ice was still in the river,
ours being only the second trip made since it began to break. Nothing
could be seen on all sides but great blocks of ice, much larger than
our little craft, and all in a conspiracy apparently to prevent our
advance, banging and pushing us, now on one side and now on the other.
With much panting and puffing, occasionally sustaining a pretty severe
shock but quickly gaining advantage lost and shoving aside her clumsy
opponents, our boat steadily forced her passage onward and gradually
gained the clear waters of the sea. This trip lasted only sixteen
hours, while it would have taken three days overland.
We landed at half past eight on the edge of a long stretch of mud
flats, covered with slimy boulders and stones, all of which now lay
under a foot of half frozen snow, which hid the rocks and made the
going very precarious in the darkness. There was only one warm room to
be had and no food, while the “warm room” was only a little less cold
than out of doors. Thoroughly chilled, tired and hungry, and somewhat
dispirited, as hungry folks are apt to be, we all retired to the floor,
to rest finely, and waken in a better mind next morning, none the worse
for our seafaring.
At Hai Ju the believers gathered around us with the warmest welcome.
They were all mourning the loss of a beloved leader who had died a
short time before. We of course held meetings with them during the two
days, which were all we could spare at that time, saw and talked with
all who would come, trying to strengthen and comfort the believers, and
promising if possible to remain longer with them on our return. One
poor young wife whose husband had given up Christianity and gone back
to the his old life, and whose heathen mother-in-law was persecuting
her cruelly, excited our pity. Pale, emaciated and tearful, she came
begging our advice and help.
From Hai Ju we proceeded to Chang Yun Eub, where the training class
of leaders was to be held this year, and where Dr. Whiting and I
had planned to hold a somewhat similar class for women. On the way
a stranger, seeing my husband was an American, asked if he knew “a
certain ’_Un Moxa_’ (Preacher Underwood) who sometimes came down that
way and taught people to be good and kind to each other,” showing that
he had been reading from the book of native Christian practice. All
along this road, where only a few years before there was absolute
ignorance of the gospel, we found evidences of the dawning light. Here
and there in a wayside inn we found a Christian book, or a family
half timidly beginning to believe. Everywhere they had heard of “the
doctrine,” and heard well of it.
Everywhere there was a pleasant welcome for us and a ready ear for our
story. At Chang Yun Eub, quite a number of Christian women had gathered
to meet and welcome us. One or two days after reaching there I took a
ten-mile ride in a bitter wind to visit a sick woman, which resulted in
severe influenza and bronchitis, which, though I managed to fight off
for five days, at length confined me to my room and bed for three long
weeks. Many of the women had come from five to twenty miles on foot
to study with us, so it was bitterly disappointing, but Dr. Whiting
did her own part and mine, too, nobly. Nearly all the villages in that
district were represented by the local leaders and pastors at Mr.
Underwood’s class. They at this time organized a missionary society,
which they themselves originated and planned in part, before our
arrival. They perfected their scheme with Mr. Underwood’s advice.
Taking a map of the district, they arranged to work in couples, and to
each man was assigned four heathen villages, each to be visited once a
month, each man pledging himself to do this work every Sunday during
the year. Two superintendents were appointed to oversee the general
work, advise and help these missionaries, and report to Mr. Underwood.
All were to go at their own expense.
By the time the class was over I was able to be carried along the road
in my chair, and only one who has been shut in for three weeks, in a
tiny room not eight feet high, without a pane of glass in it, quite
alone most of the time, can realize how glad I was to be released into
the fresh, sweet air and sunshine. Before leaving Chang Yun we bade a
long farewell to one of the Christian women, who with a smile and the
sweet words, “It’s all grace, it’s all love,” fell gently asleep in
Jesus. Dr. Whiting, in accordance with previous plans, did not go with
us further, but returned to Seoul. After leaving Chang Yun, our first
stop was made at the village of On Chang, where we met quite a little
handful of believers. One of these, a woman who was the first convert
in that place, had been much troubled and burdened with a sense of
guilt. At length she heard that in Chang Yun there were people that
could tell her of One who could forgive sins. She went forthwith and
learned of Jesus and found peace and pardon, and came back to spread
the good tidings and “pass on the word” to her neighbors.
One of these women was a peddler, a class who have to make some
sacrifices to keep the Sabbath. Nearly all their business is done at
the little fairs or market days, which take place every five days at
one or another of the hamlets in a certain circuit. Quite often one of
these days falls on a Sunday, and so a whole five days’ profit is lost.
But this makes no difference, the day is cheerfully kept; another who
kept an inn as cheerfully decided to sell no more liquor, her chief
source of profit.
Our next stopping place was at Cho Chun, and as soon as we neared the
vicinity, we were met by men, women and children, who had walked out
to meet us and conduct us to the home of the leader, in this case the
richest and chief man of the whole neighborhood. People professing
Christianity gathered here from several small villages, were examined
and many baptized. It seemed too hard that we had only so short a time
to stay in these places where we were needed so much. Most of the
women actually wept when we were obliged to say farewell, and the men
and boys followed us miles, sometimes to the next stage in our journey.
They are touchingly grateful for the little we do for them, while we
thank God for allowing us to learn from them, their simple childlike
faith and entire dependence on him.
Mrs. Ha, the wife of the leader, was the only one in the village who
could read, and she taught the other women beautifully. Calm, strong,
intelligent, she seemed to me a rare type of a Korean woman, and one
who was destined to be very useful if she were only better instructed.
She was well acquainted with the Gospels and Acts, the only Scriptures
till quite lately in their hands, and with nearly all the hymns. But
her opportunities for study and instruction were also very few.
After leaving Cho Chun nearly twelve miles distant was our next
destination, a little country town of about two thousand people, which
we reached after a few hours’ travel. Here we lodged in a neat and
comfortable little building consisting of two rooms, with a lean-to
kitchen, which the natives had built for us near to the church, half at
their own expense. The steps by which we ascended to our rooms were the
family ancestral worship stones, which the Christians had once greatly
treasured, but for which they had no further use. The women flocked in
to greet me, and next day I had the larger room, sixteen by twenty-four
feet, crowded with heathen women who came to see the foreign woman and
child, but were willing to hear about Christ. Gifts of candies, fruits
and other food poured in as usual.
Many were examined for baptism, and gave most satisfactory evidence of
conversion, but among them all one deaf old woman interested me most.
She was very deaf and stupid. It seemed almost impossible for even the
Korean leader to make her hear or understand the questions. She was
most anxious to be baptized, but how to learn whether she knew enough
of the gospel, we were at a loss to discover.
At last a question seemed to reach her, “Where are you going when you
die?” Her face brightened and the answer came, “I’m going to Jesus.”
Mark, not heaven, but Jesus. This is the keynote that is always struck,
Jesus, their stay now, and hope hereafter, their wisdom, righteousness,
and sanctification.
The first news of the gospel was brought here to Eul Yul by a man of
high family, considerable wealth and official connections, who went to
Seoul with the intention of buying an office. He heard about Christ,
however, while there, and instead of an office, bought a donkey load of
books, which he took back to Eul Yul, and there distributed among his
neighbors. About the same time a certain magistrate, just appointed,
and going down there to his office, who was a friend of my husband’s,
invited him to visit him at Eul Yul when in the country. Mr. Underwood
thanked him, but replied, “You know if I go it will be only with the
one purpose of preaching.” “Certainly, come and preach,” was the answer.
So Mr. Underwood promised he would do so if his friend, the magistrate,
would see that a large and convenient official building was placed at
his disposal for services while there. This was willingly promised at
once, so the class was appointed to be held there that year, and with
the rally of Christian leaders, and the earnest preparatory work of
the man who had preferred Christ to an office (of which Mr. U. had
not previously been informed), Christianity in Eul Yul began most
auspiciously. Up to the present time, however, he who had been so
earnest in preaching the gospel, and so generous in supporting it,
had never been baptized. The difficulty was that he had two wives,
with neither of whom could he bring himself to part. These concubines
have a strong hold, and justly so, on the men who had made them
part of their family, and on whom they are dependent. All a man’s
magnanimity, generosity and tenderness are appealed to on behalf of
these women, who, unlike the dancing girls, have in the eyes of the
community a certain share of respectability, and are usually not bad
or unprincipled, but have been taught to look with toleration and
complaisance on such a life, the common custom.
However, now, at last, he decided while we were there to take the step
and put away the second wife, providing her with a home and fields
enough to give her a good income. So he and his wife and baby, and
his grown son with his wife and little one, in company with a number
of others, were baptized. The people of Eul Yul had built their own
church, as well as one-half of the guest house, for their missionary.
When we left, every believer who could walk came to bid us farewell,
“_Pyeng anikasio_” (Go in peace). We had a last prayer and praise
service, and parted with mutual good wishes and regrets, a long train
of men and boys as usual streaming out along the road, with and behind
us.
Our next station was Pak Chun, six miles away (the distances used to
be twenty and thirty miles, now six, eight or twelve), but before we
reached there we must stop and meet a little band of Christians at
a farm where seed had been dropped by passing believers and where a
whole family had been converted. Here we met a young bride from another
hamlet not far distant, who with her husband had lately become a
believer. At Pak Chun we were received with the usual hearty welcome.
Here I found Mrs. Kim of Sorai like a ministering angel going her
rounds of self-appointed, unpaid ministration of the Word, teaching
the gospel to these poor women, not one of whom could read. A good
many from neighboring villages were examined here, and we held a
baptismal and communion service just before leaving. The church was as
yet unfinished and extremely damp and cold, as well as uncomfortably
crowded, so I sent our little son out of doors to play until we should
finish. But scarcely had the meeting well begun when word came that
“the Moxa’s child had fallen in the well.” Mr. Underwood rushed to
the rescue, giving out a long hymn as he started, to keep the crowd
occupied. However, by the time we reached the scene he had emerged from
his cold bath and been taken to our room.
The ox-cart with all our packs was standing at the door, just about
to start for the next place. It was the work of a few moments to pull
down the whole load, open our trunks, and get out dry garments, only
too thankful that it had not already trundled several miles on. I
found a dripping, shivering little animal awaiting me as I rushed into
our quarters, but no harm was done, he was soon quite dry and warm,
his wet apparel dangling from the ox-cart acting as an excellent road
sprinkler. Just before leaving I saw a child quite naked, covered with
smallpox pustules in full bloom, standing near our door. I asked one
of the natives if there was much of that disease in the village at
present. “In every house,” was the concise reply. “Why there is none
in the house we are in,” said I, with confidence. “Oh, no, they took
the child out the day you came in order to give you the room,” was
the reassuring answer. We had eaten and slept in that infected little
room, our blankets all spread out there, our trunks opened, everything
we had exposed. We had even used their cooking utensils and spoons and
bowls before our own packs had arrived. For ourselves we had been
often exposed, and believed ourselves perfectly immune. Mr. Underwood
had nursed a case of the most malignant type, and I had been in contact
with it among my patients, but our child! So we sent a swift messenger
with a despatch to the nearest telegraph station, twenty-four hours
away, to Dr. Wells, in Pyeng Yang. He at once put a tube of virus into
the hands of a speedy runner, who arrived with it a week later.
We found the country full of smallpox, measles, and whooping cough, and
added to our smallpox experience, an exactly similar one with measles.
The record of one of these little villages is much like another. At
Pung Chun, a place with a magistracy, we found the crowds almost
unbearable, especially as the magistrate was away and his substitute
unwilling to help us. No foreign woman or child had ever yet been
there, and we were fairly besieged by people who after any fashion,
lawful or otherwise, were determined to see the curiosities. Too tired
that night to do more than hold a brief meeting with the few Christians
who lived there, we barred, barricaded and curtained ourselves in.
How often under such circumstances I have been able to sympathize as
never before with our blessed Lord, who was forced to withdraw to
the mountains and desert places for a little rest and quiet from the
importunity of the eager selfish crowds, who thronged him and followed
him even there in thousands. We read “They had no leisure as much as
to eat,” and that he forbade the people he healed to spread the news
abroad. Quite uselessly. What weariness, what longing he must at times
have felt for a few hours of quiet and peace, only the hunted can
realize, yet how patient, gentle and compassionate he was!
The next day I talked to a room packed full of heathen women, those who
could not force an entrance crowding around the doors and windows,
as many as could get a view or hearing. They listened with interest
and attention for more than an hour, asking intelligent questions
occasionally, and treating me with perfect respect.
In the afternoon I had another and smaller company of those whom Mrs.
Kim of Sorai had culled from among those she had been visiting and
teaching as the most hopeful cases. With these we talked, sang and
prayed, trying as usual to make the most of the few hours we could be
with them. A few people were examined and two or three baptized of
those who had been believing for some time.
From Pung Chun we passed through a lovely valley and over a beautiful
mountain pass to a village nestled right up in the mountains. Here the
interest had extended to two villages of hardy mountaineers, all of
which had been started by an old woman from Sorai. She cannot read, but
she continually preaches Christ to every one whom she meets. Her son is
the local leader, and his family are all Christians.
Thus far Mr. Underwood had during our circuit examined one hundred
and fifty people and baptized seventy-five. About half of the other
seventy-five were received as catechumens. At Pung Chun we were greatly
interested to learn that the Koreans have a custom of sprinkling
blood on the door posts, and above the door of the home to drive away
evil spirits. When I told my class at Chang Yun how the Jews did this
before leaving Egypt, and what it meant, they looked at each other and
exclaimed with surprise, “Why, that is our custom, too.” But at Pung
Chun we found that it had only recently been done at the very inn where
we stopped, and were told that it was quite a common custom in that
part of the country. The natives also have a cold rice festival, much
like the feast of unleavened bread.
The scenery from Chil Pong to Won Tong is very beautiful. The road
winds through the mountains, accompanied by a charming little river
most of the way. There is a wonderful restfulness in the quiet of these
mountains, where no rattle of the world intrudes to break the divine
silences, or to interrupt the voices of nature, which only emphasize
the peacefulness that envelops one. One feels God near and communion
with him easy. The heart lifts itself with no effort in scenes like
these.
From Won Tong we passed to Sorai or Song Chun, to which reference has
already been often made in these pages. We were lodged in the school
room next the church, a sunny, pleasant apartment. This Sorai school
was already famed through all the country round, and Christians were
sending their boys from other villages to obtain the advantage of
Christian teaching. Next morning early a company of little girls and
boys were waiting outside my door, dressed in new clean garments of the
brightest possible colors (starched, dyed, and pounded to a miraculous
crispness, gloss and glory of tint, chiefly scarlet, green and yellow),
especially for this occasion. We had a singing class with them every
morning after that, and a Bible story was told and explained, too. The
women’s class was held immediately after the children’s, but many women
came to the children’s class, and most of the children came to that
held for the women. In the afternoon the women came again for another
Bible lesson, and in the evening men, women and children met for united
prayer, praise and Bible study with Mr. Underwood.
I was again taken very sick here at Sorai, but recovered when that
result seemed most unlikely, through God’s answer to the prayers of
our native Christians, one of whom, Mrs. Kim, spent the whole night in
prayer for me. Such love and devotion makes the tie between pastor and
people very strong.
As soon as I was able to travel we hurried back to Hai Ju and Seoul,
for word had come, bringing the sad news of the death of Mr. Gifford in
one of the country villages about sixty miles from Seoul. He had gone
alone with a Korean helper, and after a brief illness had passed away
suddenly at night, probably scarcely aware that he was seriously ill.
He was loved by all the Koreans, who could not fail to recognize his
spirituality and consecration. Mrs. Gifford was then in an extremely
weak state, having never recovered her strength after a violent attack
of Asiatic dysentery the preceding summer. She had just begun to
improve a little, and we to hope that at last we might look for her
return to perfect health.
A native messenger, all unannounced, rushed into her presence and told
her that her husband was dead. She never saw his face again, or had
the sad comfort of a message, or one of these little souvenirs which
women prize and console their aching hearts withal. She wilted like a
lily, rudely snapped from the stem. When the first shock was over and
her mind became a little composed, several days later, after friends
had left her for a peaceful soothing night’s rest, a Korean servant
entered the room and told her that her husband had been neglected and
slighted in his last illness, and had died alone quite uncared for.
She never rallied from this blow. Sweet, calm, uncomplaining, she grew
weaker and weaker, and only one month after her beloved husband passed
away her gentle spirit followed. They had been extremely congenial and
well suited, and it seemed a gracious providence that they were so soon
reunited.
Mrs. Gifford was a woman greatly beloved by every one, and one of
the most effective and consecrated women workers on the field, with
a modest unassuming quiet spirit, but with untiring devotion and
self-effacement. She worked here ten years for Christ. The Koreans,
whom she had loved so well and served so faithfully, bore her to her
grave and laid her beside her husband. We all felt that the loss to the
work was beyond expression, and from a human view point irreparable.
In the following fall we visited Pyeng Yang for the first time since
our wedding journey in 1889. The annual meeting of all the mission
(now grown quite extensive) for the discussion and settlement of plans
for work for the coming year was to be held there; so we all risked
our lives on a crazy little steamer, which, however, contrary to
probabilities, landed us safely not far from our destination.
Great were the changes we beheld. Missionaries in comfortable pleasant
homes, a large church (paid for with native money), newly built,
able to accommodate nearly two thousand people, and great gatherings
of simple earnest farmer folk, which it did one’s soul good to see
and hear. To us, who on our last visit looked on that great waste of
heathenism, and discussed the advisability, or otherwise, of starting
a sub-station there, it was almost overwhelming. To us, one of whom at
least had come to the country in the very beginning of the history of
our Protestant missions, and to whom in the light of the records of
work in other fields the task looked so stupendous, so overwhelming,
to find here in the far interior the wonderful evidences of the power
and goodness of God filled our hearts with joy and awe. How could we
ever shrink or doubt, or fear again, or do aught but ascribe “glory and
honor, dominion and power, to him who sits upon the throne and to the
lamb for ever.”
I regret that I have not personally seen more of the work of God in
northern Whang Hai and in Pyeng Yang provinces, so that I might give
interesting incidents which would put my readers more in touch with the
Christians there, but I copy from the reports of Pyeng Yang and Syen
Chyun stations for the year 1901 and 1902 the following:
“In the whole territory covered by this station, Pyeng Yang, there are
3,100 baptized adults, 3,737 catechumens enrolled, and over 12,000 who
attend more or less regularly and in various ways come in touch with
the gospel. The total number baptized this year is 642, and the number
of catechumens received 1,363. There are in the Pyeng Yang city church
1,153 members and catechumens, with a congregation of from 1,200 to
1,600 on the Sabbath.
“There are besides this eight country circuits, including Ool Yul
circuit, in the Seoul station work, and 184 out-stations, with 5,684
members and catechumens.
“There are 40 primary schools, one academy and 42 teachers--37 men
and 5 women--with an attendance of 740 pupils. Thirteen schools
were organized this year. All the country schools but one are
self-supporting, and that nearly so. There were 9,094 persons in
attendance at the hospital, also a medical class consisting of 4
members.
“Apart from those held in Pyeng Yang, 107 special Bible classes were
held, bringing about 2,300 under instruction; 20 were taught by the
missionaries, 87 by native helpers and leaders. All these classes were
carried on at the expense of the Koreans.
“There are now 136 chapels, 21 having been built this year, at a cost
of 5,367 nyang contributed by the Christians unaided.
“The total native contributions for all purposes (excluding the
hospital) amount to 43,949 nyang, about 5,860 yen (or $2,930 United
States gold).
“The working force to look after and carry on this work consists of
7 ordained missionaries (one on furlough and one newly arrived on the
field), one medical missionary, 4 single lady missionaries and 7 wives
of missionaries.
“There are also 21 unordained native preachers or helpers, 7 Bible
women and 15 colporters and other assistants doing evangelistic work.”
From the general report of the Syen Chyun station for 1901-2 I also
quote, “We now have organized groups in 15 of the 21 counties of the
province, and believers in at least 4 more of the other 6. The groups
that have been organized by a missionary’s visit, and organized with a
separate roll and church officers, number 44, but there are at least
8 other places where Christians gather for worship every Sabbath, and
where the helpers visit regularly.
“The number of persons baptized during the year, July to July, was
267, which is the largest ingathering we have yet been permitted to
see in one year. All of these 267, with the possible exception of 3 or
4 old persons, had been catechumens on probation for at least a year.
The harvest would have been much larger had it been possible to visit
the western Eui Ju Circuit this spring, where a very large number of
candidates are waiting for baptism.
“The number of infants baptized was 15. The number of catechumens
received amounted to 696. All of these had been believers at least for
two months, and in most cases for a very much longer time, and were
received only after a very careful examination, under which, at the
very lowest estimate, 150 candidates were deferred. During the same
time 5 church members were suspended and 5 excommunicated, and 16
catechumens dropped.
“July first, therefore, there were on the church rolls 677 church
members, 25 baptized infants and 1,340 catechumens, or a total of 2,042
enrolled Christians, who with the unenrolled believers make a total
of 3,429 adherents in all. But of the above church members, 11 are
under suspension, and 8 more, unless they show signs of repentance,
will be disciplined when the missionary next visits their groups. These
19 amount to 2.8 per cent of the church membership. Amongst the 1,340
catechumens there are 109, or 8.1 per cent, whose names are retained
on the books, although at present they have lost their interest in
Christianity. Experience has taught us that it is well to retain such
for at least three years, unless they have been guilty of some grave
sin whereby the church is brought into disrepute, as many of them
coming under some new influences are often won back to a Christian
life.”
The above quotations show how the church is growing, and, especially
the Pyeng Yang report, how well they are giving both in labor and money
for the support of the gospel, and for its advancement among their
heathen neighbors. I will also insert a paragraph taken from the above
report for the same year, on the subject of self-support.
“Just as soon as the native church produces ordained pastors she must
support them. For this the church is being prepared. In this station
but one helper is entirely supported with foreign money, and four or
five receive a part only; all the rest of our unordained preachers or
helpers are entirely supported by the native church. With a single
exception, all of the thirty-five country schools are entirely
supported by the native groups where such schools are carried on. It
has long since been the rule for the native Christians to provide
their own house of worship, the only exception being a few cases where
a little help seemed wise. Every possible means is being employed
to develop the same idea in the academy, thus putting the highest
possible value upon education, creating the sentiment that it is an
acquirement for which the student may well labor or pay. It is being
appreciated, too, so far as it has been acquired at a respectable cost.
Even the hospital is on a fair way to become self-supporting to the
extent of paying for medicines and treatment.
[Illustration: ELDER SAW OF SORAI AND HIS FAMILY. PAGE 230]
“In every way the Korean Christians have shown themselves not only
able, even during a famine year, but also willing to bear their share
along the line of support. They have not only borne the running
expenses of the various groups, supported their own country primary
schools, contributed to the academy, paid the salaries of the
unordained preachers, sent representatives to the training classes at
Pyeng Yang, and delegates to the council at Seoul, but have given a
considerable amount to help the poor and contributed liberally to the
Committee of Missions.”
One more extract from these reports, that of Miss Chase of Syen Chyun,
I feel must not be omitted. It ought to touch the heart of every
Christian woman who reads it. It is as follows:
“There are 199 baptized and 588 catechumen women, and as a conservative
estimate 1,200 Christian women, in north Pyeng An province. I have been
able to go to the merest fraction of this number. Those whom I have met
are much that we desire to have them be, and much not to be desired,
but as I think of them individually and collectively, every other
thought is eclipsed by the deep impressions they have made upon me by
their yearning to be taught. The need for another for this field speaks
for itself. We request the mission to consider the urgent need. In some
places there has been manifest murmuring among the people. They say
they have waited long for a visit from their pastor, they have waited
long to receive the examination for the catechumenate, they have waited
long for a woman to teach them. Every time that women come in from
distant places they beseech me to promise to visit their groups the
next time I leave Syen Chyun.
“Many a woman who has attended my classes has said with tear-stained
face, ‘As for believing, I believe. I am clinging to Christ for
salvation. I have no desire for any trust but in him, but I am so
ignorant. I know so little about my Bible. I know not how to read its
thoughts with my dark mind. I know so little about the great Jesus
doctrine. How can God be pleased to call me his child, when I know
not how to glorify him?’ They say the men stand out far on the other
side of the curtain[4] and teach great and wonderful things which they
cannot comprehend, but a woman can sit in their midst and listen to all
of their unlearned questions, and they are not ashamed to let a patient
woman see how little they know! It is not easy to hear these heart-felt
burdens and be helpless to meet their need in any adequate manner.”
[4] Churches are divided by a curtain down the center, with men on one
side and women on the other. The preacher can see both sides.