The great law of sacrifice, so dimly understood by Western
people, is the commonest talk of Korea. For thousands of years
sheep and oxen have died for the sins of the people. Birds and
beasts have been offered in a vain effort to lift this burden
from the human soul. I read in a history of Korea that in the
year when our Savior was born in Bethlehem, the King of Kokuryu
went out into the open plain to offer sacrifice to God. Two
“swine beasts” were to be offered, but in the preparation of the
sacrifice they took to their heels and ran away. The King sent
two officers in pursuit, Messrs. Takni and Sappi. They chased
the pigs to Long Jade Lake, caught them and ham-strung them, so
that they could not run again; then they dragged them before
the King. “How dare you,” said he, “offer to God a mutilated
sacrifice?” He had these two gentlemen buried alive for their
sin, but behold he himself shortly after fell seriously ill. A
spirit medium called and told him his sickness was due to the
sin of having killed Takni and Sappi. He confest, and prayed,
and was cured of his complaint.--JAMES S. GALE, “Korea
in Transition.”
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