p. 9 | Institutes in Korea by MIMI SCHARFFENBERG

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 4, 1910

Institutes in Korea

By MIMI SCHARFFENBERG

MIMI SCHARFFENBERG

I visited Soonan recently, where we held a one week’s teachers’ institute. Eleven native church-school teachers were present. A good spirit prevailed, and we had a very profitable time together. Papers were read, which were followed by interesting discussions, showing that the native teachers are full of good ideas. Many would tell also about their own experiences in teaching the different branches, and this was helpful to the others. All returned home with a determination to work more faithfully than ever before.

Following the teachers’ institute we had a three days’ Sabbath-school convention in Pyeng Yang. All who were present voted to give all their Sabbath-school donations for foreign mission work, and also to use their influence to help increase these donations. Elder C. L. Butterfield and Miss May Scott were present to help in these meetings.

From Pyeng Yang ten Korean women who had gathered there from different places left with me for Chinnampo, where we were going to hold a Bible institute for women. As the river was frozen, we had to go overland. We had five horses, and took turns walking and riding. We made the journey in two days. The first night we had to stop in a village where there was but one hotel. We managed to get some rooms, and nine of us slept on the floor, as all Koreans do, in a room eight by sixteen feet. The following night eleven of us slept in a room eight by ten feet. I managed to lie next to the door, and hoped to get a little fresh air once in a while; but as soon as I would open the door a little, some one would exclaim, “Please close the door; it is cold, and I am catching cold.” During the institute we lived and held our meetings in the Chinnampo Girls’ School.

Our attendance, including women, girls, and our native Bible workers, was about thirty most of the time. Some could not leave their homes for any length of time, so would stay only for a week, but the majority stayed through the whole month. I gave special instruction to our Bible workers, and they in turn helped take charge of other meetings. Living all together as we did, I had a good opportunity to become better acquainted with them. The four Bible women and I occupied a room eight by ten feet. The room next to ours had from ten to twelve occupants, and the rest of our company stayed in a house near by.

The work of the day began with the rising-bell, at 6 A. M. Morning worship was held at seven o’clock, conducted by one of the workers. An interesting feature of this service was that each one present was called upon to repeat a Bible verse of her own choice. About once a week all present would repeat as many verses as they could remember. Breakfast was at eight; a workers’ meeting was held at nine; and at ten o’clock

two meetings were held, one for the children, and another for the older ones. A general Bible study was given at eleven o’clock, and at 2:30 P. M. another meeting was held for the children. Dinner was served at half-past five, and the public Bible study held at seven-thirty. The retiring-bell at nine-thirty, and “lights out” at ten o’clock, closed the program for the day.

From one o’clock till four each afternoon we worked among the people in Chinnampo. One thousand invitations were distributed every afternoon, telling the people the subject of our evening Bible study, and inviting them to come. This gave the Bible workers an opportunity to put in practise what they had learned in the morning. At the same time four or five went out canvassing. This was a new experience for the women here in Korea. A number of books and tracts were sold. More might have been done had I gone with them oftener, and given them more instruction. But one month was too short a time to give them instruction in all branches. I have found that, by going with them, much might be done in the canvassing work if we only had a suitable book for which to canvass. What we have so far is not suitable for the people in general, who know nothing about our truth. I found that the average number of books sold was three to every ten canvasses given. Two persons have decided to keep the Sabbath, as the result of our evening Bible studies.

As far as our own people were concerned, perfect harmony prevailed. All felt that they had been greatly blessed during the month’s study, and were sorry when the time came to part.

A week before the close of the institute Elder C. L. Butterfield and Brother R. C. Wangerin came to Chinnampo. On the last day of the meeting nine precious souls were buried with their Lord in baptism. One dear sister, sixty years of age, who is the mother of one of our Bible workers, had desired baptism for a long time. When she heard that Elder Butterfield had come to Chinnampo, and that we were going to have baptism, she left home and came at once. She had to walk a distance of thirty li, and being very feeble, the journey was too much for her, so that she was laid up the next day, and not able to receive baptism with the others.

When this sister arrived, she was so glad to see me that she put both arms around me. I said, “You make me think of my own dear mother at home.” Her daughter said to me, “You know Jesus is coming soon, and it will not be very long till you can meet all your loved ones, nevermore to part.” To hear these words of comfort from a Korean sister did me more good than I can tell. Our people here in Korea are beginning to realize more what this truth means to us as a people. It is true, there are only a few so far who realize this, but they have had little opportunity to learn the truth. They have to be patiently taught the same thing over and over.

Every time I go out among the people, I learn to love them better, and I wish I might work among them all the time. But the translating work keeps me at home a great deal. I am thankful to be here, and have enjoyed much of God’s rich blessing.

Seoul.