p. 14 | The Land of the Morning Calm by Addie Carnahan Smith

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 25, 1908

The Land of the Morning Calm

By Addie Carnahan Smith

ADDIE CARNAHAN SMITH

ANOTHER spring has come—our third one in Korea. The grass is green, and the hillsides are beautified with flowers, but there are not many trees to add to the natural beauty of the landscape. As the expression, “The land of the morning calm,” has often appeared in the papers, I wonder if many have realized that there is more truth than poetry in it. Usually at sunrise there is a decided calm, not a leaf is stirring. It is so soothing to be out at that time; but within an hour or two the wind begins to blow, gently at first, with increasing velocity until, by noon, it is so strong that it is quite impossible to keep a hat on. No doubt this accounts for the custom of the men wearing their hats with ribbons tied under the chin, and of the women wearing long strips of cloth tied around the head.

Autumn is the most pleasant season here, the winters being quite severe, the summer very warm and moist, and the

spring extremely windy. But the climate is considered quite healthful. We have enjoyed as good health so far, I think, as we did in America. But the unsanitary condition of the cities and villages makes it unpleasant and unsafe in regard to health, when one is thrown out among the natives, where he can not take proper care of himself, and necessary precaution about food and drinking water.

The spirit of calm is not resting upon this country just now. There are said to be more robbers at present than at any time in the past. Within the last week we have heard of six near-by villages having been raided by bands of robbers. At one village they obtained some money from two houses, and at a liquor shop they drank all the whisky. Then, as a dog had just been butchered, they ordered it dressed and cooked, and ate all of it. No doubt one reason for there being so many more robbers than usual is because the new emperor, on taking his seat one year ago, proclaimed liberty to all the prisoners.

There is another lawless band—the Euipyongs—who are opposed to Japanese influence. Travelers are attacked by them. Japanese are killed without mercy. When a Korean is seized, and he pleads innocent of favoring Japan, he is asked why he has short hair (those who are in favor of Japan usually shingle their hair); if he says because he is a Christian, he is then commanded to sing and pray; and if he is able to do this, he is let go, but if unable, he is killed. Many have been tested in this way. Many Japanese and Koreans have lost their lives during the past year at the hands of this lawless band.

Surely this nation needs the knowledge of the saving truths of the gospel.

Soonan, Korea.