A Blaze of Light in Korea

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 26, 1908

A Blaze of Light in Korea

KOREA, the “hermit nation,” the land of mystery and of demon dancers, one of the darkest and least-known countries, is hearing the advent warning.

The blaze of light in far Korea is one of the gleaming signals of the new time in God’s work. “He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness.” Into the darkest corners of the earth the light of the last message is now streaming. “The day is at hand!”

Korea tried to shut itself away from the world, like a hermit in his hut. Its coasts were patrolled to keep out the foreigner. Cities and villages were laid in ruins along the Manchurian border, in order to make a wide waste, more easily guarded. But the day of opening doors came, and Korea’s long-barred gates were swung ajar.

The treaty of 1882, with the United States, permitted foreigners to enter. In 1884 the Presbyterians planted the first mission. Even before this, however, the Scriptures had entered, and the Word of God was bringing forth fruit.

A missionary in Manchuria, John Ross, of Mukden, sent a Chinese servant to the border towns to seek for a Korean who would teach him the language. It was a hard quest, for Korean laws forbade such intercourse with foreigners. One day a Korean merchant had his barge of goods sunk in the Yalu River, and landed on the Manchurian side a ruined man. Just then the missionary’s servant arrived, still looking for a teacher. The merchant engaged himself secretly, and the result was the translation

of the New Testament into Korean.

Another providential “accident” then brought a Korean to set the type. In the process, the typesetter became a Christian. Before ever the full Testament was brought out, this man was set free to go back to his native valley in north-western Korea with a supply of the Gospel of Luke and a few tracts. He came back with the books all sold, and word that there were those who wished to be baptized. His story was not credited; and again he was sent out to other valleys with the printed Gospels. Erelong wandering Koreans brought word to Mukden that many people in Korea were praying to the “God of heaven.” Then the missionaries scaled the mountain passes and entered these valleys. Scores were found anxious for baptism, and hundreds were reading the Scriptures and praying. Later came the opening of the country, and fruitful mission work was begun in Seoul, the capital city of the hermit kingdom.

In May, 1904, a Korean passing through Kobe, Japan, stopped to study a sign written in Japanese and Chinese characters: “Meeting Hall of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.” A brother within saw the stranger, and beckoned to him to enter. That friendly wave of the hand brought the first Korean Sabbath-keeper to the study of the advent message. It was a silent conversation, for they could talk only by writing in Chinese characters on a slate. Again the Korean came, bringing a younger man. Both were Christians, hungry for more light, and the truths of this message captivated their hearts.

The last study, which was on baptism, lasted till midnight. The older man, Ryn Un Hyun, was to sail in the morning, and with tears our first two Korean Sabbath-keepers begged for immediate baptism. By the light of paper lanterns, after midnight, they were buried in baptism,—the older to go on to Hawaii; the younger, Song Fun Cho, to return to Korea.

On the return passage, Song Fun Cho taught the new-found truth to Lim Ki Pan, journeying to Chinnampo, on Korea Bay, across from Port Arthur. The light spread in the region about Chinnampo. Then came this message:—

“MY DEAR OLD BROTHER: When you read this, hasten to take the boat and come to us. In your letter you wrote that you can not understand our language; but if God is with you, why need you fear?”

Then our missionary, Kobe preacher, Brother Kuniya, went over, and later Elder F. W. Field, director of the Japanese mission, followed. Seventy-one persons were baptized in the brief fortnight’s visit, four churches were organized, and the Sabbath truth was “spreading like a blaze.”

This was the method of work:— “Brother Kuniya talks the little Korean that he has picked up, and what little Japanese the Korean brother knows, with an occasional English word. When words fail, he writes on a slate in Chinese characters. Then Brother Lim Ki Pan speaks to the inquirer in good Korean.”

But notwithstanding all, the Word of God had free course and was glorified. No wonder the brethren reported that “this message is let loose in Korea,” and called for a missionary to locate and labor there.

Meanwhile Song Fun Cho had reached his destination in southern Korea. Not much was heard of him; but after a time he returned to Kobe to plead for help. Then word came that round about Fusan, across the straits from Japan, where he has been living, thirty-five Koreans were keeping the Sabbath, and many more were asking for light.

Thus like flaming beacons the providences of God in the darkest and uttermost parts of the earth flash the signal to arise now to the finishing of the work. Not long years of waiting for entrance or for fruitage have we now before us. The Holy Spirit is being poured out upon thirsty souls. Swiftly the final message of “the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” is speeding to every tongue and tribe. “A short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” Thank God for this lesson from Korea, or the land of Cho-sen, as its people call it, meaning the Land of Morning Calm.