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Itinerating in Korea

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 17, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 51.

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Itinerating in Korea

By Mimi Scharffenberg

I HAVE been out among the churches, and have spent almost a week at Kangdemuro, studying with the women there. The interest is good; the whole village is reported to be Sabbath-keepers, and also some of the neighboring villages. But of course that is what the natives tell us. Nevertheless I believe that if some one could be there to instruct them, many would really be won to the truth.
JAPANESE SECTION OF PYONG YANG, KOREA
JAPANESE SECTION OF PYONG YANG, KOREA
It was hard to study with the sisters at that place, for there was not one able to read. Neither had any attended church before. So I had to begin at the very beginning, and teach them the same as we do little children at home. They would gather at seven in the morning, and stay with me all day till ten at night, and it was hard to get time to eat. Each day they would recite what they had learned the day before, to be sure that it was all correct in their minds. The last day they could tell, in simple story form, the creation of the world, the fall of man, the birth of Christ, his work for us, his death, resurrection, and coming again. It did me much good to hear them exclaim, “How wonderful all this is!” and tell how sorry they were that I had not come to them before. The men also need instruction. They are a little better off than the women, because they can study the Bible for themselves. But they need to be converted.
At other places also I had many interesting experiences. The more I am out among the people, the more I feel to thank the Lord for the blessed privilege of having a part in this closing work. Sometimes when we think about the condition of the work here, and how much these people have to learn, it may look discouraging. But we have a few among us here who seem to realize the condition of our companies, and who really have a burden for the conversion of the people. I was much impressed with what I heard at one place, where a few faithful souls have joined together in praying for their church. At first they prayed that they might realize what sin is, and feel sorry for it; then they prayed that each one might get strength from on high to overcome his sins.
On account of heavy rain-storms it was a trip with many difficulties, but I enjoyed it. The first of August I moved, and now have a nice little home. We wonder every day when the new workers will get here.
MIMI SCHARFFENBERG. Soonan, Korea.