p. 16 | Our Work in Korea by I. H. EVANS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 14, 1909

Our Work in Korea

By I. H. EVANS

KOREAN history is a tale of oppression, isolation, and patient suffering scarcely surpassed by any people save the Jews. Tradition dates the founding of the Korean empire to the time of David, king of Israel.

To this day, at Pyong Yang, the ancient capital, there is to be seen a large mound of earth, walled and well protected, which is claimed to be the sepulcher of the Chinese general who founded the empire. A great wall, the remains of which are still visible, partially surrounds the city. This wall is said to have been built during the reign of the founder of the empire.

Korea is a peninsula, bounded by the sea except on the north, where it joins Manchuria. The surface of the country is very broken. Mountains seem to be everywhere, running in various directions, between which are rich, fertile valleys. Agriculture is carried on in the most primitive style by the native Koreans, who work in gangs or companies; they say, never alone. Rice, Kafir-corn, millet, wheat, and vegetables grow abundantly where intelligently cultivated. The staple article of diet in the Korean home is rice. When too poor to afford this, the people use millet. Cabbage, radishes, turnips, and spinach are much used, and constitute the principal vegetables.

But little fruit is raised. Persimmons are the most abundant just now. The climate seems admirably adapted for apples, cherries, plums, and such fruit. But little meat is eaten by the poorer classes. Fish, however, is abundant and quite cheap. Wild fowl summer along the creeks and rivers, where they rear their young. We saw many thousands of wild geese and ducks while going down the river from Pyong Yang to Chinnampo.

Since the Chinese-Japanese war the Koreans have taken most kindly to the Christian religion. They have welcomed the missionaries of all denominations, and have shown a willingness to embrace Christianity. Probably no other field in the world has yielded a better harvest of souls for the labor bestowed than Korea. All earthly hopes having failed them as a nation, they seem to welcome the comfort they find in God's Word.

We should have sent a strong force of workers to Korea ten years ago. The Presbyterians, Methodists, and other denominations did this, and have been greatly blessed in the work they have done. We began only three years ago by sending over to Korea Brother W. R. Smith and wife, who were joined one year later by Sister Mimi Scharffenberg.

Until this fall these three workers were all that we sent to Korea. Now Dr. Riley Russell and wife, Sister Mac Scott, and Brother Butterfield and family are in the field, and already at work on the language. If this latter corps of workers do as well in learning the language as the others have done, in two years they will be able to speak and write in the Korean tongue. It was most encouraging to see Brother Smith and Sister Scharffenberg translate so readily into the native language. Surely God has blessed them in this.

I was greatly pleased to see the educational feature of our work receiving so much attention. Not only was a training-school for workers conducted at Soonan, but several church-schools were in progress at various stations.

At Soonan we held a council for a week, finishing our committee work at Chinnampo. At this council most of the workers in the field were present the whole or a portion of the time. The following are some of the recommendations adopted:—

It was decided that Korea should be organized into a separate mission field, to be known as the Korean Mission field of Seventh-day Adventists. The following officers were elected: Chairman, Elder C. L. Butterfield; secretary and treasurer, W. R. Smith; secretary of medical work, Dr. R. Russell; secretary of education, Miss Mimi Scharffenberg; secretary of Sabbath-school work, Mrs. W. R. Smith; secretary of the publishing work, W. R. Smith.

Brethren Butterfield, Russell, and Smith, with two Korean brethren, were appointed as a committee to find a location in or near Seoul, or some other center of population, suitable for permanent headquarters for the mission work in Korea, in connection with which sanitarium work for the Koreans can be established.

A nurses’ training course is to be started as soon as possible, so that Korean nurses may be used in connection with the medical work; and a bright young Korean is to be selected to connect with Dr. Russell in his medical work, to be trained as a helper.

In view of the necessity of utilizing the publishing work in placing the truth before the people, it was voted that a monthly periodical, not to exceed eight pages, be published. Elder Smith was chosen as editor of the paper, with Elder Butterfield as associate editor. The publishing work is to be located at Soonan until such time as it shall be deemed advisable to locate it at some larger center.

The educational policy of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in the United States is to be adopted, modifying the same to suit the conditions in Korea. Church-schools are to be established wherever a sufficient number of children can be gotten together to warrant the same. The training-school already started in Soonan is to be continued until some better place can be provided. It is desired that some good land be provided for cultivation, so the students can raise their own provisions. A resolution was passed requesting that the Mission Board make an appropriation of a thousand dollars to erect suitable buildings and provide the necessary land for cultivation, and asking the Korean brethren to donate money to this school enterprise according

to their ability. The Sabbath-school work was also organized.

The importance of sending a delegate from Korea to the General Conference next May was considered, and Brother W. R. Smith was chosen as the one to represent Korea at that time.

More workers are greatly needed in Korea, and it was decided to request the Mission Board to send a physician, an educational man, and two Bible workers.

The coming of new workers made glad the hearts of all believers in the field, and especially the American workers already here. It was encouraging to see the new recruits take so kindly to their new field of labor. There was no repining; the difficulties and needs only stimulate them to master the language.

Brother F. W. Field accompanied me to Korea, and as he had been there before, there was no difficulty in getting about. For seven weeks we had been together in Japan and Korea. He started for Japan at the same time that I left for China. Thus we meet and part here.

The last Sabbath I spent in Korea was a day long to be remembered. In the afternoon after a Bible study, conducted by Brother Field, we had a testimony meeting, which lasted till dark. In this meeting the Korean brethren gave praise to God for his great mercy in changing their hearts, and giving them peace and love.

A little boy came to the home of Brother and Sister Smith during our stay. This will bring joy to their hearts, for since the death of their little girl, nearly two years ago, they have had a childless home.

I leave Korea with sadness. The needs of the field appeal to me, and I long to do something to help. But those who remain must prove themselves master builders, and gather sheaves for the Master’s coming. I. H. EVANS.