A Missionary Tour in the Far East
By J. E. FULTON
KOREA, known as the Hermit Kingdom or Land of the Morning Calm, is a populous peninsula jutting out from the continent of Asia, opposite Japan. It has a very ancient history, said to date back to about 1200 B. C. Korea has been subject much of the time to China, but was granted independence in 1878. As a nation, Korea never exercised much power or influence on countries about her, nor came in contact to any extent with the outside world. After a little over thirty years’ experience as an independent nation, Korea yielded up the scepter to her ambitious and aggressive neighbor, Japan, which in 1910 annexed the country, calling it Chosen, which, being interpreted, is “Land of the Morning Calm.” This is a truly descriptive name. On the occasion of our visit, we found both mornings and evenings quiet and peaceful, although at midday the wind might blow. In this little country 14,000,000 persons live. Korea is mountainous in most parts, and rice, wheat, and other crops are planted in every available spot along the valleys. The people are industrious, toiling from early morning till late at night in their little paddy fields. The Koreans can be easily distinguished by their dress—the loose white trousers tied at the ankles, and a loose jacket or shirt of the same material. When dressed for church, the men wear a long coat over all. Women dress somewhat similar to the men, but in addition wear a full, short skirt. When the women put on their thick socks, straw shoes, and white turbans, their costumes are complete. The men have the same footwear, but older men wear a most peculiar hat. It is made of black, gauzy material, with small crown and narrow brim; and being so small, it will not fit onto the head, so it is tied under the chin with black ribbons. When a man is thus attired, and has in his mouth a long Korean pipe, whose tobacco bowl is smaller than a lady’s thimble, he is fully dressed. On arriving at Fusan, southern Korea, by steamer from Japan, we took the Chosen-Manchuria Express to Keizan, where we have a mission conducted by Brother R. C. Wangerin. It was interesting to meet our missionaries and their simple, warm-hearted native converts. Elder C. L. Butterfield, superintendent of the Korean field, had met us at Fusan, and brought us on our way. While visiting at Fusan, we ascended a mountain just back of the mission, where in the valleys below us we could count more than one hundred villages with their thousands of inhabitants. Here and in valleys far away, comprising a population of about six million, is the field of operation of one lone missionary in this southern district. We bowed together on the mountain side, praying God to have mercy on the multitudes. At midnight we took the express for Seoul, the capital of Chosen. It may be in place to say that the service on these railways is excellent, and good sleeping berths are supplied second-class passengers. The great evil noticeable throughout all the East, while traveling on train or steamer, is the ubiquitous pipe, which is in evidence everywhere; and no respect is shown for, nor any regulation is made in behalf of, the nonsmoker. At Seoul the headquarters of our Korean Mission is located; and a few miles from the city, convenient two-story dwellings have been erected for the workers, and a very substantial building for printing office, chapel, and offices. We felt glad that in a land where many hardships must be endured by our missionaries when out among the natives, they have good homes where they can keep up strength for labor. Most of our time in Korea was spent at Soonan, where our training school is located. Here we found not only the students and their teachers, but a general meeting in progress, which had called in about three hundred persons and all our Korean missionaries. This was a rare opportunity to become somewhat acquainted with Korea, Koreans, and with our workers. Here I met Dr. Riley Russell for the first time. He is busy not only along medical lines, but, like the Great Physician, he tries to bring healing also to the soul. The doctor has a dispensary at Soonan, and has12trained native helpers. He makes extended tours in evangelistic work. We also met at this place other brethren and sisters who labor here and in other parts of Korea. It was a great pleasure to meet them. The meeting held at Soonan was a good one. The native brethren seem a sincere, warm-hearted, responsive company. They appreciated the word spoken. Hearty Amens were heard as spiritual truths were presented to them. In the prayer and testimony meetings they were very responsive. As many as a score could be counted on their feet at one time, waiting the opportunity to speak. The message Elder A. G. Daniels had to bear to the students, native laborers, missionaries, and all the brethren—native and European—was well received, and an inspiration to all. A large number of the native brethren present had come from heathenism; one man had been studying the Bible for ten years, and waiting for a people who keep the Sabbath according to the commandment. One sister had walked over three hundred miles to reach the meeting. She arrived footsore, but otherwise well and happy. During our social meeting a native sister in great agitation told of her unconverted relatives, for whom she wanted us to pray. The conversion of this sister was brought about by the death of her own daughter, whom she sought to hinder from accepting Christ. This daughter came to our church and desired to become a Christian. The mother refused to listen, and later the daughter was taken sick and died. This seemed to awaken the mother to her needs, and she brooded on the wrong she had done her daughter till she almost lost her mind. Now she is converted, and humbly asks God to soften the hearts of her relatives in darkness. Now is the time for labor in Korea, but the laborers are so few! Let us pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the harvest; and while we pray, let us give. Before we left the Korean meeting, two of the native brethren were set apart to the gospel ministry. This brought great cheer to our native brethren, to see such confidence placed in their people. We believe it will be proved that this confidence has not been misplaced. The school has a large number of students. The outlook is hopeful.