Korea by W. R. Smith

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 24, 1907

Korea

By W. R. Smith

SOONAN.—When we came here, our duties were not clearly defined, more than that we were to learn the language as quickly as possible. This we have tried to do, and are thankful that the Lord has blessed our efforts. From the first, the crying need of the work pressed us into active service, and we have tried to be faithful in doing what seemed to be our duty.

Surely the Lord has cared for the work here. New companies of Sabbath-keepers are continuing to spring up. But as they know scarcely anything of the truth, it seemed to us that we must have a building where the workers could meet with all who are interested, and give them proper instruction. There are now eleven companies of Sabbath-keepers. At all these places church-schools are greatly needed, as there is no school system in Korea. But until there are school-teachers, this will be impossible; so, realizing the great need of a little training-school, we went to work to get one. We felt that we must have the school, and believed that the Lord would help us.

We secured from the government a tract of four or five acres, also some old buildings, from which we can get tiles and other material for the roof. The property is worth, altogether, about three hundred yen. It took several months to secure it, and when this was accomplished, we hardly knew what to do. We did not then know that the General council had voted two hundred yen toward building a training-school in Korea. I wrote to some of our relatives in America, and asked them to help us.

The time for the rainy season, to which the people look forward to fill up their rice fields with water and make their crops, was half gone, and no rain had fallen; and, to make matters worse, a hot wind had blown for several days. The natives told us that unless a rain came very soon, their crops would all die. We were perplexed to know whether, in the midst of so many uncertainties, and in the face of an apparent famine, we should go ahead with this work. We decided that as thus far the Lord had helped us, we would go on. I got some of the leading brethren together, and laid the situation before them. They responded by saying, “Let us proceed to build at once.” That day we went to the mountains, about ten miles from our home, and contracted for what timbers we thought we would need. Before we got home, the rain came down almost in torrents.

A few days later we were made glad to read in the REVIEW that one hundred dollars was to be given for the establishing of a training-school in Korea. Still we knew that even with the start we already had, and with the promise of the Korean brethren to do the work, this amount would be gone before the building was completed. But yesterday we felt that thanksgiving was due to our Heavenly Father, when we received a letter from those in America from whom we had sought assistance, containing a further donation of two hundred yen. For God’s prospering care over his work in this portion of his vineyard we are indeed grateful, and request an interest in the prayers of his people.

W. R. SMITH.