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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 21, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 25.

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Korea

By W. R. Smith

CHINNAMPO.— We are glad to tell those who are watching the onward march of the third angel’s message of the progress it is making in heathen Korea.
It has been said that the Koreans were without a religion, but that is a mistake; while they are neither Confucians nor Buddhists, yet they are as devoutly attached to the worship of their ancestors, perhaps, as ever a people were to the worship of a false god; and as one travels over the land, temples may be seen where libations are poured out to appease the wrath of the evil spirit. When the winter is breaking up, instead of cleaning out their springs and wells, they put food into them to pacify the dragon that may be lurking there to destroy their lives.
As you know, only a short time ago this message began its work in Chinnampo and its vicinity. Quickly in four different places believers sprang up, and their numbers grew until nearly two hundred had accepted the saving truths of this last message of mercy.
The seventh of February, in company with a native helper, we left our home in Seoul to visit these brethren. The weather was cold, and the means of travel not the best, so we walked most of the time. Everywhere we were given a cordial welcome, and all seemed to be of good courage.
Seoul, which for many reasons is perhaps the most desirable place in Korea for foreigners to live, is two hundred miles from where our brethren are; so the good of the cause seemed to demand that we leave Seoul and go to Chinnampo, where, so far as temporal things are concerned, life is not nearly so pleasant; but we came to Chinnampo to make it our home until it seems advisable for us to move elsewhere.
The circle of believers is very rapidly growing larger. From Ping-Yang, one of the large cities of Korea, about fifty miles distant from Chinnampo, a letter came asking for some one to come and tell them of these things. From Soonan, a place sixteen miles beyond Ping-Yang, word came to us that a company had begun the observance of the Sabbath, and wished to be baptized and join our church. These are only two of several places from which similar calls have already come to us. The seed is being sown by ways that we are hardly aware of; perhaps a Sabbath-keeper will go to make his home in another village, and tell the people what he has learned, or maybe a letter will be sent to a friend, calling his attention to the message; thus the seed is being scattered over Korea, and it is springing up and growing we know not how, but already it is beginning to yield a bountiful harvest. The question is not how to arouse an interest, but how to care for and properly instruct the rapidly increasing number of believers.
With one of our native laborers I went to answer as best we could these appeals for help. After spending a few days with the Christians in Soonan, where twenty-two were buried with their Lord in baptism, we came to Ping-Yang. Here the native worker remained to further instruct the company of fifteen who had begun the observance of the Sabbath, while I returned to Chinnampo to go with another one of our five native laborers to answer a call in Chungwha; after this is done, I will go again to Ping-Yang to baptize and organize the company there, and then go to Homcho, where a company is being raised up through the labors of one of our native brethren.
To be sure, all who have accepted the message and those who are accepting it need much instruction and help along many lines; and we trust that the burden will be so laid upon the brethren of America that many people and much means will be consecrated to the work in Korea; surely the cause requires haste.
They anxiously inquire of us if more of our missionaries from America will come to them soon; if we have many doctors in America, and when one will come here.
We are enjoying our work on the language; and while we still have very much to learn, yet we are glad to be able to make ourselves understood, even though it be in an awkward, roundabout way.
W. R. SMITH.