A Trip to a Korean Village by R. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 4, 1909

A Trip to a Korean Village

By R. Russell

It was a trip of two hundred li (about seventy miles), to visit an isolated company of believers. We left Soonan about noon, and, after passing over several low mountains, and through fertile valleys, we stopped for the night at Morokdong-koda, staying in a Korean hotel. There was one room, about ten by fifteen feet in size, and fourteen persons slept in it. As the Koreans have no ventilation, and all smoke, the atmosphere becomes quite dense. Among the company were traveling merchants from all parts of Korea; so we did not miss the opportunity to scatter a good supply of tracts.

The next morning we had a bowl of rice, and started on our way. While we were riding through a small village, a man ran out and called, “We won! We won!” (“O doctor!”) When we stopped, he said his wife was very sick, and he wished us to come to see her. We turned aside, and the natives gathered around. We were able quickly to help the patient, and did not fail to distribute our tracts. We bade them good-by, and rode on, while the crowd followed to the edge of the village, and bowed, saying, very politely: “We thank you so much.”

Our destination was reached about 10 A. M., and soon we had the company collected. We studied and preached for three days, and between times visited at their homes, or saw their sick,—of whom there were many,—for they are more than one hundred li from any physician. The people said we followed the Saviour’s example, preaching the gospel and healing the sick. This caused us to

lift our hearts to God that he would help us to be true ambassadors for him. On our return, we spoke with many people by the way. I never enjoyed a trip more in my life, and never was busier. We in Korea ask an interest in your prayers. R. RUSSELL, M. D.