C. L. BUTTERFIELD by C. L. Butterfield

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 9, 1909

C. L. BUTTERFIELD

By C. L. Butterfield

Korea

C. L. BUTTERFIELD

LAST evening we received the last number of the General Conference Bulletin. These papers have been a feast of good things to us. It was certainly a good Conference, and I believe that every one in attendance received great blessings. We have greatly rejoiced to see the good reports, and to learn of the harmony and oneness that existed in all the deliberations.

We are now anxiously waiting to hear what new workers we are to receive this year. We need workers who are consecrated, and are willing to do or be anything in order to save souls. We have a splendid field here in Korea. The longer I am with these people, the more I learn to love them. They are very poor, yet it is surprising how liberal they are, and how anxious to help in giving this message to others. If our people in all the world would give in proportion to what these people give, the Mission Board would not lack funds to carry on this work. To illustrate this more fully, I will give you a few items:—

The average wage paid in this part of Korea is from fifteen to twenty cents a day. That, however, is not for a ten-hour day, but from sunrise to sunset. About six weeks ago Miss Mimi Scharffenberg was given the Sabbath-school to look after. She visited one company where they had never taken up a collection. She told them that our schools were all beginning to give collections to missions the same as in all the world, and did what she could to encourage them to do the same. It was only four Sabbaths until the end of the quarter. When they sent in their report, it was accompanied with one yen, the collection for four weeks. The report said that there were thirteen members, and two of them were children. That would be an average of two sen, or one cent gold, for each member each Sabbath. That would be equal to at least ten cents gold for each member each Sabbath in America. This is not an exceptional case.

Last Sabbath we took up the mid-summer offering here at Soonan. It passed our expectations. All were surprised, when the amount was read, to learn that 83 yen, 50 sen, or $41.75, had been given. The collection was taken up at other places, but I do not yet know the result.

Yesterday our first colporteur, with the first box of literature, left our station. He had a supply of the following tracts for free distribution: “The True God and His Sabbath,” “The Sinner’s Need of Christ,” and “Jesus Is Soon Coming.” Our Sabbath-school Lesson Quarterly on the First Epistle of John, and a few Bibles and song-books, made up his stock of books. Until we get more literature, he will give most of his time to selling Bibles. He has been a Christian for about fourteen years, and for several years has been selling Bibles and other religious literature; so he is not a novice in the work. I think he will be a great help to us.

Several years ago Brother Kim, one of our native workers, was converted under this man’s labors. After Brother Kim accepted present truth, he began to labor for this man. He was much attached to his church, and did not think it was possible that they were in the wrong. But after carefully studying the matter he found that we were right, and began about six months ago to keep the Sabbath. He has a good understanding of our truth, and next Sabbath I expect to have the privilege of baptizing him, with others.

I sincerely hope that there will be sufficient of the three hundred thousand dollar fund raised so that we can get located at our permanent headquarters at Seoul this fall, get our printing house built, and procure a new press. A foot-press, which we can buy in Seoul for two hundred dollars, would supply our need. One man, with such a press, can do as much in one day as two men can do in three days with the pull-press that we now have.

What we do in Korea must be done quickly. We must not delay, or souls will be lost. Opposition is very strong in some places, but our literature breaks through the barriers, and tells the blessed story of a soon-coming Saviour, and invites all to be prepared to meet him in peace.

A few days ago one of our workers said that in the city where he is working, members of the other denominations had been forbidden to talk with us or to read our literature. But men come to his home in the night, and ask for tracts, which they conceal in their clothes when they go away. He tries to talk with each one, but he can not get a man to talk with him. After reading a tract, some come for more, and are then willing to talk. By this one can see something of our need of a press and printing house at an early date.

We are all well and enjoying much of God’s blessing in our work. It seems that every moment of our time is taken up from five in the morning until late at night, but we keep well. July 4 we hired horses to ride, and all went about seven miles up in the mountains to spend the day and read the Bulletin. We all enjoyed the change.

We are in a needy field, and we desire the prayers of our brethren and sisters for the success of the work. Soon the work will triumph, and the believers from every land be gathered home.

Soonan.