Korea by W. R. Smith

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 11, 1907

Korea

By W. R. Smith

SUNAN.—As we see the reports in the REVIEW, telling how the message is being received in other lands, we are anxious that all should know that the way has been and is being prepared for the truth to be accepted by many among the millions of Korea, who have so little to cheer or brighten their lives in this world.

All over the land are houses much better than those in which the people live. When we ask the Koreans about these, they tell us that they are spirit houses, and which spirits live in the different houses, and what is their work. Here at Sunan there are four such of considerable size, and several smaller ones.

The Koreans are also ancestor worshipers. In their homes they have their ancestral tablets, and before these they place their food, upon the days set apart for this worship. After leaving it there long enough, as they suppose, for the spirits of their fathers to eat what they desire, the family eat the food themselves.

But it seems that all these things have failed to satisfy, and they are reaching out for something better. Their confidence, to a very great extent, has been destroyed in the evil spirits they have worshiped heretofore, and they are beginning to realize that those things in which they have trusted are not able to help them. They are looking for something upon which to cling for support, and how we wish that now, just now, this message might be so sounded all over this land that every one might hear its saving truths in his own tongue.

The Korean language is divided into three dialects: that of the south, the middle, or Seoul, and the northern. Our work so far has been in the northern half of the peninsula. During the past year, five native laborers have been at work, and three new companies of Sabbath-keepers have been raised up, and four meeting-houses have either been built or purchased. There are several calls waiting to be answered, where some have heard of this truth, and have asked for some one to come and teach them further. Also, from the middle and the south come inquiring letters.

Certainly this is a needy field. About us on every hand we see a crying need for the medical branch of this work to be started. And surely from the middle and the south the Macedonian cry is sounding for some one to locate in those parts to give the message to the people in their own dialect.

We were glad to have Elder Prescott visit us, and to have Sister Scharffenberg connect with the work here. We are of good courage, and trust that during the coming year the message will continue to spread over Korea, and that those who have already identified themselves with it will learn more of its saving truths, and come up on higher and holier ground. Remember to pray for us. We feel sad and lonely sometimes, but have never felt that we would like to leave this field.

W. R. SMITH.