p. 14 | F. W. FIELD by F. W. Field

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1907

F. W. FIELD

By F. W. Field

Korea

F. W. FIELD

During November last, in company with Brother W. D. Burden, I made another trip to Korea in the interests of our work there. Over two years had elapsed since my first visit among the Korean believers, and it was a great pleasure to meet them again, and to note the growth made in the work.

The railway from Fusan is now in operation to Wi-ju, on the Yalu River; but there are no through trains, so we had to stay overnight at Seoul, and the next night at Ping-Yang, reaching Soonan early next morning. Here Brother Smith has permanently located, having built a substantial and comfortable dwelling. We remained here with these workers, over the Sabbath, counseling together concerning the work. On Sabbath we met with the believers at Soonan. They have an organized church of twenty-two members. This is a new company, brought out since the work first started in Korea. From here the truth has spread to various villages to the north, and quite a number of new believers are reported in these parts. The Soonan company have recently purchased a house, so they now have a regular meeting place of their own.

From Soonan we went to Ping-Yang, and met with the believers there. Brother Lim Ki Pan is now located at Ping-Yang, and will labor to develop the work in that important center. At our final meeting there arrangements were made for the purchase of a native house as a meeting place. There are difficulties attending the work in this city not met in the country; but the outlook for the work is encouraging.

At Ping-Yang we took the little steamer down the river to Chinnampo, where we spent the Sabbath. At their Sabbath-school and meeting about sixty were present, perhaps half of these being children and those interested in the truth. They have a comfortable and convenient place for meetings, but it is still somewhat encumbered with debt. Brother Kang Chang O has charge of the work in Chinnampo, and the prospects are hopeful.

From Chinnampo we visited all the little companies in the country, where the truth first gained a foothold in 1904. We first called at Nongdong (the Rondon of my earlier reports). It has been reported that nearly all of the original company here had given up the truth. But we were glad to find about eight believers still faithful; and a neat little meeting-house on the hill overlooking the village, is an evidence of their zeal and a witness for the truth they profess.

We next visited Kangdemuro, on the Tadong River. This company is well established, and they have built a neat chapel since my first visit. We received a warm welcome at Pamegi, across the river, and were glad to find the believers there still faithful to the truth.

From Pamegi we came to Sondol, the strongest company in these parts. It was here that the believers, being formerly Methodists, were refused the use of their meeting-house after they began to observe the Sabbath. Since then they have built a very credible meeting-house, with schoolroom and pastor's living-rooms.

We arranged for all the native laborers to meet us here, for a kind of general meeting in the interests of the work. Various matters were considered, such as the distribution of the laborers, the extension of the work in new fields, the Sabbath-school work, tithing, etc. An excellent spirit of harmony and co-operation was shown by the workers and believers generally, and they all seemed much cheered and encouraged by our visit. We also made a brief call at Pekochi. The believers here still hold their membership at Sondol, but have a church building of their own, and maintain their own services; so a separate organization seems advisable.

From Sondol, in company with Brother Kim Sung Wun, we visited Ham-jong, while Brother Smith returned home via Ping-Yang. Ham-jong is about a day's travel (afoot, of course) to the north from Sondol. This was my first visit here. There is a company of twenty or more believers, and the field is regarded as a very promising one. Though not yet organized as a church, this company has secured a house for a meeting place, and has it nearly paid for. It will be observed that every one of these little companies and churches in Korea has a meeting place of its own, though in several instances they have had to be assisted by loans.

At our meeting at Sondol it was arranged that Brother Li Pon Sung shall remove from Sondol to Ham-jong, and engage in labor at this new station; also that Brother Kim Sung Wun remove to Soonan, to assist Brother Smith in work on the language, and in translating; and that Brother Kim Tu Yung, elder of the Soonan church, shall engage in labor among the villages north of Soonan, where quite a number have already begun to obey the truth. Brother Lim Ki Pan will remain in Ping-Yang, and will be assisted by Brother Kang Kun Myung, who was one of the first to accept the truth there. Brother Kang Chang O will continue his labors in Chinnampo and its vicinity, and Sister Li Sung Il will labor as heretofore in the villages about Sondol. This gives us a corps of seven native Korean laborers, well distributed throughout the field where the truth has entered. And we are full of hope and courage for the progress of the work.

From Ham-jong we returned to Soonan, lodging one night in a Korean inn. This was a unique experience. As we had had only a light lunch since morning, we did fair justice to the big brass bowls of boiled rice, and the various accessory dishes. At bedtime we spread our blankets upon the matted floor, which in some places was altogether too hot for comfort. We had supper, lodging, and breakfast, for three, with stable and food for the donkey that carried our baggage; and our total bill amounted to forty-seven and one-half cents, with no haggling over the price. We thought that very cheap after our experiences with innkeepers in Seoul and Ping-Yang.

Returning to Soonan, we found Brother Smith's little daughter ill with some form of throat trouble. They consulted one of the American medical missionaries stationed at Ping-Yang, but he declared it nothing serious. But as she grew worse, another physician was summoned, but too late; for at midnight, November 24, the end came, and little Willena quietly fell asleep in her mother's arms. This was a severe trial to Brother and Sister Smith, separated as they are so far from home and friends; and we bespeak for them the sympathies and prayers of all who read these lines.

Leaving Soonan for our return trip, we spent another Sabbath at Ping-Yang, and then returned to Japan. We can assure our people that the work is moving forward in Korea. The various little companies are holding onto the truth, and are growing. Of course much remains to be done to develop and extend the work; and to this end we ask the prayers and co-operation of all our people. We are glad to report the arrival of Sister Mimi Scharffenberg, of Wisconsin, who goes to Korea to prepare for Bible work among the women of Korea, who have so little opportunity to hear the gospel. She accompanied Brother and Sister Smith on their return from our general meeting at Kobe the first of this year. A report of this meeting will appear soon.

Tokyo.