Locating in Korea by F. W. Field

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 26, 1906

Locating in Korea

By F. W. Field

Our party, consisting of Brother Smith and his wife and little one and myself, left Tokyo, Wednesday, October 18, and after a continuous ride on the cars, reached Shimonoseki soon after 5 P. M. the next day. That evening we took the boat across the strait, and early next morning reached Fusan, Korea. We remained in Fusan over the Sabbath, finding lodgings at a Japanese hotel.

While there, we made some inquiries about the company of Koreans who have recently become interested in the truth in that place. But as we had no translator, and no definite information as to their location, we did not succeed in finding them. We also made inquiries about a suitable dwelling, in case it was thought best for Brother Smith to locate there. We were shown a number of small rooms, clean and wholesome, in a very good location, but they would afford rather limited quarters for even a small family.

On Sunday morning we proceeded on our journey, reaching Seoul late that night. The rates at the only foreign hotel are from two dollars and a half to four dollars a day, so we found lodgings at a new Japanese hotel, and bought our food at the provision stores. The next day we looked about the city, and obtained some books on the language that Brother Smith will need.

On Tuesday we called on Rev. H. G. Underwood, of the Presbyterian mission, to inquire about obtaining a copy of his manual on the language. We found Mr. Underwood and his wife very kind and pleasant people to meet. We had about given up all hope of finding a house in Seoul, so did not mention the matter. But that evening Mr. Underwood called on us, and said he had heard that we were looking for a house. He then told us of one that he has the disposal of, which belongs to a high Korean official; and in these uncertain times, the owner of this house would like to have it occupied by a foreigner. I asked Mr. Underwood what the rent would be, and he replied, “Nothing.” This seemed like a special providence, and incidentally casts a strong side-light on political conditions in Korea.

The next day we went to see the house. It is of Korean architecture, one story in height, with brick and plastered walls and tile roof, and contains four good-sized rooms, an entry, and one smaller room. There is quite a large yard in front of the house, surrounded by a wall. We at once decided to accept the house, and spent the rest of the day in cleaning up some of the rooms, and getting some furniture into them. One reason why it is desirable to have our workers settled in Seoul, at least for the present, is that the language spoken at the capital is regarded as the standard, and is quite generally understood. Then, too, Seoul is now within easy reach of those localities where our believers are, making it convenient to visit them from there. Also, a competent language teacher could more easily be found at Seoul than in most places. So with the difficulty of securing a house removed, it seemed best to locate the workers there.

During this trip I was able to collect quite a little information about missionary work in Korea. We secured a copy of a book by Mrs. Underwood, published by the American Tract Society. It is entitled “Fifteen Years Among the Top-Knots; or Life in Korea,” by L. H. Underwood, M. D.

The brother of one of the missionaries in Korea personally supports five missionaries in Korea, and one in Persia. O, if more of our brethren of means would do likewise! How the new recruits would cheer the hearts, and make strong the hands of the little groups already in these great needy Eastern fields. And we can at least pray that this may be.

F. W. FIELD.