THE closing message of the Gospel is to go "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Knowing that this must include Korea, we longed to see this message find an entrance there. But all we could do was to pray and wait for the providence of God to open the way. And when we began to pray definitely that present truth might find an entrance into Korea, we had not long to wait.
A Significant Incident.
In June, 1904, a Korean with a Chinese Bible in his hand was seen standing in front of our meeting-place in Kobe, Japan, apparently attracted by the notice announcing Christian meetings. Our brethren beckoned him to come in, but were unable to converse with him. But Brother H. Kuniya, having studied Chinese composition years before, was able to communicate with him by writing in Chinese characters. He explained that he was a Christian, and with his family was on his way to Hawaii to find work. He at once became interested in the Bible truths presented to him, and came day by day to study. He gladly received the truth concerning the Sabbath, the soon coming of the Saviour, the true form of baptism, and kindred subjects. And having a missionary spirit, he brought a fellow countryman, who also became interested. The brethren improved every opportunity to instruct these two inquirers during their brief stay in Kobe; and just before they went they were baptized, thus pledging themselves to live out the truth they had received.
The one went on his way to Hawaii, and when last heard from he was still rejoicing in the truth, and walking in the light. The other returned to his own country; and on the boat that bore him home, this brother met Mr. Lim Ki Pan, a Korean Christian who had spent several years in evangelistic work in Hawaii. Mr. Lim gladly received the truths presented to him; and when he reached his home near Chinnampo, he began at once to disseminate the light among his neighbors and friends. In the course of a few weeks, nearly twoscore of souls had accepted the truth so far as presented. The letter bringing this good news was written by Mr. Kang Chang O, one of this company of believers; and in it he begged that some one should come and teach them further. "Dear brother," he wrote, "when you read this, take a boat quickly and come to us."
A Remarkable Missionary Tour.
Such an appeal was not to be denied; so Brother Kuniya, tho understanding scarce a word of Korean, sailed for Chinnampo to their assistance. Brethren Lim and Kang joined him in labor, and together they went from village to village where an interest had been awakened, presenting the truth more fully, and establishing the faith of the believers. The work of teaching the people was slow and awkward; for the Korean brethren [[FIGURE]]
knew only a few words of Japanese, and Brother Kuniya was able to acquire only a very limited vocabulary of Korean during the few weeks of his stay. So when spoken words failed, they made use of their common knowledge of the Chinese characters, writing their questions and answers on a small folding slate.
Wherever they went a deep interest was awakened. One young woman heard about the Japanese evangelist who was teaching that the seventh day is the Sabbath; so she set out to find him, and to investigate the matter. She went from village to village inquiring, but just missing the workers as they traveled about. But she was not to be defeated, and so continued her search till she found them; then she listened with eager interest, and gladly accepted the truth. And now she is devoting her time to the same work of teaching present truth to her people.
Reforms That Broke Their Pipes.
But these great truths for the last days call for a thorough reformation, a putting away of every defilement of the flesh and spirit. So the truths of health reform and of Gospel temperance were not neglected during this initial campaign in Korea. Nearly all Koreans of both sexes smoke tobacco; and even among those who have professed Christianity, but few have abandoned this hurtful habit. But those who accepted the Sabbath and kindred truths did not refuse to put away their tobacco. In one village, thirteen long-stemmed pipes were broken and thrown away. It was truly a pleasure to labor for people who seemed so willing to accept every truth and perform every duty presented.
In September, the writer reached Chinnampo and joined the other workers; and together we made the rounds again, visiting every village where believers had taken their stand for the truth. Wherever we went the people seemed eager to learn. We met them at their homes, in their little churches, and13by the wayside; and wherever opportunity offered, the truth was presented.
Organizing Churches and Instructing Them.
During this trip, three churches were organized, and the usual officers duly elected. Then, upon our return we appointed a general meeting at Chinnampo, just a few days before we were to leave for Japan. Over thirty of the believers were present, and each company was well represented. At this meeting we gave much parting instruction concerning the duties of church-officers, the payment of tithes, and other practical matters. We also celebrated the ordinances of the Lord's house. Our communion-table was a foot square and five inches high. The wine for the service we made ourselves from grapes brought all the way from Pyeng Yang. It was the first time these people had ever witnessed the celebration of the ordinance of humility; but they joined heartily in the service, and were blessed accordingly.
At this meeting two men were present from the village of Pamegi, beyond the Tadong River; and they came with the request that we visit their village also, and instruct the people further in these important Bible truths. The people of this village had heard something of these things from their neighbors; and these two men had come all the way to our meeting to learn more, and to induce us to visit them. It was already Wednesday, and our boat was to leave Friday; but such an appeal was not to be denied. A walk of fifteen miles brought us to the village after dark. We spent several hours with the people in their little meeting-house, and it was midnight when we lay down to rest. Next day further instruction was given, eleven candidates were accepted and baptized, and organized into a church. We left them early in the afternoon and reached Chinnampo after nightfall, thoroly tired out, but rejoicing in the work the Lord was doing among this people.
The Work Till Brother Smith's Arrival.
We returned to Japan as we had planned, leaving behind four organized churches, besides a number of scattered believers. In all, over seventy received baptism, and each organized company reported several interested ones who were not yet fully established in the truth. Since these early labors, the work has continued to grow. Brethren Lim and Kang gave their time to the work among their people, and the Lord has blessed their labors. While a few of the believers have given up the truth, the great majority have stood firm, and others have joined them. We kept in touch with the work in Korea by correspondence and by occasional visits till the fall of 1905, when Elder W. R. Smith and family came to make Korea their field of labor. These workers first located in Seoul, the capital, but after a few months removed to Chinnampo, and finally settled permanently at Soonan, on the railway just north of Pyeng Yang. Their first year was spent largely in language study; but in addition to this, Brother Smith has been able to visit the various companies frequently.
In November of last year, Brother W. D. Burden and the writer made a visit to the Korean field. In company with Brother Smith we were able to visit all the companies of believers; and it was a cause of great rejoicing to see how the work has advanced during the past two years. In addition to the four original companies, there are now good, strong companies at Chinnampo, Pyeng Yang, and Soonan. Also at Hamjong, to the northwest, near the sea, a company of over twenty have accepted the truth. There is also a small company at Sukchun, on the railway north of Soonan; and it is reported that there are scattered believers in various villages in those parts. But it is difficult to give accurate reports until more careful work has been done.
A Permanent Success.
There are now five organized churches in the field, with a membership of about one hundred, and four unorganized companies with about seventy-five members, and scattered believers sufficient to bring the total [[FIGURE]]
membership up to about two hundred. It will be of interest to note that each church and company has a meeting-place of their own, tho in several instances they have found it necessary to make small loans for the purpose. These little Korean churches are built in native style, with mud-plastered walls and thatched roofs. But to the Koreans in their poverty, the expense is probably as great as our churches are to us.
As the number of believers and interested ones has increased, we have added to the number of native evangelical workers, till now seven are giving their time to this work. One more worker has also come from America to labor for the Koreans. In December last Miss Mimi Scharffenberg of Wisconsin arrived, and will prepare for Bible work among the women of Korea.
The Korean field certainly presents wonderful opportunities for missionary effort. Our work has made a good beginning there, but Korea is still a very needy field. The merest beginning has been made in publishing present truth in Korean. There is need of more workers of experience, who shall be able to bring the work up to a higher standard. Some provision must also be made for the training of native laborers who shall be fitted to carry the truth to their people. And we ask the prayers and cooperation of the readers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in this effort for the evangelization of this promising field.
