A 
 
 UNDER THE CARE 
 OF THE 
 
 Board of 
 foreign Missions 
 of the 
 
 Presbyterian 
 
 Church 
 
 Historical 
 Sketch 0,lh ' 
 missions in 
 Korea ■* 
 
 Sixth Edition 
 
 vREVfSEO) 
 
 
 The IU ©man’s Toreign 
 missionary Society of 
 the Presbyterian Church, 
 Ulilherspoon Building, 
 Philadelphia : (909 
 
 Price. 10 Cents 
 

 UNDER THE CARE 
 
 
 Board of 
 foreign Missions 
 of the 
 
 Presbyterian 
 
 Church 
 
 Historical 
 Sketch 01 "" 
 (Missions in 
 Korea s 
 
 » 
 
 Sixth Edition 
 
 (REVISED) 
 
 The UJoman’s foreign 
 missionary Society of 
 the Presbyterian Church, 
 Witherspoon Building, 
 Philadelphia : 1909 
 
KOREA 
 
 K OREA consists of a stretch of peninsular mainland, 
 together with numerous adjacent and inhabited islands. 
 The entire territory covers 80,000 square miles, lying 
 between 34 0 and 43 0 north latitude; and extending from 
 125 0 to 129 0 of east longitude. Its physical configuration 
 somewhat resembles that of Italy. The coast line is 1,740 
 miles. On the north flow the rivers Ya-lu and Tu-men, 
 which divide Korea from Manchuria and Russian Siberia. 
 Southward and westward are the turbid waters of the Yellow 
 Sea. The eastern boundary is the Sea of Japan, as attractive 
 as it is treacherous; across whose ferry of 300 miles the 
 clustered groups of the “Sunrise Land” appear. A mountain 
 chain traverses the extreme length bv a tortuous course, and 
 terminates only with the sea. East of this range lie three of 
 the eight provinces into which the country is divided. A 
 picturesque irregularity — at times positive grandeur — is 
 characteristic of this section; but there is only one river of 
 importance, while the soil is less fertile, the climate less agree- 
 able, and the coast more repellent than on the opposite side. 
 Five fine rivers, abundant coast facilities, naturally good soil 
 and more genial climatic conditions, are found in the western 
 division. To these advantages must be added the attractions 
 of the outlying Archipelago — a wonder-world to the naturalist, 
 a revelation to the tourist, and destined to become, when its 
 resources are developed, a source of immense revenue to the 
 parent State. Language can only inadequately describe what 
 is seen amidst the intricacies of these unnumbered islands — 
 large and small. Some are mere columns, weird and worn, 
 against which the waves beat, and in whose crevices the sea 
 birds find shelter. Others, more extensive, seem to be plea- 
 sant garden-spots, where a score of men or the same number 
 of families find support. And here and there rise veritable 
 mountains, one of which is 2,000 feet high. 
 
 o 
 
4 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 The winters up toward the Manchurian frontier are very 
 severe— even more so than the latitude would naturally indi- 
 cate. Further south, the climate has a range similar to that 
 met with in America between the New England and the Gulf 
 States. The rainfall is apt to be excessive, and harsh and 
 persistent winds prevail in the late autumn. Yet the stalwart 
 forms of the natives would seem to prove the salubriousness 
 of the air, and the average healthfulness of the kingdom. 
 
 The products might be as varied as within similar geo- 
 graphical limits in our own land, but as a matter of fact 
 agriculture is conducted on primitive principles, and the 
 people are content if they secure a mere livelihood from the 
 soil. Pernicious laws, the outgrowth of feudalism, have 
 tended to the repression of private enterprise, and contributed 
 to the support of large estates, which generally have lapsed 
 into decay. In this particular the country has degenerated. 
 Its productions in the past excelled those now found, as 
 regards both quantity and quality. 
 
 Besides the rice, corn, millet, barley and beans upon which 
 the people depend, hemp, cotton, tobacco and gin-seng are 
 cultivated extensively. Silk is also produced on plantations 
 of mulberry and “scrub” oak, grown for the purpose of 
 feeding the worms. There is a sufficient range of fruit; 
 apricots, peaches, persimmons and melons are of a fine quality; 
 flowers are universally admired, and cultivated as extensively 
 as private means permit. The wealthier families vie with 
 each other in chrysanthemum exhibits each year. The 
 domestic animals with which we are familiar, except the sheep, 
 are found in Korea. A breed of ponies rivalling the Shetland 
 in size are used as pack-horses. Beasts of prey are numerous 
 in the mountains. 
 
 Zoologists meet here a fact not yet explained. The exact 
 counterpart of the Bengalese tiger — the terror of India’s 
 jungles- — is found in the northern provinces, where the 
 thermometer falls to io° below zero. Professor Griffis quotes 
 approvingly the grim humor of the Chinese, who say, 
 “Koreans hunt the tiger half the year, and tigers hunt 
 Koreans during the other half.” 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 5 
 
 Korea calls herself 4.000 years old. Legendary 
 HISTORY accounts refer us to Ki Tsze, the governmental 
 father of Korea. He was a learned man, who 
 acted as adviser to his sovereign, the Emperor of China. 
 His royal master, resenting some supposed interference, cast 
 him into prison. Here he languished a while until a formid- 
 able rebellion overthrew the tyrant monarch, and liberated 
 those whom he had unjustly punished. Ki Tsze was thus 
 freed. Yet, although indebted to them for both life and 
 liberty, he refused to abide with rebels, and collecting some 
 like-minded followers, numbering thousands, he led them to 
 the “regions beyond,” and established his capital at Pyeng 
 Yang, in what is now the northern province of Korea. This 
 he named “Chosen,” Land of Morning Calm. The dynasty 
 thus established was illustrious, and as claimed, continued 
 from 1122 B. C. to the fourth century before the Christian era. 
 
 Concerning the aborigines whom Ki Tsze subdued, we 
 know nothing. About 194 B. C. occurred the first Chinese 
 conquest of the land, which was retained, with some inter- 
 ruption, until 107 B. C., when the Kingdom, as such, was 
 obliterated and the territory “annexed” to China, continuing 
 thus for some hundreds of years. 
 
 The progenitors of the modern Koreans, according to the 
 authorities cited by Griffis, were the men of Fuyu, a stalwart 
 race from northern Manchuria, who wrested the peninsula 
 from the Chinese, and established the Ko Korai Kingdom. 
 Gigantic armies and flotillas were sent from China to re-assert 
 and maintain the supremacy of the Dragon Flag, but in vain. 
 We find the new Kingdom able to maintain itself until at least 
 the seventh century. While these events were occurring, 
 Chinese immigration, diplomacy and power largely influenced 
 the southern section of the peninsula, which, however, lay 
 outside of the Ko Korain Kingdom. Sectional and foreign 
 wars too numerous to recount prevailed. About the tenth 
 century the whole peninsula was unified under the government 
 of Wang — the Bismarck of his day. The ensuing dynasty 
 comprised thirty-two monarchs. In the fourteenth century 
 this line was overthrown by Ni Taijo, who afterwards received 
 investiture as King. He hastened to acknowledge formally 
 
6 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 the vassalage of his realm to China and was consequently the 
 recipient of great honors from that source. From that time 
 to the present the same dynastic rule has been continued. 
 Strictly speaking, however, the direct line ended in 1864. 
 
 The Koreans have been described as a 
 MENTAL CULTURE cross between the Chinese and the 
 AND SOCIAL HABITS Japanese, but more resembling the 
 latter, though the influence of China 
 has been predominating. The upper and middle classes are 
 largely Confucianists. The literati attempt no general research, 
 but content themselves with the writings of the sages of the 
 Middle Kingdom. All documents are written in Chinese, 
 which is studied by every Korean having any pretensions to 
 scholarship. The vernacular tongue, known as Un-mun, is 
 polysyllabic, and has the great advantage of an alphabet. Its 
 use has become very general within the last few years. Dr. 
 Gale says: 
 
 “Four hundred years and more ago, Sejong, a wise and great king. 
 
 conceived the idea of a simple form of writing He chose several 
 
 of his best scholars to work out the same. They journeyed to and from 
 China several times, examined Sanscrit, Pali and other characters, 
 labored on it till they had completed one of the simplest and most per- 
 fect word records in the world. The king had the classics illuminated 
 by notes and translations in this new and simple writing, but the proud 
 literati felt that it was degrading to use any such despised invention ; 
 so they baptized it Un-mun ( dirty script), and buried it away in the 
 rubbish heap of forgotten achievements. There it lay until the mis- 
 sionary came The first thing he did was to put his holy writings 
 
 into it, bind it into books and send it out over the land at less than cost 
 
 price, till the whole nation has become a Bible-reading people In 
 
 Korea there is scarcely a household where some member cannot sing 
 off the simple New Testament while the others listen. This Un-mun, 
 buried so long from sight, is to-day the mightiest factor in the land, 
 and is called no longer ‘dirty script,’ but Kuk-mun (national 
 character).” * 
 
 Until very recently, all education was based on Chinese 
 models and consisted solely in acquiring some thousands of 
 Chinese characters and studying the Chinese classics. Yet 
 it must not be inferred that this discipline is without advantage. 
 It yields valuable results in training the memory and teaching 
 concentration of thought. There are in consequence large 
 
 Missionary Review of the World, September, 1909. 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 7 
 
 numbers of Koreans who are mentally fitted to profit by the 
 larger opportunities now opened to them. 
 
 In 1885 the Korean Government established a school for 
 young men in Seoul under American teachers, and from time 
 to time some effort was made to introduce modern science 
 and foreign languages. The political changes of the last ten 
 years have had the effect of arousing a great interest in educa- 
 tion, and an intense desire for the advantages of Western 
 learning. 
 
 The dwellings of the people are poor enough ; many are 
 only of mud, thatched with straw. Where means permit, 
 brick and hewn stone — in some instances finely carved — are 
 used. Household appliances and comforts are few. Adults 
 dress in white garments, made of cotton for the poor and 
 silk for the wealthy. The children are clothed in the brightest 
 of colors. Holidays are common, and public merrymakings 
 frequent. The population is not accurately known; estimates 
 vary from 12,000,000 to 14,000,000. 
 
 Woman’s status resembles that of the sex in other Asiatic 
 regions. Inferiority is assumed, but practically there is not 
 as much harshness in the treatment of her as might be sup- 
 posed, or as is often asserted. Under many circumstances 
 women are even treated with respect, and are protected by 
 certain of the laws. 
 
 In the earlier ages an undefined superstition held 
 RELIGION sway over the people. The unseen “Princes of 
 the Air,” the spirits of heaven and earth, the 
 unknown forces throughout space, were “ignorantly wor- 
 shipped.” Buddhism, as an exotic from India, was planted 
 in Korea about the fourth century. At once it took firm hold, 
 and flourished as though indigenous to the soil. For at least 
 ten centuries it held supreme sway, moulding the morals, 
 manners and culture of the realm. 
 
 No one has yet given the world an exhaustive review of 
 Buddhism. It will never be done; like the chameleon, the 
 system changes color to suit its surroundings. The Buddhism 
 of Siam is very different from that of Thibet. As found in 
 Hindustan, numerous distinctions separate it from the Bud- 
 dhism of Japan. The one point it consistently maintains 
 
8 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 everywhere, is that this life is full of evil, a curse rather than a 
 blessing. Existence has no value; even death brings no relief, 
 since it introduces man to another state of conscious existence 
 which is as bad as the present, perhaps worse. Hence, joy 
 can only come by what is called Nirvana, a condition equiva- 
 lent to non-existence or annihilation. This is the underlying 
 thought upon which the superstructure of Buddhism is reared. 
 Temples of this faith are found all through Korea. Although 
 built in honor of Buddha, they really contain numerous gods. 
 In some instances several hundred inferior deities are ranged 
 along the sides of the buildings. These are often made of 
 colossal size, and, in the cities especially, sometimes exhibit 
 artistic merit. As far as practicable, the temples are on hill- 
 tops, and generally surrounded by groves. While uniformity 
 of architecture is not insisted on, a cetrain resemblance is to 
 be traced in them all. Outside apartments are built for the 
 priests who live on the premises. These men are generally 
 lazy and ignorant fellows, more intent on a life of sloth than 
 upon the advancement of their belief. The support of such 
 establishments is voluntary and often liberal. 
 
 Worship consists in prostration and prayer before the idol, 
 the burning of incense, the presentation of paper suitably 
 inscribed, and the repetition of a formula, which is assisted by 
 a rosary held in the hand, and on which the count is kept. At 
 present Buddhism in Korea is on the wane. It has no recog- 
 nition by the present dynasty 7 , and only exists by sufferance, 
 the priests being looked upon as a low class given up to 
 immoral lives. 
 
 Confucianism, while introduced into Korea at an early 
 period, has been prominent there for only three hundred 
 years. It presents five general principles: Benevolence, 
 Uprightness, Politeness, Wisdom and Fidelity 7 . It treats, 
 moreover, of five relations of life, which are: 'King and 
 Subject, Parent and Child, Husband and Wife. Elder and 
 Younger Brother, and Friend with Friend. Nothing is said 
 of the soul’s immortality. Concerning the existence of any 
 God or gods, one of its authorities declares, “Sufficient 
 knowledge is not possessed to say 7 positively 7 that they exist, 
 and I see no difficulty in omitting the subject altogether." 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 9 
 
 Indeed, Confucianism chiefly seeks to mould society in social 
 and political matters. It presents many admirable ideas, 
 which yet fall infinitely short of the truth man chiefly needs. 
 A Confucian temple contains no idols. The building is dis- 
 tinguished within by a tablet which sets forth the honor of 
 the Great Sage. Generally a large number of less conspicuous 
 tablets appear, which praise his best known disciples. An 
 altar is erected where sacrifice is made, or offerings are laid. 
 Some of the displays on festal occasions are very fine. The 
 second and eighth months are the fixed times for offering 
 sacrifice to Confucius, who is not, however, regarded as a god, 
 as these facts would seem to indicate. 
 
 Taoism also exists in Korea, but exerts little influence. 
 Its distinctive feature is Rationalism. Its ceremonies are 
 singular, and its tenets grossly materialistic. It is also an 
 importation from China, where it originated with the philoso- 
 pher Laotse, who lived in the seventh century. It offers many 
 idols, yet neither the temples nor the priests are numerous or 
 well supported. 
 
 Far more worthy of our regard are some of the teachings 
 connected with ancestral worship as it exists in Korea. It 
 is really an expression of the popular idea of what constitutes 
 filial piety. If families can afford it, they erect handsome 
 temples, and there place tablets inscribed with the names and 
 virtues of their immediate ancestors. A valuable result of 
 this idea is the preservation of a complete genealogical list. 
 Generally the tablet is erected without the dignity of a temple 
 to shelter it. Before these tablets, and in honor of the 
 deceased, theatrical plays are performed on temporary stages; 
 presentations of food are made to the departed spirit, and even 
 more commonly, prayers are offered and wailings uttered. 
 
 The real religion of the Korean is the worship of evil spirits, 
 of whom he lives in pitiable fear. “His imagination peoples 
 the earth, the sea and the sky, with myriads of spirits, five- 
 sixths of whom are hateful, wicked, malicious; the rest, while 
 better disposed, are capricious in the extreme. He can never 
 tell when he has offended one of these beings, so he lives in a 
 constant dread, that impels him to frequent expensive offerings 
 
IO 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 to appease their jealous anger. In the city of Seoul alone, 
 three thousand sorceresses ply their art.”* 
 
 The Introduction of Western Civilization. 
 
 Possibly in the sixteenth century, certainly in the eighteenth, 
 Roman Catholic converts from Japan and China carried the 
 Christian religion into Korea. They taught, they baptized, 
 they labored with conspicuous zeal, although not always with 
 commendable caution. 
 
 About 1783, a distinguished official, Senghuni by name, 
 professed conversion, and was baptized under the new name 
 of Peter. The better class of scholars were not slow to see 
 the superiority of even corrupt Christianity to their own 
 Pagan systems. The people began to take kindly to the 
 missionaries, who were greatly encouraged. Religious books 
 were translated and distributed. 
 
 But the government soon took alarm. The priesthood was 
 awakened. Prejudice being kindled, blazed into passion, and 
 consumed the new church with the fierce fires of unrelenting 
 persecution. It was the old story. Many recanted and saved 
 their lives. Others fled to China, and 4,000 heroic souls 
 braved martyrdom by sword and fagot and unmentionable 
 tortures. 
 
 Jean dos Remidios, a priest from Portugal, was the first 
 person from the West who ever ventured on Korean soil for 
 the purpose of preaching and teaching. Some Dutch sailors 
 were shipwrecked there in 1672, and detained as prisoners for 
 some time. But their stay was involuntary, and their work 
 by no means evangelistic. 
 
 The results of Remidios’ efforts were considerable at first, 
 but soon passed away. In 1835, under the influence of 
 Bourbon ascendency in France, Roman Catholic missions 
 were reintroduced to Korea. The pioneers of this fresh 
 crusade went overland by way of China and Manchuria. In 
 a few years they claimed several thousands of adherents. As 
 before, and for the same reasons, blood soon drowned out 
 all traces of the boasted conquest. Again and again Rome 
 
 *Every Day Life in Korea,” Rev. D. L. Gifford. 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 II 
 
 rallied, and as often was driven from the field. The workmen 
 died, and the work itself was deserted. So it seemed, at least. 
 Yet a remnant must have survived. Even if we doubt the 
 claim of the Jesuits that they had 10,000 converts in 1850, and 
 about 15,000 seven years later, still we must believe that there 
 was some foundation for their statement. 
 
 The year i860 was important in the East. It was then 
 that English arms so completely mastered the resistance of 
 the great Chinese Empire. British greed had forced India’s 
 opium upon the people of the eighteen Provinces. British 
 guns were the unanswerable argument which supported the 
 demand. The forts of the Peiho fell before the merciless fire 
 to which they were subjected. Pekin was taken and sacked. 
 The prestige of China was destroyed. The fruits of that 
 victory — directly or indirectly — were the enforced opening of 
 new Chinese ports to commerce, additional guarantees for 
 Christian missions, and the opportunity it gave Russia of 
 seizing lands contiguous to China. 
 
 Nowhere more than in Korea were these changes felt. It 
 had been supposed that China was impregnable. But the 
 Dragon Throne had been despoiled by a mere handful of 
 “outside barbarians.” The great Emperor was an exile in 
 Tartary. The red cross of St. George floated over the palace 
 of Pekin. All this sent a thrill of consternation through the 
 “hermit nation” — where the more thoughtful ones could see 
 that such an overthrow was indicative of their own peril, if 
 not a prelude to their own destruction. The handwriting was 
 on the wall. One has said, “Political convulsions, like 
 geological upheavings, usher in new epochs of the world’s 
 progress.” It has proved so in this instance. Paganism at 
 once made frantic efforts to shut itself securely away from 
 progress. Armies were drilled in Korea, forts were built, 
 frontiers were guarded, every precaution was taken. Watch 
 fires were kindled at a moment’s notice on the coast, and 
 headland telegraphed to headland of any impending danger. 
 All was in vain. 
 
 The fear of foreign aggression inspired a violent persecu- 
 tion of the Roman Catholic Christians, and fourteen bishops 
 and priests, with thousands of their Korean converts, suffered 
 
12 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 martyrdom. A squadron of war vessels was sent by Napoleon 
 III to avenge the slaughter of the French priests. 
 
 Admiral Roze, of the French navy, blockaded Han River, 
 penetrated the interior as far as Seoul, the capital, and com- 
 pletely destroyed the city of Kang Wha, situated on an island 
 of that name, and the chief military depot of Western Korea. 
 He afterwards attacked Tong Chin. Flere he was repulsed 
 with great loss, being ultimately obliged to retire altogether. 
 
 An American buccaneering expedition, on the schooner 
 “General Sherman,” in 1866, made a futile attempt to reach 
 the royal tombs of Pyeng Yang, where it was said that the 
 Emperors of Korea were buried in coffins of gold. The 
 Yankee craft ran aground at low tide in the river. In this 
 helpless condition it was surrounded by blazing fire-rafts and 
 destroyed; the crew were all slain. Two warships were sent 
 to inquire into the matter, but no further action was taken. 
 
 In 1871, Hon. Frederick F. Low, U. S. Minister to China, 
 was sent to Korea with an escort of five war vessels, to con- 
 clude, if possible, a commercial treaty between the United 
 States and Korea, and to provide for the safety of American 
 sailors who might be shipwrecked in Korean waters. The 
 Americans were civilly received, and negotiations were 
 opened. While they were in progress, the Admiral in com- 
 mand sent two gunboats- to survey the Han River. They 
 were fired upon from the shore batteries, which in return were 
 demolished by shells from the gunboats. As no apology was 
 received for this assault, a detachment was landed and the 
 citadel captured and destroyed, after a brave defence, in which 
 nearly all of the garrison perished. 
 
 In reality, the Americans gained no substantial advantage, 
 and, like the French, were inclined to withdraw without further 
 demonstrations. Yet they prepared the way for others to 
 enter. 
 
 In 1876, Japan accomplished the important task, never 
 before successful, of making a complete treaty with Korea. 
 This was done under the potent influence of a powerful fleet, 
 and a large force of troops. The French and English tried to 
 take immediate advantage, but made no headway. Mean- 
 while, the trade between Korea and Japan increased marvel- 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 13 
 
 lously, a fact which incited Western envy to seek some method 
 of dividing its obvious profits. 
 
 Under the direction of President Hayes, Commodore 
 Shufeldt visited Korea and vainly endeavored to establish 
 cordial relations with the authorities. Nothing was accom- 
 plished. The following year, however, through the friendly 
 intervention of Li Hung Chang, the Chinese Viceroy, the 
 Commodore was better received, and on May 6th, 1882, he 
 negotiated a satisfactory treaty. 
 
 General Foote was sent by President Arthur as minister 
 resident to Seoul. He was received at court, and established 
 at the capital a United States legation. 
 
 In 1894 an attempt was made to throw off the Chinese 
 suzerainty. A Japanese force was sent to Korea in contra- 
 vention of treaties with China. This led to war between Japan 
 and China, of which Korea was the battle-ground. The 
 complete defeat of China, and the formal renunciation of her 
 claims by the treaty of peace signed May, 1895, left Korea 
 nominally independent, but entirely under Japanese control. 
 A period of much political disturbance followed. In October, 
 1895, the Empress was assassinated, and soon after the 
 Emperor fled from the palace and took refuge with the Rus- 
 sian legation. This gave Russia for the time the predominant 
 influence in Korean affairs. The long dissensions ended in 
 the outbreak of war between Russia and Japan in 1904. 
 Korea was filled with Japanese troops, and the first battles 
 of the war were fought on Korean territory. When peace 
 was declared in 1905, a Japanese protectorate was formally 
 established, under a Resident-General (Marquis Ito), and 
 Japanese subjects became eligible for official positions. A 
 period of great unrest and disturbance followed, in which 
 various attempts at insurrection were put down with much 
 harshness. In 1907. the old Emperor was forced to abdicate, 
 and the Crown Prince became the nominal head of the govern- 
 ment. Vigorous measures of reform have been instituted, 
 and all departments of the government thoroughly reorgan- 
 ized under Japanese control. 
 
 Great advances have been made in the means of communi- 
 cation. A railroad has been completed from Fusan to Seoul, 
 
14 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 with branches to Chemulpo and Masampo, and carried on 
 310 miles beyond Seoul to Eui-ju, whence it will ultimately be 
 extended to connect with the railroads of Manchuria. There 
 are more than 2,000 miles of telegraph lines, and telephones 
 are established in the principal towns. 
 
 PROTESTANT MISSIONS. 
 
 Evangelical religion was introduced into Korea bv Rev. 
 J. McIntyre and Rev. John Ross, ministers of the Scotch 
 United Presbyterian Church in Manchuria. In 1873, Mr. 
 Ross visited the most eastern port of Manchuria, known as 
 the Korean Gate, the place where Korean merchants were 
 wont to exchange the products of their country for Chinese 
 products. By a remarkable succession of providential events, 
 Mr. Ross was enabled to translate portions of the Gospel of 
 Luke into the Korean language. These portions, in the form 
 of tracts, were carried back into the Korean valleys by young 
 men who had come under the influence of the truth through 
 Mr. Ross and his associates. In the course of time, Mr. Ross 
 and Mr. Webster, in the face of great exposure and imminent 
 peril, visited the valleys where the Word of God had been 
 scattered, and to their joy found many who were ready to 
 confess Christ. During their first visit eighty-five men were 
 baptized in the three valleys, and many were reserved for 
 further instruction. 
 
 About 1880, Rijutei, a Korean of high rank, was sent to 
 represent his government in Japan. Here he was led to 
 accept Christ, and begged earnestly that missionaries should 
 be sent to Korea. In answer to this appeal, the Presbyterian 
 Board sent Dr. H. N. Allen, then working as a medical 
 missionary in China. He arrived in Korea September, 1884. 
 General Foote at once appointed him physician to the United 
 States Legation, which assured his safety and favorable 
 reception. 
 
 During a disturbance in Seoul, which occurred about a 
 month after Dr. Allen’s arrival, a number of persons of dis- 
 tinction were wounded. Under Dr. Allen’s care, many of 
 them recovered. The life of Min Yong Ik, a nephew of the 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 15 
 
 King, was thus saved, and the prestige gained for western 
 medical science and for the whole work of missions was very 
 great. Dr. Allen’s influence was- unbounded. The King at 
 once received him into his confidence as his court physician. 
 He also fitted up a government hospital at large expense and 
 placed it under his care. 
 
 Dr. J. W. Heron and wife, and Rev. H. G. Underwood, 
 were sent out by the Board some months later, and about the 
 same time the American Methodist Church established a 
 mission at Seoul. The Korean government also established 
 a college, and employed three American instructors, Messrs. 
 Hulbert, Gilmore and Bunker. 
 
 Great caution was necessary to avoid arousing the 
 hostility of the people, and for several years the work was 
 chiefly medical and literary. To acquire the difficult language 
 sufficiently to translate the Scriptures and prepare the neces- 
 sary school books demanded great labor and patience. The 
 entire New Testament had been earlier translated into a north 
 Korean dialect by Rev. Dr. Ross, and his version formed the 
 basis of several reprints and revisions of different portions. A 
 committee representing the different missions is now at work 
 on a translation of the Scriptures designed to be the best 
 attainable. The entire New Testament was completed in 
 1900, and has since been printed. Of the Old Testament 
 books, Genesis, Exodus, Samuel, Kings, the Psalms and Isaiah 
 are now in circulation, and the entire volume will soon be 
 finished. 
 
 The Korean Religious Tract Society was formed in 1890 
 by the efforts of Dr. John Heron. It prints yearly many 
 thousand pages of religious and educational works, including 
 among others an “Annual Calendar,” “The Bible Catechism,” 
 "Peep of Day,” “Guide to Heaven,” and the “Pilgrim’s 
 Progress,” translated by Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Gale. Mr. Gale 
 has also prepared a Korean-English Dictionary, a Manual of 
 Korean Grammar, and several Chinese Readers. 
 
 Many of the first school books were written bv Mrs. D. J. 
 Gifford, who became remarkably proficient in the Korean 
 language. Dr. Avison has translated a numbei of medical 
 manuals for his students. 
 
i6 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 The Union Hymnal, the Sunday-school lesson helps and 
 magazines, both Korean and English, are published jointly by 
 all the missions. 
 
 For five years our mission was the only Presbyterian body 
 in Korea. The Australian Presbyterians sent a representative 
 in 1889; the Southern Presbyterian Church entered in 1891; 
 and the Canadian Presbyterians in 1898. These four missions, 
 with clearly defined territory, are working together as one, 
 for the evangelization of Korea. A “Presbyterian Council” 
 was early formed, consisting of the members of all Presbyte- 
 rian missions, with the hope of establishing a united Church. 
 Classes in theology were begun in 1903, under the care of this 
 Council, and seven men, having passed through the full course, 
 were graduated in June, 1907. All these men had for years 
 done valuable work for the Church as helpers, elders and 
 evangelists. 
 
 In September, 1907, the members of the Council, the 
 theological students, with native elders sent as delegates from 
 all parts of the country, assembled, with an immense congre- 
 gation of Christians, in the Central Presbyterian Church of 
 Pyeng Yang, and the first Presbytery of the Presbyterian 
 Church in Korea was duly constituted, with 33 foreign and 36 
 native presbyters. That same evening the seven graduates in 
 theology were formally ordained to the ministry. 
 
 One of the newly-ordained men volunteered to go as a 
 missionary to the island of Quelpart, some sixty miles off the 
 coast. His offer was gladly accepted, and a letter sent to the 
 churches asking for a thank offering to support this, their first 
 foreign missionary and his helpers. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church of Christ in Korea began its life 
 thus with seven native ministers, 53 elders, 989 congregations. 
 20,000 communicants, and 70,000 believers. Our missionaries 
 will expend their full energy in assisting and strengthening 
 this new body in every direction. This is their work, to help 
 the Koreans to help themselves. 
 
 Other Missions . — There have not been many denominations 
 at work in Korea. American Methodists, both Northern and 
 Southern, established missions 1885-1889. These two mis- 
 sions unite with the Presbyterians in a General Council of 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 17 
 
 Evangelical Missions, aiming at a fraternal division of terri- 
 tory, and hoping and planning to unite all Christian Koreans 
 in one native Church. This Council cares for the one Chris- 
 tian newspaper, the Sunday-school literature, the one hymn 
 book for Christian Korea, and other matters in which united 
 action is possible. 
 
 The American Bible Society has one representative in 
 Korea; the British and Foreign Bible Society has two; the 
 Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (Anglican) reports 
 ten missionaries, working at five stations; the Foreign Depart- 
 ment of the Young Men’s Christian Association of North 
 America has three men at work. 
 
 The mission work in Korea has developed with such 
 extraordinary rapidity that it is hard to give an adequate 
 impression of it. The first convert was baptized in 1886; the 
 first little church was organized in 1887. In 1890, 100 con- 
 verts were reported. In 1909, including catechumens and 
 adherents, who are only waiting for admission to the Church, 
 there are nearly 200,000 men and women who call themselves 
 by the name of Christ and are striving to do His will. The 
 greater part of these are in the regions covered by our own 
 stations. 
 
 It is plain that this wonderful result could never have been 
 attained by the handful of foreign missionaries. The work 
 has been done by the Korean Christians themselves, who take 
 quite literally the injunction to “go and tell” the blessings 
 that they have received. So they have carried the Word to 
 their friends and neighbors all through the land. Groups of 
 believers are found in every direction, and the mission force 
 is quite inadequate to give them the training and shepherding 
 that they need. This movement does not spring from any 
 expectation of worldly gain. Koreans embrace Christianity 
 at the risk of persecution and sometimes death at the hands of 
 their heathen neighbors. They receive in most cases no 
 pecuniary aid from the mission. They are generally very 
 poor; their monetary unit is a coin worth ten cents, which is 
 equivalent to a dollar in America. The believers meet in one 
 another’s houses until they are able to build a little church for 
 themselves. The most competent man of the little group is 
 
i8 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 selected, after consultation with the missionary in charge, to 
 act as their leader, and conduct the services without compen- 
 sation, like a Sunday-school superintendent in America. When 
 a leader’s whole time is required, the people give enough out 
 of their poverty to provide for his daily wants. The mission- 
 ary visits each group as often as possible to receive converts 
 and administer the sacraments. 
 
 Training classes for instruction in the Scriptures are held 
 whenever possible. These last from one to four weeks, and 
 are attended each year by several thousands of men and 
 women. Some of them travel on foot 120 miles through the 
 mountains to study the Bible for two weeks. They pay their 
 own expenses, beside giving their time, which is a great sacri- 
 fice for working people. One woman sold her hair that she 
 might get money to come. 
 
 “We need often to remind ourselves and the American Church that 
 the standards for admission to the sacraments are nowhere higher than 
 in Korea. A11 average of eighteen months elapses from the time of 
 belief to the time of baptism in the case of those who consistently show 
 all the time by their purity, prayer and preaching that they are Chris- 
 tians, and the weaker ones are tested and tried much longer. So that 
 even the new members of the churches are well acquainted with the 
 teachings of Christ, are eager to proclaim abroad the good things they 
 have enjoyed, and, having been in touch with a great movement a long 
 time before they are really part of it, they ‘make good,’ and cases of 
 falling away are few and far between.” 
 
 During 1906 and 1907, the churches of Korea were blessed 
 with a remarkable spiritual awakening, purifying the hearts 
 and lives of the people and causing them to work more zeal- 
 ously for the conversion of their neighbors. The wonderful 
 increase in believers and enquirers has thrown an unprece- 
 dented responsibility upon the Church. In view of this 
 unparalleled opportunity, the Board of Foreign Missions in 
 1908 authorized the Korean missionaries then on furlough in 
 the United States to seek for twenty men, with their wives, 
 and six single women, for the pressing needs of the Korean 
 field, and called upon the home Church to raise $230,000 out- 
 side of its usual gifts to provide for this reinforcement and to 
 equip the necessary institutions for Christian training. 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 19 
 
 STATION'S. 
 
 The stations occupied have been chosen as central points 
 for reaching the whole country: Seoul, the capital, in the 
 centre: Fusan, on the northern coast: Taiku and Chong Ju 
 for the interior; Pyeng Yang, Syen Chun, Chai Ryong and 
 Kang Kai, in the fertile provinces of the north. Gensan 
 (Won-san), the gateway for all the country east of the moun- 
 tains, was occupied in 1892, and transferred to the Canadian 
 Presbyterians in 1899, in exchange for their field in Whang 
 Hai Province. 
 
 Seoul is on the Han River, twenty-five miles by rail 
 SEOUL from the seaport, Chemulpo, ft is a city of 300,000 
 inhabitants, beautifully situated among the moun- 
 tains. Here is the centre of the nation’s life, so that evangel- 
 istic work among its transient population reaches every hamlet 
 in the land. The little church organized in 1887 has grown 
 into three large congregations in different sections of the city. 
 Each of these has its own pastor, but all are united into one 
 church organization, somewhat on the collegiate plan. Union 
 services for communion and baptisms are held quarterly, and 
 local communion services in the intervals. The Yun Mot Kol 
 church, the largest of the three, has a fine new building, large 
 enough to accommodate comfortably its congregation of 
 1,200 members. The Central Church also has a new building, 
 twice the size of the former one, and the West Gate Church, 
 the oldest in Seoul, will soon build a larger church on the 
 present site. The attendance has increased so much that the 
 men and the women have to meet at different hours. 
 
 The city is divided into twenty-four districts, in charge of 
 Korean leaders, and services are held every week in each dis- 
 trict. Colporteurs and Bible women are also employed. 
 Much good is done by Bible classes, taught in the homes of 
 people of wealth and rank, who hesitate about attending public 
 services. 
 
 Bible, study classes are held each year for men and women 
 from the country districts. There were more than 400 men 
 enrolled in the last class, and they received a manifest out- 
 pouring of the Holy Spirit. 
 
20 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 The great increase in the number of Christians has made it 
 necessary to sub-divide the country districts formerly de- 
 pendent on Seoul. A new station at Chong Ju reaches the 
 whole Province of Cheng Chong, on the south. The extreme 
 north is now worked from Chai Ryong; and the Southern 
 Methodists have become responsible for the city of Song-do 
 and its surrounding territory. 
 
 Medical Work . — The physician’s aid is not needed in Korea 
 as in some lands to gain attention to the preacher’s message. 
 But it is impossible for those who believe that Christianity is 
 shown as truly in works of love as in literal preaching to turn 
 away from the appeal of human suffering. The work of Chris- 
 tian charity that began with the very entrance of the mission 
 has been carried on faithfully ever since. 
 
 The Government Hospital at Seoul was superintended 
 successively by Dr. Allen, Dr. Heron, Dr. Vinton and Dr. 
 Avison, with the assistance of others. A Nurses’ Home was 
 built by the Presbyterial Society of Utica, to commemorate 
 the faithful service of Miss Jacobson, the first trained nurse 
 sent to the mission. In 1894, the jealousy and corruption of 
 the native officials became so intolerable that Dr. Avison was 
 forced to resign his position for a time. The Japanese occu- 
 pation enabled the King to carry out desirable reforms, and 
 to recall Dr. Avison, who was given absolute direction, and 
 full liberty for Christian teaching. 
 
 Mrs. Underwood, M. D., had exceptional opportunities for 
 visiting among women in virtue of her appointment as physi- 
 cian to the ladies of the Court. She was in constant attend- 
 ance upon the unfortunate Queen who was murdered in 1895. 
 
 In the summer of 1895, a terrible epidemic of cholera devas- 
 tated Korea, and was especially severe at Seoul. Two special 
 hospitals were at once opened, and nearly all the members of 
 the Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist missions, assisted by 
 many Korean Christians, spent the summer in caring for the 
 victims. By God's mercy, none of- the foreign community, 
 and very few of the native Christians, were stricken. The 
 King showed his gratitude by sending a gift of $300 to the 
 hospital, and a testimonial of thanks was received from the 
 Minister of Foreign Affairs. 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 21 
 
 The mission had long desired to possess its own hospital in 
 Seoul, free from the uncertainties and complications 
 inseparable from government control. By the generosity of 
 Mr. L. H. Severance, of Cleveland. Ohio, this was made pos- 
 sible, and after many delays and perplexities, a site was secured 
 and a fine hospital finished in 1905, well equipped for its work. 
 Many of, the patients come from the foreign community. The 
 receipts nearly pay the expenses, except the salaries of the 
 physicians. 
 
 A Medical College established in connection with the hos- 
 pital graduated in 1908 its first class of seven men. Marquis 
 Ito, the Japanese Resident-General, presented the diplomas 
 to the graduates, and they received medical certificates from 
 the government, the first ever given in Korea. A School for 
 Nurses has a class of young women in training. 
 
 Schools . — Early in the history of the station, a boys’ board- 
 ing-school was begun, and continued for some years. In 
 1901 this was reorganized and reopened as a Training School 
 for Christian Workers. The beautiful building is a memorial 
 to the Rev. John D. Wells, D. D., for nearly fifty years a 
 member of the Board of Foreign Missions. The students 
 number about 125, all Christian boys. 
 
 The Yun-Mot-Kol Women’s Academy is one of the oldest 
 Christian schools in Korea, having been organized in 1888 by 
 Miss Doty (Mrs. F. S. Miller). Though hampered for years 
 by its small quarters, it has exerted a wide influence among 
 the Christians of Seoul. Many of its first pupils are now 
 married, and others have become teachers. The aim of the 
 school is to train Christian women as home-makers, teachers 
 or Bible women. All who come now are willing to pay for 
 their board and tuition, and many have to be refused for lack 
 of room. 
 
 There are thirty-three day-schools in connection with the 
 churches belonging to Seoul station. These are- all self- 
 supporting, and enroll nearly 1,000 pupils. 
 
 Fusan, at the southeast corner of Korea, is the 
 FUSAN nearest point to Japan, from which it is separated by 
 
 1891 a strait only 120 miles wide. It is, therefore, the 
 port of entry both from America and Japan. There 
 are about 20,000 Japanese in the city, and large numbers of 
 
22 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 them have settled in the adjacent country. The province is 
 not large, but is very densely populated. One-half of it is 
 cared for by the Australian Presbyterian Mission. 
 
 This field has developed more slowly than some of the newer 
 stations, but the last few years have seen a rapid increase. 
 Within ten years about forty congregations have been estab- 
 lished in the province, many of them with good church build- 
 ings and prosperous schools. Training classes for men and 
 women are held in different towns, with the same excellent 
 results as in other stations. The sudden death of Rev. R. H. 
 Sidebotham, while on furlough in the United States in 1908, 
 was a sad loss to this station, where he had labored since 1899. 
 The church in Fusan city reports.a renovated building and an 
 earnest membership. 
 
 Schools . — The most important school is that for girls, in 
 charge of Mrs. C. H. Irvin. This was opened as a night 
 school for little girls in 1896, and has been carried on ever 
 since. Three of the girls have been trained by Mrs. Irvin as 
 teachers, and the gift of a building by American and Korean 
 friends made it possible to open in 1908 a Girls’ Normal and 
 Boarding School, which promises to become a centre of good 
 influences for all southern Korea. 
 
 There are a number of primary schools in Fusan and other 
 towns. Boys who desire higher education go to the Boys’ 
 Academy at Taiku. 
 
 Medical Work, under Dr. C. FI. Irvin, dates from 1893. 'Ijhe 
 Junkin Memorial Hospital, built by the First Presbyterian 
 Church of Montclair, N. J., and the Mary Collins Whiting 
 Dispensary, relieve many thousands of sufferers each year. 
 
 An Asylum for Lepers has recently been opened just across 
 the bay from the hospital by the Mission to Lepers, Edin- 
 burgh. Dr. Irvin has charge of this, going back and forth in 
 a motor launch. This is the only institution of the kind in 
 Korea. 
 
 Taiku, the capital of N. Kveng-Sang Province, is 
 TAIKU the third city of the empire, with a population of 
 1898 about 64,000. It lies in a beautiful rolling country, 
 dotted with thatch-roofed villages, set among fields 
 of rice and barley. Our mission is the only one in this large 
 
THE MISSION’S IN KOREA. 
 
 23 
 
 and populous province. The work has grown very rapidly 
 even for Korea ; the adherents practically doubling in numbers 
 every year. The city church has an average attendance of 
 700-800, and is rejoicing in the large new building made 
 necessary by its growth. 
 
 More than 100 congregations are reported in the province. 
 
 The officers of nearly all these, about 200 men in all, met in 
 Taiku in December, 1907, for Bible study and conference. 
 The meeting gave a marked impetus to the Christian life of 
 the churches. A men’s Bible class of 500 members, held the 
 same year, was marked by unusual manifestations of spiritual 
 power. After the class closed, the city church held meetings 
 for ten days, with great profit and blessing. 
 
 Medical work was begun at the opening of the station, and 
 a small hospital was given by a friend. This was afterwards 
 destroyed by a cyclone, and the prolonged illness and absence 
 of the resident physician delayed its re-establishment. A new 
 hospital was completed in 1907 through the kindness of the 
 same friend. Large numbers of patients come from all parts 
 of the province. 
 
 Schools . — An academy opened in 1906 for boys and young 
 men is the only institution of' the kind in the provinces of 
 North and South Kyung-Sang. Many of the pupils come 
 from Fusan. A good building was erected in 1908, and the 
 future of the school is most promising. 
 
 Throughout the province, primary schools are rapidly in- 
 creasing in number and efficiency. A normal school is held 
 yearly to instruct the primary teachers in geography, arith- 
 metic and pedagogy. 
 
 North and South Chung Chong are known as 
 CHONG JU the “gentleman provinces,” being the centre of 
 
 1908 the highest culture and the best type of the lan- 
 guage. The two provinces contain about 1,500.- 
 000 people. Chong Ju, fifteen miles from the railroad and 
 nearly midway between Seoul and Taiku, is the capital of the 
 northern province. Rev. F. S. Miller made many visits from 
 Seoul, and has resided in Chong Ju since T905. Other 
 pioneers were compelled to leave because of ill health, and the 
 formal opening of the station was delayed until T908. 
 
24 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 The congregation numbers about 200, and most of them 
 attend the Sunday-school. The country work reaches over 
 40 congregations, 14 of which have church buildings. Train- 
 ing classes for the helpers, both men and women, are held 
 frequently. The women are especially commended for their 
 energy and zeal. 
 
 School work was much hindered by the political troubles of 
 1907, but is now reviving. The Christians have built a good 
 school house, and pay half the salary of an excellent Christian 
 teacher, who has given up an official position to take the boys' 
 school. There is also a good school for girls, and several day- 
 schools in the villages. 
 
 Dr. M. M. Null had begun a promising medical work, which 
 was broken off when he was obliged to leave. Dr. Purviance 
 has taken his place, and a hospital building is now going up. 
 
 Pyeng Yang, the capital of South Pyeng An 
 PYENG YANG Province, is the most important town in 
 1854 northern Korea. In the early years of the Ko- 
 
 rean mission, Rev. S. A. Moffett and others vis- 
 ited the city at intervals and baptized a few believers, but were 
 not allowed to reside there. In 1893 they succeeded in buying a 
 house, but when they attempted to occupy it, the authorities 
 drove them out, and imprisoned and tortured some of the 
 Korean Christians. Through the intervention of the Ameri- 
 can and British ministers, the prisoners were released and 
 indemnity secured. 
 
 In the war between China and Japan in 1894, Pyeng Yang 
 was the scene of a great battle. Immediately afterward, Mr. 
 Moffett and Mr. Lee, with Dr. Hall of the Methodist Mission, 
 revisited the place, and were warmly welcomed by all classes. 
 The wonderful spread of the Gospel since that time in North- 
 ern Korea is without a parallel in the history of modern mis- 
 sions. In the territory of this one station are nearly 300 
 congregations, with about 7,000 communicants, and twice that 
 number of catechumens and adherents. The stations of Sven 
 Chun, Chai Ryong and Kang Kai now cover part of the terri- 
 tory originally attached to Pyeng Yang. 
 
 A Home Missionary Society, managed and supported by 
 the native churches, sends evangelists all through the province. 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 25 
 
 The Methodist Church North also has a strong mission in 
 Pveng Yang. This mission and our own co-operate heartily 
 in all enterprises where united action is feasible, and strive to 
 distribute their efforts so that no energy' shall be wasted. 
 
 Pveng Yang City is the centre of all Christia'n work for 
 Northern Korea. The Central Church, the first one founded 
 in the city, has sent off three large colonies since 1903, and 
 will soon establish a fourth one in the western part of the city. 
 The building holds 1,500 people, and it is so crowded that the 
 men and the women have to meet at different hours. The 
 weekly prayer meeting has an attendance of more than 1,000. 
 A Church Association building in the business district has a 
 reading room, with the best Korean and Chinese books and 
 newspapers, a lecture room for meetings and Bible classes, a 
 book-shop, and bath rooms. A night school is held for busi- 
 ness men. , 
 
 The zeal of Korean Christians for Bible study is astonishing. 
 The Sunday morning service is usually devoted to it, and every 
 Christian is present. Other classes for men and women of 
 the city are held at stated times, with hundreds in attendance. 
 Every January' a class is held for country' men only. Last 
 year there were 900 present, coming from long distances at 
 their own expense, and when the allotted time had expired, 
 fifty men insisted on staying two weeks longer for further 
 instruction. The classes for country women are almost as 
 largely attended. In addition to the work in the city, mis- 
 sionaries conduct such classes in central places throughout 
 the circuits. 
 
 Medical Work. — Dr. J. Hunter Wells has been the efficient 
 physician here since 1896. The cramped and unsuitable quar- 
 ters formerly occupied were replaced in 1906 by a new hospital 
 building, given by Mrs. Ladd, of Portland, Oregon. Some 
 wards are fitted up in foreign style, others are entirely Korean. 
 W ith the improved accommodations and equipment, a trained 
 American nurse, and a staff of Korean assistants, it is now 
 possible to undertake serious surgical work. The physicians 
 of the Methodist Mission have participated so largely in the 
 work of the hospital that it has been practically, though not 
 formally, a union institution. About 10,000 patients annually 
 
26 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 are reported from the hospital and dispensary., besides hun- 
 dreds reached in itinerating tours. 
 
 Schools . — The demand for modern learning among the 
 Christians of North Korea is such that Pveng Yang has be- 
 come the centre of our institutions for higher education. The 
 boys’ school, begun by Mr. Baird some years ago, grew into 
 Pveng Yang Academy, which graduated its first class in 1905. 
 This in turn has developed into Pveng Yang College, the only 
 one for Christians in all Korea. Two young men were gradu- 
 aetd in 1908. This college is sustained unitedly by all the 1 
 Presbyterian Missions and the Methodist Missions. The 
 academic department is preparatory to the college course. 
 An Industrial Department, founded by the gifts of Mr. Davis, 
 of Rock Island, Illinois, makes it possible for students to sup- 
 port themselves while studying. The superintendent is Mr. 
 Robert McMurtrie, and there are classes in printing, carpen- 
 tering and blacksmithing. About 400 pupils are enrolled in 
 the different departments of the college, all of them Christians. 
 New and larger buildings are urgently needed. 
 
 The Theological School for all the Presbyterian Missions 
 of Korea is also conducted at Pveng Y^ang, with the assistance 
 of missionaries from other stations. A building has been 
 given by a generous friend, and will soon be occupied. 
 There are nearly 100 students. The first class, numbering 
 seven, was graduated in 1907. 
 
 An Advanced School for Girls and Women w r as opened in 
 1903. with 43 students. In 1906, a union with the Methodist 
 Mission was arranged, which lessens the expenses and gives 
 greater advantages. The school is self-supporting and grows 
 constantly, in spite of inadequate accommodations. The girls 
 do the work of the boarding department, and receive thorough 
 training in housekeeping. Many of the women attending are 
 widows, who wish to devote their lives to Christian work as 
 teachers or Bible women. The first class was graduated in 
 1908. 
 
 A special school for women who cannot attend daily is held 
 twice a week from October to May. About 50 are enrolled. 
 
 Normal classes held yearly for both men and women are 
 made necessary by the insistent demand for teachers in the 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 27 
 
 country schools. There are more than 100 of these primary 
 schools, all self-supporting, and enrolling nearly 4,000 pupils. 
 When we remember that these are all the children of Christian 
 parents, and that the schools outside of the churches are few 
 in number and very inferior, we realize what an opportunity 
 for influence is in our hands. The church primary and gram- 
 mar schools in Pveng Yang City have recently been re- 
 organized, under the superintendence of a missionary, assisted 
 by a Korean elder, and twelve competent teachers appointed. 
 The School Board is appointed bv the church sessions. The 
 girls’ schools are under a similar arrangement. 
 
 A small school for the blind has been at work for some 
 years. In 1907 the hymn book and the New Testament in 
 the point system were completed. 
 
 The great increase of believers in the out- 
 CHAI RYONG stations between Pyeng Yang and Seoul made 
 1906 it necessary to establish a new station in a 
 
 central situation. Chai Ryong is a citv of 
 5,000 people, fifteen miles west of the railroad, within easy 
 reach of about 100 country churches. Among these are some 
 congregations which Dr. Underwood founded in the early days 
 of Korean missions. Especially worthy of note is the Sorai 
 Church, which will always be famous as the first church in 
 Korea to become self-supporting, self-propagating, and self- 
 governing. Here the Koreans erected their iirst church 
 building, sent out their first evangelist, and here the first elder 
 of the Korean Church was ordained — an elder who has now 
 become one of the first seven ministers of the Presbyterian 
 Church of Korea. All these churches are self-supporting, and 
 represent perhaps 10,000 believers. 
 
 The city church, which began a few years ago with a Bible 
 woman and her little band of listeners, is now reioicing in a 
 new building, which will seat 1,000 people. The city is divided 
 into eight districts, and the Christians hold regular meetings 
 in each. 
 
 Medical IVork . — Much of the growth of the station may be 
 traced to the successful work of Dr. C. H. Whiting. Begum 
 with most insufficient accommodations, it has gained a wide 
 
28 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 reputation, and is now installed in a commodious cottage hos- 
 pital, the gift of the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, 
 New York. A class of capable helpers is under training. 
 
 Schools . — Deep interest in education is manifested through- 
 out the province. Forty-five schools are reported, all self- 
 supporting, with more than 1,000 pupils. The academy at 
 Pyeng Yang supplies the need for higher education. 
 
 Syen Chun is a small town ioo miles northwest 
 SYEN CHUN of Pyeng Yang, lying in a narrow valley of the 
 1901 mountain spur, about five miles from the Yel- 
 
 low Sea. The mission property is on a hill at 
 the end of the town. In 1898, when Air. Whittemore made 
 his first visit, there was just one Christian there. Now the 
 upper half of the town is largely Christian, and on Sunday 
 shops are closed, the streets are filled with streams of people 
 going to church, and the sight of any daily work in progress 
 is very unusual. The large new church seats about 1,500, and 
 is already filled to its utmost limit. The men’s Sunday-school 
 numbers 800, and that for women is nearly as large. Mr. 
 Yang, who had long been the elder of this church, was one of 
 the seven Koreans ordained to the ministry in 1907, and is 
 now co-pastor with Mr. Whittemore. 
 
 Medical Work .- — A dispensary was early opened by Dr. 
 Sharrocks, which did much good, in spite of small and 
 inconvenient quarters. A hospital, given by the Young Peo- 
 ple’s Societies of San Francisco, was completed in 1906. The 
 buildings are in Korean style, and so well managed as to afford 
 a constant object-lesson in cleanliness, order and beauty. A 
 class of student assistants, all Christians and self-supporting, 
 are becoming yearly more efficient as helpers. One excellent 
 feature is a bath house, open to the public at a small charge. 
 
 Schools . — The Christians of this station have shown from 
 the beginning a great desire for education. Day-schools for 
 boys and girls date from the opening of the station. A Boys’ 
 Academy was opened in 1906, and has been well attended. 
 An Industrial School and Farm, the “Hugh O’Neill, Jr., 
 Memorial.” has been recently established in connection with 
 the Academy. The Girls’ Academy (1907) closed its first year 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 29 
 
 with forty pupils. The primary schools are over-crowded and 
 need larger quarters. A night-school is held for laboring men 
 and boys. 
 
 At Wi-ju is also an academy for boys and a girls’ school, 
 both supported by the people. The demand for education 
 has become so imperative that every one of the hundred and 
 more churches in the country districts has its primary school. 
 With the rudiments of education, the boys are learning obedi- 
 ence, cleanliness and good behavior. The people are realizing 
 more and more that their daughters need education as well as 
 their sons. The opening of a girls’ school in connection with 
 a church is significant of a great advance in the religious life of 
 the people. 
 
 Country Work . — The territory dependent upon Syen Chun 
 station includes nearly all of North Pyeng Yang Province, 
 stretching away some 400 miles to the northeast. The move- 
 ment towards Christianity that began in 1905 has continued 
 with wonderful power in this province. This one station has 
 now more churches and schools than the whole Korea mission 
 had five years ago. There are twenty-one circuits, each under 
 the care of a helper. The six counties lying on the Yellow 
 Sea, including Wi-ju, report more than 14,000 believers. 
 These counties are all within fifty miles of Syen Chun, and 
 are easily reached from the railroad. The northeastern part 
 of the province lies in the hills and is very difficult of access. 
 It can be reached only on horseback or on foot, in journeys of 
 twelve to eighteen days from Syen Chun. Yet Christians by 
 the hundred are found in these isolated valleys, most of whom 
 have never seen a white missionary. It is a wonderful testi- 
 mony to the power of the Bible and the zeal of the Korean 
 Church. 
 
 The Korean Home Missionary Society employs several 
 men constantly in this region, and the Syen Chun missionaries 
 itinerate as widely as possible. Great dependence is placed 
 on the training-classes, which are held at the chief centres in 
 turn. Such a class held at Syen Chun enrolled 1,180 men. 
 The helpers, leaders and deacons are also frequently gathered 
 in conferences for study and prayer. 
 
30 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 A new station was opened in 1908 at Kang Kai, 
 KANG KAI the most important of the northern points, nine 
 1908 days’ journey from Sven Chun. This circuit ex- 
 tends over into Manchuria. The population H 
 not large, but there are some 2,000 Christians scattered in the 
 mountain villages. 
 
 In Kang Kai City, the church has been twice enlarged, and 
 now a building seating 1,200 is needed. 
 
 The site chosen for the station buildings overlooks the city, 
 and has a fine view of the mountains. A hospital, given by 
 Mr. and Mrs. John S. Kennedy, of New York, and two resi- 
 dences, are now in progress. 
 
 There are about 150,000 Japanese in Korea, and 
 WORK FOR their numbers are constantly increasing. They 
 JAPANESE are rapidly becoming the dominant influence in 
 many districts. Christian work is imperatively 
 needed among them. Some are Christians, and need to be 
 shepherded and strengthened. The only hope of any real 
 unity between the two nations is in the power of a common 
 Christianity. For some years the Presbyterian Council has 
 employed a Japanese evangelist among these immigrants, and 
 several others have been sent by the churches of Japan. In 
 1907, Rev. F. S. Curtis and Mrs. Curtis, of the West Japan 
 Mission, were sent by the Board to work among the Japanese 
 in Korea, and establish churches for them where possible. 
 They travel through the entire field twice each year, visiting 
 about twenty-five centres, encouraging the little groups of 
 believers and helping them to secure Japanese leaders. In 
 Seoul there is a prosperous Presbyterian church, attended by 
 Chief Justice Watanabe, head of the courts in Korea, and 
 other Japanese of position and influence. At Mokpo the 
 Town Hall was open to them for meetings, and the resident 
 called together the policemen and gendarmes for a service at 
 the residency. Every effort is made to bring the Japanese 
 and Koreans into brotherly relations. 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 31 
 
 STATIONS AND MISSIONARIES, 1909. 
 
 Seoul (1884), the capital; population about 300,000. — Rev. H. G. Un- 
 derwood, D. D., and Mrs. Underwood, M. D., Rev. J. S. Gale, D. D., 
 O. R. Avison, M. D., and Mrs. Avison, Miss K. C. Wambold, Miss E. L. 
 Shields, Rev. A. G. Welbon and Mrs. Welbon, Rev. E. H. Miller and 
 Mrs. Miller, Rev. C. A. Clark and Mrs. Clark, Rev. A. A. Pieters and 
 Mrs. Pieters, M. D., J. W. Hirst, M. D., and Mrs. Hirst, Rev. M. W. 
 Greenfield and Mrs. Greenfield, Miss S. A. Heron, Miss H. I. Taylor, 
 Rev. Henry W. Latnpe, Rev. R. O. Reiner and Mrs. Reiner, Mr. John F. 
 Genso, Miss Anna R. Mills, Rev. George H. Winn. 
 
 Fusan (1893), 210 miles southeast of Seoul; nearest port to Japan, 
 terminus of Seoul-Fusan Railroad — C. H. Irvin, M. D., and Mrs. Irvin, 
 Rev. W. E. Smith and Mrs. Smith. 
 
 Pyeng Yang (1894), ancient capital of the northern kingdom, 125 
 miles northwest of Seoul, largest church centre under the Board ; popu- 
 lation, 60,000 — Rev. S. A. Moffett, D. D., and Mrs. Moffett, M. D., Rev. 
 •W. M. Baird. Ph.D., and Mrs. Baird, Rev. Graham Lee and Mrs. Lee, 
 'Rev. W. L. Swallen and Mrs. Swallen, J. H. Wells, M. D., and Mrs. 
 \\ ells, Miss Margaret Best, Rev. C. F. Bernheisel and Mrs. Bernheisel, 
 Miss V. I- Snook, Rev. W. N. Blair and Mrs. Blair, Rev. G. S. McCune 
 and Mrs. McCune, Miss A. M. Butts, Mr. Robert McMurtrie. 
 
 Taiku (1899), population, 60,000; 77 miles inland from Fusan — -Rev. 
 J. E. Adams and Mrs. Adams, W. O. Johnson. M. D., and Mrs. Johnson, 
 Rev. H. M. Bruen and Mrs. Bruen, Rev. E. F. McFarland and Mrs. 
 McFarland, Rev. W. C. Erdman and Mrs. Erdman, Rev. C. C. Sawtell 
 and Mrs. Sawtell, Rev. Tohn U. S. Toms and Mrs. Toms, Miss Mabel 
 Rittgers, Miss Blanche Essick. 
 
 Syen Chun (1901), about 225 miles northwest of Seoul — Rev. N. C. 
 Whittemore and Mrs. Whittemore, Miss M. L. Chase, Rev. Cyril Ross 
 and Mrs. Ross, M. D., A. M. Sharrocks, M. D., and Mrs. Sharrocks, 
 Miss Jennie Samuels, Rev. S. L. Roberts and Mrs. Roberts. 
 
 Chat Ryong (1006), 140 miles northwest of Seoul. 60 miles southwest 
 of Pyeng Yang— Rev. W. B. Hunt and Mrs. Hunt. Rev. C. E. Sharp and 
 Mrs. Sharp. Rev. F.. W. Koons and Mrs. Koons, Rev. H. C. Whiting, 
 M. D., and Mrs. \\ biting, Rev. W. C. Kerr, Miss Katherine McCune. 
 
 Chong Tu fiooyj, about 50 miles south of Seoul — Rev. F. S. Miller 
 and Mrs. Miller, Rev. Edwin Kagin, W. C. Purviance, M. D., and Mrs. 
 Purviance, Rev. \\ elling T. Cook and Mrs. Cook, Miss Anna S. Doriss. 
 
 Kang Kai fiooSL 12 davs’ journey northeast of Sven Chun — Rev. H. 
 E. Rlair and Mrs. Blair. Ralph G. Mills, M. D„ and Mrs. Mills, Rev. H. 
 A. Rhodes and Mrs. Rhodes. 
 
 Reinforcements for Korean Mission. 1909— Rev. R. E. Winn and Mrs. 
 \\ inn, Rev. J. Y. Crothers, Rev. J. G. Holcroft. Rev. E. M. Mowry and 
 Mrs. Mowry, A. G. Fletcher, M. D.. Miss E. E. Plummer, Miss G. L. 
 Davis, Miss A. M. McKee, Miss L. Campbell. Miss M. Mackenzie, 
 Miss H. S. Helstrom. 
 
 _ For names of new missionaries and changes at stations, consult the 
 f ear Book of Prayer, issued annually. 
 
32 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 STATISTICS, 1909. 
 
 Missionaries (8 physicians) . . 99 
 
 Korean preachers 131 
 
 Other workers 736 
 
 Stations and out-stations 536 
 
 Communicants 19,654 
 
 Adherents and catechumens. 70, 000 
 Schools, 764; pupils, 12,264 
 Hospitals, 6; dispensaries, 6; 
 patients, 47,824 
 
 BOOKS OF REFERENCE. 
 
 A Forbidden Land. E. Oppert (1880). $5.00. 
 
 Choson. Percival Lowell (1885). $3.00. 
 
 Daybreak in Korea. Baird (1909). 60 cents. 
 
 Everyday Life in Korea. D. L. Gifford (1898). $1.25. 
 
 Ewa : A Tale of Korea. Noble (1906). $1.25. 
 
 Fifteen Years Among the Topknots. Mrs. H. G. Underwood (1908). 
 Second Edition. $1.50. 
 
 Korea and Her Neighbors. Mrs. I. Bird Bishop (1897). $2.00. 
 
 Korea from Its Capital. Rev. G. W. Gilmore (1892). $1.25. 
 
 Korea in Transition. Rev. James S. Gale (1908). 50 cents. 
 
 Korea, the Hermit Nation. W. E. Griffis (1882). $3.50. 
 
 Korea: the Land, People and Customs. (1907.) 35 cents. 
 
 Report of a Visitation of the Korea Mission. Rev. Arthur J. Brown 
 (1902). 
 
 The Call of Korea. Rev. H. G. Underwood (1908). 75 cents. 
 
 The Nearer and Farther East. Arthur J. Brown, D. D. (1908L 50 cts. 
 The Passing of Korea. Prof. H. B. Hulbert (1906). $3.80. 
 
 The Vanguard. Rev. J. S. Gale (1904). $1.50. 
 
 Things Korean. Horace N. Allen, M. D. (1908). $1.25. 
 
 With Marquis Ito in Korea. Prof. G. T. Ladd (1908). $2.50. 
 
 With Tommy Tompkins in Korea. Mrs. H. G. Underwood (1905). $1.25. 
 
THE MISSIONS IN KOREA. 
 
 33 
 
 MISSIONARIES IN KOREA. 1884-1909. 
 
 * Died while connected with the Mission. 
 
 Adams, Rev. J. E 1895- 
 
 Adams, Mrs 1895- 
 
 Allen, H. N., M. D 1884-1890 
 
 Allen, Mrs 1884-1890 
 
 Arbuckle, Miss V. C 1892-1896 
 
 Avison, O. R., M. D 1893- 
 
 Avison, Mrs 1893- 
 
 Baird, Rev. W. M 1890- 
 
 Baird, Mrs 1890- 
 
 Barrett, Miss M. B 1901-1908 
 
 Barrett, Rev. W. M 1901-1907 
 
 Barrett, Mrs 1904-1907 
 
 Bemheisel, Rev. C. F 1900- 
 
 Bernheisel, Mrs. (Miss 
 
 Kirkwood) 1903- 
 
 Best, Miss Margaret. .. .1897- 
 
 Blair, Rev. W. N 1901- 
 
 Blair, Mrs 1901- 
 
 Blair, Rev. H. E 1904- 
 
 Blair, Mrs 1907- 
 
 Brown, H. M., M. D 1891-1805 
 
 Brown, Mrs 1891-1895 
 
 Brown, Miss M. E 1903-1906 
 
 Bruen, Rev. H. M 1899- 
 
 Bruen, Mrs 1901- 
 
 Bunker, Mrs., M. D 1886-1888 
 
 Butts, Miss A. M 1907- 
 
 Cameron, Miss C 1905-1908 
 
 Campbell, Miss L 1909- 
 
 Chase, Miss M. L 1896- 
 
 Clark, Rev. C. A 1902- 
 
 Clark, Mrs 1902- 
 
 Cook, Rev. W. T 1908- 
 
 Cook, Mrs 1908- 
 
 Crothers, Rev. J. Y 1909- 
 
 Davis, Miss G. L 1909- 
 
 Doriss, Miss A. S 1908- 
 
 Erdman, Rev. W. C 1906- 
 
 Erdman, Mrs. (Miss 
 
 Winn) 1906- 
 
 Essick, Miss B. L 1908- 
 
 Fletcher, A. G., M. D 1909- 
 
 Gale, Rev. J. S 1892- 
 
 Gale, Mrs. (Mrs. J. 
 
 Heron) 1885-1908 
 
 Genso, John F 1908- 
 
 *Gifford, Rev. D. L 1888-1900 
 
 *Gifford, Mrs. (Miss 
 
 Hayden) 1888-1900 
 
 Figures, term of Service in the Field. 
 
 Greenfield, Rev. M. W. ..1907- 
 
 Greenfield, Mrs 1907- 
 
 Hall, Rev. Ernest F 1903-1908 
 
 Hall, Mrs. (Miss Mac- 
 
 lear) 1904-1908 
 
 Helstrom, Miss H 1909- 
 
 *Heron, John, M. D 1885-1890 
 
 Heron, Miss S. A 1907- 
 
 Hirst, J. M., M. D 1904- 
 
 Hirst, Mrs. (Miss 
 
 Harbaugh ) 1906- 
 
 Holdcroft, Rev. J. J 1909- 
 
 Hunt, Rev. W. B 1897- 
 
 *Hunt, Mrs. (Miss 
 
 Finley) 1898-1905 
 
 Hunt, Mrs 1906- 
 
 Irvin, C. H., M. D 1893- 
 
 Irvin, Mrs 1893- 
 
 *Jacobson, Miss A. P. . .1895-1897 
 Johnson, W. O., M. D...1897- 
 
 Johnson, Mrs 1897- 
 
 *Johnson, Rev. W. V. .. 1902-1903 
 
 *Tohnson, Mrs 1902-1903 
 
 Kagin, Rev. E. A 1907- 
 
 Kearns, Rev. C. E 1902-1907 
 
 Kearns, Mrs 1902-1907 
 
 Kerr, Rev. W. C 1908- 
 
 Koons, Rev. E. Wade... 1903- 
 
 Koons, Mrs 1908- 
 
 Lampe, Rev. H. W 1908- 
 
 *Leck, Rev. George 1900-1901 
 
 Leek, Mrs 1900-1903 
 
 Lee, Rev. Graham ... .1892- 
 
 Lee, Mrs 1893- 
 
 Mackenzie, Miss M 1909- 
 
 McCune, Rev. G. S 1905- 
 
 McCune, Mrs 1905- 
 
 McCune, Miss K 1908- 
 
 McFarland, Rev. F'. F. ..1904- 
 
 McFarland, Mrs 1905- 
 
 McKee, Miss A. M 1909- 
 
 McMurtrie, Robert .... 1907- 
 
 Miller , Rev. F. S 1892- 
 
 *MiIler, Mrs 1892-1903 
 
 Miller, Mrs. (Miss S. 
 
 Doty) 1889- 
 
 Miller, Rev. E. H 1901- 
 
 Miller, Mrs. (Miss 
 Henry) 1901- 
 
34 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF 
 
 Mills, R. G., M. D 1908- 
 
 Mills, Mrs 1008- 
 
 Mills, Miss A. R 1908- 
 
 Moffett, Rev. S. A 1889- 
 
 Moffett, Mrs. (Dr. Fish). 1897- 
 
 *Moore, Rev. S. F 1892-1906 
 
 Moore, Mrs 1892-1906 
 
 Mowry, Rev. E. M 1909- 
 
 Mowry, Mrs 1009- 
 
 Null, M. M., M. D 1903-1907 
 
 Null, Mrs., M. D 1903-1907 
 
 Pieters, Rev. A. A 1902- 
 
 *Pieters, Mrs 1902-1905 
 
 Pieters, Mrs. (Eva Field, 
 
 M. D.) 1897- 
 
 Plummer, Miss E. F. ...1909- 
 Purviance, W. C., M. D..1908- 
 
 Purviance, Mrs 1908- 
 
 Reiner, Rev. Ralph O.. .1908- 
 
 Reiner, Mrs 1908- 
 
 Rhodes, Rev. H. A 1908- 
 
 Rhodes, Mrs 1908- 
 
 Rittgers, Miss C. M 1908- 
 
 Roberts, Rev. S. L 1907- 
 
 Roberts, Mrs 1907- 
 
 Ross, Rev. Cyril 1897- 
 
 Ross, Mrs., M. D 1897- 
 
 Samuels, Miss J 1902- 
 
 Sawtell, Rev. C. C 1907- 
 
 Sawtell, Mrs 1907- 
 
 Sharp, Rev. C. E 1900- 
 
 Sharp, Mrs. (Miss 
 Howell) 1900- 
 
 Sharrocks, A. M., M.D. .1899- 
 
 Sharrocks, Mrs 1899- 
 
 Shields, Miss E. L 1897- 
 
 Sidebotham, Rev. R. H.. 1899-1908 
 
 Sidebotham, Mrs 1899-1909 
 
 Smith, Rev. W. E 1902- 
 
 Smith, Mrs 1902- 
 
 Snook, Miss V. L 1900- 
 
 Strong, Miss Ellen 1892-190 2 
 
 Swallen, Rev. W. L 1891- 
 
 Swallen, Mrs 1892- 
 
 Taylor, Miss H. I.. 1908- 
 
 Toms, Rev. J. U. S 1908- 
 
 Toms, Mrs 1908- 
 
 Underwood, Rev. H. G. .1884- 
 Underwood, Airs. (Dr. 
 
 Lilian S. Horton) 1887- 
 
 Vinton, C. C., Ad. D 1891-1907 
 
 *Vinton, Mrs 1891-1903 
 
 Wambold, Miss C. C 1896- 
 
 Welhon, Rev. A. G 1900- 
 
 Welbon, Mrs. (Miss 
 
 Nourse) 1899- 
 
 Wells, J. H., M. D 1895- 
 
 Wells, Airs 1896- 
 
 Whiting, Aliss G. E., Ad. D. 1895-1900 
 
 Whiting, H. C, Al.D 1903- 
 
 Whiting, Mrs 1903- 
 
 Whittemore, Rev. N. C. .1896- 
 
 Whittemore, Airs. 1906- 
 
 Winn, Rev. G. II 1908- 
 
 Winn, Rev. Roger E 1909- 
 
 Winn. Airs 1909- 
 
wmm