Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XV. MISSIONARY WORK. rTIHIS little book should not be closed without a word on missions. Other works on Korea were for the most part written prior to the occupation of that country as a mission field, or were the productions of men who had no special interest in the work of spreading the gospel. The missionaries and others who from occupation or from love for the Master have felt an interest in the religious welfare of the Korean nation have written, now and again, to periodicals such as The Independent of New York, giving isolated facts or the bearing of certain occurrences on the work of missions, or the yearly summaries of things accomplished. But the situation of missionaries, the disposition of the government and of the people toward Christianity, the receptivity of the population, the obstacles and limitations of missionary enterprise, have not been set forth in their correlations. And yet there is a very general interest among Americans concerning these matters. Wherever the writer has preached, and has mentioned that he has been in Korea, the request has come, "Tell us about the work there." Eager inquiry and pointed questioning have demonstrated that people want to know the status of Christianity in the hermit peninsula. The dramatic circumstances under cover of which Dr. Allen, by cautious and judicious action, aided by his medical knowledge and practice, secured an entrance and a sure footing for Christian work at the capital have heightened the feeling of interest. Those acquainted with the circumstances have remarked upon the providence of Dr. Allen's presence at the banquet when Min Yong Ik staggered in, bleeding from wounds inflicted by a wouldbe assassin. Nor has the dramatic element been entirely absent in the...