tyre, who asked him to read the gospel. He steadfastly refused to do so, until he was at last dismissed by the physician, cured. Being then told that there was no charge for the medicine and treatment, but that they would be glad to have him read that book, he became ashamed of his former refusal, took the book and began to read it. At first he was not interested, but, as he read on, the Spirit of God opened his eyes and he saw his need of a Saviour. He again visited Moukden and was baptized by Mr. Ross. This was twelve years ago. A year after that he removed to

Seoul where he began quietly to distribute Christian books. Three years later he moved to a farm in Hwang Hai To with his brother, who is now Mr. Fenwick's helper in Gensan. For four years more he journeyed back and forth between his farm and Seoul and upon one of these journeys found Mr. Underwood, who had arrived in Seoul from our own Presbyterian Church. Four years ago he again moved his family to Seoul and ever since has been our chief helper in all work. Naturally cheerful, with a bright sparkle in his eye, his conviction of the truth of the gospel and his

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concern for the condition of his people have made him grave, sober and intensely in earnest. He is so refined and polite as well as dignified that his personality impresses one at a glance. A gentleman from New York visiting Seoul, upon being introduced to Mr. Saw immediately exclaimed, "Why, he is a fine-looking man!" As a preacher Mr. Saw is earnest and pointed as well as Scriptural, while as a man his whole character and demeanor are a power for good.

The third and youngest of our group is Choi Myeng O, who lives in Hwang Hai To, and first heard of the Gospel through Mr. Saw during one of the latter's journeys between Seoul and his farm. He and Saw's brother were among the first of those baptized by Mr. Underwood. He is by far the best scholar of the three, being well versed in the Chinese classics. He is also an earnest student of the Scriptures, and being very apt to teach proves a most valuable assistant as a travelling companion when groups of inquirers or of uninstructed Christians are to be met. For two years he labored as a colporteur of the British and Foreign Bible Society, at a time when to do so was to be abused and scorned. the last two years he has been under our direction, looking after our work on the west coast or traveling with one of the foreigners.

For

These three men have qualities which will make them a great power if only they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We ask that they may be made the subject of special prayer during the month which the church has appointed for united study and prayer in behalf of Korea.

NO CALL FOR TIMIDITY IN KOREA. MRS. H. G. UNDERWOOD, SEOUL.

Although Korea has always been considered the most exclusive of nations, has, indeed, come to be generally known as the "Hermit

[August,

Nation," the short history of Protestant Missions in that country is one of the brightest and most promising that can be found in all the annals of pioneer work. Rumors and sensational reports of mobs. persecutions, etc., have repeatedly helped to fill a column in the newspapers, so that almost the first question which a returned missionary is asked is "But do you not find a great deal of government opposition?" The simple fact however is that hitherto very little of such opposition has ever been met.

Two of the most open and outspoken missionary workers in Seoul, one a Presbyterian and the other a Methodist, once took a trip together in the interior. Though they made

no secret of their object, they were treated with the highest honor by the governors and magistrates through whose districts they passed. One high official in particular, whose son had just returned from the goverment school in Seoul and who therefore must have known perfectly what their character and business were, sent them presents of the choicest dainties and loaded them with every attention. Upon their return one of them was waited upon by the highest dignitaries of the state and urged to take charge of the government school where the sons of the noblest families are educated.

Later, the same man made another trip to the extreme north. After spending about ten days in one of the largest cities, he called before leaving upon the governor of the place. His Excellency apologized for not having himself called upon the missionary, and remarked that he understood that Mr. had been distributing a great many good books and that he was greatly indebted to him.

Again, when one of our native Christians was arrested and thrown into prison by a provincial magistrate, his superior in Seoul made the amplest apologies, ordered the man

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released and feasted and tried to explain the matter to the missionary by saying that the official who had caused the arrest had been a long time in the interior of the country, remote from the capital and did not understand affairs.

In the very early history of Mission work in Korea, a colporteur who had been seized and whose books had been confiscated was set free with only an admonition to sell no more. A few days later his books were all privately returned by the official himself, in person, who told the man to go on with the good work, but to be careful.

Some of the heathen youths at the hospital school, which is under government control, complained to the president of the hospital that one of their companions was a Christian (their real objection to him was on quite different grounds) and requested his dismissal. The president replied, "Your teacher also is a Christian, but he is none the worst for that, and if you do not like to remain in the school with the young man, you may leave. " He refused to dismiss the young convert.

Not only do we enjoy the good-will of high official; we have received many tokens of royal favor. It is not without significance that the King and Queen on the royal birthdays and national holidays send to the physicians of the Presbyterian Mission ample presents of beef, pheasants, fruits, etc., the same as those sent to the Korean officials. They have also sent generous wedding presents and other gifts to the lady physicians who have treated Her Majesty. It is true that these physicians were in a certain sense Korean officials, but there is no mistaking the feeling of good will, passing easily into tolerance and confidence which such acts indicate. Another instance of a similar character occurs to me.

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When Her Majesty, the Queen, after strictly secluding herself for two years, finally gave an audience, she invited the ladies of the legations and consulates, omitting others of high rank, but her invitation expressly included the Presbyterian woman physician and the wife of the Presbyterian hospital physician. To realize the full significance of this, one needs to understand that throughout the East missionaries are usually considered inferior in rank to all officials and are very rarely invited to official entertainments of any kind.

Although public religious services are held several times a week in the Mission compound with singing which can be heard all through the neighborhood, and the people make no secret of their coming or going, and though government officials often call at our house, making numerous inquiries about our work which are always frankly answered, no one has ever laid hands on any of the native worshippers, nor have they ever been threatened or forbidden to attend the services. It is true that in 1888 a note was sent to the consulates asking that Christian teaching be stopped, but as Korea just then had the best reasons for hostility to the French Jesuits and could not frown upon them without a pretence of silencing us also, we concluded that this admonition was never intended except to save appearances, nor has it ever been other than a dead letter. The Korean Government has shown and we are confident, feels no hostility toward Protestant missions, but for political reasons they prefer that we should not force our doings upon their official cognizance too openly. Nor is this necessary. There is more work ready at our hands than in many a day, alas! we can find hands for, and when that work is done, the way will be cleared for more.

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Letters.

CHINA.

CHURCH VISITATION.

REV. V. F. PARTCH, Ningpo:-I am writing about 200 miles from Ningpo in our farthest outstation in the Tongyiang district. We are a committee of three appointed by Presbytery, -two natives and myself, to examine the church up here. Mr. Tsiang of Hangchow, where he has been pastor for some twenty years, and Mr. Yi, of Zong-yu, pastor for fifteen years, are my fellow committee-men. We made the journey here by boat on river and canal about three fifths of the way, the rest by land either in a chair or on foot. With the natives I encourage walking by both precept and example. Chairs are costly, and walking is just the exercise needed.

The nature of our errand has made calling on the church members our first object. They are very scattered. The church has two principal stations, one at Leo-si-dzeh and one at Loh-zihkeo, where I am now writing, distant about six miles. The members are scattered in all directions from these two points, far and near. They number seventy-seven all told. We have carried on pastoral work with a great deal of vigor during the past two weeks. The members all seem to be carnest and faithful. Some of them have to endure a great deal of hardness for Christ's sake. I have in mind now, two women in a village about three miles distant, who have persevered in their Christian profession for years, in the face of the bitter opposition of their husbands. It seems that now their perseverance is to be rewarded. The opposition has almost ceased.

The husband of one of them welcomed

us with a great deal of cordiality. These two women came through the rain to church yesterday, one of them carrying a baby. Three miles, for a Chinese woman with small feet, is no small undertaking.

With our pastoral, we have done a great deal of evangelistic work. The foreigner is not such a common object here as to be passed by with

[August,

indifference. great crowd of the neighbors assembles to see the foreigner. We, of course, take the opportunity to tell the story. It is indeed difficult to fasten conviction on these souls hardened by centuries of superstition. One man being asked if he had sin, said, "Yes, I am afflicted and poor, and the neighbors don't treat me well." Another, told to prepare for death, said he hadn't forgotten the coffin, clothes, etc; he would make provision in time. They do not take hold instinctively of spiritual truth.

Whenever we call on a member, a

We have sold quite a number of books on the way, in one place and another, sometimes taking a special trip for that purpose. We trust these and the words we have spoken may not be wholly lost, but may make the impression that the Lord wills.

CHILI.

A REMARKABLE CONVERSION.

REV. W. H. LESTER, JR., Santiago:-For a number of years I have received letters from a man whom I will call José V. These letters, apart from the generous contributions they often contained, were remarkable for simplicity of language and for the deep spiritual life that evidently inspired them. It was with a good deal of interest, therefore, that I sought out this man whom I found employed in a smelting establishment a little way from the place where I was staying.

On going to the office of the works I found the director was an old acquaintance, a man who takes no interest in religion, in fact, a professed unbeliever. I asked him if he had in his employ a workman named José V., and he replied: "0 yes, José is one of my best men, competent and perfectly trustworthy. He is, I believe, one of your proselytes, and one who is a credit to you, for he does a great deal of good in the works." In the evening José visited me in the hotel, and related the following experience:

I was in Cobija in 1877, just after the earthquake, and was employed with a number of others in saving the wood carried out into the Bay by the tidal wave. One day a workman brought me a few leaves of a book found floating among the debris. I dried and

1892.]

carefully arranged the leaves which proved to be the last part of John's Gospel, and the Acts of the Apostles,-the first time I had ever seen any part of the Bible, and I can assure you I read the leaves with a good deal of curiosity.

Shortly after, my house burned down and I lost my precious leaves. In Copiapo, however, some time afterwards, a man offered me a Bible for fifty cents. I studied and read it, but many things I did not understand. Then the thought possessed me: God does not give you light to understand these things because you have been such a wicked man. I remember once I was reading the Bible far into the night, but my inner darkness was so great I threw the book to the other side of the room, put out the light and went to bed. Being unable to sleep, I sat up, lighted the candle and began reading again. But it was of no use; I could understand nothing, and I threw down the book and went to bed. As I lay awake thinking, the thought struck me: why not ask God to forgive your sins and give you light to understand His word. I got up and kneeled down and prayed, when suddenly it seemed the whole room was full of light; my heart seemed to come up into my very throat, and a flood of peace and happiness almost drowned me. Then I knew I was changed, and began to understand Christ's words about the new birth, words which I had often read without knowing their meaning. That night I wrote on the margin of my Bible: 'I, Jose V., on this 11th of Nov., 188-, was born again.' I am over fifty years old, and what an old baby I am, Sir." Such was in substance the simple and affecting story he told me. The old man is still living, a light in a dark place.

INDIA.

NATIVE PASTORS CALLED.

REV. J. M. GOHEEN, Kolhapur:-Two of our native churches have been stimulated by Dr. Gillespie's talks on the importance of native churches having their own pastors. The churches at Itiwadi and Kolhapur have both called pastors who were ordained and installed over them last March. The following letter of acceptance was sent to me by the man called to the Kolhapur church:

"REVEREND AND DEAR SIR:-Firmly believing the call to be from the Lord, I dare not refuse it, but after many prayers and a hard struggle, I give myself entirely into the hands of the Lord for guidance, strength and grace, and accept the call from the church.

Now, sir, I think I need divine as well as human help. I cannot believe for a moment that I am worthy for that high calling. Let me tell you that I shall be dependent upon you for instruction, direction and advice, and you must kindly give me a free benefit of your long experience and knowledge of

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human nature. By accepting the call I do not think I shall be able to accomplish anything till I learn under your direction, to bear the burden of cares and troubles which the work involves.

In conclusion, sir, I beg the earnest prayers and sympathy and help from all my Christian friends in the church and abroad, and casting away all my doubts and fears, I heartily say, 'Lord, here I am; use me for Thy service and glory.'

I beg to remain, sir,

Your obedient servant, SHIVARAM MASOP." To attain this end has been my prayer for ten years. I am thankful to add that the church pays all its pastor's salary.

LAOS.

A CHURCH ORGANIZED.

J. W. MCKEAN. M. D., Cheungmai:-On Feb., 26, I returned from a tour to the Northern Laos Provinces. I had long desired to make this tour with Dr. McGilvary, and this year I enjoyed that great privilege.

We left Cheungmai, Jan. 5. By evening of that day we had entered the mountains, and for the next three or four days our way was over mountains, through mountain passes, crossing mountain streams, one of which we crossed more than forty times in a single day, until we had passed the watershed between the Ma Ping and the Great Cambodia.

At the end of four and a half days we reached the Pa Pow Church. Until our visit there had been no formal church organization. Presbytery, in December last, appointed Dr. McGilvary and the Elders who should accompany him, a committee to establish a church at this place, if the way were open. We were glad to find the way open, and accordingly a church was organized with thirty seven adult and twenty-nine infant members-three elders and two deacons were elected, ordained and installed.

Our next point was Maa Con, about two days' travel from Pa Pow. Here we spent a week It was from this place that Dr. McGilvary went into the mountains last year, to visit a Moosur village.

A MOOSUR VILLAGE BAPTIZED.

The Moosur live in the mountains, coming down into the plain only to trade. Their form