Transcribed Correspondence, 1909-1926 - Binder 1: 1909-1914

San Rafael, California

January, 1909?

Alice F. Moffett

Dear little Mother,

Jamie and Baby are both better than they were. The only result with Jamie was the passing
of one more worm 8-9 inches long. Probably he will need another course [of worm medicine] later
on but I shall let him rest awhile. We have had good times together. He is a different boy when I
can give time to him - quiet and obedient. Baby has not been sick at all, only restless and wakeful.
Night before last he woke at 10:30 & played till after 12! I sat up with him in the dining room. He
did not cry at all but was on wires every minute. The gum was swollen & shiny. He would grab at
my finger in his desire to bite and then find the gum was so sore he could not. Last night he slept
more but was restless - so I was up 12 times. The point of the tooth is through now and he will be
better.

Mrs. Joseph wants a new wash boiler, a water pail, a rolling pin and some canvas to make a
tent for the children. I took the boiler & had it mended (she could have done that) and gave her a
pail from her. I felt sure there was a rolling pin left there - do you know? Do you know of any
canvas on the place they could have? She said Mr. J[oseph] saw some when he was over once and
they thought they might have it to use.

The letter of Mr. Smith’s which you sent I took to missionary meeting Wednesday and it
was read. Remember, dear, it was a personal report to the New York Board, not a letter to a
Society. Every missionary is required to send just such a report to account for his time and
necessarily it is full of “I’s”. I, too, have to write such a report each year but I sincerely hope they
are not sent out.

I do hope your sciatica will stop soon. That is such a hard pain to bear. It is still windy and
colder here this morning. Am glad Father is away from it.

Have not succeeded in finding a room for cousin Emma. No one wants to rent for a week.

It might shut out someone for the summer. Think I shall give her your room and if Father returns
while she is here, ask him to take the sitting room again for a while. Is there any objection to this?

Must close now in haste. A heart full of love to you both,

Alice

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Pyengyang, Korea

January 2, 1909

William N. Blair

Dear Dr. Brown:

This is to be a station news letter and I am glad to be able to report all well and a most
Merry Xmas and a happy New Year in Pyeng Yang. Of course you have heard of the birth of
Henry Milton Wells on December 30*, but 1 must also record it here. Baby and mother are doing
nicely. Dr. Moffett is back at last from his long trip to Japan and south Korea. Pyeng Yang hardly
seems Pyeng Yang without Dr. Moffett. Mrs. Baird looks very much strengthened by her furlough.

I am also glad to report that Mr. Lee is much stronger this fall than for some time previously. We
were all very much worried about him. I suppose you know what a blessing he has been to us all
and the Koreans especially since the Revival. I think Mr. Lee has succeeded in keeping the spirit of
those wonderful days better than most of us. Mr. McMurtrie is taking hold of the Aima Davis
Industrial Department [of the Academy] splendidly. On account of Mr. Lee’s poor health in the fall
he had to drop the work entirely and I was appointed to it with McMurtrie, but I have been letting
McMurtrie do all the work. This department seems to interest visitors here almost more than
anything else. It is good to see the boys at work in the printing office, the carpenter shop, the

machine shop, the blacksmith shop and the department. I hope Mr. Davis will back this

department hard and get it soon to a place where we can help several hundred boys work their way
through school.

You may know that I have been teaching in the college and academy this fall trying to help
fill the hole made by Dr. Baird’s absence. I have taught about twenty classes a week, nearly all in
the upper college and you know I’ve had to hustle, especially as I am carrying all the other work
that I had last year including the An Ju circuit and the Pyeng Yang North church. Of course the
Koreans have had to do most of the work though I have gone out as often as possible on Saturday to
spend Sunday. I have not been able to visit nearly all the groups so a committee of two Korean
elders has always gone before me and visited each smaller group, examining the candidates for
catechumenate and for baptism and all these groups met where I went and I baptized and did all
sessional work largely on the advise of the committee. This does very well for a time, as a
makeshift but I realize that I am greatly needed among the churches. One of my churches is
passing through a very severe trial just now. An elder in the church has been guilty of adultery and
brought disgrace and confusion on the whole work in that section. He is here now, a repentant,
broken-hearted man but oh the mischief that has been done.

We have had a great year in the College and Academy. The union with the Methodists
works better than ever. Mr. Becker of the M.E. [Methodist Episcopal] mission is doing most

excellent work and is greatly beloved by all the boys. McCune too is a himself - one of the

finest things that has happened in a long time was raising of ¥ 260°° by the college and academy
boys to support a school missionary. Kim Hyung-Cha, my secretary, was chosen and he is to go to
Quelpart [Cheju-Do] shortly, where as you know, the Korean church has work well started.

Sincerely,

William N. Blair

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #1)

Minneapolis, Minnesota January 5, 1909 James A. Paige

My dear niece, Alice Moffett,

I have just had the privilege of reading your letter to your mother forwarded by her to
Emma, and from it have a fairly good idea of the hardship of your passage home with your baby
Charlie and little boy, Jamie, and only help of a seasick nurse. I am glad to know that you have all
arrived safely and so well at your dear American home, and by this time must adequately
appreciate, by your personal presence and knowledge there, the situation in respect to your father
and your mother and be able to afford them the aid and benefit of your counsel and comfort as none
other could. Your mother has been singularly unfortunate in her experience of suffering, yet brave
and courageous in fortitude of endurance through it all. Her Christian humility and patience have
claimed and held my admiration and sympathy all the time. For her sake I rejoice in the comfort
and support your presence will afford her.

Intimations from her and Emma have given me the impression that your dear papa has
seemed also somewhat to have failed. What wonder if so after the earthquake shock and disaster at
his advanced age? His vigor of mental capacity and physical nerve must be remarkable to have
borne it all absolutely unshaken. Your presence will be a comfort also to him; and for the mere
comfort and good cheer of your dear parents, your enterprise in coming home at this time, with all
its effort, sacrifice, and cost to you, seems to me fully justified and wise. Yet I appreciate and know
you must, [in] the great solicitude, leave behind for the time your dear “Sam” to carry on his great
work alone, without you and the children to cheer him at home. But you have accomplished the
difficult and arduous passage with admirable heroism, and tho’ the great Pacific Ocean now rolls
between you and your beloved husband, God’s love is greater than the widest ocean and His loving
arms encircle you both. Trust all in Him, and nestle in the feathers of His brooding wings (Ps.

91 :4). He will bless and prosper you in the loving purpose for which His providence has called you
for a time to your American home.

How I wish I could visit you and enjoy a personal interview with you, and see your dear
baby Charlie and your sturdy boy, Jamie, and the joy of your father and mother in them both. I
cannot write, now 85, as once I could. Hope you excuse failing penmanship, and make the best you
can of what I have written. You cannot yet spare time for any reply, but at your leisure I shall hope
to hear about you all.

Ever lovingly, your Uncle,
James A. Paige

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

San Rafael, California

January 7th, 1909

Alice F. Moffett

My Dearest,

Your precious letter from Chun Ju came yesterday. 1 am hungry for them and longing for you all the
time, but oh, so thankful for our many blessings and very thankful, dearest, that I came. There are many
problems and many details to be taken up. I find Father worrying somewhat over finances. He has used all
his bank account ($2000) this past year for extras, - the salary is now $200 a month and nearly all of this
goes to the Sanitarium when Mother is there with a nurse. Home expenses, horse, servant, etc. come from
house rent ($155) leaving no margin. There could easily be a margin if I could get hold of the money, but
Father is lavish as ever without realizing what he is doing. Frances (Mrs. Ward) who was Mother’s helper a
few months ago, was taken sick and in need of hospital care, - her husband, a carpenter, was out of work and
had no money so Father handed over $300 and took his note. When the time came for payment Father
offered to take a mortgage on their little house and give him another year for payment. Mr. Ward assented,
the papers were made out and Father and a lawyer went over to secure Mrs. Ward’s signature. She became
very angry at the suggestion and refused to sign. Father then said he would buy the place ($1300) and has
now promised to pay them $1000. This places another poor little cottage on our hands and I fear it will be
hard to dispose of. The place does not seem worth that much to me and I think the whole transaction a
mistake. I think these are the facts but Father has told me three different stories about it and never
remembers what he said before. I intend to go to the lawyer for the facts as they are now. It was all
unnecessary, I think, and only Father’s generosity and pity for Frances that led him into it. He has turned
over the household to me and gives all I need for that but I cannot get hold of any more in order to save and
prevent leaks. Mother’s bonds are all intact and the interest has all accumulated so far. Father wants to draw
from this for extra expenses but Mother says the monthly income is sufficient if carefully used and if the
interest is used up the monthly income will not be saved. So I am trying to work between the two, and am
keeping careful household accounts this month to get my bearings. The tinting [?] of the house next door
(rented from Jan. 1st took nearly all the first month’s rent, and as yet I have sold only $50 worth of the
furniture.

Last Saturday Fatherdy went out and worked, became overheated and was out in a rain and took
cold. I could not keep him from it - could only insist on change of clothing when he came in. He was much
weakened by a cold which he would have thrown off much more easily two years ago. Monday we were
surprised by Mother’s return from Burke. She had taken a severe cold and so feared a return of pneumonia
that she dared not stay. I am working with plasters and poultices on her lungs and cough remedies, and have
the weights on the limb as much as possible to prevent loss of ground there. The bone certainly yields and
that is hopeful.

On Tuesday I went to the city to talk with Dr. Burke and returned a good deal dazed because of the
story he told me and the statements he made which do not agree with what took place. Mother has a diary of
events and treatment. Of course a physician with many cases in mind could not remember the details of one
case months ago but his statements of what he had done the week before were quite contrary to fact and I do
not know what to think of it. I think the man has changed greatly and changed because he has not Christian
principles to hold him to the mark. His story only made me feel that there has been carelessness in treatment,
and even yet I cannot fully account for the condition. He claims however that bony union can still be
obtained - wants to try the stretching for two or three weeks more and then apply another cast. So I suppose
as soon as this deep cough yields that Mother will return to Burke to follow out this plan.

Jamie is quite well and Baby is himself again except for the little remnant of a cough. He is
such a dear, - almost always smiling or cooing. When I lift him up he puts his arms around my neck, buries
his fists in my back hair and gives me a precious wet kiss on my cheek. When he lies crowing in the crib he
has the cutest way of striking the heel of one foot on the other knee just like a little hammer.

1/07/09 -p.2 A.F.M.

Friday 8th.

This morning Jamie has gone again with Helen and David to kindergarten. Miss Myselt asked each
child to bring his favorite Christmas gift and play a game with them - so Jamie took his beloved chu chu
engine. 1 think 1 shall have to let him go whenever 1 can, he is so delighted with kindergarten. They sing the
songs from his book of finger plays so he feels that he has a part. This morning he said, “We wish we could
see Papa and Auntie Louise.” Yesterday he cut out tickets for me to use on the big steamer when we all go
back to Papa.

Last Monday evening Dr. Day led the meeting at the beginning of the week of prayer, his subject
“The New Bible Country”, giving him opportunity to state just where he stands in respect to Bible truth,
inspiration, etc. He said that those who have emigrated from the Old Bible World find just as rich mines of
grace in the New and more solid intellectual ground on which to build. They believe the Bible contains the
word of God and is inspired and infallible in so far as it deals with the plan of salvation. But God did not
dictate the words of the Bible,- He used the minds of the men who wrote it and led them or allowed them to
use history and prophecy, myth and legend, poetry and prose to set forth various phases of His truth.
Emigration is not compulsory nor should there be any conflict between the people of the two countries. Any
one who desires to remain in the Old Country and believe that the book of Jonah is history should by all
means be permitted to do so, but those who have read Isaiah closely enough to know that it could not have
come from one author will find intellectual freedom in the New Country, etc., etc., etc. At the close of the
service I was somewhat surprised to find Mr. White taking his stand broadly and firmly with Dr. Day. His
beliefs seem to be still in the forming but tending toward the new thought along every line.

I was surprised Monday afternoon by a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Moore. The letter from Louise
saying they were about to start must have come on their steamer. Have heard nothing from Mr. and Mrs.

F.S. Miller and cannot go to hunt them up.

Mr. White called on me to tell of Pyeng Yang work on Wednesday, the Missions evening, and I
greatly enjoyed doing so. Afterwards he said to me, “1 can imagine something of what it meant for you to
leave your home and such a work, but 1 believe the whole cause of Missions in the minds of those here will
be benefitted by your coming to your parents at this time.”

1 hear that the Korean who murdered Mr. Stevens has received the sentence of 25 years
imprisonment. He begged for death but the judge did not change the sentence because the jury brought in a
verdict of murder in the second degree on account of his patriotic zeal having led him to the deed.

Such weather as we are having! Almost constant rain and storm for more than a week. Before that a
cold snap with frost for three mornings. Everybody complained about the “terrific” cold (thermometer 30").

I asked Yum-ssi if she thought it terrible and she said “This is nice Fall weather for us from P.Y.” Now the
air is mild again, thermometer 65" in our room at night without a fire but deep mud and steady rain. We
three send all our love to Papa.

Your own,

Alice

(from the S.H. Moffett collection of S.A. Moffett papers)

Pyengyang, Korea
Alice, My Dearest:

January 26, 1909

Samuel A. Moffett

Had a fine dinner last night at Mr. Lee’s in honor of [my] birthday - given by the Koreans.
Present [were] Kil [Sun-Ju] and Han [Sok-Jin] Moksa, Chung, An, Chu Changno, Koons,
McMurtrie, Lee & myself

Came home to get my mail and was down with the blues because the letter I expected from
you did not come. I was so sure of it coming that I was just blue for a while. Have cheered up
however and am hoping for it tonight. The mail last night came via Siberia, I believe.

[A] letter from [the] Board improves our financial situation. It is as follows:

“Paragraph 14 of the Manual provides that ‘to a missionary remaining at his post while his wife
returns to this country the salary of an unmarried missionary is allowed’. The wife in such
circumstances receives regular home allowance at the rate of $500 a year. When, however, as in
this case, the traveling expenses home are paid by the missionary, it is customary to continue the
field salary to the husband and let him remit to his wife. In your case it makes no difference to us
which course is taken, as your field salary is $1250.00 as a married man. Your salary on the field
without your wife would be $750.00 and your wife’s home allowance $500.00. You and Mrs.
Moffett therefore get a total of $1200 a year whichever course is followed, so let your Treasurer and

the Treasurer of the Board know which you prefer Returns to this country [U.S.A.] on

account of ill health of relatives are a personal charge.”

I sent you yesterday a money order for $50.00. I think the simplest way will be for me to
send you from here money orders from time to time for whatever amounts you wish - until we
know more clearly what our plans are to be.

That you may be sure to have enough on hand - I’ll send you another money order for
$100.00 soon and then wait until I hear from you as to what you will probably want before sending
you any more.

Mrs. Wells had a bad day yesterday, temperature ranging from 96 to 104. It is a very
doubtful case but we continue earnestly in prayer that she may be spared. Dr. Whiting came in last
night to see if he could be of any help. Mrs. Whiting is getting along beautifully. Mr. & Mrs.

Koons & baby went up to Syen Chun for the class there.

Much to my disgust I have to wear a swallow tail coat and a silk hat and attend a reception
to the Emperor on February 1st. The Resident has invited Noble & Falwell & Wells & me and I
cannot get out of it. A nuisance & a bore! 1 ! Lots of love to you all. Have Yum-ssi write to her
mother-in-law. OOO Kisses to Jamie.

Lovingly,

Sam

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Pyeng Yang, Korea

January 28, 1909

Samuel A. Moffett

Rev. Arthur J. Brown
156 Fifth Ave., New York

My Dear Dr. Brown:

I regret that I have not seen my way elear to write before this in reply to several letters
received from you, but what has seemed even more urgent duties and greater responsibilities have
caused me to seem to neglect your very important letters.

Mrs. Moffett’s departure, my two weeks itinerating in the country work of Fusan station,
and two weeks given to a class at Chun Ju in the work of the Southern Presbyterian mission kept me
away from home from the middle of November until the day after Christmas. The time was
profitably spent and I added to my understanding of conditions in the South and was able to help
out quite materially in the work of the two stations visited.

Arriving here the day after Christmas I went at once into the work of our Bible Institute
which began that night and to our surprise brought together 1 83 men - officers of churches and
Sabbath Bible School teachers who at their own expense came to spend a month in the Institute.

We had expected an attendance of 70 or 80.

After this had been under way about two weeks our regular Winter Training Class came on
with 668 men in attendance giving us a total this month in Bible study of 1051 men.

Our Presbyterial Committee with most of homes of Presbytery, also met each afternoon for
a week during the classes and as we had before us some large problems, time and energy was
expended in meeting these responsibilities. We are face to face with great problems arising out of
the relation of our schools to the Government Education Department and we have not yet reached a
solution though we hope we are on the way to it. We shall report on this just as soon as we have
another interview with the authorities and learn their attitude toward our plan for conserving Church
control of our schools while recognizing government authority.

Now then - for your letters:

In reply to yours of September 16 in regard to Property and recent purchases, I have delayed
answer to this until our present efforts to secure government official and final deeds have reached a
conclusion. This effort has been under way now for three months. Our deeds are in the hands of
the authorities and we hope soon to have a final settlement of them, which we have been trying to
obtain for some years past. When this is completed as seems probable within a few weeks, we can
send you a survey of the whole property with data.

This has been a most exasperatingly tedious process - with all the delays known to the
Oriental officials, but this time we hope for final deeds with the recognition also of the Japanese
Resident.

Your personal letter to me on the Fusan question dated Nov. 24 I take up in another letter - a
personal one.

1/28/09 -p.2. S.A.M.

Your letter of December 1 1* informing me of my appointment as a delegate to the World
Missionary Conference in Edinburgh in 1910 comes to me as such a surprise that I have not had
time to take in what it may mean nor to consider what it involves in change of plans or in relation to
my work here. Of course I very deeply appreciate the confidence reposed in me by the Board in
making the appointment and am grateful for the sake of the work in Korea that you have given our
Mission representation. I do not know what will be expected of me and while ready to do whatever
1 can 1 am very conscious of the fact that my relation to the wonderful work in Korea has caused
many to credit me with far more ability than I have and 1 confess to a good deal of alarm lest you
are expecting what 1 cannot supply. 1 shall confer with the station about the effect upon the work
involved in my absence at that time for it is the time when furloughs of others also are due. Please
let me know what will be expected of me. 1 very sincerely thank you for the very great privilege.

I have also received your letter of December - dealing with the question of my salary and
Mrs. Moffett’s home allowance. 1 have communicated with the treasurer, Mr. Genso, on the subject
and will draw the money here - making remittance to Mrs. Moffett.

For nearly a month we have all been deeply concerned and in much prayer because of Mrs.
Wells’ very serious illness. We are still in hope and prayer but the physicians can give us little
hope of recovery. If you have no cable message before this reaches you she will doubtless be on
the road to recovery. Our deepest sympathy is with Dr. Wells in his sore trial.

Overwork is telling on many in the station and the grippe finds too ready entrance. Mr.
McCune, Mr. Swallen, Mr. Bemheisel, Mrs. Bemheisel have all been down with it and others of us
have had a struggle to keep from going to bed.

We have our problems, but in the main the work advances steadily, gaining in intensity and
in extent each year.

Executive Committee is to meet in Taiku February lO* after which you will hear from us on
several subjects.

I have good word from Mrs. Moffett and notwithstanding my loneliness rejoice that she is
able to be with her parents at this time.

With kindest regards -

Sincerely yours,

Samuel A. Moffett

(from microfilm #282, Vol. 239, letter #17)

Pyengyang, Korea

January 28, 1909

Samuel A. Moffett

Rev. Arthur J. Brown, D.D.

156 Fifth Avenue, New York

Dear Dr. Brown:

In replying to your letter to me dated November 24 [1908], on the Fusan question I shall
also take into consideration your letter of November 17"’ to the Mission dealing with the Fusan
question. You have asked for a frank letter and it is my duty to reply. I undertake this very
reluctantly for I realize that to make the Board see this question as the Mission sees it is an almost
impossible task and one requiring much more time and thought in writing than I like to take from
other urgent and important work for I doubt if it is possible to overcome the very evident conviction
of some that the Mission is not fair in its treatment of Fusan and the determination of some to stand
by Fusan station and see it manned and financed regardless of what the Mission thinks of the
situation.

When once the impression has been harbored that a station or a man has been unfairly
treated a prejudice has arisen against the other party and no matter what is said it is not heeded.
However, it seems that once again it is my duty to write you a perfectly frank letter telling you the
situation as I see it and substantially as, I believe, the most of the mission see it and however the
letter is received I shall have met my responsibility in the matter.

Just where to begin I know not but I do want you to believe and accept certain things:

First - that the Mission has no intention of neglecting the evangelization of the people of the
province in which Fusan is located. Second - that the Mission does not refuse to recognize the
value and the character of the work which has been accomplished in the province and the prospects
for a much larger work. Third - that the Mission is as much, if not more concerned than the Board
in seeing to it that the best and most effectual means is used to accomplish the evangelization of the
province, the importance of which we recognize because of its large population.

In reply to your direct question - “Is there anything the matter with Fusan station?” I say -
Yes! a great deal —

First - it is miserably located for the evangelization of Koreans. Our mission buildings are now in
the midst of a Japanese city with practically no local constituency so that whenever the ministerial
members of the station were not itinerating they had no touch with their work or people and their
influence is in a large measure cut off. They cannot have their Training classes there and so - for
years - have had them in Milyang or elsewhere in the country districts. It is no place for schools
because of the greater expense and because of the surroundings and atmosphere which belong to a
Japanese port and because there is practically no local constituency. The mission judgment is that it
is a waste of mission money and missionary assets to add to the station at Fusan when there are
other and better ways of accomplishing the evangelization of the province more effectively with
less waste of missionary energy. On this question we feel that if the Board wishes to take the
responsibility for what we believe to be a waste of the Chureh’s money the responsibility must rest
with the Board. We will submit to the Board’s veto of our judgment and the Board’s decision but
we cannot and will not approve of sueh a waste and we believe that in this case our attitude is
founded upon “a knowledge of the situation”.

1/28/09 (#2) -p.2 S.A.M.

Second - the atmosphere and conditions of life and work in the station are such that no one who
understands them feels that the Lord calls him to take up work there, and, one by one, those who
have worked there have by force of circumstances felt impelled to ask to be removed. Notice,
please, that one by one - Baird, Adams, Ross, Miss Chase, Hall and Sidebotham have left Fusan.
True, some of them will say that Fusan conditions were not the cause of their leaving, but
nevertheless, one of the most potent factors in making those who did not directly ask to be removed
more than willing to leave, was the atmosphere of the station life. I have heard too much evidence
and direct testimony that the situation is depressing to one’s spiritual life to be willing to send a
man or woman to Fusan unless there is a request to go or a perfect willingness to go. Two men sent
there told me personally at different times that the worst thing that had ever happened to them was
being sent to Fusan.

You ask - “Is there no ordained man at the Mission willing to go to Fusan?” Why should a
man be willing to be taken out of a work where his hands are full, where the Lord is evidently
blessing and using him, where he is in a spiritually helpful atmosphere for himself and family,
where conditions are such as make him a help in the evangelization of thousands who have not
heard of Christ, in order to go into a place poorly located for work where he will be at a
disadvantage, where he will be surrounded by Japanese, not Koreans, and where he has reason to
believe he and his family will feel a constant spiritual depression and this, too, when against his
judgment and that of the Mission it is the Board which insists upon placing men there and not
where he and the Mission believe a man can accomplish far more? No one as yet feels that such a
request from the Board is a call from the Lord.

I think every older member of the Mission has been asked if he wished to go to Fusan and
has said - “No”, and has been asked if he were willing to go and some have said “If the Mission
thinks I ought to go.” The Mission does not think so and has been unwilling to send a new man
who knows nothing of conditions into a place where we are unwilling to go or do not wish to go.

The Board sent Mr. Hall there and many of us believe he would still be in Korea had he
been sent elsewhere at first. I have heard or read the testimony of at least four women that they
suffered spiritual and nervous agony there and all of them were relieved and happy after transfer.

The last letter received from Mr. Sidebotham written 4 days before his death from
Cleveland, Ohio, has this: “The Board seems to recommend very strenuously that the non-putting of
a man into Fusan in my place be reconsidered. I suppose you are giving this your full attention.

The work certainly needs two men. If anyone is anxious to go you might perhaps let him also try it
and prove again to those who seem unable to learn, that the situation is impossible.”

(Mr. Sidebotham’s letter was a personal one, to which he added, “This not for indiscriminate
publication.” I feel that it is right to quote it to you.)

Third - The senior member of the [Fusan] Station, Dr. Irvin, is a factor in the situation.

I have no desire to enter any complaint against Dr. Irvin and no desire to make any move
requesting the Board to take any action of any kind in his case. The Mission did that once and we
accepted the Board’s decision in the matter trusting that time would prove the wisdom of the
Board’s decision. I write of him now only because an honestly frank reply to your letter requires an
explanation of one phase of the situation which cannot be explained without reference to Dr. Irvin

and his attitude toward the Mission.

1/28/09 (#2) - p.3 S.A.M.

Dr. Irvin is a law unto himself, practically not a member of the Mission with little or no
regard for the Mission. I should judge that he considers himself as practically independent of the
Mission with an influence which enables him to push his own plans and carry them through in one
way or another irrespective of the actions or opinions of the Mission. I judge so in part from
remarks which I am told he has made to new missionaries and visitors arriving in Fusan. To one of
the physicians, “Pay no attention to the Mission. Go ahead and do as you please.” To another
physician, “Pay no attention to the clerical men. Go ahead, get as big a hospital as you can, as soon
as you can, and all the money you can raise. That’s the way I do and I pay no attention to what the
Mission or the other men think.” To a minister, “You will go up to Seoul and do what the Mission
says. I don’t. I do as I please.”

Now I know Dr. Irvin well enough to know that if you should quote these sayings to him he
would probably very plausibly prove that he did not say that. I did not hear him say them.

However, those whom I have quoted understood him to say them and believe that he said them. A
recent visitor remarked to me, “Dr. Irvin is semi-independent of the Mission, is he not? and gets the
money for his work from independent sources?” The fact is that anyone in Fusan station soon
leams that the station is not a station, but a part of a station and Dr. Irvin, that the station is not such
a part of the Mission as are other stations but in part a semi-independent body which practically
ignores the Mission and Mission rules and in the outcome is countenanced directly or indirectly in
such positions by the Board.

You will doubtless say that recent letters from the Board indicate the contrary - nevertheless
I am frank to say that the opinion prevails with us that in the outcome the Board has countenanced
Fusan’s semi-independency, that the Mission has been helpless and that the Board is largely
responsible for the situation. We have spent more time over Fusan problems than over any other
one question. We do not feel that we are responsible for the problems which we have to try to settle
and all our efforts to meet the situation meet with disapproval of the Board.

In our unwillingness to spoil or mar the missionary career and spiritual life of any more men
or women by placing them in such a situation it seems to me that if the Board insists upon going
contrary to the judgment of the Mission, it should relieve us of all responsibility in the matter and
all need to spend time over it, take the responsibility itself and go ahead with such plans as it
wishes. In that case I sincerely trust that a blessing will rest upon the man sent there and the
province be speedily evangelized although I doubt if even such a course will free us from problems
which must arise, for that work would still remain a part of the “Presbyterian Church in Korea” in
which the Koreans will have to face the problems.

This year the Mission was again brought face to face with the Fusan situation. Mr.
Sidebotham persistently pressed his request to be removed from Fusan and the Australians
presented two protests and a request for a re-division of territory. We were up against the old
problem and responsibility could not be shirked. We wrestled with it over and over again and with
Mr. Smith’s help we worked out a proposition which met the approval of the whole Mission present
in Annual Meeting - a proposition which looks towards a solution of our difficulties and the more
rapid evangelization of the province.

1/28/09 (#2) -p.4 S.A.M.

The Board’s reply in your letter of November 17“’ is almost as depressingly unsympathetic
as if written at the dictation of Drs. Avison and Underwood and Mr. Severance, who I am fully
aware, do not agree with the Mission’s position. Please re-read your letter to the Mission. Your
personal letter to me however would seem to indicate that you are not fiilly satisfied with the letter
to the Mission and that possibly the Mission has more reason for its position than the Board is
aware of. Nevertheless I cannot feel that you have met our proposition (which by our own reports
is one looking towards a fuller report to the Board after next Annual Meeting), without prejudice
and consistency with the previously asserted and re-asserted position of the Board regarding comity
and division of territory.

You write - “Does the pressure for this new territorial division emanate from the Australian
Board in Australia or from the Australian missionaries in Fusan? etc., etc., etc.” I ask - where did
the proposition to divide territory with the Southern Presbyterians, with Canadian Presbyterians,
with Southern Methodists, with Northern Methodists emanate? Every time from our own Mission
or from theirs and yet you did not question the wisdom of it or the order of procedure but allowed
time for communications in the working out of the details, but when Fusan station and the
difficulties with the Australian Presbyterian Mission are involved we are held up immediately by
what seems to me a quibble as to the order of procedure. 1 confess I do not fully understand this. If
the move is one for the Glory of God and the more effectual evangelization of the province what
difference does it make from where it emanates? The Mission and the Board should have the
courage to face the proposition on its merits even though the relation to the personal interests of one
man and his influential fnends constitute a factor which must be taken into consideration. That
factor however should not be the determining factor.

You write - “We are not dissatisfied with our present sphere at Fusan.” The Mission is
dissatisfied - for it involves more and more friction with our Australian brethren, with jealousy and
a very poor distribution of mission forces.

1 present but a few facts which I should be glad to have considered. Mr. Smith at Fusan
takes the railroad - goes to Taiku and beyond, then passes overland through Mr. Bruen’s [Taiku]
field stopping over night in one of Mr. Bruen’s churches and then goes on to his work in some of
the northwestern counties which could be worked more economically from Taiku or from Chin-ju
where the Australians have a station and to which they naturally belong. There are now three
clerical men in Fusan - two of them Australian Presbyterians. Our proposition would place one of
them in Ma San Po, the port of Chin Ju, the Australian station and give us the village of Chyo
Ryang in Fusan, thus increasing somewhat our local constituency.

Milyang is the largest city on the railroad between Fusan and Taiku, the county with largest
population in the province, the next largest being Kim Hai county which adjoins it, and the third
largest is Chin Ju where the Australians have a station. Half of our work is in these two counties
and in Milyang we already have 24 churches, the city, larger than either Syen Chun or Chai Ryung
which have proven great centers of work, being well situated for a strategic center from which to
work all our territory in the province with or without further division with the Australians. It is a
splendid center for Training Classes, for the already large constituency, and men located there
would be in constant touch with their work and people. Only one county, that in which Fusan is,
would be worked with greater difficulty from Milyang and that could be worked by one man in
Fusan. What if it is only 30 miles from Fusan (it is, however, nearer 50 miles if all previous reports

1/28/09 (#2) - p.5 S.A.M.

are true) - if it is a better point from which to work, why rule it out of consideration? There are ten
trains a day, 5 each from Milyang to Fusan and Taiku and ten trains a day to Milyang, 5 each from
Fusan and Taiku, the slowest one going in less than 5 hours from Taiku to Fusan making about VA
hours from Milyang to either Fusan or Taiku so that men located in Milyang would be within but a
few hours reach of physicians at Taiku and Fusan. There is also telegraphic communication.

1 have just spent about 2 weeks in Milyang city and county visiting the churches in the
eastern half of the county. There is a magnificent opportunity to make Milyang a profoundly
influential center for a great evangelistic work.

Milyang is “a less important place” than “such an important city as Fusan” when viewed
commercially from a Japanese point of view but it is a much more important place when viewed
from a mission point of view. Milyang is a Korean city, Fusan is not, but a Japanese city growing
commercially as a Japanese city and port but not a strategic point from which to reach Koreans.

The Mission has not proposed to put “one missionary family in an isolated interior city” - no one
has thought of making such a proposition - but the Mission has arranged for its Executive
Committee to study the situation this year, ascertain the intentions and assurances of the Australian
Board, assist Mr. Smith in caring for the work because of Mr. Sidebotham’s absence and at next
Annual Meeting report upon a plan for caring for the work and providing re-enforcements.

When our well-considered plan fully worked out after more complete knowledge of local
conditions is presented, have we not a right to ask of the Board a very careful consideration of the
same? Personally I should like to see us provide for locating two families and two single women
there believing that the work will require such re-enforcements. 1 had hoped that Mr. Sidebotham
would be one to be located there in the midst of the churches he had established, but that is not now
to be.

The whole question must again come before the Mission in the light of the Executive
Committee’s report and the letter of the Board and whatever we may hear from Australia. It is the
duty of the Mission to recommend to the Board what, all things considered, it thinks best for the
interests of the work. We thereby rightly meet our responsibility. Then if the Board over-rules the
Mission and decides to do otherwise, the Board meets its responsibility as it deems right and the
Mission must accept the Board’s decision.

You asked me for a frank letter and I saw no way to evade the responsibility. I have written
you frankly, possibly too frankly, and this letter may not be what you expected or wanted. I do not
know. But I have written what I believe it is right 1 should write now that you request a frank letter.
1 will not say that this is a confidential letter for 1 know that such letters cannot be wholly
confidential but it is a personal letter written with a confidence in you and in your judgment that
whatever use is made of it I shall not be placed in the position of trying to make trouble for anyone
or of unnecessarily writing what may meet with determined personal opposition from those who
seem to have determined that the Mission is unfair in its treatment of Fusan. What I have written
concerning Dr. Irvin has been written only because it is impossible to answer your letter fairly and
leave out all reference to him and his attitude to the Mission. I have no desire to enter into any
controversy with him and his influential friends and I feel no call to state to them what I have felt
you did expect me to write to you. I think they would misinterpret the whole spirit of my letter.

You know full well that the writing of frank letters on delicate subjects is not a light matter and that

1/28/09 (#2) -p.6 S.A.M.

the writer runs great risk of being misunderstood and of arousing bitter feelings. Could I have
conscientiously done so 1 should have requested leave to make no reply to your request.

I have met my responsibility as best I know how after much prayer. If I have erred in
anything or if the writing of this letter is a mistake I can only say that I have tried to do what was
right. I do not think that this should be considered a letter to the Board to go on the Secretary’s file
but a personal letter to be destroyed after it has served its purpose, such parts of it as may contain
facts for future reference to be copied.

You also ask “Is there anything the matter with the attitude of the Mission towards Fusan?”

I do not think there is anything wrong or unfair in the Mission attitude towards Fusan. However,
you can judge for yourself, I think, from this letter which I believe contains enough to enable you to
judge. I think, however, that we feel that the Board is probably so committed that it will find it
difficult to give much weight to the Mission actions which affect Fusan station. We realize that you
have difficulties at that end of the line in dealing with complicated problems.

Regretting the necessity for writing the letter and trusting that it may be received in the spirit
in which it is written and be used only in accomplishing some good.

Sincerely yours,

Samuel A. Moffett

P.S. I believe that if the Board can see its way clear to leave Dr. Irvin and one minister in Fusan as
at present and allow the Mission to care for most of its evangelistic work in that province from
Milyang with a redivision of territory with the Australians, you will do that which will mean the
speedy evangelization of the province, the elimination of the unfortunate friction which has made
wrong feeling and also relieve the Mission of the most troublesome and long delayed problem we
have ever met.

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #18)

Pyengyang, Korea

Sabbath morning January 31,1 909

Samuel A. Moffett

Girlie Dearest:

Your letters have done me oh! so much good for I was so hungry for them. They both came
this last week - one early in the week and one later, coming last night.

Monday noon - February 1st

Got started only when Miss Strang came in to hear your letter and by the time we finished
talking I could not go on with the letter on account of other duties.

Just now I have just returned from an Audience with His Majesty the Emperor - for the first
time in my life wearing a swallow tail dress suit (Mr. Curtis’s) - also wore Mr. C’s “plug” hat and
for the first time the white kid gloves I bought 10 years ago for our wedding and didn’t use. The
Emperor and Prince Ito came up last Wednesday - stayed over night - went on to Eui Ju and
returned here yesterday afternoon. They leave tomorrow for Seoul stopping at Song Do.

It has been a hard time for the poor Koreans - for the attempt has been made to make all the
school boys carry Japanese flags as well as Korean and they have rebelled and there may be serious
trouble over it and great anger at the Church on the part of the Japanese. This afternoon several of
us call upon Prince Ito also. Our Koreans have been hard pressed to know what to do.

Monday afternoon

Have just returned from a very good interview with Prince Ito and I am glad we got the 4
Korean Committeemen in with us for an interview with him. Han Moksa, Elders Tyeng & Chu and
a Methodist. He paid a good deal of attention to them and much of the conversation was in Korean.
Good.

So many things to say that I’ll forget half of them but I must tell you of the arrival of the
cablegram on the 27th - a Birthday greeting evidently, even tho slightly delayed. Many thanks for it.
It did me lots of good and I was so glad to have it and to know all were well - after you had written
the letter about Baby’s [Charles] sickness - which letter came night before last.

Mrs. Wells is some better and we may yet have much hope of her recovery.

About Jamie & kindergarten - do as you think best under the circumstances but emphasize
the fact that you do not want his mind taxed too much with learning things now. The contact with
the children will do him good and as I trust it will not be for many months, doubtless it will do him
good.

I enclose another money order for $100.00 and will wait until I hear from you before sending
any more. Let me know just what you must have and also just what you would like to have in
addition and I’ll probably be able to make up the latter amount, but I want to know what is essential.

1/3 1/09 -p.2 S.A.M.

1 have had some difficult letters to write - one to Miss Cameron who asked for advice and
one to Dr. Brown [Foreign Board secretary] who asked for a frank letter on subject of Fusan. How I
did wish you were here to hear them and tell me whether they were all right.

Give lots of love to Fatherdy & Mother. Thank Jamie for his white ice cream & chocolate
ice cream kisses. Here are some popcorn kisses for him OOOOO. Papa wants to hear that he is
learning to play with the children nicely without mama and that he gives mama time to look after
baby Charles. Will write soon again.

A heart full of love to you, my precious.

Lovingly,

Sam

Greetings to Cousin Emma when you write. I have never answered her letter to me.

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of S.A. Moffett papers)

Chai Ryung, Korea

February 1, 1909

William B. Hunt

Dear Dr. Brown

We are having one of those steady winters, open, no storms, not very warm nor very cold - just
good for all sorts of missionary work. Consequently there is little time for letter writing.

[I] was in Seoul a couple weeks ago with Mrs. Hunt to see the dentist and do other errands.
While there some of the Board’s letters came and among others one regarding actions taken at a
conference with representatives of the Women’s Boards. On page 2 of this letter of December IS* is
the action on the matter of where the greater emphasis should be placed in making requests for funds -
whether for native work or new missionaries. Immediately I sat down to write a protest [apparently the
action as reported favored giving priority to funding natives in the work], saying that though I did not
know whether the action was in accord with the wishes of the Korea Mission or not, I knew it was not in
accord with the wishes of many of the Mission and believed it was contrary to the belief of the members
of my Station. Just then I stopped because I wished to get a hearing [?] for my remarks by quoting from
the Fifteenth Conference of Foreign Mission Boards some remarks of Dr. Barton of the American Board
[of Commissioners for Foreign Missions] which seemed to my mind both true and to the point in
question. But though I looked in Seoul for a copy of the report and have searched since returning home
- (one loses an awfiil lot in moving in Korea and in living in trunks and boxes for two years or more as I
did), I have been unable to find it. Now I’ll have to write without my introduction.

Before writing further I wish to say that I do not deem the personal experiences I am about to
relate as exceptional nor do I believe that there is anything exceptional about it. I give it because in so
far as it goes, it is a proof of the opposite of said action. I wish that every young missionary in every
land and every one looking toward a life on the field would get those words of Dr. Barton and from
them, those words spoken extemporaneously but from the heart, on the part the native Church should
have in the evangelization of the world. I think you suggested the topic in the conference held the year
before. We must put the work on the native church, but hiring natives with American money is keeping
the actual work in American hands. For with these children, from whence comes their bread and butter
is their ruler unless of course it comes from the people whom they serve and have won to Christ.

I do not think I am very well endowed to do the work of a bishop, select men, direct them in
their work - and yet it so happens that at present writing I have the work of seventeen unordained
preachers, many of them working at so great a distance that at best I can see them but once in several
months (sometimes 6 months). Supposing these men were to be paid by me with American money.
Well, in the first place I don’t believe these same men would be the men in my employ. For the most
part every one of these men is making a sacrifice to do this work. Then in the second place, paid with
American money, I could have no real surety as to their faithfulness whether it be as to their use of time
or what they teach the people or as to whether they were telling me the truth. Why is it that given an
even start the Presbyterians have simply over run the Methodist church here in Korea? In the Pyeng
Yang Western circuit when I first came to Korea the Methodist Church North was helping to buy
churches and in important centers bought them outright. Moreover they had one or two helpers paid by
American funds. At that time the Methodists supposedly had the stronger church. Today Mr. Swallen
must have nearly 20 helpers and 10 times the Christian strength in that district that the Methodists have.
Here in Whang Hai our numbers are not very large considering the length of time we have been at work
and the amount of effort made, but Dr. Noble [Methodist] of Pyeng Yang spends a great deal of time in
Whang Hai and has several helpers supported by American funds, some of whom live in houses bought
by American money. This way of doing things draws a class of people to the Methodists and makes a

2/01/09- p.2 W.B.H.

kind of helper who is very adroit in using the missionary’s name to help people in civil cases, all of
which very frequently makes it very hard for us [Presbyterians] to keep to the straight and narrow road -
yet the fact remains that when I told Mr. Critchett the other day in answer to some question concerning
the number of preachers 1 had to look after, he couldn’t help looking surprised and he was complaining
of my action regarding the establishment of a certain group, that we Presbyterians were not willing to
allow that the Methodist Church had a place in Korea! It’s a fact they can neither go into new territory
as the self propagating church can nor can they hold their ground once they have gone in, and I contend
that this is Biblical and reasonable - and here I quote - what from? “God helps those who help
themselves.’’

I think one of the reasons why the Methodist church has not become much stronger has been
because many ofher helpers are working for pay! Better no helpers. What then? Do I mean that the
American Church should send out American missionaries to do all the work? No. Decidedly no. But
I do believe that as a field is being opened up, more money is needed and can be used than a few years
later - that as a rule all work done among the natives and for the natives apart from the missionary
should be paid for by the native church, that what the church most needs is leaders and teachers, that as
long as the aim is immediate evangelization - i.e. the thorough preaching Christ, teaching and
establishment of the church in the whole world, and as long as the Mission or the Station is keenly alive
to the danger of too many missionaries in one place and to the danger of doing all the work instead of
putting it on the natives, I am sure that we should call for more missionaries rather than money for
native work. It has not been proved yet. And even though it may be proved to our own satisfaction,
many will deny that the rule which I have been standing for — self-support (in the above remarks for the
native church), has anything to do with the native school, especially in its higher branches. But I
contend that it is in this branch particularly that the mission weakens itself as an evangelistic force in
foreign lands by the use if money.

By the use of American money,

1) Instead of gaining control we lose control of schools.

2) Instead of training preachers, we train business and professional men who usually take subordinate
rather than leading positions.

3. Instead of furthering the school system we actually retard [it].

4. Instead of making a better manhood and womanhood than would be done if the work were supported
by the natives, we make an inferior pauper sort.

I make the four above statements after much thought, and as you know, very little experience of
my own. But I know what trouble schools are and have been to the Korea Mission and to many Stations
of the Korea Mission. Statement No. 1 is based upon my observations in Korea only. No schools so far
as I know are now under the control of the missionary [other] than those of Whang Hai, and our only
control or authority is a moral one.

Statement No. 2 is based upon the testimony of many missionaries whom I have met from China
and Japan besides what I know of the Pyeng Yang college and Academy.

Statement No. 3 is little better than theory based only upon my own observations in north Korea.

Statement No. 4 is also theory, only not yet having time to prove it even in a small way.
However, it stands to reason that if a school is built, managed and controlled by the parents, that all of
this work will be done to some definite purpose. The most important lesson for any child to learn over

2/01/09- p.3 W.B.H.

and over again is right and obedience to right. The school will represent right as a rule in proportion to
the amount of sacrifice involved in its establishment. The pupil will learn the lesson truly in proportion
to the demand made upon it by the parent. If the parent makes the school for the boy he will be able to
do so far better than a foreigner, providing the latter is around to help. Moreover, if the parent is
sending his boy to a school for whose reputation he is responsible, the actions of his boy are very much
more his concern (if the missionary is around once in a while to help).

Where they have or can have all the money and means necessary, which shall receive the greater
emphasis? Without any question whatever - money cannot buy what is needed most in Korea - and I

fancy other fields as well - men - men - Christian men and women who can here a little and

a little help. Men who are willing to step down and out any day, who want not to run things but

who want to see things run so much that individual likes are not worth considering. We may not like
lots of things Koreans do, many of their customs are repulsive to us. But the change should come from
within out, not from without and toward the center. American money brings the outward change and the
desire for still more outward change but what does it do for the heart? Hearts are changed by other
heart’s touches.

Please plead for more sacrifice of life, not money.

Sincerely,

William B. Hunt

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol 239, letter #22)

Taiku, Korea

February 5, 1909

James E. Adams

My Dear Dr. Brown:

I write briefly to correct a mistake of the Board in its appropriations some time in December of a
gift of yen 1600 by Mr. Severance, to the Boys Academy here in Taiku.

I am not sure as to what the action refers to. I have never known of any gift of Mr. Severance to
the Academy. It is probable that it is a gift of yen 1000 which he made when here, for the purchase of
certain pieces of land which he considered necessary to our holdings. This sum I reported to the
Mission treasurer at the time. It was made in the fall of 1907. If there is a 1600 [yen gift] outside of this
I shall be delighted to know of it.

I trust that you will send a competent nurse to take Miss Cameron’s place as soon as possible.

As you know, the hospital is in foreign style, beds, etc. It is also full up most of the time. So, requires
the constant unremitting labor of both doctor and nurse almost day & night. It is impossible not to let
Miss Cameron go in view of the situation in this community here. It is almost equally impossible for
Dr. Johnson to carry the work alone. It will probably mean a break down on his part. No competent
substitute nurse can be secured here unless the station falls bodily upon Dr. Johnson and practically
compels him to suspend operations. The only solution would seem to be an expeditious filling of Miss
Cameron’s place. This is what we are praying for. According to Mission action under the limit set by
the Board, her resignation took effect January 29*. Doctor Johnson, however, at the end, requested
permission and the station granted it, that he make some sort of proposition to her privately to stay on
until the end of the fiscal year in three months, and I believe that this is the present arrangement. The
proposition was not a specially agreeable one to any concerned but seemed necessary in view of the
great pressure of work in the hospital.

I sincerely hope that her successor may come out with no more delay than possible.

Yours in the Service,

James E. Adams

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #24)

New York City

February 10, 1909

Arthur Judson Brown

W.O. Johnson, M.D.

Taiku, Korea

My dear Dr. Johnson:

Your letter of January 6* finds me involved in a number of important questions affecting various
Missions and in the preparation of reports for the General Assembly. I must snatch a minute, however,
to tell you that I read it carefully on the train this morning and that I thank you heartily for writing so
fully. I am delighted to know that your health is improving and I appreciate the heavy labors you are
performing. I wish that I could encourage you to believe that the Board would pay the cost of a
substitute nurse after Miss Cameron leaves. But a long list of Board decisions on questions from
various Missions involving the same principle unfortunately forbids, and with over $800,000 to get the
next three months to close the year without debt, the Board feels that special appropriations cannot be
made. Moreover you know that the heavy expenses of bringing Miss Cameron home will be an extra. I
see no alternative but for you to go on as best you can and, if possible, secure a Japanese or Korean
nurse subject to the approval of the Executive Committee of the Mission and within the limits of the
appropriations which the Board has made for the year.

Dr. White informs me that the only application from a nurse which he has yet received which
looks at all promising is from one young lady who applies with special reference to the Hospital in
Tripoli, Syria, and does not wish to go elsewhere. I have told him of the importance of getting a couple
of nurses for Korea as soon as possible, and he says that he is doing the best he can. Many nurses are
writing, but most of them are middle-aged women, many of them have no special education and no
thought of doing, and no fitness for doing, missionary work. However, some of the papers are not yet
complete and may turn out better than now appears probable.

Your problem, my dear Doctor, is a hard one, but if it is any consolation to know that others are
in the same boat, you have that consolation. Hardly half a dozen of the fifty-seven hospitals under the
care of the Board have foreign nurses.

I wish you would always see that the Hospital is given its proper name in reports, estimates and
letters. The name is not given in the printed reports or estimates of the Mission, and I have had to hunt
back through the files to get it straight. The friends of the donor in this country are apt to be sensitive if
the hospital is talked about in print without the proper name being given. Do you write occasionally to
the donor and keep- her informed regarding the Hospital? I trust that you do. I am asking Mrs. Wood to
send her some extracts from your last letter.

I am concerned by what you write about Mrs. Sawtell’s health. I hope you will magnify the
authority which Paragraph 27 of the Manual gives to medical missionaries.

Remember me cordially to Mrs. Johnson and believe me, as ever.

Affectionately yours,

A.J. Brown

(from microfilm reel #283, Vol. 242 (Part 4), letter #64)

Chai Ryung, Korea

February 11, 1909

Harry C. Whiting

My Dear Dr. Brown:

At our Station meeting yesterday 1 was appointed to write to you, so I am taking the first
opportunity to do my duty. Not a hard task on my part but it must be rather heavy on you to wade
through the multitude of mail which confronts you daily. We on the field can not complain on that
score for our mails we never think are large enough. 1 am the cock of the roost. Mr. Hunt [is] on a trip
to the east; Mr. and Mrs. Koons, Mr. Kerr and Elizabeth left this afternoon to attend a class at ANAK.
Am in undisputed possession and can run the Hospital, the Church and the Academy and day schools to
please myself. In such times as these anything might happen between the rising and setting of the sun.
The School question is at present the most liable to cause trouble. The Japanese are determined to have
control of the whole school situation and have definitely said so in terms which leave no doubt in the
minds of those who heard the Minister of Education at Seoul on Tuesday. Our Mission has the longest
headed man in the Orient watching things. Dr. Moffett at the conference at Seoul made another hit.

The Korean leaders were on the point of directly defying the Japanese but were won over by Dr. Moffett
in such a way that in the future they will more willingly take his advice.

We have had a very good local class just closed on Monday. Some 300 in attendance. Had the
pleasure of teaching the two upper classes in personal work. We think our Academy is doing pretty
well. [There were] 56 students this term on the opening day. Practically all the teaching is done by
Koreans and we have no anxiety about the finances. More on this order would be better for Korea. One
conviction my trip to China last summer has strengthened and that is the danger of pauperizing the
Church by too much aid. 1 know 1 am not making a misstatement when I say that the greatest obstacle
to the advance of the Gospel which has been imported into China and Korea is the injudicious use of
money. Building churches, paying for a lot of men and women to go and do what the native Church
ought to do, and in the doing of which they become strong.

In Korea there are two churches working side by side and yet with the same Gospel and the
missionaries urged on by the same zeal, [yet] the product is as different as can well be imagined. Why?
One Church believes in self-support and the other uses money freely. All that poor Korea asks for is
more men. Church leaders must of necessity come from America for some time yet. Pastor Suh of
Sorai, one of the seven who were ordained two years ago, and the oldest and in many ways the most
reliable, told Mr. Koons that he was not equal to the work. Pastor Yang of Syen Chyun was sent up to
Kang Kai and for three months faced the problems up there and on his return to Syen Chyun gave the
same report. This people can give American Christians pointers on faith and giving and love for Bible
study but they are only children when it comes to church government and the deciding of any far-
reaching question. So we must help them at this point.

The health of the Station keeps good. Just now small pox is raging. [I] vaccinated 40 boys from
the Academy this afternoon and tomorrow vaccinate the lower schools.

With sincerest regards,

Harry C. Whiting

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #26)

Los Angeles, California

February 1 1, 1909

Lyman Stewart

Rev. H.G. Underwood
Hotel Hayward, City

Dear Sir:

According to our conversation of yesterday morning, I will undertake to provide annually
$1,000 each for the support of six missionaries in Korea for five years, and for the construction of three
houses, at a cost of $3,000 each the money to be paid as required. As stated, the only condition which I
would stipulate is that the missionaries thus provided for must believe in the complete inspiration and
absolute inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures, the Deity of Jesus Christ, His full and complete atonement by
vicarious death for the sins of mankind, and His pre-millennial return as the “blessed hope” of the
church.

On behalf of my brother, Milton Stewart, whose address from May T' to December T* will be
Titusville, Pennsylvania, and from December T‘ to May care of Union Oil Company, Los Angeles,
Cal., I will duplicate the above pledge. These payments for Milton Stewart will be made by me.

Assuming that you desire to translate and publish in Korean the works of C.I. Scofield, -
“Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth” and “Lectures on Prophecy”, and also the work of Dr. Haldman
entitled “The Second Coming of Christ, - Pre-millennial and Imminent”, and that the authors thereof
give their consent, I will be glad to pay for the translation, composition, and making plates for these
books.

God has so manifestly put the seal of His approval upon the work in Korea that we esteem it a
great privilege to have some little part in furthering it, and we thank the Lord for the work which the
missionaries have been enabled to do in that land, and for allowing you, in His providence, to come and
tell the people in the homeland about it. Our earnest prayer will be that the Lord will go with you on
your return to that land, and that His blessing may be upon the work in much more abundant measure in
the future than in the past.

Yours very sincerely
Lyman Stewart

P.S. Kindly advise me about when the money will be required for the houses, and when the payments
for the missionaries should begin.

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, attached to H.G. Underwood letter to A.J. Brown, 2/15/09 let
#32)

Pyeng Yang, Korea

February 12, 1909

Graham Lee

Dear Dr. Brown

Your letter in regard to our school for our children came to hand yesterday. That we are
disappointed goes without saying: that we do not propose giving up the pressing of the question goes
without saying also. We can realize the force of your remark that if you give to us, then each mission
field would ask for the same and thus the Board would have a financial burden unable to bear. That all
may be very true but that does not reach the heart of the matter which is simply this, that the Board and
Church, to a large extent, have shirked facing the question of the education of missionary children. This
whole question ought to be taken up at home and faced and solved in a statesman-like manner by both
Board and Church. The China Inland Mission faced it and they are working out a fine solution in their
Chefoo school. They realized the importance of the question and went at it to work out a practical
solution. Our Board and Church are away behind the times. They practically say to the missionary: We
give you our hundred dollars allowance, now take that, do your fiill amount of missionary labor, and
educate your child besides.

The Church places a burden on missionary mothers that they ought not to bear and until the
books are opened at last, no man will ever know how many missionary mothers have gone down under
the burden, on account of the short-sighted policy of the Church. What I complain of is that the Board
and Church are not alive to the question. The question is not being thought of and thought out as it
should be. The missionaries have to work out plans and then press and press to get any favorable action
from the Board, whereas it should be the other way; and the church should work out some efficient and
practical place for the education of missionary children. Our hundred dollars allowance is not solving
the problem.

In turning down our request for permission to present our plan to our fnends the Board has
refused permission on the ground that perhaps the presentation of our cause would injure the
subscriptions to the Propaganda. No one can say for certain that such would be the case and it might be
argued that the presentation of our plan would increase interest. My own conviction is that it wouldn’t
injure the Propaganda one whit. Therefore, on the ground of a perhaps — and a big perhaps at that —
you have turned down our scheme, which on the scale of importance is as important as the Propaganda.
All we are asking for is ten thousand dollars, for the Methodists are in this and they expect to get half
from their side. Suppose it did injure the Propaganda. At the most it couldn’t injure it more than ten
thousand dollars and the chances are that if it did injure it at all it would be only a fraction of that
amount. It amounts to this, that on the bard supposition that our plan would injure the Propaganda to the
amount of a fraction of ten thousand dollars, the plan must be turned down. This of itself is proof
enough that the question of the education of missionary children can command little interest at the
Board rooms.

My contention holds good. The Church is not alive to the question. The Board’s action has
made it impossible to receive Mr. Gamble’s subscription for his offer was made on the condition of the
Board’s approval. Your letter indicates that you personally are much in sympathy with our plan. In
which case is there not some way in which you can help us get Mr. Gamble’s subscription? Unless
something is done from your end we lose that. I have friends that I feel sure I could get interested in our
school, and I know absolutely that if they did give, it wouldn’t make one cent’s difference with the
Propaganda, but on the other hand would be increasing their missionary interest and make them greater
givers to the Board in the future. It stands to reason that anyone who would put money into a school out
here could not do so without increasing their missionary interest, and every bit of increased missionary

2/01/09- p.3 W.B.H.

interest is so much gain to the Board.

What we would like to do would be to print a little prospectus to circulate among our friends. We
never had the idea of making a campaign through the whole church. Other stations are looking to Pyeng
Yang to furnish educational facilities for their children, and the pressure is growing stronger every year.
Last week Mrs. Collyer of the Southern Methodist Mission died here in Pyeng Yang. She came up here
to place her son, thirteen years old, in our school, and has been here since last fall. Mrs. Lee and 1 have
taken the boy into our home to help Mr. Collyer and keep the boy in school. It is an added burden but
one we are very willing to bear under the circumstances. If our school had a dormitory there would be
no necessity of us or any other family bearing this burden.

This subject of our school may weary you at times but I give you fair warning that we don’t
propose to let up until the Board sees and does its duty to the missionary along the line of the education
of his children.

We are all quite well, but Mrs. Lee is somewhat tired with the care of the Wells baby which we
have had with us for some weeks now. Mrs. Wells seems to be gaining, but it is slowly so slowly.

Sincerely yours,

Graham Lee

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #29)

Seoul, Korea

February 14, 1909 Samuel A. Moffett

(To Mrs. Samuel A. Moffett, 614 5th Avenue, San Rafael, California)

My own Dearest:

Valentine’s Day and here is a loving message to my valentine - the dearest most precious
girlie I ever imagined it possible to possess. Wouldn’t I like to possess you just now for a little while
or for a good long while. Days and months are passing - full as they can be of work but oh! so lacking
in what has come to be the biggest part of life. Yes, I am glad you are with the loved ones there and
satisfied that it is right and best but that does not make me long for you any the less nor miss you and
the little ones any the less. I do not as yet know Just how to plan - but I hope that the Lord will make
clear to us just what is best and that our separation may not be a prolonged one.

Since I wrote you from Pyeng Yang just before leaving I have indeed had a busy time of it.

On the train coming down, there were Whittemore, Koons, Mr. Curtis & Mrs. Baird & myself and we
had a good time of it.

In Seoul I was with the Gales very comfortably settled in their new house which is very nicely
arranged. Annie & Jessie are bright, interesting girls and they all seem very happy. We had a
strenuous three days of work over the Educational question with two long interviews with the
Educational Department officials. There were four Koreans who came with us: Han Moksa, Chung
Changno and two from Syen Chun district. I was glad to have them meet the officials and hear for
themselves what the government requires and be able to ask for themselves such questions as they
wished. It is an education to them, also, to thus be thrown into contact with government officials and
to gain a knowledge of how to meet and deal with men of the world. It was hard work for me and I
was pretty well tired out by Tuesday night when Whittemore & I took the night train for Taiku for
Executive Committee meeting. Going first class we had a good place to sleep and I had a good 7-hour
sleep - reaching Taiku at 6 o’clock in the morning and beginning Executive Committee meeting at 10
a.m. We were at it steadily from that time on until 1 1 o’clock each night and until noon Friday when
we left, taking the 1 :24 train and reaching here [Seoul] again Friday night.

I stayed (at night & for breakfast) at the McFarland’s - Mr. McFarland away holding a class -
and Misses Mills & Essick with Mrs. McFarland. We had a fine meeting of the Committee -
discussing about 60 topics and adopting 41 recommendations. Those most interesting are probably —
cabling the Board “Yes” for Mrs. Logan - a lady 52 years old from Danville, Kentucky - who wishes
to come out at her own expense and work with the Mission - evidently a very cultured, devoted
woman. She is to be at Taiku first - then as she wishes - decide for herself whether to go to Seoul for
the Hospital or for the Girls School. She may be coming out soon. I wish you might meet her as she
comes through San Francisco. Miss Rittgers transferred to Seoul - while Miss Mills & Miss Essick
are appointed to Taiku. Mr. Severance had selected Miss Rittgers for Seoul. Dr. Dunlop assigned to
Won Ju, Mr. Winn assigned to South Kyeng Sang province to be loeated in Taiku temporarily
pending negotiations with the Board concerning work in that provinee. We want to open Milyang
putting two men in there if Board will give up its demand for men in Fusan. Next Exeeutive Council
meeting in Pyeng Yang between June 15 & 25 - probably on a house boat if I can get things so
arranged as to take the whole crowd up the river then.

I rather think that if you are not to come home by next fall sometime - 1 will stay here until
after Mission meeting & Presbytery and then join you at San Rafael - rather than leave here in the
summer, but I most earnestly hope the way may be clear for you to return without my going home this

2/14/09 -p.2 S.A.M.

year.

Blair [Mr. Will Blair] and 1 were appointed a committee to concert [i.e. design or plan]
measures for the care of the Korean Christians outside Korea.

While in Taiku 1 was made happy by the arrival of your letter of January 7-8 telling of receipt
of my Chun Ju letter which it seems to me 1 wrote nearly a year ago.

1 think it perfectly natural, dearest, that Father should worry somewhat over finances for he
has always had such an abundance of money as enabled him to do anything he wanted without much
necessity for watching the income and now if he finds the supply somewhat short, he naturally finds it
difficult to adjust himself to that situation. Have a frank - plain heart to heart talk with him on the
whole subject of the changed circumstances. With his $200 a month and the rent ($155 a month) you
are finding it possible to meet even the very heavy extra expenses connected with Mother’s sickness
and if you can just help Father to see that as soon as Mother is better and that heavy expense stops
there will be enough for outside uses - 1 do not think you will find it difficult to lead him to see that
temporarily the other things must wait a while.

There is no special reason, is there, why, if needed, you should not use the interest on
Mother’s bonds for her needs - although I should think it unwise to use up any of the principal except
under real necessity for some emergency.

Mother, of course, is right as to the monthly income being sufficient if carefully used but of
course Father wants his usual freedom in using it. Don’t worry at all - but do just what you are doing
- tactfully work out a little greater care without cutting off Father’s pleasure in doing for others.

Doubtless the Ward house incident will involve the loss of some money - but probably not a
very great deal and if the rent on the house is now regularly collected it should bring in a little more
each month and pay a fair rate of interest. Prompt collection of all rents due will help you out more
than anything else. See that Fatherdy’s Life Insurance Premiums are paid regularly.

What you write of Dr. Burke makes me repeat what I said to you once before - that I have
never been able to feel the same implicit confidence in him and his ability which you and Mother have
always had - and yet of course you know him and I do not. I seldom if ever have a real trust of a man
who is not a Christian. I think you are right in thinking there has been carelessness in treatment and
yet it may not be best for Mother to think so - for one great element in her recovery will be confidence
and hope.

Am so glad to hear again that Jamie and baby are well. How I wish I might be with you and
them to watch & enjoy their development. Your news of them is always such a blessing to me. Am
not sorry Jamie is getting a taste of the kindergarten but do not let it tax his mind any. He wants to
grow well physically without too much mental exertion.

I do not like Dr. Day’s presentation of inspiration although he may hold that view and still
retain his own faith in Christ and a consecrated life. I fear those who accept his teaching along that
line will not obtain or retain the same clear faith and consecrated life. The danger in such views is not
to the men who now take them up after their own spiritual life has grown from the acceptance of the
old time views - but the danger is to the new generation whose spiritual life will be [the] result of a

2/14/09 - p.3 S.A.M.

growth from these new views and which will lack the strength & vitality which comes only from an
acceptance of God’s word as His word. I have little patience with the talk about “intellectual
freedom” etc., etc. There is no greater real freedom than that which subjects itself to the Word of God
- all other is license and unwarranted liberty in the rejection of God’s authority. It is the assertion of
man’s will in opposition to the will of God, and is a rejection of the very laws which God ordained for
the welfare of man.

After arrival here from Pyeng Yang last week - a telegram announced the death of Mrs.
Collyer after a few days illness from pneumonia. It came very suddenly but she had been a semi-
invalid for 15 or 20 years. Charlie [her young son], I understand, is to be with the Lee’s. Word from
Mrs. Wells is that she is slowly improving but not yet out of danger. We still continue earnestly to
pray that she may be spared, though it is probable she will be weak and a semi-invalid for years.

I enclose a letter from Bible Institute Chicago which Mrs. Curtis forwarded to me. It is
evidently for you.

I expect to return to Pyeng Yang tomorrow but it makes so little difference now whether I get
back sooner or later so I go jogging along here & there not at all impatient about getting back home.

A request from Dr. Brown [Dr. A.J. Brown, of the Board of Foreign Missions in New York]
for a frank letter on the Fusan question necessitated a long 12-page letter to him on that subject. I
wrote a frank one this time which he may not like but he put the responsibility upon me. I wrote also
to Mrs. McCormick for $4000 for the Seminary. Make both letters a subject of prayer, please, that
both may do good and bring good.

Now I want to find someone from whom I can get $1000 for Class building in Milyang.

Think I shall write to Mr. Crowell. Remember me to all San Rafael friends - especially the Carrs, the
Landons and Mr. Stevenson.

Lots of love to Fatherdy whom I wish I could see, and to Mother. I do hope she may get relief
soon and be able to be at home with you all.

Tell Jamie Grandma Moffett wrote to me about him - that Papa wants very much to see him
and is very happy when Mama writes that he is a good boy. His birthday will be past when this
reaches you. Papa wishes he could be with his big boy on his 4th birthday. Kisses to the Baby and a
whole heart of love to your own dear self.

Lovingly, your Husband,

Sam

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

San Francisco, California

February 15, 1909

H.G. Underwood

Mr. Arthur J. Brown, D.D.

Board of Foreign Missions
156 5‘*' Avenue, New York City

My dear Dr. Brown:

I am sending you herewith copy of an official notification that I have just made to Mr. Day
[Board treasurer] of the generous gift that the Propaganda has received from Mr. Stewart of Los
Angeles. Please note this speeially that it is to be kept confidential both as to name and to place
from which it comes for some little while. Mr. Stewart and his brother were very much afraid that
if the news got out there would be people in the neighborhood of Los Angeles who would be less
generous because of what they heard he was doing.

I know that you will rejoice much in this added assurance of God’s Blessing on the work
that we are doing in this Propaganda. The main thing now is to find the men and I am at the
present day writing to Dr. White in this regard.

With kindest regards and looking forward with much pleasure in two weeks to being in
Portland among your own people, I remain

Yours most sincerely,

H.G. Underwood

(from mierofilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #32)

San Francisco, California

February 15, 1909

H.G. Underwood

Dwight H. Day

Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions
156 5* Avenue, New York City, N.Y.

My dear Mr. Day:

I write to confirm the good news I sent you in a previous letter and that everything may be
in order, I send you herewith a certified copy of letter that I received in regard to the matter duly
signed by Mr. Lyman Stewart, president of the Union Oil Co. In regard to the time for payments he
stated that he wanted sufficient time for these, and is ready to pay the salaries of the missionaries, I
think quarterly, just as soon as the men are appointed. In regard to the houses he asked me
definitely how long he could have on this and I told him I would notify him at a later date when this
was needed. Now I want to call your attention specifically to the fact that this is a confidential gift
and that Mr. Stewart desires that his name and the city of Los Angeles be not mentioned in
connection with it at the present time. You will notice that he has made certain conditions as to the
kind of men and their beliefs that are to go out:

This is the largest gift that we have yet received for the Propaganda and it totals up as you
see to a good large sum:

6 houses at $3000.00 each, being $18,000.00
12 missionaries at $1000 each for 5 years, being $60,000

We feel that God has wonderfully blest [blessed] us in thus providing this means for
advanced work.

Most sincerely,

H.G. Underwood

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol 239, included with H.G. Underwood letter #32)

San Rafael, California

January or February (?), 1909 (?)

Alice F. Moffett

Dear Little Mother,

Jamie and Baby are both better than they were. The only result with Jamie was the passing
of one more worm 8-9 inches long. Probably he will need another course later on but I shall let him
rest awhile. We have had good times together. He is a different boy when I can give time to him -
quiet and obedient.

Baby [Charles] has not been sick at all, only restless and wakeful. Night before last he woke
at 10:30 & played till after 12! I sat up with him in the dining room. He did not cry at all but was
on wires every minute. The gum was swollen & shiny. He would grab at my finger in his desire to
bite and then find the gum was so sore he could not. Last night he slept more but was restless - so I
was up 12 times. The point of the tooth is through now and he will be better. Mrs. Joseph wants a
new wash boiler, a water pail, a rolling pin and some canvas to make a tent for the children. I took
the boiler &. had it mended (she could have done that) and gave her a pail from here. I felt sure
there was a rolling pin left there - do you know? Do you know of any canvas on the place they
could have? She said Mr. J. saw some when he was over once and they thought they might have it
to use.

The letter of Mr. Smith’s which you sent I took to missionary meeting Wed. and it was read.
Remember, dear, it was a personal report to the N.Y. Board - not a letter to a Society. Every
missionary is required to send just such a report to account for his time and necessarily it is full of
“Fs”. I, too, have to write such a report each year but I sincerely hope they are not sent out.

I do hope your sciatica will stop soon. That is such a hard pain to bear. It is still windy and
colder here this morning. Am glad Father is away from it.

Have not succeeded in finding a room for Cousin Emma. No one wants to rent for a week -
It might shut out some one for the summer. Think I shall give her your room and if Father returns
while she is here ask him to take the sitting room again for a while. Is there any objection to this?

Must close now in haste. A heart full of love to you both.

Alice

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Pyengyang, Korea

February 24, 1909

S.A. Moffett

Rev. A.J. Brown, D.D.

156 Fifth Avenue, New York

Dear Dr. Brown:

I want to write a few words concerning the recent meeting of our Executive Committee at
Taiku, the recommendations of which have been adopted by the Mission and doubtless will be in
your hands before this reaches you.

Concerning Chung Ju and the “holding up” of all building operations - it is unfortunate that
we know definitely that the Board has removed its restrictions. The Mission has over and over
again stated its intention to maintain the station at Cheng Ju and while the Methodists wish us to
withdraw, their request is totally without warrant for we are already established with a growing
work and they are only looking forward to raising the men to occupy the field in the future.

Concerning Fusan Girls’ School appropriation - Your recent letter on the subject was not
before us but we see no other way to deal with the subject than to ask the Board to assume the
responsibility for the appropriation, because otherwise we put ourselves in a wrong position before
the Board - and before Dr. Irvin and simply give room to repetition after repetition of the same
unpleasant situation. We told Dr. Irvin of our action and in the conversation it appeared that he has
now gone beyond the ¥ 6,000 and has spent ¥ 7,139 on the plant. Unless we refuse to take the
responsibility he can go ahead with anything he wishes with any amount of money he can raise and
the Board can say we approved of it. From what Mr. Smith says, I judge we shall soon face a
similar situation in regard to the Leper Hospital which Dr. Irvin is putting up and planning for
without reference to the other members of the Mission’s Committee.

In this connection I want to say that no one has any desire to offend Mr. Severance or to
intimate that his gifts are unwelcome but I do think he should see that the trouble comes not from
his gifts but from the fact that he makes them not in accord with Mission request but in accord with
the wishes of a single individual without inquiry as to whether approved by the Mission. Then he is
surprised that his gift has caused dissension. We do not wish to alienate him but we cannot
surrender to anyone our responsibility for decision as to what work we approve or do not approve.

Concerning No’s 17 and 35 [referring to Exec. Com. Minutes], may I remark that we are
eager to care for the work in South Kyeng Sang province but we do not want to locate more men at
Fusan unless we have to do so at Board’s demand. 1 want to urge most earnestly the granting of the
money for Rest House and class building at Milyang - whether men are to be located there or not.

If we do not properly care for this work we run the risk of having the Methodists open up work in
the province and not only reap the results of our 1 8 years of work but make immense trouble for us
in all our work.

I have a letter from the Australian Board welcoming our communication and indicating their
desire and intention to meet the conditions. They held a conference this month and their
recommendations must be confirmed by the [Australian] General Assembly in May. Rev. T.H.L.
Paton writes: “I shall let you know the moment finality is reached. Meanwhile I report progress and
let you know that there is every prospect of your proposals being agreed to.” Again I express my

2/24/09 -p.2 S.A.M.

earnest hope that the Board will help us to this most desirable provision for the care of the work in
that province and the harmonious adjustment of our difficulties with the Australian Mission.

Concerning No. 29. The Chai Ryung Station has now no use for the temporary quarters
used in opening the station but the Korean Church will buy it for use as an Academy. The money
spent on it has been well spent in making the house habitable during the opening of the station but
has added nothing or little to the permanent value of the property for any other purposes. We
endorse the wish of the station to dispose of it for a sum sufficient to reimburse the members of the
station for what they individually expended in making it possible to use the house at an urgent and
important time in the work of the station when they could not wait for Board appropriation.

Concerning Fusan- - 1 do not advocate complete withdrawal from Fusan - but should prefer
to see us retain Hospital and Girls’ School there (now that they are established) and one minister.
We can readily dispose of Mr. Sidebotham’s house without loss or retain it for a missionary to work
among the Japanese who will soon be in the province in very large numbers.

With kindest regards.

Yours very sincerely,

Samuel A. Moffett

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #36)

Seoul, Korea

February 25, 1909

(Translation)

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, OF SAI MOON AN OF
SEOUL, KOREA SEND A FEW WORDS OF GREETING TO THE BOARD
OF FOREIGN MISSIONS IN NEW YORK CITY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

We hope that you, our brothers and sisters in Christ, are in peace and amidst the blessings of
the Father.

We ourselves are in the midst of hardest trials and greatest difficulties, but through the
infinite grace of the Father are able to bear them, and the Church seems to grow day by day.

Ever since the Reverend Dr. H.G. Underwood, who had charge of our congregation,
returned to America, all our brothers and sisters have been earnestly praying that his health would
be restored and longing for his and Mrs., Underwood’s speedy return here. As to the present
condition of our Church, the work is great and workers are few that our congregation desire Dr.
Underwood’s return day after day.

We trust that your Board, who with the great object of love before you can see with an equal
eye things nigh and distant, will therefore allow Dr. Underwood to return soon.

The Year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Nine, twenty-fifth day of February.

On behalf of Sai Moon An Church,

(signed) Song Soon Myung, Elder,

Yi Seung Won, Deacon
Yi Nak Sun, Deacon
Ryum Choon Ho, Deacon
Kimm Kuisic, Deacon

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #38)

Pyeng Yang, Korea

February 26, 1909

George S. McCune

Rev. A.J. Brown, D.D.

156 Fifth Avenue, New York City

My dear Doctor Brown

I shall give you below the actions of the Executive Committee and the comments and votes of
the members of the Mission on the same. The Executive Committee met in Taiku February 19 - 12,
1909, all the members being present. Following are the actions on which they passed:

1. That we answer the Board’s letter concerning Mrs. Logan by cabling, “Logan Yes”. (No
Mission action required.)

2. We recommend that Mission approval for the use of ¥ 400 sent as an extra special
appropriation for Hospital work at Pyeng Yang be granted. (Passed by the Mission without comment.)

3. We request Dr. Chapman to attend a conference on spiritual matters to be held in Seoul Sept.
5-12, 1909; also, [that he attend] the meeting of Presbytery and Annual Mission Meeting held just
before that at Pyeng Yang; also ask him what time subsequent to that date he can give in this country in
order that his visit may be made most profitable at other Stations, also. The letter to be written by the
Chairman of the Committee. (No action required by the Mission.)

4. We recommend that Mr. McFarland be appointed to edit the Aimual Report of the Mission,
and that a historical sketch be prefixed, noting the twenty-fifth anniversary of mission work in this
country. (Passed by the mission without comment.) [A hand-written entry reads “Taiku Station opposed
this.]

5. We recommend that the statistical year be made to close on May 3E‘ instead of June 30*.
(But one negative vote. No comment.)

6. The Secretary is asked to write Mr. Kagin telling him that the Executive Committee does not
approve of his returning to the United States this year, if no other purpose is involved than that of
receiving citizenship. If other reasons are involved we would desire information. (Passed without
comment.)

7. We would call the attention of the Board to the action of the Executive Committee and the
consequent action of the Mission on June 25, 1908, taken ad interim, and recorded in the Minutes, 1908,
p.9, requesting permission to go ahead and build at Chung Ju.

We would also call attention of the Board to the action of the Mission at its Annual Meeting
(Minutes 1908, p.29), on the same subject and requesting a cabled reply.

We would also call attention of the Board to the fact that as yet no reply has been received.

In view of the fact that since its original action the Board has subsequently appropriated for
houses and other items at Chong Ju we would inform the Treasurer and his advisory Committee that
in the judgment of the Committee they are warranted in going ahead with these operations. (No
comments made and no negative votes.)

2/26/09 - p. 2 G.S.McC.

8. The Committee in charge of the Publication Fund is authorized to publish any manuscript
which may have been passed as worthy of publication by two senior missionaries. (One negative vote
and no comment.)

9. We would call the attention of the Board to the previous action of the Mission concerning the
work of the American Bible Society in Korea and send to them with our endorsement, the letter of Seoul
Station on the subject and request the Board to represent to the American Bible Society the inadvisability
of continuing competition of two societies in a small country like Korea, where one Society is amply
able and willing to provide for the whole work. (Passed. One negative vote.)

10. No action reported to the Secretary.

1 1 . We recommend that one session of our coming Annual Meeting shall be made
commemorative of the 25* anniversary of the founding of missions in Korea, and that the Committee on
Arrangements be instructed to arrange for a suitable program. (Passed without comment.)

12. We recommend that Mr. Clark be appointed, in advance, as statistician for the coming year
with the special view of preparing statistics covering the 25 years of our Mission work. (Passed without
comment.)

13. We recommend that the transfer of Miss Rittgers from Taiku to Seoul, though irregularly
effected, be endorsed, and that Miss Mills and Miss Essick be appointed to Taiku. (Passed with but one
negative vote.)

14. We recommend that Mrs. Logan first take up work in Taiku, but suggest that there are also
two posts in Seoul offering positions of usefulness; the ultimate decision as to her location to be left
until after her arrival. (Passed without comment.)

15. As relating to the $750 sent by the Board to the Taiku city church, we would report that the
money is not now needed for the city church building, and that as to the disposition of the money, Mr.
Erdman will communicate with the Board. (Passed with but one negative vote.)

16. Relating to the cabled appropriation of the Board of $500 for the Girls School at Fusan
made subject to the approval of the Mission, we recommend that the Mission refer the Board to the
action of the Mission (Minutes 1908, page 68) and to the Board action of November 16* as recorded in
the Board letter of November 17, page 8, and ask the Board that it take the responsibility for whatever
action it sees fit in the matter. (Passed with 5 negative votes and a strong protest from Dr. Irvin against
the action as “illegal and out of order”.)

17. We recommend that the requests for rest house and class building for Mil Yang be
reaffirmed irrespective of what may be the final action of the Board with regard to division of territory
and reinforcements for the province, and that Mr. Smith be instructed to write to the Board on the
subject. (Passed without comment.)

18. Taiku station is asked to give at least three week’s more assistance in Fusan territory.

(Passed without comment.)

19. Mr. Whittemore is asked to give two weeks assistance in Fusan territory. (Passed without

2/26/09 - p.3 G.S.McC.

comment.)

20. Mr. Lee is requested to give two weeks assistance to Fusan Station. (Passed without
comment.)

21. In apportionment of balances from the Mission we recommend that ¥ 75 be set aside and
committed to Fusan Station for payment of traveling expenses of outside members of the Mission
assisting in the Station’s work. (Passed without comment.)

22. In view of the increased use of opium and [the] morphine needle among Koreans, a
committee of three, consisting of A.M. Sharrocks, M.D., Chairman, H.C. Whiting, M.D., and Walter C.
Erdman, is appointed to gather data concerning the unlawful sale of such drugs, with the object of
presenting such data, if deemed advisable, to the proper government authorities and members of the
Anti-Opium Conference recently gathered at Shanghai. (Passed without comment.)

23. We recommend that Dr. Dunlop be assigned to Wunju, and that Dr. Fletcher’s assignment
be deferred until the summer meeting of the Executive Committee. (Passed without comment.)

24. The report of the Auditing Committee of Syen Chyun Station on Ross house, Kearns house,
and the Hospital was received and ordered to be transmitted to the Finance Committee. (Passed without
comment.)

25. Dr. Moffett is appointed a committee to see Mr. E.H. Miller, and if possible, investigate and
elucidate the matter of his Mission financial accounts. (Passed without comment.)

26. Whereas the Mission (Minutes p.9) ordered the Finance Committee to get audits of all
buildings completed within two years, and it is evident that their report on page 55 is very incomplete,
we recommend that the Mission instruct the Finance Committee to secure a complete report and present
the same at the next Annual Meeting. (Passed without comment.)

27. We recommend that No. 17 on the Property Requests Docket shall read: “House for Single
Ladies at Taiku”, instead of “House for Mr. Toms”. Appropriation already granted. (Passed with two
votes in the negative.)

28. Whereas, in Nos. 23 and 24 of the Property Requests Docket, Wun Ju was inserted by
clerical error, they having been left blank, we recommend that we now insert in No. 23 “House for
Chai Ryung”, and in 24, “House for Mr. Toms”, not to be built before Annual Meeting”. (Passed with
five votes in the negative.)

29. We recommend that, subject to Board approval, permission be granted to Chai Ryeng
Station to sell the Korean house used for temporary quarters in opening the Station, the proceeds of the
sale to be first used in meeting the cost for altering the home for occupation, which sum is No. 18 (Yen
477) of the Mission’s requests for appropriations, and which has heretofore been carried by members of
the Station. (Passed without comment.)

30. We recommend that the Stations discuss, preparatory to Annual Meeting, the following
subjects:-

(1) The paying of traveling expenses of voting members to the meeting of Presbytery.

2/26/09 - p.4 G.S.McC.

(2) The paying of expenses of wives and children to Annual Meeting. (Passed without

comment.)

3 1 . We recommend that Mr. Koons’ supply at Chong Ju be changed from one month to two
weeks. (Passed without comment.)

32. We recommend that the entire amount of ¥ 600 appropriated by the Board for fencing
Station site at Chong Ju be used, since it is not evident that the entire amount will be necessary for the
purpose.

33. No action taken on this. It was omitted from the report.

34. We recommend that the committee now known as the Treasurer’s Advisory Committee
shall hereafter be called the Finance Committee, as per instructions from the Board in letter of Dec. 9.
1908, and that the committee hitherto known as the Finance Committee shall be known as the General
Fiscal Committee. (Passed with but one negative vote.)

35. We recommend that Mr. Winn be assigned to South Kyeng Sang province, to be located in
Taiku temporarily, pending negotiations by the Mission with the Board concerning work in that
province. (This was not voted on by Syen Chyun Station at all, the whole Station being opposed to it,
but not being willing to record their votes. There were three negative votes. It passed.)

36. The Chairman is requested to see Mr. Gale in Seoul and seek to have the Committee on
Spiritual Conference postpone the conference at least until Sept. 9“*. The date of the conference was set
to open Sept. 9* before this request reached the Committee. (Passed.)

37. We would report to the Mission that the Rest House at An Tong [Andong] has been bought,
and that Taiku has appointed Mr. Sawtell to have ultimate charge of the work in that district, and that
the work is being pushed. (Passed without comment.)

38. We recommend to the Mission that we reply to the Board’s letter of June 15, 1908, relative
to the Sunday School Association Work as follows: We consider that the best way to approach the need
is that which the Board was pursuing in connection with Mr. Sidebotham, vis.:

That a regular member of our Mission force, while on furlough, should be put in touch with the S.S.
Ass’n., and thoroughly acquaint himself with its methods and ends; and give such a portion of his time
on the field to this work as would seem desirable. (Passed without comment.)

39. The Chairman is authorized to arrange for the next Executive Committee meeting between
June 15-25 at Pyeng Yang or Syen Chyun. (Passed.)

40. We recommend that in case of appeal for help by teaching staff of Theological Seminary to
meet an emergency the Stations to whom appeal is made, give special consideration to the same.
(Passed.)

41. We recommend that Dr. Moffett and Mr. W.N. Blair be appointed a committee to concert
measures for the care of Korean Christians outside of Korea. (Passed.)

Following is the record of votes cast in each Station:

2/26/09 - p. 5 G.S.McC.

Seoul

Nine voting members in Station - seven votes cast.

Pyongyang

Nine “

(( yy

- nine “ ”

Syen Chyun

Six

yy u yy

- six “ ”

Chai Ryung

Three “

yy u yy

- three “ ”

Taiku

Six “

yy a yy

- six “ ”

Fusan

Two “

yy u yy

- two “ ”

Chong Ju

One “

yy u yy

- one “ ”

Total - —

39 voting members in Mission

thirty-four votes C£

(H.E. Blair, Miss Shields and Miss Wambold were absent.)

1. Sections requiring Mission action: Nos. 2, 4, 5, 8, 11-14, 17, 21-23, 26-29, 31, 34, 35, 38, 41.

2. Unanimous: Nos. 4, II, 14, 17, 21-23, 26-29, 31, 32, 38, and 41.

3. One negative vote: Nos. 5, 8, 9, 34.

4. Two negative votes: Nos. 12 and 35. Syen Chyun Station did not vote on the latter and
three other members of the Mission did not register their votes.

5. Taiku Station voted against No. 2 on the ground that they had already given Mr. McFarland
permission to go to Japan for the summer. No other negative votes.

6. No. 13, one negative. Taiku voted five negatives to the last clause of the action, voting
affirmatively for the first part.

7. Five negative votes on No. 16, two not voting.

While the Executive Committee was in session a circular letter began the rounds of the
Stations. It was from Fusan Station and was a request for the privilege of using the $500 sent for the
Girls’ School at Fusan. The Executive Committee, being in session at the time, most of the members
of the Mission did not wish to vote on this, preferring to wait until they could vote on the action taken
by the Executive Committee. Therefore, the circular letters were returned to me with such statement.

Taiku Station (five members of the station) voted on 13 as follows: “If the clause, ‘House for
Mr. Toms not to be built before Annual Meeting’ is stricken out, we will vote in the affirmative”.

I am sending this report as soon as it reached me. Taiku Station did not get their letter to me
until last evening. The others have been in my hand almost a week.

Cordially yours,

George S. McCune

P.S. Mrs. Wells has rallied from another unexpected relapse. We are still wondering what the
outcome will be. If she does get well, she will hardly be able to be about much, it is feared. She may
be a confirmed invalid. Dr. Mills [Ralph Garfield Mills, M.D., arrived 1908 and assigned to Kangkai]
has shown much skill in caring for her. The whole Station force has been used to help in the home and
in the care of the children.

Yours,

G.S.M.

(fi-om microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #37)

Portland, Oregon

March 2, 1909

Horace G. Underwood

Rev. A.J. Brown, D.D.

Board of Foreign Missions
156 Fifth Avenue, New York City

My Dear Dr. Brown

Yours of the 25“' ult. just to hand. Thanks for the same.

I regret very much, indeed, that you do not see some way out of the difficulty in regard to
Dr. Vinton. We shall see him when we get to Tacoma [Washington state] and will let you know
anything further that we learn.

I am writing Dr. White today in regard to Mr. Stewart. We found it not the easiest matter to
get Mr. Stewart on our side, and I want to be able to give the circumstances in their entirety to Dr.
White before much correspondence is done from New York.

We are having a good time in Portland and everybody speaks with much love and
appreciation of you and your family.

With kindest regards from Mrs. Underwood and myself, I am.

Yours most sincerely,

H.G. Underwood

(per R.A.S.) [who signed for him]

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #40)

Office of

KOREA PROPAGANDA

REV. H.G. UNDERWOOD. D.D., Chairman
REV. ERNEST F. HALL. Secretary
O.R. AVISON. M.D.

REV. W.M. BAIRD, Ph.D.

REV. H.M. BRUEN
REV. F.S. MILLER
REV. C.E. SHARP
A.M. SHARROCKS, M.D.

REV. R.H. SIDEBOTHAM
REV. A.G. WELBON

ADVISOR4Y COMMITTEE

JOHN H. CONVERSE
President Baldwin Locomotive
Works, Philadelphia
H P. CROWELL

President Quaker Oats Co., Chicago
D.B. GAMBLE

Proctor & Gamble (Ivory Soap).

Cincinnati

C. W. HAND

Vice President Underwood Type-
writer Co., New York City
H.B. HULBERT, F.R.G.S.

Journalist, Springfield, Mass.

D. W. MCWILLIAMS
Treasurer Inter-Borough Rail-
way, New York City

L.H. SEVERANCE. New York City
J.T. UNDERWOOD
President Underwood Typewriter
Co., New York City

Portland, Oregon March 5, 1909 H.G. Underwood

Rev. Arthur J. Browne, D.D.

Board of Foreign Missions
156 Fifth Avenue, New York City

My Dear Dr. Brown

I wish very much indeed that I had time to drop you a long letter and tell you all about your
good friends in this city of Portland and the work that is being done. I cannot just now wait for this,
but I do want to tell you just a word or two of what has been happening since we have been here.

We have been pretty much on the go and Dr. Foulkes seems to me in his generalship and
management to be a worthy successor of Dr. Arthur J. [Brown]. We have been very much in your
old church and have been hearing about you on all sides.

Mrs. Ladd, Sr. [for whom the Caroline Ladd Hospital in Pyongyang is named] gave a
reception at her house at which several of us spoke. I preached in the First Church Sunday morning,
Mr. Hall addressed a union meeting of young people in the evening. Monday night, Mr. Hall and I
spoke in the same church at a union meeting of Christian Endeavorers. Tuesday afternoon there was
a ladies’ meeting in the church and the lecture room was crowded, and after various other meetings
all over this city and around the country, we finish with a mass meeting tonight. The Commercial
Club gave a banquet at $1.50 per plate, and there were over 230 people present. Here we spoke and
a great deal of enthusiasm was manifested.

In the meantime we have been seeing Mrs. Ladd on two or three occasions and I have just
come from my farewell call upon her. She tells me that she is now willing to change her mind and
will provide for the deficit on the Pyeng Yang Hospital, but she cannot do this all this year. She
expects to send $1000 before the close of the year and will add more, paying as fast as she can until

3/05/09 - p.2 H.G.U.

the entire deficit is paid. She spoke of a discrepancy in the report from the Treasurer at Korea, that
she had received. The report came to her from either you or Mr. Day. She does not know just
exactly how much it was, but she expects that to be straightened out, and will pay, if need be, the
full amount you first stated, but of course does not desire to do this unless it is necessary.

The people hare are also going to pay the salary of Miss Campbell, if she is the right one to
go to be a nurse in that hospital. I do not think that it is generally known, but I judge from what has
been said, also from the way Mrs. Ladd spoke, that a good share, if not all, of the salary for this
nurse, will come from her.

Other things also will be coming from this city to us, but just how much we do not yet know.
We can only hope and pray and leave the matter with God.

There is one matter concerning which I want to speak. On our trips around here, we find
some exceptionally good men who are in the pastorate, have proven themselves great successes, and
who desire to go to the foreign field. Some of these are bom linguists; others perchance, have
shown no special adaptability for the learning of languages, but when they have exceptional
qualities, I think it would be far better to send them, even though they have one or two children,
rather than the young men unproved from the Seminary. By the way of an illustration, I would call
your attention to the fact that you sent out Dr. Avison with his large family and he has proven a
great success, not only in his work on the field, but in drawing in funds to the Board. There is a
gentleman in one of the churches who has come all the way from California to talk the matter over
with us, and we will write you later regarding the matter.

I did not intend to write as long a letter as this, but knew you would like to know about Mrs.
Ladd’s promise.

Yours most sincerely.

Rev. H.G. Underwood
signed by initials “M.G.”

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #43)

San Rafael, California

March 5, 1909

Alice F. Moffett

My own Dearest,

Mother came home from the Sanitarium last Saturday night much better in general health
and walking on the injured limb. It seems wonderful that she can use it at all. Dr. gave it a severe
test before she left and told her to walk as much as the muscles will allow. She walks about these
rooms without even a cane. She has come home to stay this time we hope. Miss Frances Standen,
Mrs. Whiting’s friend, says she will come to be Mother’s helper. She will be a daughter, not a
servant. A lovely Christian girl, I believe she will enter into the home life in all its phases and make
it her own home. Now, dearest, - these two things. Mother’s returning strength and a helper secured
for her, bring me face to face with the question. “Do I need to stay longer?” Father and Mother
will not say a word either way. They will gladly pay every cent needed for the four of us while here
but will do nothing to hinder if I say we must go back this summer. Father is less and less equal to
business. I think I could gradually get everything in my hands and that it would be a great relief to
him, but I think he will steadily refuse, as he has done already, to place business matters in
Mother’s hands or give them to anyone else. His judgment is not clear and sometimes he is quite
unreasonable. We have just had a serious time with him about renting this house over our heads. A
man in the city asked for it for 5 months from May 1st and Father told him he could have it, and
came home and announced that we were to move to the Ward cottage because he could get $500
summer rent for this house and in no other way could the taxes be met. It took three days hard
work to induce him to tell the man this house could not be given up. He cannot yet see why seven
of us cannot go over to that cottage which has only one bedroom 9 X 12. Even if I should leave, it
would not be wise for Mother to go there. The house is roughly finished, in shadow nearly all the
time, on a steep hillside without a road broken through - no gas or electric wires, - and Mother’s
new-found strength is not sufficient for living there without accustomed comforts. Yet Father wilt
not acknowledge one of these points and thinks we are losing a splendid opportunity to make this
money easily. I think the effort might send Mother back to the Sanitarium. She thinks she could
have done nothing with him in this case without me. Over and over I ask myself “Are these two
things - business matters and deciding such points as this - sufficient to make it my duty to stay?”
Besides these two I see no strong reason for staying tho of course a need might arise at any time. I
asked Mother the direct question and she replied, “You must decide whether you should stay till
your Father is taken Home. For myself I have nothing to say. I did not hold you before and shall
not begin now.” They do not need me now for physical help or care. Oh, dearest, if I could only
talk with you. What I want to do is to return to you this summer in June or July, doing all I can here
to arrange business matters until that time. Sometimes it seems very easy to decide this way, but I
might regret it deeply.

Jamie boy was crowded out of the last letter, so here he comes in - our birthday boy.
Saturday afternoon he had a party outdoors from 2 to 4, with Morris Cox, Robert and John
Lethbridge, Helen and David Carr. I set the table on the school porch and gave them Southern
California oranges from Auntie Louise (Mrs. Strang sent a beautiful box), sandwiches, animal
crackers. Birthday Cake, (with white frosting, pink candy rosebuds and four candles) and butter cup
candies. The children had a very good time - we took them home and then Jamie and I went to the
Station for Grandma. Grandpa gave Jamie a beautiful little rocking chair and Grandma gave four
new summer suits. I bought him a book, a cheap blackboard, a top, garden tools and blocks. He is
just as devoted as ever to kindergarten and I am sure that he is not taxed at all.

3/05/09 -p.2 A.F.M.

Baby is well, happy and very active. The rain stopped at last - after giving us 44.57 inches
and we have had a week of beautiful sunny days when Baby has been out most of the time for six
and one day seven hours.

Emma, the splendid Swedish girl, left us and after much trouble I found Kate Conner who is
at present installed.

I went to a city instrument maker and had a high shoe made for Mother with cork sole and
heel which relieves the strain on her back and prevents the limping. This has been a very busy
week, as you can see.

Oh, dearest, I want you, need you, more than ever. Tell me how this question looks to you.

I love you with all my heart and more than ever before - but I feel so away from you now that I
want to consult so much. It is very late. Goodnight.

Father & Mother and the children and I send love and kisses to Papa -

Your own,

Alice

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Pyongyang, Korea

March 11, 1999

S.A. Moffett

Dear Dr. Brown:

Your letter to the Mission concerning your visit here in September just to hand. I take time now for
just a word - that it may reach you as speedily as possible concerning the time for our Annual Meeting. Pages
49 & 50 of printed minutes of the Mission place time of our next meeting not earlier than August 20 in
Pyongyang - and the Committee has already set the date as August 22"** - September T* to be followed by the
meeting of Presbytery September 2"^ or 3'** to 6* or 7*. The Spiritual conference in Seoul is set for September
9'*' to 15* and the “Great plans” for a Quarter-Centennial Conference has been changed to something less
pretentious - but just what I do not know.

What I want to mention particularly is the date of Annual Meeting and Presbytery, both of which are of
greatest importance. Above all other items we shall want you here at that time and yet that is just the time you
have set for Japan. I shall write at once to other members of the Executive Committee asking what suggestions
we shall make under the circumstances, and will write you again shortly - but I want you to know as soon as
possible the situation that we may have your suggestions also - when you know these facts.

To change the time of our meeting will very seriously interfere with all the educational work of
missionaries & Koreans. I will not say that it is impossible to change - but I can see great difficulty and many
objections. I have not however as yet discussed the question with anyone.

Your letter on Chong Ju seems to again hold us up and we are helpless - held up on division by the
Methodists here and held up on building by the Board there. The Methodists reject in toto your arrangement
with Bishop Harris and refer to it as “Dr. Brown’s proposal”, as though Bishop Harris had nothing to do with it.
We have tried to reach an adjustment with Bishop Harris and the M.E. Committee, and can do nothing for
division. They want us to get out of the two provinces. All we can see is that Dr. Jones [George Heber Jones]
wants no division at all and proposes impossible conditions. Evidently the Bishop has not authority or does not
wish to exercise it. We, however, are held up. They are not. We were ready to give far more favorable terms
than those you proposed but they would listen to nothing but our withdrawal from the two provinces to make
way for men Dr. Jones expects to get next year, which the Mission has said over and over is out of the question.
When you come out possibly you can induce the Bishop to agree to a division - but do not in the meantime hold
up our station and cripple our work which is developing now so well.

Please notice actions on Chong Ju on Page 9 and pages 28-29 of Mission printed Minutes - also
Executive Committee actions taken last meeting - which has doubtless reached you.

We are delighted at the prospect of having you with us again. By the way, I take it that the Board will
not think of sending as a missionary to Korea any Koreans studying in America. The M.E. South [ Southern
Methodist] Board has such an appointment and someone asked me if our Board was likely to make such an
appointment if a Korean graduating in America should apply. I should hope not - for I am sure it would
complicate our relations with the Korean pastors trained here.

Hastily and with kindest regards.

Sincerely yours,

Samuel A. Moffett

P.S. Mrs. Wells has passed the crisis but is likely to be ill for a long time with heart trouble.

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #49)

Cable Address: Board of Foreign Missions Madison Square Branch

“Inculcate,” New York of the

Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

OFFICE OF SECRETARY 1 56 S'*" Avenue

New York

New York City March 12, 1909 A.J. Brown

The Rev. Graham Lee, D.D.

Pyeng Yang, Korea

My dear Dr. Lee:

If I thought you really meant some of the things that you wrote in your letter of February \2'^, and
would adhere to them on reflection, I should feel a little disturbed. But I do not believe you do, and, therefore,

I shall continue to believe that you are the good-hearted, reasonable man that I have long given you credit for
being. I say things rather impulsively myself sometimes when I am under the impulse of disappointment or
special provocation, or think that I am, so that I can imagine how natural it was for you to write rather hastily
on getting word that the Board could not do all that you wanted it to do. I am confident that you will feel on
reflection that the members of the Korea Mission who are home on furlough and who constitute the Korea
Propaganda, and also the Board, are in a better position to judge as to whether any further special appeals now
would interfere with the appeals that are already before the Church, and for which money has not yet been
secured. If you will look at my Mission letter of [?] you will see that it indicates quite clearly the opinion of
your fellow-missionaries in this country, though they may be presumed to be as deeply interested in a school
for missionaries’ children as anyone.

After we have all given a great deal of anxious thought and prayer and loving sympathy to the question
as to how we could possibly help missionary parents more adequately, and after we had just voted to increase
the children’s allowance to $150 between the ages of ten and twenty, it is a little odd to get a letter taking us
fore and aft and smiting us hip and thigh with great slaughter because we have “shirked facing the question,”
“are not alive to the question,” etc. etc. However, a Secretary gets used to all sorts of things and has to try to
learn to possess his soul in patience. We all need a punching once in a while and if we do not deserve some
particular one that comes along, perhaps we will deserve it over the next question that arises, so that we can
transfer it, under the Manual power of transfer, to the point where it is most needed and will do the most good.

Meantime, be assured, my dear brother, that there is no other problem that lies closer to my heart than
the problem the missionary parent has to face in connection with the education of his children, and although the
Boards are already giving foreign missionaries more consideration on account of children than any other
Christian workers in the world receive, or than any of us get at home, we are eager to do just as much more as
we possibly can.

Pardon a hasty letter, as I am obliged to give every minute that I can to the preparation of General
Assembly reports and estimates for the ensuing year and have to dictate very hurriedly and shall not have time
to read this over after it is written out.

With warm regards to Mrs. Lee and with some anxiety for Mrs. Wells whom I earnestly hope is
improving, I remain, as ever.

Affectionately yours,

A.J. Brown

(from microfilm reel # 283, Vol. 242 (Part 4), letter #77) - (also sent as an attachment to letter #29 from
Graham Lee to A.J. Brown on microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239)

San Rafael, California

March 12th, 1909

Alice F. Moffett

My dear Sambo,

Your great long letter of February 14th from Seoul is just at hand. What a treat it is and yet
how it makes me long for you. Oh, my dearest, how I want you - it seems as if I cannot go on in
this way - we need each other and the children need Papa. Yet I do not know how to plan or how to
decide. I felt sure it was right to come and am thankful I did. Now the way will be made clear if I
am to go back home. At present it seems as if I ought to help Father in business matters; not for the
sake of the business but to relieve him. Sam, Father cannot talk over business matters - he cannot
think clearly nor remember what was said five minutes before. I asked him to go over the real
estate with me and he could not name it all. I went to the office for the tax receipts of last year and
learned for the first time about a lot in Oakland, bought two years ago. He cannot tell me what
policies he holds nor when due and when I was in the office and suggested that I look over papers
and make memoranda, was not willing. I must manage it some other way. He says the two
cottages now rented are not insured and I think they should be - and the Ward cottage as well. It
will not be long before all three are surrounded with dry grass and they would bum like kindling,
leaving expensive lots. The West End cottage is leased - the other two, with the vacant lot here on
5th & C. also the Oakland lot, I think should be sold. Each would bring some advance on the cost
and the money could be yielding interest rather than drawing out taxes and repairs. I have paid four
plumbers bills since I came. The South Side cottage is occupied by Italians paying $10 per month.
In November they sent over asking to have one of the rooms papered. Father sent a man over
without instmctions and he sent in a bill for $87 on a $1000 house and lot! Father mentioned
casually that he had left his statement at the assessors and that the man had him when he asked for a
valuation on the library here in the dining room. I said, “Why, Father, don’t you carry over such
things from year to year?” “Yes, but I haven’t any statement from last year so I guessed at it.”
“What did you guess?” “I’ve forgotten. - about $400. I think a great deal of that library.” And
perhaps it would bring $75 at auction. You see how things are going, dearest. I must do my own
thinking. I can’t depend on Father’s statements or methods. He was heart broken because we said
we could not move into the Ward cottage and rent this house. Over and over I told him there is not
floor space for our beds alone in the whole place but every day he came home with only the first
idea in mind and said he thought we were going over there. Finally one day he said, “Allie, we
must rent this house to Mr. Josephs. I gave my word he could have it and I don’t want to break it.
Besides he will give $100 a month and we must have it, for you know I haven’t anything to pay
taxes.” So I started out house hunting and have been at it fiercely. Went to three agents and have
looked through at least fourteen houses. Three times I decided, only to find we could not have the
place for five months only. Today, however, I found a six room cottage for $25 and secured it for
April 1st. So here we go for a summer camp! It means a lot of work to leave this house in shape,
pack away some things and move eight people, but the thing I fear most is that I cannot keep
Mother from over work and she will be down sick. Still we’ll hope all will be well. I am growing
very miserly! If we do all this merely to save money I am determined it shall be saved - while of
course we have everything needed for comfort. Jamie will have only a small yard to play in, but we
can take him every afternoon to the fields or hills for a run. The Ward cottage was rented today for
$12.50 and still remains in the agent’s hands for sale. Little by little some things are being
accomplished.

Our baby is nine months old today, dearest. He is so happy and strong - a dear little
bubbler.

3/12/09 -p.2 A.F.M.

The sunshine has made him brown with rosy cheeks. When I say he is well I must always except
his catarrh and tendency to cold. 1 took him to the Homeopathic physician here, (a recent arrival)
who examined his throat, says he has no adenoids or growth but that the throat is small and the
mucus membrane swollen so that a slight cold easily irritates both nose and throat. He is giving
baby a

constitutional remedy for this and thinks he will overcome it through this summer. Baby was
vaccinated today. So I am accomplishing some things with him, also. Jamie boy is happy and well
and on the whole is very good. Sometimes he takes a notion he will not do a certain thing but he is
yielding more and more readily. I notice little manners and tones of voice like other children in the
kindergarten but I do not hear anything bad from him or from any of them. One day when I would
not do Jamie’s bidding he said “If you don’t I won’t play with you.” And then I gave a little talk on
not saying the naughty things he will hear from other children. Yesterday he said “That is
shocking.” But he hasn’t an idea what it means. There is ^ much to write I have scarcely begun
but it is so late I must go to bed.

Dearest, if it seems best for me not to leave would it be possible for you to come late in
September and stay till the next Theological year? This is but a possibility. If we could only talk it
over. I think I shall go to Dr. Landon and have a talk. His quiet and calm and good judgment will
help me to see what perhaps I am over-looking on some questions - even though he cannot decide
anything for me.

Oh, my dearest, I love you more than ever. Nearly every day something comes up to make
me more thankful for the deep, true things in our life, for our love, our home, our precious boys and
our life work. I know the light will come and the way open before us. If we are not to be together
soon then we shall have grace and patience to wait.

With all my love,

Your Alice

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Kang Kai, Korea

March 14, 1909

Herbert E. Blair

Dr. A.J. Brown, D.D.

156 Fifth Avenue, New York City

Dear Dr. Brown:

1 have had it on my heart to write you a Kang Kai letter for several days. 1 left Syen Chyun
February 12*, reaching Kang Kai February 24*. The trip was extra slow because 1 brought four
sleigh loads of provisions, a blizzard holding us up one day at the big divide between Syen Chyun
district & Kang Kai district. I rode in a comfortable roll of bedding on my sleigh between two
boxes, sheltered from the wind. The bull that pulled my sleigh eagerly lifted his neck under the
yoke & we glided along beautifully. 1 had twelve days to think of the busy life 1 had left behind at
Syen Chyun and to plan for the future in Kang Kai. To be sent to open a new station far in the
interior forces one to think things he is not used to thinking and to wonder - and then to trust. For
Christ is the same in Kang Kai and it is glorious to serve Him here.

Sixty li out from Kang Kai an Academy boy (for we have an Academy of about forty boys
in Kang Kai) ran out from an inn to greet us; - we went on twenty li and slept. In the morning the
Academy boy was gone, - sped on ahead to tell the church that the pastor had arrived. They had
sent him out to bring the tidings. We were up early & soon on the road eager to make the city
before noon. Twenty five li out a turn of the river valley brought us into position to see the city and
our hearts were wild with expectation. It almost makes one cry to reach a goal after twelve days of
hard struggle over mountains & deep snow. Fifteen li out we saw a group of men coming to meet
us. The closer we approached the larger the group grew. They had come out five miles to meet us.
Old men & school boys, rich & poor. The elder who was not well came in a rich friend’s sleigh.
There were about two hundred men and their hearts were overflowing with gladness because we
had at last come. This time, come to make our homes. I was sorry Mrs. Blair &. Mr. & Mrs.

Rhodes & Dr. & Mrs. Mills were not there to see that welcome, but our little baby is too young for
the trip yet and there are no homes yet built & the Rhodes’ and Mills families are rather new at the
language to make the trip yet. It made all the twelve days of struggle over the road vanish from
mind unrecallably. God has done a marvelous thing in raising up a church of seven hundred
Christians here in this far away city. He has poured out His Spirit upon them, giving them a pure &
strong life, aggressive zeal, & wonderful faithfulness. May our coming mar in no way the work of
God’s Spirit.

Immediately we began the class for Bible study, so the elder & helpers could get off to
Pyeng Yang for the theological class. This class lasted a week. It was not well attended because I
had done my best to call it off on account of too much other work. Nevertheless the Koreans got
their way & we had a good time, though some other work had to wait.

On Sunday during the class the third annual collection was taken for the proposed new
church building. Over five hundred yen was raised, giving us a total of nearly two thousand yen,
money in advance for the building. They had planned building this summer but readily gave way
when we asked them to let us have all the carpenters for our buildings. The present church will
comfortably seat six to seven hundred as it is, and in the mean time many new believers will come
in & another large collection can be raised. We are planning a building to seat about two thousand.

3/14/09 -p.2. H.E.B.

trusting that we will have need for the room by the time it is all built, - for we plan to build sections
at a time as it is required, in such a way that it will make a beautiful building when complete. We
hope the whole city will be Christian in a very few years. A city of ten thousand Christians - is
that too much to hope and pray for? The Koreans have no other thought - & I think God must have
put it in their hearts.

My principal task on this trip as 1 have planned it is to make arrangements to begin building
as soon as the ground is thawed. You will be glad to know that we have secured an exceedingly
beautiful location for the compound, - a comer of the city just inside the East Gate, on a sloping hill
which is covered with a beautiful pine grove just behind where we have secured land.

I alone have the language well enough to handle the problems. I hope it will not cause me
to neglect the church work too much. Fortunately both Dr. Mills & Mr. Rhodes have had the right
kind of preparation to enable them to do all the planning & overseeing of these buildings except the
part that has to be done in the Korean language.

We have adopted a plan of house for Kang Kai much like the Taiku houses. Brick, two
rooms deep, with attic story, tile roof, etc. We dropped the plan used in Pyeng Yang and Syen
Chyun because mud walls require wide eaves which are good only in a tropical climate, because we
had to have wood or brick walls to oppose the rainy season if we used narrow eaves. We dropped
the Pyeng Yang plan also because in that plan every room is exposed to the wind & cold & we
could not endure the cold Kang Kai winters with such exposure. Our rooms are to be two deep so
that the heat will be held in & the attic rooms can be heated from the first floor fires. We will have
to bum wood here in all our stoves & fuel will be a great bill. One very surprising thing to me has
been the fact that here in the mountains where rice fields are scarce, the price of rice is lower than
in the coast where there is nothing but rice cultivated. This is because exportation raises the price
on the coast & because the mountain people live largely on millet & oats. On the other hand the
price of fire wood is higher in Kang Kai than in Syen Chyun. This also has its reasons. Kang Kai,
although the heart of the forest district, has used up all the wood round about for thirty or forty li.
Everybody here used wood & the price has gone up & up. At Syen Chyun where trees are scarce
the people never think of anything but grass for fuel so we foreigners have been able to buy all the
fuel we needed at a comparatively low price. The question of the cost of living here, although early
to know for sure, appears to afford considerable apprehension. Every article of foreign goods will
have to bear a burden of freight that is distressing. It will cost us ¥ 1500 on the average for every
sleigh load of goods in the wintertime from the nearest railroad station. A sleigh will have from
600 to 800 lbs. This is over and above all the freight bills we had to pay at Syen Chyun. All our
canned goods will have to bear a like increase in cost. Coal oil that costs ¥ 3.40 for a box in Syen
Chyun costs ¥ 5.00 in Kang Kai. The cost of labor is as high or higher here than in Syen Chyun &
Pyeng Yang. It is too early yet to give reliable statistics but I am satisfied that we will have to
change our method of living quite radically or get a subsidy for freight. I sometimes think that in as
much as we will be only three families here all by ourselves we can live cheaper. At the same time
it will require that we mn a small dairy for milk and butter & a small farm for food. Whether it is
wise to spend our time on such things or to give all our time to the church work is a question. Still
it is too early to know what compensations we may find in living here. We have hoped that it
would be cheaper here than elsewhere & will not stir up a mmpus about poverty till we have actual
needs. The loss of ¥ 280 [?] worth of food in a steamer wreck lately has made our coming here a
little trying. The food I brought up on the sleigh was bought to replace the goods lost in the wreck.

3/14/09 -p.3 H.E.B.

We are sorry to get word that Fischer Brothers, Seattle, failed to insure our goods. So it is probably
a total loss. But we had enough money saved up so we can get along all right if nothing worse turns
up.

The money given for the motor boat for the Yalu River has not been touched yet. I have had
great fear of wasting the whole sum by going ahead too soon. Now I am satisfied that the only
possible boat that can be of service must be a boat that does not draw more than 12 inches of water.
Mr. McMurtrie of Pyeng Yang has ordered a motor through Mr. [?] Doris of Rock Island, Illinois &
has promised to make the boat at the Pyeng Yang Academy boat shop. A boat that will work on the
river above Pyeng Yang will work here. So he will try the boat there first & after he gets it going
we will bring it around to the Yalu. Five months of the year it will be useless because of ice on the
river, but if it is usable for the trip to Annual Meeting alone it will be worth all it costs, for the
ladies will never be able to stand many overland trips.

Mr. Rhodes leaves Syen Chyun tomorrow to come to join me here in about ten or twelve
days. I will leave here then in about a week after he arrives & go to Syen Chyun.

[possibly a separate little note enclosed with above letter?]

Dear Dr. Brown:

This is to inform the for Korea that Miss Mary Gillett Blair was bom in Syen Chyun,

Korea December 2 T*, 1908, - a perfect baby in all parts as far as we have discovered. Her mother
has made good recovery & bids fair to be turned down on her language examination at next Annual
Meeting if she does not quit spending so much time worshiping her new idol. Mary Gillett’s father
begs to be forgiven for failing to impart this very important news earlier. He thinks he was too busy
but probably he was worshiping the little lady too much also.

Yours tmly,

H.E. Blair

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #53)

San Rafael, California

March 17, 1909

Alice Fish Moffett

My Dearest:

Your long letter of February 24th makes me more hungry than ever to see you — more
hungry for you. When I take up business matters which I have to carry alone and have so many
things going on about which I carmot even write you, I feel as if I were growing away from you,
dearest. I have some of the old feeling of necessary self-dependence and it is not welcome. But I
love you and long for you with all my heart, and oh how I wish we could see ahead or find it
possible to plan to be together. This training is good for me I know, if I find it hard to endure
patiently. Sometimes I am very tired of responsibility and then I grow impatient. I seem to need
patience more than anything else these days.

Before I forget it — two matters of business. On Jamie’s birthday Mrs. Shaver brought $5
for the “little Shaver fund”, so this amount can be used from the educational fund we carry. Also I
have $40 from the Santa Rosa Society to be used for a Bible woman or in any way most needed. I
have acknowledged the receipt of your two checks ($50 and $100) but now do so again. Do not
send any money till I write for it. I have nearly $200 in hand.

March 19th. The photo of Merlin and Howard has come and Jamie is delighted. I will have
him send a little letter to them. I have received good letters from Mrs. Blair and Mrs. Bemheisel
and a note from Mrs. Swallen. How I wish I could be there to help out with the teaching. The good
long letter from Louise gave me many details of news.

Jamie boy is so happy in this large yard with Helen and David. He comes in to me with
bunches of flowers or to tell me that Muggins is hungry for bread or sugar. Often I hear him
singing little snatches of kindergarten songs. “Wee birdies are singing.” Is that a new song,
Jamie?” “Yes, and you must sing tra-la-la with it this way. That’s the way the birdies do.” I am
far behind the times because I don’t know all the new songs. Jamie says I must buy all the books
Miss Mysell has and learn all the songs.

Baby is happy and strong and growing every day on his rich milk and white of egg. He
kicks and squeals, — and pounds his rattle all to pieces he is so energetic. The photos are not as
good as they might be. I will try again later on. I send you all the proofs just for fun. Have ordered
only one dozen from this set, as marked on the back. Do you want any more of these or will you
wait for better ones?

I had a short business talk with Mr. Carr the other day. Have placed insurance on the three
cottages and given two of the cottages and the vacant lot to an agent for sale. Mr. Carr advises me
to go over Father’s papers in the city even though I have to do it through the Company lawyer, Mr.
Deal, who is an old time friend of Father’s and Mother’s and a man with whom I can talk freely. I
intended to do this yesterday but Mother is down sick with an attack of bronchitis - not serious in
itself but which brings back the deep cough of pneumonia which is painful and weakening. It is so
hard to see her suffer. She has little resistance and does not respond to remedies as two years ago.

I had a long talk with Dr. Landon to help me to look on all sides of my problem rightly. He
said in substance, “I believed that you ought to come and am thankful you did. Now that your
Mother is walking again and you have secured Miss Standen it seems to me that you have

3/17/09 -p.2 A.F.M.

accomplished what was most necessary and 1 doubt if you are called upon to make a decision which
will keep you here indefinitely or call Dr. Moffett from the field.” I agree with every point he made
but still, dearest, when I think of Father’s dependence on me for every smallest decision and of
Mother’s weakened condition I don’t see how I can bring myself to leave them again. 1 know the
Lord will guide, — if 1 am to go home the way will be opened as it was for us to come here — and it
may be made plain much sooner tan we think. Mother insists that we shall go forward with the
plans for moving into the cottage, but unless she gains strength I think we shall have to stay here
after April 1st.

This letter has had many interruptions — now I am going back to say little things left out.

Am planning to settle up for the Ward cottage April 1st. Mother is willing to draw out interest
money from the bank here with the understanding the monthly payments go back in the bank
instead of to Mr. Ward. It will be a relief not to have to deal with the — the Wards — any more.
Went yesterday to make the proposition to them and learned the place is already insured! 3 year
policy for $1000. Father said it was not — they had said nothing about it. Mr. Ward will have this
policy changed and pass it over with the deed April 1st and receive $630. Mr. and Mrs. Wood who
rent the house seem very nice people.

Baby Boy has a new word but he hasn’t told me how to spell it. It sounds like diddle or
dddllll with long rolls on the Is. His vaccination did not take — for the second time. I shall wait
awhile and try again in a month or two.

Whenever I praise Jamie for prompt obedience or anything praise-worthy he says “Mama
you write and tell Papa about it.” Very often he says “I want to go back to Pyeng Yang” and even
in the middle of the night I heard a half unconscious “I wish we could see Papa.”

Yes, I still have Florence Folwell’s sweater. Will send it by the first opportunity or surely
mail it during the summer. Last week I had my first Mission Study Class in this church with Dr.
Underwood’s “The Call of Korea” as a text book. 24 in the class. Spoke in the Congregational
Church that same evening. Father and Mother send love to you. And I send all my heart of love to
you, my Dearest.

Your

Alice

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Chicago, Illinois

March 23, 1909

H.G. Underwood

Rev. A.J. Brown
Board of Foreign Missions
156 5* Avenue, New York

My dear Dr. Brown

Yours of the 8* just to hand.

I am simply going to take up the last statement in regard to the amount there is to be used in
these buildings. I would like to call your attention to the fact that in Pyeng Yang the amount spent
for the Bible Institute is $5000 in the Women’s Institute put up last year, and the Marquis Memorial
(amount unknown) and the Men’s Class Room and you will find that the total amount put in there is
considerably over $5000.

You see these buildings that have been put up heretofore have been gradually growing and
now we are going into Kang Kai, where the work, although new, has practically been in progress
for some years, and we will need at once an institution of the kind named.

I expect to be in New York in a few days and we will talk further into the question when I
see you there. I am busy just now looking over the men who may be applying for Korea. I think
that there will be quite a few so applying and I want to know that they are the right men.

Hoping to see you in a few days.

Yours most sincerely,

H.G. Underwood

HGU-ESB

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #58)

Denver, Colorado

March 30, 1909

Ernest F. Hall

Rev. H.G. Underwood, D.D.

% Underwood Typewriter Company

241 Broadway

New York City, U.S.A.

My Dear Dr. Underwood:—

Our meetings on Sunday were very satisfactory. The meeting last night at the Central
Church was not as largely attended as we had hoped, yet there was a good number of men and we
had a fine time. I shall follow up some of the things here this week.

I have been urged very strongly to speak in Boulder next Sunday and think it wise to do so.
On Monday of next week, I shall speak at Fort Morgan, about 100 miles from here, where one of
my seminary elassmates is pastor. I shall plan to leave there that night for Omaha and Dubuque.

I think it will be best to send mail in care of the Underwood Company, Chicago, and I can
have them forward it.

Mr. Hulbert [Homer Hulbert] leaves me today for the East. Mrs. Hall is to meet the women
at the Central Church this afternoon. I have sent out a great many letters to persons in Spokane and
I hope that financial results will follow. We were certainly accorded a very warm welcome there.
The First Church in Spokane will doubtless take on their own foreign missionary before many
months.

We have been greatly exercised by a statement that was made to me yesterday by a lady
who has recently been spending some months in Korea. She has just returned to America and told
me of the educational outlook there. She says that the Japanese want all of the schools registered
and that if registered, they must agree to use only the text books which are approved by the
government. If this is the situation, it seems to me a very critical one. She said that the Y.M.C.A.
is holding out against it and that the Methodists are awaiting to see what our mission intends to do.

It seems to me that the Japanese are forcing the issue with us and that they are trying to cripple our
work. If we agree to use only the books which are approved by the government you can readily see,
in spite of all promises which they might make, that it would be easy for them to shut out the Bible
and any text books whieh we might prepare. She said they were also objecting to books which refer
to patriotism. This sounds very much like “the unspeakable Turk.”

Mr. Hulbert and I both believe that the missions there should take a definite stand and say to
the Japanese that we will eonduct our schools as we have been doing. We cannot afford to yield
this time, for if we begin to do so, we shall have to yield more points later on. I do not think that
we shall gain anything by trying to conciliate the Japanese, nor do I believe that we shall have any
trouble. We might say to them that we will wait and see what books you approve before we decide,
then we can simply continue to wait and do nothing, for if we yield at this point, there is a
possibility that our Christian education may be hindered, if not entirely destroyed, and it certainly
will be very difficult to get people to invest money in our educational work there under any such
conditions. It will be altogether too uncertain.

3/30/09 -p.2 E.F.H.

I believe the Board should take this matter up and not delay. They should write to the
Mission, or cable them at once. Doubtless Dr. Brown has some information in regard to these
matters.

You doubtless received my letter of March 26‘** in regard to forwarding money and your
reply is probably in Chicago about this time and it will be forwarded to me here.

As soon as you have decided definitely when you will leave America, please let me know so
that I may plan accordingly.

I have written to Mr. Barr in Detroit and hope that I shall be able to have a meeting there.

Yours for Korea,

Ernest F. Hall

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol 239, attached to letter #67 from H.G. Underwood to A.J. Brown)

New York, New York

April 2, 1909

H.G. Underwood

Rev. Arthur J. Brown
156 Fifth Avenue
New York City

My dear Dr. Brown

I send you herewith a copy of the letter just received from Mr. Hall. What he says in the
second and third pages, if you have not yet heard of, I think will be very important, and I send it
straight on. I had heard of Japanese suggestions looking toward a unification of the school system
in Korea, and you can readily see what this “unification” would mean. I think its aim is to head off
the Christian education, and it behooves us to be on the look-out to see that our interests are
conserved.

I suppose you may have heard of this but I send it by special delivery for fear you have not.

Yours very truly,

H.G. Underwood
per R

R/U

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #67)

Pyeng Yang, Korea

April 7, 1909

W.L. Swallen

Rev. A.J. Brown, D.D.

I’m undertaking to write you the monthly news of the station. I know you will not think strange that
I am a bit late, and brief also. The work continues as usual without break or interruption. Mrs. Dr. Wells’
long illness has taxed the ladies of this and other stations considerably, but we praise God that she is now on
a good way to recovery.

The death of Mr. Sidebotham upon whom we had counted for a good deal of help has also made the
work heavier for the men in this station. On the other hand, God’s presence has been with us in many
evident ways and most of our Korean force have been serving well so that with few exceptions the work
moves on with noticeable speed and power.

The work of registering all our day schools throughout the country according to the “Red tape’’ rule
of the Japanese order has added a tremendous burden to our already too great load. The missionaries are
made the superintendents of all schools. The requirements were so high that it was considered advisable that
the missionary take full charge. I am thus in charge of about 50 schools and each clerical missionary of the
station in like manner is expected to attend to this work in his territory in addition to his ministerial duties. It
is feared that this will interfere with church work to no small degree. But if it is found to do so in too great a
degree it will have to be dropped and some other way found to do the work. We will learn by and by I
suppose when the correspondence concerning these schools begins with the Government. From this you may
get a hint of what may be forthcoming later.

The women’s class was held here last month with an attendance of over 600 earnest women. These
women are being taught the Bible systematically. A regular course is followed and the women study with
much zeal, many come with babies on their backs, so much so that this year a woman was hired to keep the
babies during class while the mothers were reciting and the resourceful Miss Best had sufficient forethought
to secure some bushels of animal crackers with which to entertain the babies when they became too restless.

Our Theological Seminary opened this year March 15 with an attendance of 138 students. The
[Presbyterian] Council last fall selected a number of men who were to teach during the entire three months,
but Dr. Moffett and I are the only ones who seem to be able to give so much time this year. It can hardly be
deemed just to the Korean students for those who have a large country work to look after and practically no
time to give to preparation, to suddenly drop out of their busy church work to take up the theological
instruction with men who are keen to get every point of information possible to fit them for their high
calling. The time has come when we shall have to specialize more in order to be able to do the best for the
church in Korea.

Our new Seminary building was not erected any too soon. It is now well occupied with busy
workers. There will be 9 or 1 0 graduate this year.

There are some other matters that I might speak of but this will suffice to give you a hint at least of
what we are doing and trying to accomplish.

Yours in Christ,

W.L. Swallen

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #74)

Pyeng Yang, Korea
My dear Mrs. Moffett:-

April 14, 1909

Annie L.A. Baird

Spring is coming on very very slowly. 1 wonder if it is so the world round. The old willows across
the fields are just beginning to show the faintest tint of yellow, and everything else is still brown and dead.

But Mrs. Wells is slowly coming back to life, and it really seems like a resurrection after this long
and terrible illness that she has had. 1 went in to see her the other day for the first time since she was taken
sick, and I could hardly keep from crying just to look at her and hear her voice once more. Since then 1 have
been in several times, for she seems to like to have company. She is looking forward to warm days and
getting out of doors every day, and 1 hope she will gain faster then. She is just like herself, in spite of her
weakness, and what do you suppose she is planning for? A party dress! Miss Butts and 1 just had to laugh
when she came out with that.

There is a dear little baby just two weeks old at the Blair’s, little girl No. Three. Naturally, they had
hoped for a little boy this time but she is a sweet little thing, fat as a pig and she seemed to bring her
welcome with her as all babies ought to, if it hasn’t already preceded them. Mrs. Blair got along well at the
time, but 1 think she has not felt very strong since, at least she has not tried to get up yet.

Miss Butts took down with measles several days ago, very much to her surprise, as she had had them
before. The attack itself seemed light, as she was broken out with them before she knew it, but her eyes have
been very weak since.

Has anyone written you about the woman’s class? It was the largest one yet, well onto six hundred,
and all went off, apparently, to everybody’s satisfaction. At the last meeting, a praise serviee, there were
twenty short speeches in the space of half an hour. I doubt if the brethren could have done as well.

John [Baird] is doing well at school, altho’ the period of “storm and stress” is on him and he is
undergoing attacks of “blues” and kindred unpleasant symptoms. Poor child! He will just have to be patient
with himself, and everybody else will have to be patient with him until he “weathers the blast and anchors at
last” in the haven of manhood.

I am looking for Mr. Baird late in June or early in July. It seems like a long time since we parted.

Your Charlie boy will be a big fellow when I get my first look at him. I hope very much that your
mother’s condition is improving.

With kindest regards to both parents and much love to yourself -

Always your affectionate friend,

Annie L.A. Baird

The botany [textbook] is just out and in an attractive dress. Many thanks for what you did for it.

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

New York, New York

May 22, 1909

H.G. Underwood

My dear Dr. Brown:-

I was very sorry when I last talked with you over the ‘phone and quite surprised to learn that you
personally were very uncertain as to whether Mr. Stewart’s “funds could be landed”. I had on the Coast talked the
matter over with Mr. Stewart, and thought I knew so thoroughly his mind, and at the same time was so conversant
with the Board’s rules, that I considered that the funds were really landed and that it was simply a
misunderstanding, in all probability, of the wording of letters that caused you possibly to have some doubts. I felt
also that if there were anything in connection with the gift that should make it so that our Board should not feel
itself in a position to take the funds, that this amount was promised for Korea, and if our Board could not use it, it
was really a personal promise to me on the part of Mr. Stewart, and I felt that Korea needed it, and that it was my
place to see to it that somehow or other the funds were used there, even though they should possibly be turned over
to another Board, which of course I hoped would not be.

When I was well enough to look into the matter, I still found that there was some doubt and
misunderstanding, and I also realized that if the matter were left as it was, nothing could be decided until after I
had gone.

I called on Dr. Alexander and learned from him his position, and fortunately, when at the Board rooms one
day I saw Dr. [Charles] Erdman and was thus able to meet all of those who had been appointed to have charge of
the correspondence. I felt that it was not my place to in any way interfere, and yet at the same time I felt positive
that Mr. Stewart would be perfectly willing to take my statement concerning the faith of these men, and would not
demand of the Board a guarantee as to their future faith. From talks I had had with him, I felt that there was
nothing in his offer that could in any way embarrass the Board, and yet at the same time I wanted to have such
precautions taken as would make sure that his wishes would be carried out to the very best of the Board’s ability,
and that the men selected should be men along the line of his own feelings and desires. I first of all thought that I
would do nothing, and then, on second consideration, I thought it would be a great pity to have this money
diverted to any other channels, and that our Board ought to get his gift, so I wrote him a personal letter asking him
to telegraph me his decision, and I enclose herewith copy of my letter to him, together with a copy of his
telegraphic reply which you will see he sent in accordance with my suggestions to him, from which you will be
pleased on your return to see that he has acceded to leaving this matter in our hands for adjustment.

In my letter to him you will see that 1 mentioned especially Messrs. Throop and Wiim were men who had
been appointed by the Board and could be classed with those described in his terms. Then if Mr. W.G. White’s
testimonials should be satisfactory, and if Professor Johnson, also of Chico, applies, and is found satisfactory, we
would have seven who in accordance with his desires could be assigned to his gift. Then, too, I want to suggest
that Mr. Mowry and Mr. Montgomery had both of them desired to go to the same field, that they have both of
them, at the suggestion of Dr. White, been in correspondence with us concerning Korea, that Mr. Mowry was also
lined up especially with the gift of Mr. Arnold, concerning whom I spoke to you when I was in your office some
months ago, and that Mr. Arnold is especially informed that Mr. Mowry is his missionary, and so many letters
have passed between our Propaganda Committee and both Mr. Mowry and Mr. Montgomery, that I think the two
of them ought to be assigned to Korea. We have funds in hand for them both, as well as for some other men.

I therefore want to request that the Board be asked to re-consider their previous action, and transfer these
men, as well as Mr. Throop to work in Korea.

Yours most sincerely,

H.G. Underwood

P.S. I am sending you a copy of the letter that I sent to Dr. White as I think that you might want it for your files,
(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #90)

Pyengyang, Korea

May 24, 1909

Samuel A. Moffett

Rev. A.J. Brown, D.D.

156 5“* Avenue, New York

Dear Dr. Brown:

The station has been wrestling with the problem of furloughs trying to so arrange matters
that too many of us will not be off the field at the same time. With furloughs for Blair, Swallen, Lee
& Bemheisel and my Edinburgh Conference trip all coming within two years we have been put to it
to so plan as to avoid most serious injury to the work.

If Mr. and Mrs. Lee’s health will permit they will postpone their furlough a year but if not
Mr. Swallen will change his plans and go home a year later. At best, however, we shall be short-
handed and it is thought best for me to return from Edinburgh Conference by October L‘, 1910.
Word from Mrs. Moffett gives me little reason to expect her return this fall, as her father is failing
steadily and her mother far from well or strong. Her father may be taken at any time and so her
plans are very uncertain. We both feel that if possible I ought to go home to her for a while this fall
and the station has approved my request for a 4-months absence dating from about September 20"’,
provided that I return from the Edinburgh Conference by October 1, 1910. That will mean that I
shall be here for the greater part of the work of the Theological Seminary in the spring of 1910 -
leave for Edinburgh via Siberia and return here by October 1, 1910.

Of course, in asking permission for 4 months absence this fall, I understand it must be at my
own expense. I write to you to ask for Board approval of this request provided of course that the
Mission also approves. There will not be time to write for Mission action and then reach you with a
letter before you leave America, and I want also to know as soon as possible that I have permission
to leave in September if in the meantime conditions do not so change that it becomes unnecessary.

I want to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of April n* enclosing copy of letter to Dr.
Eaton of Australian Board, which I am glad to receive.

I am looking forward eagerly to your visit for there are some questions about which it will be
a great satisfaction to talk with you when misapprehensions and misunderstandings may be cleared
away more readily.

I am glad that Dr. Eaton’s letter to you, a copy of which reached me shortly after your letter
has already cleared up several misunderstandings revealed in your letter. Dr. Eaton evidently
understood that action of our Board is necessary before any agreement can be reached.

After our Executive Committee meeting in February when Mr. Smith was so eager for the
Rest House and Training Class Building approved by the Mission for Milyang, I told him I would
write to a friend in the hope of receiving the money for the same. A letter on the last mail from Mr.
Crowell of Chicago tells me the money has been sent to Mr. Day [Board treasurer] as requested.

As before stated - altogether independent of the question of division with Australians or
station or no station at Milyang, the Mission thinks we need the Rest House and Training Class
Building and I earnestly hope this appropriation will be made at once. Delay may seriously interfere

5/24/09 -p.2 S.A.M.

with purchase of desirable site and property.

I want to add one more word just now about reinforcements. If possible, send out in
addition to those already appointed, 4 more single ladies this year. They are greatly needed and
needed now.

Trusting you may have a safe journey - a restful one as you cross the ocean and reach us
prepared to plan with us for taking this country for Christ - and with cordial regards.

Sincerely yours,

Samuel A. Moffett

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #91)

Taiku, Korea

May 29, 1909

Christine H. Cameron

My Dear Dr. Brown:

I write to tell you how very sorry I am now that I sent in my resignation, now that I have
fully regained my health and am as well and strong as ever. I have never worked any harder in my
whole life than I have worked these eight months doing the hospital work, and have never enjoyed
my work so much. I only wish I could continue it. I have found, too, that I know a great deal more
of the language than I ever thought I did - it seemed all I needed was to get with the people. I found
out I learned more in one day working in the hospital than I could learn [in] a week from 5/24/09 -
p.2 S.A.M. books.

I have been able to work with and train seven students and four servants. Two of the
students understood very little English and talked less, so all teaching and talking had to be in
Korean. 1 do enjoy working for the Koreans so much. I know my heart will break when I give the
work up.

I had the pleasure lately of attending a five days’ class in one of the country districts with
Mrs. Adams. The baby was taken sick and had to be brought home the second day, so I was left to
run the class with Miss Mills’ assistance. I continued the Bible study with Miss Mills teaching
singing and Bible verses. We had a rousing good time the whole five days. Friday, Saturday and
Sunday I saw over 30 sick people, prescribing and selling medicine to most of them, and on Sunday
we held three Gospel meetings with 468 people attending. At that church there are only about 150
to 200 [in] regular attendance; now since these meetings, there are about 300. Our Bible woman
said over 50 women had said that Sunday they wanted to believe. I enjoyed that trip so much, and
enjoyed the teaching.

I have stayed over in Taiku this week at the request of several members of the station, to
give a talk to the Normal Class of women that is now in session. 35 women are attending - about
50 were present last night when I gave the talk on the care of women before, during and after
confinement, also telling them simple remedies and how to treat sick children and sick people who
are unable to come to the hospital, or [are] too far away from the doctor. The women seemed to
enjoy it as much as I did giving it, and would have kept me there until midnight answering
questions.

It was the trip to the country and giving the talk last night that made me want to write you
this letter and tell you I know my heart will break when I give up this work. I never would have sent
in my resignation if I had known I would have been well enough or able to do the work. At the time
I sent it I was sick and nervous. I did it hastily without much thought and without prayer at the time,
when the whole station seemed against me - especially Dr. Johnson, for leaving the Severance
Hospital before he said I could, and for other reasons I suppose you know. The station has never
told me. Some of the members said I promised to do six months’ itinerating a year, then said I
wouldn’t. It does seem strange that during my four years’ stay here I was not able to do much
itinerating (over 18 months of that time ill, most of the time in bed) and just when the hospital work
was ready for me, for the Lord to heal me and get me ready for the work. Dr. Johnson was saying
today he thought my cure was miraculous, that injuries like mine either killed people or crippled
them for life. I would never know now that I had been injured. I am perfectly well in every way,
and as everyone says, am the picture of health and have been so for months. Those long weary

5/29/09 -p.2 C.H.C.

months I was sick, I know I was not angelic. I said many things and did many things for which I am
very sorry now and I am very very sorry that my influence was not what it should have been, either
to the Koreans or to the missionaries. I only wish it were possible for me to stay on here and do
some of the good I left undone. Dr. Johnson is a most delightful man to work with. I will be a
better Christian for having been allowed this six months’ work with him. He is always ready to
speak the Word and always ready to pray. He works as hard to reach the souls of his patients as he
does to heal their bodies. He is the truest Christian I have ever met and one of the finest men. I
know it will break my heart to leave the hospital and give the work over to another nurse. I suppose
some day I will see it to be the Lord’s plan for me. I am finding it the hardest thing I ever did in my
life, giving it up. I have been worried for fear it has been all my own fault. If I had been a little
more loving and kind and thoughtful it would not have happened. I am afraid it is one of the
mistakes I will regret all the rest of my life. Some of the missionaries in our mission and other
missions have asked me to stay and try private nursing. Of course I have lost my practice in
America and it will be very hard to get up another one, and as I have no home, and no reason for
going to America, if I could stay out here and make a living, I know I could be a great help to the
missionaries and also do some of the work to which I have given my life. Miss Shields has invited
me to share her home and try it, going about to the different stations and missions and nursing
missionaries and foreigners, and in between times, doing some missionary work with the Koreans
and helping the mission doctors. My work ended here with the Taiku hospital May V'. I am now
caring for the Johnson children and looking after the hospital while the doctor and Mrs. Johnson are
taking a short itinerating trip. I want to ask you how long I could stay out here and still draw my
fare home if I have to go. I would like to try it a year. If I found out in less than a year or in that
time, would the Board pay my fare home to America if I have to return? I know I could not in a
year’s time make enough to live on and also save my fare from the prices the missionaries could
afford to pay. If I was sick or ailing I would be perfectly willing to leave and come home to
America now. I am perfectly happy in the work here, and long as much as ever I did, to work for
the Master among the Koreans, and I truly want more than ever in my life before to do only His will
now.

Now, please advise me what I had better do, and let me know please if the Board would pay
my fare home at the end of a year.

Very cordially yours,

Christine H. Cameron

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #92)

San Rafael, California

May 31st, 1909

Alice F. Moffett

Oh, my Dearest,

I’m so sorry you have had another siege with your eyes, - and I couldn’t help you, or write
letters for you. It is so hard to be away even when you are working hard, - 1 don’t know how I could
stand it if you should be sick. Will you make it your business, dear, to take a good rest this summer?

I do not remember replying about Won-si’s salary - did I? I think it should be ¥ 8.00 at least;
have thought so for a long time, but others had not been raised before I left.

Hurrah, for the Pyeng Yang Athletic Association. That is fine. It will not be many years before
we shall have two boys to join. Baby is beginning to pummel his big brother already . One day as
Baby was on the floor Jamie lay down gently across his legs and Baby spanked brother hard and
crowed with glee. Let Jamie bring his head within reach and two chubby fists bury themselves in his
hair and hold on tight. The boys have very good times together if someone reminds Jamie now and
then to be gentle. Before very long Baby will stand up for his rights. He is a merry little kicker and
squealer. Grandpa plays with him by the half hour and never tires saying, “Oh you precious baby,
there never was a dearer, sweeter boy. That’s right, pull my hair and my nose and dig my eyes out.

You shall do anything you want to.”, etc., etc., etc

Not for a long time have I had any serious time with Jamie. He yields more readily than he
used to. Every time I approve him he says “Write and tell Papa about it.” I cannot remember details
but told him I would write Papa that he is trying hard to be a good boy. Jamie is getting thinner but he
eats heartily and is perfectly well. He plays so hard he cannot grow fat and is getting taller, too. The
other day he said, “Mama, when I get bigger I’m going to take care of Baby so you can sleep.” 1 am
sleeping finely now, since tooth No. 4 came through. We all go to bed early. I waken three or four
times but go to sleep again and often have seven hours or more.

Mother writes that she is better - not in so much pain now, but still using crutches because of
sciatica and stiff muscles. Says she must still stay where she can have the treatments. Father needs
more and more watching and attention and sometimes it seems to me he comprehends less and less of
what is said. Every day I have to find some article of clothing for him, keep track of changes and of
other articles for him. Almost every day I reply to some of the same questions, yet he seems now to
know he has asked them before. Over and over he says, “Allie, when is Sam coming? Isn’t it time for
his furlough? Tell him we want him so we can all settle down together.” Or again, “Allie, when are
you going back? We can’t expect to keep you here though I don’t know what we shall do without
you.” He scarcely gives a thought to the six houses here in town and does not know that I have a call
from someone of them every few days. Just now it is paint for the kitchen of the West End cottage and
a top on the chimney at the Wood place. I am thoroughly tired of caring for real estate. But there is
little transfer in that line now, - I cannot sell those I want to. Mr. Carr does not call for anything. I feel
sure he is making slight repairs at his own expense to save me. I am still trying to find someone to go
and come with Father but this one thing seems to be blocked on every side. Three times I thought I
had secured someone but each one failed. Three others from the City applied but each wanted room &
board provided, commutation and $30 per month! I can’t understand why this one thing is so difficult
to accomplish. After tracing up the life insurance policies as best I can I find only the $2000 policy of
Mr. Berkeley’s on which $1000 was borrowed last January and the paid up policy for $420 which 1
have in hand. I found it in the silver safe. After your letter about the bonds 1 wrote to Mother about
them and she has sent official envelopes so that the bonds will all stand in my name. Did I write you

5/31/09 -p.2 A.F.M.

about the Fire Insurance on the three large houses? There is $2500 on each with $1000 on the
furniture in the home. Mr. Carr, Mr. A.L. Taylor and Mr. Havens all say it should be $4000 or $5000
on each but whenever I speak of this to Father he says, “Oh that’s all right. There is nobody better
fixed than we are with the hose cart half a block away, the hydrant on the comer of our block and a
tank on the place always more than half full. On the other hand I see a line of light frame buildings at
the back flanked by two cypress hedges and surrounded by dry grass which is sometimes 2-3 feet
high. These facts and that of the three houses standing together make me think it would be wise to
carry more insurance. Do you think the matter important enough for me to urge it or to take the step
myself if the opportunity comes?

I think the mgs ordered for the ladies by Mrs. Curtis go forward on tomorrow’s steamer. Smith
did not get an itemized account for me so I must write to the mg works again and will send exact prices
later.

I am sure you will like the pulpit chairs. Hope they will be packed to carry well. I bought what
I wanted, forwarding the money, and as I tell the story, I fully expect someone to double the peddler’s
gift.

Tomorrow is our tenth anniversary, my Dearest. Even though we cannot keep it together I
know that our hearts will be full of thankfulness for the joy of the years we have had together and for
the love which grows deeper with each new year. Oh, I am so thankful for you and our two precious
boys. God grant we may be together again before very long. And may He give us patience to abide
His time and to be willing for all His will. This is not the anniversary letter I intended to write you, but
my heart is too full for more. I cannot express myself as you can but - 1 love you with all my heart.

Your

Alice

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

San Rafael, California

June 28, 1909

Alice F. Moffett

My own Dearest,

The last page of the last letter was left out but all the love was not omitted even though you did
not have the expression of it and there was nothing else but the signature.

Today I mailed Baby’s photos which were taken June 1 1th. From left to right I should name
them - 1 . “See my teeth.” 2. “Pat-a-cake.” 3. “Watching a balloon.” 4. “How do you do?” Out of
eight negatives only one (#4) is without a blur. Mrs. Taylor, the photographer, says she would as soon
try to catch a flying windmill. I had only one of these large cards finished, - just for you, but am
sending a card of No. 4 to Mother Moffett. Baby is beginning to creep - not in ordinary fashion - but
he gets over the floor, one scarcely knows how. Look away for a minute and you find him six feet
away, watch him and he travels by peculiar little hitches, squirms and pulls. Perhaps these are
preliminary “steps” to traveling on hands and knees. I notice if Jamie builds a tower across the room.
Baby can get there to knock it down. What a blessing it is to have the children both so strong and well
and active and happy.

Well, dearest, the days are passing, somehow, 1 scarcely know how. I think the time, like Baby,
gets along for me by hitches, squirms and pulls. I often go down in the depths and think I cannot stand
it any longer without you - then 1 pull myself together and try it again, but it is dreary work at best and
only half living. Mother is still urging me to plan to go home in the fall, - but 1 cannot yet see the way
clear to do so. However, 1 think we should have a private cable code to use about the middle of Sept,
if necessary. 1 will try to make one soon. This from the steamer schedules —

S.S. Korea leaves Kobe for San Francisco September 19th

Nippon Mam “ ” “ ” ” October 3rd

Siberia “ ” “ ” “ October 9th

Shinano Mam “ ” “ Seattle September 24th

I cannot let myself long for you to come then when I think what it would mean for you to be away with
two others off the field. Suppose it should mean that Mr. Lee would break down - or anyone else. Yet
it cannot be right that our family should be broken up indefinitely - may the Lord soon give us light and
show us what to do.

1 hope the chairs reached you in good condition. I have received several additions to the
peddler’s gift - enough to cover both cost and the freight I prepaid. Louise’s Mother sent $5 and the
Christian Endeavor Society of this church gave $3. When 1 hear from you of the condition of the
chairs and their reception I will pass on the word to those who assisted. Mrs. Strang was so glad to
help in giving something for Central Church. When here she asked particularly about your present
relation to the church and was much amused to hear you are assistant pastor. Her letter with the gift
says she wishes she could send another chair or something else especially for the “assistant pastor.”

It is very late - Good night my dearest. Oh, how I long for you - only your heart can know. 1
cannot keep the tears back always - and sometimes I do not try. Jamie boy is fast asleep - but 1 will tell
him in the morning that I sent his kisses to Papa 00000000.

With all my heart of love.

Your wife,

Alice

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

New York, New York

June 28, 1909

Arthur Judson Brown

The Rev. S.A. Moffett, D.D.,

Pyeng Yang, Korea

My dear Dr. Moffett:-

I brought your letter of May 24* before the next meeting of the Board after its arrival, and
the following action was promptly taken:

“The Rev. Dr. S.A. Moffett of the Korea Mission, and Miss Emma E. Fleming, M.D., of the
West Shantung Mission, were given leave of absence from the field for a period of four months,
subject to the approval of their respective Missions, in order to visit dying relatives in this country,
it being understood that no expense to the Board is involved, beyond the continuance of their
salaries.”

1 sincerely hope that God may spare the loved one at home and that your journey may be free
from heavy sorrow.

It will be a keen disappointment if I do not see you when I am in Korea as, from your
relations to the Mission, particularly as Chairman of the Executive Committee, it is exceedingly
important that you should share our conferences, and yet I do not feel like urging you to remain in
view of the circumstances. I can only leave the matter to your own judgment in consultation with
the Mission.

With warm regards, I remain.
Sincerely yours,

A.J. Brown

(from Presbyterian Historical Society microfilm reel #283, Volume 242, (part 4), letter #120)

New York City

June 29, 1909

Arthur Judson Brown

Dr. W.O. Johnson, M.D.

Taiku, Korea

My dear Dr. Johnson:

I am enjoying a long coveted opportunity to write some letters to individual missionaries today,
though in order to get the opportunity, 1 have had to flee from the office to the quiet of my home in
Montclair. I am thinking about the little company of missionaries at Taiku and wish to send you at
least a few lines of remembrance and greeting. 1 trust that you and Mrs. Johnson are enjoying good
health and that you are as happy as ever in your work.

I suppose that there are few missionaries who have heavier burdens upon time and strength and
sympathy than a busy medical missionary. As I look through some of our great hospitals at home and
watch several surgeons and half a dozen nurses in the operating room, I wonder what some of these
surgeons would think of the conditions amid which the typical medical missionary has to operate. I
suppose a medical missionary’s operations, too, are more apt to be what we call “heroic”, as many
patients do not go to you at all until their cases become chronic or until they have made things pretty
bad either by neglect or by the crude methods of native treatment which are often worse.

However, this is just where the great privilege of the missionary physician comes in. The other
day I read the following words from Dr. Grenfel, the famous missionary on the coast of Labrador:

“I’ve never been sorry a moment for the choice I made. There is reward in it. I used to have a
different idea of Christian reward - - this kind of reward with a halo in it and a pair of wings. That
didn’t appeal to me. But I am getting a reward that is worth while - getting it every day, too - the
reward of the satisfaction there is in doing things that help people, and the reward of knowing that this
is something that the Master approves. That’s what He did when He was here - helped people - and if
we want to follow Him, that’s what we have to do, too.”

I am sure that those words represent your own feeling as well as Dr. Grenfel’s. It is
magnificent to work for God and to know that something is being accomplished for Him and for His
Church.

I received a few weeks ago your letter of February 9* and Mrs. Johnson’s letter of March T*.
You, of course, know ere this of the appointment of the long-desired nurse. I am very sorry that you
and Mrs. Johnson were having such anxieties in the illness of your beloved children and earnestly hope
that long ere this they have fully recovered their health.

With warm regards to Mrs. Johnson, I remain, as ever.

Affectionately yours,

A.J. Brown

(from microfilm reel #283, Vol. 242 (Part 4), letter #122)

San Rafael, California

June 30, 1909

Alice F. Moffett

My Dearest,

Your letter of June 10th came yesterday. Firstly, - There is more bed linen & table linen packed
away in the lower house for Mrs. Curtis’ use at Annual Meeting time. We had 22 sheets and a few more
than three dozen pillow cases counting the oldest ones which were left out to be used first. Pak-si will
probably remember where they are packed - in one of the red chests, I think. Some of the woolens in the
lower house - especially blankets - should be looked over next fall and repacked with tobacco leaves.

And if you come to us, any clothing which you leave can be packed in the same way - the best articles
closely wrapped in paper. Pak-si has done this so many times she knows better than anyone else how it
should be done but she cannot do the lifting necessary. She should have one strong person with her while
she chiefly directs. Do not let many people - even of the household - go in among the trunks. We lost
two large quilts when the room was opened before and the house made ready for us after furlough.

No, I do not need any more money at present. The rugs, wall paper, dishes and freight made a
large hole in my sum, but aside from this I use only what is necessary for our clothing and have now $120
on hand. The rug money will come back to you. Have not yet purchased the writing boards for the blind
school. I will try to send a cable code with this letter.

July 3rd.

Mother came home last evening. She is very much better - is out of pain, walking freely and
eating heartily. It seems to me she is better than she thinks she is. She plans to return in a week to remain
till some time in September.

No, we are not greatly inconvenienced in the cottage, though we have no parlor, as Mother’s bed
stands in the front room, - the only sunny one. When she is here Father sleeps on a spring couch. Mrs.
Rooney and Lynm-si [she has referred to her as “Yum-si” before] sleep in the unfinished half story above.
The thing that affects me most is sleeping in a Va bed with Jamie - he kicks like a little colt! This bed and
the crib nearly fill the room. And as for the bathroom - Lynm-si and I both want to play with Baby in the
tub and cannot both go in at once - you can imagine the situation is serious! I didn’t realize what it would
mean to live in this neighborhood, surrounded by the railroad station, a blacksmith shop, saloon and
bowling alley on comer, skating rink and gas works in rear. I said as much to Cousin Emma and her quiet
reply was “Suppose you were in a City flat.’’ Indeed, I am thankful for the yard we have and for the
horse and surrey to take us to the fields.

You should hear Mrs. Rooney and Baby “converse”. She says something to him and he replies
decidedly and about as loud “Da-da - ^ ^ - na - ng” - etc., etc. and then she says “Oh now you don’t
mean it. I don’t believe a word, etc., etc.” And so they keep it up. The other day Baby roused from his
morning nap just as Mrs. Rooney was passing the door and she undertook to put him to sleep again. She
took him in her generous arms and began rocking vigorously and singing loudly. Baby thought, “This is
fine”, and settled down to enjoy it, so she thought him asleep and stopped singing, when Baby opened
one eye as much as to say, “Are you tired? Go on. I’m listening.” As long as she sang he kept still, as
soon as she stopped he opened his eyes and when she stopped rocking he sat up straight as if to say,

“Well, if that’s all, let’s go somewhere.” It is too funny to hear her tell it. She would not spoil him for
anything, in theory it is all wrong, but still he would be spoiled in a little while if I did not watch her.

Jamie boy sends a hundred kisses and a hundred hugs for Papa. And I, dearest, oh, how I long for
you, for life in our home once more and for the chance to tell you how much I love you.

Your,

Alice

(from the Samuel H. Moffett collection of S.A. Moffett papers)

Pyeng Yang, Korea

July 2, 1909

Samuel A. Moffett

Dear Dr. Brown,

The Executive Committee has instructed me to write you concerning furloughs, pointing out the
history of the Mission action on the subject. Your last letter, April 22, 1906, seems to have been written
under somewhat of a misapprehension. What we are seeking is a basis, alike satisfactory to Board and
Mission and the Church as a whole, and to conserve the health of the missionaries for the most effective
service.

At the Annual Meeting 1905 (minutes page 3 9 ‘/a, the Mission requested sanction to the following
plan for furloughs:

1 . At the end of four years on the field, six months in America, the missionary paying the
expense one way, salary to begin at the time of return trip.

2. At the end of six years on the field, eight months in America, the missionary paying one fourth
expenses, salary to begin at the time of return trip.

3. At the end of eight years on the field, twelve months in America, the Board paying all
expenses.

To this the Board replied (in your letter of Dec. 26''', 1906) in which among other things you
wrote, “The discussion here has made it plain that if the Board adopts the principle of your plan at all, it
would insist on taking the time for travel from the furlough on some such basis as this: A ten months
furlough in this country in addition to the time for travel after a term of service of eight years, or a five
months furlough in this country after a term of service of five years, the missionary paying his travel one
way.”///// “The Board is not ready to say finally that it disapproves of your plan and it is accordingly
willing to give the matter further consideration in the light of any arguments that you may present.” I
quote also from the Board action mentioned in the same letter, “The Board felt that the way was not clear
at this time to take the desired action but suggested that the Mission reconsider the matter at its next
Annual Meeting.” To which you added, “Of course if we hear nothing further from you on the subject we
shall understand that you wish the matter dropped, but if you wish it to go any further we shall expect
some additional action and explanation on your part.”

At the next Annual Meeting of the Mission the matter was considered and the Medical
Committee reported as follows,— “That the Board be requested to make the term of missionary service
before the first furlough seven years.” (See minutes 1907, page 48) Medical Committee’s report, section
2.

Following this action at the meeting of the Executive Committee in January, the following was
recommended to the Mission, adopted and sent to the Board, - (embodying as we believed the ideas of the
Board letter of December 26'*', 1906 and the Mission action of 1907.)

I . That the regular term be eight years with one year in America.

II. That the Mission shall have the option of making the term seven years, in which case the
period of furlough shall be not more than one year off the field.

III. That the Mission shall have the option of arranging for a furlough of seven months off the
field ineluding period of travel, after four years, in which case the return expenses to the field shall be met
by the Board.

IV. These furloughs shall be counted as regular furloughs and the succeeding regular term of
service shall date from time of return. To this action we have in reply your letter of April 22"'*, 1906,
which postpones action on the request, apparently because not practicable for the ensuing year and
because it was ad interim action and because of fear of greater expense.

May I reply to this pointing out -

7/02/09 -p.2 S.A.M.

First,- That the request is not one for this fiscal year only or primarily to apply to this fiscal year
but is for adoption as a principle to be applied, of course, only as soon as practicable which may well be
the fiscal year following its adoption.

Second,- That while it is ad interim action it is action based upon the discussions of two Annual
Meetings and the comments and suggestions of Board letter of December 26'*’, 1906, with less favorable
terms than the Mission then proposed.

Third,- As to the expenses involved. There can be no more expense involved by the application
of I and III than under present arrangement, and there is great probability of less expense being involved
because if the seven months’ furlough off the field (III) is taken, not at the end of 4 but at the end of 5 or
6 years as may well be the case, then the next furlough can come only at the end of another four years for
seven months’ furlough or eight years for regular furlough, making the time covered for a regular
furlough period longer than at present. Under the adoption of II there may ^ one eighth more expense in
certain cases, offset probably by the saving under III, and offset by the extra two months of service
secured on the field; and more than offset by its application to cases where health considerations make it
advisable to leave at the end of seven years, although without this option one would not apply for a
medical certificate for health leave.

Fourth,- One great advantage to be gained by this plan is that it will enable us to arrange
furloughs so as to occasion the least loss of efficient workers on the field,- so that two men from one
station need not leave the same year. Next year is the year for Mr. Swallen and Mr. Blair to go home, the
following year for Mr. Bemheisel and Mr. Lee. Doubtless under the system proposed we could avoid
such a double vacancy.

Fifth,- Notice please that under III the amount of time and expense involved in two seven
months’ furloughs in eight to ten years is no more than in one fourteen months’ furlough in eight years as
at present.

Under such a system I think we should be able to avoid such situations as have occasioned us the
practical loss of the time of many who, while not on furlough have been incapacitated for work for
months and months by long semi-invalidism not warranting a medical certificate but laying them aside
from full work for a year or two or more before time for regular furlough.

I personally believe the plan would give us larger returns in amount of work accomplished by the
missionaries, less sickness, less waste of energy and that, in the long run, at no greater expense to the
Board. I do not suppose you will care to act again upon this matter until after our Annual Meeting, at
which time we shall probably renew our recommendations, but the Executive Committee desired that this
letter should be written at once that the matter might be laid before you more clearly.

With kindest regards.

Yours very sincerely,

Samuel A. Moffett

The last class for the summer closes tomorrow and we have begun on the reports for the year. It has been
a great year with by far the largest additions yet recorded. We shall report about 2000 adult baptisms in
Pyeng Yang Station alone. We are still overcrowded and do so greatly need the College Buildings. Let
us have word of appropriations for it from Propaganda Fund just as soon as decided upon, please.

S.A.M.

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #101)

Ingram, Pennsylvania
Dear Dr. Brown;

July 15, 1909

E.H. Miller

Yesterday I received a letter from Dr. Moffett concerning the demands of the M.E.’s
[Methodists] that we give them Chong Ju, and their threats that they would scatter all over Korea
if we do not accede - or something like that. He also spoke of the danger that some of the
Presbyterians might be frightened into giving up Chong Ju to prevent such an invasion.

Such a thing seemed an impossibility until I received his letter. It makes me fear now
that the M.E’s might be able to frighten a number of our Mission into acceding to their demands.
And I feel called to do all I can to show the Mission the truth about our position at C.J. [Chong
Ju] and to withstand the Methodists. Should the Mission give up C.J., I am free from
responsibility only if I have done aU I can to show them what I think is God’s will.

To this end, this evening I asked my physician here what he thought of my returning to
Korea immediately. He examined me and found no reason for objection to my returning. Mrs.
Miller & Anna are in good health, too.

Can you immediately obtain the Board’s consent to our return so that we may reach
Korea by August 20* and have Mr. Day let us know what steamers leave the Pacific coast about
July 30*, so we can let him know our preference? We prefer the northern route across the
Pacific. We shall have to leave as soon as possible and must act promptly.

I enclose a letter written partly in June and partly yesterday about Chong Ju and the
Methodist demands.

Yours sincerely,
F.S. Miller

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #104)

Blairville, Tai-Tong River, Korea July 25, 1909 Samuel A. Moffett

[This name given by S.A. Moffett to a spot on the river where he has tied his houseboat]

Girlie Dearest:

Am having as good a time as is possible this summer - without you and the children - am
getting a good rest and also getting some work done up.

Last Monday I took Mr. Kerr in, stayed over until Tuesday and came off again Tuesday
bringing Mr. Bemheisel with me. Wednesday morning at the first sand bank I broke my glasses so
went right back for my other pair and then found your letter - which I tell you I was glad to get.

Then we came on up the river slowly - stopping here and there - bathing and swimming, reading &
playing and working too, for I had about 1 50 seminary exam papers to examine and have finished
100 of them on the way up - having Elder Chu along also to read the Korean to me, while I grade.

We reached here last evening in time for supper with the Lees and today are quietly resting.
Lee thinks he is this year having the ideal rest - having all his boat houses put up on the bluff where
they are in camp with two cooks to do all the work. Mrs. Lee is much better, which is fine - for she
was pretty well tired out. We shall stay here a day or two longer and then go down again and get Mr.
McMurtrie - or possibly Dr. Whiting, if he comes up from Chai Ryeng - in case the Hunts come to
take our guest house & part of [the] house to keep house for a few weeks before Annual Meeting. I
shall probably stay out until about 5th August and then go in for a run up to An Ju & Suk Chu to
ordain elders before Presbytery.

Your letters are always a treat and 1 do so get my heart warmed up with all you tell me about
Jamie Boy & Baby. Good for Jamie with his hatchet. When he comes back to Pyeng Yang he can
help Chu SyePang cut kindling for the house. That is what Papa used to do when he was a boy -
every Saturday when home from school.

Perhaps when I go back this time I’ll find Baby’s birthday photo and I wonder if I’ll know
my own little baby boy! ! Have not yet heard from Dr. Brown as to whether the Board will give
permission for me to leave in October for 4 months. The Mission has approved - with some
dissenting. One does not think I ought to leave - since I am to be away next May-October. Another
thinks that on such a trip - it should be taken at [one’s] own expense and without continuance of
salary. What the Board will say I know not - but I hope for permission and then I can go if by last of
September it seems best for me to go. If I go - then we can talk over the future together and see what
it is best to plan.

We are likely to have a pretty lively Annual Meeting with some big questions up - and Dr.
Brown comes out immediately after with authority to settle several big questions which involve
Chong Ju Station, Fusan - etc., etc.

I fear, too, we are going to lose the McCunes from Pyeng Yang. They had a talk with me last
week - showing they have reached a decision that they would like to go to Syen Chun for the school
work there. The situation in the school in Pyongyang wears upon McCune too much and he is
dissatisfied. What we will do without them I know not and perhaps some plan will yet turn up by
which they stay.

There is also some talk of dividing our Mission into two missions - on account of its size

7/25/09 - p.2 S.A.M.

making it too hard to entertain Annual Meeting. Doubtless we shall have several interesting
questions to deal with.

Your letter about Mother’s condition makes me long to be with you for a while to help you in
meeting some of your problems. I do not know that I can write of them in a way to help you any. If
after September 1st you can get Mother at home again you may be able to gradually talk to her about
doing more for herself as a help to herself I hope you can convince Mother that the thing for her to
do is to have herself & Father back in the old home to stay there permanently. Urge her to do this for
Father’s sake and urge him to do this for Mother’s sake. They both ought to have the comforts of
that home to which they have been accustomed so long. I am satisfied Mother will make a mistake if
she uses any of the money for purchase of more property which will mean more expense all the time
and the cutting down of her income bearing capital, which she ought to keep for an assured income
in addition to rents which I fear have not always been as much as they seem to be on the surface.
When you cut out taxes, insurance, repairs, interest on capital invested and deduct for months when
unoccupied - I am not sure that the returns are as much as from the bonds.

Well, girlie, do just the best you can in these matters - making tremendous allowances for the
fixed mental habits of years, which in later life are so apt to manifest themselves in a somewhat
exaggerated form. Father, of course, will not talk with Mother very much about business matters -
less so now than ever because he is dropping them into your hands - but if you find Dr. Landon or
Mr. Carr good ones to talk to yourself, and wish to talk more freely to them - perhaps you can get
Mother to talk over some things with one of them for she is much more likely to defer to a man’s
business ideas. This is a suggestion for you to act upon if you think best - when you get to the point
that you can’t manage situations satisfactorily.

What you need to watch is the unnecessary expenses here & there which you may cut off - in
case the income seems to run too near being below the outgo. You will be guided, dearest - to do
what is best. Above all - do not worry - there is enough to keep them in great comfort a great many
years, even though you draw each year somewhat on the principal. The Lord will guide us and them
- and someday we will see more clearly just how best to plan. Yes - 1 am homesick, dearest, and do
not want the separation to continue but if I can get home to you this winter - 1 think the load will be
lifted somewhat. A heart full of love to my wife and babies whom I long for.

Love to Fatherdy & Mother and a greeting to Nyum-ssi and Mrs. Rooney.

Lovingly, your own
Sambo

Please buy and enclose a Money Order for $2.50 in the letter to Dr. Bates & mail same.

July 29: - Just in again - find Baby’s photo & your letter - good! ! Dr. Brown’s letter says Board
gives permission for me to return in September for 4 months if Mission approves. Mission has
approved. We’ll see about it.

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Houseboat on the Tai Tong

Sunday, August 8, 1909

Samuel A. Moffett

My own Girlie Dearest:

This will show what a long stay 1 am making on the river but we are now ready to close up and go in
and must get to work again. I have accomplished quite a little but have not caught up yet. Perhaps I can
finish up when I go in - rested up after this long season of loafing. The bathing has been fine and has done
me good and 1 do feel considerably stronger and more rested. 1 am feeling restive now and my conscience
begins to take me to task so 1 think the signs are that 1 have been out long enough. This time have had Mr.
McMurtrie with me and we came up past Blairville up to where the Swallens, Nobles [Methodist
missionaries in Pyengyang] & M.E. Ladies [Methodist Episcopal] were, spending a little time with them and
taking Gordon [possibly Gordon Avison?] back with us after he had had a fine time staying with the
Swallens. The Swallens have gone down again to meet the Bairds, who have started out with John - [their
older son] & Newland & Lizette Miller from Chefoo [probably the Bairds were bringing the three young
folk home from school in Chefoo]. The Swallens will take Lizette and they will be out only a short time.

1 don’t know just what is the matter with me that 1 have no more enthusiasm or energy or vim than I
have - nor just why I have grown so indifferent to many things. I think it is just because 1 am not myself
without you and nothing seems right and I don’t know how to find myself Am not looking forward to
Annual Meeting or next year’s work with any great pleasure or interest and everything seems to have lost its
“Charm” [Korean word meaning “engaging character” or “pleasure”] for the time being. Hope this feeling
does not continue much longer for I do not like it and it is not my nature to be indifferent.

Just as I left home last time 1 added a sentence or two to my letter saying 1 had received the
photographs of baby. They are fine and just what 1 want to make a companion piece for those of Jamie.

How 1 have longed for Jamie on this trip and when the old boatman who was with us last year - this year
with Swallens - asked me about Jamie, I tell you it made me homesick.

1 am finding it pretty hard to decide just what to do this fall. I want to go to you - even though the
time with you will be so short - and yet I sympathize with the feeling of some that I ought not leave unless I
have to. Then at times it seems to me that I have to - whatever the situation here. Developments at Annual
Meeting may however help me to decide and in the meantime we can simply keep on seeking for clear
leading. How we do need each other these days to help each the other in solving the problems confronting
us. How much easier it would be to decide if only we could have a day or two together to discuss matters in
all their bearings. I think your suggestion about a code for use anytime after September 15th is a good one -
for from that time on 1 ought to have a cable message from you - if the way should seem clear for you to
return any time before Christmas - and failing such a message 1 should be able to cable you in case I decide
to leave for home without having been able to write you somewhat in advance. If however any time before
October 1st you see the way clear for you to return before Christmas I do not think I ought to leave here -
unless conditions are such that you think I ought to be there anyhow. Will try to prepare and add a code to
this letter and in the meantime if you prepare and send me one we can use either one. Be sure to keep a copy
of the one you send me.

Have been having good times in the water up here and re-leaming some of my boyhood swimming
traits. What swimmers these boys and girls are - Gordon [Avison?], Wilbur & Gertrude [Swallen] are just
like ducks in the water. The boat house - to my mind is the best outing for the children yet discovered -
although some are getting tired of it they say - and talk of houses on the bluffs - a la - Blairville, or a cottage
on the sea shore, etc., etc. I hope we can give our boys several summers up here and teach them to swim &
row and live outdoors.

8/08/09 -p.2 S.A.M.

When you get a chance - invest in a first rate proper bathing suit for yourself and a two-piece one
(trousers and overlapping jacket or whatever it is called) for me - color navy blue dark. We must have them
and be properly equipped hereafter. I am borrowing Lee’s old one this summer. Also, get yourself a pair of
sandals - same make as those open work ones of Jamie’s, that you can wear without stockings to protect
your feet when walking over a stony beach. Mrs. Noble has a pair which are just the thing for up river. The
time to get such things is when you think of them and then they are on hand for use when the time comes
and it is too late to order them.

We have had most tremendous rains this year and the river higher than I have ever known but once
before. One whole village was washed into the river by a landslide and a number of people drowned. Some
were rescued as they floated down the river - ten I believe at Pyeng Yang one of them an 18 year-old girl -
found floating down in a “t5k” [ceramic kimche pot]. The rains are apparently over - but it is hot and must
be oppressively so in P.Y. [Pyongyang]. Next Sunday I shall probably be in An Ju to ordain some elders &
dedicate a fine new church. All my old work comes back to me this year with Blair away.

Three days ago Dr. Brown [Arthur Judson Brown, N.Y. Board Secretary] and a party of new
missionaries will have sailed on the Korea. Wonder if you saw them? This week you will be celebrating
Father’s birthday again. How Jamie will enjoy it and I expect he will be able to remember it in after years. I
want him to have some things firmly fixed in his memory that he may always have Grandpa a factor in his
life - helping to mold his own character. Give Fatherdy an affectionate greeting from me - and next year I
may be able to return from Edinburgh in time to help him celebrate his 80th birthday.

Did I write you that the chairs came safely? They are fine and I will have them in the church in
about two weeks when we begin fall work again. Let me know just how much you paid out in addition to
what you received from others. How about the prices of the rugs? I think you have written nothing as yet. I
paid out a bill for freight, duty, etc. to Steward [a Chinese merchant who imported groceries and other
merchandise. He was always called Steward, for he had served as a steward on a ship] for them & the
chairs. There was one enormous rug for Mrs. Curtis. Are there some for us or were all sold?

A loving greeting to Mother. I shall be glad to feel inside of a month that she is back again in
comfort in the old home. Will direct my next letter there. This may catch you at 208 A. [the smaller rented
home they moved into for the summer].

Give Jamie lots of love from Papa and tell him how I miss him but how glad I am to hear he is such
a good boy. Papa’s kiss to the baby and a heart full of love to my own precious girlie.

Lovingly,

Sam

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Anju, Korea

probably written between Aug. 8 and Aug. 14, 1909

Samuel A. Moffett

[incomplete letter to his wife, Alice Fish Moffett, parts of which were later copied in S.A.M.’s
handwriting among other notes in a notebook he kept.]

Have had another pleasant surprise here - in that one of the men received as catechumen who
has started a new group 20 li from here - is a man with whom I talked 6 years ago at An Ju, giving
him a copy of Mark’s Gospel which he still has and which he has read over & over again.

It always does me good to run across fruit from the sowing of the days before the war - when
the work was under very different and much harder circumstances than now. We never know when
the harvest is coming but these instances becoming pretty frequent show the value of incessant
preaching everywhere to everyone.

(from the Alice Moffett Starkey collection of Moffett papers)

San Rafael, California

August 12, 1909

Alice F. Moffett

My own Dearest,

Writing time has been crowded full and I think I have only a few minutes if this is to make
the steamer, so it can be only a message of love. I love you and long for you more than ever before.
I am so homesick that I am not good for much here. It still seems as if we can go before long. I am
planning to sail Sept. 8th if possible (S.S. Manchuria, scheduled to leave Kobe Sept. 28th) but I
shall hold myself ready to stay up till the last if that is clearly my duty - and shall cable you
accordingly. Shall try to have all as ready as possible for sailing before we move. Do not yet know
who will be here in my place as I heard only today that Julia, Uncle Henry’s daughter, cannot come.
It is still possible that Lucia Hester [first cousin of Alice who later became the second Mrs. Samuel
A. Moffett and mother of Sam, Howard and Tom] may come or that Matilda, Mrs. Algren, may be
my substitute.

I have had an offer for the West End property and will sell it if all details can be arranged.
Hope this will be completed in the next few days.

We are all well - Mother is still at the sanitarium but expects to come home Sept. 1st. The
children are both well - and Father seems just the same.

I do hope you have had a good rest on the river and feel equal to Annual Meeting. Oh how I
want - so many things, but most of all you, my dear husband.

Kisses from the boys and all my love

from

Your

Alice

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Pyeng Yang, Korea

August 14, 1909

Samuel A. Moffett

Alice My Dearest:

Today Annual Meeting excitement begins - for our own stations classes begin together in
preliminary to the meetings last of next week. Bairds & Swallens come in from [the] river this morning.

This afternoon the Curtises come back from Japan. Miss Snook arrives from America this afternoon - and
McCune will come today or Monday from his Vladivostock trip. Dr. Wells comes from a visit to [the]
mines on Tuesday and from Wednesday on each day will bring the guests.

I am leaving this afternoon for An Ju to be gone over Sunday to ordain elders before Presbytery.
Monday I go to Seoul for Executive Committee meeting with [the] Methodists on Division of Territory - and
will return on Thursday. Did not want to leave at this time but [I] have to - if we are to have any meeting at
all with [the] Methodists.

Your good letter of July 17th reached me Tuesday night the 10th - quickest time yet. Am so glad
you saw Mr. Innes. He may yet do great things for us here.

Dr. Avison writes McCune that Mr. Severance has promised $20,000 (¥40,000) for development of
his hospital & medical school. What he is yet to do for the Girls School & College in Seoul we do not
know. [I] hear that he wants each girl to have a suite of rooms with bath room attached!!!

We shall probably have some difficult questions to meet this Annual Meeting and I wish you were
here to help me in meeting them. I shall feel lost without you. We have been having heavy rains - another
long steady one for the past two days.

Received the Cannas when I came in from [the] river and planted them at once - Do not know
whether they will live or not - though most of them seemed to be alive yet. I got a good lot of Korean lilacs
up river and have planted them. Some will doubtless live. Our one big bush was a beauty this year.

We have had a fine garden - and Chu Sye Pang has felt so sorry you were not here to get the benefit
of it. The servants are eagerly asking about your return and are feeling your absence pretty keenly. Won Si
is homesick for you. So am I - so dreadfully homesick that I do not know just what to do. I want you and I
want my babies. McAfee [baby George McAfee McCune] - Charles K [the Bemheisel baby] & Henry
[Wells], etc. make me so hungry for my little ones that I hardly dare allow myself to think much about it.

A whole heartful of love to you and to them and a loving message to Fatherdy & Mother.

Thank Nyum-ssi for her letter to me and tell her how thankful I am she is helping you so much.

Your own

Sambo

B/L [bill of lading] for Chinaware, etc. received today.

This goes to the old home where I hope you are and are to stay. Tell Mother from me that in my judgment it
is due to Father to give him the old home his last days.

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Pyengyang, Korea

August 27, 1909

Graham Lee

FORE-WORD.

Korea has been ealled the land of the morning ealm, and from a
elimatic standpoint the name is no misnomer; but during the last twenty-five
years, from a political standpoint, morning calm has been conspicuous by
its absence.

Protestant Christianity began its work in the midst of bloodshed and
terror, when an American missionary physician with his surgical skill and
Christian courage opened the way for the Gospel in Korea. Twice in these
twenty-five years the country has resounded with the shots of hostile forces
as great nations contended for supremacy here.

In the midst of all this the work of the Presbyterian Mission North
has gone on apace, and during these twenty-five years the work has grown,
until today there are in our mission alone, twenty-five thousand
communicants and nearly one hundred thousand adherents. To God belongs
the glory, and we who have had a part in this work, thank Him for the great
privilege it has been to see what our eyes have seen of the power of His
Gospel.

Today, all over this land, from Fusan in the South, to the foot of
Paik-tu-san “the ever white mountain,” in the North, in the valleys and on
the mountain tops, can be heard the songs of Christian Koreans whose
hearts are glad with the joy that comes from a faith in Jesus Christ.

As we look down the vista of the next twenty-five years, we pray
God that we may be so faithful to our trust, that those who celebrate the
fiftieth anniversary of mission work in this land, may be able to look upon
the results attained with even greater joy than that which animates our
hearts today.

Graham Lee

(from bound book of Quarto Centennial papers, Korea Mission of the PCUSA, Annual Meeting in
Pyengyang, Korea, August 27, 1909)

Pyengyang, Korea

August 27, 1909

Samuel Austin Moffett

EVANGELISTIC WORK
Samuel A. Moffett, D.D.

The first Protestant Missionary to enter Korea was a Scotch Presbyterian, the Rev. Mr. Thomas
who, in 1865, as a colporteur of the Scottish Bible Society, from a Chinese junk scattered Chinese Scriptures
along the coast of Whang Hai province, and in 1866, when connected with the London Missionary Society,
came to Pyeng Yang on the “General Sherman” bringing with him Chinese Scriptures. He perished with the
crew of that vessel being cut to pieces and burned on the bank of the river just below the city, but not until
he had given out the copies of the New Testament which he had. The writer has met some of those who
received these books and among the early catechumens received was one whose father had for years had one
of these books in his house. It was in 1866 that the “General Sherman” and her crew perished, the only now
known relic here being the chains binding the pillars in the pavilion above the East Gate.

From 1873 to 1881 missionaries of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland living in Manchuria
became interested in Koreans traveling there and among these the Gospel seed was sown. In 1876 Rev. John
McIntyre baptized the first Korean converts, natives of Eui Ju, one of whom, Mr. Yi, translated the Gospel
of Luke in 1883 with Rev. John Ross and later in 1886 finished the whole New Testament which was
published in 1887. Another of these converts, Mr. Paik Hong Choon, became a colporteur and afterward the
first Helper or Evangelist in Eui Ju.

In 1881 Rev. John Ross then of New Chwang baptized eighty five Korean men in the northern
valleys in Manchuria and in 1884 baptized some more in the same valleys. Among these was Mr. Saw Sang
Yoon, one of the first Colporteurs and Helpers in the work in Seoul and recently an evangelist in the
Severance Hospital.

This latter year saw the establishment of the American Presbyterian Mission in Seoul, Horace N.
Allen, M.D. and his wife arriving September 20"', 1884, followed by Rev. Horace G. Underwood who
arrived April S"*, 1885, and J.W. Heron, M.D. and his wife June 2P‘, 1885. Dr. Allen established the first
hospital in Seoul. In 1886 Mr. Underwood baptized the first converts of the Korea Mission and for the first
time administered the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

In 1887 Mr. Underwood inaugurated those long itinerating tours which, followed by the whole
Mission, have been such a factor in the spread of Christianity throughout Korea. That year he went through
Pyeng Yang to Eui Jui. In 1888 he visited Sorai baptizing seven men there and establishing the Church in
western Whang Hai province. That year he located a Colporteur there, one in Eui Ju and one near Pyeng
Yang. In 1889 with his wife he again made a long tour north going as far as Kang Kei.

In 1889 our Board reappointed Dr. Allen “with a view to opening a missionary station at the port of
Fusan” and in 1890 Rev. J.H. Davies of the Australian Presbyterian Mission journeyed through Choong
Chung and Chulla provinces to Fusan with a view to opening a station in the south. He died of pneumonia
and small pox in Fusan. Mr. Gale in 1889 toured the Kyeng Sang provinces. In 1890 Rev. S.A. Moffett was
appointed to work in Whang Hai and Pyeng An provinces with a view to opening a station north of Seoul,
making a journey to Pyeng Yang, staying two weeks, and through Whang Hai province. In 1891 Messrs.
Moffett and Gale spent three months touring through Pyeng An province to the Manchurian valleys, to the
region beyond Kang Kei down through Ham Kyeng province to Gensan and via Kang Won provinee back to
Seoul. Thus by May 1891 the Presbyterian Missionaries had proclaimed the Gospel in every province of
Korea and had formed plans for the opening of new stations. In 1891 Mr. and Mrs. Baird moved to Fusan.

In 1892 Mr. and Mrs. Gale opened Gensan station and in 1893 Mr. Moffett took up his residence in Pyeng
Yang, while Choong Chung and Chulla provinces were assigned to the Southern Presbyterians who had

arrived in 1892.

8/27/1909 - p.2 S.A.M.

Extensive itineration has always characterized our Mission. It has been a Mission of itinerators
always reaching out to regions not yet touched with the Gospel, establishing and visiting groups of believers
in the cities and villages within the territory of the central stations. On all itinerating trips and by means of
Colporteurs simple tracts and copies of the Gospels or of the New Testament were given wide distribution,
the policy of selling rather than giving away all but sheet tracts, proving a great blessing to the work and
having a great influence in developing the policy of self-support in that it led men in the beginning to expect
to bear their own burdens. The Bible Societies and their Colporteurs under the direction of the missionaries
have sown the seed broadcast. The Tract Society owes its establishment in 1890 to Dr. J.W. Heron at whose
suggestion the Chairman of our Mission called a meeting of all Missions in Seoul which resulted in its
organization. This Society has published thousands of evangelistic tracts; among them, the simple tracts
early prepared by Dr. Underwood; “The Two Friends” and “Discourse on Salvation” prepared by Dr.
Moffett, and the sheet tracts of Mr. F.S. Miller together with Dr. Griffith John’s tracts in Chinese have been
of incalculable influence in preparing for the rich harvest of souls which has been reaped. One great agent
in the distribution of this literature has been the activity of the Christians in buying and reselling tracts and
books all through the country, - at market towns and in their own shops.

The Mission and the Church have been marked preeminently by a fervent evangelistic spirit, a
thorough belief in the Scriptures as the word of God and in the Gospel message of Salvation from sin
through Jesus Christ, and have based the appeals to men upon the great spiritual advantages and blessings of
Christianity as pre-eminently the advantages which Christianity has to offer. The Evangelization of the
whole country has therefore always been kept in the forefront. The methods employed have been a natural
development of policies applied, as it were, experimentally, which have developed and expanded as the
work grew until they became outstanding features adapted to the needs of Korea and adopted and applied
from station to station. The widespread preaching of the Gospel message in its simplicity by the
missionaries and the conviction on the part of the Korean Christians that those who are not doing personal
work in trying to bring others to Christ do not show sufficient evidence of faith to warrant their admission to
the Church, has developed a Church all on fire with evangelistic zeal, voluntarily going forth to spread the
news and to win people to faith in Christ. This standard was set in the early days by Yi Yung En, one of
Korea’s greatest evangelistic workers, - now with the Lord. Street preaehing to crowds has not been a great
factor in the work in Korea, but the method developed here which is the better adapted to the Korean people
is the daily, constant, natural and informal conversation, with individuals, with small groups of people, in
friendly intereourse by the wayside, in the inns, on the street, in the eountry villages, and particularly in the
“sarangs” or reception rooms where it is the custom of the men to gather to diseuss all questions of business,
politics, gossip, etc. Thus the great body of the converts in Korea are handpieked men, gathered by personal
work with individuals.

The Bible itself has of course been pre-eminently the greatest factor in evangelization, as it is in all
countries - but it has certainly occupied a rather unique position in the work in Korea, and the Korean
Church derives its power, its spirituality, its great faith in prayer, its liberality, from the fact that the whole
Church has been, as it were, saturated with a knowledge of the Bible. The Bible Study and Training Classes
constitute the most unique and most important factor in the development of the Korean Church. In these
have been laid the foundations of faith and knowledge, while in the preaching services have been developed
the spirit of worship and here too the Church has received its inspiration for its spiritual activities.

Right here our gratitude to Dr. Nevius should be expressed, for from him came the seed thoughts of
two great principles in our work - the Bible Training Class system and self support. In the early days Dr.
Underwood had a conference with Dr. Nevius and invited him to come to Korea for a conference with the
missionaries. I remember well that visit in 1890 when from his twenty five years of experienee he talked to

8/27/1909 - p.3 S.A.M.

us young men and planted in our hearts the seed thoughts of main principles. From these talks and from his
book “Methods of Mission Work” the Korea Mission has derived inestimable profit - although in the
development of these ideas local conditions and our experience in adapting the methods to meet different
circumstances have led to great modifications.

1 remember well our first Bible Training Class, a class of seven men held in a little room at the
southwest comer of Dr. Underwood’s compound. Two men came from the north, two from Sorai in Whang
Hai province and three from Seoul. The burden of instmction rested upon Mr. Gifford, and after two weeks
of study these Helpers again went forth to their work. From that day to this these classes have gradually
developed into our “Bible Training Class System.” Of this system Mr. Hunt has written, - “The education
of the whole Church, all its membership, young and old, literate and illiterate is being undertaken
systematically, and largely by training classes in which the textbook is the Bible. Some of these are
representative in character, the attendance coming from every part of the field, others are local, meant only
for the members of a particular group. Some are attended only by men, others only by women, but in most
of the country classes both men and women are taught, though in separate divisions. Sometimes these
classes are taught entirely by the missionaries, or by the missionary and several Helpers, but more often by
the Helpers alone. Bible study is the object of the class but prayer, conferences and practical evangelistic
effort are prominent parts of the work. - The Christians have learned that it is only right to put aside their
occupations for several weeks each year for the special study of the word of God. - This method is honoring
to God’s Word and teaches all the authority of God in their lives. His Word rather than that of the Helper or
the Missionary early becoming the Christian’s rule of faith and practice. This method of education tends to
bring about a natural understanding between the rank and file and the Leaders, Helpers and Missionaries, so
unifying the young Church that it presents a united front and is made more of a power in the midst of
heathenism. The surest way to make a distinction between the Church and the world is to set men to study
the Bible and to preach its truths. This system is cumulative in its results. - It makes of the Church an army
skilled in the use of God’s word. Among the many advantages of these classes is that they afford an
occasion to develop qualities of future leadership. Opportunities for preliminary training and trial as well as
for more careful selection are almost without end.”

These central classes have grown from that first class of seven to classes for men of 800 in Taiku,
350 in Tong Nai (Fusan), 500 in Seoul, 1000 in Pyeng Yang, 1000 in Chai Ryung, and 1300 in Syen Chun;
while for women - Taiku has had 500, Kim Hai (Fusan) 150, Seoul 300, Chai Ryung 500, Pyeng Yang 600
and Syen Chun 651, some of the women walking 100 to 200 miles in order to attend.

Classes for men and for women are arranged for so far as possible in every Church and group
throughout the Mission - the attendance running from 5 up to 500 in these country classes, a large force of
the better instructed men and women of the Churches being detailed to this work as teachers. These classes
become regular power houses generating spiritual electricity which goes out through the whole Church.

This year Chai Ryung station reports 262 Bible Training Classes with 13,967 enrolled, Pyeng Yang reports
292 classes with 13, 967 enrolled, Syen Chyun had 1 1 1 classes, and with those of the other stations we have
probably held this year over 800 classes with an attendance of some 50,000 men and women. Their
influence is beyond estimate.

It is in these classes our Christian workers are first trained and developed and here that the
Colporteurs, Evangelists, Helpers and Bible women are discovered and appointed to work. It was in these
classes that there developed the remarkable movement for the subscription of so many days of preaching
according to which the Christians spend the subscribed days in going about the surrounding villages from
house to house telling the story of the Gospel. This originated a few years ago with the Koreans themselves
in two country classes in the same month, after which it spread all through the country until tens of
thousands of days of preaching were subscribed. One class of 35 men in Fusan Station was reported by Mr.

8/27/1909 - p.4 S.A.M.

Sidebotham as having subscribed 900 days of preaching and a class in Syen Chyun Station subscribed 2200
days. There are no accurate statistics given of this, but it is probable that in one year as many as 40,000 or
50,000 days have been subscribed. In some sections it has become the custom to set aside a certain fifteen
days in the winter for a concerted movement of the Churches in preaching to unevangelized sections or
villages. Mr. Blair reports that on one circuit 45 men voluntarily gave themselves up to prayer and direct
preaching for ten days at their own expense, leading many to Christ and forming new groups where the
Gospel had not previously taken hold. In connection with these classes also evangelistic services are held
and many won to Christ.

It was in one of these classes in Syen Chyun that the idea of a Missionary Society had its origin as
Mr. [GrahamJLee gave them an address on the subject of evangelizing the unreached people. This was in
1901; that year in Pyeng Yang the Missionary Society was organized and for several years carried on
Mission work in northern Korea and in Choong Chung province. In 1907, with the organization of the
Presbytery, this gave way to the Presbytery’s Committee of Missions for the whole country and to a number
of local societies which undertook local evangelization. The Presbytery’s Committee began its work with
the sending of Rev. Yee Kee Poong and wife and Helper Kim to the Island of Quelpart for the
evangelization of the 1 00,000 Koreans there and this year 1 909, sends Rev. Chay Quan Hool to Siberia to
minister to the Christian Koreans who have gone there and to evangelize the 500,000 Koreans reported to be
in Russian territory. The Syen Chyun local society also places a worker among the Koreans in Manchuria.
Rev. Han Syek Chin has this year visited the Koreans in Tokyo, - Deacon Pang Wha Choong has been
working among the Koreans in California and recently visited Mexico where he reports 400 Korean
Christians in Yucatan bearing witness to the Yucatecs of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It was out of these classes that in 1907 grew the remarkable revival, accounts of which have stirred
the whole Church. In 1902 and 1903 special Bible classes for business men in Pyeng Yang were held at the
New Year season. In connection with this class in 1904 special Evangelistic services were held at night.

The city was divided into districts and volunteers under leadership of missionaries made systematic daily
visitation of every house in the city. Forenoons were spent in Bible Study, afternoons in a prayer service
and in house to house visitation, going two by two with invitations and sheet tracts. At night the church was
filled, several hundred unbelievers being present. 96 professed conversion. The next night 2000 people
came and Christians retired to give place to unbelievers. Then afternoon services for women and night
services for men were held. 75 more professed conversion. Then the conflict of the Japan- Russian war
with both armies approaching Pyeng Yang caused the city to be almost deserted, so that the meetings were
discontinued, but not until a profound impression had been made. In 1905 the same plans were followed in
connection with this city class with a similar response. Each night from 20 to 60 names were given in of
those who had reached a decision, until in both Churches over 1000 had taken their stand for Christ.
Following this on one Sabbath alone 247 catechumens were publicly received.

In 1906 the scenes of the previous year were repeated in the now four churches, the city being once
more thoroughly canvassed by personal workers while hundreds more made profession of faith in Christ. In
the Fall of 1906 the Spirit of Prayer came upon the missionaries themselves and there was earnest crying out
for a deeper and richer blessing upon the classes of the coming winter. Then in January 1907 during the last
days of the Bible Training Class in the evening evangelistic services there came the public manifestation of
the Spirit’s presence. In these meetings men realized the terrible consequences of sin, the suffering that sin
had brought upon the sinless Christ, His love in dying for them, and they agonized, some of them almost
unto death. Relief came when they realized their complete forgiveness. The city churches, then the schools,
advanced and primary, then the country groups, then college and academy students returning from vacation
all passed through these experiences. The same deep conviction of sin, the agonizing in prayer, the joy of
relief were experienced in city training classes, in the Woman’s Bible Institute, and then in the Theological
Seminary and Men’s Bible Institute which followed.

8/27/1909 - p. 5 S.A.M.

The Spirit of God manifested Himself in wonderful ways and brought about a cleansing of the
Church and a new consecration, a new power and a new joy in the hearts of thousands. Mr. Lee went to the
Syen Chyun class, Mr. Hunt to Taiku, Mr. Swallen to Kwang Ju, and pastor Kil to Seoul and Eui Ju, and
then this work of the Spirit spread from church to church, from station to station until the whole country
witnessed a remarkable manifestation of the power of the Spirit of God to move the hearts of men.

Mr. Goforth of China visited Korea at this time, and, afterwards as he led evangelistic services in
Manchuria and gave this testimony there, the spirit of God wrought a similar great revival in Manchuria and
in many parts of China.

How wonderfully God honors the study of His Word and what a spiritual power in His work is
Prayer and the Sword of the Spirit!

The Korean Church has developed as a SELF-SUPPORTING CHURCH and the Koreans have
shown marked liberality and strength of Christian conviction and character in the way in which they have
met the financial burdens placed upon them. They have built their own church buildings and primary school
buildings. Out of 840 church buildings in the work of our mission alone not more than 20 are known to have
received any foreign funds for their erection, a few of the very large buildings having received aid to the
extent of not more than one-third of the cost. Of 589 primary school buildings, practically all have been
provided from Korean funds. Of the 1052 native workers on salary, 94% are supported by the Koreans. It
has not been easy to secure nor to maintain this policy of self-support and the temptations to depart from it
have been many and frequent but its great value has been appreciated more and more both by missionary and
Korean. Now none rejoice in it more than the Koreans themselves who realize what an element it has been
in the development of individual character and the strength of the church. They themselves enforce it in
their own missionary work in Quelpart and Siberia. The Bible Societies now testify to the value to their
work of this policy of self-support. Scriptures and tracts are sold not given away.

The Korean Church of our mission in 1 1 months of this year has contributed for all purposes
exclusive of hospital receipts, the sum of $8,1075.17 U.S. Gold. The stories of self sacrifice and liberality
which might be told in connection with this phase of the work would fill a volume.

Women have given their wedding rings, their hair, their ornaments; families have sold their rice and
bought millet to eat in order to give the difference to the Lord’s work; hundreds give a tenth, many as much
as one-third of their incomes.

THE CATECHUMENATE has been a helpful feature in the work.

In 1890 when a few candidates for baptism were examined and then assigned to individual
missionaries for two weeks special instruction before baptism we had no thought of a permanent catechumen
system, but in 1891 [when] we reported 15 catechumens, the idea was developed; and in 1893 catechumens
were publicly received and enrolled in Pyeng Yang and after 3 months daily instruction, some of them were
baptized. There are no mission statistics of catechumens until 1896 but in 1894 Pyeng Yang reported 40,
and in 1895, 180 catechumens, showing that the system was then well under way. In 1896 the mission
reported 2000; in 1902, 5968; in 1906, 1 1025, and this year we have a total of 23,800 enrolled. The time of
instruction was extended to 6 months and then to a year and now men are often under instruction for 2 or
even 4 years before receiving baptism. Not so at first, but now few are received even as catechumens until
after 3 months attendance upon church services in addition to the giving up of heathen practices and a public
profession of repentance of sin and of their acceptance of Christ.

The catechumen system encourages new believers and secures oversight and more thorough

instruction before reception into the church.

8/27/1909 - p.6 S.A.M.

Another plan for the spiritual oversight of members and catechumens should be mentioned here. A
Sabbath in Philadelphia in Mr. Wanamaker’s Bible Class with its captains of tens and captains of hundreds
suggested the idea, and there was started in March 1901 the system of Kwon Chals or Leaders of tens by
which a Kwon Chal takes cognizance of and has oversight of all that pertains to the spiritual interests of
those assigned to him. He instructs, exhorts, encourages and comforts, and reports to the Elders or Officers
of the church. Often monthly meetings of the Officers with these Leaders are held. This system is now
pretty well established in the larger churches throughout the country, and being capable of many
modifications to meet varying conditions is proving a great help in seeuring efficient and systematic
oversight. The more thorough the instruction before baptism and the higher the standard set and the more
faithfully discipline is administered the smaller will be the number of communicants reported in the early
stages of work, but the larger will they likely be in later years.

In 1886 Mr. Underwood baptized the first converts and in that year 9 communicants were reported.
In 1887 there were 25, in 1888, 65; in 1889, 104; in 1890, 100; in 1891, 119; [again reported] in 1891, 127;
in 1892, 127; in 1893, 141; in 1894, the year of the Japan-China war there were 236 communicants. Up till
this time the growth had been steady but slow, as it was a time of preparation and of the development and
settlement of policies, but when by this war the whole nation was shaken from its lethargy and extreme
conservatism, the Church with solid foundations laid was in position to take advantage of the situation so
that from this time on there has been both steady and rapid development with no retrogression.

By 1900 there were 3690 communicants; in 1905 there were 9756, and now in 1909, the Quarter
Centennial year, we report 25,057 communicants, 1000 for each year and 57 to spare. The adherents of our
Mission alone number 96,668. There are 965 congregations, ranging in number from little village groups of
15 up to large country Churches of from 300 to 650, and on up to the city congregations of 1000 in the Chai
Ryung Church, 1200 in Taiku, 1200 in Seoul Yun Mot Kol Church, 1500 in Syen Chyun, and, until its recent
division into two Churches, 2500 in Pyeng Yang Central Church, necessitating separate meetings for men
and women as the Church will accommodate but 1700.

Seoul has 4 Presbyterian Churches, Pyeng Yang has 5, Eui Ju has 2, while in the one county of
Pyeng Yang there are 51 churches; in Eui Ju county, 42 churches, in Mil Yang county, 24 churches, and
with Yang Tang church as a center in Nyong Shyun county, there are 20 churches with 3000 believers
within a radius of ten miles. In many counties the whole population is within 3 miles of a church.

While the missionaries have set the example in fervent evangelistic zeal and unwearied itineration
and have sought to develop that spirit in the Christians, yet under the Spirit of God, to the Koreans is due the
credit for the great bulk of the evangelistic work and for the great ingatherings of souls. The training of the
Helpers and Leaders of the Church, men and women, in the Bible Classes has been the great instrument in
this work. From the early days of close association with the itinerating Missionary and from the years of
instruction in the Bible Training Classes these Workers have received their equipment for service.

Practically every Helper and Evangelist has been first trained as Deacon or Leader in a local Church, then
tried as a Helper and given more and more important work to care for according to his development.

Leading the Churches, studying and teaching in classes, conducting Church and prayer meeting services,
preaching voluntarily in villages, doing personal work, receiving instruction in special classes for Church
officers, and bearing heavy responsibilities, these Helpers, by a process of selection have come to be a body
of well instructed, consecrated, efficient, helpful, reliable men upon whom is resting the burden of the work.
In 1903 a special course of instruction for Helpers was adopted. From these men and from these special
classes has naturally developed a Theological Seminary. In 1901 two men were received as candidates for
the ministry and started on a five years course of study. They were Kim Chong Sup and Pang Kee Chang,

8/27/1909 - p.7 S.A.M.

both of whom were ordained elders in the Central Chureh, Pyeng Yang. In 1903 four more men were
received and this class of six was instructed in Pyeng Yang in the first year’s work of a tentative course
adopted that year by the Presbyterian Council. In 1904 the Council endorsed the plan for Theological
instruction proposed by the Pyeng Yang Committee of Council recommending the appointment of additional
instructors from all the Presbyterian Missions. In 1905 a class of eight men in the third year’s course and
fourteen men in the first year’s course were given instruction. In 1906 there were three classes enrolling 50
students in attendance. The year 1907 witnessed an attendance of 76 students and the graduation on June
20'*' of the first class of seven men who had satisfactorily completed the five year’s course of study of three
months each and of nine months each of active participation in teaching of classes, evangelistic preaching
and pastoral care of Churches.

With the graduation of this class and their ordination on September 17* by the Presbytery organized
that year, it was realized that we had developed a Theological Seminary, and so the Council gave it its name:
“THE PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF KOREA.’’

This Seminary represents the 4 Presbyterian bodies at work in Korea, the Missions of the Northern
and Southern Presbyterian Churches of America, and those of the Canadian and Australian Presbyterian
Churches.

In 1908 there were 98 men in attendance in four classes, and in 1909 a full complement of five
classes with an enrollment of 138 men, eight of whom graduated and were then ordained by the Presbytery.
The 15 graduates are all supported by the Korean Churches to which they minister or by the Korean
missionary society.

Until men were prepared for ordination to the ministry, the government of the Church in Korea was
administered by the Council of Presbyterian Missions in Korea, which organized Churches and had
oversight of all ecclesiastical procedure through an easily adjusted system of rules and committees so
arranged as to naturally develop the Churches along Presbyterian lines and lead up to the organization of the
Presbytery. In 1907, when there were seven graduates of the Seminary ready for ordination there were 40
fully organized Churches with ordained elders. Elders from 36 of these Churches and the Missionaries, with
the consent of the General Assemblies of the Home Churches, were organized into a Presbytery September
17*, which the same day proceeded to the examination and ordination to the ministry of these seven men.
Thus as a distinct branch of the Church fully organized and independent there was formed “THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN KOREA.’’

Upon the completion of twenty five years of Evangelistic work in Korea, this Church in 1909
reports 31,327 communicants, 3648 baptized children, 30,489 catechumens, with a total of 1 19, 380
adherents, meeting in 1539 congregations, (80 of these being fully organized Churches with ordained
elders), having 1184 Church buildings. The Church was this year enrolled with the Pan Presbyterian
Alliance as one of the distinct and independent Presbyterian Churches of the world. Thus this Church which
was first self-propagating, then self-supporting became also self-governing.

Just one more paragraph. - 1 have been asked time and again by word and by letter, “What is the
secret of the great success of the evangelistic work in Korea?” I do not know that any one can answer that
question other than to say that according to His own wise plans and purposes God has been pleased to pour
forth His Spirit upon the Korean people and to call out a Church of great spiritual power in which to
manifest His grace and His power to the accomplishment of what as yet is not fully revealed. I should like,
however, to see this twenty fifth anniversary impress upon our hearts and upon the heart of the Church at
home the fact that the one great God-given means for the Evangelization of a people is His own Word, and
that the emphasis which has been placed upon the teaching and preaching of the Word of God has brought

8/27/1909 - p.8 S.A.M.

God’s own blessing upon the work in Korea. The one great commanding feature of the work in Korea has
been the position, the supreme position, the perhaps almost unexampled position given to instruction in the
Scriptures as the very Word of God and the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.

With the Word of God in its hands may the Korean Church go forward to fulfill the vision given to
Pastor Kil in 1906 when he placed before his congregation of 1500 this missionary vision, - “May we soon
carry the Gospel to all parts of our owm land and then may it be granted us to do for China’s millions still in
darkness what the American Christians have done for us - send missionaries to tell them the way of
salvation through Jesus Christ.”

(from the Quarto Centennial Papers read before THE KOREA MISSION of the Presbyterian
Church in the U.S.A. at THE ANNUAL MEETING in Pyeng Yang, August 27, 1909 and published
with other papers in a bound volume , pp. 14 - 29, in the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel
Austin Moffett papers)

Pyengyang, Korea

August 27, 1909

Horace G. Underwood

REMINISCENCES
Dr. H.G. Underwood, D.D.

I am beginning to realize that old age brings its honors when 1 am asked to give reminiscences in the
presence of this August body; and I appreciate the courage and spirit of self-sacrifice which has enabled
your committee to make such a request, and I hope that you are all fiilly prepared to take the consequences,
for it is always dangerous to start a garrulous old timer on such a line.

As I look aroimd on this gathering I carmot but feel however that it is fitting that I should receive
this appointment, as my memory of things Korean goes back further than that of any of my hearers; b ut it
must b e remembered that 1 am not the “father of the mission,” for of the Presbyterian trio who first came to
Korea, it was the sainted Dr. J.W. Heron who had the honor of being the first protestant missionary
appointed to this field, although the fact that Dr. Allen was in Shanghai, made it so that he, the last
appointed, was the first to arrive.

Interesting perhaps, but certainly profitless discussions as to these firsts are sometimes carried on,
but these distinctions are so minute that even now they are almost imperceptible. The Rev. H.G.
Appenzeller, of the M.E. mission, and I, landed in Korea on the same day, but he now with others whose
memories are tenderly cherished by both native Christians and fellow workers of whom we think with
mingled envy and sorrow, standing among that cloud of witnesses, looks down upon Korea, we believe, with
a clearer vision of the future than any of us, and rejoices with us in the work of Grace already accomplished
here.

But even for us who remain, as we view this land today and see all that God has done, the first
overwhelming and inspiring thought is that all this has come to pass during a part of the lifetime of a
comparatively young man, and little though the share he has had in the real work may be, he thanks God that
he has been permitted to be a witness of the marvelous miracle now in progress of the birth of a nation.

In all our reminiscences, we can but compare as it were, yesterday with today, and are compelled to
stand in awe as we watch what He is doing, and with bated breath to exclaim “what hath God wrought.”

In the winter of 1882-‘83 the Rev. Dr. Altmans, now of the Meiji Gakuin of Tokyo, but then a
student, gathered the volunteers at New Brunswick [Seminary] together and read them a paper he had been
appointed to prepare on the Hermit Kingdom at last opened by treaty to the Western World. The simple
story of these twelve or thirteen million without the Gospel; of the church praying for an open door; the door
opened through Admiral Shufelt’s treaty in 1882 and the thought of a year and more having passed without a
move on the part of the church, so stirred the speaker that he determined to set to work and find someone to

go-

For myself, I believed I had been called to India, and in this conviction had made certain special
preparations for that field and had spent a year in medical study; but I certainly felt there must be others who
would be ready to go; yet do what 1 would, urge as I might, a year passed and still no one had offered, no
church seemed ready to enter, and even the leaders in the foreign mission work of the churches were writing
articles urging that it was too early to enter Korea. It was then that the message came home to me. “Why
not go yourself?” But India, her needs, the peculiar call 1 believed 1 had had to that field, the partial special
preparations, all loomed up, and seemed to bar the way.

Every door seemed closed and at first it appeared impossible to open them. Twice 1 applied to my
own church but lack of funds compelled them to decline. Twice I had applied to the Presbyterian Board

8/27/1909 - p.2 H.G.U.

only to be told it was useless. The door seemed closing on Korea and wide open to stay at home or to follow
my first intention to go to India. I had about decided upon this course and had written with much reluctance
my acceptance of a call to a New York church; had sealed this letter and was about to drop it in the letter-
box when it seemed almost as though I heard a voice saying “No one for Korea,” “How about Korea?” I
drew back the letter in my hand determined to make another effort Koreaward and turned my face once
again toward 23 Center Street (the old Presbyterian Board rooms). This time the secretary that I had
previously seen was out and I saw a new face, that of Dr. F.F. Ellinwood, who assured me of his interest and
in a few days I was notified that at the next meeting of the Board I should be appointed.

Just prior to my appointment a somewhat lengthy discussion had been in progress as to opening
Korea, some of our secretaries being ardently in favor of it, others believing they must wait some years. It
was just at this time that the senior secretary of the American Board [ABCFM] published a lengthy article
urging delay in entering this country.

Mr. D.W. McWilliams, a Christian layman and a member of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign
Missions, reading the article, took it to Dr. Ellinwood and enquired whether he felt able to answer it. The
doctor agreed, and at luncheon soon showed to the satisfaction of Mr. McWilliams that Korea should be
entered at once but he acknowledged that his colleagues and the Board did not agree with him.

Mr. McWilliams then enquired as to the cost of their opening a new mission and then drew his
check for $6,000 to be used for opening a mission to Korea if that mission were begun at once.

I cannot proceed without just stopping a moment to recall that in the work of the last year and a half
in America in behalf of Korea we have had both in the Board and in the church the warm and hearty
sympathy and cooperation of this devoted Christian brother. His was one of the last faces that I saw, as with
deep regret that he could not come out at this time, he sent his fatherly and saintly benedictions to the
missionaries here.

It was almost immediately after my appointment that I met for the first time Dr. Heron, and together
we talked with the Board over our plans for Korea.

The only steamship available for the port of Chemulpo was the old Tserio Maru, a sailing vessel
converted into a S.S. of a few hundred tons burden.

Chemulpo at that time consisted of a very few Chinese and Japanese newly erected huts, and here
we put up, at either Daibutsu or Harry’s hotel, both called first class. Daibutsu’s beds consisted of a blanket
laid over plain boards in a bedstead, and at Harry’s one had to tip the one only basin to prevent the water
running out of a hole on the other side. We had been directed to put ourselves in care of Mr. Cooper, who
would secure ponies and start us on our way. I wish I had time to picture to you old Mr. Cooper, who came
to our hotel and told us that he would make all arrangements and particularly warned us that we must be sure
and leave not a minute later than eight, because otherwise we should risk being locked out at the closing of
the city gates. Dr. Allen had already been settled some six months in Seoul and had passed through the
experiences in connection with the emeute of 1884 and had been appointed physician to the emperor as well
as to several of the legations then resident in Korea.

The attitude of the government and people being unknown, it was at that time deemed best that our
presence and intended work should not be too widely advertised. A great deal of timidity was felt in all
foreign circles, especially the diplomatic, as to what Koreans might do, and the sudden uprising of the
previous December had so added to this feeling that it was deemed absolutely necessary that any foreigner in
the capital should have a good horse and be prepared to seek refuge at the post on short notice.

8/27/1909 - p.3 H.G.U.

The opening of the Royal Hospital, coming at about this time, 1 was at once pressed into the service,
acting as dispenser at the clinics.

You all know the story of the first baptized Christian, and it is needless for me to repeat how he was
led to believe, but I doubt whether anyone can realize just what it means to him and to us. The massacres of
the Roman Catholics still fresh in the minds of both natives and foreigners, the law condemning Christians
to death had never been repealed, and only a year before Dr. Allen’s arrival, a Chinese soldier, a Christian
from Chefoo had been arrested for daring to sell Chinese scriptures in Seoul, and the Korean government
had demanded though unsuccessfully, his punishment by death.

How far the existing powers were desirous of holding to the old law, and to what extent this
reflected the real feelings of the people, we were then unable to decide, but the Korean, despite his doubts
on this score, asked baptism, and of course we acceded to his request.

But for more than for these considerations of caution was this an important occasion to us. As we
looked on this man, the first fruit of our work and prayers, our faith was strengthened, our zeal quickened,
and we seemed to see a vision of those others behind him who would follow. And yet our brightest dreams
fell far short of the riches of the glory of the inheritance that was to be, “for the love of God is broader than
the measure of man’s mind.” We could not then hear the tramp of the army of thousands which follows the
cross here today; nor the music that should roll upward from hundreds of little churches before 25 years had
passed, but we knew that day had begun to dawn in dark Korea and felt assured that that one believer was
God’s pledge to us of a people whom he would make His own.

It was during this same year 1886, that we were first visited by a cholera epidemic. The record of
the funerals which passed out of the two gates of Seoul through which they were allowed to go, showed a
death rate of a little over a thousand a day. Every missionary’s house was provided with cholera medicine
and we all did what we could to stay the progress of the plague.

Of course in the earlier days the learning of the language, the study of the people, the preparation of
language helps, and the first beginnings of Bible translation engaged our efforts, but even from the start, we
were watching opportunities to tell the gospel story, and praying for open doors. Constantly word was
coming to us from the north of the results of Mr. Ross’s work among Koreans across the Chinese border,
and especially of the opening which seemed to exist in the village of Sorai. A delegation from there had
visited us in Seoul, and it was decided by the missionaries that the place must be visited and as far as
opportunity offered work begun at suitable points along the route. What we lacked in native books in
Unmon we tried to make up by the use of Chinese tracts and scriptures, and starting out with two ponies we
made our first itinerating trip.

It was with no little fear and trepidation we started on this joimiey. We had from the beginning been
rather surprised at the kindliness of the “wild and blood-thirsty Koreans” of whom we had heard so much.
We had believed that natives were strongly hostile to foreigners, and especially to Christianity, and we
ascribed the warm reception accorded us by the residents of Seoul and vicinity to the favor of the palace, and
their having learned to know us in the hospital and our homes. It would be very different we were told, in
the interior. I have not time to go into details, but let me briefly refer to the incident heard by some of you
already of the time when I was lost in the woods north of Hai Ju on this very trip. We did not yet know the
people, certainly those in the interior, and they knew nothing about us. And while I cannot but laugh over
the affair, it seemed to me then no smiling matter as astride my pony, I peered from the shelter of the woods
and wondered whether I dared ask the way. I knew not in which direction to turn, I was certainly on the
wrong road for I should have overtaken the packs by twelve and it was now two, and when I viewed that
village with its central tiled house and surrounding huts I had a bad attack of decidedly cold feet as I thought

8/27/1909 - p.4 H.G.U.

that I must go and make inquiries of these unknown and hostile barbarians. Visions of Lieutenant Foulk, a
former attache of the American legation who knew the road, fleeing for life from an excited crowd and only
escaping because the river ice was sufficiently strong only for one, broke through with the many, presented
itself only too vividly to my mental vision. But I neither knew the road, nor was there a convenient ice trap.

Imagine then my (- shall I call it disappointment?) as the kind and gentlemanly farmer who
responded to my call, accorded to me the sort of reception that I have since found universally given in
Korea, to civil advances and requests for aid from strangers. He overwhelmed me with generous and
insistent proffers of hospitality, urging that I must refresh myself and horse before going further, and would
hardly let me go without the acceptance of at least a little tobacco.

Having arrived at Sorai, the whole village seemed eager to do me honor: Christians and heathen vied
with each other in trying to provide delicacies they fancied I should enjoy; and here to my delight, I found a
half dozen more men who were willing to call themselves Christians, with a still larger band of enquirers.
But as here, again alone, I entered the little village it was Mr. Saw Kyung Jo, now pastor, who rushed up and
grasping my hand in both of his, welcomed me to the place. Ever since I have felt that Sorai is a little piece
of home, and the most significant fact in connection with this village was that I heard people saying that
though they knew little about his teachings, his doings were very good.

In the intervals of all sorts of beginnings, Mr. Appenzeller and I had undertaken the translation of
the Gospel of Luke, and the National Bible Society of Scotland printed it in 1887. It was of course very
imperfect, but we felt the need of the gospel for the women and common people and gave them the best we
could then prepare. The following Spring, Mr. Appenzeller and I started on a union itinerating evangelistic
trip and were ignominiously recalled to our great disgust and high indignation, when we had gone no further
than Pyeng Yang - the first place where they could reach us - on account of a sudden panic into which all the
foreigners had been thrown by an anti-Christian decree, fulminated really against the Roman Catholics in a
sudden fit of official indignation over the building of the cathedral on a forbidden site. Loud and many were
the reproaches with which we were greeted on all sides on our return, as having by our rash action in going
to the country been the cause of this sudden blow to the work. But that our trip, or preaching had nothing
whatever to do with this we soon learned, not only when the real cause came out, but one much more
convincing in the fact that hardly had I returned when I was visited by three members of the cabinet and
offered the entire charge of the government educational work, and to cap the climax, when I refused even to
consider this imless permitted to teach Christianity in connection with it, this liberty was freely granted.

This prohibitory edict was interpreted by our minister as meaning that we were forbidden to hold
services of any kind in our schools or homes, or to pray or sing with natives. We were told that we might
teach the historical Christ but nothing more. Under those strictures some of the missionaries were led for a
time to suspend all active work, but this was only for a short time, and the few who thought and acted
differently were considered a party of dangerous fanatics who would undoubtedly bring down swift
destruction on the heads of all the foreigners, until a Methodist Bishop and a Presbyterian Secretary of the
Board, after long and troubled interviews with diplomats and missionaries took their stand on the same side,
and it was found that the Christians who shouted their hymns with all their usual lusty vigor went quite
unnoticed and unharmed when all work was gradually openly resumed.

In the meantime every form of mission work was beginning, and every form was welcomed as a
means of opening doors for direct evangelistic work. Of course it must be remembered that with only one or
two workers outside of the medical department this could not be so thoroughly and completely done, as
later, when there were more heads and hands. At the same time, so great was the pressure on all sides, so
fast were doors opening and calls with a wonderful appeal coming from near and far that it would have been
less than human not to respond, while we needed to be more than human to do all as we desired.

8/27/1909 - p.5 H.G.U.

The medical work was making advances by leaps and bounds, wirming high favor everywhere. Drs.
Allen and Heron were being constantly called to his majesty, while Miss Ellers’ services as medical
attendant on the queen were in frequent requisition, and brought her in touch with the wives of the nobility.

A medical school was started, and hospital and school being departments of the government, the doctors and
teachers became at once practically Korean officials and thus had the entree to, and good will of this
exclusive and powerful class, while at the same time, their ceaseless and untiring efforts for the present at
least, coupled with their marvelous and almost miraculous success, did no little to win general favor toward
all foreigners. In fact it was almost entirely due to Dr. Heron’s intense devotion to his work that he lost his
life, for in the extremest heat of a severe summer, when he himself ought to have been imder the care of a
trained nurse, he insisted upon riding 25 miles to attend a clinic, and on remaining in Seoul instead of
returning to the mountains.

Not a little difficulty was experienced in arranging for the sepulture. The government had not yet
conformed to treaty stipulations to set aside a cemetery, and the U.S. minister, applying to the government
for this, they evaded, postponed, and after a day or two, proposed first one and then another absolutely
impossible sites. When the U.S. minister found himself unable to get any satisfactory response, as it was
necessary to do something promptly, he consented to the temporary interment on one of the properties of the
mission inside the city walls. The very suggestion however of such a thing was almost like putting a match
to a powder magazine. Riots were threatened, and the abject terror of the government was such that they at
once came to terms and the present site on the river was agreed upon. It was a sore trial to have this turmoil
at a time when all hearts were sad, but it fell thus to Dr. Heron even in death to prepare the way for a
peaceful resting place for his fellow countrymen who were to follow him one by one.

The nervous condition of unrest has let us on more than one occasion to expect riots and difficulties.
Sometimes guards have been called to the various legations, and at times the resident foreigners themselves
have been organized as guards for their respective legations.

Perhaps the most exciting of all was that known as the “baby riots” when feeling grew more and
more intense, and one night with loaded guns at our sides we awaited the signal that should call us to the
legations. The alarm came, but fortunately proved a mistake, for it was afterwards foimd that all the legation
guns were unfit for use.

Despite the fact that we have at times seemed to be dwelling on a volcano and that we have seen
decided evidence of imeasiness and uiu'est such as might easily have resulted in serious disturbances and
that even in the few cases where disturbances have existed, some of our men have been in positions where
life was seriously endangered. God has so overruled that thus far no missionary life has been lost from such
a cause.

Perhaps the most trying time which the whole foreign community ever experienced, was during the
very severe and unhealthy summer of the China-Japan war when all foreigners were confined within the city
walls. Those from the country were called to the capital and there was scarcely a family where there were
not one or more cases of severe sickness, while Dr. and Mrs. Vinton and Mr. and Mrs. Junkin were called
each to give up a little one who could not stand the severe conditions.

We older ones all remember with the keenest interest the day when the news reached us of the
persecution of Christians in Pyeng Yang, and our fears for the lives of Dr. and Mrs. Hall and their children,
the hours of united and individual prayer in their behalf, the apparent refusal of the government or at least of
the governor to accede to the demands of the British and American legations, the volunteers who clamored
to be allowed to go down to that city and render such assistance as was possible to these brethren in danger,
and the prayers and fears with which we followed Messrs. Moffett and McKenzie as they went on this trip

8/27/1909 - p.6 H.G.U.

into the very lions’ den as it seemed, and so likely was it that they might not return, that no married man had
been allowed to go.

How God has overruled it all for His glory is plain to us today who gather in this same city for our
Annual meeting. This was only a few years ago, and yet today the Christians in this city form the most
powerful factor here. The saintly Hall and McKenzie are now gone, and they too with us are rejoicing in the
manifestations of the power of the old old story of Jesus and his love.

Mr. McKenzie went from Pyeng Yang to Sorai and there established himself attempting to live as a
Korean and by his simple life and personal touch to preach and teach Christ. The work in this section bears
the impress of his life to this day. But time would fail me to tell of Gideon and of Barak and Sampson and
Jeptha, of David also and Samuel and of the prophets who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the
edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of
the aliens. (Heb. Xi: 32-34.)

As we run our eyes over the list of the men and women who have served the Kingdom in this land
very many bear stars against their names to mark that they are here no more.

Their work is done. Their course is run, and having received the Master’s “well done” they wear
their crowns. But we, why are we left? Because our work is not yet done, our task not yet completed, and
we are given yet a day of grace in which to finish our poor labors, to correct our mistakes, to love more
tenderly and patiently, to endure more cheerfully, to toil more unselfishly and whole-heartedly. For some of
us perhaps even now the messenger waits at the door. Let us be up then and doing, for the night cometh
wherein no man can work.

Quite early in our history the Translation Board and the Bible Executive Society were formed, and
the Tract Society came into existence and received generous assistance from the parent societies in America
and England. Still later the Y.M.C.A. had its first modest beginnings when a young man called Gillett, made
his appearance in Seoul. Hymn books, lesson leaves and church papers found their way among us one by
one, and glad was the day when we met with the American minister in the choir to celebrate the publication
of the first copies of the tentative edition of the New Testament. Such were indeed red letter days when we
could take breath and feel that a milestone had been reached; a definite and lasting work accomplished.

There were political upheavals many in these days; there was another siege of cholera; there were
wars and rumors of wars, but steadily the leaven was working, new ideals were forming, new ambitions and
desires; evil customs were changing; the attitude of the whole people toward Christianity, education,
women, and children was becoming transformed, till today we find ourselves out of breath in the effort to
keep pace with it, and instead of spurs are needing the check-rein and the curb, for they are going perhaps so
fast as to overleap the goal. All but the newest here have seen classes of boys and girls graduating from our
schools. You have seen well trained native doctors receiving their degrees and beginning the work of
Christian medical service among their people. We have seen a class of ministers graduating from a
theological seminary, and foreign missionaries sent out by a native church to others in darkness; and now
not quite forgetting, for we caimot, the things that are behind, let us press forward for the mark and the prize
of our high calling. All Korea for Christ.

But we cannot close these reminiscences without noting how one after another, corps after corps of
the Lords ’s army, have wheeled into line, and ranging themselves with the forces on the field have been
striving earnestly and unitedly for the one object.

8/27/1909 - p.7 H.G.U.

Methodists and Presbyterians came hand in hand, and ever since close shoulder to shoulder, they
have gone forward. In a very short time the “Vanguard” of the Canadians arrived on the scene [Gale,

Hardie, Fenwick and McKenzie], merging their forces so with these already here, as almost to lose their own
identity. Close upon their heels came the first representatives of the Australian Mission of whom first was
the sainted Davies, who gave his life for the Korean church. At about the same time came Bishop Corfe
with his company of workers to represent that mother of foreign missions [the Anglican Society for the
Proclamation of the Gospel], and though perhaps they and we do not see eye to eye on matters of form, and
all doctrines, they have been doing a noble work as far as numbers and strength would permit.

Within a year of their arrival the Southern Presbyterian Church decided to enter the field, and with
steadily increasing numbers, have endeavored to thoroughly occupy that section of the field allotted to them,
and in a peculiar way, especially may it be said of this mission, they have been willing to go wherever they
could assist in the general work of the Lord without regard as to the credit which might or might not accrue
to their own individual body. It is barely a year ago since we were called to mourn the loss of one of their
pioneers who has worked hand in hand, side by side with us from the first, and only the other day another
was called.

More recently we welcomed Dr. Reed and Mrs. Campbell as the leaders of the Methodist Church,
South, and it has been intensely interesting to note the assiduity with which that mission, in its intense desire
to have no overlapping, has brought it about that a comparatively small section has been assigned to her, and
the statesmanlike way in which they are endeavoring to properly equip that section.

Last year we were called upon to welcome the latest arrival, the Salvation Army.

In the gradual drawing together of these forces, in reality all working with one object, in one dear
Name, we find that today four of these grand divisions have formed such an organic union as to be
essentially one; two others are in such harmony that they also may almost be thought of as one and all the
evangelistic forces in Korea thus far may be considered as in three great sections.

But my brethren, is this all? Are we to stop here? Is it not our most solemn duty to study how every
impediment may be removed, every obstacle overthrown and how, drawing ever closer and closer, we may
conserve the priceless forces of the King until in fulfilment of his last command and dearest wish, we shall
all be one, marching forward to conquer for him.

God grant that since he has so wonderfully manifested His Presence and Power; as we listen to His
voice; as we hear His stately steppings, our hearts may be so thrilled that losing sight of all else, we may all,
Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Church of England, crowd so close to Jesus that distinctions and divisions
between us may be crowded out and that all welded into one may accomplish His Purpose.

(from the Quarto Centennial Papers read before THE KOREA MISSION of the Presbyterian Church in the
U.S.A. at THE ANNUAL MEETING in Pyeng Yang, August 27, 1909 and published with other papers in a
bound volume , pp. 97 - 1 10, in the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Chai Ryung, Korea

September 15, 1909

H.C. Whiting

Dr. A.J. Brown.

My Dear Doctor:

Yesterday at our first Station Meeting after Annual Meeting I was reminded of the fact that
my August letter to you had not been written. Mr. Koons had written his July letter in August so
you have received far more news than I could have written. Mrs. George McCune & Miss
[Catherine] McCune are with us and we had yesterday the largest meeting in the history of Chai
Ryung. Mr. Swallen was also a guest - nine being present.

Miss McCune is already accumulating words & studying hard with her teacher. All the work
is now in full swing. Chai Ryung Academy opened this morning with some twenty scholars. [The]
boys’ School [has] over one hundred. Their new building will be ready for occupancy in a few days.
[The] girls’ school with over forty in attendance. The Church is now crowded each Sunday. Last
Sunday De Moksa [should be Yi Moksa, pastor Yi Kui-Poong] gave his experiences at Chai Ju
(Island of Quelpart). The first foreign missionary return, and like Paul, gives a glowing account of
the work. He is a fine man, but has very little idea of financial obligations. Not that he is dishonest,
but lacks judgment. Although self-support of the native church has been the policy he has been
brought up in, yet the first thing he wants to do is to build a big church with the money collected in
the large churches of Pyeng Yang & Whang Hai provinces. There are rocks ahead for the Korean
Church. I fear our form of government is too far advanced for the Koreans. The Israelites had forty
years of discipline before they became self-governing. The Koreans, by thousands of years of mis-
rule are like children. Spiritually they are in advance of many Christian nations but they lack
balance, foresight and the essence of self-government, and it will require years of discipline to form
it in them. In the mean time some check or ruling power should be devised so that we can hold
them true - like our government is educating self-government into Cuba, and keeping them in line
until they are self reliant and trustworthy.

Mr. Sharp’s house is being built as fast as possible and will be a very pleasant home when
completed. The hospital is filling up with patients, and the dispensary cases are daily increasing.
Mrs. Whiting and I spent five weeks away from Korea. We found the missionary home at Chefoo a
very restful place. I found out there more about Chinese missionaries’ furloughs and vacations, etc.
Our missionaries at Chefoo and Tung Chow Fu take their vacation in sea bathing and such
recreation. Dr. Corbett, Mr. Eldridth and Mr. Cornwall took no vacation this summer. Dr. Walten
Seymour, my former assistant in medical mission work in Chicago & his wife who was my
deaconess, spend the late afternoon and evening on the beach. I had five days with them and was
much impressed with Dr. Seymour’s work. He needs a workable hospital and I am sure he deserves
it. The missionaries from the interior (not of our mission) that I met at the house all stay on the
Coast two months or longer and they tell me that the month of February is a rest month. Chinese
New Years, schools closed, itineration useless & all branches of work except printing, closed down.
Miss Posey expects to visit Korea in February, her school work being closed. So that from personal
observation I think my statement that most missionaries in China & Japan have from two to three
months a year as vacation, is true. We don’t need it in Korea. February is the best working month
in the year and a short rest at sea side or up the rivers is all that most of us can have. The term of

9/15/09 -p.2 H.C.W.

service for single ladies in most all Missions seems to be shorter than in our. Five or six years. 1
believe our forces would do more effective work for a longer time & with less expense to the
Church at home in the long run, if seven years should be the limit & 12 months off the field. Those
who are away 14 months miss two Annual Meetings & the work is moving so fast that as Dr.
Moffett says - he has not yet caught up & he is not slow.

Education occupies considerable of our time at Pyeng Yang. Education is the slogan. No
greater mistake could be made than for the Korean Church to get the idea that we came here to
educate. Some are already saying the Church is nothing but a school house. Persistent, aggressive,
all absorbing evangelistic effort is the only salvation at this hour. 1 am trying to put down a few of
my impressions of the situation as a layman sees it. Trusting that your trip to Scotland was most
enjoyable and that you and yours are well, I am

Yours sincerely,

Harry C. Whiting

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #112)

Seoul, Korea

October 5, 1909

Ralph O. Reiner

Dr. Arthur J. Brown
New York

My dear Dr. Brown,

You have hardly left Korea, yet it is my privilege to send you word of our work in Seoul
since our last station meeting in the middle of August. Many things have conspired to make us glad
but among these, none can equal the satisfaction we all felt over the return of three senior
missionaries from furlough. Mr. & Mrs. Welbon with their three children arrived about August 15*,
Dr. and Mrs. Underwood reached Pyeng Yang August 20* and Dr. and Mrs. Avison returned to
Seoul on September 28*. The absence of three such men has been a great detriment to the work
during the past year and not only that, but the ones remaining have been compelled to carry greatly
increased burdens.

Dr. Avison has arrived at an especially opportune time, for cholera has been in the city for
several weeks, having come across by way of Chemulpo from China. At no time has it been
dangerous to the health of the missionary body, yet its presence added to the duties your resident
physician. Dr. Hirst, so materially as to more than tax his strength. During the past year he has
shouldered the responsibilities of the hospital and medical school and has shown marked ability in
conducting both. But the work was too much for one man and he has been compelled to drop
everything and take a short vacation trip to Japan. Upon his return, it is hoped that the varied
activities of the hospital may again be pushed to their utmost.

Very interesting reports of the work of the Girls’ and the Boys’ Academies were presented
by the principals, Mr. and Mrs. Greenfield. There is a total enrolment at present of 65 girls and 130
boys. Marked changes in methods are being attempted. What success they will have, it is too early
to say. But it is hoped that higher standards of disciplined instruction and spirituality may be
attained.

Mr. Clark’s report of Central Church’s work was most encouraging. Within a year the
attendance has increased from 350 to 375 to 525. Not only this, but the budget has increased to
correspond. Last year the total contributions amounted to $650 gold. This year it is planned to raise
something over $900 gold. The church already crowded a year ago, is now literally being “jammed”
full each Sunday. The officers of the church seem to be the most wide awake of any I have seen.
Inasmuch as the church must educate the children of Christians, it has accepted the other principle
as a corollary, that the children need good teachers and good buildings. Hence the old buildings
behind the church are being transformed into bright, airy rooms which bid fair to equal any schools
under the care of the mission, whether foreign built or Korean.

The sad part of our work comes from the certain change of some of our workers. By the
division of territory recently effected with the Northern Methodists, we lose Wonju and all its
adjacent territory. Mr. Welbon, who had been appointed to work there with Mr. Lampe and Dr.
Fletcher, is to be transferred to Andong or some station in the south, while Mr. Lampe goes to Syen
Chyun. Dr. Fletcher has not [been assigned to] one of our stations yet, as he has been filling Dr.

1 0/05/09 -p.2 R.O.R.

Whiting’s place in Chai Ryung during a visit he is making to Japan.

We shall not forget your visit to Korea soon. So many good results have already come from
it that we are all rejoicing because of your brief sojourn with us. Personally, it gives me greater
pleasure than ever to write to you because you seemed so much like one of us here. Besides that,
your appearance and actions reminded me so forcibly of a man I worked for during my summer
vacations while attending High School, that I almost imagined you were he.

We are again hard at the language, and “hard” is a great deal harder than it was a year ago. It
just makes me ashamed not to be able to speak at all (practically) for I ought to be making myself
well understood. But I console myself that we are all in about the same condition, and only hard
work will bring us out.

Mrs. Reiner joins in sending best wishes to your dear wife and yourself, and our prayers are
more numerous.

Sincerely yours,

Ralph O. Reiner

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #117)

Seoul, Korea

October, 1 909 Horace G. Underwood

SEOUL STATION REPORT OF H.G. UNDERWOOD FOR OCTOBER. 1909

Not having been back long enough on the field to go into all the details of the work there may be very
little to report, and whatever items of interest there may be to report may only be touched upon. Yet it does give
me a great deal of pleasure to realize that this is the first report since being back.

IN PYENG YANG: We arrived in Pyeng Yang August 20‘\ and stayed there until the Annual Meetings and the
Presbytery were over. There will be no need of my making mention of anything in reference to those meetings,
as most of us will be acquainted with the facts concerning them.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: On arriving Seoul in the beginning of September I was called away on the
Executive Committee which met in Seoul and also in the Southern Province.

NEWSPAPER: We have also had a number of meetings of the Newspaper Committee, and have been
discussing and laying out plans for the work.

EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE: The Committee on Educational Matters called on the Educational
Department, at which time Dr. A.J. Brown of the Board accompanied us. We were able to state to the
Department that we were ready to register our higher schools and that we were planning to develop our normal
work. Also inquiries concerning textbooks were made, but we were not able to go into details enough to get any
definite answers.

CHURCH: In regard to the Church work, I have been trying to start to reorganize the work of all the city and
country Churches in my charge, as it seems necessary for an effectual growth of the work, and especially on
account of my long absence which has caused me to become less acquainted with the details. With this object
in view I have sent a circular letter round to all the churches and groups, and in order to keep myself in touch
with them I expect to send to each church or group at least one letter a month or more. In my first letter I have
told them about the Annual Meetings in Pyeng Yang and particularly about the Presbytery and what had been
decided at the latter meeting that might be of interest to them and that they ought to know. Particular mention
was made about the work to be in the hands of the Committee on Educational Matters and of the report of the
work done in Cheju (Quelpart Island) and of what had been decided for the Koreans in Vladivostock. So far it
looks as if this plan will work to its good, as even though I may not be able to go to them every month I can
keep in touch with them and keep them in touch with the general work, and thus unite their prayers for the one
common object and aim we all have.

INDIVIDUAL CHURCHES: As to the individual churches, I have not been able to see in person except a few
churches, namely: Sai Moon An, Chandari, and at the time of writing it is my intention to go to Yong Tong Po
before the rendering of this. I have also started to get all the records of the individual churches and to get them
more systematized so that we can be in concord with a thorough reorganization.

EDUCATIONAL: The Sai Moon An Church is trying to put her schools on a firmer basis, and the Chandari
people are in hopes of getting their new school building finished in spite of the fact that they are having a few
reverses. Perhaps a more detailed mention of these will be made in my next report, in which I may be able to
speak of a few other places.

On the whole, I would like to say that after I have gotten everything properly reorganized and in shape
the Lord will work greater wonders than He has yet; and I am glad to say I am entering these fields again
looking forward to larger hopes and greater prospects. God’s miracle in this land is by no means at an end. It
has only started to make a beginning.

H.G. Underwood

(from the archival microfilm records of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, Presbyterian Historical
Society, Philadelphia, PA, Reel #285, Vol. 244)

Ryozan, Korea

(near Seoul, possibly Inch’on)

October 31, 1910

Ida G. Pierson
(Mrs. G.P.)

I thank you very much for your letters introducing me to missionaries in Korea. I arrived

here October 22"*' and since then I have been preaching every night (to the Japanese) in Ryozan,
Seoul, or Jinsen. In Seoul 10 or 1 1 seekers came forward one night and there were many more
seekers at Seoul before I came. At Ryozan [the Japanese name for a Korean city], my
headquarters, there are now 60 inquirers. But the little Japanese church here is in a sad
condition, the Christians are weak and like sick men, therefore. I will stay here a month or more
to make the church stronger and more united. After my work is ended here I will go to other
places preaching the gospel and bringing the blessing of our Lord and if anywhere the people
wish me to stay, I will stop at that place some weeks or a month and work there.

I hear that the special evangelistic campaign for the Koreans is going on well and that
they have more than 2000 inquirers already. I have much sympathy for the Korean people. They
are just like lost sheep. If God will send me to them, I will go to them and live among them and
help them and teach them the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The sky in Korea is very clear and fine, the climate is much warmer than on the main
island of Japan.

My greetings to Mr. Hishino and all the Christians.

Ryozan, Seoul, Korea November 21, 1910 Ida G. Pierson

Since arriving in Korea I have been working steadily in the evangelistic campaign for the
Japanese. The Japanese church at Ryozan has been without a pastor from the beginning and has
been carried on by a few struggling members. Indeed it resembles the Corinthian church in not a
few respects and is in a somewhat serious condition. There is, however, a comparatively large
number of inquirers here and their state is hopeful.

[The Japanese congregation] at Seoul, under Pastor Otami’s guidance with Judge
Watanabe’s help and that of his wife and other leading Christians, is making good progress.
There are also not a few Japanese-speaking Korean officials among the inquirers connected with
the church. I believe it will be possible to have a united Japanese and Korean church here some
day. According to the newspapers the number of Christian converts among the Koreans has
decreased since the annexation, but from what the missionaries say, the decrease was very slight
indeed, and in fact some say there has been an increase. From now on it looks as if we were
really going to have peace. Many of the Koreans are abandoning their old customs and costumes
and becoming quite modem in their attire. The Korean women are now beginning to appear on
the streets with uncovered heads and the men with their hair cut short.

The Korean church is certainly very much in earnest. How much definite knowledge the
Christians possess I am unable to say, but as far as keeping Sunday is concerned, contributing
liberally to church support and faithful attendance at prayer-meeting, they are far ahead of the
Japanese church.

Lately I visited a Korean church without a pastor at a place called Gunzan. The
Christians take turns in preaching and in exhorting one another, so that there has been no decline
whatever in the life of the church. On the contrary, I heard that at the weekly prayer-meeting,
many of the Christians experienced a revival of their faith, not without tears.

I hope to be able to arrange the affairs of the Ryozan Church by the end of this month, but
it may be January before I can return to Hokkaido. Please pray for the blessing and power of the
Holy Spirit on my work here.

Pray, give my greetings to the pastor, the session and the brethren and sisters of the
Church at Asahigawa.

Ryozan, Seoul, Korea December 14, 1910 Ida G. Pierson

I met Dr. Gale and Dr. Underwood today. Dr. Gale told me that as a result of the special
campaign among the Koreans in Seoul there were 5000 inquirers besides several more thousands
as a result of house to house visitation. Dr. Underwood said he thought 4000 had been brought
in at the meetings and 4000 by the visiting, making 8000 in all.

I could not go to Pyongyang, so I sent your letter to Dr. Moffett. He wrote to me very
kindly in reply and told me that during the last week great blessings had been enjoyed in his field.
He had been long absent and had only just returned from America.

Our Japanese church in Seoul is in a very good condition. There are 40 or 50 inquirers
connected with the church and among them are many high government officials and their wives.

I think the evangelistic work in Korea is far ahead of that in Japan.

Greetings to all the Christians and the Woman’s meeting.

N. Sakamoto.

Respectfully,

Ida G. Pierson (Mrs. G.P.)

[missionary in Japan working for a short period in Korea]

Asahigawa, Hokkaido, Japan
December 27‘\ 1910

(from the archival microfilm records of the Board of Foreign Missions, Presbyterian Historical
Society, Philadelphia, PA, Reel #280, Vol. 230 (part 3)

Pyeng Yang, Korea

October 15th, 1909

Alice F. Moffett

Dear Father and Mother,

Now that the cold weather is coming I am glad for Baby’s sake that we came when we did.
He is doing splendidly and loves to be out doors, right down in the dirt. Jamie, too, is very happy in
this fine big compound. But we have no word from you yet and it does seem such a long time to
wait. I want to know so many things about you and all the details of the home there.

I have taken up so much teaching just now that I do almost nothing else except care for the
children. But after this special “Workers’ Class” is over I shall take up many things in the
household that are calling for attention.

Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman and his party came from Australia to Japan and are now on their way
up through Korea. We expect them here in a few days to hold services for us and for the Korean
Church.

We have a number of guests - eleven in the household, counting the children.

Sam sends much love to you both and Jamie and I send love and kisses.

Your loving,

Alice

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Seoul, Korea

October 19, 1909

Katherine Wambold

My dear Dr. Brown,

The special feature of yesterday’s station meeting was that Dr. Underwood was with us for
the first time in nearly three years and a half I enclose his station report.

Dr. Avison said he had been overworked in America when he traveled with Dr. Underwood,
speaking for the Korea Propaganda. This remark caused much merriment, for we all know what a
strenuous worker Dr. Underwood is. Dr. Avison is fiill of plans for a Union Medical School in
Severance Hospital. At a meeting of the Korea Medical Association it met with approval. The
electric train lines and the electric light plant have been sold to the Japanese, and the foreigners who
owned them are moving away, so their fees as a source of revenue will cease.

Mr. Clark reported nineteen baptisms during the month. The attendance at Syung Dong
Church is 508. The deacon reported on Sunday that we have an attendance of almost 600, only
lacking 92.

Mr. Curtis [Presbyterian missionary working among the Japanese in Korea] reported that he
was praying for one thousand Japanese converts in Korea this year. He is urging self-support as
much as possible. The church at Yongsan, near Seoul, is growing. Judge Watanabe gives valuable
assistance; Mr. Curtis has some discouragements. In Syen Chun, he invited all the Japanese to a
meeting and only twelve came. And five hundred Koreans came, and they had no invitation
whatever!

Dr. Gale did not report, as he was excused early in the meeting to attend a conference of the
Salvation Army (there are thirteen members here now); to tell them some things about how to study
the Korean language.

Mr. Genso [father of Gail Genso Kinney] said he had been wearing down the path between
his house and the Residency, seeing about Mission property matters. He said some German
Catholics, Benedictines, had bought a large amount of property near our Yun Mot Kol site, and were
going to start a school.

Mr. Greenfield said school had begun again after the vacation because of cholera. They are
short of teachers; Dr. Gale will teach astronomy and Dr. Underwood, ethics. Mrs. Greenfield has
started the Girls’ school again, after the cholera vacation.

Miss Heron [Annie Heron, stepdaughter of Dr. Gale] is of indispensable value in the school
because she speaks Korean so very well.

The new term of the Medical School has begun with class rooms crowded. Dr. Hirst reports.

Mr. Lampe had his boxes packed and was about to go to his new station, Syen Chyun.

10/19/09 -p.2 K.W.

Mr. and Mrs. Pieters are both in Pyeng Yang, where Mr. Pieters is enjoying his
teaching in the Academy.

Mr. and Mrs. Reiner are busy studying the language, and also in work at the Tong Mak
church and Sunday School. In the language examinations, Mrs. Reiner is said to have passed
brilliantly. Mr. Reiner has his hands full; besides a heavy share of the school, he is Business
Manager of the Korea Mission Field and of the Sunday School Quarterly.

Miss Rittgers is doing well in the language, and she shows most unselfish devotion to the
school work.

Miss Shields reports that there are nine Korean nurses, that the two who nursed the cholera
are perfectly well, and did not catch it.

Miss Taylor was given permission to go itinerating with Miss Snavely, of the Methodist
Mission, for a month.

Mr. Welbon spent five days in Fusan. He had visited the new station site at Andong, going
with Mr. Sawtelle. The people are much in need of guidance. There is no timber at the place, and
many landslides, rendering building difficult.

I have had two country classes this month with my usual neighborhood classes, Sunday
services, house to house preaching. I was appointed statistician to the General Council. At this
meeting I resigned the editorship of the Korea Mission Field, as country work prevented my doing
it. I had been Editor since July first, and had got out six numbers in that time, as the little sheet had
fallen behind. Mrs. Underwood is the new Editor. Under her able hands the paper cannot but
improve. We are praying for a million converts in Korea this year.

Sincerely yours,

Katherine Wambold

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #121)

Pyeng Yang

November 9, 1909

Alice F. Moffett

Dear Little Mother,

We are having some quite cold weather but Babykins is getting used to it and loves to be out
in his warm sweater and cap. Only he does not understand why Lyum-Si will not let him walk on
the cold ground or sit on the grass. Every little while she has to bring him in and let him have some
exercise in the house and then take him out again in his carriage or tied on her back, Korean fashion.
Jamie is racing over the compound nearly all day playing with the little white kids [goats] or
sometimes with Mr. Swallen’s children or with the little Korean boy who lives in our gate house.
Jamie is learning Korean very fast - he still asks me for a word now and then but that will not last
long.

Five people have left our household, so now we are only seven - Miss Strang, Mrs. Curtis
and Gordon, and our own family. I am busy caring for the household and teaching - five times
during the week, but it is all such joyous work.

The sweater which you sent arrived safely - am sorry you had to trouble with it hut glad that
matter is settled at last. I miss the book of Jamie’s kindergarten songs - can you send me that,
please, sometime when convenient? You remember you said you wanted to take down the title and
then at the last I forgot to put it in again. I think there is nothing else there that I need.

Mother, how do you feel now about having Lucia Hester [Charles Fish’s brother, Tom’s
daughter, who became the second Mrs. Samuel Austin Moffett] go to you after the Christmas
vacation? If you want her and will tell her so, I feel sure she will find a substitute and go to stay
with you until I reach there. If her presence would be a help to you do write and ask her to come.

Sam has not been well for a few days but is better now. Generally he is well but he works
very hard and is not equal to so much as formerly. He sends much love to you and Fatherdy. How
often I wish I could fly to you and help you for a little while and then come back.

Jamie sends kisses to you and Grandpa. And love to Mrs. Rooney. I am so glad she writes
to me. I am going to write to Fatherdy - just as soon as I can but will send this on first. A heart full
of love to you both.

Your daughter,
Alice

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Pyeng Yang, Korea

Nov. 22nd, 1909

Alice Fish Moffett

Dear Fatherdy,

For ten days or more 1 have been trying to write to you but the time has been over full. Oh,
there are so many things to tell you about the work here, - so many blessings that are coming to us all
the time. When 1 went back to my old place among the women in Central Church I found a Bible
School larger than before. Last Sabbath morning 1 had 370 women and girls all to myself! Isn’t that a
great privilege? They are divided into classes, of course, for the study of the lesson. 1 lead the opening
and closing exercises and teach a class of about twenty women. On Saturday afternoon 1 have a class
of over fifty teachers which includes the women who teach in two other Bible Schools in the city.
There are five such schools in the entire city in session at the same time every Sabbath morning. New
believers come in every Sabbath, - yes, every day they are being gathered in by the Koreans - for these
Christians are always at work to bring others in.

The Korean Church is providing preparatory schools for its own boys and girls, while the
Mission provides the advanced departments. But the preparatory schools are all crowded and another
building is needed for the boys and one for the girls - as they can never study together. The people
made an offering several months ago for the boys’ building and that is under way. Just the other day
some of the women of the church were called together to consider the matter of the building for the
girls. Between forty and fifty women attended the meeting and their offering amounted to yen 400
($200 gold) either given at the time or promised. Wasn’t that splendid for so poor a people? It
certainly shows how much they value education for their children. My Bible woman had just received
her month’s wages yen 8.00 before she went to the meeting and she at once gave one fourth of it. That
means that she and her two children must live for a month on $3.00 gold instead of $4.00. I think
some Christians in America do not yet begin to know what true giving means.

The book store and reading room which you helped to build has been somewhat remodeled this
past year and now has a very pretty front on the street. I mean to send you a photo of it as soon as I
can.

Jamie and Charles have such good times out in this big yard with the goats and the little black
and white kids. Jamie’s little pet white kid is named “Ginger”, another one is “Jackie” and the black
one is “Bosie”. I don’t know where he found the names. The tiniest baby kid which came a few days
ago is still nameless. Sam is away for a few days out among his country churches. He wants to send
love to you and to Mother every time I write. It does mean so much to us all to be here together for
this winter - and it was so good of you both to let me come, - to send us all back. According to present
plans Sam will leave for the conference in Edinburgh about May 15th and then if you still want me to,
and I can find company across the Pacific, I can go to you again.

Love to Mother dear and your own dear self - to Mrs. Rooney and Pauline,

Your daughter,

Alice

(from the Samuel H. Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

'ijLe (^Liidren 6 '^J'nencl i6 ^e6u6

'ijLe chiidren 4 ddriend ii ^eAu.6

J4e ca ILik em to Jdii iide;

Jde ^aue J4: life a random,
.ddeauen i ^ate to open wide.

dJlie cLiidren i Idriend ii ^eiui,
J4A i/ei tlteir jous ta ikarei
JJ.L nowi the i

^dde ion^i each one to Le

ir ultle iorrowi,

year.

'dJlie chiidren i ’idriend ii ^eiui,
VL re i no one eiie io true;

.Jde heepi aii thoie who truit ..Jdim,
Ji no one eiie can do.

(dho. - dJhe chiidren i 'idriend ii ^eiui
^eiui, ^eiui;

JdiiiifeJde ^ai/e the ir iou iito iat/e,
'dJhe chiidren i friend ii Jde

Jhii poem ii in JL.3. WoHdiA andwritin^ and wai inciuded with the current ietter. Uai it
written li^ ^Jiice Iddoddett? i^erhapi io.

(from the Samuel Hugh Moffett collection of Samuel Austin Moffett papers)

Taiku, Korea

November 27, 1909

John Y. Crothers

Dr. Arthur J. Brown

156 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y.

Dear Dr. Brown

First impressions of the new missionary seem to be at a premium, especially when it comes time to
decide who shall write the regular letter to the Board. These impressions are not so marked when one has
prepared himself by reading a number of the very good books on this country. As we arrived at the close of
the rainy season, the land looked its best, and appeared not nearly so barren as some authors had led us to
fear. The people’s clothing and houses, on the other hand, came up to the worst descriptions in any book, as
did the smells. Had it not been for what we knew of the power of the gospel in this land, the outlook would
have been discouraging.

It is wonderful how soon we get accustomed to our new surroundings, and think of nothing but our
main work. That is the one thing that does not grow old. It makes a tremendous appeal to a man to have a
delegation come every few days from places 70 miles or more away, asking when the missionary is coming
to teach them - and he cannot go, for he does not know their tongue. Such delegations came to our house
this fall from the territory belonging to An Dong station, which is to be opened next summer (D.V.) [God
willing]. This territory contains almost 400,000 people, among whom we have the only Protestant work, and
this was to be maimed by Mr. Welbon, who has been in Korea nine years; Mr. Sawtell, who has been here
two years; and Mr. Crothers and Dr. Fletcher, who came out this year. This ratio of one missionary to
100,000 people has convinced me that we have not yet too many missionaries, at least in this part of Korea.

The second week in October Mr. Welbon and Mr. Sawtell started on their first and last trip together
to this region. Three weeks later Mr. Sawtell returned home so weak from fever that he fell off the horse
twice on the way. In spite of all that could be done for him, he passed away from us, leaving but one man
who knows the language to reach 400,000 people. Mr. Sawtell was a Westerner - a graduate of Omaha
Theological Seminary, and was the strongest man of Taiku station, physically. He was an ideal man for the
pioneer work of a new station far from a railroad. The dependence of the station on him is illustrated by the
fact that when Mrs. Adams died two weeks before, he had to give directions from his sick bed for the
making of her coffin.

What makes us feel our loss most, from the point of view of the work, is the fact that we do not have
to spend months and years of waiting before the people are willing to hear us, but right now there is a great
wave of interest in Christianity in this region. Around An Dong reside very many of the Yang Bans, the
ancient aristocracy of Korea, who have hitherto been the hardest class of all to reach. They were fairly well
off in this world’s goods, and were self-satisfied morally, so there was little that appealed to them in the
gospel. For some reason they have suddenly realized their need of something which they think is to be
found in Christianity. Perhaps their ideas are not as clear as they might be as to what the gospel offers, but
the point is that they are not only willing, but anxious to be taught the Bible. Past experience teaches us that
such opportunities do not remain forever.

Two native [Korean] helpers went up from Taiku last summer to stay two weeks, and remained a
month, teaching from the Bible and hymn-book alone, and having audiences numbering as high as 600.

Four months later two other [Korean] helpers visited the same places, and found that some groups had a
regular attendance of 200. A book store has been opened in An Dong which is self-supporting, and is doing
a valuable work.

11/27/09 - p.2 J.Y.C.

Such a great movement as this toward Christianity is naturally accompanied with some opposition.
Dr. Erdman’s colporteur has had his books scattered about several times when he was preaching in the
market-places, and once he was beaten by a fellow Korean. Another time a local official beat with a club
those who were listening, but did not touch the preacher. In one of the villages, a Yang Ban who had
become a believer, had his house burned down by those who opposed Christianity, but his fellow believers
rebuilt it, furnishing both work and material. Mr. Kim, from near An Dong, who has been Mr. Sawtell’s
language teacher, feared to go home on certain days, because his father would command him to engage in
certain acts of heathen worship, and while he did not like to disobey his father, yet would not worship other
gods. Most persecution in Korea is by the family of the believer, who fear that
[part of letter tom off] or worshiped after their death.

The working of God’s Spirit has been especially manifest among us recently in the smoothing over
of difficulties of long standing in certain churches. In a church in one of Mr. MacFarland’s [Taegu
missionary] cireuits there had been two factions for a long time, whose bitterness had absolutely prevented
any spiritual life there. He summoned the leaders of both sides to be present at a meeting at whieh he
intended to talk on the Christian duty of forgiveness. None of the members of one faction appeared, so the
talk was not given; but another summons was sent them. In the evening one of this side came to the
meeting, so Mr. MacFarland gave his talk, but without apparent effect on this man. The next morning as he
was leaving the town, escorted by several of the loyal members, he met the leader of the opposing faction,
who said he was just coming to meet him, but nevertheless showed signs of going on. He was persuaded to
return to his house, and there they talked the matter over. Mr. MacFarland urged that they should not argue
as to which was in the right, but forget the past and be friends. They said again and again, “It is no use, we
can not be reconciled.” Finally they knelt to pray over it, and then with strong erying and tears, the main
mischief-maker confessed his sin, and asked forgiveness of God and those he had wronged. In three other
ehurches troubles as serious have been solved by the Spirit. The itinerating has been very much hampered
this fall by having to call in all the men twice, owing to deaths in our ranks. It is impossible to get as much
done as we would like to do, with our present foree.

At a reeent communion in the local church [in Taegu], there were over a dozen baptized, and over
50 received as catechumens. This brings the roll of cateehumens to over 500, while there are about 1,000
whose names are on the roll of regular attendants. On these books is kept a record of the attendanee of
everyone at the four weekly meetings of the church. There have been established this fall two braneh
Sabbath Schools, which will in time grow into separate churches. At the Thanksgiving service they took up
a thank offering both in money and in kind, like the diseiples of old. We are interested especially when a
loeal city official subscribes 30 yen ($15.00), but doubtless the Lord was as much or more pleased with the
gifts of a few handfuls of rice, beans, or sesame. The ehildren had a prominent part in the exercises of this
day and acquitted themselves well, at least so it appeared to one who could understand scarcely a word they
said. The tunes they sang could not be recognized by an American, but according to Korean ideas of music
they were probably an improvement over the original.

Yours sincerely,

John Y. Crothers

P.S. It gives me great pleasure to record what happened the day after Thanksgiving. All the station was
invited to the home of Dr. [Walter] Erdman, where there was announced the engagement of Mr. George
Hinsdale Winn of Fusan, to Miss Blanche Lilian Essick, one of the PERMANENT single ladies of Taiku.
While disapproving of engagements so soon after arrival on the field (they have been here barely a year), we
could not help wishing them many happy returns of the day.

JYC

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #133)

Seoul, Korea

December 16, 1909

James S. Gale

My dear Dr. Brown

I have been waiting till you were home before sending you this confidential letter concerning
my family and our outlook for the future. The girls and I together have had the happiest sort of life,
and among the friends who have come to share our home and leave all sorts of sweet memories and
impressions, you and Mrs. Brown will ever be remembered. Aimie is happy in her work and Jessie,
sunny as the day is long, and yet conditions change for old people as well as young if I instance
myself However much we may desire to keep life in one statu quo so to speak, it will not yield.

For young people marriage is the ideal state, no doubt, and I looked forward to it for Armie, hoping
that it might be in Korea; but this is not to be, for she and my nephew, Esson McDowell Gale,
whom you met in Peking, are engaged, hoping to be married perhaps next autumn. He is a Christian
man and a fine student. His recent examination just passed puts him at 94%, the highest mark ever
yet received by a student. Dr. Tenney has written the State Department that he has the making of a
first class Chinese scholar. The Diplomatic and Consular Service means, as you so well know,
much for missions. They are not wholly another world. Would that these two worlds were closer
together than they are. I have always worked for a perfect understanding between the American and
British consuls and our missionaries. I think I have had more to do personally with these consular
representatives than any other member of our mission, always desiring that they view the
opportunity for the Gospel with equally interested eye. I did not know then that I was to have so
vital a link binding me to the diplomatic and consular service as I find now opening up. This is the
engagement and Annie goes on with her work for another year, I hope. She will be a persistent and
good missionary wherever she is, this I know, though I would have liked best to have seen her still
with us here under the Board, had it so come about.

Another matter which only Annie and Jessie know and fully approve of, that I have not told
as yet, I desire to mention to you and Mrs. Brown. When Annie’s engagement first became known
to me last spring, I realized the loss from my home, and saw no way of filling the place left by Mrs.
Gale first and then by Annie. There was one special friend of Mrs. Gale’s whom we knew first
fourteen years ago in Japan. She was bom in Japan, is a thorough Oriental, speaks Japanese, and is
at home in the East but not in the West. We have kept up an acquaintance all these years, have
corresponded and met at times. She is now 34 years of age, and at present is living with her parents
in London, England. She was the only one in the world whom I could with all my heart ask to share
my home with me. I asked her and she has consented. Her brother is Charles V. Sale, chief partner
of Sale & Frazar, Yokohama. Frazar is a son of Mr. Everett Frazar, formerly Korean Consul, New
York City, whose home was in Orange, N.J. Mr. Chas. Sale has been president of the Chamber of
Commerce, Yokohama, and is known not only as a business man of great ability, but a pronounced
Christian as are the other members of the family. Sale & Frazar are agents of the Baldwin
Locomotive works, I believe. At any rate, Mr. Frazar was here and sold the locomotives now
mnning in Korea. I mention this to give you some idea of the standing of the family. When we first
knew them they were members of the Union Church, Yokohama, then under the pastorate of Dr.
Meacham, a member of the Canadian Methodist Church. Miss Ada Louise Sale is her name. She is
34 years of age, while I am 46, rather a wide difference, still she is willing, and so our engagement
stands. People of forty-five and over ought never to marry, I suppose, and yet I like to think that my
circumstances justify it.

12/16/09 - p.2 J.S.G.

This is altogether agreeable to Annie and Jessie, for Ada was Mamma’s model, whom she
kept constantly before the girls during the years gone by. We visited their home in London three
years ago and then again she and her brother came to visit us in Scotland before we left for New
York.

Will this seem a foolish move to you and Mrs. Brown, I wonder? I trust not. I love
companionship where it is intelligent, Christlike and beautiful, and such I am sure this will be. I
feel sure that Mrs. Brown would like her just as Mrs. Gale did.

In all these changes Jessie remains our special treasure, her only danger being that she may
be pulled violently between two homes, one here and one in China. She and Annie are so good
about Ada’s coming , as they call her. Had it not been agreeable to them I could not have ventured
to think of it.

If you wish to know more about Miss Sale, Mr. Loomis of American Bible Society,
Yokohama, or Rev. J.L. Bearing, D.D., of the Baptist Mission, know her well.

In it all I know that God has guided and that she will be the help and inspiration that I need
for the work.

Trusting to have Mrs. Brown’s and your good wishes and prayers for blessing -

ever yours most sincerely,

James S. Gale

P.S. We hope to be married in April next.

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #138)

Pyeng Yang, Korea

December 21, 1909

William M. Baird

My dear Dr. Brown

1 had hoped to reach you with a letter immediately upon your return home, but pressure of
work in the school has precluded the possibility of accomplishing much beyond the daily round of
administrative and classroom duties. Now, however, I am snatching a few moments in the midst of
final examinations, to present to you as best 1 can the situation that confronts us.

Here we are with a school only eleven years old, yet with an attendance already of 577
students. It is the only collegiate institution in the whole country of Korea, and is fed, either directly
or indirectly by something like 500 primary schools, representing a constituency of 12,000 pupils
from North Korea alone. All of our students are professing Christians, and many of them are
already engaged in active Christian work. The effect of an established system of churches and
schools is beginning to tell on the character of the applicants and we have never had so fine a body
of students. They are the flower of the Korean Christian church, the very best of the whole country.

I make no claim to be a prophet, and have never been accused of over-enthusiasm, but these
things are not necessary in order to see that the school is in a position of towering influence, and that
it bids fair to assume large proportions. Already the college is as large as the Academy was eight or
nine years ago, and with the greatly increased efficiency of the primary and high school grades the
country over, is likely to increase at a much more rapid rate than the earlier institution. It is also
plain that if we are to enter the wide door of opportunity that opens before us, we must have more
men and more means than have heretofore been deemed necessary.

With 110 daily teaching periods to be supplied, it goes without saying that the teaching force
is straining every nerve. The Korean teachers and tutors, 25 in number, are doing nobly. Many of
them are loaded up with work beyond what is reasonable or right. My working day begins before
daylight and often does not end until late at night, and still I have often been obliged to go to my
classes without having had even a little time for preparation. I speak of this to show that the
principal of such a body of young men as we have even at present, cannot carry, in addition to his
administrative duties, a full share of classroom work. The coming of Mr. and Mrs. Mowry, with full
willingness to take up school work, brings a sense of relief for the future only. If the school is to be
continued next year, even at its present size, there must be in connection with it beside the principal,
two permanent equipped teachers from the Presbyterian force. The school must be divided into
departments, and each teacher doing full work, must take full responsibility for a department. How
this is to be accomplished with Messrs. Bemheisel and Swallen at home on furlough, has not yet
appeared, but I presented the matter fully to the station a month or two ago, and am working on in
the hope that some way will be providentially opened.

With regard to the means needed, you know how we are situated. Two small buildings for
recitation purposes, no auditorium that will hold all the students at one time, no dormitories, little or
no equipment or apparatus. Of the sum asked for by the mission, $10,000 for a recitation hall, only
$5,500 have been appropriated, and even if we had the whole amount in hand, it would not be
sufficient to put up a building to meet our present needs. We have been making plans for a college
building, as cheap and plain a structure as is consistent with strength and permanency, and it is

12/21/09 -p.2 W.M.B.

evident that something like $15,000 will be required to erect a building that will accommodate the
school. This is apart from heating apparatus or equipment of any kind.

I have written and am writing to everyone whom I think might be disposed to lend financial
assistance, but have met with no response so far. If the building is to be ready for use next fall it
ought to be under way now. One such as the funds in hands will put up, will not answer our
purpose. To begin on a sufficiently large plan without the necessary funds in sight, would seem to
savor fully as much of presumption as of faith.

I am enclosing with this a copy of an article written at Dr. Halsey’s request which deals more
fully with the situation.

May 1 hope to hear from you soon with any suggestions which you may be able to make?
With kindest regards to Mrs. Brown, in which Mrs. Baird joins me,

1 am Sincerely Yours,

W.M. Baird

P.S. In case that the whole sum asked for by the Propaganda Committee, $18,000 should be
secured from any quarter, let me remind you of Mr. Converse’s offer to supply the final $200.

(from microfilm reel #282, Vol. 239, letter #140)