The Presbyterian of the South : [combining the] Southwestern Presbyterian, Central Presbyterian, Southern Presbyterian. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1909-1931, March 10, 1909, Page 11, Image 11

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V .. March 10, 1909. THE PRESBYTERI out of the sea as a continuation of the mountains of the mainland, exceed in picturesqueness anything of the kind I have seen in a number of ocean voyages. The arrival at Mokpo was a continuation of the cordial greeting of the missionary with the Welcome of the Korean Christians who with the school boys in line on the sea-wall made a large company of people. Our work at Mokpo and surrounding field is prosperous. The following missionaries are located at this station: ivev. ana Mrs. J. P. Preston, Rev. and Mrs. Robt. Knox, Rev. H. A. McCallie, Miss Julia Martin and Mr. W. A. Venable. Mr. Preston is a busy man with the general charge of the station and the special oversight of the local church, with the additional itinerating work; Mr. Knox is studying the language and itinerating; Mr. McCallie is also studying and spends much of his time in visiting the islands on the southwest coast, his assigned field; Miss Martin is diligently studying; Mr. Venable, an appreciated fellow traveler, is a hard student, and with the help of an interpreter is teaching a class in physiology in the Boys' School. Mokpo is an open port and consists of a mixed population of Japanese and Koreans. Our mission is located in the Korean part of the town. The building includes two missionary homes, and quarters for a missionary in the gate house; a small inadequate home for the Girls' School: another Knrenn limtco fn* .Boys' School and the excellent new John Watkins academy into which the Boys' School will be moved; a small dispensary building, a church seating about four hundred built by the native Christians, and several Korean thatched roof houses on land owned by the mission. The new school building is our best in Korea. It is one story with an assembly hall 22x40 feet and two smaller rooms 16x18 feet, an entrance hall 8x13 feet, arranged with sliding doors so the entire space can be used as a large hall. The material used is.stone and interior woodwork is of good quality. The location or me building is near the church* and is one of the principal structures of any kind in the town. The mission appropriated $2,000.00 (gold) which was approved by the executive committee. Of this amount only a part has been paid on account of the lack of funds, but so great was the need of room for the proper handling of the ninety boys that Mr. Preston personally negotiated a loan that the building might be ready for occupancy as early as possible. These approved plans for schoql buildings, missionary homes, etc., which cannot be carried out until the executive committee is able to send the money, have many times raised the question as to how long will the church by withholding gifts, delay the work both in nrpcpnt ? ? ... ?wv??b c* null dllU future extension. Notwithstanding the limited room in the dispensary at Mokpo? a large medical work has been kept up. The small building, erected about 1900 while Dr. Owen was located here is used for a clinic and operating room. Dr. F. H. Birdman has been in charge until his transfer to Chunju last fall. Dr. Oh was transferred from Kunsan to Mokpo until the arrival of Dr. Forsythe. There are as many patients as can be given attention Wf AN OF THE SOUTH. n including many minor surgical cases, and a considerable number that require major operations. There is a great need of a medium size hospital building having up-to-date equipment. There is not space to describe, nor is it possible to express in writing, the deep spiritual impressions received in the church services. The Sunday in Mokpo was communion day. The church, though once enlarged, is too small for the regular audience. On this special day the room was crowded with as many worshipers as could be comfortably seated on the matted floor?the men and women separated by a curtain extending from the platform to the rear of the building. Of f:f?? - my-acvcn examinations twelve had been held over, twenty-two put in the catechumen class, and twenty-three admitted for baptism. The examinations are most carefully made, the requirements are such that if applied to our home church members, would prevent the reception of the large majority of those who present themselves to our sessions. The baptism service was most impressive. The Korean Christians are, in the fullest meaning, a Bible loving and studying people. The Scripture reading at the services is closely followed by the entire congregation. Along with the word of God is found the hymn book and it is used by all. The singing of a Korean congregation is frequently not melodious and never harmonious, but it is always devotional. On this communion day such nynins as "L-iirist recciveth sinful men" and "Loving Kindness," had deeper meaning than ever b^/ore experienced, for we had before us the greatest and strongest evidence of our Savior's inviting, receiving and saving loving kindness. The journey through Korea and the visits to Our mission stations at Kwangju, Chunju, and Kunsan will be described in other letters, but let it be said and with all possible emphasis, now is the day for opportunity in Korea and it cannot be postponed. TROUBLES AND TRIALS. Another has said that people who make trouble always talk of their trials. Making allowance for whatever exaggeration the statement may contain, there is enough.of truth left to make a good many ashamed of themselves. The one who always has sentences about his trials ready to roll off the tip of his tongue is the one who is looking for sympathy and help. * He cares very little how much trouble he causes others. The main thing is to draw upon the world for sustenance by imposing upon it a tale of woe, and this is a real trouble to the world. Most persons take delight in alleviating suffering and lessening misery, but they wish to divine sorpe of this for themselves, and not to have it thrust in their faces at every turn. The one who sneaks oft of ViJc t w* LI 1CL1C* becomes a chronic grumbler before he knows it, and is taken with some acute attacks even then. If we follow the example of Jesus Christ, we will bear more trials of others than we try to get them to carry for us, and we will suffer trouble rather than create it. The man who follows his Savior will not make mistakes in this particular.?Religious Telescope.