1893년 2월 린니 데이비스가 미셔너리 지에 보낸 편지

• 1893년 2월 린니 데이비스가 미셔너리 지에 보낸 편지

Korea The Missionary [February 1893] I’ll not attempt to tell you of our wonderful [illegible] along the way, both in own country and across the great Pacific, some of our party were taking notes, and I feel sure they will give you a detailed account, such as the friends at home will love to hear. We reached Yokohama in the early morning of October the 5th, and I separated from our party on the “City of Peking,” going to a Japanese hotel with Mrs. Ye, where arrangements had been made for her, while the others went to Miss Britton’s hotel. A number of them came to say good-bye to me, and they seemed to be quite happy and were enjoying everything. Mrs. Ye was sick much of the way, and on finding that the “Genkai Maru,” which is the best steamer on the line, would sail from Kobe on the 11th, she thought best for her to push on, and of course I came with her, though it would have been pleasant to have remained in Japan, sight-seeing, with the rest of the party. We left Yokohama at noon the 7th, going by water and reaching Kobe the next evening. We left there the morning of the 11th and reached Seoul the 18th, making several short stops on the way. For the present there is only time to say that we are here and in good spirits, and I am quite well. I was disappointed with that part of Korea we passed through; but it is better here, and they tell us that further on in the interior it is still more lovely. I did miss our party so much. The way was pleasant, and everything was made quite cosy for me while we were with the others; since then it has not all been smooth sailing. Yet, God has raised up friends for us, and brought us here in safety; and looking back from this distance, though the way led often through new and trying scenes, I feel that I have much for which to be thankful, and have a firm hope that good will come of it all. I have tried to do what seemed best for our future work. It is to be hoped that our party will soon come on; but in the meantime do not worry about me. Of course I was separated from Mrs. Ye on reaching Chemulpo, her own people taking charge of her, but a letter was there from Mrs. Dr. Allen, welcoming me to her home, and arrangements had been made for my stay over night at that place. I am now with Mrs. Allen, and suppose I shall remain here until our married people come. Dr. and Mrs. Allen are such charming people, and lead such a beautiful, simple home life, it is a delight to be here. I am very fortunate to be received by them; and, reaching here alone, without a home, and not knowing which way to turn, I feel very grateful to them for taking me in. Mr. Moffett, of the Northern Mission, was at Chemulpo looking for our party, and came over with us. Mr. Noble and his wife were on the same steamer, coming from Japan to his place to join the Methodist Mission, and befriended us several time; and there were several missionaries on from Kobe going back to China. So it was not as lonely as it otherwise would have been. I cannot say enough for Dr. and Mrs. Allen, they have been so kind and good to me. I don’t know what I should have done without Mrs. Allen to tell me what to do. It is customary here for strangers to call upon the representatives, and Mrs. Allen has been taking me to pay my respects, and quite a good many have called upon me. I have not heard a word from any of our party yet. I am so anxious for them to come on, so we can get settled before cold weather. We went the other day to see the houses we are to live in. I think we can be comfortable there, though the situation isn’t so good as many other places, and it is removed from most of the missionaries and foreigners. Dr. Allen is building a house on the Legation grounds, and expects to move there soon; so this place will be for sale. I like it so much, and wish our Mission could own it. I suppose some of our number will be here always. This is very near the American Legation, and the water is so good. Mrs. Allen tells me she never leaves here in summer, though most of the missionaries do. They expect to leave here in January for America to attend the World’s Fair. Dr. Allen is looking for a teacher for me, and pretty soon I hope to settle down to hard study. I should have mentioned that Dr. Allen has leave of absence for six months to take the Korean exhibits to the Worlds’ Fair.

Seoul, Korea, Oct. 20, 1892.