Morning Calm v.35 no.178(1924 Jan.)

The Corean Mission.

THE Mission to Corea was set on foot in 1889 by the direct action of the then Archbishop of Canterbury, in response to the urgent and repeated request of those best ~ to judge of its necessity, viz., the bishops in the neighbouring countries of China and Japan. From the outset it has been worked, in Cores itself, on the most economical lines possible, by a small staff of celibate clergy, assisted by Sisters (of the Community of St. Peter, Kilbum), a few other Iady workers, and one or two doctor—none of them paid more than the barest living wage. In 1922 the American Congregation of the S.S.J.E. (Cowley Fathers) accepted the invitation of Bishop Trollope to open a Branch House of the Society in the Diocese of Corea.

Ill-equipped with men and means from the start, constantly embarrassed by political disturbances in Corea, and, of course, especially hampered since 1914 by the war, the Mission has nevertheless succeeded by its patient labours in building up in Corea a compact little Christian community of some 5,000 souls, about nine-tenths of whom are of Corean birth and speech, and the remaining tenth Japanese. The English, or English-speaking, community is small, but the Mission has always regarded the care of their souls also as a first charge on its time and energies.

The “objective” of the Mission—which since its foundation has always been worked on distinctively Catholic lines—is, and always has been, not the more conversion of individuals, but the setting up in Corea of a fully equipped and synodically governed province of the Catholic Church, self-supporting and capable of managing its own affairs, with an indigenous ministry and a vernacular liturgy carefully formed on the best Catholic models. Upon the native Church thus formed will ultimately rest the task of winning their myriads of non-Christian brothers and sister to the Faith. With this object in view no pains have been spared in impressing ~ the members of the infest Church the necessity for self-support. Not only are they learning to take a keen interest in the affairs of the Church, through their local and diocesan conferences (with the Bishop and Presbyters in Synod as the supreme authority within the Diocese), but as “Christian congregations are formed, they relieve the Mission of the entire burden of local Church expenses and the maintenance of the native ministry.

Two things are urgently needed : (a) A yearly income of ₤12,000 (towards which S.P.G. at present contributes about ₤5.000) to replace the present wholly inadequate sum of about ₤8,000 a year.

b) A capital sum of £15,000 to enable us to complete the first part of the great Central Church in Seoul. ₤4,000 has been already contributed or promised, mainly as a memorial to the late Bishop, Arthur Beresford Turner, and £4,500 from the Anglo-Catholic Congress, 1920. The Bishop is convinced that, if once an adequate measure of support is secured, we may look forward to seeing in the not distant future the infant Church in Corea capable of standing on its own feet with only a minimum of support and supervision from the Church in England.

The League of St. Nicolas (with which is incorporated the Association of Prayer and Work for Corea) is a League of Churches, or Parishes, whose priests and people are pledged to support the Mission by their sympathy, prayer, and alms. Full particulars to be had from the General Secretary (see page iv.) The full list of Churches is printed in July and January Magazines.

Come Over and Help Us! The Cry of the Corean Pedlar. When I'm at home in far Cho-sen, I carry all the goods I can Upon a tray in front of me, Exposed for all the world to see. And then, as soon I am done, Home at last quickly run ; For I know that I may see Devils running alter me. For they wander far, I know, When the light begins to go. I have no prayers to comfort me ; My creed is one of fear, you see— Or was, until the Fathers came And told us in the Saviour's Name That we the dark no more need dread. And soon there joyful tidings spread ; But there are many still who yearn More of this wondrous truth to learn, And thousands have not even heard A whisper of the Gospel Word. And so we do appeal to you To do the best that you can do. You cannot go and teach, we know, But you can help the priests to go ; So will you give towards this end As much as ever you can spend?

Will you please take a box and collect for Corea? A COREAN HAT. A Collecting Box

The hat is a very remarkable feature in a Corean's appearance. In shape it is much like the hat formerly worn by Welsh women, but it is made of fine horse-hair, woven on a frame-work of very thin slips of bamboo, and tied under the chin by a black ribbon. Being very light, fragile, and transparent, its purpose is not to protect the head of the wearer from rain or sun, but to signify that he is a married man. Like our hats, fashion may ordain a narrower brim or a higher crown, but the general shape of ancient origin remains. Black is the normal colour, but in times of mourning white hats are worn. The introduction of Western ideas has brought in its train all varieties of Western headgear, and in the towns "young Corea" has largely discarded its national hat. But in the country it is still worn when the day's work is done, out of doors, in other people's houses, and in church. The excuse heard in England, “I haven't decent clothes to go to church in," finds its echo in the Corean, "I haven't a hat to go to church in." Easily spoiled, if rain threatens a folded oil-paper cover must be carried by the owner of the hat. This can be quickly fitted over the hat like a candle extinguisher. COREAN MISSION, Church House, Westminster, S.W. 1.

PASS ROUND THE HAT FOR COREA Important notice. THE Organizing Secretary has been travelling all over England for the last eighteen months sounding a Call to Prayer for the Corean Mission; and, because from the earliest days of the Mission "prayer and work" have been closely linked together, we do not hesitate to ask our readers to study carefully "A New Chapter in Home Organization," on pp. 7-11, so that they may perhaps the better fulfil this secondary obligation.

The Bishop's Letter.

Bishop's LODGE SEOUL November 9th, 1923.

MY DEAR FRIENDS, Of course, everything else that has happened since my last letter was written has been dwarfed into insignificance by the Japanese cataclysm in the beginning of September. The full horror of that terrible earthquake and fire is (mercifully. perhaps) something that entirely surpasses powers of imagination; and the authorities have, I daresay wisely, done their best to prohibit the publication of photos, or even verbal descriptions, of some of the most terrible scenes. And nothing now can be gained by dragging them out of oblivion. As you know, the great port of Yokohama—rivalling the claims of Hongkong or Shanghai to be regarded as the Liverpool of the Far East—was absolutely wiped out in a few minutes; while of Tokyo, the vast capital of Japan—distant from Yokohama less than an hour by train or tram—suppose that at least one half, and that the most important half, is gone. And one wonders how the problem of their reconstruction can ever be faced. But time alone will show whether Japan's power of recuperation is as great as her admirers confidently claim it to be.

Seoul, of course, is not much nearer to Tokyo than London is to Madrid or Moscow, and Corea happily lies outside the earthquake zone. Our immediate anxieties therefore were limited to Fr. Hewlett, who had gone for a holiday to Kobe (though that is hundreds of miles from Tokyo, and was actually all but untouched by the earthquake), but who returned just before the disaster; and to Dr. Borrow, who was spending a summer holiday in the mountain resort of Karuizawa. She and her companions there got a pretty good shaking, though there was no loss of life or destruction of property. But she has lost practically all her belongings—instruments, books, clothes, &c. — which were stored in Yokohama, pending her departure for Corea. I am happy to say that she is now safely with us here, in good health and spirits, and working hard at the languages. She had intended to remain in Japan, working at Japanese, until next spring. But after the catastrophe it seemed best to her and to all of us that she should come straight on here. This she has now done, and her presence here makes it a good deal easier to work out plans for starting her in active work next spring.

Another "refugee" is poor Fr. A. S. Hewlett, the missionary to lepers in Japan, who escaped the worst of the earthquake, as he was with his flock in the leper settlement of Kusatsu, in the mountains, some distance from Tokyo. But, like Dr. Borrow, he has lost everything except a few summer clothes he stood up in, as he had recently made his head-quarters in Yokohama. He has now come over to us to recruit and "refit," and may, I hope, remain with us over Christmas.

As you will have heard, the lives of practically all the workers (Japanese and foreign) of the English and American Church Missions were mercifully spared, though many individuals have lost all their belongings and have, moreover, experienced a shock from which it may take long for them to recover. But the destruction of Church buildings and other properties has been immense, as the earthquake was very severe in some directions a long way from Tokyo (such towns as Odawara and Zushi for instance). But in Tokyo itself the American Church Mission has been far the heaviest loser—their Cathedral and haspital, and the whole of the great collection of buildings which formed their headquarters at Tsakiji in Tokyo, having disappeared. The French Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox Missions, too, have suffered terribly, and certainly claim a large share of our sympathy. The Sisters in the French Convent in Yokohama were buried, with their pupils, and burnt to death in the ruin of the convent buildings. And do not forget poor Archbishop Sergius, who has been making such a brave fight against tremendous adds, owing to the misfortunes of his glorious Cathedral, which was far and away the finest ecclesiastical building in Tokyo, just as the Russian Orthodox Mission in Japan was {I believe} one of the finest and most successful Christian missionary ventures of the last century.

In spite of the disaster, I hear that the Japanese Church of our own communion intends to proceed with the consecration of the two recently elected Japanese Bishops, of whom I spoke in my last letter; and as the presiding Bishop has repeated his previous urgent invitation to me to be present at the consecration in December, I hope to be able to go and take my part in that great function.

As for ourselves, our Pro-Cathedral grows apace—so fast indeed that I am growing very anxious about my ability to meet the instalments of payment to the contractor as they become due. And I have had to write a very urgent letter to our good Organizing Secretary on the subject, thereby laying one more burden on his willing back. The facts are briefly these: that payment is due to the Chinese contractor in instalments of ¥18,500 (say £1,850) as be finishes certain stages of the work. I was under the impression that only one more such instalment would be due {and this I hoped I might just manage to scrape together} before the work stops for enforced rest of three months in the winter, which I hoped would give me time to beg, borrow, or steal, the remaining cash required. But the work has got on so well and so fast under Mr. Brook's indefatigable supervision, that we now expect to have the whole building roofed in before Christmas, which means that I have to find two instalments {or £3,700 instead of £1,850} before that date! And this leaves us with one more instalment—the final one of about £2,300—to be paid (probably next July) on the completion of the “fabric," I say "fabric" advisedly, for it will leave us with the bare shell of the building and nothing more. And I do not see how we can reckon on the furnishing and fitting of the Cathedral costing us less than {say} £1,000 to £2,000. I do, therefore, most earnestly hope that, without crippling our general funds, we may find it possible to raise for this purpose in the near future, by special gifts, at least £5,000.

I should like to say in this connection how extraordinarily satisfying and satisfactory we find the building as Mr. Dixon's beautiful plans materialize themselves in stones and bricks and mortar. When finished the Church will be a real ornament to the city, and a splendid point d'appui for our work throughout the country. But please don't let it drive me into the bankruptcy court, though this must inevitably happen if you do not come to my help! I had to make the venture of faith personally—and to the contractor I am personally liable for the payments as they fall due.

The still unfinished crypt of the Cathedral, which we have used for Divine service ever since last April, was the scene of a moving event on Sunday, September 23rd, when I ordained our two Corean deacons {Peter Kang and Michael Yi, Junior} to the priesthood, in company with Bro. McDonald, S.S.J.E., who came out as a deacon from Boston with Fr. Morse last year. At the same time I raised to the diaconate two of our sub-deacons, viz., John Kim of On Su Tong <brought up from childhood in the Christian Faith>, and Hwang Kyengai <Fr. Hodges' faithful helper in the Theological College at Chemulpo>. Pray that those thus ordained may faithfully fulfil their sacred duties, and that the S.S.J.E. in America may find it possible soon to send a third Father to join Frs. Morse and McDonald. Shortly after the ordination I was able to take Fr. McDonald with me on a long round of Confirmations in Fr. Hewlett's district, where the work is growing apace and where also I had the great pleasure of at last consecrating the long-desired and much-needed permanent Church of Chin-Chun, with the dedication and under the patronage of SS. Mary and John.

Meanwhile, we have been busy with our plans for extending our work to Ping-Yang, which is the great provincial capital, about 180 miles to the north as Tai-kyu is to the south of Seoul. At length we succeeded in getting {at a price which has pretty nearly

Church of SS. Mary and John Chin Chun.

broken our financial back} a suitable house, and I go tomorrow to bless it, under the patronage of St. Martin, and to instal Miss Grosjean and Inaba San there as an interest of more to follow. The Japanese residents there have the first claim upon us, but there is also a small and growing number of Corean adherents, for whose needs we hope to make fuller provision next year. Meanwhile, the altar must be served at least temporarily week and week about by visiting clergy from Seoul (which is 180 miles distant). Pray have this new venture in your prayers, and ask especially that Miss Grosjean and Inaba San may be supported in their comparative isolation. Well, I have much more—and more of interest—that I could add, but time presses, and I hope that I have said enough to quicken your interest and stimulate your prayers on our behalf. A happy New Year to you all. Yours very truly in our Lord, +MARK, Bishop in Corea [N.B.—Our readers will be glad to know that Dr. Borrow has received a grant of 1,000 yen {about ₤100} from the British Relief Fund, Kobe, and other donations through the M.M.D., S.P.G.; but further gifts will be gratefully received to repair her losses.—ED.]

Peter Kang, Priest. [As Fr. Cooper is in England, we have asked him to give us some information about Peter Kang, the new priest, so that we may better understand the characteristics of our Corean clergy.]

Peter Kang—ordained deacon in 1922, and priest in 1923—is one of six brothers, all of whom have been baptized. He comes of humble origin, and is of the farmer class. He joined the Church when Fr. Bridle first moved to Su-Won, some twenty years ago, and, after instruction, was one of the first to be baptized at that station. At first he worked in the district of Pyeng-taik, where his family resided. A man of no particular learning, Peter Kang was distinguished for his energy and active mind. Always ready to try new methods and make experiments, his adventurous temperament often led him into difficulties and rash undertakings, ending sometimes in disaster. Thus, in prematurely starting schools or incurring private debts, be caused great anxiety to the Mission and also to himself at times. But he was able to learn from failures, and has become a man whose opinion carries weight when new undertakings are under consideration Peter was moved to Pou-tai-ri, the centre of the Chu-an district, nearly ten years ago, and took a leading part in the building of the new church, sarang, and school. Indeed, he has shown himself a man with power and leadership wherever he has been moved. On being made a deacon he was placed at Chin-Chun, and was responsible for the building of the new church just consecrated. Now, as priest, he is still at Chin-Chun, working with Fr. Lee. Peter Kang's father died many years ago, and, as the eldest of the family, he has had the burden of seeing after the comfort of an old mother, and that his brothers were set up in farming or other trades. He also had to see to the marrying of his three youngest brothers, as well as to the bringing up of a fairly large family of his own. His eldest son and daughter are now studying at the Government High Schools in Seoul, and are doing well.

Our financial position.

It is very important that our friends should understand the present financial position. 1. Funds for the Pro-Cathedral or Central Church, Seoul. (Please note it is not a "Cathedral.”) Bishop Trollope has always maintained that it will be for the first Corean Bishop to decide where he wishes to set up his "stool." To use an English analogy, this building may be the "Westminster Abbey” of the Corean Church, and the "Canterbury" may be at Kanghwa or elsewhere). The nucleus of the fund was the £4,000 to £5,000 mainly raised as a Memorial to Bishop Turner, it being the wish of the diocese, expressed directly after his death, that his memorial should take this form. To this Bishop Trollope assigned also the £5,000 from the first AngloCatholic Congress. As is well known, we are indebted to Mr. Arthur Dixon, the architect, for the plans, and also for much care and thought given to the work in the selection of an assistant architect to supervise the work on the spot, and also in his recent visit to report progress. The interest gained from the investment of the funds referred to has all been used in connection with the expenses of the assistant architect and the building, and nothing has fallen on the ordinary income. In addition, the tobacco shares, which were left to the Mission as representing the Wills Legacy, have been sold from time to time to meet the more recent needs referred to in the Bishop's letter, up to this Christmas. There only now remains available 346 shares of the nominal value of £1 each, but it is hoped that when these have to be realized next year, to meet the last instalment, they will as formerly fetch a much higher price and go far to provide the £2,300 still needed. But it seems pretty clear that some additional funds will be needed for this and for the furnishing, and here is the opening for the "special" gifts referred to in the Bishop's letter. For "special" they must be, as nothing must be allowed to detract from—

2. Our Annual Income.—Last year, after paying home expenses, we were able to pay into the Special Corea Fund at S.P.G., for the Bishop's disposal, the sum of £4,120. This year the Bishop asked for £6,000. So far we have paid over £2,266, and the Treasurer, as we go to press (December 22nd), has available another £2,000. This is far off the total needed, and we hope that there will be some outstanding 1923 payments and other generous contributions before the books are closed on January 9th, so that those in Corea may be free from the grinding anxiety how to meet their liabilities.

Anglo-Catholic Congress.

A grant of £100 from the Foreign Mission Collection has just been received at the Office.

A New Chapter in Home Organisation.

We would suggest to our readers to start this year by a general “stocktaking" of their missionary activities, whether personal or parochial. The great need seems to be for a fresh thinking out of a policy as to Missions, for the individual as well as for the parish, and for the following up of this thought by something really constructive wherewith to open a New Chapter. In the following pages we give some information and practical suggestions for the use of both old and new supporters of Corea 1. The Office.—When in town Miss Borrowman is in the Office daily from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, or, if preferred, by appointment, in the afternoon from 1.30 to 3 p.m., to attend to correspondence and for interviews. But there are times when both Fr. Martyr and Miss Borrowman are requisitioned to meet the demands for visitors to country centres. If the Office is closed, practically all publications (except free leaflets) can be had at the Missionary Literature Supply, also in the Church House. A written (not verbal) message, but no money, can be left in the Church House Enquiry Office. Please do not address letters or leave money at S.P.G. Office, as it gives unnecessary trouble. Anyone wishing to see the Secretaries should, if possible, make an appointment, and such visits are welcomed. 2. The League of St. Nicolas, incorporating the old Association of Prayer and Work for Corea.—The point of the League is that it stands for the principle of the corporate responsibility of a parish rather than the personal predilections of individuals. Please enrol more churches. Many, not yet in the League, fulfil the qualifying obligations, but are unknown to the Office, and so miss the connection with the Church in Corea. All churches enrolled in the League are remembered at the altars in Corea, just as Corea is remembered at their altars. The obligations are few : To remember Corea at the Eucharist (weekly? monthly? at least annually on St. Nicolas' Day, December 6th); to give a share of the parish missionary alms; to receive the literature of the Mission—a copy of the magazine is sent to the parish priest to be read {it is imagined !} by him before being placed on a table in church.

3. But if you are to enrol a church you must be able to say why Corea claims to be not forgotten. Here are eight reasons: (a) To many it will appeal that this Mission makes in the Far East a contribution to the Catholic Church similar to that made in Africa and India by U.M.C.A., Cowley Wantage, and O.M.C., and therefore deserves similar support; (b) the Coreans are strategically situated (as were the Jews of old) to be the leaders in spiritual matters in a very important part of the world; (c) they have the evangelistic characteristics necessary to fulfil this vocation; (d) the Mission from the beginning has given the fullest Catholic teaching on the doctrine of the Communion of Saints to meet the needs of a race imbued with the love and fear of their departed (ancestor worship), and by its medical Missions has met the power of the witch doctor and the fear of spirits (animistic religion): (e) the Mission has a well-defined policy for setting up a fully-equipped branch of the Catholic Church, with indigenous ministry and vernacular liturgy on Catholic model: (f) the Coreans have been taught the duty of supporting their own ministry and Church; (g) the Mission has always been run on economical lines, with a small staff receiving a mere living wage, and with no expensive institutions; (h) the annual income from all sources, about £8,000, falls far short of the incomes of other missionary dioceses, and ties the Mission down to one little corner of Corea.

4. Besides the corporate prayers of churches we desire to see, if possible everywhere, an inner circle of those pledged more deeply to daily prayer for Corea. These Associates may be admitted by a service, but this is optional. They may use the prayer card or manual, or may use their own form of words. To those who hesitate to take on fresh obligations in this way we would point out that the needs of Corea are much the same as those in England; to one mainly interested in education at home, we would suggest a parallel recollection of the educational problems of the Mission; to one interested in social problems, we would plead for a corresponding remembrance of the prevalence of social evils in the Far East. Read "C.O.P.E.C. and the missionary enterprise" in The East and The West (January, 1924). We hope to hear of many more Associates in the New Year. Prayer cards and manuals are supplied gratis, if postage is remitted.

5. Literature.—(a) Our magazine, Morning Calm, has a quarterly circulation of about 1,800. We want to make this 2,000, and so relieve the Mission funds of this expense. Moreover, how can anyone pray who does not read? (b) If every reader of Morning Calm had spend 6d. on the new book, On, to the City of God, we should already be planning the next volume of missionary sketches on the Mission. (c) Have you the Study Book by you as a handy book of reference? (d) And if you want a charming picture of country life, your library is incomplete without Soo Pokki. (e) Send for a copy of the last Annual Report (3d.). (f) Free leaflets can be had for a meeting. (g) Above all, send 6d. for the new play, The Pak Family, and give it to leaders of children's organizations. Literature should be the backbone of our work.

6. Meetings.—If you are going to have a meeting, ask the Office to supply one or more posters at 2d, each. These are new, in black and white, with a striking picture of a Corean, and place for time and place of meeting. Also have a supply of literature on sale or return—a meeting where no literature is sold and no new magazine subscribers are enlisted is apt to be a flash in a pan. Small cards of promises of subscriptions, put on the seats, with a request that they may be filled up and handed in at the door, sometimes bring in new subscribers, especially if ingenuity sees to it that pencils are provided, tied on to the cards (one pencil will cut up for four or five). Consider the aim of the meeting. What do you want as an outcome? Have a definite purpose, perhaps some work among children, a little half-day exhibition, the distribution of missionary “hat” boxes, the introduction of a "path of pennies” for the children to spread from the font to the altar, some definite work for medical Missions, tableaux, our new Corean play, Study or Discussion Circles, some definite undertaking of missionary intercession.

7. Exhibitions.—If there is any suggestion of a Missionary Exhibition in your neighbourhood see that a Corean Court is asked for. As soon as it is agreed upon, get into touch with our Office for advice as to training of Stewards; a good deal of material is now available to help leaders. See if it is not possible to get the exhibits belonging to the Mission used, as being more complete than those supplied by S.P.G,

8. Perhaps you can arrange a "Half-day for Corea" yourself. This might consist of all the usual attractions of an exhibition worked on simpler lines, and need not be very expensive. Again the Office can advise. Tableaux where the performers have made most of their clothes give far more pleasure than when everything is hired. Cover your expenses, but do not aim merely at raising money. Let propaganda rather be your aim, and probably you will end with more permanent financial support.

9. S.P.G. have a short Film on the Corean Mission, which is an attraction to a meeting or "Half-day," if the expense justifies it (sce page 12), and if you want Lantern Slides, get the S.P.G. No. 4 Set.

10. Study Circles.—Do not be afraid of them. Try the Group method. This is described in a paper obtainable from S.P.G. It is much less alarming if you have to deal with a mixed multitude who have neither much time nor opportunity for study.

11. Have a map of your neighbourhood drawn to the same scale as the district of the Corean Mission. You can get a map of the Mission stations, about poster size, from the Office for 2d. It does us all good to realize that Coreans have to walk many miles to make their Communions, or perhaps go without for months fer scarcity of priests, because perhaps we in English towns feel life incomplete without a church as well as a pillar box in every street!

12. Join with other missionary Secretaries or supporters in your parish to run a missionary notice board, if allowed, taking it in turns to put up diagrams, pictures, cuttings, information, subjects for prayer, dealing with Corea, as the others do for their Missions. Get Missionary diagrams and how to make them (S.P.G., 13. 6d.). Try to get supporters of other Missions to join you in starting a missionary library. In all ways seek co-operation with other Missions.

13. Children's work is always difficult. If you can get a gathering of children weekly, give them something to do with their hands as well as intercessions, and a reading or talk founded on Children's Letters. Copies of these can be obtained from the Office or Children's Secretary. Get the C.M.S. book, What shall we make? Encourage them to make mainly for small local sales, as it is disappointing if they work for a London sale, where only very special things sell. If possible, get them to do tableaux, or our new play, The Pak Family and "The Way" (6d.). It makes a delightful play, and is what we have long been waiting for. But if you are going to get up a play, write for The Amateur Playhouse (S.P.G. 13.), to save you from mistakes and crudities. If the children are trying to raise money, discourage them from supporting a special child. It is very difficult for the workers in Corea, and with the exception of orphans or special cases, it is difficult to allot a special child or to provide frequent information as to his or her doings. See if you cannot get two or three schools, if necessary, to join and support one of the small kindergarten or village schools, at £15 to £20 a year. But it seems a mistake to think children can only be interested in schools. They could be interested in a scheme for building a village church, or for a bed in a hospital, or for supplying books and pictures for Sunday school or catechism prizes. With regard to prayer, probably in a whole school interested in Corea there may be some who can be taught to use daily prayer for Missions, and so the foundations may be laid for the Associate of a later age. If the missionary teaching is given in a wholesome and attractive way in these early years, even if things seem dormant as the child grows older, still he or she will probably start with a prepossession in favour of Missions when they come before them again later in life. So enlist some Children of St. Nicolas, if possible, but do not expect long lists.

14. Work Parties and Sales.—Things have changed so in recent years that, whatever may be the case locally, it seems little use encouraging workers to send things to the London Sale unless they have some special attraction. Ordinary "fancy work" has practically very little sale. We found, last November, that the useful things which we had worked with the Morning Calm monogram all sold very quickly—indeed we could have sold double. There was endless scope, and with a little care from some one leader it ought to be possible for any Work Party to turn out such things. We have some fresh ideas for the next Sale. Will those who run Work Parties for the Sale communicate with Miss Seaton as to what we are planning for this year? (See also page 12).

15. Last of all we come to finance. Please remember that the S.P.G. grant roughly covers the support of the clergy, doctors, and the women workers among the Japanese. Everything else—the support of the Sisters and their work, the orphanage, the little village schools, the hostels, the Training College, the support of the men and women Corean workers (apart from the six priests who are supported by the Coreans)—have to be found by friends of the Mission, and is represented by the money which comes up to the Office. Please get your churches to remit quarterly, if possible. How would our parish councils in England carry on if they got most of their money in the last few months of the year, and were only able to make their needs known by letters that take a month to come and a month to answer? Will all Secretaries make this as widely known as possible? All funds received are paid in quarterly to the special Corea fund at S.P.G., and the Bishop notified how much has been paid in, and only then does he make his quarterly drawing. If people only want to contribute once a year, point out the difficulty if that "once" comes late in the year. We all know, too, that missionary boxes produce more, in a marvellous way, if opened quarterly—it keeps up the standard of giving. Similarly we want all Local Secretaries to keep up their quarterly remittances as punctually as possible. To ensure this, reminders or forms will be sent so that money reaches the Office about March, June, September, December 10th. People may ask why we no longer publish the names of individual donors. The majority of churches now send their contributions in lump sums, giving no details. It is invidious to publish details for some and not for others, so we gladly avail ourselves of the lead given in this way. Someone said, "You will lose money, because people are disappointed if they do not see their names in print." We feel that seems almost an insulting suggestion, and that as Church life quickens in our parishes our communicants will be glad to be merged in the corporate act of their Church. But each supporter can choose his or her own method. In some places, where the duplex envelope is in vogue, a contribution can be earmarked for Corea. In others the donor may prefer to possess one of the "hat" boxes advertised in this number. In other places all is anonymous, and the church allocates a share of its gifts to Corea. How the money is given is a matter between the giver and God, to Whom it is given. But to support the general fund is the best way of helping the Mission, and let the special funds be extras!

16. Finally, spare the Mission what expense you can. Postage at the present rates is a heavy item in working expenses. Of course, we do not grudge the money spent on the visits of the Secretaries, and we do not calculate the results in the pounds, shillings, and pence of the collections; but we have to remember that every penny spent at home means so much less to send out to Corea, and it wants careful thinking out in planning meetings, &c., how best to husband the resources of the Mission, to say nothing of the health and energies of the speakers. Much would be saved in every way if Diocesan Secretaries could arrange campaigns in consultation with the Organizing Secretary, or if parish priests could arrange among themselves to have a series of addresses in some district. [N.B.—Miss Borrowman will undertake to obtain all the books and papers referred to.]

The Pak family and “The Way."

A COREAN play, founded on the story, Soo Pokki and In Sunny, by Three Corean Missionaries. Published by the Missionary Equipment and Literature Supply, Ltd. Price 6d. (by post 6 1/2d.).

Here at last is the Corean play for which we have so often been asked. Those who have read Soo Pokki will welcome their old friend. Now we must use it and get it presented in the many centres where the Corean Mission is loved, or should be loved. The scenery ought not to be difficult to manage, and the dresses would be simple. But at once we are met by two needs. First we want a work party or group of friends to undertake to make a complete set of the clothes and present them to the Mission for loan purposes. Patterns can be provided, but we are anxious not to spend Mission money on clothing the Pak Family. Who will come forward and undertake this piece of needlework? May we ask some of those who habitually ply their needles for sales of work, to take up this piece of work instead at present. Secondly, as we assume the clothes will be provided, we want a parish, preferably in London, to help the Pak Family to make their bow to the public. We should like to have a first production in London, where the resources of the Office could be engaged to create the correct Corean tradition at the outset. What parish will befriend Mr. Pak the Archer, and his family and friends? Please write in the first place about both of these requirements to Miss Borrowman, at the Corean Mission Office, Church House.

A half-day with Corea.

We give some account of our "Half-day" which was fixed for Wednesday, December 12th, at St. John's Institute, Westminster, for the interest of those who were not present, and in the hopes that some of our supporters will try such an experiment in their own neighbourhood. To begin with, we were not out for money, but for propaganda. So the entrance money was fixed at 13, for the earlier part of the afternoon, and 6d. later. We made special terms for parties, and would recommend this plan. By this means we had ensured some money towards expenses, and also some audience if weather was bad. The hall was most convenient for such an entertainment, or rather piece of "missionary propaganda," as it was not an ordinary shape, which made it possible to keep the several departments separate, at the same time allowing for having the film and tableaux in the main part of the hall without any extra charge for viewing them. As we were able to say it was for “missionary education” we were able to get the entertainment tax remitted. We would urge anybody who proposes to do that and who does not know how to set about it to write to our Office, as the proceedings were quite simple when once we had found out the right way!

We were anxious to get as many people as possible to share on exhibition lines in running the Half-day." We had all our own Corean exhibits, and they never before had such a good chance of being seen, as there was ample room. In addition to the ordinary exhibits, which have been very much added to recently, we had the model of the Kanghwa Church—first seen at the Westminster Exhibition—and also a new little cardboard model of the Kanghwa compound, with little thatched houses and trees (to say nothing of elaborate chimneys to the houses!) all complete. We wish we could manage more of these exhibits, and that they were not so difficult to send about, as there is no doubt that the missionary exhibits make the Corea Court in many ways superior to other missionary Courts. Miss Bourne was in charge, ably seconded by helpers from St. Saviour's, Pimlico, who recently “stewarded" the Court at the Westminster Exhibition. In another corner of the hall we had a literature and curio stall, where the sellers did active business. There was also a "bargain stall," where was sold at very reduced prices a good many things which had failed to sell at the London Sale in past years, or even this year. Here again there was quite good business done. The tea and refreshments were managed by the hall caretaker, and three friends from St. Matthias', Earl's Court, undertook the waiting. Fr. Cooper and Fr. Gurney were both with us, and gave several talks leading up each time to the performance of the S.P.G. film of the Corean Mission. This, which is a small part of the larger Japan and Far East film, only runs for about twenty minutes. What there is of it is quite good, and the appearance of the Su-Won congregation coming out of church, and the children at the orphanage—to say nothing of "Admiral Beatty" {the dog}—must have made people want to read all about the work in the book, On, to the City of God, where the opening chapter describes what was seen on the film. We would utter a warning to those who think of having the film. Be quite sure that the lighting arrangements are satisfactory. We had not made sufficient enquiries as to what was needed, but thought those who supplied the projector and operator would have best judges, and the lighting was not sufficient for some parts of the film. In the evening St. Saviour's, Poplar, gave the Corean tableaux on the small stage. They were beautifully done, and one was struck by the steadiness of the performers, and the teaching which the tableaux gave on Mission work in Corea, as pointed out to us by Miss Borrowman, who had helped in the staging. Altogether, people were pleased to say it had been a very enjoyable time. The whole expenses of hire of hall, of film, of projector and operator, of carriage of curios, of printing, &c., came to about £10. and was practically covered by the door money. We did quite a good trade with copies of the new play, which only arrived hot from the printers soon after the doors were opened.

Such a "Day" or "Hall-day" has great attractions over the ordinary meetings, and though it entails more labour, the mere fact that it employs so many people and that the whole thing is so informal makes for its usefulness. Profiting by experience at Exhibitions, we allowed for gaps with no talks, when the visitors could look at exhibits and study the bookstall, and walk to the Secretaries and to the missionaries with plenty of freedom.

Of course, it can be made as much more elaborate as required. Another year we hope to have something of the same sort, with perhaps quite different forms of missionary "education." what Christianity means to Corean Women.

BY A SISTER, C.S.P. I HAVE been asked to write some notes showing as far as we can know it, what Christianity means to a Corean heathen woman, and how it would first attract her. I think the story of a woman know very well may help people to understand. Though it goes some time back, I feel sure that for the real country woman the ideas would be the same now, though, of course, in towns or among highly educated school girls things might be different.

Some sixteen or seventeen years ago the news came to a little country village that a priest of the English Mission would spend two or three nights there, and that two of the Sisters would also come and talk to the women. It was the first time foreigners had been to that village, and as great curiosity was aroused by the strange dresses and queer food, on the first evening a large crowd of women assembled in a small room. After a good deal of talk, with the usual enquiries as to age, the number of children, and where these strange women lived, quiet was more or less established, and a Sister, with a Corean woman to help, enlarge, and explain, began the very simplest teaching

The first subject was the world as they knew it, the hills, rivers, trees, harvest, animals, birds, &c. Then the question was asked, Who made all these? Could a man make them? After a little discussion it was decided, No, man could not make them. Then another question, Who made all the spirits they believe in—the spirit of the mountain, of the river, of the wind, the spirit of the household gods, of health, sickness, &c.? Again it was agreed, No, man could not make them. Then a third question, Who made man? By this time the attention of the most intelligent women was caught, and they listened to a short and very simple lesson on God the Creator—only one God, not the many spirits they are accustomed to worship; and among all the wonderful things God made, man is the most wonderful, and God loves him best.