Morning Calm v.5 no.43(1894 Jan.)

THE MORNING CALM. No. 43, Vol. V.] JANUARY 1894. [Price id.

The Bishop's Letter. CHEMULPÓ: September 1893. DEAR FRIENDS, In my letter of this month just two years ago, I was able to tell you of the dedication of St. Michael's Church, Chemulpó, the first church of our Mission - the first, indeed, or any mission -in Corea. I am glad to be able to tell you of another dedication which took place on St. Matthew's Day. Before leaving Corea, Dr. Wiles added to his many acts of generosity the gift of a small hospital, which it was his wish should be built and worked on European lines. As you are aware, the idea of a hospital, as of Western methods of medicine and nursing generally, is new to the Coreans. Our hospitals, already three in number, were built in native style, with the wards indistinguish able from other Corean rooms - that is to say, without furniture. This was done at once to dispel suspicions, and to encourage the patients to feel that they were at home. The dispensaries and consulting rooms only were large and well lit with glass Windows. But how to nurse, how to perform operations on people who lie on the ground, were questions which used to puzzle the good doctor. And, after an experience of more than two years, and the arrival of our Nursing Sisters, he decided that the time had come when an attempt ought to be made to get our Corean patients to see the advantage of Western methods of treatment. Accordingly, he planned and, before he left, saw the commencement of a wing to be attached to the hospital at Nak Tong. For this purpose a part of the compound, which has hitherto been used for growing Potatoes, was cut off by a wall, which, with the west wall of the compound, enclosed sufficient space whereon to build a large, well-lit ward (for six beds) and an adjoining kitchen and room for the nurses. Mr. Trollope, who has become a sort of diocesan architect, carried out the doctor's wishes, and conducted the usual struggles with Corean carpenters and plasterers, with the result that the whole place looks very clean and ship-shape. It is Proposed to detail two of the Sisters from St. Peter's Mission House-a mile away-and to place them in charge of those patients, chiefly acute and chronic cases, whom Dr. Baldock considers fit occupants of this European wing. The Chapel of the Resurrection is close at hand, and available for the Sisters whenever they are able to use it. It was this wing which I formally dedicated on St. Matthew's Day. After a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, we proceeded to the hospital, and found there the Rev. and Mrs. Doxat, Mr. Davies, the Sisters, Dr. Baldock, Nurse Webster, and Mr. Hodge. Mr. Doxat, in the absence of Mr. Trollope, was kind enough to act as my chaplain, and Miss Cooke made it possible for us to have our hymns accompanied on the American organ. The service, besides Hymn 369 at the beginning, and Hymn 197 at the end, was short, and consisted of a psalm and sundry prayers, chiefly from the Office for the Visitation of the Sick. The following week two of the Sisters moved down and took up their quarters in their room. Much is hoped for from this new departure, though the experiment will give us great anxiety. The adoption of European bedsteads, and the heating of the ward with a stove, are not matters of great moment, though it will be long before the patients will rest contentedly off the hot mud floor which they love so well. The introduction of the nurses amongst male patients is, however, another affair. Until now, Coreans have never had any women to nurse them, except their wives. Their horror at this breach of propriety on our part will give us much anxious thought. Knowing what the Corean mind is on all questions connected with the intercourse of the sexes, we must be prepared for misunderstandings, if not for worse. It is very plucky of the Sisters, who show much eagerness to begin the work. Were it only a European hospital we were seeking to introduce into the capital of Corea, it would not, perhaps, matter. But this hospital is not only worked by missionaries, but for missionary purposes - to lead the patients through their bodily sufferings to a knowledge of God and our Lord Jesus Christ. It behoves us, therefore, to proceed very warily, and with all possible regard for native prejudices and customs. It was, however, the deliberate opinion of Dr. Wiles, formed after a long and wide experience, that if Coreans are ever to value Western methods of medicine and surgery aright it will be by the gradual removal of those prejudices which now constitute a real hindrance to the work of both doctors and nurses. In his opinion I quite concur, and accept thankfully this fresh responsibility which he has enabled us to undertake. Nor, when we were saying our prayers on St. Matthew's Day in the hospital, did we forget a special prayer for him whose care and bounty have been of such service to humanity in Corea. About the middle of the month a disquieting telegram from Niu Chwang announced that Mr. Pownall was ill. I hasten to say that he is better, and I hope, by this time, nearly recovered from a sharp attack of pleurisy. Fortunately, Mr. Trollope was with me at the time, and I managed to send him off in a steamer starting for Niu Chwang the next day. A letter from him reports that Mr. Pownall was going away for a few weeks' y change of air. Bishop Scott, writing from Peking, recently asked if I could lend Mr. Hodge to him for six weeks or so, to give instruction in the use of the printing press to some Chinese Christians belonging to the North China Mission. Few things could have given us greater pleasure. I was the more ready to send him because, at last, the printing of Mr. Scott's Corean manual is finished-and a very good-looking work it is, I may add. Mr. Hodge at once began studying the most necessary Chinese characters, to enable him the better to arrange the type of the Bishop's press, and a week ago I sent him off in very good spirits. A trip to Peking in the best month of the year was, indeed, enough to make many of us envious. During my visit to Seoul, I had an opportunity of seeing the beautiful pictures with which Mr. Doxat is decorating the Church of the Advent. The work is not yet finished, but it has proceeded far enough to allow one to see what an immense addition these pictures will be to the beauty and the teaching capacity of the church. He aims at covering the north and south walls of the nave with pictures illustrating the life of our blessed Lord, as suggested in the Litany. The figures and coloring are full of dignity and beauty. It is a labor of love, as they who are acquainted with Mr. Doxat's artistic powers will know. - The Mission, however, is none the less indebted to him For the devotion with which he is accomplishing it, I hope that when all the panels are filled we may get some good photographs to show you in Morning Calm the benefits we enjoy in this far-off land. As I began my letter with one reference to St. Michael’s, Chemulpó, I will conclude it with another. The Feast of St. Michael has come and gone. We kept our third Dedication Festival, and, though the congregation was tiny; the joy and thankfulness were great. Nor did absent friends forget us. From Mr. Warner, in Kang Hoa, came a kind letter wishing us “Many happy returns of the day." Mr. Smart made the church look beautiful with flowers-four pots of white China asters standing one at each corner of the Sanctuary, and four more at the corners of the Baptistery ; whilst flanking the Altar were two magnificent sunflowers, which from the ground were nearly six feet in height. When we decorate the church with flowers, we use flowers in pots. They speak to us of life, and suggest deeper and truer lessons than the cut flowers in vases which you are accustomed to have in your churches at home. But I have outrun the limits of my letter, and with the assurance that all is well with us, and with my love to you and my blessing on you all. I remain, Yours affectionately, C. J. CORFE.

Note. THE Guild of St. Augustine supplies Morning Calm regularly, post free, to any of its members who pay an additional shilling for it with their Guild subscription, provided that payment is made only through the Rev. E. T. Sankey or a local Ward Superior.

Association of prayer and Work for Corea. ON Advent Sunday (December 3rd) sermons were preached for Corea in the two churches at Kimpton, Herts, by the Rev. E. C. Corfe. The collections, amounting to ₤5, have been gratefully received for the Mission (General Fund). Our best thanks are due to the vicar, the Rev. L. Stevens, for his kindness in inviting Mr. Corfe to preach, and also in arranging for a Corean Lantern Lecture to be given in his parish on the evening of December 4th, which arrangement most unfortunately fell through, owing to our failure, at the last moment, to secure slides. In order that the disappointment and inconvenience which was thus entailed upon Mr. Stevens may not be repeated in other cases, an additional set of slides is now being made, and will be obtainable on application to the General Secretary early in 1894. On December 4th the Rev. H. H. Kelly gave an address on the Mission, with magic-lantern views, in the schoolroom of St. Michael's, South sea, at 8.15 P M., on the invitation of the vicar, the Rev. E. A. Ommanney, who is also a Corean Local Secretary. There was a special celebration of the Holy Eucharist in St. Michael's, Southsea, on December 6th, and also at Heavitree parish church, and we hope in many other places whence no notice of it has been received. In Yorkshire addresses about the Mission were given by the Rev. D. M. Wauchope on December 4th, 5th, and 6th, at Mirfield, St. Ossett, and Barkisland. The Association album and the Corean costumes were in use on each occasion, and were much appreciated. These addresses were given in connection with S.P.G., and we hope they will have resulted in increased support for its General Fund, and in the strengthening of its Parochial Prayer Associations in each place. At Bristol, also in connection with the venerable Society, addresses about Corea are being given to Sunday schools during this winter by Mr. Cooper During the past month we have had, with great regret, to remove from our list of Secretaries the name of Miss Morison at Oxford, who will still befriend us as a member, but whose work for the Wantage Sisters' Mission at Poona leaves her too little time for other secretarial duties ; and that of the Rev. B. G. Durrad, who is leaving Wem, and has undertaken the office of Organising Secretary of the Mashonaland Mission. In the midst of his new work we are sure that Mr. Durrad will not lose his keen interest in Corea ; and we are glad to add that the large branch, which our Association owes to his exertions, at Wem, will now have Miss Russell, the Rectory, Wem, as its Secretary. The General Secretary reminds County and Local Secretaries that she hopes to receive their reports, with the last lists and subscriptions belonging to 1893, during the first week in January, and all information for the Annual Report by the end of the first week in February at latest. She will be especially glad to hear where Working Parties have been held for the Mission during the past year, as she has only one entered in her books, and she is confident that many more have been taking place. Will the Secretaries also, please, look over the names and accounts belonging to their localities in the four fly-leaves from which the Annual Report lists and accounts are compiled, i.e., those sent out with the May, August, and November 1893, and February 1894 Morning Calms, in order to make sure that all are correct, or to inform the General Secretary of any inaccuracies or omissions, that there may be no possibility of errors (which cannot be corrected after the Annual Report is published) passing into it unnoticed? Will the Secretaries also kindly revise their printed list of preachers for the Association in the following particulars: The name of the late Rev. R. Picton, of Falstone, must be removed, and

the Rev. D. M. Wauchope's address should be changed to Bilton Rectory, Rugby, and the area within which he is ready to receive invitations to preach or speak altered to Warwickshire and Northamptonshire? M. M. CHAMBERS HODGETTS, Rowancroft, Exeter. General Secretary.

CHILDREN'S BRANCH. The BISHOP writes : -“Mr. Hodge having been lent to Bishop Scott for six weeks to superintend some Chinese printing in Peking, the next issue of the Closed Door will be very late. I am sorry, but cannot help it. The dear children know by this time how little they can rely on my being punctual ; but they can always rely on my continued love and heartfelt gratitude." We were very sorry to send such short supplies of the Closed Door last time, but only half the usual number of copies were sent. Let us hope that more will come next time. Our Children Associates will be interested to hear that the Bishop has now undertaken the care of a second orphan. They must keep up their efforts so as to be able to maintain this little family, which will doubtless go on increasing. V. H. GOODENOUGH. The Spirit of Missions. “If any are found to contend that it is mistaken and vain to seek to carry our English Christianity to the high-cheek-boned Mongol, or the woollyheaded negro, the reply must be: - It is not English at all, this salvation is of the Jews. It has conquered Englishmen, as earlier it conquered Greeks and Romans, and there is no gulf left for it to cross wider than those which it has often crossed already. We do not carry it to China and to Africa as being some dear and peculiar institution of our own, we go there as the captives and bond-servants of the Nazarene. He has conquered us, and at His word we carry His victorious name abroad, and wait with confidence to see every knee bow in worship before Him.”-Rev. Professor ARMITAGE, in Faith and Criticism. "I am going to give a short account of how I came to offer myself for mission work. Like other boys, I went to Sunday school, and I was fortunately put in a class under a very good teacher, who was greatly interested in the mission work carried on in Africa, and she used to read to us stories about the native children, and how they were taken and sold as slaves; and she would tell us also of the good people who went out to teach

them. We heard, too, how we might, in our small way, help them by putting some of our pence aside instead of buying sweets, and sending them to the mission; because, you know, every little helps. We also thought it would be very nice to choose a native boy and send our money to him to help to pay the expense of his education. The boy we selected was Denys Seyiti, who was ordained deacon a short time ago. “These early instructions in mission work made an impression on me, and some of the stories I have never forgotten. One That I well remember made me first long to go and work in the mission field. It was of a missioner who was in charge of a district by himself, and on Sundays he had to go round to all the natives and let them know the time for service, because they had no clocks and no bell to the church, and I thought at the time what a help it would be if one of us could go and call those natives to the service, but of course neither I nor any of the other boys were old enough yet. However, when I left school and went to work, I did not forget the mission and its workers, but I always used to remember them in my prayers. Nor did that longing to go and work among the natives die out. I often wished to go, but I thought I was not fit, because my education was not good enough, and my profession would be of no value to them, consequently I did not say anything to anyone about my desires until about eight or nine years after I left school, and then one day I was talking to my old teacher, and I told her of my wishes. She was of a different opinion to me and thought I should be useful, and advised me to speak to the priest of my church. He wrote to another priest, whom he knew was training men for mission work, about me, and to my great happiness I was accepted. And I hope, please God, in a few months to go to Central Africa, and to take my share in the work which I have longed for so long. Yes, and another pleasure is I may meet Denys Seyiti, and see the good work he is doing among his own people, a work which I and my school-fellows may claim as being, in some little degree at any rate, the result of our prayers and self-denial. “Now, may I appeal to some of my young readers to interest themselves in helping some one of the native children, no matter how little they may be able to do, for I am sure that whatever child they may select to help will help them also, just as Denys Seyiti has unconsciously helped me, even more than I have helped him."- J. B., in African Tidings, the children's magazine of the Central African Mission. Here are some extracts from Bishop Hornby's account of his first confirmation tour in Nyasaland :- "It seems almost absurd to call Nyasa a lake. It is difficult to realise that its waters are not salt, and one catches oneself thinking how thirsty that dog will get that one sees lapping the water on the shore. The experiences of my ten days’ trip have not diminished the respect in which I hold Nyasa; for she amply revenged herself for any unconscious disrespect in which I may hitherto have held her by giving my companions and myself a wet skin to teach us proper manners for the future. I will call Nyasa an ocean if only she will keep her temper and be calm. If proof be wanting that Nyasa is at least a sea, let me say that Mr. Maples, to say nothing of myself, was most unmistakably afflicted with mal de mer.... Sixty adults confirmed at these stations (Msumba, Pachia, and Chisanga), in addition to the seventy at Likoma, must, with the blessing of God, exercise a wide leavening influence. I should like to have seen a better proportion between the numbers of men and women that offered themselves for connfirmation. To eyes fresh from England (I was going to say the old country), it would be a strange sight to see these rows of dusky, stalwart fishermen and you would be inclined to say, ‘But where are the women and the children? The children must grow, one is not so anxious about them; but I admit the scarcity of women converts is to be deplored, though hardly to be wondered at, when we remember that at the time of my writing this we have not so much as one English Churchwoman resident in the unlimited (!) Diocese of Nyasaland. What would our English homes be without our Christian wives and mothers? How the problem will work itself out here it is difficult to say. One thing at least I am waiting for - one of our English Sisterhoods to take up the work in Nyasaland, and work out the problem solvitur ambulando, or possibly navigando ; or, possibly, so far as Sisters are concerned, by just sitting still and letting the children come to them." This constantly - increasing need for woman's work is felt more and more all over the mission field. Dr. Henry Martyn Clark, C.M.S. Missionary at Amritsar, reports (in the Church Missionary Gleaner) an interesting conversation with a friendly Hindu on the subject of Christian missions : “Do you mind telling me, said Dr. Clark, “which of all our methods you fear the most?” “Why should I put weapons into the hands of the enemy? replied the Hindu. "But I will tell you. We do not greatly fear your schools; we need not send our children. We do not fear your books; for we need not read them. We do not much fear your preaching; we need not listen. But we dread your women, and we dread your doctors; for your doctors are winning our hearts, and your women are winning our homes, and, when our hearts and our homes are won, what is there left us?" “A number of slaves were rescued by one of the British steamers from slave dhows four and a half years ago. The younger people were landed at Aden and taken in by the Mission there, and the older ones were brought to Bombay. Six of those who landed in Bombay were placed in the C.M.S. Orphanage in Nasik. Their ages varied, as far as could be ascertained, from 14 to 18 years. Their names were Alfonse, Ganāmi, Mãd'é, Chaltoo, Dānsi, and Dasita. When they entered the Orphanage, they were unable to speak either Hindustani or Marathi, beyond a few words of Hindustani. Their language was Abbāsi, and they seemed to be acquainted somewhat with Muhammadans. "One of the girls was a little obstreperous at first, but after a while toned down, and fell into the ways of life of her Indian companions. Three of them-viz., Ganāmi, Chaltoo, and Dasita, made good progress in Marathi. The remaining three were dull at study. “After the girls had been in the Orphanage about two and a half years, Mr. Roberts baptized them at their own request, and they became regular communicants. “Dr. Pechey-Phipson took two of the most intelligent, Chaltoo and Dasita, to train them as nurses in the Cama Hospital. Dasita was the youngest and brightest of them all, and it has been a matter of great sorrow that, after having been in Bombay for two and a half years, she died of consumption. Chaltoo has recently completed two years of training, and Mrs. Pechey-Phipson speaks very highly of her moral character and of her abilities as a nurse. The five survivors have now said farewell to India, for Mr. Roberts, who has charge of the Orphanage, has lately taken the opportunity of sending them back to Africa in the 'Safari,' under the kind escort of the Rev. W. H. Jones, a Pastor in the C.M.S. Mission on the east coast of that country, where they will be well cared for, and begin working among their own people." - From the Bombay Diocesan Gazette. We take the following, word for word, from the Church Missionary Gleaner; such enthusiasm should be met by much thanksgiving, and should itself kindle much enthusiasm elsewhere : “Here is a letter of deep interest. We suppress name and locality: - ‘Dear Sir,- At the close of a meeting held in my church a little while ago, twenty-seven young people came up from the body of the church, and took their places in the chancel, offering themselves definitely for service in the mission field. They are all "out-and-out" converted people; all, save one young man, who is of Corpus Christi, Cambridge, working men and women. One young woman has already been accepted by your Society, and left us only last Tuesday for training in London. They have been accustomed to work for the Lord in the open air, at cottage meetings, prayer meetings, Sunday schools, and the like. They know practically what it is to be separate and consecrated to God. "I feel like a shepherd with a really good lot of sheep to offer. I can hardly bring myself down enough to praise them ; but because you don't know them, I must indulge in a boast that they are well worth the attention of the C.M.S. Several of them are in the front rank of my workers, and self says, “don't let them go," but I am sully persuaded He will take care that the Apostolic succession is preserved here. Now, dear Sir, will you come down and inspect them ?' "Now, it will be said, is not this mere gush and excitement ? Is it likely that these people can be fit to be missionaries? Well, the Editorial Secretary, to whom the letter was addressed, could not go and see them, but a much better arrangement was made than that. Two of our most trusted and (shall we say?) cautious clerical brethren, Mr. Baring-Gould and Mr. Wilkinson, went together, and spent many hours in interviewing these twentyseven men and women; and their report upon them fills us with thankfulness to God. Perhaps half-a-dozen are not likely ever to be possible missionaries; but the remainder are almost all highly spoken of. Some are invited to offer whenever they are free to do so, and others are encouraged to come forward a year or two hence. One word we must add. Where is the parish that will be 'provoked' by this example, and try to rival it? But remember, in the case of these people, it is true that they first gave their own selves to the Lord, unreservedly and unmistakably." The latest news from the Island of Zezo, where the Rev. J. Batchelor has been working since 1879 among the Ainu, is exceedingly good. It was not till 1885 that the first Ainu was baptized into the Church. In the following year three others were added, in 1889 two more, in 1891 two others, while in 1892 Bishop Bickersteth visited the island and confirmed some of the converts. And now Mr. Batchelor writes: “Thanks be to God, after all the sowing and preparation work, this year will ever be remembered as the reaping year among the Ainu, for already there have been 171 baptisms this year, thus making a Church membership of 179 souls, one having gone to be with Jesus above. There are still about 200 catechumens! Thus we have let the nets down into deep waters, and they are full. May the Lord keep us ever prayerful, humble, watchful, and full of His Holy Spirit and Faith!" It is at once very pathetic and very beautiful to hear that Bishop Stuart of Waiapu, in New Zealand, has resigned his diocese with the intention of taking up active mission work in Persia. He went out to India in 1850 with Thomas Valpy French to found a C.M.S. College at Agra. After working at Jabalpur, Calcutta, and then (in 1872) in the Home Secretariat of C.M.S. in Salisbury Square, he went to work in New Zealand, was consecrated Bishop of Waiapu in 1877, the same year in which French was consecrated Bishop of Lahore. "Since the has been untiring in his work, both in the Colonial Church and in the missionary work among the Maoris. He and daughter have been accustomed to ride hundreds of miles over the mountains and through the forests of New Zealand, visiting the homestead of the settler and the kainga of the native. The Maori section of the Church has flourished under his fostering care. He has himself ordained 14 Maori clergymen, and the number under his episcopal oversight is now 17, although some have died. Within his diocese is the C.M.S. Theological College for all the Maori work, the famous Te Aute College for the education of the better class of Maori boys and youths, and boarding schools for younger boys and for girls. A fine cathedral at Napier, and an endowment for the See, are the fruits of his influence and energy ; and although the Diocese of Waiapu is more identified with C.M.S. than any other in the colony, yet it contributes more than any other to the Melanesian Mission." And now Bishop Stuart is going to lay down his Work, as his brother Bishop did before, and as S. Boniface and many more have done of old, to take up once more the pioneer work of a missionary in Persia. Our prayers must go with him. Map of Korea. In this number of Morning Calm is inserted a fresh map of Korea, or Corea -for both ways of spelling the name are in common use. The old map, our readers may remember, was on Mercator's projection, and drawn on a scale of half-an-inch to a degree of longitude. In order to include, in the size available, such details as the entrance to the Gulf of Pe-chili, Nieu-chwang, Chifu, and Shanghai, the scale has had to be somewhat reduced, viz., from 5 to 45 inch to a degree of longitude; but the Mercator projection has been retained. For the benefit of our friends who are not navigators, we may here take the opportunity of mentioning the use of this method of drawing a chart. The direction from one place to another is at once obtained by placing a flat rule on the two points, and then their distance, in nautical miles, can be read off by measuring this distance on the chart by the scale furnished by the side border on a level between the two places, the distance between the dots representing ten miles. Thus, Shanghai will be found to bear about S.W. by S. from Chemulpó, distant 440 miles: Nieu-chwang is about N.W -W. from Soul, distant 310 miles. This chart is a true representation as to form of every particular small tract, but varies in point of scale in its different regions, each portion being more and more extravagantly enlarged as it lies farther from the equator. This is the reason why the distance should be measured on the side, and not on the top or bottom. Before parting with our old map, we may recall some of the notes inserted on it which showed the position of the country relatively to other parts of the world. Thus, the parallel of latitude of 36° N., running through the south of Corea, passes through Malta, and its northern boundary extends to the same parallel as skirts the southern coast of the Bay of Biscay Jerusalem and Shanghai are in about the same latitude. Again, it was noted that the meridian running down the centre of Corea (127°E.) shows that the time there is 8h.28m before Greenwich time, every degree of longitude representing four minutes of time. Thus, when it is mid-day at Soul we may consider that it is about half-past three in the morning in London, and when it is noon in London that it is about half-past eight in the evening at Soul. Our new map has been kindly drawn by Lieut. A. Havergal, R.N., of the Hydrographic Department at the Admiralty, and has been engraved by Messrs. Malby and Sons. The Mission owes much to the former for the labor and care he has devoted to give us the best that can be produced, and to the latter for the beautiful execution of the work. As well as being an accurate chart, it is a veritable picture of the country with its great mountain chain, which, as the Coreans say, "winds out and in ninety-nine times" as it traverses the land from north to south.