St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-08-28
COrea.
REV. II. FooTE, IN THE ADVANCE.

I
eigners. The United States was the
first of the western nations to whom
Corea offered treaty of commerce and
friendship.
1t was at the instance of Chinese
statesman, honored by the young King,
| that to our nation was given this pref
erence. While congress was closing
our doors against the Chinese, China
commended our nation to the favorable
regard of Corea! As result. presi-
dent Arthur sent Gen, Lucius ii. FoOte,
of California, rs our minister to that
government. He has now resided over
Il year ut Seoul, the capital of COrea.
A letter, dated March IL, has just
reached me, in which he says:
al should be glad to describe to yOu
this strange Oriental life-with its
combinations of squalOr and barbaric
splendOr. The United States legation
was formerly the residence of one of
the most powerful families of Corea,
and even now upon its walls and gate
ways can he seen the spear thrusts and
sword-cuts of former trays.
Our life is Il peculiar One-with a
guard at the gate and the forms and
ceremonies, which seem necessary, are
both laughable and pathetic. OF course
by degrees am making innovations
and reforms. The embassy to the
United States, which was sent at my
| suggestion, will aid much in the works
of reformation. have faith in the
future of COrea, and find even now
more to praise than to blame. The
day of religious persecution is already
ar1 tha IS Dt hand hn
there will be, in matters of faith, entire
liberty.
Our isolation can be understood,
when | tell you that my wife was the
| first foreign lady in COrea and after a
years residence here, only one other
lady of the western race has arrived.
Mrs. +. has, however, received much
attention from the Queen and ladies of
the court, and is seemingly contented.
The climate does not differ much
from the climate of Washington. Our
table is well supplied from the market
Our household consists of five person
besides servants, viz, Mrs. FOOte and
myself, secretary, naval attache ana
interpreter. Whenever we go ont we
are carried in sedan chairs, or are
drawn in ginrickshaWS. But | cannot
begin to tell you on paper all that is
strange and peculiar in the people
around u.s."
So little is known of this "hermit
nation" or, us Oppert in most inter
esting volume styles it, the "FOrbid-
den Land" that | will add Il few facts,
| from different sources, which can but
interest all who would give and pray
intelligently for the triumphs of the
gospel i'll COrea.
The dynasty of Nj, founded in 1892,
came to an end in 1864 by the failure
of direct heir to the throne. Three
widows of former sovereigns, accord
ing to their laws, named Il successor tO
the throne. He was boy of twelve
years, whose father, Nj Kung, was sup
posed to be neutral in politics. But
no sooner was he installed as regent
during his sons minority, than he be-
gan to rule the country with the
"heart of stone and the bowels of irOn.'
For years, under the labOrs of French
Catholic missionaries, many had en-
braccd christianity. Against these
missionaries and their converts, he
aimed his blows. Whether the Core
ans, like the Japanese two hundred
years before, were not defending
themselves from the Jesuits grasping
at the civil power, history fails to in
| form us.
The Catholic bishop and eight
of his priests were executed by
decree of the usurper. Three priests
only, effected their escape, and reach
ed China in safety. One account says
ten Thousand private christians were
murdered, another states that one hun
dred and fifty thousand suffered mar
tyrdom at the hands of this monster.
At length his son attained his major
ity. He had an excellent wife, and
wise ministers of state. Sick of the
bloody past, he ended the butchery.
A few years later, we find the negotia-
tions above alluded to, and our minis
ter helping to lead this people out into
the light and liberty of the nineteenth
century. Our missionary societies will
soon be called to send the Gospel tn
this interesting and hopeful field.
The Lewiston, Me-, Journal draws
this comparison between prohibition
and license towns. In Lewiston and