The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1906-03-06

49, 49,
Wore a dark rel. luo@s-li.tiT- coat.
a vide belt and 4 li1er cAlz hat u
indcscribable hIJ-. The Gir1 wore =
green silk waist which just stel1y the
arInplts joined 4 scry .u.l skirt u
red. Her neal uae -oruara.tlled .rit1
two VERY large rolls OF hair. which
according to Cas-pm we're formed for
the occasion. Ne we're informed shat
the wedding clothes ere ofIea rented
and that even III goose which IN the
wedding ceremony the life presents
70 the husband as ! symbol # ,o.-
stancy Is obtained III -. same Nly.
As in this case the Christina eer--
mOny was use1. the couple dill not
pledge themselves according - fh-
native practice by saving: "Dlacn -
the hair that now crowns our heals
yet when il has become as White as
the fibers of the onion root. We shall
still be found faithful, to eacn other
But as among the n0n-Christian kO-
reans a man is allowed to take d
c~oncubine into his home whcnevc~ lie
is abel TO support one. the p]eiGc
would seem TO be a mere IorT4.i:y
on his part
Seoul, the capital and largest ci,v.
Is surrounded b.. a substantial wall
and entered by gates which until re-
Gently We're shut at night. even though
The city long ago outgreW the walls
49, - ~ 49,
described in the Bible, and they are
not lacking in The beggar VI finds
the gate a convenient place to MAKE
his plea TO the passerby. Aside from
w or three broad thorough-fares.
the streets are narrow, crooked and
filthy. The open sewer on either
side are filled with refuse matter and
reek with foul doors.
There is no general educational sys-
tenn IN Korea, and the percentage Of
lIIlteracy IS naturally large. The mis-
SlOnary schools are DIN an excellent
work and Il few Of the young mea
haNe been sent to China, japan aul
America. During recent Years there
has been quite an awakening among
The young men. and they are showing
an increasing desire TO learn about
western civilization. SO great IL 5jIe
interest that a newly organized branch
4 of the Young Mems Christian As
ISOLATION at Seoul has a membership
of over 500, four-fifths Of whom are
not processing Christians but ar
drawn to the institution because i
gives them Il chance to study western
problems and methods. Mr.. Wanna
maker, the merchant Urincc of Phil
adclphIa. has just offered to supply
the money necessary for Il pcrma-
nent Y. NJ. G. A.. building in Seoul.
and having attended Il meeting i'm thu
present crowded quarters. | can test
fy that Il new hail is badly needed.
The Cninese characters are used
in writing. but the Koreans have d
spoken language which is quite dit
tercnt There is 10 extensive Iitcra-
ture that can be called Korean, al
though DR.. Allen. for many years
American minister at Seoul. has pub
llShed i'll Il volume entitled TX ored:
Facts and Fancies,' q number OF de
ilghtful folk lore stories, which show
an appreciation OF the love story and
a very clear recognition OF the per
SOnal virtues illustrated in daily life.
Mr. Aliens book also contains an in
tefesting chronology of the principal
events, but it is significant of the
change wrought by foreign influence
that it only requires Il pages of The
things worth mentioning from the be
ginning of the Christian era down to
1876, While 50 pages are devoted 10
the things that have TRANSFERRED since.
In examining the page devoted to
ne last century one is struck with the
disinclination of the Korean govern
ment to accept the offers of inter
course made by the various nations
of Europe since 1887. and with the
number of missionaries who suffer
ed for religions sake prior to that
date. Persecution however, seems to
have increased rather than diminished
the zeal Of the Vafious denominations.
and today Korea is regarded as one
Of the most promising of the mission
airy fields. While Confucianism has
influenced Korea. Buddhism ncvel
gained such a fOothOld in this country
as in China II Japan. There are no
gorgeous temples here. and for 500
years (and untir recently Buddhist
priests We're not allowed within the
walls of Seoul. There are missionary
stations throughout the country and
at Peng Yang there is q native con-
~gregatiOn of 1900. At Seoul, a mOdern
hospital, built with honey given by
Mr.. severance. of Cleveland, Ohio, has
been enc by DR.. AviSOn. where. be-
sides care of the sick. medical training
IS furnished to natives who desire
to fit themselves for this profession,
| was assured by DIR. Avison and by
missionaries residing here that young
Koreans, both men II women, learn
quickly and are faithful assistants,
The medica missionary. being in an
excellent position to show his Chris
tan spirit by helpful service, is doing
much to aid in the propagation OF ou1
5 religion in the Orient. In this con-
nection l might add that DR.. Allen
went to Korea as a medical mission
: AIRY and became the emperor's physi-
; elan. This intimate relation gave 9ul
country a good standing here When
the doctor afterwards became the
| American minister. These friendly re-
~lations are still maintained through
: present Minister Morgan.
The government of Korea is an alb
solute monarchy and has It r~eignine
family which has held the throne fol
: about 500 years. All authority ema-
mates from the mperor ana is eXef-
cised through ministers. governors ane
: subordinate officials appointed by hin
II one can trust the stories afioIt, tn
government is as coIrupt al Organj/a-
ton as can be found on earth. JUS
who is responsible is not clearly
known. but that offices are sold ant
all sort Of cXtOrtion practiceG there
can scarcely be doubt. There is III
spirit Of patriotism. such as is to be
found in Japan, and why should there
be when the government gives 50 ltl,
return for the burdens which il i'm
: poses? Changes in the cabinet .Tt
OF frequent occurrence there haElnt
been something like 50 Within q year
! For a long time Chinese influence
WAS paramount and the Chinese GnN.