Page 74 - Duncan "Korea" MacRae, Missionary from Baddeck

ISSUE : Issue 67

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1994/8/1

The first Christian wedding • ? child bride. She had a love affair with a young termer but her par? ents forced her to marry an old man. Duncan felt pathos, and described the young man hanging around the edges during the ceremony. And the young girl was sorrowful as well. cated interest in the Jesus Doctrine. Hamhung pre? sented a chal? lenge since for? eigners entered its gates at the risk of their lives. Early in 1899 a Japa? nese merchant, disguised as Korean, had been discov? ered in Ham? hung and promptiy killed. For a few years Christian mis? sionaries had attempted to win converts in the city but had little success because of not daring to go in? to the streets. Only five in? habitants indi- The day had come when Duncan was to achieve his objective and to meet the challenge presented by the city of Hamhung. He was about to begin his mission life in an area regarded as "one of the darkest" in Korea, and work among a people staunchly resistant to foreign intrusion and to the Christian re? ligion. On the evening of May 3rd, accompanied by his teacher, the redoubtable Mr. Yang, and by Mr, Suh Kyung-cho of Sor? rai, Duncan boarded a coastal steamer bound for the north. By the next evening they had arrived in Hamhung. Two days later, seated cross-legged on the floor of a small room WE'RE PROUD TO SHARE... Scottish and Acadian Festivals Hiking trails, picnic and camping parks Museums and heritage The warmest waters north of the Carolinas! Cottage crafts and works of art The Cape Breton highlands National Park Fresh and salt water fishing Horse racing, canoeing, and other sports Fine accommodations, gift shops Restaurants Wildlife The Sunset Side of Cape Breton Requests for Visitor's Guide, brochures, and general information may be made to: Inverness County Department of Recreation/Tourism P.O. Box 179, Port Hood, N.S. BOE 2 WO (902)787-2274 in a Korean home, Duncan wrote a lengthy letter to Edith.: Dear Edith: The Lord has brought me in safety to this city, while five Koreans [are] gazing at this letter that I am writing...! shall let this pen fly over a few pages. ...On Thursday, May 3rd, I packed 3 lbs butter, 8 tins milk, 2 loaves bread, 15 lbs flour, 10 lbs oatmeal, 10 lbs hard biscuits, 2 quarter tins baking powder, l"[lb.] tea, 1 do [ditto] coffee, 5 lbs pig, 7 lbs beans, 2 doz. candles, 1 oil stove, 2 bottles quinine, worm powders, few pills, mustard, pepper, 1" cod fish, some writing paper, two white suits, 2 changes underwear, 2 pr shoes, 1 cot, 1 light blanket, 1 cotton sleeping bag, some soap, mirror, comb, brush, razor, wash pan, thermometer. Books, tracts, an English lan- tem, no firearms, ink, paper and an air pillow that is dear to me, Many a time this head of mine has rested on it and my thoughts on the heart who gave it. [Hamhung] Monday May 8th. It was about 9 PM Thursday night when I went on board [the coastal steamer]. There are three fares. Hades or the lower region $1.00 or 500 gold. Limbo $1.00 gold, a stage higher $1.50 gold. The lower region reminded me of the old St. Pierre when she would be loaded between decks with sheep [NOTE: By "St. Pierre," Duncan means a sailing vessel which took cargo from the Bras d'Or Lakes region to St. Pierre and Miquelon Islands.] ....Limbo was not quite so bad, a small room with a carpet on the floor, no chairs but a bench ran round the room. Here the Japanese swarmed & a few Koreans. They smoked, drank and jab? bered all night.... About 2 A.M. we sailed • at 8 we were an? chored off [Soho] a Korean village 30 li from Ham Hung. The moming was calm & the little round islands in the harbour looked beautiful as the shadows of the trees were reflected on the water. One little island was a perfect cone. The trees must be reserved for devil worship, otherwise they would have been cut down long ago. Whenever you see a grove of pines in Korea mark that spot as the devils grove. The shore looked lovely a long crescent sandy beach lined the shore, groves of pines here & there to the back of the village hous? es set it off.... The first thing that attracted my eye on landing was the number of ox carts and absence of coohes.... We took up quarters at an inn by the sea shore, and while our food was being prepared, Mr. [Suh] preached Jesus to the people.... I partook of a Korean meal. Rice, hard boiled eggs, smelts and oth? er side-dishes.... It is always best not to enquire as to what you are eating, Shut your eyes & when you feel it rise chew it down again.... I am keeping my eyes on the dogs round this yard to see that they are not disappearing. Breakfast over we loaded the ox cart with our traps [luggage] & set out for Ham Hung some 30 or 40 li distant. 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