The building up of an independent Korean Church
Abstract
The interest of the writer in different nationalities
dates back to his early dates in his home in Montreal,
Canada. At that time he saw something of work, in the
American Presbyterian Church, carried on by a returned
missionary from China, amongst the Chinese laundrymen from
Canton. After graduation from McGill University, he
engaged, amongst other occupations, in teaching in the French
Protestant Schools at Pointe-aux-Trembles near his native
city--Mission Schools under the Presbyterian Church in
Canada. Following his theological studies in Montreal and
during post graduate studies in Glasgow, he was appointed
to Korea and left almost immediately to take up work there
over twenty-three years ago. Hence the writer's interest
in other nations dates from an early period and covers most
of his life so far. The years of service in Korea and
Manchuria, bringing him into touch with the Oriental nations
of the Far East, have greatly deepened his appreciation of
other peoples. Thus the interest in the Canton laundrymen
in Montreal has broadened into a friendship with many
Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and Russians whom he has learned
to respect and love. Hence his interest in the subject under
consideration. A Canadian business man, whom the writer knew in his pre-missionary days, told him of Chinese in Shanghai whom he had known and who, he felt, would, if necessary die for him. The writer since has formed a like conviction concerning certain Korean church workers, that they
too would be willing to do the same for him, and this helps
to shape one's attitude towards their race. For years he
has realized the great importance of turning over, as fast
as possible, the work of the Church to the native pastors
and workers--a principle characteristic of Korean missionaries,
and has tried, speaking humbly, to honor the native
pastors, only to find that they are bound to not let the
foreigner get into the background, ever seeking to push the
missionary into places of honor in their presbyteries and in
church work generally. Since coming on furlough various
studies, such as the Rise of Religions, Customs & Cultures,
Imperialism and Communism, have greatly deepened his interest
in political and religious problems that are international
or interracial. Amongst these is the problem of the passing
over of the church work (which on his arrival in Korea was so
much in the hands of foreigners) by the missionaries to the
native church upon which he hopes his thesis may throw some
light. An urgent, vital problem.
Table of Contents
History of the movement in Korea for self-support, self-government and self-propagation -- The Sprit of Independence and the Nationwide Movement of 1919 -- The Missionary and the Native Worker -- The development of woman's work in the Korean Church -- The Mission and the Native Church a cooperative venture -- Devolution in the Canadian Mission -- Conclusion -- Bibliography
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-- University of Wichita, College of Education, Dept. of Religious Education