A Modern Pioneer in Korea/Preface
APPENZELLER of Korea built himself as a living stone into Christian Cho-sen. The coming of a live, typical, American Christian in 1885, into the mysterious secrecy of an inhospitable hermit kingdom, the abode of cruelty, oppression, mental darkness, ignorance and disease, was like an invincible sunbeam. Bold as a lion, tender as a woman, aflame with zeal for the Master, yet able to work and live with all sorts and conditions of men, he won steady success. As traveller, explorer, teacher, organiser, evangelist and Bible translator, his labors were manifold, while his temper was ever sweet. His seventeen years of service were crowned with success. His greatness in the hour of death tallied with the unselfish victories of his life. He died while saving others.
It is no pious panegyric that his friend and correspondent, who knew him from the time of his arrival in Korea, has tried to write; but, against a background of reality, to show what Appenzeller and his fellow workers under God achieved. Appenzeller formed Korea in pagan barbarism. He left the Land of Morning Calm worthy of its name, full of hope, promise and attainment. He lived and toiled for the Christian Cho-sen of to-day. Hence the larger part of this book is devoted to the country and to the people whom he loved and for whom he gladly died.
A man of system and scrupulous regard for both exact facts and general truth, this servant of Christ of high ideals and master of details kept, from his youth up, journals, note and common-place books, copies of important doctiments and letters; and to these I have had unstinted access from the widow and daughter of this missionary pioneer. Scores of correspondents also have enabled me to make my story trustworthy and authentic, as well as vivid and interesting. To these and to the " help meet " and loyal daughter, do I make my grateful recognition.
May John Milton's hope be fulfilled in this book, in that "life unto life" shall, in this case, mean that the story of Appenzeller, who died too soon, shall stimulate others to still nobler consecration and achievements. And this,
"Through the dear might
Of Him who walked the wave."
W. E. G.
Ithaca, N. Y.