Page:A modern pioneer in Korea-Henry G. Appenzeller-by William Elliot Griffis.djvu/117

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Voyages and First Impressions
101

sunset, after which the gates would be shut. In the city they found welcome from Dr. Scranton and a temporary home at the Allen's. Like the Good Samaritan, who afforded relief to the first case that presented itself, Dr. Scranton had begun in his own home. The notable medical career thus initiated, is at this writing, still active.

A site in the western part of the city was selected as that in which the native houses were to be bought and cleared away, or made over, and the real estate to be permanently used for the mission, be located. "We intend to make this end of the city a little bit of America," A. wrote. Instead of being obliged to occupy straw huts as they had pictured themselves doing while in America, they lived in comfortable houses, and only on country trips suffered inconvenience.

A house in Korea is much stronger and warmer than one in Japan and more comfortable than one in China, besides lending itself far more easily to occupation by a normal modem Christian from the West. Especially is this true, if one appreciates fully the Heavenly Father's abundant supply of oxygen and its compound with hydrogen, besides much subsidiary blessings as space, bath-tubs, fire places and "comforts." The average native of "the three countries" is hardly more than medieval in his desires for what are deemed necessities in the West. Even on the subject of cleanliness, standards differ. "A Chinaman washes his clothes, and a Japanese his person," but, whether outwardly or inwardly, in his drygoods or in simple