Page:Village life in Korea (1911).djvu/247

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The Village Church.
209

a Korean congregation. They can sing all the hymns in the book, but sing them all to one tune. I am quite sure you will not call it good music, but I verily believe that it is a joyful noise unto the Lord. We should not think it strange that these people cannot sing according to the rules of music, since, from their childhood, they have been taught to wail and mourn; to sing and to rejoice have been almost entirely unknown to them. In fact, they have no songs worthy the name, and one rarely ever hears any sort of singing among the heathen except an attempt at singing that is often heard from men who are under the influence of liquor. The boys don't even know how to whistle. Those who have come in touch with the missionaries are now learning the art, and it is a real pleasure to hear a boy whistling as he goes about his work or play. The hymn finished, the congregation is called to prayer and every one bows. This bow is made by prostrating the body till the face rests on the hands, which are spread out on the matting upon the floor. Thus in this humble attitude they follow the leader in prayer, all joining in the Lord's Prayer at the close. Another hymn is sung in a whole-hearted manner, and the collection is taken. This is a real part of the worship, and every one who can possibly do so takes part in it. There will be very few people in the congregation who will not put something into the basket when it comes their way. It is true that the entire collection will not amount to very much, if measured by the standard of the United States dollar; neither would the combined wages of the entire con-