Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 December 1887 — RELIGION IN COREA. [ARTICLE]

RELIGION IN COREA.

The Government Opposes All Worship. Bt. Louis (Hobe Democrat. In the list of the virtues of its people and the attractions of the country Corea makes a poor showing and shines negatively. With no past, no future, uq riches, no power, no warlike spirit, no art, no progress, no commerce, no living literature, no theaters, and few amusements or' social customs, one may wonder how it remains a kingdom and a people, and why it exists. Corea’s condition would seem to prove all that preachers and philosophers say about a people without a religion. In this capital of 200,000 people, and in the great plane of city roofs, there is not a tower or pagoda to tell of the worship of any deity. A scrap of paper and a hit of rag fastened to a Straw rope over the house doors propitiates the demons and keeps them out, and the Corean devils are so stupid and easily deceived that, getting hold of the rag, they think they have the whole game and the man in it, and are satisfied. This is the only -sign of any form of worship or belief to be found in the city, and there are edicts prohibiting priests from entering the city gates. Every form of religion is frowned upon by the Government, and in the treaties with other nations proselyting and missionary work are distinctly prohibited. Centuries ago the Jesuits entered the Kingdom from the Chinese frontier and made many converts among the people, but in all the annals of martyrdom nothing exceeds the stories of the tor-1 tures and punishment inflicted upon j those saintly men. It was believed that j tliey had given aid and instructions to the enemies of Corea, and the Jesuits were hunted and put to death, and edicts put forth promising torture to those who harbored or encouraged the Jesuits in their work This attitude of the Government neither discouraged nor stopped the missionary fathers, and Jesuit priests have gone about the connry in the disguise of mourners, the hgge three bushel hat, the hand screen and baggy hemp clothes effectually concealing their identity. Within a few weeks a French bishop has comejto light after living in disguise for fourteen years While the French commissioners were there completing the treaty between their country and Corea, a swarthy, black-bearded Corean, in a pea-green ; gown and black- halo hat, appeared one day and astonished them by talking French. The bishop is now often met in the foreign community, monseigneur is given precedence over all officials and the place of honor at all dinner tables. He wears Corean dress at all times, and the large signet ring on his right hand is the only indication of his not being a native and a layman.