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fat Two THE CITIZEN May 4, 1922 MY CHII PHOOD IN A NON CHRISTIAN LAND By (nun W. Cho. Berea College Berea College This if personal account ef my own childhood which had fallen under the bondage of heathenism and suf fered its sorrow and degradation. For most of you reader perhar this is the first chance you have had to jret first-hand information of the superstitions which are playirjr a ter rible trapedy upon the childhood in the heathen lands. I hop it will he of some interest to you; that it may deepen your relation and love to God; that you will thank Him for not hav. ing been a heathen child, and that it may rouse your humane and Christ hke sympathy for those children in the heathen countries who are made the sad victims of deadly superstitions. As I w-Tite this article, I cannot help having a profound jrratitude' for the Christian love of America in sending us their missionaries, who not only save the older people but also bring our children by hundred and thou sands out of misery and darkness in to the arms of Christ. When I was five years of age, just about the period my childhood began to bloom and to possess the experi ences of the outer world, a lady and my close relative imprinted upon my mind a sad picture of death. She had no conception of future life whatever and she regarded mortality a the greatest woe and tragedy to man. 'Her interpretation of death was fearful enough to sadden and horrify any child. Certainly it was a frost blighting my flowery youth. There was no other thought that occupied my mind more than the fear of death. One night I woke up suddenly in the midnight and had a thought of a strange tendency. Our little cottage wag buried in the sable curtains of the night. My father and mother were overcome by heavy slumber, with no sensation of the outer world. The dark miserable night swayed her scepter over the earth, seeming as tho' there was .no life in the world. There suddenly returned to my mind the same old fear of death. I began to think myself "I am now a crea ture with the fcenses of love, joy, sor row, and emotion, but when my death comes, which will come sooner or later I will be out of existence for ever. I shall have no more the pleas ant memories of nature, no more friends to enjoy, and no mother to love." The more I thought of death, the sadder I became. I sighed and sighed, MAhegho uma! ahegho uma!" (ah, mama! ah, mama!) was the cry. I sighed long and loud enough to awaken my mother who was in deep slumber, although it seemed nothing was possible to disturb her peace in the last moments. "My child," said she with a mother ly love, "what is the matter? Are you hungry?" (I went to bed with out supper that night). "Shall I bring you something to eat?" "No, mama," I Teplied. "What is it, then?" my mother in quired again. I did not tell her what I was sighing about. I do not know why I did not tell, but even had I told her, I could BEREA COLLEGE v ' ... -. V, ' '. -MM !i''V i.. v ' '"v ' ' 1-: not have gotten any satisfactory an swer from her because ahe, too, was a believer in superstition and had no conception of eternal life. My sor row never ceased that night until 1 was worn out with weariness and the fatigue which brought me to ileep again. i One day when I was about i ' years old, I brought a decayed piece of wood into our house. One of my p'aymates, who waa then four years older than I. called my attention to another horrible superstition; that the household gods get angry at the person who carries such unclean things into the house and they bring death upon that person. This play mate told me, with a sort of boyish, heedless sarcasm, that I was surely going to be the victim of our house hold gods for the unclean deed I hadj committed against them. Ah, just, imagine how I felt then! My cldj enemy, tne tear oi neain, iw " overswayed me again. My heart felt as heavy as tho it had a thousand tons of burden. Waiting for the death to come, I rassed many sod drys with the pitiful murmurs of sor row. In one summer I was very much afflicted with malaria fever. My father believed, as other Koreans usually do, that the evil spirits got into my body and caused a hokgil (fierce illness). He believed also that he could scare and drive the evil spirits out of me by applying a sys tem of superstition. One morning early, when it was rery dark, my father railed me out of bed, com manding me to go out to the grave yard alone and roll over the grave three times. In our country the father's commands are absolute. I was compelled to obey my father, in spite of my fear to go to the grave yard when it was utterly dark. The next moming he called me out again to try another superstition. He laid me on the ground and covered me with a carpet, then he drove a big heavy cow over me. What would have happened if the cow had stepped her heavy feet on my chest or neck or head? My body thrills as with an electric fhock every time I think of that moment. I do not know whether it scared the evil spirits or not, but it almost scared me to death! If an American preacher expects his son to become a Christian, a Korean father is far anore anxious to have his son follow his ways. He not only wants but compels his son to be an ancestor worshiper as he is. Under the leadership of my father, who was the priest in our family, I became a "little ancestor worshiper." When the New Year came my father took me, my brother, cousins and other relative around to the differ ent tombs of our ancestors to pay our worship, asking blessings for the New Year. In one straight line we stood and made two bows, each time getting down on our knees. One festival was arranged for every ancestor each year. The day before the death of the deceased is made the date of the festival and the ceremony takes place in the night. One time, I, with my two older brothers, appeared in ritual robe be fore the altar, on which was spread First Term Opens June 16, 1922 Special Attention Given to Teacher Training and Community Service COURSES OFFERED IN ALL THE SCHOOLS OF BEREA COLLEGE COLLEGE-Botany, Chemistry, Education, Eng- LOCATION: Berea College is located in the lish, French, Mathematics, Psychology, Ag- beautiful little town of Berea, Ky., on the riculture, Public Speaking. dividing ridge between the Mountains and ' vaduai crun n , nut the Blue Grass. The situation is admirably NORMAL SCHOOL Education, Psychology, adapted for summer study. Mathematics, Science, English, Drawing, jhe spacious grounds, coof shades, pleasant Play and Games, Recreation, Weaving, waikS( and nc drjves are ideal for recre- Cooking and Nutrition, History, Rural Soci- at anj pleasure. A trip to Anglin Falls, 0,8y- Brush Creek Caves, Boonesboro Fort and ACADEMY History, Algebra, Geometry, Phys- "Uncle Tom's Cabin" will never be forgot- ics, English, Latin. ten. The large library, comfortable class- VOCATIONAL SCHOOL-Commerce, Home "gKmthnltSne,t'nK instructors promote wrSvvSa" Stenography' TyP6- All coursew are standard, leading to secondary writing, eaving. diplomas or College degrees. FOUNDATION SCHOOL-For making up de- The Normal courses are on a level with State ficiencies necessary for entrance in a sec- Normal School requirements and lead to ondary school. State Certificates. SUMMER SCHOOL EXPENSES Fire Weeks Tea Weeks Incidental Fee $ 7JQ 1U0 Room Rent I.0v 10.M Table Board (Wobms) '.. 15.00 10.00 Total for Worn f 27J0 I IU0 Table Board for Ma 11.28 IU0 Total for Mea 20.71 U.N Write for accommodations or other information to MARSHALL E. VAUGHN. CLOYD N. MCALLISTER Secretary Berea College Director Summer School Berea, Kentucky '.aa a fascinating table of food for fice. Aa the exercises were in proc- ess, I began to question myself, "Is It true that the spirits of our anees-jhome tors come to consume this food on the altar we spread for them? If so, why cannot I see their presence? If it is impossible to disclose the truth physically, why not thru aotr.e'We may not see each other again spiritual means of revealment? I here on earth, but let us meet again became restless, and at that momert before our Comforter up there in mv attention was called to the won- i ders of nature which were so fasci- nating that niK'ht. I saw the host of; 1. 1 ding her innumerable beams upon a . calm sea. making millions of silvery sparkles down below. In it reflec- j tion it seemed to carry the thought tome that there 1 some unseen Power in the universe. But there was no one then who could tell me there is God. Author of all things, Giver of eternal life, Father of all mankind; there was no one to tell me, also, that heathenism is g and j I vain pursuit. My miserable childhood was over now, and I was a boy of seventeen .... m. . . when I had the first opportunity of hearing the glad tidings of Jesus, O, how fortunate! Thank God thnt the American missionaries came to tell us about the new faith, nee joy, and new life! We teieived the mis sionaries with a heartjr welcome a tho they were sent by the angel that proclaimed on Christmas Eve, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men." Our whole family became Christians at once. I was then the happiest lad in the world. I sang and sang. Now Christianity began to mark new era in my life. The missionaries not only unveiled the truth of Christ hut also reflected the culture and the ideal life of, America. Their influence on me was! strong, and my ambition was to come to America to train and develop my self to make the best of my capacity for service to God and humanity. But against my plan the chief dif fieulty was two-fold: (1) obstruction: from the Japanese government; (2) i opposition from my parents. The! first was overcome thru escape. The t n ry of my escape is romantic and j thrilling, but I cannot tell it here owing to the limited space. Concern-1 ing the second difficulty, I may say a j few words. t)ne moming I had a quiet and sincere conference with my mother and father. I made my besti , i effort to convert them to my cause. At first my mother was unwillingj to give me up. Her motherly n-( treaties were so strong that it indeed a considerable difficulty to ' leave her for an unknown length of' time, and a remote unseen world. "My son," said my mother, with a trembling voice, as she sobbed, tear running down her cheeks; "my son," she continued, "when you were at tending the missionary schools for the last five years, you came home every summer when the apricots were ripe." (We had an apricot tree on our lot). As she was pointing her fincera to the anrirot tree, she said. "Every season I have eagerly lookeJ and watched it budding, blossom. and it fruiting, because it told me the time and the nearness of your coming I iacri-'bome. And now, when you art there across the water, the apricot tree will blossom again, but you may come no more." She sobbed again, Finally she controlled her sorrow , and said encouragingly, "I give you , my consent because you are goinr to Amern a with a purpose worth while, heaven." I i't for a moment. I thanked my father and mother for their thoughtful consent. 1 bade them adieu. I the wide, wide Tacific Ocean, and finally reached the) shore of America on whicl) great I hrisuan Republic is built upon the principles !" '' f I mT joy to learn and cherish the Christian h'1'"1" in uth nA America. I America for her high ideals. I praise America, for it is the home irrr m rr .mi.i ihii w shipped in peace and freedom. What a pride to see the Star Spangled Banner unfurling its glory over the world, proclaiming ' motto! "In Note. Mr. Chung W. Cho has been) a student in Berea College for three ars. He graduated from the phil osophical course and was pursuing his senior work for the degree of B.A. when this article was written. He was one of the most reliable stu dents in the institution, and one up on whom the college may safely de pend for carrying her ideals and prin ciples to the far corners of the earth. Marshall E. Vaughn, Secretary of Berea College Two Men Die Hathoni, IVm - To men tuirtied to oVatli at tt.e vVirin.iistf r flying field when their nirpl;ine nnrt into flume at ii li ultitude of 7Mi feet unit cnth.l to enrth. The vi.nims were Omrles V.m Ier Vere, .1 former army pilot, am, Harry I. Scluerf.r. of riiiludolti:a. a pasoeiicer Vim iler Vere luul taken a number of puasei.xera on fachts during the iifiern.N.ti un.l a ili.wn others were ailing their turn Hi Deduction. "Sister AiiiHiidtt Klleti writes that Niece (i.mliline. who Is coining Ic visit us next week, Ims timl eighteen love affair." sjiIiI Mr. llornheHk. '"' u' ,r"'" ,h Mx" fr"'" Ut ".fr,'1l1',,lI,', . "Well. I sti il d wonder! Interested- ,y (.UH,, llOI1, yUTm ro- wilHt In time cau she do with eighteen Imitation ivory toilet aet7" Kalis City Star. NEWS RBVIBW (Continued from Par One) TTTiieet "the "situation, "t!ie" Rritlsh asked a meeting In iciioa of the miw era slgnutory to the Versailles treaty to discus measure to he taken If Germany doe not meet the rcpura Hons coniini-Mi'ii'i demand hy May 31. Iremler I 'olio are ohject to this plan. f I.OYP ;KiiH;K seem honestly M"" " the peuce of Kurope ami to sutisfy the ,rH ,,,.,, f rislli wM,.h Mt,er ure ,,, eX,,r, ,M.d hy Lord Chun, elli.r nirkeiiheiol : "F.ngliiiid'a SUMMER SCHOOL - Suitable Courses to Meet All ih-erate economic oinlitioti, In r le pemli'iire upon nnrlil trmle as the onl mm n of siistnliilng her life IiIihmI. make hiierHtle the resumption of lltlcnl and commer' Inl rt'tiitloiis with soviet Itussln w hii'cver the clinrHc ler of the government the Htilnii rne to adopt." In his engernes for these results, llliil perhaps cis-rced by xllii'Hl condition at home, the pre mier lays on France the l.liiine for the threatened failure of the conferem e ; and he Is voluhly supported In that by the KiiKlli-h fihiiiiclnl "cmtI." John Miiyiuird Kees, who. an'ordlng to the I'uris press. Is In the pay of a group of llerlln hunkers. At this distance one is rather Inclined to accept the view of the New York Tribune, which say a: "The Frimeophohe ami the Tcuto philes are the real factor threatening disruption at (ii-ium." llerlln illspati lies sny diplomatic re lations hetweeti licrmany and Hnsshi will he resumed at ome. I'rof. A. Iternhard Wledetifeld will he the l,er tniiti anihiindor In Moscow and l.eo tild Krassiu the lliilnn ainhiinolor In llerlln. THE hundredth anniversary of the hlrth of rio X. IJralit wn ob served on Thurikiy In his birthplace Point I'leasnnt. ; In Wahlngtoii and In many other place throughout the country. President Harding wont to the 'Ohio town with a large party of prominent men and women, viewed what is left there of the hoiie III whiih the soldier president was honi, and then delivered an addres which was "broadcast" over the land by radio. In the national capital all gov ernment business halted while all Im mense throng gathered in the lotnnlc gardens to w lines the dedication of the magnificent t.mnt memorial, which I virtually completed after 1. vears' work. Vice President t'oolhlge and Secretary Week made the chief ad dresses, and the memorial was un veiled I'y Princes t'aiitai iieiie, grand daughter, and Primes Ida t'antncii reiie. great granddaughter of ;eiierul lirant. UNLESS President Hsu Shlh fhang Is able to avert it by hi appeal. Just Issued, the Impending civil war In 4'hlna Is soon to culminate In what will probably be the greatest battle thHt country lias had In many .vears. The big arinle of (Jon, t'hang To Llti and Wu Pel Fel are prepared for the conflict, near Peking. The presi dent has called on them both to with draw' from that vicinity and from Chlhll province and to send mediators for adjustment of Ihelr difference. The acting premier ha asked the gov ernor of a('ti of the 1H province to send to Peking a commissioner to do vise measure to rid the country of the armies, which are now the largest In the history of China. American, Itrlt sh and t rem h warships have been sent to Chinese water and the Amerl run legation guard at Peking ha been reinforced. If necessary, the allied fleet will land troop to keep rotiiBiunl cations ('U uctw.ea Peking and tlx sea. MICHAEL COLLINS, bead of tb Irish Free State, recently accused the t'lHter government of fulling to live up to the peace agreement. This Sir Jumes Craig Indignantly denied In words that lead observer to believe a direct break ha come. Sir Jumes suld that, notwithstanding the under taking, armed lie ursinn acrna the l ister border continued and the bor der outrage have had a deplorable ef fect. He declared Sinn Felner hud committed outrage against the pro erty vf I'lster Cutludic to Intimidate those who were anxlou to work III harmony with the northern govern i ment. Fighting between the Free State, force and the "rebela" reached the proortloii of a real battle on Thurs day at Mullliigar. The regular cap tured the town. I all El realm nief In luiblln and heard reiort from the, provisional minister, who severely scored the element fighting the pr. visional government. In Valera vraa there, hut had little to say. Ill fol lower. It was said, smiled and chuckled at the arraignment of the "rebels," who were accused of many robberies, train wreck and other crime. The Irish Catholic bishops la sued a statement strongly' Indorsing the treaty with England, and utteiilv is ally condemning repuhllcun militar ism. W A It NEK by kfivat Watson that It would hefWk?""hlcr the house soldiers' Ih.iiuii ause .... . w, i . the President would certainly veto It -he had Just been talking with Mr. Harding the Kcpuhllcan members if the senate ftiiiilii-e committee lut week began islderutieii of a new bill formulated by Senator Mh 'umber. Il outstanding feature Is that It would repilre an outlay net year estimated at imiisi, as compared with the Treasury department's estimate of j:ui,ii,iv required by the house hill. Kepreseiilutlvea of the American Le gion were consulted, but Seemed to p-efer the house measure. AN AFTEItM ATII of the West Vir ginia ital Held war of l'.CI, thai trial of nine miner union oltl iuls and member on churge of treason, ha oH'iied In Charles Town. W. Va. The most prominent i f the defendant art) C r rank Keeney, president, ami Frank Mooiio), secretary of district 17. For ty four other are accused of treusoo and many others of murder and con spiracy. Nome of these have not been arrested and some have obtuined change of venue. After notions to quash the Indictments hail beeu denied the court ruled for sepurate trials and William lllizzard. known aa "gonenil of the march against Logan," i so le, ted a the first defendant. IJHESll'ENT IIAKl'I.Ni: I working out a plan for settling the coal strike and preventing future atrlkea, and which he hope will serve to sta bilize the industry. lctalla of the scheme have not been given out, but It I known that it not Include fedi-rul supervision of the coul Indus try, but provides for a standing com mission einiowerel to deal with wage issues ami oilier dispute a they aria. FEI'EKAL aid for the upbuilding and .level, pinetit of the American merchant murine is given approval by I lie .Vint in all I arm llureuil federation, which lion wired President Marling a follow s : "While opposed to any subaldy oa principle, we realize the necessity for developing the American merchant ma rine us navul auxiliary ami a an agent In the development of foreign trade. We approve uld teiuMirarlly until our ling iuii be established, on the high sea, but no longer. Subsidies, like tariff, should be flexible, and nia continue ufter Industry become self supporting. If subsidy be supported on navul ground it la essential that men hunt ships he available and used for training of naval reserves." Just now our merchant marine Is engaged In a little rate war with the Lamport K lb It line of (Ireat Hrttuln. which slushed p.isscnger rute to Smith America. Chairman I.asker of the shipping board Immediately made a cut below the Lamport & lblt rat and told lliut tlriu be was In the fight to a finish. Needs 1 -vl ' iwhumi iiswvismsmsi ii '1