Kyu Chan Kang and Pyongyang east gate church

책 소개

K[Y]UCHAN KANG, THE PHILOSPHERT. Stanley SoltauPastor, K[y]uchan Kang was a Korean scholar of the old school. He was thoroughly versed in the Chinese classics, for he had spend years in memorizing not only the complicated Chinese ideographs, but also the analects of Confucius and Mencius and other Chinese scholars whose ancient philosophies and codes of ethics had strongly influenced Korean life and culture.Pastor Kang had come to know the Lord and for a number of years he was the pastor of an influential church in the city of Pyongyang. It was not one of the largest churches but had a congregation of several hundred. It was an influential church, however, because of the type of people who were attracted by the scholarly preacher. College and high school students as well as men of position and influence were always there to listen to him. I once took an American clergyman to Pastor Kang’s church to attend a service. Obviously, he was not used to speak through an interpreter. I had sent word in advance that I was bringing a guest, and Pastor Kang immediately asked him to preach at the service. I was asked to interpret. After the usual opening exercises, my companion was introduced as a famous quest from a far country and one whose words would bring a great blessing to all. When he began to preach it was painfully evident that he had not prepared his message to meet the needs of such a congregation, or even to be of outstanding interest to them. I did my best to interpret his remarks in such a way as to make them suitable to the circumstances of the people, but felt that I was not successful. My friend also began to realize that he was not getting through to his listeners, and so after a little over ten minutes he concluded his address and sat down. Korean congregations, at least in those days, were quite accustomed to listen to sermons lasting from forty-five minutes to over an hour. I shall not forget the expression on the face of Pastor Kang, as he came over to me and whispered, “Is that all he is going to say? Ask him to preach another sermon, for we cannot close the service this early.” I relayed the request but my friend assured me that he was finished and had nothing more to say so I was requested to say something extemporaneously, to fill up the time.Not long after this, the Independence Movement was started when a number of leading Koreans met in a well-known Korean Restaurant in Seoul encouraged by newspaper reports of the statements made by President Woodrow Wilson concerning the rights of small and subjugated nations. A document was drawn up, demanding independence from Japanese rule, and was signed by thirty-three men, sixteen of whom were leading Christians and pastors, among whom was Pastor Kang. They telephoned the police, handed them the documents and were promptly taken off to prison in the West Gate Jail where they remained for two years.Before leaving on a furlough, I had the rare privilege of gaining permission to visit the West Gate Jail and to see my friend, Pastor Kang. I found him sitting in a large cell with fifty other men, all of whom were engaged in making cigarette cartons for the Japanese Government. Sitting next to my friend, I recognized another well-known pastor from the North and had an opportunity of saying a few words to both of them. I asked them if they were well and told them of my leaving shortly for a visit to the States, assuring them that I would remember them in prayer. With jailors standing close by and listening to every word that was said, nothing of a private or intimate nature could be mentioned; but I came away gladdened that I had been able to see my two friends and felt that my visit had been a source of encouragement and comfort to them.After my furlough was over and I returned to Korea, I was delighted to receive the news that my friends had been released from jail and were back at work in their churches. I was still more gladdened to hear of the testimony that Pastor Kang,…

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