알렌의 의료 선교사 지원과 내한 배경

Abstract

On the occasion of introduction of Protestantism in Korea 130 years ago, this article deals with the early history of the Korea Mission of the Presbyterian Church of the U. S. A. by analysing the primary materials regarding the first protestant missionary, Dr. Horace N. Allen, which were not cited by other researchers before. The backgrounds for applying himself as a medical missionary by Dr. Allen could be summarized as the followings. First, Dr. Allen, as a descent American patriot, had a very independent characters. Second, the Delaware Presbyterian Church had a proud tradition on the foreign missions, and Dr. Allen was influenced, especially by Rev. Abram D. Hawn. Third, he was greatly influenced by the atmosphere of the Ohio Wesleyan University. Fourth, he was influenced by Dr. John McDowell, who had up-to-date knowledges on medicine during his medical courses. Fifth, Dr. Allen married to Frances Messenger who was calm and assisted her husband. Next, the backgrounds for transferring Dr. Allen from China to Korea were as the followings. Dr. Allen sailed from San Francisco on Sept. 1st, 1883, but due to a severe sea-sick of Mrs. Allen, he had forced to stay in Nanzing and Shanghai rather than continuing their trip to original destination Chinanfoo. After his arrival in China Dr. Stephen A. Hunter of Chinanfoo changed his intention to resign, and this created an awkward situation for two doctors, especially Dr. Allen, since originally only one doctor was allowed per mission station. Even more, Dr. Hunter worked harder than before after not getting permission to go to Korea, especially from other missionaries of the Station and Executive Meeting of Board of Foreign Missions(BFM), which he asked at the meeting of Shuntung-Beijing Station on Dec. 14th, 1883. Dr. Allen relocated to Shanghai on Jan. 7th, 1884, and was deeply worried about his future in China as a medical missionary. Dr. Edward Henderson suggested him to go to Korea and grow with the country. Dr. Allen sent a letter on June 6th to Joseph Haas, an officer of Korean Customs, to ask about the necessity of foreign doctors in Korea. Finally Dr. Allen sent a letter on June 9th to the BFM for getting permission to visit Korea. But there was no position for Dr. Allen in the American Legation in Seoul, then he sent a letter again to the Board to declare his abandonment to go to Korea. But, Dr. Allen surprisingly received the cablegram from the BFM allowing his visit to Korea. Initial transfer of Dr. Allen to Korea was decided by the secretary, Frank F. Ellinwood, but the Executive Meeting of the BFM had approved the decision on Sept. 8th, 1884. By this decision, the Korea Mission of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America was established.