A few weeks ago, I had just come home from work and had sat down to eat my late dinner. The phone rang and what I knew was an elderly woman asked if I knew the missionary man L. Haskell Chesshir. Of course I said yes and told her I was one of his sons. She told me a bit of her story and I found out that she was related to my dad's second wife. After a bit of hearing what her life was about she said, "I have something that you may want. Do you mind if I send it to you?" What a blessing! I had no idea that my dad had written an article for a book that was published in 1958! Two years after I was born and four years after the family had first landed in Korea. It's been three years since dad died and when I read the the opening paragraphs of the article, it was like having him right here beside me again, reminding me of the call.Here are the first two paragraphs of the article.
Korea - High and Clear
By L. Haskell Chesshir
Korea, a beautiful concentration of mountains and valleys, is called by the Chinese "High and Clear". It's former name, Chosun, means, "Land of the Morning Calm". In past ages the sages of Korea often trudged slowly to a secluded place of prayer guarded by jagged hills on every side. These silent meditations have created in the Korean heart a respect for age and learning. Jesus "went up into a mountain" to teach his disciples.
At the close of World War II the same temperament and hopes were found in the Korean people that Christ found amoung the Jews in Palestine. They were looking for a "deliverer" from Japanese bondage, just as the Jews from Rome. They had developed a strong nationalism and a frenzied hate for the Japanese and the Communists. Among these people, as among the Jews, there are many who expect to be led by a great leader to victory, freedom and peace. But history has recorded and the New Testament teaches that peace and freedom are found only in Christ, and victory in war never wins what we hope for. Koreans have suffered from all the evils that befall man and from all the needs of both physical and the spiritual man. They need peace and freedom in Christ.
4 comments:
What an incredibly precious gift... blessings, john
That's wonderful, Mark. I can imagine what such a find might mean to you. Thanks for sharing it with us. I can hear your dad's voice in it.
That is just so cool....enjoy
Thanks all. Just had to share it with you! My dad was the greatest man (except for your dad's of course!)and after 45 years of life...he still thought and talked about Korea and all that could still be accomplished by sharing the Gospel with the world. Amazingly, some in our family have now been going to North Korea and my dad said we would get to do that one day. Wish he were here to go with them. I miss that old Texan!
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