The Words of the Hwang Family |
Won
Chin Hwang
On October 29th in 1954, after morning chapel, I was walking down the slope of the open theatre in Yonsei University (operated under the Methodist Mission in Korea), to attend the morning lecture, Mr. Yoo Kyung Kyoo, my fellow student, and Christian brother in Ssang Moon Methodist Church in Seoul, gave me a tap on the shoulder behind me, saying "Do you have any delight in your Christian faith?" Hearing my answer, that though there was no contentment, but as there is some scanty faith in church, I would keep going church, he asked me to talk with him in a nearby grove. I accepted his proposal in expectation of bringing my gloomy heart to a fresh way, and there was a dialogue on the wet fallen leaves.
He said, "Do you think God created Adam and Eve grownup persons?" "Does the forbidden fruit mean fruit to eat?" And for my question, "How can it be possible for an invisible God to create universe?" he couldn't answer, and only said he knew of a great teacher who was capable of making sure of all things.
For my part, he was a sportsman and leader of hymnal party, merry and active, and had a liking for eating and playing. But since the previous summer, he had turned into a trustworthy believer.
When he asked me to hear the lecture right then, it crossed my mind that I could study this world anytime, but there might seldom be a gift from Heaven, so I made up my mind to follow him, taking a bag with lunch.
I was led to a low, shabbily thatched but above the hills of Changchoong Gymnasium, (south eastern part of Seoul).
It was about six months from the foundation of the Association on May 1st, 1954.
There was a four-cornered signboard saying "Seoul Church, Holy Spirit Association for Unification of World Christianity" on the wall of the hut, with hand-reaching eaves facing the path.
We entered the gate, lower than my shoulder with our heads down, and found other two gates a few steps inside. When we entered the garden, a woman welcomed us and we saw several middle-aged men and women cutting photographs. In about a two Pyong wide parlor (l Pyong = 3.30 sq. m). A gentleman lying down exchanged greetings with us, and he called himself Mr. Eu Hyo Won. After some questions and answers on faith, he began to lecture the Principle of Creation. Originally I had been lost in meditation and flattered myself that I had been seeking for the day when happiness would come to the poor people in this country. A few hours after the lecture, I found the same thoughts and contentions that I had.
When I was heading through the door to the toilet, a young man in a hemp sack jacket saw me and, said "What's the reason of your coming here? You are to study hard, aren't you?" Then, Mr. Eu said to him in a respectful attitude, "This student heard the lecture thoughtfully. He is a brilliant junior in mathematical department, Yon Hee College (The original name of the present Yonsei University)."
I judged the lecturer, the great teacher, in view of his personal appearance and the content of the lecture, but instantly we could easily judge the young man, the founder of the Principles from the atmosphere.
It seemed to me to have found my life's work, living and purpose.
In the evening service, there gathered several persons in both sides, centering around the Teacher [Sun Myung Moon] (35 years old at that time) He asked a girl student of Yonsei University to tell what she had received from spirit world, and she said as follows.
"Going up higher staircases I found thrones in two layers shining brightly, and there was Jesus in the lower throne whereas there was a young man, who was our Leader, in the upper one, who was not yet crowned."
Anyhow, it was shocking news to me, who had believed in Jesus conventionally for more than 10 years. At the moment it crossed into my mind, as a revelation that if it wasn't true there would be breaking or negation but once one negates or destructs, it would get out of hand. The Teacher said "There is no wonder that whoever hears such a saying regards us as heretical. The time will soon come to us when all the nations throughout the world will offer tribute to Korea. But there are very few people who know it."
Every day I went to the church after school, to hear the lectures.
In the third evening since I heard the lecture, I dreamed there was a mammoth hall shining brightly where a white-dressed group had a grand feast around the table. When I entered the hall, I heard a voice from Heaven saying "You took part in the feast for the Second Coming Messiah."
On the third morning since I touched the principles, I went to church to see and hear from a spiritualist named Kwon Chang Rim, 50 years old from Taejon. He carried a scroll of revelation he had received from God.
When he asked what the Unification Church was, a voice came from God that the church is Noah's Ark and he should enter the Ark prior to the closing. If he would not enter, death would soon come to him.
On the next morning, the first Sunday, I attended morning service. Though the church was so narrow as to admit only 30 persons to kneel down, there was such a solemn and pious atmosphere, it was too much for all the members, including the preaching Leader, to be able to restrain, a feeling of sadness and tears sprang up from the first to the last.
Realizing that they couldn't keep the tears back when they experienced God's seething and writhing heart, in agony for the ignorance of Jewish people, of the Providential curvature, I an existing believer, came to join in shedding tears also.
When the service was over in over three hours, tears filled the floor.