Do you remember the long reign we were studying last time? At age 90, he mentally and physically collapses. And in the very year America is born, 1776, he dies. You can readily see the difference in the ages of our peoples by noticing that 1776 is considered modern history to a Korean, while only birth-day to us.

His grandson, Chong-jong takes the throne and immediately there is an assassination attempt. The new King is forced to kill his own brother in the confusion that follows.

A ray of light and hope. A Korean scholar finds a "Christian work", and takes with him certain disciples to a mountain retreat to study it. They are so enamored by what they hear that many begin to follow Christ in secret. Much like today in North Korea.

Since the Roman aberration is all that is available to Chosun at this early time, an emissary is sent to Peking to get light on Catholicism from missionaries working with the Chinese. He is initiated into the Roman way. He brings back books, crosses, images. After that, there is a rapid spread of Catholicism from Seoul southward.

But in 1785 the minister of justice takes a stand against the Roman Church. Many converts decide they are not interested. In 1786, it is denounced as a bad religion. Roman materials are not allowed into the country.

As that decade wears on, cholera strikes the nation in epidemic proportions. Perhaps half of the population of Seoul is cut down by this enemy, including the infant crown prince.

Meanwhile the king must endure yet another conspiracy, this time to put his half-brother on the throne.

Romanism continues its pursuits, met in 1791 by severe persecution. While there are indeed defections due to this pressure, there are others who fall away because of the ingrained doctrine of ancestor worship. Rome makes it known that this practice will not be countenanced. The King then weighs in on the ongoing belittling of the new religion by labeling it "deceiving" . He is in fact advised to annihilate Roman Catholics. Instead, he chooses to elevate Confucianism and allow the fittest religion to survive.

Hulbert says: "This is all that Christianity asks in any land, and the opposition of it by force has been and always will be an acknowledgement of inferiority." It also usually results in more Christians and more churches either in the land or elsewhere.

The King, though somewhat committed to his ideal, cheats here and there by refusing Christian books into the country. And actually killing some Christians.

In 1792, Rome becomes what Rome must become, a political entity. The Pope says that the Korean (Catholic) church is under the Bishop of Peking. I'm sure the Korean throne relishes this insinuation that China is to rule some of its citizens.

There is general prosperity in Korea at this time, even a population increase. But 2 years later there is once more a terrible famine, in the south and central regions.

1794. As we continue to trace the predecessors of Bible Christianity, we now see a Roman Catholic priest (Tsiou) crossing the Yalu River from China. He is arrested but he escapes. Two of his companions are put to death. It's a slow go for Rome, unable to wield its sword in these conditions. There are about 400 Roman Catholics now, but soon this number increases to 6000.

As the 19th century is ushered in yet another king dies, and another son is made heir. He is Sun-jo. As he is an infant his Grandmother takes over, as she has done for her son.