This finding aid is made available for public use following the Universal 1.0 Public Domain Dedication Creative Commons designation.
This collection is open for research.
Onsite storage.
Deposited in the Missionary Research Library before 1922, these records were accessioned by the Burke Library at the time of the MRL's closure in 1976.
Also available on microfilm (Burke Library holds both positive and negative copies of microfilm).
This collection is arranged in 5 series: Series 1: Journals; Series 2: Correspondence; Series 3: Sermons; Series 4: Korea missions; and Series 5: Korea general.
A pioneer Methodist missionary to Korea, Henry Gerhard Appenzeller was born in Sonderton, PA on February 6, 1858. In 1882 he graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA and continued his education at Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, NJ. In 1879 he married Ella Dodge. In 1884 the Methodist Episcopal Board of Missions appointed Appenzeller to Korea, and he arrived a year later. He settled in Seoul and served as assistant superintendent of the Mission from its foundation until 1887, when he became full superintendent. In 1886 he founded the Pai Chai School in Seoul, working as the principal for many years. He gained fluency with the Korean language and joined the Board of Bible Translators. He also served as pastor of the Union Church in Seoul. With Rev. Ohlinger Appenzeller established the Methodist Printing House and became editor of The Korean Review, successor to the Korean Repository. Appenzeller was a traveler, explorer, teacher, organizer and evangelist. He died in a shipwreck on June 11, 1902.
Missionary Research Library Archives: MRL8, Korea
Item description, MRL8: Henry Gerhard Appenzeller papers, series #, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.
Metal clips and staples were removed from materials and folded items were flattened. Materials were placed in new acid-free folders and boxes. Acidic items were separated from one another by interleaving with acid-free paper as needed. Any items in an advanced state of deterioration were placed in Mylar envelopes. In 2014, the collection was updated as part of the Henry Luce Foundation grant. The collection retains original item numbering from the Missionary Research Library and the numbers are retained thus ( ) in the Finding Aid.(Please see Burke Library staff for additional legacy information regarding pre-2014 arrangement of this collection.) The finding aid was created by Aram Bae in 2007, reviewed and updated by Brigette C. Kamsler in 2014 with the support of the Henry Luce Foundation, and edited by Leah Edelman in 2025.
Appenzeller's papers represent the early history of Protestant missionary work in Korea, specifically its Methodist beginnings, and reveal his support for the independence of Korea. The collection includes journals, notebooks, correspondence, sermons, and articles.
Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.
This series is open for research.
As the journals are extremely fragile, researchers are requested to use the microfilm copies rather than the originals.
This series is arranged chronologically.
This series consists of ten journals, dating from 1883 – 1901, which contain personal entries, field observations, and Korean language practices.
May 24, 1883-Sep 1897 (6); 1885-1895 (7-9); Apr 25, 1886-Mar 15, 1888 (1), Jun 15, 1892-Jan 24, 1893; Jun 14, 1898 (2); Dec 17, 1894-Apr 1896, Re: Korean Repository (10); Apr 2, 1894-Dec 26, 1900 (3); Sept 23, 1898-Nov 2, 1901 (4-5)
This series is open for research.
Letter Copy books in this series are not accessible because of extreme fragility. Researchers are requested to use the microfilm copies.
This series is arranged roughly chronologically.
This series contains four large letter copy books containing letters sent by Appenzeller,including a few by Ella Dodge Appenzeller. Correspondence topics include his appointment to Korea, creation and publication of the Korean Repository, Methodist mission board, diplomatic relations, and the independence of Korea. Letters are sent to prominent leaders in foreign missionary work such as J.M. Reid, C. H. Fowler, G. H. Jones, A. B. Leonard, H. N. Allen, W. B. Scranton and S. A. Moffett.
Letter book (fragile), Apr 25, 1885-Nov 28, 1899 (11); Letter book (fragile), Feb 25, 1887-Oct 17, 1893; including letters from Ella Dodge Appenzeller (12); Letter book (fragile), Aug 7, [1887?], May 12, 1894-Dec 31, 1898 (13); Letter book (fragile), Nov 29, 1899-Jan 9, 1902 (14)
Letter Copy books in this series are not accessible because of extreme fragility. Researchers are requested to use the microfilm copies.
Undated Correspondence: W.B. Scranton to H.G.A. (15), [Ch.W.L?] to H.G.A. (16)
J. M. Reid to H.G.A., New York City, Sep 5, 1884 (17), Oct 17, 1884 (18), Nov 20, 1884 (19), Dec 1, 1884 (20), Dec 17, 1884 (21), Dec 20, 1884 (22) C. H. Fowler to H.G. A., Chicago, Jan 2, 1885 (23) J. M. Reid to H.G. A., Jan 12, 15, 20, 1885 (24-26); J. Hayakawa to H.G.A., San Francisco, CA, Jan 11, 1888 (27) J.Ross to H.G.A., [New?], Mar 26, 1888 (28) C. H. Fowler to Hugh A. Dinsmore, Seoul, Sep 27, 1888 (29); H. N. Allen to H.G.A., Apr 1891 (30) H.G.A. to Dr. McGill, Nov 23, 1891 (31) H.G.A. to Dr Niles, [Nov 1891?] (32) J. T. Gracey to H.G.A., Rochester, NY, Dec 12, 1892 (33) Hulbert to H.G.A., Jamesville, Jun 25, 1893 (34) George H. Jones to H.G.A., Chemulpo, Sep 28, 1893 (35); G. H. Jones to H.G.A., Chemulpo, Jun 29, 1894 (37), Jul 19, 1894 (38), Jul 21, 1894 (39), Jul 25, 1894 (40), Jul 27, 1894 (41), Jul 28, 1894 (42), Aug 2, 1894 (43), Aug 4,1894 (44) H. Loomis to H.G.A., Kobe, Japan, Oct 31, 1894 (45); W. B. Scranton to H.G.A., Seoul, Feb 19, 1895 (46) H.G.A. to W. B. Scranton, Seoul, Feb 19, 1895 (47) [O. N. Denny?] to H.G.A., Portland, OR, Mar 30, 1895 (48) E. C. Pauling to H.G.A., Seoul, Jul 15, 1895 (49) [Suchida?] to H.G.A., Seoul, Aug 2, 1896 (50) Korean Independence Club to H.G.A., Seoul, Nov 14, 1896 (51); [Ch.W.A?] to H.G.A., [Chawal?], Nov 30, 1894 (52) S. A. Moffett to H.G.A., [1895?] (53) Jas S. Gore to H.G.A., Gensan, Jun 22, 1895 (54) S. F. Moore to H.G.A., [Jul 8, 1895?] (55), Jul 9, [1895?] (56) G. H. Jones to H.G.A., Chemulpo, Jul 31, 1895 (57)
G. H. Jones to H.G. Appenzeller (58, 59) B. H. Chamberlain to H.G.A., Tokyo, Nov 14, 1894 (60) Mrs. John R. Kieffer to H.G.A., Lancaster, PA, Jan 4, 1895 (61) D. B. Schneder to H.G.A., Sendai, Jan 28, 1895 (62) D. S. Spencer to H.G.A., Nagoya, Apr 15, 1895 (63) E. Hioki to H.G.A., [Seoul?], Jul 19, 1895 (64) F. [Kriens?] to H.G.A., Seoul, Aug 7, 1895 (65) E. Hioki to H.G.A., Sep 9, 1895 (66) [Y. Martel?] to H.G.A. in French, Seoul, Dec 13, 1898 (67) D. L. Gifford to H.G.A., Seoul, Dec 23, 1898 (68)
H.G.A. to A. B. Leonard (69) H.G.A. to A. B.Leonard, Seoul, Jun 3, 1895 (70) H.G.A. to A. B. Leonard, Chefoo, China, Jul 22, 1896 (71)
W. B. Scranton to H.G.A., Seoul, Sep 28, 1898 (75), Oct 12, 1898 (76- 78) H.G.A. to W. B. Scranton, Seoul, Oct 13, 1898 (79) W. B. Scranton to H.G.A., Seoul, Oct 13, 1898 (80) Mrs. Fannie Allen to H.G. A. (81)
John M. B. Sill to US citizens resident in Korea, Seoul, May 11, 1897 (82) H. N. Allen to H.G.A., Seoul, Oct 19, 1898 (83) H.G.A. to Minister of Education, Seoul, Nov 5, 1898 (84) H. N. Allen to H.G.A., Seoul, Nov 5, 1898 (85) H.G.A. to H. N. Allen, Seoul, Nov 5, 1898 (86) H.N Allen to H.G.A., Seoul, Nov 20, 1898 (87) H.G.A. to H. N. Allen, Seoul, Nov 20, 1898 (88) H. N. Allen to H.G.A., Seoul, Dec 6, 1898 (89), Dec 9, 1898 (90), Feb 3, 1899 (91), Nov 30, 1899 (92)
K. [Golo?] to H.G.A., Port Arthur, Nov [15 & 27?], 1898 (93) W. F. Sands to H.G.A., Seoul, Nov 6, 1899 (94) H.G.A. to W. F. Sands, [Seoul?], Nov 6, 1899 (95) G. H. Jones to H.G.A., Chemulpo, Jun 3, 1899 (96) W. H. Emberley to H.G.A., Seoul, Aug 10, 1899 (97-98)
D. L. Gifford to Mrs. Appenzeller, Seoul, Sep 26 & 29, 1898 (99) H.G.A. "Circular List," Seoul, Sep 29, 1898 (100) H.G.A. "Circular List," Seoul, (101) H.G.A. to [?], Seoul, Oct 18, 1898 (102) D. L. Gifford to H.G.A., Seoul, Oct 27, 1898 (103) A. M. Brooks to H.G.A., Seoul, Jun 16, 1899 (104) Philip Jaisahn to H.G.A., Philadelphia, PA, Sep 11, 1899 (105)
This series is open for research.
This series is arranged chronologically.
This series contains over forty sermons by Appenzeller. The majority of the sermons were preached at Union Church in Seoul. Other sermons were delivered in the United States, such as at Grace Reformed Church in PA, Leidy's Reformed Church, Drew Seminary Chapel, Franklin and Marshall Chapel, and several in Green Village, NJ. Funeral addresses for Ms. Jacobson, Clarence R. Greathouse, and Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Clifford, including one given by H. G. Underwood are included.
Missing pages 1-3 (106) Joh 20:27, "Thomas, the Sceptic" (107); Isa 33:17, Funeral address for Miss Jacobson, Seoul (108) Joh 13:23, "Power of the Cross," Grace Ref. Church, Philadelphia, PA, Oct 1, 1883 (109); Mat 28:6, "Risen Lord", Green Village, NJ, Apr 13, 1884 (110) 1 Cor 15:35, "The Resurrection of the Dead," Green Village, NJ, Apr 13, 1884 (111); Rom 8:29-30, "Predestination," Green Village, NJ, Jun 15, 1884 (112) Mat 25:1-13, "Ten Virgins," Green Village, NJ, Aug 2, 1884 (113); Mic 6:8, "God's Requirement of His People," Green Village, NJ, Aug 24, 1884 (114) Jer 8:20, "Neglected Opportunities," Green Village, NJ, Sep 7, 1884 (115) Joh 7:1, "Jesus Walked in Galilee," Green Village, NJ, Sep 9, 1884 (116); 2 Tim 2:3, "Christian Soldier," Green Village, NJ, Sep 21, 1884 (117) 1 Tim 1:15, missing: p 6-8, Drew Sem. Chapel, Madison NJ, Oct 1, 1884 (118)
1 Cor 15:35, "Resurrected Body," Union Church, Seoul, Apr 10, 1887(119)Heb 6:18-19, "Anchor of the Soul," Union Church, Seoul, Jun 19, 1887(120); Act 2:22, "Miracles," Union Church, Seoul, Nov 6, 1887 (121); Psa 144:15, "Thanksgiving…," Union Church, Seoul, Nov 24, 1887 (122); Jud 3, "Contesting the Faith," Union Church, Seoul, Mar 4, 1888 (123); Joh 11:25, "Raising of Lazarus," Union Church, Seoul, Jul 1, 1888 (124); Joh 9:25, "Experimental Religion," Union Church, Seoul, Nov 25, 1888(125)Mat 1:23, "Emmanuel," Union Church, Seoul, Dec 25, 1888 (126)
2 Cor 4:7, "Treasure in Earthen Vessels," Union Church, Seoul, Feb 3,1889 (127)Mat 25:46, "Eternal Punishment," Union Church, Seoul, Apr 7, 1889 (128); [Psa 8:4?], "Man – What?" Union Church, Seoul, Oct 13, 1889 (129)Psa 50:5, "Gathering of Saints," Union Church, Seoul, 1890 (130); Joh 16: 7-11, "Work and Office of the Holy Spirit," Union Church, Seoul,Feb 2, 1890 (131)Job 19:25, "Job's Redeemer," Union Church, Seoul, Apr 6, 1890 (132); Lev 25:10, "Proclaiming liberty throughout the land," Oct 14, 1891 (133)Mat [24?], "What Mean These Stones," Union Church, Seoul, Nov 26,1891 (134)
Isa 44:3, "Revivals," Union Church, Seoul, Jan 3, 1892 (135) 2 Sam 14:14, Union Church, Seoul, Feb 7, 1892 (136); Mat 6:19, "Our Father," Union Church, Seoul, May 29, 1892 (137) Mar 4, "Parable of the Sower," Leidy's Ref. Church, Jul 31, 1892 (138); Num 13:27-30, "Report of the Spies," Lebanon, CO, Sep 25, 1892 (139) 1 Cor 1:23-24, "We Preach Christ Crucified," Franklin & Marshall Chapel, Jan 15, 1893 (140); Mat 6:10, "Kingdom of God," Union Church, Seoul, Jul 12, 1896 (141) Luk 24:34, "Lord is Risen," Union Church, Seoul, Apr 2, 1899 (142); Joh 12:32, Funeral address for Clarence R. Greathouse, Union Church, Seoul, Oct 23, 1899 (143) Joh 3, "Regeneration," Union Church, Seoul, 1900 (144); 1 Joh 3:2, "Adoption," Union Church, Seoul, Mar 16, 1902 (148); Funeral address for D. L. Clifford, First M. E. Church, Seoul, Apr 16, 1900 (145) Funeral address for Mrs. D. L. Clifford by H. G. Underwood, First M. E. Church, Seoul, May 8, 1900 (146) Funeral address for Mrs. D. L. Clifford in Korean, First M. E. Church, Seoul, May 8, 1899 (147)
This series is open for research.
This series is arranged roughly chronologically.
This series contains addresses given by Appenzeller in Korea, essays on the beginnings of Methodist missionary work in Seoul, sermon notes, notes on missionary life, and short stories.
Faiths of Rome (149) Missions in Korea (150) Presbyterian and Methodist Missions in Korea, address to the Missionary Conference, Seoul, Mar 1888 (151)
Native Inquirers, address read before the Society for Christian Endeavor, Seoul, Jan 18, 1889 (152) Mission in Korea, address to the Mission of the Presbyterian Church (North) in Korea, Aug 30, 1897 (153) Bible in the Twentieth Century, Union Church, Seoul, May 6, 1900
Korea: The Field, our Work and our Opportunity, Philadelphia, PA, Jan 2, 1901 (155)
Essays: Beginnings of Methodist missionary work in Korea, 1886 (156)
Beginnings of Methodist missionary work in Korea, [188?] (157)
Epistle to the Romans, [188?] (158) Missions in Korea, [188?] (159-163)
Methodist Missions in Korea [1889?] (164)
A Missionary Journey in Korea, 1899 (165), written by A. A. Pieters. [Alexander A. Pieters Journey to Quelpart Island in Korea, written in 1899]
Women in Korea, [18??] (166)
Rules of Comity and Cooperation, Korea Presbyterian and Methodist Missions, [Seoul?], May 23 and 27, 1892, revised Feb 3, 1893 (167) Memorial Service: William James Hall, Seoul, Nov 27, 1894 (168)
"C.D," [1885?] (169) Frowzle-head (170) Kim's conversion, persecution, imprisonment, preaching, [1893?] (171) Korean kite-flying (172)
This series is open for research.
This series is arranged roughly chronologically.
This series contains general items including an editorial piece for the Korean Repository, notes on the history of Korean dynasties, Korean names, international relations with China and Japan, and a report on the health of Seoul by Dr. H.N. Allen. Other items include correspondences from R.H. Shufeldt, conversation notes with Mr. E. Hioke, an address delivered on Founder's Day, and loose papers from various dates.
"A few things accomplished," Editorial, Korean Repository (173) Notes on Dynasties of Korea, [1887?] (174)
Notes on Korean names, missing pp 1,10,12,14,18,19,21 (175) Notes on relations of Korea and China (176-177)
Report on the Health of Seoul, by Dr. H.N.Allen, Medical Reports No. 30, Apr-Sep 1885 (178)
American Treaty with Korea, by R.H. Shufeldt (USN admiral) Seoul, Jan 29, 1887 (179) Opening of Korea, correspondence of Admiral Shufeldt, The Sunday Chronicles, handwritten copy, Oct 30, 1887 (180)
Notes on the Climate of Korea, by C.W., Seoul, 1891 (181) Report of Conversation between Mr. E. Hioke and H.G.A. at the Japanese Legation, Seoul, Oct 12, 1895 (182) Programs, Fourth of July Celebration, Seoul, 1896 (183)
Obligations of Foreign Residents to Korea, address delivered at Founder's Day before the Independence Club, Seoul, Aug 13, 1897 (184) Loose papers, various dates (185)