Our Work in Tokyo by I. H. EVANS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 8, 1910

Our Work in Tokyo

By I. H. EVANS

I. H. EVANS

AFTER seventeen days on the sea, we reached the harbor of Yokohama, Japan, on the morning of June 24. We were cheered by the sight of Brethren F. W. Field, W. D. Burden, T. H. Okohira, and other Japanese who had come to give us welcome. The day was spent in landing and passing the customs, so it was Sabbath when we reached the homes of the brethren.

Sabbath morning it was my privilege to speak to the church in Tokyo, which holds its meetings in the spacious living-room of Brother Burden’s home. There were forty-six in attendance, among them many new believers, who were not with us two years ago when I met with this little company. Unity and love prevail, and there is no reason why the number of believers should not soon be greatly increased. During the years our work has been carried on in Japan, no special effort has ever been made to get the truth before the people of Tokyo. Some of our workers have lived in Japan nearly fourteen years; but as there are few foreigners in Tokyo, the work undertaken had to be done largely through an interpreter, when done by our foreign workers; and our Japanese workers have been so busily engaged in answering the calls elsewhere that they have never found it possible to make an extended effort in behalf of this great and needy city.

FRONT VIEW OF LOT IN TOKYO—MEN STANDING ON ROAD
ABOVE LOT — FRONT VIEW OF LOT IN TOKYO—MEN STANDING ON ROAD ABOVE LOT

Tokyo is not only the capital and the metropolis of Japan, but it is the largest city of the far East, having a population of over two million five hundred thousand, and ranking among the great cities of the world. Improvements are constantly being made in widening the streets, extending the street-railway lines, and providing for the health and comfort of the rapidly increasing population. The city has one of the best filtration plants to be found anywhere, and supplies its people with pure water at a surprisingly low cost.

Most of the buildings in Japan seem low compared to those of the Western world. Few are more than two stories high, while the great majority of the dwelling-houses are only one story. The streets of the city are always clean, though after rains they are somewhat muddy, owing to the clay and gravel with which they are graded.

REAR VIEW OF LOT — BUILDINGS AT LEFT ON OUR LAND

Last spring our brethren in Japan purchased a small lot, about sixty by one hundred fifty feet. On it are three small, cheap, board houses, the material in which will about pay the expense of their removal. The brethren had in mind the erection of a printing-office, some treatment-rooms, and a church building for the accommodation of the Tokyo church. The accompanying illustrations give two views of the lot, and show part of the buildings on it.

We spent much time in looking for a suitable site for our institutions in Japan; and while we found several which are very favorable for location, we purchased none of them, as no funds were available. The need of suitable buildings for the carrying forward of the work in Japan is very great. At present our printing work, the school for training workers, and the meeting-house for the Tokyo church are all in Brother Burden’s house. The facilities for getting out the printed matter for Japan are most meager. A hand-press, which requires the full strength of a strong man to operate, located in the basement, where both light and ventilation are poor, a small job-press, a very poor paper-cutter, and a small quantity of type, constitute our printing outfit for Japan.

The sale of our denominational literature is already a demonstrated certainty, though the quality of work we have been able to do has been most unsatisfactory to ourselves and to the purchasers as well. Notwithstanding this, the Japanese periodical has a monthly sale of over three thousand copies, while the last special reached a sale of more than ten thousand copies. In order to get this message before fifty million intelligent, thrifty people, there must be facilities with which to print the truth in suitable form. The hearts of our brethren were greatly encouraged by the cheering news that soon a practical printer will join the working forces in Japan. This means much more to our work in this field than many can realize.

Brother and Sister F. H. DeVinney like their new field, and we have no doubt that they will be a blessing in this needy field, and a help to the people for whom they have come to labor.

The last Sabbath I was in Tokyo, the ordinances were celebrated. One dear old brother who is totally blind took part in this sacred service. Sometimes his countenance was almost radiant as, with closed eyes, he listened to the truth. Surely the Lord knows those who are his, and this dear old man will share in the promises made to the “heirs of faith.”

Shanghai, China.