Japan by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 15, 1910

Japan

By I. H. Evans

I. H. EVANS

July 6, in company with Brethren F. W. Field and F. H. DeVinney, I left Tokyo for Kobe, where we were to hold a five days’ meeting. About four hours’ ride south of Tokyo we stopped over one night at Numazu, where had been found favorable locations for the sanitarium and school, which we hope soon to have for Japan. It was raining so hard that it was impracticable to see the various locations which had been thought suitable for our work. We visited the places the best we could in jinrikishas; but there was so much rain and fog that it was impossible to appreciate the beauties of the scenery.

The next day we proceeded to Kobe, reaching there about nine o’clock that night. We were heartily welcomed by many of the believers, including the helpers in the sanitarium. Brother De Vinney and myself were taken to the sanitarium for accommodations, while Brother Field went home with Brother and Sister J. N. Herboltzheimer.

The workers in the sanitarium had been long looking for our arrival, and all were anxious to see Brother DeVinney, who had come to take an active part in the work in Japan. The managers had done everything in their power to make our stay agreeable and pleasant. A well-furnished room was prepared for our reception, and supplied with every convenience; and during our entire stay they insisted we should be served with food after the foreign (that is, the European) style. This added much to the labor of those doing the work, but it was greatly appreciated.

Meetings were held at 6 A. M., 2 P. M., and 8 P. M. They were attended by nearly all the church-members, and the hearts of the workers were greatly encouraged. The last evening four arose for baptism, thus expressing a desire to join the church.

It was a great pleasure to me to meet once more these children of the Lord. Scarcely one in the company of believers had given up the truth since I last met with them two years ago. The church-membership is increasing; and notwithstanding that all the foreign workers except Brother and Sister Herboltzheimer have left Kobe, the attendance at the Sabbath services seems to be on the increase.

Much literature has been distributed by the canvassers in Kobe and vicinity, and there is some interest to hear concerning the truth.

The sanitarium in Kobe is doing a splendid work for the Japanese. It is built for the Japanese, and is run according to the customs of the country. When we arrived, every room was taken except the room fitted up for foreigners, which had been reserved for us. Before we left, the patients had come in so rapidly that several had to be accommodated in one room. The prospects are most encouraging for a good patronage this summer and fall. The institution is becoming known among the higher classes, and several persons from the royalty have lately been numbered among its patients. Men of wealth have been so well pleased with the good work it is doing that they have interested themselves in bettering the conditions of the institution. One wealthy man hires a room by the year, and sends any one he chooses at any time to occupy it. Another felt so kindly disposed that he hired a plat of ground adjoining the sanitarium, and loaned it without charge to the institution for five years. Another, learning that the sanitarium had to have some money, loaned it over six thousand yen to help meet a demand made upon it. Thus friends are rising up on every side, and the work of the institution is growing.

We found the spiritual interest very encouraging. This sanitarium seeks to win its patients to accept Christianity and to become believers in the message. All who come find most of the helpers and inmates sincere, earnest Christians; and as they receive relief from their physical maladies, they often find their faith in the Christian religion greatly strengthened by beholding the godly lives of this Christian family. Surely this institution is a light set upon a hill, enlightening the benighted souls about it with a knowledge of the gospel of the Great Physician. One is strongly impressed with the gentleness, the sympathy, the Christian charity, of this band of workers. There are about twenty in the family of helpers, and all seem united in love, and of one purpose,—to make the sanitarium do its work well, and be an instrument in bringing many souls to Christ.

Dr. Noma stands at the head of the sanitarium, and she is most anxious that it shall do the work the Lord designs for it. Dr. Arita, from Tokyo, is also connected with the work there, and is doing all he can for the upbuilding of the cause in Kobe.

After spending five days in Kobe,—which were altogether too few,—we were compelled to leave for Hiroshima to attend the general meeting beginning July 13. It was with regret that we said good-by to the workers, and we left them feeling that we were leaving a group of devoted children of the Lord.

It is wonderful what Christianity will do for people in a few years. Only a short time ago, most of these workers were heathen. They came to the sanitarium for various reasons; and now there is a family of earnest, praying, believing Christians. They not only believe in Christianity, but they try to live the Christian life. Before the patients they set a daily example of what the Christian life should be. Dr. Noma’s work, supplemented as it is by her husband and her faithful corps of workers, means much to the influence of Christianity in and about Kobe. We trust the Lord’s rich blessing will abide with the work in the sanitarium.

Kobe, July 29.