Report From Japan

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 1, 1909

Report From Japan

[F. W. Field, superintendent of the Japan Mission Field, presented, on the afternoon of May 24, the following report.]

The Japanese Mission

The past four years have been years of slow but steady progress for our work in Japan. The conditions in the field have not materially changed. The race which Japan is making for a place among the world's great nations so engrosses the attention of the people that it is difficult to interest them in spiritual things. This is especially true of the people in the centers of population. We find that the more simple-hearted country people are more readily reached with the gospel message.

Our church-membership has increased to about 120, with 4 organized churches; while the scattered Sabbath-keepers number about 20. At the close of last year our native laborers numbered 12, including our 2 ordained ministers, Brethren Okehira and Kuniya, 5 licensed missionaries, and 4 colporteurs or canvassers. Our force of foreign evangelical workers has been increased by the coming of 2 new families. Brethren H. F. Benson and wife came in the summer of 1906, and Brother W. L. Foster and wife arrived last August. This spring Brother Benson plans to locate in Hiroshima, where we have several believers; and this fall Brother Foster will open up the work in the island of Shikoku, with its more than three millions of inhabitants.

EVANGELICAL

In our evangelistic work we have made our first trials at holding tent-meetings. The damp, changeable climate of Japan is hard on tents, and not favorable for camping out. Rain is frequent in spring and summer, so that autumn is the most favorable season for tent-meetings. Our first tent effort was made in a suburb of Tokyo four years ago. The tent-meetings at Takasaki, Maebashi, and Fukushima were preceded by months of labor in the circulation of our literature. The attendance at all these meetings was not large, as the great mass of the people are not accustomed to attending religious meetings, and are quite shy, or else prejudiced against Christianity, or wholly indifferent. Still, a number became interested as a result of these efforts, and several accepted the truth at each place.

MEDICAL WORK

The medical work in Kobe has been continued along the same lines as formerly, with a good degree of patronage and encouraging results. Two years ago Dr. Lockwood retired from the field on account of his wife's health, and Dr. W. C. Duncombe has since had charge of the Kobe Sanitarium. The patronage of this institution has continued good, and it has gained many warm friends, especially among the missionaries. But in our plans, to be mentioned later, for establishing permanent headquarters for our work, it was decided to close the Kobe Sanitarium; and this was done the last of February, this year. When the institution was closed, it had on hand in cash about $750, besides all its equipment and furnishings, a considerable part of which had been paid for out of the earnings. The institution has paid all expenses, and salaries of workers, out of its earnings, except the physician's salary.

The Eisei-in, our native sanitarium, is still under private management, and doing a good work. For a long time the need of more room and better facilities was felt. About a year ago a friend of the institution furnished security for a loan, with which land was purchased, and a new building suited to the needs of the work, was erected. This building was occupied early last summer, and the good work goes on with increased patronage. However, the management find themselves embarrassed by a debt of about $15,000, while they are still in need of further equipment. But they report that under present conditions they have more than paid expenses.

Our publishing work during the past four years has seen some changes in the direction of progress. The work is still carried on in rented rooms in Tokyo. Two years ago we bought a pony cylinder press, on which we have since printed our missionary paper. We also print our Sabbath-school lessons, and some of our tracts; but we still hire considerable of our tract work done. We have changed our paper from a sixteen-page monthly to a twelve-page semi-monthly. Several new tracts have been added to our list of publications, and new editions of old ones issued.

During the past year we have given special attention and effort to the circulation of our literature. Our believers have quite generally been aroused to attempt the sale of our papers and tracts, and it has been shown that these can be sold quite readily. At the close of last year we issued a special illustrated number of our paper, and over four thousand copies were disposed of, most of which were sold in a house-to-house canvass. Even some of the timid sisters were encouraged to attempt the sale of the papers, with very gratifying results. Henceforth we shall have our workers make special effort to sell the papers, instead of loaning so many.

EDUCATIONAL

We still have no permanent training-school in Japan, but we have been doing what we could to train workers. During the winter of 1907 and 1908, Brethren Okehira and Kuniya found time from their other work to conduct regular daily Bible classes, for the benefit of a number of young people, who were seeking a better preparation for the work. This instruction was appreciated, and will doubtless bear fruit.

At our council meeting last fall, we planned a more systematic and extensive educational effort than we had yet undertaken. We decided to hold a three months' training-school during the winter. We called in all our regular workers to attend this school, and also made such arrangements as would enable a number of our young men and women to attend. The school was held from December 7 to February 28, and the attendance was about 40. We gave instruction in topical Bible subjects, the prophecies, physiology and hygiene, church history, English language, vocal music, and practical drill in canvassing. Toward the close of the school, 10 of its members were baptized, 2 of whom accepted the truth as a result of their study in the school. At the close of the school, 8 new workers started out to distribute our literature. From the first their reports have been very encouraging, and indicate that with a little more experience and better publications to work with, the sale of our literature can be made a financial success in Japan. One young brother laboring in Tokyo has been especially successful in the sale of our papers. Another new worker has been equally successful in the sale of our tracts. The stock of several of our tracts has become about exhausted since sending out these new workers, and we are busy getting out new editions. We all feel much encouraged by the impetus given to our work as a result of our brief training-school; and we are praying and planning that we may soon have a permanent school for the training of workers.

The experience of one of our new workers indicates how the Lord is preparing the way for the truth to go even in Japan. Brother Nishino had been reading our literature for some time, and began to observe the Sabbath a short time before our training-school opened. He attended the school throughout, and then offered himself for the work of distributing our literature. He wished to labor near his home, which is in the country not far from Tokyo. But he feared the prejudice in his immediate neighborhood. However, before leaving home to begin his work with the literature, he invited in his friends and neighbors, that he might explain to them the reasons of his faith. The result was that he found an interest far beyond his expectation, and reported that seven had already decided to observe the Sabbath, and that he had decided to follow up the interest instead of going elsewhere to labor. We planned to associate with him Brother Watanabe, one of our experienced workers, and are expecting to see a good work done there.

We have not yet attempted anything in the church-school work; but this is a matter that demands our serious consideration. There are not many children of school age among us yet. At present there are eleven in Tokyo, and hardly as many more elsewhere, with no more than three in any one place. But these should be given the advantages of a Christian education if possible. In planning to open this line of work, a number of difficulties present themselves. Japan has very strict school laws. The first six years of school life are compulsory. A very thorough system of public schools is maintained. But private schools are allowed, under certain restrictions and regulations. The law also allows a family to employ a private tutor, who must be a regularly licensed teacher. It is evident that we could not hope to provide a private teacher for every family having children. Should we attempt to form a private school to which a number of families might send their children, we should have to conform to the regulations governing such schools. One of these regulations requires that a school must employ not fewer than three teachers. The construction of the school building, the size of the play-ground, the course of study, and other details, are subject to government inspection and approval. It will require faith and courage, earnest work and careful planning, to surmount these difficulties, that our Japanese children may be given a Christian education.

The Sabbath-school work in our field has kept pace with the advancement made in other lines. We now have five schools, one in each church, and one at Hiroshima. During the past year we have made an effort to increase our donations by the use of the contribution thermometer; and in at least two of our schools the resulting increase has been very marked. As for lessons, for some time we have been translating the regular senior lessons for our schools. But these lessons, while excellent for our people at home, are hardly adapted to the needs of the people in a country like Japan. So we are in favor of having prepared a series of elementary lessons on Bible truth, adapted to such fields as ours. The senior grade of lessons are the only ones we provide. We have a primary class in the Tokyo Sabbath-school, but the teacher is left to her own resources in providing lessons.

GENERAL CONFERENCE REPRESENTATIVES' VISITS

During the past General Conference term, the Japanese field has for the first time been visited by representatives of the General Conference. Two years ago this past winter Elder Prescott spent between two and three weeks with us, during which time we held our first general meeting. Brother Prescott's help was very much appreciated, both in planning for the advancement of the work, and in the study of the message. Last fall Elder I. H. Evans spent several weeks in Japan, visiting various places where our work has been established, and counseling with us in our plans for the future. Brother Evans's visit was also highly appreciated, and we believe that we should frequently have the benefit of such advice and counsel. And we are hoping that something may be done at this Conference to provide for this evident need in our missions of the far East.

At our general meeting two years ago it was decided to hold a similar meeting every year, after the manner of our camp-meetings in the home field. Our general meeting last year was held at Kozu, a pleasant seaside place not far south of Yokohama. The meeting continued ten days, and was a very profitable season. We spent the forenoons in Bible study, and in considering the various lines of our work. Afternoons our workers went out among the people, distributing our literature, interesting them in Christianity, and inviting them to our meetings. Every evening a service was

held especially for outsiders. We had a good meeting. Our own people were much benefited; and we trust that seeds of truth were sown that will bear fruit.

THE FUTURE

This report would hardly be complete without some reference to our plans for the future. At our council meeting held during Elder Evans's visit, the plans adopted centered around the general proposition to establish a permanent center for our work. It was decided that this center should be located in or near Tokyo, the capital and metropolis of the country. Our plan is to purchase a plot of ground in the suburbs, where land is not too expensive, and to establish thereon a training-school, a sanitarium, and a printing plant. The carrying out of such a comprehensive plan requires the expenditure of quite a sum of money, and a number of additional experienced workers, to assure success.

During the past winter we spent considerable time in searching for a suitable location for the proposed headquarters of our work. The value of land in and around Tokyo is rapidly increasing, and in most directions is far too high for us to think of purchasing. Our search finally narrowed down to the vicinity between two diverging railway lines, in the northwestern suburbs. Here within a few minutes' walk from both steam and electric cars, we were offered a plot containing five or six acres, as we might desire, for about $2,100 an acre. This we considered a very favorable offer indeed, as much of the land in the immediate vicinity is held at nearly or quite twice this figure. And even after offering us the land at this price, while we were hoping and planning that we might secure the land, the owners apparently became convinced that they had offered it too cheap, and made an advance of about $120 an acre, and limited our option to a few days. This statement of our experience will give some idea of the values on land near Tokyo, and of the importance of securing what we need as soon as possible. We shall probably not have another chance like the one just mentioned. To secure land at this price we shall be obliged to go farther out from the lines of travel, and from the conveniences to be found near the city limits. Every year's delay means a difference of thousands of dollars in the value of the land we shall need.

In closing, I wish to express my confidence in the progress and final triumph of the Lord's work in Japan. Even with our present force of workers, the message should go much more rapidly than heretofore. And if now we can have a permanent center, where the various lines of our work can be developed systematically, and from which a constant supply of new workers can be sent out into the field, we shall soon see the end of our efforts,—the nation warned, and a people prepared for the Lord's coming.

After this consideration of the work in Japan, Elder Field called upon W. R. Smith to present the work in—

Korea

Korea has a territory of about 90,000 square miles, with a population of 15,000,000. It has a spoken and a written language of its own. About half the men are able to read and write. The women are mostly illiterate, there being no general educational system in Korea.

Our work in Korea began about five years ago, when two Koreans visiting Japan had their attention drawn to the truth, one of them returning to Korea, and beginning to preach what he had learned. None of the Korean believers understood the Japanese, the English, or the Chinese, and there was no one among our Japanese workers who understood very much of the Korean. So whatever truth these Korean people received they received under very unfavorable circumstances.

We have at the present time about fourteen companies of Sabbath-keepers, numbering upward of 500. I would not wish to give the impression that we have this many Seventh-day Adventists; for all who attend the services are not yet informed as to all points of our truth. They have not yet had opportunity to become fully instructed. We had first to learn the language, and it has taken some time to get where we could properly instruct those who were following the truth so far as they imperfectly understood it.

I think I am safe in saying that we now have fully 150 established believers. As for all the rest who are attending our services, and who are friendly to the truth, we are endeavoring to lead and instruct them so that they may intelligently take their stand with us.

We have at the present time seven native laborers who are giving their time to teaching their fellow men. There are three families of foreign workers and two single ladies. A year after we entered Korea, Miss Scharfenberg arrived; and last autumn Elder C. L. Butterfield and family, Dr. R. Russell and wife, and Miss May Scott arrived in the field.

We have no literature save four small tracts. The Bible is not yet wholly translated into Korean. We have the New Testament, Genesis, Exodus, First and Second Samuel, First and Second Kings, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, and Malachi. Without doubt the other portions will soon be in the language. We are very anxious to get out literature of our own, by which to lead the people into the study of the Word of God.

The conditions for years in Korea have been such as to discourage progress and enterprise. If some man built up a fair property, some corrupt official was liable to pounce upon him and bring him into trouble unless he gave up whatever he had. This has given the country, to some extent, an appearance of shiftlessness. But the Koreans have sterling qualities which will place them,—when they are educated and protected,—alongside any people that live in the world.

While the Korean has been oppressed all these centuries by the nations that are stronger than himself, yet he has not lost his self-respect. While he realizes that his nation is perhaps the weakest of all the nations, he regards himself as a man among men. We will tell you that the Korean student, when put with Japanese and Chinese students, excels them. He is proud of his intellect. He has nothing to boast of in regard to his government. He will tell you that for hundreds of years they have not had one good king, nor one good governor, nor one good magistrate.

Agricultural methods are primitive. While the ground is fertile, and nourished by warm rains, so that it produces a fair harvest of rice, wheat, barley, beans, and Kafir corn, yet the Korean tills it with the same instruments that were perhaps used three thousand years ago. But he is anxious to learn. We have a garden at our Soonan Mission, and the natives are very anxious to know how we plow our fields, and to learn what we raise in this western country. They desire to get seeds from us.

As most of you know, we have a small school at Soonan, in a building 60 x 12 feet. We use one portion of this building for the girls, the other for the boys, and at one end Dr. Russell has his dispensary. In another room is our little printing-press.

We are thankful, indeed, for the opening of the medical missionary work. The methods of the native medicine-man are primitive and cruel. Perhaps he will jab a sharp steel instrument into an affected part. For a pain in the shoulder he may burn the shoulder into a blister, or thrust in a sharp instrument almost to the bone. When we went to Korea, three years and a half ago, we were beset by those who desired help for physical ailments. As we went for a walk one day, a man asked us to come and see his wife, who was ill, and Mrs. Smith gave her treatment until she recovered. From that time until Dr. Russell came last fall, Mrs. Smith was the medical member of the community. The people would flock in by the dozens, and I think sometimes as many as a hundred would be standing waiting to get such simple remedies as we were able to give them. Ever since Dr. Russell's arrival last September, he has, on the average, treated about 500 patients a month. He spends his forenoons treating patients, the afternoons in language study.

To the newcomer who visits at the Korean home, it seems that the people are curious. They ask all manner of questions, as to age, salary, and family affairs. But this is not mere curiosity; it is only the Korean way of being courteous and showing interest in a stranger. They are a kind-hearted people. Often we have been able to use this very interest in introducing the truth to them.

I have tried briefly to suggest to you something of the needs of Korea. The means we have at the present time for carrying forward the work there are practically nothing. We therefore hope the needs will appeal to you.

Although the conditions in Korea are not so favorable as they are here,—the houses are inferior to those of Manchuria and China, and the people live in villages under very insanitary conditions,—yet I am glad to tell you that we enjoy life in Korea. I believe that those men in the time of David who “stayed with the stuff” were to be pitied more than those who had the privilege of going to the conquest. We do not have fine homes in Korea, but we never had fine homes here, and we do not want them. We have just as good food as we are able to appreciate. We enjoy working with the Koreans. We enjoy being with them, and are interested in the work. The only thing that would make me sorrowful would be that I could not return to Korea. I was so afraid that something would come up that I could not return, that I think I would have found some excuse to stay there, had it not been for the disappointment which would have resulted to Mrs. Smith and

her mother.

We have had sickness in our family, and lost our little one, and we appreciate the sympathy we have heard expressed since returning. But I am glad to testify to you that the grace of God is able to sustain us under any circumstances. I went to Korea with some misgivings, especially in regard to my being able to master the language, because I felt that I was deficient in articulation. But I determined that I was going to learn the language, or come home on my own expense.

Our hearts are full of courage for the work in the great Korean field.