The Work in Japan by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 31, 1908

The Work in Japan

By I. H. Evans

It was my privilege to spend a few weeks with the brethren in Japan. I arrived the second day of October, and left the first day of November. I found the laborers in good health, and anxious to plan for the progress of the message in Japan. It has been twelve years since Prof. W. C. Granger came to this field to start the work. From time to time new workers have been added to those who first came here.

Brother Granger died in Tokyo only three years after coming to this country. It was with keen regrets that he was compelled to lay down the work to which he had so joyfully consecrated his life. It was my privilege, in connection with Brother W. D. Burden's family and other brethren and sisters, to visit the grave of this highly esteemed brother who now sleeps in Jesus.

Our work in Japan has progressed but slowly during these twelve long years. The Japanese are Buddhists in religion. Shintoism is also either a part of their religion or is a respect for the spirits of the dead, which is most difficult to separate from religion itself. At one time many supposed Japan looked with great favor on the Christian religion. To-day Christianity is tolerated, liberty of worship is maintained, any creed is free to preach its gospel and to propagate its religion, but a combination of Shintoism and Buddhism is the prevailing religion, from the emperor to the humblest peasant.

The educated classes are fast becoming agnostic. The Higher Criticism is rapidly destroying faith in the infallibility of the Scriptures. Many of Japan's best scholars have finished their education in the higher universities of Europe and America. Thus Japan, instead of rapidly turning to Christianity, is really becoming more and more difficult to reach with Christianity.

Our force of workers in Japan is very limited. For a population of forty-five million people, we have but six American families for all lines of work, with three lady workers. These few workers are compelled to carry on evangelical, medical, publishing, and educational work. It must be patent to all that the work is greatly crippled because there are so few workers.

There are several promising Japanese who are engaging in the work, and rendering valuable help; but the forces in Japan must receive new recruits. The field work is greatly crippled because of the scarcity of helpers.

We had a council meeting for twelve days at Kobe, which was attended by most of the Japanese and foreign workers. The Lord blessed us much, and many actions were taken, some of which were as follows:—

As the lease on the Kobe Sanitarium property expires the last of next May, it was voted that this property be surrendered at the termination of the lease, and that the committee look up a suitable site in or near Tokyo for the accommodation of the sanitarium. It was decided that the new sanitarium should be primarily for the Japanese, rather than for foreigners; that the building be furnished in Japanese style, with a few rooms fitted up in foreign style, in which guests may be accommodated without elaborate service.

A resolution was passed requesting the Mission Board to send to Japan, at the earliest possible date, another earnest Christian physician to connect with this work.

It was also resolved that in connection with this sanitarium, a suitable school building be provided for the accommodation of Japanese students, and that the school be conducted according to the policy of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination in the United States, modifying it to meet the needs of the work in Japan.

Elders F. W. Field and H. Kuniya were selected as delegates to the General Conference, and Elder W. D. Burden as Elder Field's alternate, and Elder T. H. Okohira as Elder Kuniya's alternate, in case they should not be able to attend.

Action was also taken that in securing grounds for the sanitarium and school sufficient ground be obtained to accommodate the publishing work, and that the Mission Board be requested to send to Japan, at the earliest possible date, two bright, capable, Christian men, one to act as business manager of the enlarged publishing and institutional work, the other to take charge of the circulation of our literature in Japan. It was also requested that an experienced, capable man, not too far along in years, be sent to act as superintendent of the Japan mission field, so that Elder Field can devote his time to the school work.

While working and praying with these dear brethren and sisters, our hearts were bound to theirs by chords of sympathy and esteem. We could appreciate their burdens and responsibilities as never before. The laborers were of good cheer, and all took hold of the work with enthusiasm. The utmost harmony prevailed during the entire council. The future progress of the third angel's message in Japan is promising. The needs are great, and the laborers are few, but our God is a “God that performeth.” The time has come for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. For this refreshing we prayed daily, that with great power the Word may be preached throughout this needy field. We hope all readers of the REVIEW will unite in earnest prayer that God's work may prosper in Japan.

I. H. EVANS.