Japan by F. W. Field

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 23, 1908

_Japan_

By F. W. Field

Tokyo.—In sending in her February report, Sister Bessie M. Young wrote me quite an interesting letter about her work and experiences. She is still living with Sister Fukazawa. The latter has a pleasant home by herself, furnished by her adopted father. She supports herself by teaching, and their plan is to do quiet missionary work with those who attend the language classes. Sister Fukazawa has a good knowledge of English, and so has no trouble in securing students for that language. Sister Young is still devoting a good share of her time to the study of Japanese; but she also assists in the teaching. They are now planning to begin classes in Bible study, using at first some simple Bible story book, like “Gospel Primer.” Sister Young writes that they have a good class of well-to-do people among their students. One is the wife of a sea-captain sailing on the Nippon Yusen Kaisha European line of steamers. Another is the married daughter of a count. While this sort of work requires much time and patience to develop fruit, yet a class of people can be reached in this way that could hardly be approached by other methods.

I have already referred to the classes that the brethren have been holding during the winter for the benefit of our young men. Two Bible classes are held every forenoon, and one in the evening for those who wish to study English. In the afternoon the young men assist in the printing-office, where we are now printing our semi-monthly paper and the Sabbath-school lessons. When spring comes, several of these young men will be ready to go out into active work in the field. Brother Okado will probably go out into the canvassing work again. Brother Seino, who comes from the new company near Fukushima, will also be ready to enter the work in the field, perhaps in company with Brother Watanabe. Brother Hamana, who accepted the truth in Nagasaki last summer, is planning to return to his family in Hokkaido, the northern island, very soon. It is his desire to open up the work in that part of the country. So far we have had no work and no believers in those parts. We rejoice that there is this prospect of entering this part of our field with the message. Some one of the our committee will probably visit Hokkaido, and advise with Brother Hamana for the opening of the work. We are informed that among the other churches there is a well-established understanding as to the division of territory in this island; so they may not make our work and workers very welcome. We need wisdom and grace in beginning the work in this field, that no mistakes shall be made, and that opposition be not unnecessarily stirred up. But the truth must go in spite of opposition.

Brother Kobayashi in Nagasaki reports one believer ready for baptism. There are also interested persons in several localities in the neighborhood of Saga, where he used to live. It is probable that Brother Kuniya will make a trip to Kiushu, to visit him and assist him in the work for a time. Brother Minami, who accepted the truth last year and came to Tokyo in the fall, is proving to be quite a help in translating for our Japanese paper. It is thought, therefore, that Brother Kuniya may now be spared from this part of the work, and so be free again to devote his time entirely to field labor. Brother Minami is also acting as my teacher in the Japanese, and I am putting in quite regular time now. At present I am holding Bible classes in English three evenings a week, for the students in this part of the city, with an attendance of ten or twelve. We also hold evening service every Sunday in my class-room, and several young men have been attending of late. The brethren over at Sendagaya have been holding Sunday-evening meetings in Brother Burden’s house, in the room where we conduct our Sabbath services. By this means, and by Bible readings they have been holding with persons in that neighborhood, some are becoming interested, and several have attended our regular Sabbath services. Brother Kuniya has had some interesting experiences this winter with several persons with whom he has held readings. Especially a young doctor has seemed much interested, and has been studying some topic with Brother Kuniya every Saturday evening. We hope to see some of these accept the truth.

While we have perplexities to meet, yet we are of good courage to press ahead to gain greater victories for the truth during the present year.

F. W. FIELD.