General Meeting in Japan by F. W. FIELD

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 10, 1908

General Meeting in Japan

By F. W. FIELD

F. W. FIELD

At the general meeting held in Kobe last year, it was voted to hold a similar meeting every year. This meeting for the present year was held at Kozu, August 13-23. Kozu is a small town on Sagami Bay, about fifteen miles by rail from Tokyo, toward Kobe. The meetings were held in our twenty-four-by-thirty-six-foot tent, which was pitched but a short distance from the waters of the bay, within sound of the waves. As we have no small tents, our people lodged in Japanese hotels and lodging-houses. By actual count there were just fifty who came to attend the meetings, including children. Nearly all our workers were present, and there were members in attendance from each of our four organized churches. One worker came from Nagasaki, far to the south, and another from Hokkaido, in the extreme

north. Thus our work, though still very small, is extending to all parts of the country.

The daily program of the meeting was as follows: Prayer and testimony meeting at six o'clock in the morning; Bible study from half-past eight to ten. From half-past ten to twelve o'clock, various practical topics and lines of work were considered, including Sabbath-school work, duties of church officers, health and temperance topics, the canvassing work, etc. At four in the afternoon a children's meeting was held, to which the children of Kozu were invited; and at half-past seven such subjects were presented as would be of interest to those who do not know of our work.

The weather throughout was especially favorable. During the first few days it rained often, and there were several wind-storms at night; but not a service was interrupted by wind or rain. By far the larger number of our people in attendance were present throughout the meetings. The instruction given was practical, and was designed to bring our people up to a higher standard of Christian living, and fit them for service in this cause. The interest was good, and the instruction was appreciated.

The outside interest was excellent. At first many came out of curiosity, and there was quite a crowd at the tent at every service. Later many of these dropped off, but a considerable number continued to attend till the close. Special efforts were made to awaken an interest in Christianity among the people. There is no Christian church of any denomination at Kozu, and only a few scattered believers. Our workers were free during the afternoons to visit the people at their homes, invite them to the meetings, and interest them in our publications. Over two hundred copies of these were sold, and about a thousand copies of our Japanese paper were distributed. The workers enjoyed some interesting experiences, in visiting and holding Bible studies with persons who became interested.

Brother Walter Foster and wife, from California, arrived in Japan during the progress of the meeting, and were present with us during the last few days. The coming of these new workers was an encouragement to all. We are glad to report that this first camp-meeting in Japan was a season of much blessing, and we look for good results as the people return to their homes, and the workers to their fields of labor.

Tokyo.