Japan by F. H. DE VINNEY

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 13, 1915

Japan

By F. H. DE VINNEY

(Concluded)

F. H. DE VINNEY

LAST spring we leased nearly three acres of improved land in Tokio Ken, within six minutes’ walk of Ogikubo, a station on a steam railroad, about five miles from one of the important centers of the city. The electric cars now come within a little more than two miles of us. And as the city has secured a natural park two and one-half miles beyond our compound, and is now improving it, and will extend the electric car line to it, this will give us a five-minute service to any part of the city in the near future.

During the summer there has been erected in the mission compound an office building of brick, twenty-five by thirty-six feet, of two floors, with rear extension, thirty-six by forty-seven feet, for the printing plant, and a schoolhouse and dormitory combined, of wood, thirty-six by sixty-six feet. The first floor of the latter consists of a roomy front hall, chapel, and four classrooms, two of which can be used for the church school.

There are also three foreign houses of wood, twenty-four by thirty-six feet, including front porches, the upper being inclosed in glass for sleeping purposes, with rear extension, Japanese style, for servants’ quarters, bath, etc. These houses are the homes of the superintendent, principal of the school, and field agent, who will always be connected with the headquarters. Then there are eight Japanese houses, for the editors of the papers, translators, printers, and other mission employees.

SCHOOL BUILDING, JAPAN MISSION COMPOUND
First floor — Front, hall; center, chapel; rear, class rooms. Second floor — Dormitory. — SCHOOL BUILDING, JAPAN MISSION COMPOUND First floor — Front, hall; center, chapel; rear, class rooms. Second floor — Dormitory.

One more foreign building, for the manager of the printing plant, who will also act as the secretary and treasurer of the mission, a small church building, and a dormitory for the young women attending the training school, will be needed to complete the headquarters plant. We have the money to build; but on account of the war and its influence on the price of building material, it was thought best to defer building until later, when prices settle down to normal again.

The mission’s compound and its buildings give it a standing with the government and the people that it has not had in the past. It has been urged upon those under conviction, that we had nothing permanent and were liable to get discouraged, give up our work, and leave the country at any time; and if they cast their lot with us they would be left alone, without help, advice, or sympathy—a laughingstock. But now they see that we have come to remain, and that in dealing with us they are dealing with responsible persons.

The work of the Lord is now going on in its own buildings, upon its own land, and we are settled in our new homes. The surroundings are quiet and pleasant. Our homes are healthful and convenient, and the mission workers contented and happy. We have every reason daily to thank God, who has made all this possible; the generous brethren and sisters at home, who have been mindful of our lives, health, and comfort, and have given by sacrifice the means which has enabled us to buy and build; and the brethren of the General Conference, who have never failed to stand by us with counsel and encouragement through the trying times of uncertainty and waiting which are now past.

JAPANESE HOUSES, JAPAN MISSION HEADQUARTERS
These houses face the west, and are across the compound from school building and foreign houses shown in last week's issue. — JAPANESE HOUSES, JAPAN MISSION HEADQUARTERS These houses face the west, and are across the compound from school building and foreign houses shown in last week's issue.

Now is the time for work, and we are hopeful for the future in Japan, and determined not to be found lacking with all these splendid facilities at our hand, nor to depend upon or expect that now they will do the work that can be accomplished only by a personal connection with the power of God, and with the personal touch with the sin-sick souls in this great, darkened nation, so in need of Christ and his divine compassion and healing.

Tokio.