KNOWING the benefit that has resulted from tent-meetings in other countries, we have felt for a long time that they would be a real help in the work in Japan. The need of a tent for this field was presented at a missionary meeting of the students of Healdsburg College, over two years ago, with the result that a nice little tent, twenty-two by thirty-six feet, was made, and donated to the Japan mission field. Ever since the tent reached us, I have been anxious to see it pressed into service; but for various reasons, we were not able to get it set up until last fall.
OUR FIRST TENT IN JAPAN
The city authorities were at first unwilling to allow the holding of such a meeting, because there had been some antichristian demonstrations in the recent troubles in Tokyo; also, I doubt not that they were thinking of how some of our young men opposed the army service not long ago, and feared that our preaching might be along that line. Permission was at last granted, however, and we pitched our tent October 25, and continued the meetings twenty days. We had secured the use of some vacant lots, about half a mile from our house, and only a few steps from two of the Tokyo electric-car lines. The man in charge of the ground at first asked us twenty-five yen ($12.50) for twenty days' use of it. We thought that rather high, and explained that we were not going to use it for making money, as had those who used it before and paid rent at that rate.
Hearing our explanation, he said he would make it fifteen yen. Later, when he had heard more of our work, he said, ‘Well, I will not put a price on the land; you may pay what you wish.’ In settling, however, we paid him the fifteen yen, telling him we did not want to regulate another man's liberality, but if he wished to give anything, it would be thankfully received. He then paid us back ten yen, keeping only five. He said we were welcome to use the ground again whenever we wished.
These meetings were also made a kind of general meeting for our workers and members. Several were present from different parts of the field, and for their benefit we had two hours' special study every morning, while in the evenings we had preaching services for the public.
The city authorities delegated two police officers to be present at all our meetings, as a protection, and to take note of all that should be done. One of these men became deeply interested, and I hope he may sometime have the courage to step out on the side of truth. One day he was telling us how his fellow officers derided him, saying he must be becoming converted, for he acted so differently from what he did before the tent-meetings began. He confessed to us that he had been greatly benefited by what he had heard. The other officer was very cold and rigid, showing no particular interest, but he did confess that we were the first to hold a successful meeting in those parts, though it had often been attempted.
Our attendance was not large, there being usually about forty persons present, about half of whom were our own people.
The strangers who came paid good attention, and we secured the addresses of several interested ones. I think all who attended the meetings felt that they were a real success, and we are now planning to have the tent pitched in several places next season. Three locations have been chosen for this purpose, and between now and next spring workers will be placed in these fields, to prepare the way by scattering literature.
Last month I had the privilege, in company with Brother Kuniya, of visiting one of the camps of Russian prisoners. We went to distribute reading-matter, which had been sent to us for that purpose by the publishing house in Germany. There are about fifteen thousand prisoners in this one camp. We were much pleased to see the care they are receiving from their captors. They have very extensive grounds, comfortable lodgings, comparatively speaking, and many comforts and liberties. Surely Japan, in the care of her prisoners, has shown herself as capable as on the field of battle. The grounds were well kept. The men are classified, and given separate barracks, according to their nationality or peculiar religious beliefs. There were a number of chapels provided, so that the different sects might conduct their own religious services as they chose. We could only think how fortunate these poor fellows were in being taken prisoners, and thus escaping any further dangers and exposures on the battlefield. But of course it would be too much to expect that everything would be just right in a place of that kind. One of their greatest needs seemed to be something to read. It was pitiful to see how starved they were for reading-matter. When we began giving out the papers, they came running from every quarter; and as they thronged around us, begging to receive a copy, we at times had hard work to keep on our feet. What a splendid opportunity this would be for missionary work, if some one were here who could speak to the men in their own tongue. We found none to whom we could talk much, but we were glad to have a little reading-matter which they could understand. In the two days we distributed about eight thousand leaflets, papers, tracts, and pamphlets, and we pray that God will bless the seed sown.
The Lord is blessing the work in Japan, and from time to time we see fruit. To-day we were privileged to witness the baptism of one sister and two brethren, by Elder Field. We are thankful for the few whom we see coming out, but O we need so much the power of God's Spirit poured out upon this work! Remember us in your prayers, that God will give success.
