p. 18 | Japan by F. W. Field

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Dec 1, 1904

Japan

By F. W. Field

Tokyo.—Returning from my trip to Korea, I spent several days in Kobe. On Sabbath, October 8, we held the dedicatory services in the new chapel just completed there. This is our first and only church building in Japan. It is eighteen by thirty-five feet in size, with an entry, and presents a very neat appearance. The brethren and sisters in Kobe were very glad upon the completion of this work, for it has taxed their resources to the utmost; and even yet some debt remains. But this they are planning to remove as soon as possible.

The work in Kobe continues to progress. Plans have been made for holding regular meetings in a part of the city where the truth has not yet been presented. The sanitarium work is still prospering, and it looks as if we shall soon have to provide more rooms for patients.

Recently Brother Okahira spent some time with the believers in and near Wakamatsu. Four were baptized, and several others are observing the Sabbath. Work has been opened at Kitagata, a station on the railway some miles north of Wakamatsu; one young man has begun to observe the Sabbath there. Two of our young men are engaged in canvassing in that vicinity.

A young man, a telegraph operator, has recently accepted the truth in Tokyo, and has united with another of our young men in circulating our literature in the city. They are having good success. My English Bible class is unusually large this fall, and some of the students show much interest in the subjects studied and the truths presented. Several Chinese students attend quite regularly.

The war drags wearily on, and the effects are felt in the increase of prices on various articles, and in renewed calls for charity in behalf of widows and orphan children. The military law has lately been amended, extending the time of military service five years. Formerly a soldier was enrolled among the reserves till he reached the age of thirty-two; but under the present law the reserves are liable to service till they reach the age of thirty-seven. This change is likely to effect some of our brethren, who had about reached the age when they would be exempt from further service; but now they are subject to call during five more years, unless excused

for some reason. Thus the trials and difficulties increase as the end draws near. But these very trials should lead us to greater earnestness in our work, and deeper faith in God's preserving power.

F. W. FIELD.