p. 18 | Prayer and the Gospel Colporteur in Japan

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 9, 1916

Prayer and the Gospel Colporteur in Japan

By W. W. Eastman

THAT the Lord is using the colporteur and the printed page in Japan the same as in other parts of the world, can be seen from the following interesting experiences, as related in a letter from Brother H. Stacey, who has charge of our book work in that country. He says:

“One Sabbath morning, about four months ago, a stranger walked into our mission church on the Tokio compound. This man had been a Christian for a number of years, and had been engaged for some time in colporteur work for a Bible society. Two years ago he attended a few meetings where our people were conducting a tent effort, and became interested. He immediately began studying our literature, and at the time referred to came to headquarters to tell us of the stand he had taken, requesting that he be permitted to work in the same territory where he had been canvassing for Bibles. He left the compound next day loaded with literature, and is now one of our most faithful workers.

“A few weeks ago I visited him at a town where we have one believer, an old lady. That evening this sister invited in three young men with whom she had been studying, and the colporteur studied and talked with them for several hours. We feel sure that one of these young men will soon take his stand for the truth. He is a member of another church, and the only objection he raised was the certain loss of his position if he were to keep the Sabbath. To this objection the colporteur related an experience that made us all feel doubly sure that the Lord is waiting in these heathen lands to respond to the call of faith. I will give the experience as nearly as possible in his own words:—

“A few weeks ago I was canvassing up in the mountains. One day I worked from early morning till late at night, and sold only five papers which brought in twenty-five sen. Of this amount I was compelled to spend twelve sen for lunch. The remaining thirteen sen was far from sufficient to secure accommodation for the night, and I worked on till eight o’clock without further results. As there was no other help at hand, I decided to go to the Lord. Withdrawing from the road several feet, in the darkness I poured out my petition to God. On returning I could see some one standing in the road, and was confronted with the words, “You are a Christian; you have been praying to God to help you find accommodation for the night. I am only a farmer, but you are welcome to come right along with me.”

“The colporteur told us he knew this was an answer to his prayer, so he followed the farmer to his home. On entering the house, the first thing he noticed was a Bible on the table, and the way was soon opened to have some studies.”

Notice, that while the colporteur was praying, the Lord sent the answer to his prayer. It is prayer that gives success. It was when working the more difficult sections of the country, “the mountains,”

and when human resources had apparently failed, that God was sought, and relief came through prayer. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”

Thus the Lord will use the consecrated colporteur in carrying the gospel message to the most remote sections of earth, and hasten on the glad day.

W. W. EASTMAN.