The Japan Meeting by R. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 24, 1912

The Japan Meeting

By R. H. Evans

R. H. EVANS

ON a little point of land projecting into the sea, with a delightful beach, and a fine grove of pines crowning the bluff just to the rear, in the little village of Awaji, our preaching tent, seating about one hundred fifty persons, was pitched, and here our general meeting for Japan was held July 11-21. As we were located near the northern entrance of the Inland Sea, we could look out from the tent, and see sailing craft of every description. Great seagoing vessels, freighted with the products of every land, were coming and going; small steamers and sailing vessels visiting the thickly populated coasts of Japan; countless small fishing-boats leaving the villages long before dawn, and returning late in the afternoon,—all these and many others were in plain view from our tent.

For two years there had been no general meeting in Japan; and it was indeed a privilege to meet again our people, with their families, and study the Word of God together. Great battles have been waged against heathenism during the last two years. Not since the empire granted religious liberty to all, has the prosecution of the gospel been attended with greater difficulties than during this period.

The attitude of the nation and of the leaders in education and the national religion have combined to make the preaching of the third angel's message to the Japanese a slow and laborious work. The attitude of the people is not one of scorn or ridicule. They do not seem to hate religion, but they are absolutely indifferent to it; they take no interest in it,—a condition that is very difficult to meet. Before an interest can be secured, an attentive audience must be gained. This requires perhaps even more skill than in the home land. Earnest per-

sonal work must follow the public effort, and must be patiently continued for a long time. In order to win the Japanese to Christianity one must search as if for lost jewels. But really, what earthly treasures can compare with the souls of men won from the realms of darkness and sin to the kingdom of God?

All the foreign workers but one, Brother John Herbolzheimer, enjoyed the privilege of attending this meeting. Brother Herbolzheimer had been called to nurse a member of a prominent missionary's family, who had been given up to die by the leading physicians of Japan.

The wonderful effects of the hydropathic treatments attracted wide interest. The leading foreign hospital in Tokio, where the patient had been cared for, was greatly pleased at the results obtained by the treatments given, and invited us to operate a small hospital in connection with their large institution, where water treatments could be given.

While this invitation showed kindly feeling on their part, it is not the province of the third angel's message to make an alliance after this fashion. It did, however, help us to see the benefits that might be gained by having well-equipped treatment-rooms in Tokio or Yokohama. The latter place has many foreign residents, and offers splendid opportunity for a successful work, if properly conducted. During the meeting it was voted to open such treatment-rooms in one of the two cities named.

Not a large number of our people could attend this meeting, because of the expense of traveling. The territory of Japan stretches out to a great length. Our work now covers an area about twelve hundred miles long; and many of our poor people never took such a journey in their lives, and could never hope to. It was thought best, therefore, instead of having a general meeting once a year, hereafter to hold three or four small meetings, so more of the people could attend. Nearly all the Japanese workers were present at this meeting, and seemed to appreciate the Bible studies held.

The canvassing work has been pushed with vigor this summer. Some have done well, and others have had hard work to make expenses. One company came down to Friday night without money and without food. Their funds were not sufficient to buy food for the next day. They then resolved to fast on Sabbath, and seek the Lord, and then go out Sunday morning and see what they could do toward getting money with which to buy food. All day Sabbath this little company of young people fasted with Brother W. D. Burden, and early Sunday morning they started on their work. In only a little time they had sold sufficient papers to buy a supply of food. Thus the Lord tries the faith of his people, and helps those who seek him with all the heart.

Dr. Riley Russell, of Korea, attended the meeting, and gave valuable help in Bible studies and in talks on health and temperance topics. Brother H. F. Benson was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. Toward the close of the meeting considerable committee work was done. It was planned to have at least three tents in the field during the summer and fall. Altogether, the meeting was a pleasant one, and those in attendance will long remember it. The workers separated, having good courage, and trusting the blessing of God to follow their important work.

The visitor to Japan can but note the rapid progress the people are making from year to year in adopting Western customs and ways. But the more one sees of the Japanese, the more he is impressed with their need of the uplifting influences of Christianity, if permanent gain is to be made. Let us pray for the work and the workers in Japan, for the needs of the field are great. Certain it is that we must have more workers who can learn the language, and preach in the vernacular of the people, if our work is to succeed.