p. 15 | Japan by H. Kuniya

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 28, 1911

Japan

By H. Kuniya

LAST spring we held tent-meetings at Kiosho, April 28 to May 30. We pitched the tent beside a dry river-bed, which ran through the city. The people never saw so large a tent before, and many came to see it. They were astonished when they saw the workers living in a small tent, too.

The meeting was not so large as we had expected, but every night from one hundred to one hundred fifty attended; even on stormy nights, quite a number came.

We were told that some would cut the tent for mischief, but all who came kept good order. Early one morning when I went out to buy lumber, a gentleman called out to me, “Teacher, teacher!” As he was a stranger to me, I asked him who he was. He told me he wanted me to go to his home. I did so, and he told me how interested he was in the message, and that he had given up his bad habits and idol-worship. “What shall I do about these gods?” he asked. Carefully I explained to him the foolishness of idol-worship, and advised him to either burn them or throw them into the river. He destroyed them, and is now happy in serving the true God. Is not this a manifestation of the power of the gospel?

I must tell you about another case. After two weeks’ meetings, a drunkard came in and listened to the sermon; after that he came often, but no one went near him to salute him, or show him the Bible, and he always left the tent before I got down from the pulpit. A little later I noticed that a woman sat by him, and she requested me to study the Bible with her. I called on her, and found that she was the wife of that drunkard. She is very happy, for her husband has ceased drinking liquor, and that he does not stay out nights any more.

I was very sorry that we could not continue the meetings several weeks longer, but on account of the rainy season it was impossible. As a result of this tent effort, fifteen signed the covenant; over twenty asked to study the Bible with us. One lawyer and two professors, who are of other denominations, were interested, and I had an opportunity to talk with them. They were convinced that the law of Jehovah never changes, but they could not give up

their positions which give them support.

We must pray more; for we need a deep consecration of heart in order to win these darkened souls. Please remember us in your supplications, so that we may gather many souls into the garner of God as a result of our seed-sowing in this country.

With Mrs. Kuniya and two young men, I have moved farther south, to Kagoshima, to begin meetings in July. We are planning to preach the gospel of the kingdom in that city this summer.

H. Kuniya.