Kumamoto, Japan by W. L. Foster

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1911

Kumamoto, Japan

By W. L. Foster

KUMAMOTO is a city of one hundred thousand population, and is situated near the center of Kiushiu Island. We opened tent-meetings here April 28, and are having a good attendance, which is increasing each evening. Already quite a number are coming for special Bible studies, and each evening some remain to ask questions; some also come an hour before meeting opens, and wait through the children's meeting and the song service.

We have a very small company of workers for so large a city. Before our tent efforts, we visit all the houses with the printed invitations; thirty thousand of these have been used at this place. We hope soon to organize a good church here. As we get more help in Japan, more young people trained for service, and more faith that something can be done, we shall see greater results from our work.

Not much is accomplished, however, by carrying the message into unentered provinces and cities, unless the new believers can be properly cared for. The companies in Kiushiu have suffered somewhat the past winter from poverty, death, and other causes common to all lands; but at the same time there has been a decided growth. Since January, thirteen have taken their stand for the commandments in this island, and quite a number are still considering taking this step. This was the result of Bible work alone; but during the next four months, while the tent will be kept busy, we hope for more.

A Health number of our Japanese paper is being prepared; and while we find ourselves very busy with evangelistic work in this part of Japan, it is my hope that the Lord will at this time give our people such a desire to work that no fewer than five thousand copies of this number may be sold in Kiushiu. In Nagasaki we have been, and still are,

training every member to canvass and will give Bible readings. The people are extremely poor, and it might seem too bad to ask so much of them, but we believe that this is the way to establish them in the faith. In giving the message to others they must know it for themselves; and in doing such work they become attentive and stronger Christians. It makes them happy to know they have helped some one else. No doubt some of you can remember how happy you were to receive this message that has united us as a people; but the Lord himself says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

So, dear friends, as long as the cry of fifty million Japanese can be heard from across the waters, you have the blessed opportunity of giving. In the third century a “woolen shirt and a white garment” is said to have been given to each convert; in Japan other churches than ours often serve tea and cakes after meeting, and give new converts some little gift; but we have a message that will help the people to break their evil habits and win a home in heaven. Popular ministers in Japan tell the people there is a “lot of good in Buddhism;” but unless they bear the name (and that is all many do bear) of Christ, they can not be saved. “Bring along your tobacco and sake” (rice wine), they say; “a little is all right at first, but after a while you will learn how harmful such things are.” It is a rare thing to find a person in Japan who does not drink or smoke; some children learn to smoke before they learn to feed themselves. Let us be up and doing; for “the night cometh, when no man can work.”

W. L. FOSTER.