p. 11 | Evangelization of Japanese in the Hawaiian Islands

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Dec 29, 1910

Evangelization of Japanese in the Hawaiian Islands

By Yoshio Tanimoto

YOSHIO TANIMOTO

The condition of Japanese mission work in Hawaii is steadily improving, with more churches and evangelists added. But the people are still far from the kingdom of God. There are few who seek after the true God. Doubt and misery distress them.

Many of our countrymen have lost faith in their old religion. They are wretched, distressed, scattered abroad as sheep not having a shepherd.

The command is given to us: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” In preparing the way among our countrymen, many obstacles should be removed:—

1. Superstitious ideas and misunderstanding about the Christian religion, and what it stands for. Many of our people think it is the foreigners’ religion, or a religion for white people only, and not for us, we having our own. This is a valley to be filled up.

2. The bad habits and customs prevailing in Japanese camps, and also the unhealthful surroundings. These are crooked ways to be straightened.

3. There are many national vices which rise up like mountains. One of these is the parent of all others,—intemperance. It hinders the progress of God’s kingdom, and ruins many precious souls. Some people approve Christianity, but do not become Christians. One said to me: “Many times I have trembled and wept as I listened to sermons, and have made up my mind to be a child of God; but when I got home, the first glass of wine swept all these resolutions away.”

We are fighting this great enemy, intemperance, and also other vices which hinder the progress of the Redeemer’s kingdom. We are trying to build up his kingdom by every means we can use.

The Scripture says: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent?” There is great advantage in making Japanese Christians. They make good missionaries when they get back to Japan. Remember Hawaii in your prayers.

Honomu, Hawaii.