The Hiroshima (Japan) Meeting by I. H. Evans

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

The Hiroshima (Japan) Meeting

By I. H. Evans

I. H. EVANS

In company with several of the brethren and sisters, I left Kobe, the morning of July 13, to attend the meeting at Hiroshima, which was to begin that evening. The day was hot; but the ride through the green, foliage-covered hills and wide valleys, with fields of growing rice covering nearly every available space of level land, and here and there a small growth of mulberry brush, or a tiny orchard, or a garden of vegetables, lent variety to the scenery, and made the ten hours' ride seem short indeed. We reached the place of meeting in good season, and were taken to a Japanese hotel, where accommodations had been secured for us. Soon all were settled, and were ready for the evening service.

This meeting was by far the most largely attended by our Japanese workers of any yet held in Japan. With one or two exceptions, all the workers were in attendance at some time during the meeting. In addition, we had the help of Brother W. A. Westworth, of China, and of Brother C. L. Butterfield and Dr. Riley Russell, of Korea. We were glad to meet these workers again, and to have their help. From the first they entered heartily into the meetings, and their labors were appreciated by all.

A tent effort had been conducted in Hiroshima during the early part of the season, and quite a company had begun to keep the Sabbath. Nine persons had already been baptized, and a number of others were having Bible readings, and were deeply interested in the Christian religion. The efforts to win souls to Christ will continue, and it is hoped that a good church of believers will be raised up in this important city.

The Medical Society of Hiroshima kindly gave us the free use of their hall, which is large, commodious, and centrally located. The night meetings were well attended, and the audiences were as respectful, and as attentive to the word spoken, as any I have ever seen.

The Medical Society asked that our physicians in attendance give their society a lecture on our methods of treating the sick. Accordingly, Drs. W. C. Dunscombe, of Japan, and Russell, of Korea, each gave a talk on our work, and on modern methods of treating certain diseases. They also gave to our own people illustrated lectures on giving certain kinds of treatments. These were very helpful. This kind of work is greatly needed in Japan; for the people have been taught to rely upon drugs for the cure of all ailments. The health principles taught by our people are little known in the East; and there is a great work to be done if the laity are ever to be educated to depend on rational remedies in treating the sick, and to appreciate the value of a proper dietary.

During the business sessions, various phases of the work were carefully considered. Numerous recommendations covering all lines of work were discussed and adopted. Advance steps were recommended in each branch of the work. Two or more tent efforts will be conducted in the future during the tent season, and a vigorous campaign will be inaugurated for the distribution of our literature. The training-school will also receive careful attention; and beginning with November of the present year, a five months' school for the training of workers will be conducted. Elder F. W. Field has been appointed to have charge of this school; and the brethren in Japan look to it to train workers for that field.

Brother F. H. DeVinney, who was sent by the Mission Board to take the position of superintendent of Japan, has taken up his new duties, thereby greatly relieving Brother Field, who has long carried a heavy burden in the educational and administrative work. Both Brother and Sister DeVinney like their new field of labor, and were heartily welcomed to Japan by both the Japanese and the foreign workers. They will make their home in Tokyo for the present; and Brother DeVinney will do what he can for the upbuilding of the work in this important field while he endeavors to become better acquainted with the difficult language.

The Hiroshima meeting marks an advance move in the progress of the third angel's message in Japan. The needs here are very great, and the facilities are most meager. Fifty millions of people must hear the “voice of the third angel,” and yet the workers are so few, and the means of getting the truth before the people so limited, that it is only with the eye of faith that one can see the great work before us accomplished.

The brethren in this field are anxiously waiting for the $300,000 Fund to be raised, that they may have their portion with which to provide themselves with suitable facilities for the advancement of the work. The demand for a suitable printing outfit and for school buildings is imperative. The medical work, too, must have financial aid before it is able to do much.

The meeting closed with nearly every worker having reconsecrated himself to the Lord and his work. We look for marked progress in the spread of the truth in Japan, and hope to see the number of believers greatly increased.

Shanghai, China.