Japan as It Is by Walter L. Foster

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 28, 1910

Japan as It Is

By Walter L. Foster

WALTER L. FOSTER

In order properly to understand conditions in Japan, let us make a few comparisons. The entire possessions of Japan consist of five large islands and about two thousand smaller ones, making an unbroken chain of peaks three thousand miles long. The area is a little greater than that of the United Kingdom, and a little less than that of the State of California, but the population is nearly fifty million natives, besides several million Chinese and other foreigners. You think, “What a small country! they must be dreadfully crowded together.” But the country is all mountainous, and on that account it is estimated that only about one tenth of the area is habitable. Also a large part of it is so far north that not many have the courage to live there. That means we would have room in an area equal to that of the little State of Maryland to put every city, town, village, farm, terraced mountainside, man, woman, and child of Japan, and give them the same amount of space they now occupy. Think of more than fifty million people, absolutely unwarned and unevangelized,—all within that crooked little State around the Chesapeake Bay! That is the present condition of the Japanese.

Let me now tell you our condition; and I wonder if there is not a loyal-hearted Seventh-day Adventist among the one hundred thousand who has such a burning desire to come here that no difficulty or hardship ever so great can quench that desire. I have letters here on my desk which tell the sad story that workers for this field can not be found. We have six foreign families to give the message, and less than that number of Japanese who have a good preparation. I will also mention our one training-school for this dense population, the publishing house, and our Tokyo church for two million people. These institutions are all in a brother’s dwelling-house at the capital. We also have the sanitarium furniture stored in the same house.

But for the mighty hand of God, who knows all about our pitiable condition, certainly no one in the empire would ever have heard of us. The message has always preceded the laborers, over here. I wonder how it would be to let the two go together. But why are such conditions allowed to exist? I wonder sometimes how long it would take, under present conditions, to give the message here. But you say, “It will be done quickly, in the loud cry.” Unless a great many workers come, it will take years to get ready for that time. Study the conditions of the “loud cry.” It is to be a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but what will it do?—Impress hearts to receive the gospel message for the last days. You will see that the people must first have heard it, by word or pen; for we read: “The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence.”—Great Controversy, page 612.

No, we are not ready for that time. We must have some men of experience to manage the work, promote the publication of message-filled books and papers, books and papers that will bear a positive influence for truth in every sense of the word,—men to train canvassers and urge them to the limits of the kingdom. Last, but not least, about a score of strong young evangelists should begin at once the study of the language, so there will be some one to develop the interests now waiting, and be prepared for hundreds of calls that are as certain to come as the message is to triumph.

There was a time when lack of opportunity was the cry. But that is no longer the case. More native and foreign helpers, better publications, and a good training-school are the crying need of the hour. We need help, and must have it. This is the “gateway to the East,” the “highway of the nations,” and God is not glorified when his people allow their light to remain “under a bushel” in such a conspicuous place. I am one of the class who believe in doing all that is possible with native material; but we have not the native laborers, the facilities for training them, or any to follow up their good effort. These people are just as truly unevangelized as are the Africans, Indians, or Chinese, and it will require just as many foreign missionaries to the million here as in those fields just mentioned.

Brother and Dr. Noma, from Kobe, have been down to Nagasaki on a visit. This is where the doctor and a number of others received the message years ago. We had a meeting each night for Brother Noma, and during the day the sick were determined to come for advice and assistance from the doctor. We feel sure there is a good opportunity for medical endeavor in this city. If you want to see the truth go to Japan, “come over and help us.”

Nagasaki.