p. 9 | Progress in Japan by F. W. Field

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 7, 1910

Progress in Japan

By F. W. Field

F. W. FIELD

The work in Japan has continued to advance since my last report, written several months ago. And the lack of more frequent reports from this field has rather been because we have been so busy. Interests of an encouraging nature are springing up in various places, and we have good reason to believe that this is to be a very successful year. A brief mention of some of these interests, and of some who have recently accepted the truth, will show how the message is making its way among the people.

Ashio, a city of some fifty thousand inhabitants, is a mining town not far from Nikko; and its copper mines are among the largest in the world. Last year one of our canvassers labored there for several weeks, and circulated some of our literature. This year he sent a single copy of the New-Year’s number of our paper to a company of Christians in Ashio, addressing it to the pastor. He wished to return it after learning what it was; but some wished to read it. So it was passed from hand to hand till about worn out. And now our brother learns by correspondence that six of this company have come out and accepted the truths advocated in our literature, as far as they understand them; and they now ask for further light and help.

The teacher of a village school on a small island near Shizuoka, has been reading our papers and corresponding with Brother H. Kuniya, who plans to visit the place in the spring. The young man writes that he is much pleased to learn of this intended visit; that he will provide the best entertainment their little island affords; and that he will plan to lay aside his work during the visit, that he may be free to study the Bible.

A Presbyterian pastor at Kiryu, near Maebashi, has been studying our truth for some little time past. He is well educated, and has a good reading knowledge of English; so besides reading our Japanese publications, he has read several of our works in English. Last week he was in Tokyo, and visited our school; and the brethren held some Bible studies with him. Since returning home he writes that both he and his wife have fully accepted the truth, and that he will resign his position at once, and take his stand with us.

A young lady near Wakamatsu has accepted the truth this winter. Her parents are quite well-to-do; and as she is the only child, all their hopes for preserving the family line are bound up in her. And as she is now of marriageable age, they have sought to arrange for her marriage. But as they are not Christians, she can not marry according to their wishes. And their disappointment at her course in thus becoming a Christian, is the great cause of their displeasure

toward her. But though suffering this persecution, which of all forms of persecution is hardest to bear, she is firm in her determination to follow Christ. And she has just written of her desire to give herself to the Lord’s work. Surely the faith which looks beyond the things of this world to the eternal things of God, is not yet extinct.

Last Sabbath an elderly man attended our services here in Tokyo, and made known his decision to observe the Sabbath of the Lord. It was the first Sabbath he had kept. One of our brethren had brought him some of our literature, and had visited him and explained the truth to him, with the result that he was led to accept it.

The above are a few of the encouraging omens of the harvest of souls that we feel sure awaits us this year. Our school is drawing near its close; and we are very thankful for the opportunities thus afforded for helping our little band of workers. And after these four months thus spent with about a score of earnest young people, we plan to throw our whole force into the work of further seed sowing, and of gathering the harvest. We are expecting great things of the Lord, and ask all who read this to unite their prayers with ours to this end.

There are other interesting plans and developments in our work that we hope to report soon. A spirit of harmony and brotherly love prevails among our workers and believers, which will surely bring the blessing of God into our work. So we are of good courage in the Lord.

Tokyo.