A Japanese Farmer's Experience by K. Nemoto

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

A Japanese Farmer's Experience

By K. Nemoto

FORMERLY I was a member of the Presbyterian Church; but I became convinced of the second coming of Christ, and of the importance of the law of God, through reading the Owari No Fukuin (Gospel for the Last Days). This was in February, 1909. Soon after that I began to keep the seventh-day Sabbath, because I realized that I was committing sin by transgressing the law, and I repented of it. In the beginning I was much perplexed on account of the observance of the Sabbath; but by the aid of the Holy Spirit I endured this trial.

When the time came to set out the rice in May, the Sabbath came at a busy time. I planned to finish setting certain ground by Friday; but being unable to do so, I thought to continue the work on Sunday, and so had the rice plants pulled preparatory to setting. But on the Sabbath it rained very hard, and flooded the fields, so that I was obliged to postpone the work for a whole week. Then I finished setting the rice. But the plants, which had lain for a week before being set, looked bad. And some of my neighbors mocked me for what they called my foolishness in keeping the Sabbath. And indeed the plants did look half dead.

It worried me somewhat to be thus mocked. But nature helped my rice field; and when harvest-time came, I had the best crop in the whole village. Thereby I learned this lesson: That while every one desires to have a good crop, our efforts do not entirely decide the result. And now I give this testimony: That if we only work, and trust in God, he will harmonize our efforts with the work of nature. This is truly wonderful.—K. Nemoto, in our Japanese paper, Gospel for the Last Days.