The Open Door in the East by William D. Burden

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 30, 1909

The Open Door in the East

By William D. Burden

W. D. BURDEN

DAILY I am led to thank God for the wonderful way in which the far East is opening up for missionary effort. The recent meeting which we have held at Wakamatsu illustrates this. We could not begin until Brother H. Kuniya returned from the United States to help with the meetings, and, on account of other plans, we could not continue as long as we felt we really should. With so much to do, and so few to do it, we often have to cut efforts short.

The man in whose yard our little tent was pitched, has been reading our paper, and is quite favorable toward our people. We paid him five cents a day land rent. From the first, the tent was filled. Even on rainy nights, we had all we could seat, and on other nights the tent would not hold half of those who wished to hear. But, though they could not obtain seats, many would stand and listen through the entire service. It was a continual source of wonderment to the other churches that we should have so large an attendance. They said they secured well-known speakers, and advertised, but they could not get the people to come out that way. We tried to put the truth in just as plain, simple language as possible, so that they might understand it, and this was appreciated. We estimated that some nights there must have been as many as eight hundred out. What a pity that we could not have had a larger tent, so as to accommodate all who wished to hear! Perhaps there are some of our people at home who would like to donate us this. If there are any, let them correspond with us or with Elder I. H. Evans. The one we now have was contributed by the Healdsburg school. It has been a great help, and can still be used in small places; but we need one larger, with seating capacity for six or seven hundred.

In connection with this Wakamatsu meeting, we held a forenoon service for our own people. About forty were present. In the afternoons all went out to distribute literature and invite the people to the evening service. This proved a great blessing to our people, and they went home determined to do more faithful work with their neighbors and friends.

During the services, we prepared cards, and passed them through the audience, asking those who would like to study these things more carefully, to write their names and addresses. More than eighty responded to the call, and for these we shall now work especially. We hope that many of them may be led into the truth.

TENT-MEETING IN JAPAN; CONDUCTED BY ELDERS W. D. BURDEN AND H. KUNITA, STANDING IN CENTER OF BACK ROW

For several reasons, it seemed best that we should close one night earlier than had been advertised, and it was so announced. But after the talk that night, the people seemed reluctant to leave, although we had dismissed. Nobody moved. Seeing this, the workers questioned whether they ought not to continue another night, but being unable to settle it among themselves, it was decided to ask those in the audience to rise who wished to come and hear another night. Instantly every one was on his feet.

The next day a company with moving pictures came to town, and put out its advertisements. Some feared all the people would go there, instead of coming to the tent. But not so. It served to draw away only the children and the careless ones. Our tent was crowded, and the meeting proved the best of the series.

Twice during this effort, in answer to calls, we went out into the country and held meetings. In one place we were given the free use of the village schoolhouse. This is very uncommon. The Buddhists are allowed such privileges, but the Christians are not. However, this time the head man of the village was there to welcome us, and presided.

The day after we closed at Wakamatsu, Brother Kuniya and I went to Ibaraki, a place about one hundred fifty miles distant. There we organized the little company of fifteen into a church. This is our fifth church in Japan. A year ago we had not a single believer in that section. Now we have these fifteen, and several others expect to be baptized before long. Here again we see evidence of the advance the message is making.

Tokyo.