Japan by H. Kuniya

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 22, 1906

Japan

By H. Kuniya

“LIFT up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”

There are many religions in the world which claim to be true and good; but these, except the one true religion, can not save souls from sin. For this reason many are seeking a religion that can satisfy their souls; and now is the time for us to work with the Lord for such.

On my way from Nagasaki to Tokyo I stopped at Shimonoseki to visit Brother Kaname’s family. It was Friday, and the city officers had ordered everybody

to clean house. So I went to the temple on the hill to get a view of the city. In the temple yard I noticed an old man sitting by the fence, meditating. He seemed very sad, so I went near to him and asked, “Have you any hope for the future?” Slowly he raised his head, like the man at the pool of Bethesda who had been diseased for thirty-eight years, and answered, “No.” Then I asked, “Don’t you believe any religion?” He replied that he had been taught to believe the Shinto doctrine, but really understood nothing clearly about religion. He seemed utterly discouraged because for years he had been sick of palsy, and his daughter-in-law is unkind to him, though she is a strong Buddhist. I talked with him for several hours, telling him about man’s fall, and how God in his love for man “gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Tears filled his eyes, and he asked, “What shall I do to be saved?” I explained the gospel the best I could, and taught him how to pray. When I bade him good-by, he said, “This is the happiest day of my life. My son will be glad to hear this good news.” I hope to see him again on my return, and also in heaven.

I stopped also at Hiroshima and Okayama, and had good meetings. Some who have been prejudiced have become interested, and confess the foolishness of worshiping idols. Now God commands all men everywhere to repent. We must work joyfully while his Spirit helps us. With but a handful of workers, how can we finish this work before our King comes? We need more workers to help these poor souls all over Japan. We should soon start a Bible training-school to educate young men and women for this work.

An aged pastor of the Congregational church in Osaka has decided to obey the Lord, and to devote the remainder of his life to the proclamation of this message. I have been corresponding with him for several years. He has been convinced of the truth for some time, but thought to reform his congregation by staying among them and teaching the truth. But they hate him since he began to keep the Sabbath; so he has declined to receive his salary any longer, and will unite with us. He desires to settle in Kumamoto, one of the principal cities of the island of Kiushu, where he has many friends and acquaintances. We are planning for him to connect with our work, and have reason to believe that he will prove a useful laborer, as he has had many years’ experience in Christian work. He is now sixty-six years old, but strong and well. His wife is with him in the faith.

The work in Nagasaki is advancing. The people of this city are mostly Buddhists or Roman Catholics, and are very strong in their religion; but some are taking their stand for the truth here. Our membership is now sixteen; there are three candidates for baptism, and others are interested. Please remember us in your prayers. H. KUNIYA.