INTERESTING LETTER FROM JAPAN.
By W. D. Burden
I HAVE been much exercised of late in regard to circulating our literature, and am much pleased that the subject was given so much attention at the recent General Conference. When we began publishing our Japanese paper, Owari No Fukuin, there was not sufficient interest to secure its circulation. A few hundred each month were sent out through the mail, but this is an expensive way of scattering them, as we do not have pound rates here, as in America. I urged the native workers to use more of them in their work, but still the papers kept accumulating. A short time ago a Buddhist festival was held near our place. It was a special gathering of that sect, and thousands of persons from all parts attended. I determined to make an effort to get some of our papers into the hands of these people. I told my plan to the Japanese brethren, and they gladly co-operated. Filling a hand wagon with the back numbers of the paper, we went out on the street near the temple in whose honor the feast was held, and began holding a meeting. By the laws of Japan, preaching in public is forbidden, so we had to do our work under the name of advertising. This was at the suggestion of the police, who did not wish to interfere, but could not allow preaching. We would sing to call the attention of the people, then one of the Japanese brethren would give a short talk, following which we would distribute papers to those who wished to read. During the two evenings of that feast, we distributed thirty-one hundred papers. Some fruit has already been seen, but eternity alone can tell the whole story. Several have since been coming for special Bible study. A number of letters have been received, a sample of which, if translated, might read something like this:— “The other night I went to—[a certain temple], and I saw the people crowding, crowding, and I heard the priests mumbling something and making a great noise; but I could not understand. I went out of the gate, discouraged and disgusted; then the sound of singing met my ears. I listened, and was much encouraged. Afterward one of you gave me a paper, which I read with much interest. I shall pray for the success of your work.” Such reports encourage our hearts, and make us feel sure that God has some honest souls here among this people. Our literature should be given a chance, and it will be sure to do a good work. A few days ago an elderly gentleman living a few miles from here, who has been a subscriber to our paper for some time, came to Brother Okohira’s house early in the morning. He asked some questions on Bible subjects, which Brother Okohira answered to his satisfaction. He then spoke of the paper, and of how much he enjoyed it, gave a contribution of twenty yen, ten dollars, toward it. He had especially enjoyed the studies on “The Revelation,” which has been running through the paper. He said he had never seen anything like that before, and requested the paper sent to some of his friends. He gave us about a dozen names, and some of these have already sent in their subscriptions. Another day, while waiting in a bank, my attention was drawn to an elderly man sitting beside me, but I did not know him, and did not know that I should ever see him again. Coming out of the bank, I distributed papers to several jinrikisha-men who were waiting at the door. When I had gone about two blocks, I heard some one calling me. To my surprise, it was the man whom I had noticed in the bank. He asked if I had distributed those papers. On receiving an affirmative answer, he grasped my hand and shook it as if I had been an old friend. Giving his name, he explained that some of our papers had been sent to him, which he had enjoyed much, and was glad to meet me. This will not be an easy field to work, but God will bless us if we faithfully sow the seed. We are praying continually that the Lord will put it into the hearts of some of the people in America to come here and help along in this great work. With the present corps of workers in this field, one worker for about ten million inhabitants, don’t you think, brethren, that we need more laborers?