Itinerary Labors in Japan
THE following is taken from a private letter from Brother Kuniya; but it gives such a good idea of the conditions in this field, and of the encouraging features in such work, that I am constrained to place this much of our brother’s letter before the readers of the REVIEW:— “TAJIMA, FEB. 5, 1906.—Last Thursday I left Tamba, and came here on foot. That day I walked over thirty-eight miles. It was a very stormy day, the rain being mixed with snow. I almost fainted by the way when I climbed the mountain road between Tamba and Tajima; but the Lord gave me strength to continue till I had reached the house of Sister Koide. I arrived about seven o’clock in the evening, and they welcomed me gladly. I had a good rest that night by the fireside. There is very much snow in this province now, more than in Tamba; and very soon the snow will cover all the houses, and the people will not be able to go out. But our merciful Father answered our prayers, and sent many souls who are thirsting for the truth to our sister’s house. The first night over forty souls came to hear the message, and some of them seemed much interested. Sister Koide’s mother said that they had never had such good meetings since they became Christians. I am working every day as I did in Tamba. If possible, I would like to stay several months; but a brother who has begun to keep the Sabbath in Nagasaki urges me to come there as soon as I can, because his faith is not yet fully established. The field is so broad, but our handful of workers must finish the work before our King comes. How much we need the power from on high!” “Brother Kumamoto is now teaching night-school in his house. Every night over fifteen youth come to study. He said this is the best way to teach the truth in his village. His wife and aged father-in-law are keeping the Sabbath, but have not yet been baptized. I visited some of the scattered Christians in those parts while I was there. One doctor’s wife entertained me very kindly, and donated one yen. It was surely the Lord’s work, for if I had not received that money, it would have been difficult for me to reach Tajima. She asked me to stay at her house and preach to the neighbors; but as I had an appointment, I could not accept her invitation.” “If Sister Koide’s husband were converted, it would be a good work done. He troubles our sister very much, instead of helping. The sisters are very sorry for him, and are praying day and night. But I am glad they are very firm in the truth. Often their relatives scare them, to lead them to give up their faith. The mother answered them, ‘You may trouble us if you wish, but we will not give up our Christianity at all. If you want our land, you may take it; but we believe that the Lord will provide for our needs.’”15 “If I can, I will leave for Kobe next Thursday, and then go to Nagasaki, visiting Brethren Harada and Tatsuguchi and some interested people by the way. Please remember me in your prayers.” F. W. FIELD.