Another Good Day in Tokyo
By W. D. Burden
TO-DAY, Sabbath, June 25, we had the privilege of seeing one more precious soul follow his Lord in the ordinance of baptism. This brother, a middle-aged man, is one of the carpenters who was first employed in building our house. While the men were working here, we were always seeking to direct their attention to the true God and his salvation. This one seemed more promising than the others, so we kept him for some time after the other men were discharged, the meanwhile giving him the truth as we had opportunity. Last winter his wife contracted quick consumption shortly after the birth of their first child. She rapidly grew worse, and died early last spring. A few weeks later the baby also died. During the sickness of the wife we tried to do what we could to show our sympathy for them in their trouble, and this had its effect in opening their hearts to receive the truth. One day while talking with him about his wife's sickness, I said, “Sickness is a dreadful thing, and it all comes as the result of sin.” Then I read to him a few of God's promises relative to the new earth and its freedom from sin, sickness, and death; and asked him if he did not wish to be there. He took the Bible and read again the promises. His countenance showed that he was deeply moved. I asked if he had a Bible. He answered, “No.” That evening when he quit work, I gave him a Testament, and asked him to read it carefully. He received it gratefully, and a few days later he said, very thoughtfully, “Jesus was very kind to the sick people. I wish he were here now.” I wish you could have heard him say this; it would have done your hearts good, as it did ours. It was evident that God's Spirit was working with him. After a time his wife was sent to her parent's home, about forty miles in the country, but it was too late for the change to do her any good. Hearing that she was very low, and being unable to go myself, I asked a Japanese brother to go in my stead; for we were very anxious that she should find the Saviour before death should make it too late. When Brother Matsukura called, she was suffering such intense pain that she could not listen to what he said. He tried to encourage her to trust in God, and she promised that she would, but said, “If there is a God, I wish he would take away this suffering.” Much of that night Brother Matsukura spent talking with the parents and family, and though it was their first opportunity to hear anything about Christianity, they listened very interestedly, and invited him to come again. They also said, “Bring along your Ijin san” (Mr. Foreigner). I hope to visit them this summer. The next morning our brother left them, but we all sought God to reveal himself to the poor sufferer, and when, a few days later, we received word that she was dead, we rejoiced to hear that the Lord had heard our prayers and had given her quiet rest. Her parents wrote, “We are so glad for your visit; for after you came and told us about God Jesus, our daughter's pain all left, and she had rest.” Death is always an unwelcome visitor, but God is able to use even this to his glory, and make it a blessing in disguise. We trust this dear soul rests in hope; and that the seed which has been sown in the hearts of other members of the family will yet bear fruit. In the case of the husband, the affliction led him to decide for God and his truth. He said his wife's first illness came on the Sabbath, and she died on the Sabbath; the baby also sickened on the Sabbath, and died on the Sabbath, and he felt that it was a judgment from God because he had not obeyed when he was first convinced of his duty. We are glad also to report that another carpenter now doing some work for us is much interested. He attends our Sabbath services, and comes at other times for Bible study. We hope it will not be long till he, too, will be one with us. We thank the Lord for his many blessings that have been over us here in this field, and rejoice as we see the message advancing. W. D. BURDEN.