The Lily Number by T. H. Okohira

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 42, Nos. 39, 40, Harvest Ingathering Number

“The Lily Number”

By T. H. Okohira

BY T. H. OKOHIRA

ONE summer we were holding a series of meetings in a tent near the city of Tokyo, Japan. After service one evening, a woman who had become interested in studying the Bible said she had an old mother sick in bed, and wanted us to go and see her. “My mother is a bigoted Buddhist,” she went on to say, “and holds tenaciously to her own view, saying that the Buddhist belief is the best one of all religions.”

The next day, my coworker visited her. He talked with her about Jesus, but she did not listen. She said: “I have met many Christian friends, and talked with them about the Christian religion. I find no better faith in them. It is no use to talk with you.”

He then told her that he had a good Christian paper she might like to read. “No,” she

said; “I could find no better theory in it. I am well satisfied with my Buddhist literature.” She was well versed in Japanese literature.

“I am sorry indeed that you are sick,” he went on. “I believe you would like to recover from your illness, would you not?” “Yes, indeed.” He then told her that this paper contained some interesting articles about health principles which, if she would read them, would be of great benefit to her. She then accepted the paper, which was a special number with a picture of a lily on the cover.

After a few days, we again visited this woman. She was quite changed in her attitude. Holding up the little paper, she said: “Indeed I found many good suggestions in the health pages. I was then enticed to read the other pages, and I have read it all through five times. I believe it teaches the simple, plain, and solemn truth, which I never read before in Christian literature.” She then testified, “Through this ‘Lily Number,’ I found my living Saviour, and I am saved in Him.”

Tokyo, Japan.