p. 13 | JAPANESE FAITHFULNESS

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 8, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 23.

JAPANESE FAITHFULNESS.

In a letter to our mission board, Prof. F. W. Field, of Tokio, Japan, tells of the experience of one of our Japanese evangelists, Brother Kuniya, who had seen service in the Chinese War, and received his commission when the truth came to him. But he was still subject to call in case of war. Professor Field says:—

Early this month the order came for him to join the army. He returned from Kobe to Tokio, and on the appointed day, instead of reporting at the barracks at Akabane, he went to the General Staff office in Tokio. Here he saw several officers, and made known to them his determination not to engage in war, which he could not conscientiously do as a Christian. The first officer scoffed; the next, himself a professed Christian, defended the present order; but all said that they had no authority to excuse him, nor to act in his case. So he was constrained to report at the barracks. On account of his visit to the General Office, he arrived at the barracks about three hours late. He was obliged to call on one of the officers at his hotel. To this officer he explained his case, and received considerable sympathy. Now, the penalty for being even several days late in reporting is two months’ solitary confinement. But this officer excused him for his tardiness,—a special favor. But he said that he, too, had no authority to deal with his case, or to excuse him from service. Then, as a further favor, he permitted Brother Kuniya to return home for the night. Early next morning Brother Kuniya repaired again to the barracks, and again stated his case to other officers. With the same result; they could do nothing in his case. Reluctantly he joined the other men in order to pass the required physical examination. The first examiner tested his eyes, and passed him. The next questioned him about as follows: “Are you quite well?” “Fairly well, but not so strong formerly.” “Do you sleep well?” “Sometimes not very well.” “All right; that will do.” Supposing that he had been passed as fit for service, he went on to the dressing-room. Very soon two of the examining physicians came to him, and said, “You had better go home and care for your health,” and left him. He could hardly believe that he was free, so went to the office, and was again assured that he was free to go home. He says that the only thing he can understand in the matter is that the Lord guided their minds as to his condition of health; for while not so strong and rugged as he was ten years ago, he was in very fair health. Another remarkable thing is, that of about three hundred examined that day, he was the only one excused, so far as he could learn. Next day was Sabbath, and Brother Kuniya occupied the time with an account of his experience. Then we united in heartfelt praise to God. But other trials await us, so we must be constant in prayer. Two of our young men must pass their military examination very soon. But our trust is in God.