HUNGRY FOR THE GOSPEL

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 17, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 38.

HUNGRY FOR THE GOSPEL.

Mrs. Mary L. Smelser, a missionary to the Japanese, who has recently returned to America, states that there has been a real awakening in Japan along religious lines since the beginning of the year. She says:—

The spirit of conviction seems to be resting upon the people to a great extent. This is especially true in some localities. Surely it is God's time to work. As many say, the need is great in this Christian land; but O, it is so much greater where people are in midnight darkness and have never heard the Gospel. Here in America in towns of 3,000 inhabitants there are often fourteen to sixteen places of worship. With few exceptions people can at least hear the Word read. In Choshi, the place of our labors, a town of 30,000 or 40,000 inhabitants (including small villages near by), there are only two places of worship—one besides our mission. To one missionary in Japan there are about 90,000 people. There are many places where the Gospel never has been heard. Some are ready to receive it. Are we willing to do our part?

One day a young man came to our house inquiring about the way of salvation. He told us how he believed in and worshiped idols, but longed for heart peace and deliverance from sin. After we had talked to him for some time he said, “If I wait two months can I get my sins forgiven?” We told him he need not wait at all; now was the accepted time. We knelt and I prayed. When he began to pray this was one of the first things he said: “O God forgive me for not hearing about this blessed way of salvation before.” It touched my heart so I could not keep back the tears, for he had told me that before this time he had never heard of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I felt like saying, “O God forgive us for not bringing the light before.”

When these people get salvation it seems that they appreciate it even more than we do. Just a few days before I left Choshi a man from a village three miles distant called to ask more about Christianity. He had not received any light except through Christian literature. Because he read about Christianity in papers, the people of the village called him a Christian, but he said, “Please tell me more.” After talking with him for some time I found he was seeking truth and under conviction. He prayed and confessed his sins, and experienced forgiveness. When he arose he said, “I have a friend in my village who is seeking light, and now I must hurry home and tell him how to get really saved and receive peace.” He also asked for some tracts to give out to the people of the villages.

Mrs. Smelser returns in the autumn to continue evangelistic labors among this waiting people.