BIBLE DISTRIBUTION IN NAGOYA, JAPAN.
In the spring of 1895 the missionaries residing in Nagoya, together with some of the native workers, representing four denominations, resolved to undertake the work of putting one copy of a portion of God's Word into each of the fifty thousand dwellings in this city. Dr. W. N. Whitney, of the Scripture Union, greatly encouraged and substantially aided this work. A representative working committee was appointed by the contributors to the project, 50,000 copies of the four Gospels, 12,500 of each, were specially ordered and printed for this work, the Bible Societies' agent making a reduction of 50 per cent. of the retail price. Systematic preparations were made to begin the work of distribution. A brief tract, introductory and explanatory, was printed, and a copy of it put into each portion of the Word. This tract singled out and called special attention to important passages. The committee held regular meetings, and the different phases of the work were fully discussed. Some Christian friends came to the meetings of the committee, and made well-meaning but discouraging speeches, declaring the undertaking dangerous, and one Christian pastor predicted bloodshed as a consequence of stirring up Buddhist wrath by attempting a house-to-house visitation and distribution. It was well known that among these 200,000 people, mostly Buddhists, 2,000 Buddhist temples, and 5,000 priests, there would be some opposition; but the committee did not hesitate. All were eventually surprised at the mildness of the opposition. The work was begun by presenting to the Marquis Tokugawa and the four officials of Chokunin rank, well bound copies of the whole Bible. Next, well-bound copies of the New Testament were presented to fifty-four officials of Sonin rank, and to gendarmes and police inspectors cheaper editions of the New Testament were given, and with each copy of the Bible and New Testament special letters of explanation were presented. With but one or two exceptions, the officials received the committee with great cordiality, and many of them seemed glad to inquire about Christian customs, etc. Portions of the city adjacent to the respective churches were apportioned to their workers, and the work of house-to-house visitation and distribution. It began. In some instances priests went in advance of the workers and threatened the people if they should take copies of the Word. In other cases the distributors were closely followed, and all the portions left were gathered up for destruction. In some cases doors were barred in the face of the workers. In one section, covering several blocks of the most wealthy people of the city, an agreement was made that no one there would receive these portions of Scripture, and in some instances priests required the people to sign documents to the same effect; but no violence has taken place. From two per cent. to forty per cent. of the offers made were refused, but the average will not exceed four per cent. or five per cent. In many instances people appeared glad to get the Word, and instances of direct good are known to have followed this work. The spirit of inquiry has increased, and some persons thus found are now attending the churches. Some small, isolated portions of the city still remain to be worked, but the main portion has been covered, and the remaining portions of the Scriptures have been divided among the four missions represented—the Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Protestant, and the Church of England. Some of the workers have met with rich experiences, and in this way alone the work has paid well. The borders of Zion have been enlarged and her bulwarks strengthened perceptibly in this city within the past twelve months, to which good work the distribution of Scripture portions has undoubtedly contributed no mean part. Much prayer has accompanied this work, and while we may never be able to tabulate results, sure it is that He who has made a definite promise as to the fruitfulness of his Word, will see to it that great results follow. Hundreds who would otherwise never have seen the true Word of God, have had at least one chance to read some of its truths, and have had the importance of the subject brought home to them.—Missionary Review.