F. W. FIELD by F. W. Field

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 1, 1902

F. W. FIELD

By F. W. Field

Japan

F. W. FIELD

It is just six months, since I landed in Japan with my family, and we are becoming quite accustomed to our new surroundings. We are glad that all the readers of the REVIEW are to enjoy the reports from regions beyond. The Lord is blessing the work in this field. The little company of four believers at Wakamatsu have been awaiting baptism for some time. Recently Brother Kuniya spent several weeks in labor there; and the latter part of April Brother Burden and I visited them. We remained over Sabbath, and on Sunday we had baptism. The accompanying view shows the place of baptism, about two miles from Wakamatsu, on a beautiful mountain stream. These dear souls are firm in the truth, and were much rejoiced and encouraged by our visit. They have the spirit of labor, and will follow up the interest awakened among their friends and neighbors.

We are planning and working to give the truth a wider circulation through our publications. Our monthly paper is still doing good service. It is our pioneer missionary, and is opening up the work in new places continually. We are glad to report a new publication in Japanese. “His Glorious Appearing” has been translated, and the first copies have just been received from the printer. It makes a neat pamphlet of about one hundred and fifty pages, besides thirteen full-page illustrations, and a tasty cover design. The brethren in America can hardly appreciate how rejoiced we are over every addition to our literature in the language of the people. Besides our paper and the pamphlet just mentioned, we have “Steps to Christ” and a few Bible readings on various subjects.

We are looking forward to the time when we can do our own printing. A sixth brother in America has sent us four hundred dollars for the purchase of a printing press; but we need a supply of type and other office requisites, also stock, before we can begin this work. May the Lord open the heart of some one who reads this to help in this good work! An increased supply of literature is an urgent need just now. There are over forty million people in Japan, and we are just making a beginning in the work of giving them the closing message.

Brethren Kuniya and Matsukura are planning a campaign for the summer. They will make an extended trip to the south from Tokyo, distributing literature, holding meetings, and visiting interested readers of our paper. Their colporteur wagon is not a large vehicle drawn by horses, but a neat, two-wheeled handcart, large enough to carry quite a supply of books and papers. Remember these brethren in your prayers, and we will report their progress.

I might speak further of our needs in this field; but it is a large subject. If I tell you what we have, you can easily estimate our needs. We have four native and two foreign laborers for all Japan. But the work is the Lord’s, and we are of good courage. Brethren, pray for us, and pray for more laborers.

Tokyo.