Among Japan's Millions
By F. H. De Vinney
NOTWITHSTANDING all that has been done by Christian missionary effort in Japan, Christianity can hardly be said to have obtained a foothold in the Kingdom of the Rising Sun. The ambition of the Japanese is unbounded, and their progress since 1868 has been rapid; yet the changes have been in the adoption of the customs and ethics of the Western world, rather than the changes that vital Christianity brings to the human heart and life. The governing classes are suspicious of Christianity, and lay most of the ills in public life to the change from the old order to the new. Among the great masses of the middle and lower classes, there is almost complete indifference to any form of religion that does not promise to bring immediate advantage in things worldly, over the old worship of their gods; but here and there the light of truth has found its way to hearts with all its transforming power. And there are none with whom the change is more apparent, or who will suffer and sacrifice more for Christ's sweet sake, than these honest hearts. By actual experience, the use of tents during the entire period of the warm weather has been found to be a splendid manner of attracting the attention of the different classes of people. A song or two will fill the tent at almost any hour of the day with interested if only curious listeners, but never fails to bring some burdened, hungry heart who receives gladly the news of a Saviour's love and care. This season we have had tents located on each of the principal islands: Honshiu (mainland), Kiushiu, and Shikoku. Our paper, Owari no Fukuin ("The Gospel for the Last Days"), with the books and tracts, goes ahead by the hands of our faithful canvassers to prepare the ground for the public and house-to-house labors of the living teachers. To our training school are called the promising young men and women from the efforts in the field, who are instructed in Bible, methods of work, music, as well as in such common branches of education as may be found necessary. These are then tested and tried in the canvassing field, in our printing-office, and at the sanitarium, and heavier burdens placed upon them as they develop. In this way those who are not genuinely called to Christian service, are eliminated. From our last year's students, fourteen new, earnest, active workers are assisting in tent, canvassing, Bible, and sanitarium work this present season. We can see many of the difficulties which, like mountains, loomed before us, break down before the onward spread of the message. F. H. DE VINNEY.
Tokio, Japan.