A MISSIONARY to China, on his way home on furlough, recently visited Tokyo, and expressed surprise at finding a city of such large dimensions. Canton, with about the same population, covers not more than half the area. Tokyo extends about nine miles from south to north, and has an average width of about six miles. This is the city proper and does not include numerous populous suburbs. Many of the streets are narrow, and the houses are often found crowded close together. On the other hand, some of the streets are wide and well kept; extensive grounds surround certain public buildings, temples, and the dwellings of the more wealthy classes; and public parks of generous area afford relief to the congested quarters. Then, too, the absence of tall buildings, even approximating the "skyscrapers" of some American cities, tends to lessen the congestion. Many buildings in Tokyo are only one story in height; and even in the heart of the city, buildings of more than two stories form the exception. But there are some fine structures of brick and stone that would do credit to any city in the West. The Bank of Japan is a fair specimen of the business buildings of this city; and the Department of Naval Affairs is housed in a fine structure that is typical of the more modern buildings of the Imperial Government.
Tokyo being the capital of the empire, the annual assembly of the Imperial Diet brings together representative men from all parts of the country. Here also are located the embassies and legations of the various foreign countries. These are mostly in the southern part of the city; and imposing buildings and extensive, well-kept grounds add much to the attractiveness of that part of town.
The Educational Center
Tokyo is also the educational center of the nation; for here are gathered tens of thousands of students from all over the country, attending the higher schools of learning. The Imperial University is located in the northern part of the city, and has extensive grounds with substantial brick buildings. Every year this institution graduates hundreds of students from its various departments. Other schools of all grades and descriptions abound.
The Bank of Japan, Tokyo; The Department of Naval Affairs, Tokyo
Tokyo, the residence of the revered emperor, the seat of government, the center of learning and of business, occupies an exalted position in the minds of the Japanese. The city is but little above sea-level; yet no matter from what part of this very mountainous country a Japanese comes, he always goes up to Tokyo. On all railway schedules the trains for Tokyo are designated as "ascending" trains, and those away from the city as "descending."
All the foregoing facts indicate the strategic importance of Tokyo in any effort to influence the Japanese people. A movement with headquarters at Tokyo at once gains a respectful hearing. The Tokyo imprint on a book or periodical carries great weight. For these reasons the first representatives of the third angel's message in Japan began their work in Tokyo; and this continues to be the center of that movement.
But up to the present time we have had no permanent abiding place. Our meetings for worship and for the spread of the message, have all been held in private houses; and all the work of publishing the truth, and of training workers to carry that truth to the people, has been carried on in rented rooms. We believe that we should have better and more permanent quarters for carrying on this important work. And these articles on Tokyo are written with the design and hope of interesting the readers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in the needs of this important center in Japan.
Why should we not have a neat, respectable church building in some fairly central location, in which we can worship God, and to which we can invite those who become interested in the message we are bearing to the world? We believe this should be; and for years the little Tokyo church, even now numbering only about fifty members, has been working away in their poverty on a church building fund. And with the help of friends in the home land, we now have sufficient funds to secure the necessary land. But we should have at least $2,000 for the building. And we are going to keep working away till we get it. Would any of the SIGNS readers like to help us?
