A YOUNG man, Matsumoto by name, recently accepted Christ, and was compelled to leave home because of his faith. In passing through that experience of cold and hunger, he told me: “I am no more ambitious for wealth. Education and worldly honor are nothing to me now, for I am living for heaven. It matters not what I have to eat, or where I sleep. I have my Bible, and read no other book. Though I possess nothing else, I am happy, and hope my parents will learn to serve God.” Matsumoto San has since been permitted to return home, and he is not ashamed to tell of his hope. Some are already much interested on account of his earnestness.
During the winter we held a series of meetings in Kumamoto, in a store on one of the main streets. We had no way of heating the room, and it took considerable courage to go every night for a month, when the cold was intense; but this was done by at least one young man, whose name is Fuku. His home is on a small island beyond our most southern station in Japan. Although he seemed to be poor, and of a simple mind, I soon learned from others that he is no ordinary student, for he is at the head of his class, which contains more than five hundred students. In the course of a conversation, he said: “I have tried to forget these things [about Christ’s coming], but I can not. They ring in my ears day and night, and a voice tells me to accept your message.”
Steps leading up to a noted shrine, where several hundred lepers formerly were permitted to beg.
He has since decided to obey, and we hope Fuku San will become like a “tree planted by the rivers of water.”
A teacher also from one of the advanced government schools has been faithful in coming to study the Scriptures. Hearing how near we are to the end of all things earthly, he seemed much surprised, and said, “You people have known this so long; I wonder why no one came to tell us before.”
It is pleasant to think of the victories for Christ; but there are so many who, like King Agrippa, are almost persuaded. Our experience is that of the sower; much seems to fall by the wayside, among thorns, or upon stony ground; but some falls on good ground, and we claim the promise of Isa. 55:11.
