Feeling After God

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 30, 1914

Feeling After God

THE following letter by a young Japanese student was addressed to a friendly English missionary, who is in thorough sympathy with students in Japan, and appreciates the intellectual and spiritual ferment amid which they must carry on their studies:—

'I must apologize you for my long staying of the other day, and thank you for your kind present and long explanation about the God. I am very sorry that I could not understand you quite well and reply in affirmative at that time, though I was thanking [you] for your kindness from my heart. But I believe that to say no in truth is much better than to say yes by lying.

'You said that the man who could not believe in God was a pitiful [pitiable] man, and I pity myself also, indeed. I envy the Christian always, for he has a light in his mind named the God, while I have nothing. Although I were immoral and I should be ashamed for myself, I have nothing to sue [plead] and to apologize for my vice. . . . If I have something which redeems me in this case, how happy shall I be!

'What is the God? How can I believe in God? How can I enjoy my life without feeling moral displeasure? These are difficult questions for me. I tried to be converted to Buddhism once, but I found it unfit for me or the younger men, because it taught us only the future life. I think it is a religion for old men and women. I am very much at a loss, not only [as to] the future life but [as to] the present life indeed. . . .

'I am reading the Bible [a gift from the British and Foreign Bible Society] every day before going to bed, and trying to obey the precepts written in the Bible. I am endeavoring to reach the time when I can believe in God.

'I hope you will pity an unbeliever.'

— The Bible in the World.