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Here is a picture of the Tengenji Church of Christ located in Miiiato Ward, Tokyo, Japan.
This church was started by Mrs. Still shortly before Christmas 1947. At that time the only
Christian member of the church was Mrs. Tsujio in whose house the services are being held.
There are now 23 baptized members in all. A new building is being constructed for this
church. Since Mrs. Still left for the states last June, 1948, Stephen lijima, student preacher
has been ministering to this church.
New Mission Worker
Mrs. Sumida, a Nisei, has been getting a good
salary working for the Occupation Force in the
same building with General McArthur. She_ is
a faithful Christian and was not satisfied to give
her time for secular work and after work, in
the evenings, after her long wearj' hours at work
she came and helped me with my work. She
lias a luisbaiul and four children. Her husband
is in e<hiraion work and owns a large school
which is just being built again after it was de
stroyed during the war and they are much in
need of funds and she felt obliged to accept the
position which she has been holding to help
with their Iniilding program. She is a real soul-
I winner and it has grieved her very much to be
' so limited in her work for the Master.
When 1 spoke to her about giving all her time
for Christian work, she was more than willing
to come to me for $50.00 a month which is much
less than she had been getting.
She will give her entire time to me to assist
in the heavy program which is much too heavy
for one of my age, but the necessity here is so
great that it's hard to refuse when people come
and want Christian teaching, and so I have filled
my time much too full. She will be able to teach
my classes, interpret for me, do my typing,
answer my Japanese correspondence, and do a
lot of calling I have been longing to do but
cannot because of poor transportation.
I discovered her last spring when she came
to my home to ask if her son might join my
class for Middle School Boys. I was happy to
have him and she came with him to his first
class and made herself so useful in helping me
that I saw at once that she could be a very
valuable Christian Worker. But she was a
Methodist, having been sprinkled when a small
child and when I explained about the New Test
ament Church she was delighted with its sim
plicity and very soon decided to accept that
teaching.
Soon after she was baptized she brought her
daughter, a high school girl for teaching and
baptism and then her son, a Middle School boy,
and next Sunday her husband, who has had no
religion, will be baptized. He has attended my
Friday Night Class for six months very faith
fully, and is now convinced that he too should
be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mrs. Sumida has also interested a number of
other people, with whom she has had contacts,
in coming to my classes and the Church.
Her salary of $50.00 a month is already pro
vided for without any extra expense to the
Mission and I am sure she will prove to be a
very valuable worker.
Emily B. Canningham
Samuel Saunders Resigns as Editor
A. E. Sims Suceeds Him
For a little over a year we have been assistant
editor of this paper. But since our good friend,
Samuel Saunders who has been the editor for
.several years has resigned that position, we have
been asked to assume the editorship. We regret
that Brother Saunders could not see his way
clear to continue as editor, for he has done a
^ood job of it, and has been instrumental in
making the Tokyo Christian a spiritual power.
He is an interesting writer and a likeable man.
But we can understand the difficulty of editing
.a paper published in this country while he lives
in Japan, and we know he is kept busy in the
-work over there. However we are still looking
-to him in large measures for much of the ma
terial that goes into the Tokyo Christian. Were
it not for this confidence in his continued co
operation we would indeed be reluctant to
assume thfe responsibility of being editor. How
ever, with hi.s co-operation and that of the other
missionaries, we shall be glad to do the best we
can, and we solicit your prayers and your pa
tience, and will welcome your constructive crit
icism and your good suggestions.
Just this personal word: What makes this op
portunity of serving mean much to me is the fact
. that my conscience has goaded me more or less
in past years for not going to the mission field
when I had the call. Now I feel that there is
at least some compensation in the fact that I
have a son in this same mission field, and it adds
a little more .satisfaction to be able to give of
my time to help promote the cause in this way
as best I can. I just pray that God may be able
to use me, in some measure at least, to His own
glory.
Finally, this exhortation to you younger
people: If you hear the call of God, take my
advice and do not turn down God's call if you
are sure it is Flis call. ITiere seems to be a great
opportunity in Japan right now. It may be that
God is calling some of you who read this, some
man and wife who are prepared and ready to
go. If so write to Mrs. Cunningham for helpful
advice. Or it may be that some of you younger
ones are called who need to make preparation.
The important thing is to take the next step and
let God show you the way, His way.
Alfred E. Sims
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Published bi-monthly for the information and in
spiration of every Christian whose heart's desire
should be to obey the Great Commission by pro
claiming the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus
In all the world, to every creature, of every nation.
Entered as second class matter in the Wilmerding,
Pa., Postomce under the Act of March 3, 1879.
TWO-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS
"FLAMING TORCH" 50 CENTS
MRS. W. D. CUNNINGHAM Director
ALFRED E. SIMS Editor
EVA D. GREEN Forwarding Agent
Office of Publication;
Wilmerding, Pa.
Please send all correspondence and offerings for
the mission to: Miss Eva D. Green. 127 E. Mercer
Avenue, College Part, Georgia. Make all checks pay
able to our forwarding agent.
MISSION STAFF
Mrs. W. D. Cunningham Director
Andrew Patton. Mr. and Mrs. S. K. Saunders, Mr.
and Mrs. Harold Sims, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Still.
Send letters and personal packages as follows:
NameTokyo Foreign Missionaries, A.P.O. 500, c/o
P.M.. San Francisco, California.
Send relief packages to Japanese addresses as
follows:
Mrs. W. D. Cunningham, 607 Kami Uma, Setagaya
Ku, Tokyo. Japan.
Andrew Patton. 1003-3 Chome, Kami Uma, Setagaya
Ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Saunders, 15S-1 Chome, Shin
Machi, Setagaya Ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 2801-1 Chome, Mlka-
washima Machi, Arakawa Ku, ,Tokyo.
Mr. and Mrs. Owen Still are on furlough with tem
porary address: 8911 N. Central Avenue. Phoenix,
Arizona.
INCORPORATORS
Mrs. W. D. Cunningham Mr. Lawrence Bain
Mr. Morris Butler Book Mrs. E. G. Nabell
Mr. T. O. Hathcock Miss Eva Green
Mr. George W. Bondurant J. E. Llpscombe
ADVISORY
George J. Barthold
J. P. Baxter
W. W. Bondurant
Morris Butler Book
Ira M. Boswell
Mark Collls
J. H. Deem
Judge T. O. Hathcock
COMMITTEE
E. E. House
W. E. Johnson
J. E. Llpscombe
Mrs. H. M. McCall
T. K. Smith
W. P. Stobaugh
W. R. Walker
Guy L. Drill
Building For Christ
Have you read elsewhere in this issue the
financial report of general expenses in Japan?
Note tliat the mission is spending a considerable
amount on the rebuilding program. This is as
it should be. .All but one of the mission church
buildings were destroyed during the war. There
is still much more building to be done, and if
the mission is to continue to expand and grow,
we must support that kind of program. There
is more inflation in Japan than in this country,
yet the more favorable rate of exchange makes
this building cost less in dollars than it other
wise would cost.
We notice that only $675.00 is listed for sal
aries. We might explain that the salaries of the
eight missionaries are for the most part given
by living link churches. (Included in our rope-
holder list). For example, three different
churches make up the support for Harold Sims,
two churclies support Lois Sims, while one
church supports Samuel Saunders. This living
link relationship brings joy and blessing to the
ciiurchcs as well as to the missionaries. If there
are other churches that want to take on new life
by undertaking some special project, why not
consider some of the building needs, or the Bible
College etc.?
We rejoice with the good stewards who have
made this progressive building program possible.
The increased rope-holder list in this issue is
just another evidence that the Lord provides for
His own according to His promise. Phil. 4:19.
"My God shall supply all your need." We trust
that a prayer goes up for each of tlicse gifts.
They need our prayers as well as our gifts.
While God is not limited in His methods, it is
usually by the agency of his consecrated, good
and faithful stewards that he fulfills tlie promise
in Phil. 4:19. And what a thrilling, happy, joy
ful fellowship comes to us when we thus co
operate with God!
A. E. S.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
'J'liis is a picture ol the small Korean Church at Mikawashima. This group is contributing
half of the cost of their building wliich will be finished soon if not by time tiiis is printed.
Most of the pre-war members of this church have gone back to Korea, and in these days of
political and economic uncertainty for them, it seems hard to get interested in the church. The
few who do attend are very faithful Christians. The picture is taken in front of the building
where the church now meets. Mr. Lee's factory is in back of this room, and the Simses live
up stairs.
1948 Financial Report
From Tokyo Treasurer
TOTAL YEARLY REPORT 1948
Balance from last year....; $ 312.59
Received from Eva Green 21,871.78
Received from sale of Mikawashima
lot 159.50
Received from pre-war bank accounts 308.92
Received from Mrs. Cunningham .... 335.00
Received from refunds 149.52
Received from sale of stoves, fuel, etc. 654.79
Received from Churcbcs and Individ
uals who .sent directly to Japan .... 2,738.54
Received from Soldiers and Civilians
in Japan 525.74
Total Receipts $27,056.39
Spent for Taxes $ 198.23
Spent for Insurance 790.59
*GIass and cement 352.73
Various repairs 174.25
For supplies 718.50
For postage 45.67
Japanese Language Study 272.85
Bank Charges 152.51
Allowances (former minister's
children) 450.38
.Sent to Eva Green 67.44
Refund 14.00
Uncollectcd Money Orders 38.50
OnKomazawa house repairs 117.75
Out-stations 574.73
Salaries 675.00
Travel and freiglit 1,044.49
Rents 746.16
Purchase of lot for Tengengi church . 318.58
Bible college supplies and students... 1,070.28
Oo Mikawashima churcli building ... 1,111.11
On Yotsiiya church and parsonage .., 4,051.90
One-half of Yocho-machi church,
Tengengi church, Mrs. Cunningham's
and Saunders' houses 7,005.50
Sent to David Cho 217.50
Total Expenditures $20,208.65
Balance $ 6,847.74
We started the year with a yen exchange of
Y50 to $1.00. Now it is Y270 to $1.00. One of
the books was kept entireij' in Yen, so we con
verted it into dollars at present rates. Reallv
we received more money from Eva Green, be
cause early in the year it took more Dollars to
buy the yen.
*Japancse Contractors could not buy gla.ss and
cement for the buildings so we bought it through
Church-World Service.
Lois Sims, Treasurer
Luke 19:10 "For the Son of man i.s come to
seek and to save that which was lost."
STILLS LOOKING FORWARD
TO JAPAN AGAIN
When we were getting ready to bring Mrs.
Still out of Japan, I had a sick spell and no one
Icnew wiiat was the matter. The missionaries
asked me to see a good doctor and do whatever
was necessary in order to get well. When we
reached Hawaii, we were much tempted to stay
there and try for health in that land of spring
time; we felt we could accomplish much there.
But when we took our physical tests there in
order to find out how we stood, the doctor said
that my heart was affected and that I must be
careful of my activity, and he also said that Mrs.
Still needed a much drier climate than that of
IHawaii and recommended Arizona,
j After we had been in .Arizona about three
Imonths I took sick again. Since tlie attack was
exactly or nearly exactly like the one in Japan^
Iand since the specialist in Hawaii had said it
was my lieart, 1 went to a heart specialist, and
he assured me on my first visit that I had a very
sad heart condition. Indeed, from the time I
i began to take his medicine, I rapidly became
jworse, until, after prayer, I decided that we
jshould go to Mayo's. The Lord opened the way
Iand we were able to go to Mayo's, where, after
j very thorough examination the doctors could
. find nothing whatever wrong with my heart. All
! my pain had been caused by a stomach ulcer
and by the wrong medicine I had had. Mrs.
I Still's lung fungus was pronounced all right, but
tlic_ doctor felt he must have another exami
nation because of what seemed to be a stone
in the lung, which he thought was causing her
pain, and which he wishes to watch to see that
it will not do her any damage. She may have
to have an operation, or it may disintegrate.
However, the doctors at Mayo's feel tliat we
shall be able to return to Japan, whether we
have to wait for an operation or not. But we
feel encouraged. Mrs. Still is feeling much
better and we hope to leave Arizona in late May
or early June, speak here and there untiMate
July or early August and get back to Japan in
time for the opening of the Bible Seminary's
September term,
The work at Phoenix is going along very well.
We have been able to lead tliis young congre
gation in the purchase of a lot in a very desir
able location, and we are hoping to help them
in getting a building before we have to leave,
since now they are meeting in our rented home,,
where it will be impossible for tlicm to meet
after wc leave.
I am also enjoying my teaching in-Southwest
Christian Seminarybut Japan is calling us,
calling every day. Every day we talk about
what we shall take to Japan and what we shall
do when we get there and we dream of the day
of meeting again those from whom we have
been separated.
We plan to go north and do a bit of speaking
among the Canadian congregations and visit our
son, Owen Still, Jr. We hope that he and his
wife and child can join us in the drive across
to Georgia to see our "home folk" and then wc
expect to take them back to Canada by another
route and drive to the coast, where we shall
probably sell the car I have bought with another
loan on my insurance. If you would like us to
contact YOU or your congregation on one of
these rapid treks, please let us know. In the
meantime, please pray for the work here and
in Japan.
Owen Still,
8911 N. Central Avenue,
Phoenix, Arizona
TOKYO ClimSTIAIV
My Neighborhood
Sunday School
By Lois Sims
"Wouldn't it be fine to have a picture of that I
sea of faces," Harold remarked as lie viewed the
192 Japanese children who had gathered in our
yard to take part in and listen to the Christmas
program. These were the children of the Sun
day afternoon Bible School.
Several months ago I sent an invitation to |
about 20 neighbor children telling of a Sunday
.school 1 would have in our home the next day.
The news spread quickly, and the next afternoon
the 20, with 30 others, crowded into our Jap
anese-styled room.
Some of the children were shy, others curious,
but they came and we made room for them all.
It was the first time they had beard of the
Heavenly Father. The little girl with her baby
brother strapped to her back was all eyes as
she saw tbe Bible pictures, and tbe little boys
witb shaven heads and poorly made clothes did
their best to sing the children's hymns. And |
they did well, for their first time.
Now we have out-grown the tatami room, and
if you would visit us now during Sunday School
hours you would find children in almost every
room as well as in the yard. Our largest at
tendance was 311 and I still wonder where we
put them allwe managed, though.
At first one Japanese teacher was enough, but
now three teach regular classes and at times we
call Mrs. Lee to take care of a fourth group.
Most of the children are very poorly dressed,
and so one afternoon wc gave each one a piece
of clothing. The next week the attendance was
doubled, and they have kept on coming. They
begin to gather in front of the house an hour or
so before starting time. At times they are very
noisy and funny. Hope Joyce seems to attract
them, and she likes to watch them from the
upstairs window as they peep through and under
the gate at her, I was amazed at the amount
of dirt the children seemed to collect on their
faces and hatids during play-time. And Avhen
they came in they didn't mind smearing our
white plaster walls as high up as they could
reach.
To remedy this wc made up a song with
motions about washing our hands. Many times
the children' remember this after they come
here. Then they scamper home and soon come
bounding back displaying their shiny hands and
faces.
You should hear them sing "Fishers of Men"
in English and the older class harmonize on it.
It is a good way to spend the Lord's Day after
noon and our prayer is that from this neighbor
hood will come followers of the Great Teacher
who said "Let the little children come unto mc."
Women's Work in Japan
Work among women today in Japan is a big
needy field. All too little is being done for them.
It is work that can be done in the home and is
pos.sible for missionary mothers, who have little
children in the home, to look after. Women are
rapidly coming to the front here and Christian
women can do much to influence their own
people.
The above photograph is a group of women
in my neighborhood who came and asked me to
teach them about Christianity.
These are 17 of a group of 23. They are above
the average Japanese women, bright, educated
and intelligent and Ave have some very interest
ing times together. We meet on the second and
fourth Mondays of each month for two hours
each afternoon,
One of the ladies is the daughter of an Earl
and was educated at the Peeress's School.
But best of all thirteen of this group have
become Christians and are working in Fourth
Church. This photograph was taken when the
cla.ss was just one year old.
1 have another group who meet on first and
third Monday afternoons at First Church. Wc
arc just a new organization there but are grow
ing and when I move to Yotsuya next Spring
I am looking for good results from these women.
Three of them will be baptized very shortly.
I am also teaching a young ladies' group for
two hours every Saturday afternoon. Three of
this group have become Christians and more of
them are encouraging. These are Fligb School
girls and meet in my home.
Emily B. Cunningham
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Poling and Mrs. Roma
Cavender, Columbus, Ohio"We are very glad
to know that Mrs. Cunningham and her co-
workers have been able to go back to Japan
as we know that is what they wanted so much
to do.
"We wish them all the success possible in
their work for the Master,"
Yearly Report
Here is a little poem Harold wrote about our
project:
Remember the old woman who lived in a shoe?
This rhyme is similar, but this one is true.
certain lady moved to a new neighborhood
Where they knew nothing of Christ or how to be
good.
There was no church nearby, so she offered her
home
And invited the neighborhood children to come.
The children loved the stories, pictures and
songs
A.nd invited other.s until children came in throngs.
Now a 5-rooni apartment is really quite small,
But even when 300 come, it holds them all.
The children, being Japanese, leave their shoes
at the door
.\nd, as is customary here, they all sit on the
floor.
The little woman in charge knows just what to
do;
She packs them close together, and teaches them
too,
[There is one more thingI should have told
you before.
She doesn't live in a shoe, but they make them
next door.
A number of new subscription have been re
ceived. We appreciate the growing interest in
the cause of Missions. Readers can help by
sending in new subscriptions. Fill out one of
the forms below and send it with your offering
to Miss Eva Green, 127 E. Mercer Avenue, Col
lege Park, Ga.
There is transmitted herewith $ as
a contribution to the Yotsuya Mission from
the members of the
Church, $ of which is for
subscriptions to the "Tokyo Christian" for
two years.
Name
Address
19
I herewith remit $ as my contribu
tion to the Yotsuya Mission, $ of
which is for two years' subscription to the
"Tokyo Christian".
Name
Address
"The Adacbi Church of Christ held its first
service on Sunday afternoon, April 4, 1948, It
was in the home of Mrs. Kitagawa, a Contractor
who wa.s .'soon to begin building the Yotsuya
church. Mrs, Kita held a Sunday School, Mr.
Sim.s taught a Bible Clas.s, and Mr. Haniu
preached. They have done the same continually
every Sunday since. The attendance has been
gradually increasing, and there were sixteen bap
tisms in 1948."
1 John 3:17 "But whoso hath the world's
goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and
shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth
the love of God abide in him?"
ADACHI CHURCH OF CHRIST
This group meets every Sunday afternoon in the building shown here. The location is on
the opposite side of Tokyo from Setagaj'a, Yet Mr. Haniu comes all that distance every Sun
day to preach. Mr. Sims teache.s a Bible Class. They are seated near the center. The three
women .seated to their left are Mrs. Kita who directs the Sunday School; Mrs. Kitagawa who
owns the building, and her assistant. Sixteen people have been baptized from tbis group.
Rope Holder List
(December and January)
ARIZONA'^'Winslow Church of Clirist, $15.00.
CALIFORNIA*Compton Church of Christ,
$60.00; Mrs. Clara iM. Miller, $25.00; Mr. aitci
^Irs. J. H. Yates, $50.00; Mr. Clinton Doug
lass and Mrs. Zelma Douglas.s, $100.00.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAColumbia
Heights Church, $10.00; Mr. and Mrs. W. W.
BonDurant, $10.00.
FLORIDAMr. and Mrs. E. E. House, $25.00;
Eustis Church of Christ, $45.00.
GEORGIAEast PointWoman's Council of
Jefferson Park Church of Christ, $5.00; Mrs.
Ida Jackson, 50^; ^AtlantaCentral Christian
Church, $5.00.
IDAHOBoiseFirst Christian Church, $25.00.
ILLINOISSciota Christian Church, $50.00;
Walshville Christian Church, $20.00; Mrs, A.
W. Crippin. $5.00; Mrs. A. .Y Elliott $5.00;
Mi.ss Fern McClelland, $15.00; Eldorado
Church of Christ Missionary Society, $5.00;
TuscolaYoung Matrons Society, $25.00; Mil
ton Christian Church, $50.00; *Camp Point
Christian Church, $200.00.
INDIANAMr. Thomas Blackwell, $25.00;
Georgetown Christian Church, $69.30; hlam-
niondFirst Christian Church, $20.00; Col
umbus Christian Church, $50.00; Monticello
Oak Grove Missionary Society, $50.00; Wash
ingtonFirst Christian Church, $25.00; The
Church at l-isher, 111., $35.00; Rural Indiana
Churches, by Mr. S. S. Lappin, $9.98; Harlan
Church of Christ. $10.00; Center Christian
Church, $78.43;- *BrownstownTampico
Church of Christ, $20.45; *Free!and Chri.stian
Church, $15.00; *Mr. Herbert Miller, $10.00;
St. JoeCoburn's Corner Church of Christ,
$50.00; St. JoeSt. Joe and Coburn's Corner
Missionary Society, $15.00; *Columbus Chris
tian Church, $50.00.
IOWAMiss Bertha K. Sargent, $20.00; Coun
cil BluffsFirst Christian Church, $50.00;
DrakesvilleMissionary Society, Ash Grove
Christian Church, $25.00; Mr. and Mrs. Fran
cis Dicks, $5.00; *Hampton Church of Christ,
$17.50.
KANSASMiss Ellen Lawrence, $40.00; Mrs.
Virginia G. Templeton, $4.00; Norton Chris
tian Church, $39.98.
KENTUCKYCynthianaIndian Creek Chris
tian Church, $72.23; Sadieville Women's
Christian Missionary Society, $13.00; Eliza-
ville Christian Church, $85.00; GraysonThe
Volunteer Mission Band of Kentucky Chris
tian College, $10.00; Mr. Thomas Onier,
$10.00; *Mrs. R. Clark, $150.00; Lystra Church
of Christ, $140.00.
MAINEMr. William F. Brawn, $5.00.
MARYLANDMrs. B. F. Smith, 51<J; *Hyatts-
townFirst Christian Church. $5.00.
MASSACHUSETTSMrs. Zillah G. Howes,
$66.00; Mrs. E. S. Donnell, $2.00.
MICHIGAN Mrs. William Mueller, $5.00;
*Forest Hill Church of Christ, $5.00.
MINNESOTAFairmont Church of Christ,
$22.60.
MISSISSIPPIMrs. Louis Davis, $7.00; Ok-
olonaWomen's Council Christian Church,
$5.00; *Aberdeeii First Christian Church,
$25.00.
MISSOURIMt. VernonMissionary Group
of the Mt. Vernon Christian Church, $15.00;
A Friend, $3.00; Cherry Box Christian Church,
$15.00.
MONTANAMr. H. E. Whitaker, $1.00.
NEBRASKAMrs. Lillie Corman, $5.00; Mr.
Virgil Marshall, $1,000.00; HumboldtWo
men's Christian Missionary Society, $20.62.
NORTH CAROLINA-Mrs. Thomas H.Davis,
$35.00; Mr. A. L. Payne, $25.00; Union Grove
Church of Christ, $13.50.
OHIOMr. and Mrs. Leander Roudebush.
$10.00; Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Calendine, $10.00;
Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Deem, $10.00; Mrs. Tura
T. Theobald, $10.00: ToledoMonroe Street
Church of Christ, $25.00; Belle Center Church
of Christ, $5.00; Kensington Christian Sunday
School, $25.00; TorontoWilling Workers
Class of the New Somerset Christian Church.
$30.00; ColumbusSouthwood Church of
TOKYO CURISTIAN
MIKAWASHIMA CHURCH
"The Mikawashima Church is composed of
Koreans living in Japan. Until September 1948,
we had Mr. Lee Chong Gun as our minister.
Because our congregation is so small, we
couldn't pay Mr. Lee enough to support his
large family, so he gave up the ministry here
and moved to another part of Japan where he
could get a good job. Since then we have been
unable to find a Korean preacher of like faith,
so ilr. Sims has been preaching for us with a
young medical student interpreting his messages
in the Korean language. We have met faithfully
every Sunday in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sims,
which is the property of one of the members of
this church. We are sorry to report that there
have been no baptisms this year. Our major
accomplishment has been the erection of a small
building Just across the street from the Korean
Primary School in our neighborhood. There are
many Koreans living here, but most of them are
taken up with Communism. Pray for us."
We appreciate the help of tiiose wlio have
sent in new subscriptions. You may do some
missionary work that way. The more people
wiio will read the Tokyo Christian, the more
may become vitally interested in God's program
for the evangelization of the world. Matt. 28; 19,
20; Mk. 16: 15, 16. Send subscriptions and of
ferings to Miss Eva D. Green. 127 E. Mercer
Avenue, College Park, Ga. Please send cor
rections of address or notice of change of ad
dress to A. E. Sims, 310 Brown Avenue, Turtle
Creek, Pa.
"Yearly Report of Setagaya Church of Christ.
Additions (including those from four out-station
Sunday Schools which arc conducted by mem
bers of this church) 103. Special meetings; Con
ventions on .'Xpril 29 and November 23. Fare
well meeting for the Still family on June 23.
Welcome for Mr. Patton on January 11. Four
special Christmas programs, and the Bible Col
lege convocation service. The average attend
ance for the year was 119 at Sunday morning
worship, 71 at Sunday evening services, and 30
at Thursday evening prayer meeting. Total
offerings for tlic year was Y87,000, ($325.00)."
Human Efficiency
Christ, $20.00; Shelby-Missionary Society of
the Church of Christ, $23.00; Van Wcrt
Missionary Society of the Van Wert Church
of Christ, $13.00; Columbus Missionary
Group No. 1, Indianoia Church of Christ,
$60.00; SteubenvilleLaBelle View Church of
Christ, $70.00; Perryton Church of Christ,
$10.00; Akronilis.sionary Society of Noble
Avenue Church of Christ, $25.00; Cincinnati
Montgomery Road Church of Christ, $10.00;
Pleasant Grove Missionary Fund, $25.00;
West MansfieldMill Creek Church of Christ,
$10.00; Sabina Church of Christ, $60.00; Day
tonEast Dayton Church of Christ, SIO.OO;
*Sebring Missionary Society, $30.00; *Mr. and
Mrs. A. Katt, $45.00; *Mrs. D. G. Stewart,
$2.00.
OKLAHOMAMr. C. V. Gasaway, $30.00;
YaleMissionary Society of the Christian ,
Church, $25.00; Glencoe Christian Church.,!
$10.00; Broken ArrowChristian Missionary
Society, $10.00.
OREGONMr. and Mrs. George R. Gerking,
$100.00; PortlandCentral Christian Ciuirch,
$250.00; Beaverton Church of Christ, $44.71;
*Helens Church of Christ, $50.00.
PENNSYLVANIALemoyne Church of
Christ, $25.00: Mr. and Mrs. Roy E. Smith,
$10.00; Mrs. Louis Lantenslager, $20.00: Du-
quesneFirst Christian Church, $300.00; Mr.
J. 1. Murphy, $150.00; LemoyneEmma
Freese Missionary Society, Church of Christ,
$25.00; Lancaster Church of Christ, $25 00:
Scottdale Church of Christ, $56.91; Pittsburgh
Missionary Society of the Hazclwood Chris
tian Church, $15.00; MonongahelaThe Loyal
Friends Class. First Church of Christ, $5.00;
Mrs. Roy Rodger, $2.00; New SalemWo
men's Missionary Society, New Salem Chris
tian Church, $2F00; Mr. Raymond Dunham,
$20.00; Munliall-Homcstead Christian Church,
$10.00; McKecsport Women's Missionary
Society of the Brvn Mawr Church of Christ,
$66.00.
SOUTH DAKOTA SpencerChristian La
dies' Aid. $15.00.
TENNESSEEMiss Rheba Pratt, $30.00; Er-
winFirst Christian Church, $28.33; Lime
stoneMt. Bethel Church of Christ, $15.00.
TEXASMrs. W. S. Blodgett, $10.00; Amarillo
West Amarillo Christian Church, $600.00.
VIRGINIAEllersonPole Green Church of
Christ, $17.50; CharlottesvilleJ.O.Y. Bible
Class, Christian Church, $45.00; Newport
News Colonial Place Church of Christ,
$15.00; Ellerson Gethsemane Christian
i Church, $75.00; Waynesboro Christian Church
I $20.00; ^DenbighWomen's Missionary So-
' cicty, Lebanon Christian Church, $10.00.
WASHINGTONWoodland Christian Church
' Sundav School. $10.00.
WEST VIRGINIA Follansbec Women's
Missionary Society Follansbce Christian
Church, $15.00; FollansbecFirst Christian
Church, $7.40; CharlestonWest Side Chris
tian Church, $50.00; FollansbecFaithful Fol
lowers Clas.s, Hooverson Heights Church of
Christ, $10.00.
WISCONSINLaCrosscMissionary Circle of
the LaCrosse Church of Christ, $7.00.
CANADARidgetown, OntarioChurch of
Christ Bible School, $8.00; ""Miss Chrissie
Semple, Calgary, Alberta, $10.00.
C*)Gifts sent direct to missionaries.
TOTAL OF GIFTS $ 6,057.45
DISBURSEMENTS
For Salaries, Printing of Paper,
Stamps $ 1,744.84
Transferred to Tokyo
For rebuilding churches $10,000.00
"The first-class man can, in most cases, do
from two to four times as much work as is
done on the average. Men who know how to
get the maximum results out of machines are
common: the power to get the maximum of work
out of yourself is a much rarer possession. Tests
prove conclusively that when a man is doing
what he believes to be bis best, he is still able
to do better. Many men have never discovered
their reserve stores of strength, because they
have formed the fixed habit of quitting at the
first acces.s of weariness. Most of us never know
of our possible achievements, for we have never
warmed up and got our second wind in our busi
ness or professional affairs."
Walter Dill Scott
First Christian Church, Mason City, Iowa
"We enjoyed the report by Mrs. Still in the
last issues of The Lookout. Truly the Lord
blesses your efforts when He is placed first."
Matthew 16:20 "For what is a man profited,
if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his
own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange
for his soul?"
CHRISTIAN
Wilmerding, Pciina.? May-Jiiiio, 1949
Number 3
New Missionaries To Sail In September Inspiring Convention
I. lorrTi^cl /-itv ill
J W'T/ 'N
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray and Paul
We feel that the Clmrch of Christ Cunning-,,
ham Mission is fortunate in having Mr. and
Mrs. Stanley Buttray come to the field as re-
enforcements. They both graduated from At
lanta Christian College this year. They both
are experienced in Christian work. Stanley
Buttray had been a member of the Meadville,
Pa., Christian Church for about 20 years, had
been a Bible School teacher, a deacon and a
worker with young people. He has heen
preaching for about three years of the time he
was in college in churches near Atlanta, Ga.
Mrs. Buttray has been a member of the Mead
ville, Pa., Christian Church for 11 years. She
also was active in the church, having served
as teacher and as superintendent of the Primary
Department for some years.
Mr. Buttray was born and raised in Mead
ville, Pa., while Mrs. Buttray was born and
raised in Dawson, Pa. Their summer vaca
tions during their college course were spent in
evangelistic work, Mr. Buttray being a good
singer as well as preacher. Mrs. Buttray has
also conducted vacation Bible Schools. They
are willing and capable servants of God.
We quote the following from a recent letter
from Mr. Buttray: "If it be the Lord's will,
we will endeavor to leave for Japan by Sep
tember 1. If not, we will leave when He pro
vides. We are trusting God to meet our every
need, according to His riches in Christ Jesus,
and to guide us in all of our ways. A scripture
verse that God gave to me when making my
decision to enter college in preparation for full
time service wherever He should lead (for be
fore coming to college we had talked about the
foreign mission field) is John 15:16, "Ye have
not chosen me, but 1 have chosen you, and
ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth
fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that
whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name,
He may give it you.' "
The Buttrays will need a complete outfit of
household furniture, since they sold their furni
ture when they entered college, to help pay
their college expenses. They hope to visit as
many churches and make as. many contacts as
possible before sailing for Japan. They will
appreciate invitations so that they may make
up their summer scliedule. If you are interested
let them hear from you.
Their permanent address for the summer will
be: P. O. Box 35, Meadville, Pa.
Meadville, Pa., April 8, 1949
To Whom this may concern:
I have known Brother and Sister Stanley
Buttray for the past fifteen years, and know
them to be deeply interested in the work of
the Kingdom. They have volunteered to be
u.sed of the Lord where the Lord has work for
them. Their decision to go to Japan came
after much prayer and meditation.
The Lord needs consecrated workers at home
and abroad. I believe they are fully conse
crated to Christ and His work. The prayers
and best wishes of the Meadville Church will
follow them wherever the Lord sees fit to use
them.
Sincerely,
D. P. Shafer,
Minister, Christian Church
Atlanta, Ga., April 30, 1949
To Brethren in Christ Everywhere:
We enthusiastically commend to you the
Stanley Buttrays, Missionary recruits to Japan.
Mr. and Mrs. Buttray have proved them
selves to be mature and steadfast Christians,
completely consecrated and unusually able.
They have earned the deep respect and love
of all who know them.
Atlanta Christian College cannot commend
them too highly as deserving the support and
prayers of Christians everywhere.
The Buttrays may be absolutely trusted to
use all support given them honestly, carefully
and unselfishly to the glory of God and the ac
complishment of Hi.s work.
Orvel Crowder, President,
Atlanta Christian College
Carrollton, Ga., April 9. 19-f9
To Whom it may concern:
It becomes my high privilege to commend
unto my brethren in Christ, Mr. and Mrs.
Stanley Buttray who have prepared themselves
for mission work in Japan.
I have been particularly interested to evalu
ate these splendid young people. I am happy
to be impelled to commend them unto our
brethren who know and love the Book. I am
persuaded of their loyalty, devotion and de
termination to follow Christ and every teaching
of His Word. They impres.s me as those who
are humble, quiet, kind and long-suffering.
Such would indicate excellent qualifications for
sacrificial service in that portion of the Lord's
Kingdom.
Doubtless, in your desire to further the gos
pel, you will want to have part in the "going"
of this fine couple.
Hugh D. Morgan, Minister,
Carrollton Christian Church
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray and Paul,
Dear Friends:
Your good letter of February 25, which was
received yesterday brought much joy to all our
hearts. We are so thankful and happy that
you are going to join us. I am sure the Lord
has plenty for you to do here. .And of course
bring Paul. He can attend the schools pro
vided by the Occupation People.
Please ask freely about anything you want
to know, and I'll try to send the answers. We
all welcome you ! ! !
Lovingly,
Emily B. Cunningham
Osaka is the second largest city in Japan,
and is about 300 miles from Tokyo. There is
a good loyal mission there which was started
by M. B. Madden many years ago and is being
conducted successfully by the Coles and the
Neilsons and their associates. There are six
churches. They invited the Tokyo Mission to
send representatives to the Convention and the
invitation was accepted with pleasure.
Mr. Hanyu, minister of the Setagaya church
and Harold Sims were the representatives from
the Cunningham Mission in "Tokyo. It was an
all-day trip by train. They passed through
Nagoya, another large city and Kyoto, the an
cient capitol of Japan. They were impressed
with the need of more missionaries, to reach
out into these other cities. Also they passed
through some very heautiful farming districts,
and there are literally hundreds of thousands
of people in these rural districts who have never
even heard about Christianity. We recall an
oft-repeated statement by W. D. Cunningham,
"Every man has a better right to hear the
Gospel once than any man has to hear it twice."
The first speaker at the convention was a
young Seminary student who recently had
started a church in his own home and had al
ready baptized 30 people. The second speaker
was a Mr. Amai, who had been educated for
a denominational preacher, but was never satis
fied with his denomination and when he learned
about the New Testament Church and unde
nominational Christianity, he was completely
sold on the ideal, and is now one of the most
promi.sing preachers they have. He is well
educated and intelligent.
There were a number of other speakers,
among whom was Chaplain Griffin, who spoke
Wednesday afternoon, After each speech there
was a discussion period. These discussions
made the meetings very interesting and gave
everyone an opportunity to speak or ask ques
tions. It was very encouraging and helpful to
hear of the work and progress of other churches.
There were even representatives from two
churches in Kyushu, the southern island of
Japan. One of these churches was started by
a Chaplain, and some time after the Chaplain
had gone, Paul Neilson visited them and found
them still meeting. He baptized a goodly num
ber of them and brought back a young man to
study for the ministry at the Osaka Bible
Seminary. The other church had been started
by a young Japanese who had been educated
Iat Eugene Bible University, Eugene, Oregon,
Iand after returning to Japan started tlic church
in his own home, and none of the missionaries
knew about it until very recently. Such things
1as that are very encouraging.
Plans are on the way to hold another con
vention in Tokyo next fall. It is felt that such
a convention will be very helpful to the young
men who are studying for the ministry in the
Tokyo Bible Seminary, and also to the nine
churches in Tokyo.
THE MISSIONARIES' PLEA
Will you not pray for us? Alone we stand
To stem the awful tide of sin and shame,
To cast out demons in the mighty name
Which is alone the hope of every land.
Pray, pray for us! We are but vessels frail;
The world's appalling need would crush us
down
Save that in vision we behold the crown
Upon the brow who shall at length prevail!
Christ Life
John 8:12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them,
saying, I am the light of the world: he that
i followth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall
, have the light of life."
TOKY4I CIIKISTlAiY
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Published bi-monthly for the information and In
spiration of every Christian whose heart's desire
should be to obey the Great Commission by pro
claiming the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus
in ail the world, to every creature, of every nation.
Entered as second class matter in the Wilmerding,
Pa., PostofBce under the Act of March 3, 1879.
TWO-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS j
"FLAMING TORCH" 50 CENTS 1
MRS. W. D. CUNNINGHAM Director
ALFRED E. SIMS Editor
EVA D. GREEN Forwarding Agent
Office of Publication:
Wilmerding, Pa.
Please send all correspondence and offerings for
the mission to: Miss Eva D. Green, 127 E. Mercer
Avenue, College Park, Georgia. Make all checks pay
able to our forwarding agent.
New Bible College
\ ! I
, mf rfTe
MISSION STAFF
Mrs- W. D. Cunningham Director
Andrew Patton, Mr. and Mrs. S. K. Saunders. Mr.
and Mrs. Harold Sims, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Still.
Send letters and personal packages as follows:
NameTokyo Foreign Missionaries, A.P.O. 500. c/o
P.M., San Francisco, California.
Send relief packages to Japanese addresses as
follows:
Mrs. W. D. Cunningham, 607 Kami Uma, Setagaya
Ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Andrew Patton, 1003-3 Chome, Kami Uma, Setagaya
Ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Saunders, 155-1 Chome, Shin
Machi, Setagaya Ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 2801-1 Chome, Mlka-
washima Machi, Arakawa Ku, Tokyo.
INCORPORATOBS
Mrs. W. D. Cunningham Mrs. E. O. Nabell
Mr. T. O. Hathcock Miss Eva Green
Mr. Lawrence Bain J. E. Lipscombe
Here is a picture of the new Mission Bible
College building. It is located near one of the
stations of the Government Electric Railways.
It is a modest building, costing $10,000.00, but
containing 18 rooms, including a dining room,
kitchen, three class rooms, and rooms for stu
dents. Sixteen of the boys live in this building,
also Mr. Patton and the man and wife who
cooks the meals. Already the boys have planted
a garden in the back yard to help out with the
food problem. The building was mostly paid
for with money that had been accumulated be
fore and during the war.
The Higashi-Nakano Church uses the class
rooms opened together for its church services,
thus saving the cost of a church building.
ADVISORY
George J. Barthold
J. P. Baxter
W. W. Bondurant
Morris Butler Book
Ira M. Boswell
Mark Collis
J. H. Deem
Judge T. O. Hathcock
COMMITTEE
E. E. House
W. E. Johnson
J. E. Lipscombe
Mrs. H. M. McCall
T. K. Smith
W. P. Stobaugb
W. R. Walker
Guy L. DrUl
Mrs. Cunningham's Notes
It is with deep regret that we must announce
that Mr. and Mr.s. Owen Still have had to give
up their connection with the Mission because
of their ill health, From the beginning they
have been tireless workers and we miss them
very much. The Japanese people love them
and regret very much their inability to return.
Our hearts go out in sympatliy to Mrs.
Emiiy Saunders, one of our faithful missionaries
in Tokyo. Her father, Thomas B. ."Mien, was
called from this life on April 27, 1949. He was
a lifelong resident of McKcesport, Pa. Though
she was so far away from him at the time, yet
we know that God is ever near to His own.
And may He be ever near to her as she con
tinues in His glorious service.
The continued ill health of Mrs. Still is a
great disappointment to the other missionaries.
Let us pray earnestly that her health may be
restored if it be God's will. Also let us pray
that others may hear the call and be constrained
to go out and help in this great cliallenging
work. It seems that such lives should surely
be an inspiration and challenge to young people
who are ambitious to serve the Lord. Just
knowing the Stills is a real benediction.
PLEASE, if you change your address, send
a postal to A. E. Sims, 310 Brown avenue, Tur
tle Creek, Pa., giving both your old address
and the new, so that it may be corrected on our
mailing list. If you are not a subscriljcr,
wouldn't you like to be? We arc always glad
to wclconie new ones. Help to evangelize tlic
world!
What would you think of a Picture Magazine
of Missions, covering all the direct-support mis
sionaries of our hrotherliood? Such a magazine
is being seriously considered. Harold McFar-
land, who publishes PR1L-\CH Magazine, has
been leading in formulating plans to publish
"GO" beginning with a January, 1950. issue.
Elsewhere in this issue is a letter from Owen
Still, stating why it became necessary to give
up connection with this mission. Wc all keenly
regret that this necessity came about, and we
only have good will and earnest prayers for
the Stills. A. E. S.:
Mr. and Mrs. Buttray and Paul will join the
Mission this Autumn.
Mr. and Mrs. Buttray came from the Mead-
vilie, Pa., Church and have recently graduated
from the .Atlanta Christian Seminary. Any
thing you can do to help tlicni on their way
will be appreciated.
Kindly send old picture rolls, primary Sun
day School papers and any old greeting cards!
to Mrs. Cunningham for the children wlio prize
them very highly. Send them to the following
address: Tokyo Foreign Missionary, Mrs. W.
D. Cunningham, A. P. O., 500 c/o P. M., San
Francisco, Calif. !
The new Mission Home for Mrs. W. D.
Cunningham is about completed and she is
planning to move in June 6-7.
How would you like to support one of our
young Seminary students at $15 per month?
We still need scholarships for six young minis
ters. If you cannot go yourself, why not have
a substitute. This is truly a big day of op
portunity in Japan. The Communists and
Catholics both have a big program. We wish
to enlarge our work for the Lord here and we
can if you will help.
Little Becky Saunders had measles in May.
But it was a mild case and she came through
splendidly.
Mrs. Lois Sims spoke to a fine group from
the Young Ladies' Christian Association of
Fourth Church last month. Mrs. Sims also
conducts a large Bible class for girls in her
home on Sunday afternoon.
Ill Health Forces
Stills To Retire
June 4, 1949
Dear Brother Sims:
Thank you for your card. We should write
inore often; but Mr.s. Still's bealtli has made it
impossible for us to s|)eak definitely as to future
plans.
.A month ago, Mrs. Still's pain in her side
and chest became so .severe that the doctor
ordered her taken to tlie hospital thinking an
operation miglit be necessary. Ten days later
-slic was removed to a sanitarium liere in Sun-
nyslope where she must remain for several
weeks. The doctors seem to be agreed tliat her
trouble is Angina-Pectoris. A week ago stie
suffered an almost fatal attack, and we feared
there might be other heart complications; but
for several days now she has been gaining
ground.
Two weeks before she had to be taken to
tlie hospital we wrote Mrs. Cunningham and
Judge Hathcock that we would not be able to
return to Japan as wc liad planned. The doc
tors insist tliat the disappointment resulting
from such a decision was the cause of Mrs.
I .Still's condition becoming so serious. We love
I Mrs. Cunningham and the otiicr missionaries
[ with whom we were privileged to work; and
, we love the Japanese people. It is hard for
persons who have not been in Japan to realize
how much we wanted to go back. Mrs. Cun
ningham and the other workers understand
tliat we wanted to return. We pray that our
Japanese friends may know that we wanted to
come back to them and that we had planned to
do so.
For the present we must remain in Phoenix.
Tlie Siinnyslope congregation, with the liclp of
Tile Christian Restoration Association, has been
able to purchase a small churcli house with a
small apartment house in the rear. We had
our first meeting in this new place on last
Wednesday night; and on the 12tii Owen Still.
Jr., and his wife will begin a series of evan
gelistic meetings. Daily Vacation Bible School
will be conducted at the same time. We have
no thought of remaining in Arizona where
there are others who can do the same thing we
are doing after Mrs. Still is able to work
elsewhere. We may never be able to return
to Japan; but there are other fields where "the
harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few."
The reports of the progress being made in
Tokyo are most encouraging. It amazes us
to tliink of bow rapidly new buildings for the
churches and homes for the missionarie.s are
being erected. How we would love to be on
tlie scene and to have part in all the wonderful
things which are being done. Yet we arc happy
here in the Lord's work. The doctor's most
serious criticism of Mrs. Still's behavior as a
patient who needs a complete rest is that she
insists on carrying on what he calls her "evan
gelistic program while flat on her back". ITay
for us that if it is the Lord's will she may be
able to be actively engaged in tlic work once
more.
Yours in Christ,
Owen Still
"Mrs. Still is very seriously ill, and they will
not be able to return to Japan. We were all
very .sorry to hear that. The Japanese people
are very much disappointed, because most of
them were won to Christ by the Stills and
naturally love thcni more than us. Also Mrs.
Still understood the language and they could
; speak with lier very freely. And, more than
i that, the Stills had a lot of experience in the
work and understood and loved the people.
Tliere was something about the Stills' enormous,
liberality, clieerfulness and hard work that made
tlic work move fast, and we have noticed the
difference since they left. But the Lord can
still bless the efforts we make, and is doing so
every day. We have lost two good laborers,
but we are trying to hold the fort, and praying
I for reinforcements."
I From a personal letter of Harold Sims
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
400 Years of Chi'istianity Faculty And Students Of Mission Bible College
In Japan Celebrated #s ^
In 1549 the famous Catholic missionary.
Francis Xavicr, landed in southern Japan and
began lieroically and successfully to preach
the gospel as he saw it. Most Japanese his
torians say this was not the first time Chris
tianity was preached in Japan. One of them
even put a small item in the newspapers to that
effect. But the Catholics with their well-
planned proiniganda have been taking full ad
vantage of the (luadri-centennial date to make
an all out effort for a Catholic Japan. We
first heard of the plan about one year ago.
Since that time Catholic missionarie.s have been
arriving in Japan at a tremendous ratesome
of them fleeing from China".s Communists and
others coming on regular appointment here.
The Catholic Digest is increasing in circula
tion every month and every day now the paper
carries some news item about the Spring Pil
grimage.
The record of Christianity in Japan in the
last 400 years is very varied, but a brief account
of it might be interesting. For a short time
Christianity was popularized. Especially in the
southern island of Kyushu many thousands of
people became Christians and formed all-
Christian cities, built cliurches and other insti
tutions. At this time Japan was ruled by a
group of feudal lords who dwelt in great
oriental castles that are still standing. Each
lord ruled the common people around him and
then combined with other land-owners to get
more power. The most powerful "daiinyo"
was really the ruler of the landthe emperor
was never more than a figurehead at this time.
During Xavier's short ministry there happened
to be a very liberal prince in that section of the
country who was friendly to Christianity and
some of whose underlings accepted it. He was
also the ruling Lord of the nation.
After about a generation of this Christianity
was ostracized. It came about this way; An
other lord from up near Tokyo decided he was
ready to assume the rule of the land, so he
drew a group of powerful men to his side and
they went against the southerners in the great
est and most terrible of the long series of
Japanese civil wars. Finally the northerner
won, and so completely that he remained in
power for about 250 years during which tlie
Tokugawa family continued to rule Japan. The
first Tokugawa was very anxious to firmly
establisli his rule, so his first act was to out
law all foreign influence including foreign reli
gion. This was done by a very strange and
cold blooded method. Six early Christian pic
tures were expertly reproduced on small iron
plaques. The suspected Christians were then
brought forward and commanded to step on the
picture and renounce Christ. Those who re
fused to do it were killed. Twenty-six of the
leaders were crucified on a hill in Kyushu.
Then the new ruler decided to build a magni
ficent temple in Nikko which would be a com
bination Buddhist and Shintoist Shrine and
used only for the leaders of tlie government.
Finances for it would be raised by exacting a
yearly tribute from every rich man in Japan,
thus impoverishing the nation and preventing
the rise of anotlier power. The temple that
was built at that time is still standing in almost
perfect preservation and is truly one of the great
expenditures in history.
Next comes tlie period when Christianitj- was
institutionalized. This began to occur when the
nine )-ear old boy heir to the throne heard of
his father's death in the old palace in Kyoto.
He decided that the emperors had been im
potent long enough and he intended to restore
the emperor's superiority. Emperor Meiji was
successful in tliis and thus ended the Tokugawa
era of ignorance and isolation.
The first thing that Meiji did was to invite
the western people to come in and bring their
education, inventions, finance, etc. Of course
along with that we brought our religion. This
was about 75 years ago, and soon missionaries
were scattered all over the country and build
ing great institutions. There came into being
the "Mission .school" where a child could be
Here is a picture of the faculty and students of the Bible College. It was taken just
after the opening service of the second year of the college. There were 21 new students,
and seven second year students making a total student body of 28 (twenty-eight). Un
fortunately, there were three whose physical examination showed active TB and the doctor
ordered them not to take college work this year, although they were anxious to attend. We
surely regret this, as trained Christian workers are greatly needed. But doubtless this pre
caution was necessary as it seems TB is rather prevalent in Japan.
trained from the first grade through college in
a Christian atmosphere. These schools are
still operating in most places and arc as good
as the public schools and better than many of
them. Many hospitals and orphanages were
built as well as many famous churches. Dur
ing this time Christianity became firmly planted
in the landat least in terms of real estate.
Chri.stian organizations owned some of the
finest .sfliools and mission compounds to be
found in the world.
During the days of the second Emperor after
Meiji (the present Hirohito) there rose up an
other group that took the government out of
the hands of the emperor. This was the mili
tary clique. .'Mong with the changes in the
years just before the war. Christianity also went
into another phase of its history here. Thi.s
was the period of nationalization. In October
of 1940 all of the Christians were called together
into a mass meeting at which they were in
effect ordered to form a national organization
so the government could control them. Thi.<
was immetliately hailed by some as the climax
of a long .struggle for unity and representatives
were sent to tell that to .America while othcr
represcntatives of various denominations here
held more than 20 urgent meetings trying to
work out some basis of agreement to present
to the government. Finally the United Church
was r e a d y, encompassing all Protestant
churches in Japan under one head. At tlie end
of the war this was the only nationalistic phase
of tile government that was not purged. It
is not changed fundamentally from the organi
zation that controlled churches in Japan, Korea,
the Phillipines and other places during the
war. The Christians who bowed to the Em
peror are still in the lead. With some reorgani
zation and a creed, an effort is now being made
to get all churches into it again, but in these
days of freedom it is not so successful. The
unity is only of organization, for there is widest
disagreement between the members on all mat
ters of doctrine. We could not think of com
promising the Bible plan for unity for sucii an
inadequate plan.
It will remain for another to estimate what
I Christianity - is doing now. We must admit
that Buddhism completely took over Japan and
became tlic national religion with less modern
helps, money and missionaries, and in much less
time than the 400 years that Christianity has
had. But they also did not have such persecu
tions aiul oppositions and cultural differences.
\\T' praise God that there is still in some of
the Christians the sturdy spirit of those of 400
years ago. and that the word of the Lord is
growing and increasing in fruits every day.
We are saddened by such a celebration as i.s
being staged in the name of Christianity this
year. Of course it will appeal to a great many,
for it is similar to their heathen customs.
Nothing is more well-known to the Japanese
than a pilgrimage to some shrine. We often
see both Buddhist and Shintoist pilgrims at
the palace in Tokyo. The Shinto people also
observe another peculiar custom every spring.
They take the gold-ornamented box out of the
center of the shrine (the only god they have)
and carry it upon their shoulders through the
streets with great shouting and drunken joy.
So. in imitation of all this the Catholics are
to form a sacred pilgrimage and carry the
".sacred arm" of Francis Xavier along with
them. Some way to celebrate the entrance of
Christianity Into a heathen land! ! !
Harold Sims
Shinto Festival
"This Sunday the attendance was very poor
at Mikavvashima Church. I think it is because
there is one of those Shinto Festival.>^ here in
the neighborhood. It is not much of a religion,
but it surely does still have followers. They
go around to every shop in the neighborhood
and ask them for contributions for the upkeep
of the shrine. If they give plenty of money
they are given a lantern to hang up to show
they support. Almost all sliops are now dis
playing lanterns. The Shrine then puts on
what we would call in America a Street Carni
val. with loud-speakers, wild music, candy,
whisky etc. The people all go, and most of
the men get drunk. That is their religious
exercise. The people who have been attend
ing the church services turned out to the carni
val, wholesale. So sometimes it seems that the
devil is winning and we arc working in vain.
They come to the church if you are giving
something away, and go to the shrine if they
arc playing music. In fact the majority of tlie
people have no real religious feeling at all. But
knowing how hard it is to become a Christian,
the fact that one from this community has been
baptized and that quite a few do come to the
services is a great victory, and there will be
others."
Rope Holder List
(April and May)
CALIFORNIAMrs. Myrtle S. Ulrey, $6.00;
Mr. Harvey Beard, $3.00.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAMiss Violet
Strahl, $10.00.
FLORIDAEustis Church of Christ, $172.25;
Mrs. Grace Cummings, $40.00.
GEORGIAAtlanta*Grove Park Business
Women's Council, $5.00.
ILLINOISMrs. Nellie L. Elliott, $5.00; Alton
First Christian Church, $25.00; Potomac
Christian Church, $15.00.
INDIANAKewanna Church of Christ, $50.00;
Little York Christian Church, $25.00; Mr. and
Mrs. N. A. Atz, $12.00; Morristown Church
of Christ, $20.00; BrookvilleThe Loyal
Women's Class, $15.00; Harlan Church of
Christ, $20.00; Miss Ethel Howard, $10.00.
IOWAMiss Bertha K. Sargent, $15.00; Mrs.
Mildred Deahl, $10.00; Council Bluffs First
Christian Church, $50.00.
KANSASClearwater Church, $17.00; Mr. and
Mrs. John R. Williams, $20.00; Miss Beulah
Weyler, $5.00; Norton Christian Church,
$14.73; Mrs. J. C. Templeton, $4.00.
KENTUCKYMrs. R. M. Clark, $150.00;
Mr. William E. Best, $10.00.
MASSACHUSETTSMrs. E. S. Donnell.
$4.00.
MICHIGANMrs. William Mueller, $5.00;
Miss Mary E. Oliphant, $5.00; OwossoPri
mary and Junior Boys and Girls, West
Owosso Church of Christ, $8.50.
MINNESOTAMarion Church of Christ,
Bible School, $25.00.
MISSOURIIsadora Church of Christ, $50.00;
King CityLoyal Women's Class, Island
City Christian Church, $15.50.
NEBRASKAMrs. J. W. Marples, $5.00;
Wakefield Chri.stian Sunday School, $37.03.
NORTH CAROLINAUnion Grove Church
$11.00.
OHIOMr. Paul Burch, $100.00; Big Prairie
Ripley Church of Christ, $20.00; Mrs. F.
B. Neal, $10.50; Mrs. J. B. Thom, $.50;
Bethesda Christian Church, $26.82; Toronto
Willing Workers Class, New Somerset
Christian Church, $15.00; Mr. and Mrs. Al
bert J. Schlyer, $10.00; Mrs. Blanche Maenpa,
$40.00; Mineral Ridge Church of Christ, $50.-
00; ColumbusSouthwood Church of Christ,
$20.00; JamestownChurch of Christ, $100.-
00; Mrs. Margaret C. Phillips, $.50.
OKLAHOMAMrs. Dave Ferguson, $2 00*
MuskogeeMrs. Elizabeth Rowland, Treas.,
$50.00; Mrs. Lulu M. Wilson, $5.00; Mr. and
Mrs. H. P. Barrett, $25.00; MedfordWo
men's Council, $5.00; Mrs. W. M. Stark. $50.
PENNSYLVANIALake LynnOak Grove
Sunday School, $20.00; Mr. and Mrs. Roy E
Smith, $10.00; Mr. Robert Welsh, $5.00; Du-
quesneFirst Christian Church, $300.00; Mrs.
Jean Swartzwelder, $20.00; Scottdale Church
of Christ, $5.00; Mrs. Edna Wood, $.50; Mrs.
Isabel Stoner, $.50; Mrs. C. A. Goldstrohm
(In memory of Mrs. Ruth Hoffman), $10.00;
New GalileeBoys' Class, Chewton Christian
Church, $60.00; Turtle CreekFirst Christian
Church, $125.00; McKeesportWomen's Mis
sionary Society, Bryn Mawr Church of Christ,
$66.00; PittsburghHazelwood Christian
Church Missionary Society, $15.00; Erwin
First Christian Church, $71.66; Miss Rheba
Pratt, $15.00; Selmer Christian Church, $100.
TEXASMrs. Harriet Herschberger, $10.00;
Mr. Fred W. O'Malley, $10.00; Mrs. Cora
Bivins Halsell, $300.00; Mrs. Rose B.
Everett, $33.00.
V^^GINIAMiss T. T. Goss, $5.50; Mrs.
Catherine Downs, $.50; Mrs. E. C. Drash,
$.50; Mrs. Hampton Harlow, $.50; Mrs. Wil
bur H. Thomasson, $.50; Mrs. Tom Ellis,
$.50; Mrs. H. H. Walker, $.50; Dr. and Mrs.
E. C. Drash, $225.00; Miss Esta L. Will,
$1.00; Newport NewsLadies' Bible Class,
Twenty-Fourth Street Church of Christ,
$10.00; CharlottesvilleJ. O. Y. Class, First
Christian Church, $30.00.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
WEST VIRGINIAMrs. Margie Bellville
$6.00; CharlestonWest Side Christian
Church, $20.00; Follansbee^Women's Mis
sionary Society, Follansbee Christian Church
$10.00.
JAPAN*Mrs. W. D. Cunningham, $40.00
r s Sturgeon, by Mrs. Cunningham, $8.00
r John Chase, $10.00.
Total of Gifts $2,970.49
Disbursements:
For salaries, printing of paper, annuity
interest 2,327.09
Disbursements in Tokyo for March and April
1949.
TravelGas, oil and repairs
for Jeep $ 299.23
Bible College expenses and
scholarships 399.37
Property taxes 91.34
House rents 44.44
Buildingsrepairs, supplies,
furnishings 9,526.35
Out-station: rent and help 28.15
Allowance for Kadamura children ... 10.00
Help 20.00
Postage 6.30
Bible Women 3.70
Total $10,428.88
Lois Sims, treasurer of Mission funds
in Tokyo.
We notice that the expenditures reported in
this issue are more than three times as much as
the receipts. This would be alarming were it
not that the big item of expenditure was for
the building which was paid for out of reserve
funds, accumulated for just such purpose. And
just think of a good 18 room building for only
$10,000,001! Can you beat that for an invest
ment? The best investment one can make is
an investment with the Lord.
There is still the opportunity for some church
or churches to invest in the living link support
of the Buttrays who are investing their lives for
the salvation of souls in Japan. They will also
need home furnishings and transportation ex
penses. Who will grasp this opportunity? Get
in touch with them. Box 35, Meadville, Pa.
"This morning at Yocho-Machi we elected
elders, deacons, treasurer, organist, secretary
and a couple of young people to serve as ushers
Just before the meeting closed Andrew Patton
and his interpreter came with a young boy who
desired to be baptized. We always keep the
baptistry hlled. Last Sunday morning, the wife
of the man who had been acting as Treasurer
was baotized. This morning he was elected to
that office. Since he can speak English, he has
been valuable to us as an interpreter too.
"We hope and pray that your work will
continue to succeed."
Emily Saunders
Mr. and Mrs. Albert J. Schlyer, Milton Cen
ter, Ohio"May the Lord bless all members
of the mission. We enjoy the Tokyo Christian
very much ..."
Mrs. Elizabeth O'Brien, Hazelwood Christian
Church. Pittsburgh, Pa."We are all remem
bering the missionaries in our prayers and wish
them all success in their work for the Master.
May God bless them in all their undertakings
and may they win many souls for the Lord."
Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet ye
have robbed me. But ye say. Wherein have we
robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."
Travelogue
Mr. Hanyu, Mr. Kobayashi and I had a very
enjoyable trip to the Convention in Osaka. Mr.
Hanyu is a typical Japanese, short and dark
with dark-rimmed glasses. Mr. Kobayashi is
typical of the older preachers. He is nearly
bald headed and has a long beard like the old-
time preachers in America. He was very quiet
while Mr. Hanyu is always talkative. We
travelled in the second class coach. All the
other coaches vvere third class. Second class
here is about like the old styled coaches in
America. The seats are the kind that can be
turned backward or forward and are slanted
a little back. It is the best train in Japan and
runs on thei best line. We left Tokyo at 7:30
a. m., and arrived in Osaka (second largest
city) at 7:22 p. m. There is an electric loco
motive for about half the way, so we started
off very smoothly. Soon we were going out
through the country where every field was full
of nice green wheat, except the places filled
with water. There they were plowing and
preparing to plant rice. The country people
don't live in isolated houses on their own small
farms, but they group their houses in small
villages, and then walk out to their respective
fields, so it leaves a nice view of the fields.
After dinner we turned inland to Nagoya
which is one of the larger cities. While the
train was stopped there, Mr. Hanyu and I got
out and walked around. When the train started,
we jumped on one of the front coaches and
walked through the train back to ours, then on
to the back platform and watched the track
go by. In this great city of Nagoya, there was
no church of Christ. In fact all along the trip
we did not see any church of any kind from
the train window. We went up into the
mountains after leaving Nagoya and went by
the large Lake Biwa, and then down to Kyoto,
which is the oldest capitol of the country and
a city^of shrines. It is the headquarters of
Buddhism in Japan, and by having those tem
ples in the Imperial city they firmly planted
their religion in Japan. There is one very
large pagoda and one gold-plated temple. The
large cities look in many ways like America.
They have railroad yards, large gas tanks,
street cars, etc. Fifty minutes after leaving
Kyoto we arrived in Osaka. The Neilsons
were at the station to meet us and took us out
to their home.
Harold Sims
A Christian Funeral
On Tuesday this week I went to the first
Christian funeral I have seen in Japan. This
was for one of the little Sunday School girls
(11 years old) out at Adachi who died of TB.
No one knew she had it until a couple of
months ago and she was very quickly taken
to the hospital, but it was too late. Her mother
was the second member of the church out there.
Her father died during the war in Manchuria
and she was the only child.
They did not embalm her of course because
they cremate everyone here, by national law.
So they had incense burning in the room, and
a plain wooden box. I suppose the incense was
to keep down the smell instead of to copy the
Buddhists. Then in front of the white silk
covered box they had two large vases of flowers.
The congregation sang a hymn, and then sev
eral passages of Scripture were read, after which
there was a prayer and a short talk by Mr.
Hanyu. Then the box was opened up and
everyone stood and lined up and was given a
flower, which they took up and placed in the
box near the little girl's head. Then the under
taker came in and nailed the lid down in the
presence of everyone. There was another
prayer and all was over. The Japanese think
it is very impolite to portray any emotion, so
there were no scenes like we sometimes see
at American funerals. I hope some of the
people were impressed by the simplicity of the
service and by what was said, because most
of the people were non-Christians, and prob
ably had never seen a Christian funeral before.
^Harold Sims