Sims Harold Lois 1946 Japan

TOKYO
CttRlSTlAN
HOLY BIBLC
''Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,'^ [Mark 16:15)
Vl. to Mi'Koesport. Peiiiia.. Aii|iist. 1940 Xiiiuber 8
EMPEROR HIROHITO DENIES DEITY
Interesting Figures
About Japan
"The United States Army announces that mis
sionaries will be permitted to return to Japan,
the only condition being that some responsible
mission agencj'^ see to it that shelter, food and
other essentials are made available. The Army
feels that missionaries can make a valuable con
tribution to the reconstruction of Japan, while
at the same time making it clear that they have
no intention of making fnissionary activity a
tool of military occupation. Anticipating this
permission, the Roman Catholic Church laid
plans long ago, and ordained eleven Japanese
priests in Rome. They sailed late in February.
Meantime, 19 Jesuit priests in the United States
have been cleared by the State Department for
admission to Japan, and the names of 49 others
have been submitted for similar clearance. Pro
testant mission boards expect to return six mis
sionaries immediately. It is not yet clear
whether the merger, five years ago, of all
Protestant churches in Japan is to continue in
operation.
"There are now about .180,000 church members
in Japan; of whom 230,000 arc Protestants, 120,-
000 are Roman Catholic and 30,000 are Eastern
Orthodox. American bombing of Japan de
stroyed 426 Protestant churches, 50 Roman
Catholic churches, 26 schools, 15 hospitals,
leaving 90 Roman Catholic churches still cap
able of functioning. One of the largest Catholic
communities in Japan was at Nagasaki, com
pletely destroyed by the second atomic bomb
on .-\ugust 9, 1945."
Copied from The Evangelical Christian.
LAKE JAMES REPORT
Several of the members of our mission staff
were privileged to attend tiie School of Missions
week at Lake James, it was generally agreed
among the many' niissionarie.s and friends wlio
attended the camp that this was the greatest
and most successful year so far. It was esti
mated that .some 400 were present at least for
one session. The enrollment or number of
registrations amounted to no less than 235. We
wish to thank every one wlio made it possible
for us to share in the fellowship and inspiration
that only missions week at Lake James can
provide.
Miss Mary Louise Zace, another recruit for
the Church of Christ, Cunningham Mission, is
from the Central Church of Christ in Savannah.
Ga. She was baptized into Christ in 1936 at
the age of 11, by O. T. Sparrow. Miss Zace
was educated in the public schools of Savannah
and was graduated from Commercial High
School in 1942. In September of the same
year, she was enrolled in the Atlanta Christian
College where she spent three years. Her
.senior year was taken at the Cincinnati Bible
Seminary where she was graduated with the
class of 1946. While at Camp Rutlcdge in 1943,
.she dedicated herself to full time Christian
service. Her dc.sirc to serve Christ, her musical
talent, and her stenographic ability have helped
her qualify for tlie work she plans to do for
and with the nii.ssion.
Utsunomiya, Japan, a city with a population
of 80,000 was burned nearly to the ground by
B-29 bombers ami U. S. naval carrier planes
during the war. 7.000 buildings went up in
smoke. Today 83% of all the destroyed build
ings are restored. There are now more res
taurants than before the raid. Five schools and
a new hospital arc under construction.
Shintoisni is no longer the state religion of
Japan. The emperor is no longer held in such
high esteem as a divine being as before the war
began, for he has denied his deity. The U. S.
Army Public Relations Uft'ice made public tne
message delivered by Emperor Hirohito. In
part he declared, "We stand by the people and
we wish always to share with them in their
moments of joys and sorrows. The ties between
us and our people have always stood upon
mutual trust and affection. They do not depend
upon mere legends and myth. They are not
predicated on the F.ALSE CONCEPTION
THAT THE EMPEROR IS DIVINE and
the Japanese are superior to other races and are
fated to rule the world." "We feal deeply
concerned to note that consequent upon the pro
tracted war ending in our defeat our people are
liable to grow restless and fall into the slough
of despond." "Radical tendencies in excess are
gradually spreading and the sense of morality
tends to lose its hold on the people with the
result that there are signs of confusion of
thought."
In December of last year a news reporter
visited one of the largest shrines in Tokyo. He
reported that in contrast to the thousands that
would have been present five years ago, wor
shipping the emperor, he found only about 20.
This certainly is evidence enough that Shinto-
ism lost power during the war. Buddhism, too,
lost some of its influence. On the other hand,
as couhl be expected, Christianity, although per
secuted, gained in followers.
Naturally, we are anxious to know if the em
peror will become a Christian or not. Every
person has a religion and a god or number of
gods of some kind. In I'iiil. 3:19 Paul writes
about the enemies of the cross of Christ rcfer-
ing to them as persons "whose end is destruc
tion, WHOSE GOD IS THEIR BELLY."
Even the atheist who denies the existence of the
one true and living God has a god, even though
it might be his own personal being, but who
among us can save himself. But. besides the
emperor, we are anxious about those who have
lost faith in him and now are seeking after
another god. Perhaps some have been so dis
appointed in him that they will try to live
without any faith whatsoever. Only Jesus
Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of the
world, is the answer to the longing search of
their hearts. We must hasten, then, to Japan
as soon as possible and preach unto them Jesus.
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Published 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.
Application for reentry as second class matter at
McKccsport, Pa., pending.
(Formerly entered as second class matter on
January 6, 2944 at the Postofflce at Kissimmee,
Fla., under the title "The Tokyo Christian Ex
panded into the Christian Horizon").
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION 50 CENTS
SAMUEL K, SAUNDERS Editor
OtBce of Publication:
R.F.D. No. I, Box 191), McKeesport, Pa.
MRS. W. D. CUNNINGHAIVI Director
711 Blackstone Avenue, Connellsville, Pa.
MISSION STAFF
Mrs, W. D. Cunningham Director
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel K. Saimders
Mr. and Mrs. Owen Still Mr. Andrew Patton
Miss Mary Louise Zace Mr. Harold Sims
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. Bondtnant
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
George J. Barthold E. E. House
J. r. Baxter W. E. Johnson
W. W. Bondurant J. E. Lipscombe
Morris Butler Book Mrs. H. M. McCall
Ira M. Boswell T. K. Smith
Mark Collis W. P. Stobaugh
J. H. Deem Geo. P. Taubman
Guy L. Drill W. R. Walker
Judge T. O. Hathcock
EDITORIAL
"Where there is no vision the people perish."
Prov. 29:18.
Is it not true that this verse of scripture
tells the secret of a perishing world? There
has been practically no vision seen by the pres
ent day Churches of Christ. For this reason
multitudes have been going off into eternity
without Christ, and therefore, without any hope
or promise of salvation. All too often we are
hasty in judging our pagan neighbors for their
treatment toward us but too slow to take a close
look at ourselves in personal examination. If
we would conscientiously reflect upon our own
works, we might realize that our own sins are
even greater than theirs. We who have the
gospel of Jesus Christ, God's dynamic power
unto salvation, to free the pagan from the chains
of sin and error and translate him out of the
kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of
God's dear Son, have been failing to wield
this sword of the Spirit to set them free. God,
Christ, and the Holy Spirit intend the gos
pel to be preached in all the world and to
every creature, but all too many Christians are
satisfied with the feeling that so long as their
own soul is safe they need not worry about the
rest of the world. They are too selfish and
short sighted to look beyond themselves, the
walls of their own congregation, and beyond
the shores of our own country so far as going,
sending, or praying is concerned. Jesus said,
"Lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for
they are white unto harvest." If we would
only overcome the sins of selfishness, indiffer
ence, race prejudice, etc the mission of the
church would soon be filled.
Every man, woman, and child is a potential
child of God. In the heart of every one of them
is a place reserved for the Lord, and until they
learn to know, love, and obey the Prince of
Peace they shall never know the peace of God
that passeth understanding. (Ilivilized and bar
barian shall continue to have their children
snatched away and sent off to warmany of
them to return crippled and maimed for life
or perhaps never to return at all. Further
more, their souls are yet in danger of the second
deatheternal hell.
MANSION FOR RENT! Looking for an
apartment? It is reported that Prince Nabuhito
Takamatsu, younger brother of Emperor Hiro-
hito, has offered to rent his mansion. The
prince prefers some "worthwhile" association as
a tenant.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
What People Say:
Mrs. Ola W. Powell, Richmond, Va."I hope
it won't be too long before you and your helpers
can go to Japan. One of our members met one
of your co-workers while he was in Japan in the
armed forces. He was Dr, Hara and he said,
'Tell Mrs. Cunningham to come as soon as she
can, we need her so badly. The Roman Cath
olics have gotten their missionaries in and so
many of our people are going to them.*
"After this young man, George Hobson, made
a stirring talk to our small Women's group,
we decided to have a self-denial offering. The
enclosed check for $65.35 is the offering re
ceived."
Mrs. Clara E. Davis, Columbus, Ohio"Mr.
Samuel Saunders was at our Indianola Church
early in March and gave a wonderful address.
I was not present but some of my family were
and they were much impressed by his subject
and his masterful presentation of it."
Mrs. W. N. Yates, Barstow, Texas"I am
sending you a check from First Christian
Church. Hope it may further your good work
in spreading the Gospel to a sin-sick world."
Miss Matie L. Baily, Pocontas, Iowa"I am
very happy my dear mother and myself had a
part in the great work you did in the Lord's
Service in Japan. May His blessing attend you
and the others as you plan and prepare for
future service."
Mrs. Romelin Cooper, Baton Rouge Christian
Church Council, Baton Rouge, La."Enclosed
you will find a little Love offering to help carry
on the work of Christ from our Woman's
Council."
Mrs. F. B. Neal, Warren, Ohio"I have been
in touch with your activities through the
Christian Standard and The Christian Horizon
and am interested in all your articles because we
are old friends in your work which God has
permitted you and your dear husband to estab
lish. I know you are anxious to go to Japan
and hope and pray you may soon be able to go."
Mrs. O. L, Swick, Broken Bow, Neb."I
am sending you the Children's Day offering
from the Lillian Church hoping it will add a
mite to the Christianizing of the many souls of
Japan and that God will still spare you to help
with the work."
Elizabeth O'Brien, Hazelwood, Pa."The
Hazelwood Christian Church Missionary Society
has pledged to take you (Emily Saunders) as
our living link and promise to support to the
amount of sixty dollars per year, at the rate of
five dollars per month."
Buddhist Shrine
Restored
The Japanese government has approved a five
year reconstruction plan to restore the oldest
Buddhist building in Japan, the Horyuji. Eight
million yen have been offered to restore this
1340 year old pagan shrine. In 1934 a project
was started to repair this temple and at that
time invaluable paintings and other treasures
were discovered hidden within its ruins. One
of the series of paintings portrayed the life of
Buddha, dating about 200 years before Christ.
These treasures were hidden tliere by priests of
the first Buddhist temple in Japan during the
dark ages which began with the downfall of the
Roman Empire. Scientists who have inspected
these ancient buildings agree that they mark the
introduction of Buddha in Japan.
Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18 "... upon
this rock I will build my church; and the gates
of hades shall not prevail against it." Neither
death nor the grave was to prevent Jesus from
fulfilling His promise to build His church.
Truly, today the gates of hell cannot and shall
not prevail against the building of His kingdom
in Japan.
Howeverthere is every reason to believe
and to hope that heaven and its inspired mes
sage can prevail against the building of pagan
shrines, not only in Japan but in every nation
of the world. We shall find places of heathen
worship along with their false gods disappearing
as the people hear the gospel and obey it.
Our Prayer Circle
"Pray Without Ceasing**
I Thess. 5:17
"More things are wrought by prayer than
this world dreams of. Wherefore let thy voice
rise like a fountain night and day. For what is
man better than sheep or goats that nourish
a blind life within the brain, if, knowing God,
they lift not hands in prayer both for them
selves and those who call them friend?"
R. M. Bell, Kimberlin Heights, Tenn."We
are praying that He will continue to bless you
in order that you may continue to be a blessing
to others."
Mrs. Van Vorst, Brackenridge, Pa."We will
also remember that you have asked for our
prayers."
Mrs. J. W. Klages, Hazelwood, Pa."Our
prayers go with you."
Bob Hargrave, Hutsonville, HI."We shall
be with you in our prayers for your success in
winning men and women to Christ."
Mrs. Herbert L. Greer"Find enclosed check
from Beaver Dam Christian Church Daily Va
cation Bible School and with it go our prayers
and best wishes for every success in your
work."
Mrs. Willis Walker, Mt. Gilead, Ohio"May
God bless you in your every effort."
Mrs. Lillie Gorman, Nelson, Nebr.-"We
hope and pray for our missionary work and
workers that much good may be done in this
awful time of so much sin and strife."
Mrs. Harry L. Evans, Griswold, Iowa"We
pray for God's help and guidance in your chosen
field."
Mrs. Dick Seilers, Corinth, Miss."Our
prayers are with you."
Mary Stutsman, Rockford, 111."We are
praying daily that if it is God's will you may
soon be permitted to go to Japan."
Miss Mary V. Dunn, Church of Christ,
Crooksville, Ohio"May the Lord bless you
and the work you are doing."
Japanese-Chinese
Exemplify World Peace
The other day a sôry reached us which illus
trates perfectly the power of the gospel to unify
all nations and make them treat each other as
brothers. This incident occurred in the China
theater of war. During this world conflict the
Japanese troops were not furnished with cliap-
laiiis to lead them in worship and to give them
spiritual comfort. The Chinese were naturally
afraid to hold public worship in the neighbor
hood where Japanese troops were in operation.
However, the Christians of both nations hun
gered for this communion with the Lord and
fellowship with one another. The Chinese, on
this occasion, sent word to their number that
a secret service was to be held at such and such
a time at an abandoned place. The day and
time arrived. The service began. The meeting
had not been in progress very long until in
marched a column of Japanese troops. Deathly
silence filled the room until the officer in charge
said, "We heard you were having a worship
service here and wondered if you would mind
if we joined you." Mind now, these two na
tions were at war. Yet the Japanese troops
and Chinese civilians sang, prayed, and wor
shipped together as brothers and sisters in
Christ.
When all nations of the world flow into the
kingdom of Christ, then shall come to pass the
prophecy made through Isaiah, "and they shall
beat their swords into plow shares, and their
spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift
up sword against nation, neither shall they learn
war any more." (Isa. 2:4b).
The most beautiful sight from the pulpit is a
whole family seated together in a pew. The
church service is not a convention, that a family
should merely send a delegate.
John A. Holmes
TOKYO ClIRlSTIAiY 3
"And the Common People Heard Him Gladly"- Mark 12:37b
We Are Debtors
By R. HOBERT LASH
Minister of the Church of Christ, Eustis, Fla.
This year we have taken up one-half of
Harold Sims' living-link support. The explana
tion is so simple there is really nothing to en
large upon. We have sought to grow in mis
sionary spirit, vision and giving; this is a
natural result. It will bless us and grow us
more. Our personal interest in Harold will help
extend our heart interest to those with whom
he will minister. God's heart has gone out to
the whole lost world; we should be sharing
with Him in His compassionate concern over
the unsaved.
We should all be doing more! We are debtors
to the world. The words of Paul in Rom. 1:14,
"I am debtor," are true of each individual
Christian.
Isai. 53:5 Prophetically refers to it, "But He
was wounded for our transgressions. He was
bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of
our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes
we are healed." I Cor. 15:3 historically refers
to it, . . . "Christ died for our sins."
Saved by Christ from eternal ruin by sin, we
are in possession of that "good news" wliich
will save others. To be careless and indifferent
then is high crime against the human race, for
there is only one Hope and one Saviour!
The true spirit is seen in David Brainerd,
who labored so among the American Indians,
burning out his life for God and called home
to heaven at the age of 27. He cries out
through his diary and journal:
"I cared not where or how I lived or what
hardships I went through, so that I could but
gain souls for Christ. While I was asleep I
dreamed of these things; and when I was awake
the first thing I thought of was this great work.
All my desire was for the conversion of the
heathen and all my hope was in God."
How blessedly simple and effective God's
way is! Those who know the Lord Jesus Christ
seeking to make Him known to others. There
is a little chorus that we need to make the very
spirit of the intercession of our innermost heart:
"Lord, lay some soul upon my heart,
And love that soul thro' me;
And may I nobly do my part
To win that soul for Thee."
We cannot be Christians without being in
debt to the whole world. We are all debtors.
God is opening doors these days. It will be
the last chance some souls will have to hear
of Christ. And it may be a very brief oppor
tunity God is giving the Church. The Lord's
"Go!" is searching our heartsand this mis
sionary advance must begin in our own hearts!
We would leave before our hearts the follow
ing token from L. E. Maxwell's book, "Born
Crucified," which is in turn a quotation from
Dr. Charles R. Watson, President of the
American University at Cairo:
"The occupation of all unoccupied fields is the
distinctive and crowning challenge of this mis
sionary age. Upon the church's acceptance
of that challenge great issues seem to depend:
issues affecting the vitality of the Christian
Church, issues determining the welfare and hap
piness of millions of our fellow creatures, issues
conditioning the lives of nations, issues upon
which God Himself has been pleased to hang
the unfolding of His eternal purposes in Christ.
The unoccupied fields must be occupied, and
what is the price of their occupation? The
pathway which leads to their occupation lies
across other unoccupied fieldsgreat areas these
in our own lives and hearts, not yet surrend
ered to the will of Christ, not yet fully occupied
by His Spirit, not yet touched by the flame of
a perfect love and consecration. Only as He is
permitted to fully occupy these nearer areas in
our own lives will He be able to gain entrance
into those more distant fields of the unoccupied
world."
W. H. BOOK
1946 July 10 P. M. 441
Mrs. W. D. Cunningham
Christian Missionary
709 Blackstone Avenue
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord
from henceforth, saith the spirit that they may
rest from their labours and their works do
follow them. William Henry Book entered that
rest this morning. Memorial services here
Friday. No flowers. Your prayerful affection
we deeply appreciate. Fraternally
Mrs. W. H. Book
When I returned home from my vacation on
July 13, the above telegram was on my desk.
It was a shock to me to know that this dear
"Soldier of the Cro.ss" had gone to be with his
Lord.
Ever since the Mission began. Brother Wil
liam Henry Book has been one of its most
faithful advisers. Many times when we espe
cially needed encouragement his good letters
and cheering messages urged us on.
Mr. Cunningham and I both loved him and I
shall miss him very much even though in later
years I've had very little contact with him.
He was a constant inspiration to me. He
never wavered from the truth and always urged
us on to higher and better things.
His patience, during his long bed ridden years
of suffering, was a marvel to me.
We cannot be sorry that one who has had so
much of suffering is at last free from pain and
has gone to his reward.
Our sincerest sympathy goes out to his
family, and quoting from James Whitcomb
Riley
1 cannot say and I will not say
That he is dead ... he is just away.
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand
He has wandered into an unknown land.
And left us dreaming how very fair
ft needs must be since he lingers there.
.And j'ouoh, you, who the wildest yearn
For the old time step and the glad return.
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here:
Think of him as the same, I say:
He is not deadhe is just away.
The little troubles and worries of life, so
many of which we meet, may be stumbling
blocks in our way. or we may make them step
ping stones to a noble character and to heaven.
By
HAROLD SIMS, Recruit
In my few trips among the churches I find
that many people have questions to ask about
missions in Japan today. And it is perfectly
right that they should inquire about the different
fields. Therefore, I have chosen to write the
few thoughts that I have in mind in question-
answer form. O.A.C. represents an Ordinary
American Christian and M.R. will present the
Missionary Recruit.
O.A.C.Don't you think that the Japanese'
hate and- resentment toward Americans will
hinder your work?
M.R.Well, it is always hard to predict what
the masses will do. Undoubtedly there will be
bitter hatred among a few, but I do not think
the majority of the people will hate us.
In the first place the American occupation has
been surprisingly successful. There has been
very little hate and resentment manifested as
far as I know. Evidently the people are treated
as well under G.I. Joe as they were under the
iron hand of Toj'o.
Secondly, the Japanese are in the darkness of
confusion now. They haven't recovered from
losing the war yet. Their government is on the
/ocks. Their national religion has disappeared
as completely as Hiroshima since the atomic
bomb of the Emperor's denial of divinity. The
masses arc hungry and shelterlessjust in the
state of hunger and thirst that will bring them
to hear Him who had no place to lay His head.
Thirdly, there are many faithful Christians
over there who are longing to see us come.
These arc tried and true whose faith has sur
vived war and famine. They will receive us
gladly, and they arc the groups who will be
the pillars of the church of tomorrow.
And if they should hate some Americans, that
would give them no reason to hate us. We are
not going to Japan to Americanize, but to
Christianize. Tliere is nothing "American" about
the gospel. It did not originate here, nor have
we added anything to it. America has had the
blessing of a majority of Christians during our
whole history, and we are thankful for this fact
and pray that it may be so in other lands. Also
there is nothing anti-Japanese about the gospel.
The gospel is just anti the things in Japan that
are wrong. I am fully expecting to be wel
comed by the ordinary Japanese as a bringer of
good tidings. Some of the Americans may
have encouraged hate, but the sooner the
Japanese people learn that all Americans are not
Christians, the better prepared the field will be.
All in all, I think we have a better opportunity
for a good hearing than ever before in Japan.
A.O.C.Don't you think you will have any
opposition at all?
M.R.Surely, I expect severe .opposition
well organized and willing to resort to any
means to destroy our work and influence. But
I do not expect this opposition to come from
the common people. It will come from religion
ists and ecclesiastics. There are names for
those sent out by large mission boards, the
World Council of Churches, the Roman Cath
olics, etc. It was so in Jesus' day. He was not
opposed by the common people or even the
temporal powers, but by the religious leaders of
the daythe Pharisees and Sadducces. The com
mon people heard Him gladly. Those organiza
tions do everything they can to stifle independ
ent work. They are more interested in pro
moting their organization than the work of
Christ, therefore, we expect their opposition.
We do not intend to gain political or religious
control, but to preach the gospel to the great
masses. However, this is so influential that I
expect them to try to stop us. Paul said, "For
our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but
against the principalities, against the powers,
against the world-rulers of this darkness, against
spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly
places." Eph. 6:12.
O.A.C.But wouldn't it be better to have all
missionaries work under one organization? It
seems to me that the difference in religious ideas
would confuse the people terribly?
(Continued on page 4)
TOKYO CIIRISTIAX
LETTER FROM A JAPANESE MINISTER
Minister of Fourth
Church Writes
Mrs. Cunningham
Dear Mr. Cunningham; (Japanese sometimes
get "Mr." and "Mrs." mixed.)
I am very glad to receive your kind letter
because 1 was waiting your message for a long
time.
I beg your pardon I delayed to send answer
to your letter, for when I received your letter
from Tokura San, I was just in bed. I was
rather tired by our work, I think. But now.
I am getting better.
By your message I was refreshed and got
encouragement anew.
1 am so glad to report you that our work in
Jesus Christ getting better in Japan now. The
Easter meeting can't say large in its audience,
but tliat was a iine meeting for the new start
of our church. Many of members scattered by
losing their houses by bombing, but several
members who were in safe attending to assem
bly. 1 had another meeting at some members"
home \vhose name Mrs. Chigusa afternoon of
Easter Sunday. Do you know thai Mrs. Fujita
has kept for a long time (more than ten years)
an oldmen's meeting? In the meeting they
used to pray for church and their minister as
they can't work actually in church. The
attendants were about five or six in every
meeting. Mrs. Chigusa tenders her house for
the oldmen's meeting. The Sunday school's
attendants are about 100 and Kindergartens
children are about 70. We have good Christian
dry-nurses. Of course, we have service in every
morning without any interferance and add it,
we ask them to attend Sunday school in every
Sunday as regular lesson. Therefore we rest
on Monday a day of off duty.
We began an English school on every Teus-
_day, Wednsday and Fryday in a week. This
is a night school and we teach Bil)le and English
and nuisic. 1 teach the Bible, and some friend.s
of mine assist me to teach English to the puples,
and Mrs. Haniu is leading music. We have
about I()0 puplcs. They are very earnest to
study Bible and English. We are expecting
some of them will become Christians.
Now, let me inform you about some per
sonal news.
Mrs. Haniu is quite well and she works very
busily as head dry-nurse of Kindergarten and a
general affair of the English school. She
teaches Sunday school and play organ in every
meeting.
Mrs. Fujita is healthy enough at her age, and
she works for oldmen's meeting and works for
living. I am afraid that she works too much.
Emi and Mitsue, my daughters are students
of Aoyama Jakuin now, and they are quite well.
Emi is working as a treasurer of our Sunday
school and Mitsue is a secretary of the same.
Motoo, my son is a puple of the primary school
of Aoyamagakuin.
Perhaps they will become good helper of
their father.
And then I liavc to report you some persons
in our circle.
Mr. Takado is living with his daughter and
enjoying good retired life. He has several hi.s
own houses and good farm and working eagerly
in Jiis o\yn farm. He is rather rich now, and
enjoying peaceful life. Mr. Saita i.s working
as a government official, and his bureaucratic
position is not low.
Mr. Toyoshima is working as interpretar in
Yokohama. Mr. Oda, the mini.ster of Korian
church has retired from our churcii on April
and he went to Koria as a Minister of Korian.
Mrs. Kadomura is living in Ncigata with her
mother now, but she has sent a letter to Mrs.
Haniu asking to .seek some jol) for her living
in Tokyo. I think she is coming Tokyo if she
can find some good task.
I am very sorry to report that our churches
o
which belong to Yotsuya mission has burned
out except the Fourth Church. And some
ministers of our Mission treated Mrs. Haniu
unkindly during the War because of she didn't
obey willingly to join the Federation. As you
know she denied to join it on account of the
reason their plea was not pure. The fact is as
you know.
But now we are quite free from any other
oiitword power and we can preach gospel very
easily.
I and my family hope you heartly you will
come to Japan again and, work with us.
Please come and help our Christian work as
before. I will report you regurely about our
works if I get good route to send the letter
more easily.
Please give my best regard to your group,
especially to Mr. and Mrs. Still.
"Your son in Christ"
Shin Haniu
NoteMr. Haniu is the miuister of the
i'ourth Church in Tokyo, the only church of the
Cunningham Mission now standing. The spell
ing and expressions in the letter are his own.)
And the Common People
tContlnued from page 3)
M.R.The ideal would of course be one
church, and the fact is that there is but one
Christ adds the members. My idea is not to
invite the Japanese to join a church, but to
convert them to Jesus Christ. As far as work
ing under one organization is concerned, I think
that is unnecessary. The main thing is to bo
working under the HeadJesus Christ. When
the truth is taught, there will be no darkness
and confusion. False doctrines are what make
the dark clouds.
As I see it, the main thing in missionary
work is to get a hearing. With what few
missionaries we have in the Church of Christ,
Cunningham Mission, we could wield a big in
fluence if we are able to get a hearing when we
get over there. We urgently request all of you
to pray for us. Pray that we may not be hin
dered in getting to the field and that the free
gospel shall not be bound, but rather sounded
from the housetops.
The common people will hear Him gladly
who said, "And I if I be lifted up from the earth
will draw all men unto me."
I'LL GO, BUT . . .
I'll go where you want me to go. dear Lord,
Real service is what I desire,
I'll sing a solo any time, Lord,
But don't ask me to sing in the choir.
I'll do what you want me to do, dear Lord,
I like to see things come to pass,
But don't ask me to teach some girls or boys,
I'd rather sit in my class.
I'll do what you want me to do, dear Lord,
I yearn for thy kingdom to thrive;
I'll give my nickels and dimes, dear Lord,
But please don't ask me to tithe.
I'll go where you want me to go. dear Lord,
I'll say what you want me to say,
I'm busy just now for myself, dear Lord,
But I'll help you some other daj'.
Rope Holder List
ARIZONA:Buckeye First Church of Christ,
$10.00.
FLORIDA:Tabernacle Church of Christ,
$7.25; Eustis Church of Christ, $200.00; Mor
ris B. Book, $15.00; Lake Wales Church of
Christ, $15.00; St. Cloud W. C. T. W., $10.00.
ILLINOIS:Missionary Section of Christian
Church, $16.80; Dale V. Knowles. $50.00;
Hutsonvilie First Christian Church, $25.00.
INDIANA:Domestic Clnirch of Christ,
$100.00; Meridian St. Christian Church, $51.18;
Markle Church of Christ, $300.00; Bosweli
Church of Christ Missionary Society, $5.00.
IOWA:Cliilclren of Rising Sun Sunday
School $30.00; Mission Gramp Ladies Circle,
$20.00.
KANSAS:J. G. Templeton and family, $3.00;
Mr. S. S. Cash, $10.00.
KENTUCKY:Beaver Dam Church of Ciirist.
$23.60: Tri-State Christian .Assembly, $15.00.
LOUISIANA:Baton Rouge Christian Churcii,
Women's Council. $14.35.
MICHIGAN:Algonac Church of Christ,
$40.00; Algonac Church of Christ Intermed
iates, $1.02; Mrs. William Petrequin, $5.00;
Mr.s. Albert Avers. $30.00; Mrs. R. Lee Pooke,
$2.00.
MISSISSIPPI:Pauline Missionary Society of
the Waldron Street Christian Church. $8.00.
MISSOURI:Mr. Isaac S. Hoopingarner,
$6.00.
NEBRASKA:Central City Christian Church,
$9.52; Lillian Church of Christ, $10.70; Mrs.
Kittie .A, Myers, $10.00; Mrs. Lillie Carman.
$3.00; Mrs. Ella Overtoil, $2.00; Mr.s. Emma
.Adamson, $1.00; Airs. Bertha T. .Adainson,
$1.00.
NORTH CAROLINA:Old Ford Independent
Alissionary Circle, $12.50.
OHIO:Croodsville Church of Christ, $50.00;
West Milford Sunday School, $10.00; Mr. and
Mrs. J. H. Deem, $5.00; North Indiistrv Bible
School. $25.00; Mrs. F. B. Neal. $10.00;
Wayiicsvillc Church of Christ, $73.88; Ferry
Church of Christ, $45.15; Xenia Church of
Christ, $53.00; Clear Creek Sunday School,
$20.00; Pleasant Grove Church of Christ,
$30.00; Miss Tliclma Sharar, $5.00; Mrs. Clara
E. Davis, $2.00; Union Grove Sunday School,
$20.00; Mr. and Airs. Leander Rondebush.
$50.00; Kcnmore Christian Church, $34.80;
Southwood Church of Christ, $10.00; Ferry
Church of Christ, $2.00.
OREGON:Boa vert on Church of Christ
$50.00.
PENNSYLVANIA:First Christian Church,
AIcKecsport. Pa., $14.06: Tarentum Women's
Missionary Society. First Christian Church,
$10.00; Diuiuesnc Church of Christ. $300.00;
Brentwood Christian Church, $20.57; Mr.
Harold Sims, $10.00; Hazclwood Christian
Church Missionary Society, $15.00; Hazcl
wood Daily Vacation Bible School, $10.06;.,
Bryn Alawr, Jr. Christian Endeavor, $3,00.
TEXAS:Barston First Christian Church,
$15.00.
VIRGINIA:Pole Green Church of Christ,
$20.00; Mrs. J. E. Lipscomhe's Class, $10.00;
Fairmont .Avenue Church of Christ, $65.35;
Gethsemaii Church of Christ, $22.87; Newport
News Church of Christ, $250.00; Richmond
Church of Christ, $65.35.
Total, $2,388.83. To be added to our traveling
fund.
"Make your offerings according to your in
come, or the Lord may make your income
according to 3'our offering."
Money is the universal purchaser of every
thing except happiness, tlic universal passport to
every place except heaven.
The howling of the wolf always makes the
sheep get closer to the shepherd.
TOKYO
CttRlSTlAW
mMiik
HOLY BIBLC
>v
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)
Vol. 45
MoKeesport, Peiiiia., September, 1040
Nniiiber 9
55
DOCTORS SAY, "O. K., MRS. CUNNINGHAM
Good Japs? Here's Proof
Yes, there are "good" Japs, and they are
not the dead ones. Common though it is to hear
expressions such as these, "You might find
one good Jap in a thousand" or "The only
good Jay is a dead one," yet there are some very
fine Japanese people. You will find some of
the best people and some of the worst people
in every country, including our own.
Just as the early Christians in Japan had to
prove their loyalty and devotion to their country,
so the American Japanese had to prove their
loyalty to the United States during these past
five years. They left behind them the following
record:
In August, 1943, American Japanese of the
100th Infantry Bat., composed mostly of Amer
ican citizens of Japanese ancestry from Hawaii,
went overseas in Uncle Sam's service. They
became probably the most decorated unit in the
history of the United States army. 1,000 Purple
Hearts were presented to its 1,300 members.
Other citations included: 73 Silver Stars, 96
Bronze Stars, 21 Distinguished Service Crosses,
6 Legion of Merit Medals, and 16 Division
Citations. They landed at Salerno, spear
headed the 5th Army advance, held the lines
in Casino 40 days, attacked at Anzio, and led
the breakthrough on Rome. For IJ^ years
they fought as part of the 34th division which
claimed more days of service on the front lines
than any other American division. Later they
fought for 7 months with the 36th Division on
the Western front.
In the 3 years of its existence, there was
not a single desertion or even one hour of
absence without leave. On two occasions there
were A.W.O.L.'s in reversewounded Japanese
soldiers got out of their hospital beds to join
their unit when it moved on.
If "actions speak louder than words," then
this should prove that the heart of the Japanese
people are as true and devoted to the cause
they believe in as any other people. They must
be taught to believe in the right things, and in
them we shall find as loyal a people as any
where in all the world.
"Remember that many other people will set
their watches by your clock."
Modernism or Christ
"C/ioose Ye This Day"
It has been quite obvious to those who have
been observing the trend of the religious world
that sooner or later every Christian man, wo
man, and young person would be forced by the
maneuvers of church leaders to make a very
definite, vital, and personal decision. He would
have to ascend the "mountain of decision" and
there choose which God he will servethe one
true and living God or the god of the modernists,
the Devil, The time is no longer on its way
it is here. It has been here for some time, but
thanks be to God that many more people are
awakening to the crisis confronting us than
ever before. I believe, too, that as time goes
on the demand will become even greater for
such a solemn decision. As surely as the Israel
ites were called upon by Joshua at Sheckem to
"choose this day whom ye will serve," and as
God's people were called upon by Elijah on Mt.
Carmel to decide between the Lord and the
pagan god, Baal, so every Christian is called
upon NOW to choose between serving the Lord
Jesus Christ with all his heart, soul, mind, and
strength or being lined up with the deniers of
the Faith and traitors to Christ and His cause.
We are personally responsible for every
organization we support in any way. and our
own righteousness' or guilt will depend upon the
righteousness and guilt of that which we sup
port. In II John 10, 11 we read, "If there come
anv unto you, and bring not this doctrine, RE
CEIVE HIM NOT INTO YOUR HOUSE.
NEITHER BID HIM GOD'S SPEED: hOR
HE THAT BIDDETH HIM GOD'S SPEED
IS PARTAKER OF HIS EVIL DEEDS."
To me this means that to support any individual
or organization that is not loyal to the teaching
of God's word is to be sharing their guilt. In
difference to the issue brings us m danger of
stern rebuke from the Master such as He
measured out to the luke warm Christians at
Laodicca, "... because thou art luke warm
and neither cold nor hot. I will spue thee out of
my mouth." (Rev. 3:16). Again He said, "I
would thou wert cold or hot." There arc today
many church leaders who are trying Xo be
indifferent to the great issues rising in the
church and refuse to "fight the good fight of
faith" and "stand for the defense of the gos-
O.K. to what??? To return to Japan, of
course. Up until Mrs. Cunningham recently
visited the Mayo Clinic for a complete physical
check up, there had been anxious inquiries con
cerning her health. Will Mrs. Cunningham be
permitted to return to Japan? Is she well
enough? In spite of the fact that she is well
along in years, has led a vigorous Christian life,
and had a few set backs in health some time
ago, Mrs. Cunningham is as happy as a lark
today. Why?? Because the head doctor at
Mayos told her that she is physically able to go
back to Japan to teach the Bible and continue
her mission work in the Orient. We must
attribute this momentous decision to the grace
and will of God and to the prayers of the faith
ful friends of the mission. Keep praying that
the state department will soon grant passport
to us and to the other missionaries planning to
return to those countries.
(Next month's issue will carry Mrs. Cunning
ham's report on her trip to Minnesota.)
THE AMBASSADORS
Marching Orders"Go ye into all the world."
(Mark 16:15)
Commission"Preach the gospel to every
creature." (Mark 16:15)
Promise"Lo, I am with you always."
(Matthew 28:20)
Source of Supply"God shall supply all your
need." (Phil. 4:19)
Resources"The silver is mine, and the gold
is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts." (Haggai
2:8)
Means of Appropriation"If ye shall ask any
thing in my name, I will do it." (John
14:14)
Equipments"Take unto you the whole armor
of God, that ye may be able to withstand in
the evil day." (Eph. 6:13)
Chart"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and
a light unto my path." (Psalm ll9:105)
Authority"In the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (Matt.
28:19)
Duty"To open their eyes, and to turn them
from darkness to light, and from the power
of Satan unto God." (Acts 26:18)
Message"Redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins." (Eph. 1:7)
Duration"Occupy till I come." (Luke 19:13)
D. M. Miller
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Application for reentry as second class matter at
McKeesport, Pa., pending.
January 6, 1944 at the Postoflice at Kissimmee,
panded Into the Christian Horizon").
SAMUEL K. SAUNDERS Editor
0Bce of Publication:
R.F.D. No. 1, Box 190, McKeesport, Pa.
MRS. W. D. CUNNINGHAM Director
711 Blackstone Avenue, Connellsville, Pa.
MISSION STAFF
Mrs. W. D. Cunningham Director
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel K. Saunders
INCORPORATORS
Mr, Morris BuUer Book Mrs. E. G. Nabell
Mr. George W. Bondurant
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
J. F. Baxter W. E. Johnson
W. W. Bondurant J, E. Llpscombe
Mark Collls W. P. Stobaugh
Guy L. DrUl W. R. Walker
EDITORIAL
SACRIFICE OR OBEDIENCE
".And Saul said, Yea, I have obej'ed the voice
of the Lord . . . And Samuel said, . . . Because
thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He
hath also rejected thee from being king."
(I Sain'l 15:20, 22, 23). Substituting a good
thing for something that is better has possibly
caused the downfall of many people just as it
did King Saul. Sacrifice In God's sight was
good, but His command to Saul was to destroy
every living creature among the Amelckites, but
Saul brought back the choice sheep and oxen to
sacrifice them to God. Possibly he felt he was
doing a wonderful thing that would please the
Lordoffering sacrifices unto God. He said to
Samuel, "Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the
Lord,' but had he?? Oh, no! Samuel said unto
him, "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt
offerings and SACRIFICES as in OBEYING
the voice of the Lord? Behold TO OBEY IS
BETTER THAN SACRIFICE, and to hearken
than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the
sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as ini
quity and idolatry . . ." Sincere though he
appeared to be, Saul lost his throne, because he
sought to substitute sacrifice for obedience.
How thought-provoking this should be.
Is it possible that among us there are those
who are making great sacrifices in supporting
missionaries more or less as an appeasement
for their guilty consciencea sacrifice being
substituted for obedience to the personal call to
go themselves? It seems quite probable since
there are so many Christian workers in the
United States, but so very few in other lands.
Every loyal missionary appreciates the prayers
and financial support of every one who helps to
make his work for Christ a success. Many arc
called to serve here at home, that is true, but if
only those who are called to go themselves
would join the small faithful army on the far
flung battle fields for Christ, this would mean
far more to the missionary than to have these
people stay at home to send them money or any
other help, all of which is essential.
The modern "Adams" and "Jonahs" who are
trying to hide or run away from God today are
hindering the rapid expansion of the kingdom
of Christ and are delaying Christ's return by
failing to take the gospel among all nations
which must be done before Christ comes atiain.
(Matt. 24:14).
If we are offering sacrifices merely as a sub
stitute for obedience to the "Macedonian Call,"
we are m danger of being rejected of the Lord
(Continued on page 4}
TOKYO CIIUISTIAIV
WHO WILL GO? . . .
Jesus stands on the distant shores
With searching eyes to see,
If any arc willing and faithful.
To "Come and follow Me."
Before Him the sea waves are rolling,
Illumined by the gospel call;
Behind Him the jungles arc silent,
Death silently claiming them all.
His pleading hands beckon us to Him,
As he calls to be true and brave,
For 'tis by the foolishness of preaching,
God ordained that men should be saved.
In darkness and superstition,
The heathens bow down to false gods.
They do not know the Master's voice,
There no servant of God yet trods.
No voice has been lifted in mercy
To the millions of dying men.
They grope for the walls in the daytime,
They fall and rise not again.
They've not heard the grand invitation,
"Come unto me and rest."
They have no faith to sustain them.
Nor to comfort their aching breasts.
They are sin-sick and heavy-laden:
Before them no definite goal.
They have no word about heaven.
No hope for the weary soul.
They do not know of their Savior,
The Son of God Who came
To die in their stead upon the cross,
To free them from sin and shame.
No refuge in time of trouble,
To lift burdens of the day.
No hope to brighten their future,
So in ignorance they pass away.
'Whom shall I send," the Master calls,
"And who will go for us today?
Will you be one to answer, Yes,
Or will you also turn Me away?
"Are your friends more precious to you,
Than I could ever be?
Or will you gladly leave them all,
To come and follow Me?"
Bibles For Japan
Japan is not only interested in books, being
perliaps the most literate country in the world,
but she i.s treniendously interested in "the book"
itself. This is not a discovery of recent years,
but since the war has ended, it has become more
apparent than ever. Years ago the Japanese
were taught English by the missionaries of the
Cunningham staff by studying the Bible. Their
eagerness to learn English has greatly increased
the demand for English scriptures in that
country.
Since the war ended and shintoism is no
longer the state religion, the Japanese, freed
from the patriotic duty of believing in the deity
of their emperor, are asking what makes the
nation that conquered them the kind of a nation
it is". The answer is simply Ihis: we have "the
Book." Today Japan is begging for the Bible
and for missionaries to teach it to them. She
is ready to receive the gospel more than at any
other time in the history of her nation.
Her great demand and request for Bibles has
been partially answered, but not as much as we
hope it will be. Through Chaplain Ivan L.
Bennett of the American forces in the Pacific,
preparations were made to furnish Japan with
100,000Japanese Bibles; 2,500,000 Japanese New
Testaments; and 100,000 English New Testa
ments. Early in 1945 an edition of 10,000 large
Japanese New Testaments and Psalms were
published for use in public places. In April of
last year a smaller sized New Testament with
28 pages of selected Psalms was ordered by the
office of the Army and Navy chaplains. These
were bound in black cloth and were ready for
immediate distribution when the demand in
creased at the close of the war. Paper-covered
Bibles are being produced as fast as funds and
paper are available.
Now the Japanese are hungering and thirst
ing for the living bread and water, let us feed
them. There must be no delay in sending Bibles
and missionaries, or those people may turn to
some false religion that is just as bad as the
one out of which they came.
Our Prayer Circle
"Lord, teach us to praj'."Lk. 11:1.
"While we pray, God \vork.s. We are never
so high as when we are on our knees. Why
arc so many Christians defeated? Because
they pray so little. It can easily be shown
that all want of success and all failure in
spiritual life and in Christian work are due to
defective or insufficient prayer. Our Savior's
three great commands for definite action were:
Pray yeDo Thisand Go Ye."
The Kneeling Christian
R. C. Tucker, Piggott, Ark."I am glad
that the Lord is blessing you with your needs
in your preparation for the return to Japan. I
am praying for His continued blessings in
Japan and throughout your extended life."
Dr. Leila G. Scott, D.O., Petersburg, 111.
"My heart and prayers are with you all."
Mildred M. Nedds, Sandpoint, Idaho"We
pray for your health and that you will soon be
permitted to return to Japan."
Mrs. J. S. Hoopengarner, El Dorado, Mo.
"May the Lord really bless all efforts put forth
to bring the gospel to the Japanese."
Mary E. Hofer, Charleston, 111."May God
bless and keep you and give you a safe journey."
News Items
During wartime food rations in Japan beriberi
cases increased 300% among soldiers and
civilians and malnutrition increased 200%.
General Mac Arthur's "humanitarian spirit
moves us to a deeper sense of fellow love."
This is part of a resolution passed by the
Japanese House of Representatives in passing a
vote of thanks to General MacArthur for his in
fluence in releasing United States food supplies
to relieve "unparalleled famine in Japan."
22,000 Japanese "technicians," according to
Chinese government estimates, are remaining in
China to help rebuild China.
In the U.S.A. surplus ships, guns, tanks, and
ammunition are to be broken up and made into
scrap iron for steel mills to manufacture peace
time goods.
A sailor who fell from a French destroyer
was returned three weeks later by Japanese
fishermen who rescued him from a tiny volcanic
rock to whicii he had floated in a life jacket.
The French crew was so grateful they took up
a collection of $1,000and gave it to the Japanese
fishermen.
In recent months Japan's best seller was the
life story of General Douglas MacArthur. The
first edition of 800,000 copies disappeared from
book stands like hot cakes. People stood in
line for them as they do in the U.S.A. for
nylons.
Mission Receives Camera
During his recent visit with the Church of
Christ at Sebring, Ohio, Samuel Saunders was
presented with the lovely gift of an Eastman
Cine-Kodak 8mm movie camera, plus a book
of instructions, a roll of film, and an offering of
$121.90 of which $81.40 was designated to pur
chase a movie projector to go with the camera.
A new deluxe model of the Eastman Koda-
cscope eight has been bought with the money.
As we acknowledge this special gift from the
Sebring church, we might also state that It is
our hope, before leaving for Japan, to purchase
a still picture projector and a camera for making
and showing slides. We expect to use the pro
jector for teaching the Bible in Japan with the
use of religious slides. The camera and pro
jector, of course, will be used for taking pictures
in America to show the Christians of Japan and
to take pictures in Japan to show to the
churches in the states. They have both been
priced in Pittsburgh. The projector costs
$76.75, and the 35mm. Range Finder Model,
camera scjls for $85.00.
Perhaps you or the local church will be in
terested in making a similar contribution to
this work as did the Sebring church.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
3
THE GOSPEL FOR EVERY CREATURE
What People Say:
Judge T. O. Hathcock, Atlanta, Ga.Con
gratulations on the first edition of the Tokyo
Christian under your editorship. It's a fine
paper, all packed with missionary dynamite.
God bless you and yours and Mrs. Cunningham
as you labor to make it the best missionary
paper in existence.
Mrs. Nellie Kouts, Van Wert, OhioI am
so glad I had the joy and privilege of meeting
you and all the rest of the missionaries at Lake
James a few weeks ago. I received the Tokyo
Christian last week and enjoyed it so much.
Mr. E. E. House, La Grange, Ky.It surely
seems good to be writing to you again and to
know that the great work goes on. Also it is
good to know that you arc still at the helm
carrying on for our good friend and .soldier of
the Cross Mr. W. D.
R. C. Tucker, Piggott, Ark.I have followed
you and Brother Cunningham for 40 years.
Mrs. George Dykstra, LancasterHope this
check ($100.00) will be sent on to you if you
have left for Japan for I knew you will be in
need of it with conditions as they are.
Mrs. Rush Williams, Waxahachie, Texas
The harvest is white and laborers are few . . .
So many faithful missionaries are going back to
foreign fields but so many more are needed.
Garland Grubbs, Ellerson, Va.May tlie I.ord
bless you all as you carry His work on.
Mrs. C. V. Angler, Wakefield, Nebr.We
wish you good luck and a safe journey and
success in bringing souls to Christ.
Mrs. Howard Ruka, Webster City, Iowa
We pray that as you learn more from your
friends in Japan you will find that the seed
sown has been growing through these trying
years even as Christ suggested when He spoke
of the mustard seed.
Eva D. Green, Atlanta, Ga.I know that
Mary Louise Zace will be blessed for going to
Japan with you, and am sure she will be a faith
ful worker.
Morris Butler Book, Orlando, Fla.Just a
brief word of appreciation to you and Mrs.
Cunningham for the fine tribute the Tokyo
Christian carried in memory of my late father.
Furthermore, both issues of the Tokyo Christian
strike me as being exceptionally fine, and I just
wanted to pass a compliment along at a time
when you might enjoy receiving it.
O. Lee Brady, Rising Sun Church of Christ,
Des Moines, Iowa"We wish everything for
your success, and hope you can soon return to
the country which so badly needs Christ's
teachings."
Mr. Howard L. Himes, Meridian Street
Christian Church Sunday School, Greentown,
Ind."Wishing you the best of success in your
work."
Ellis R. Back, Venice, Calif."We have been
denied passports at present because of the un
certain conditions in West China. However, we
were told to reapply in the near future."
2.
4.
WHO SHOULD NOT GIVE
Those who believe that Jesus made a mis
take when He said: "Go ye, therefore, and
teach all nations."
Those who do not believe that "the gospel
is the power of God unto salvation to every
one that believeth." (Rom. 1:16)
Those who wish that no missionary had
come to our forefathers and would prefer
to be heathen.
Those who believe that everyone in the
world should shift for himself and ask with
Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?"
Those who do not care to have part in
Christ's final victory.
Those who believe that God will not call
them to account because of the way they
spend their money.
Those who are willing to have Jesus say to
them: "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one
of the least of these, ye did it not to me."
(Matt. 25:45) Expositor
By
ANDREW PATTON, Recruit
Every race and tribe of people on the face
of God's good earth regard themselves as the
man par excellence. This is at variance with
God who "giveth to all life, and breath, and all
things; and hath made of one blood all nations
of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth,
and hath determined the times before appointed,
and the bounds of their habitation" (Acts 17:25,
26). God does not esteem one person above
another or one nation above another. He
created every creature, and He has provided
redemption for every man. Our merciful Savior,
having broken down the "middle wall of par
tition between us (Jew and Gentile); having
abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law
of commandments contained in ordinances; for
to make in Himself of twain one new man, so
making peace" (Eph. 2:14, 15) likewise com
mands us to "preach the gospel to every crea
ture" (Mark 16:15), thus abolishing every bar
rier between Gentile and Gentile, race and race
and making access of the heavenly inheritance
to all the obedient. The gospel is for every
creature in every place, whether Jew or Greek,
bond or free, male or female, Japanese or
American.
God has enjoined missions. In His matchless
wisdom He determined and foretold to Abra
ham: "And in thy seed (Christ, cf. Gal. 3:8, 16)
shall all the nations of the earth be blessed"
(Gen. 22:18). Again the Holy Spirit says: "And
it shall come to pass in the last days that the
mountain of the Lord's hou.sc .shall be estab
lished in tlie top of the mountains, and shall be
exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow
into it" (Isa. 2:2). Read Isa. 65:1 and cf. Rom.
10:20; Isa. 56:7, 8; 55:5; Dan. 7-14; Psa. 72;
Jer. 3:17; Micah 4:2; Zech. 2:11; Mai. 1:11.
Turning to the New Testament we see the
universality of the gospel accentuated. The
aged and devout Simeon took the child Jesus in
his arms and said: "Lord now Icttest thou thy
servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which
thou ha.st prepared before the face of all people;
a light to lighten the Gcntilc.s, and the glory of
tliy people Israel" (Luke 2:29-32). Our Lord
said: "For God so loved the world (He did not
exclude the Japanese) that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life"
(John 3:16). Glory to God for He said: "that
whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord
shall be .saved" (Act.s 2:21). "For tiie promise
is unto you (Jews), and to your ciiildren, and
to all that are afar off (every nation, ail the
world, every creature) even as many as the'
Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39). "How
then shall they call on Him in whom they have
not believed? and how shall they believe in Him
of whom they have not heard? and how shall
they hear without a preacher? and how shall
they preach except they be sent? as it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach
the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of
good things" (Rom. 10:14, 15). The Lord of
Glory once cried: "And I, if I be lifted up from
the earth, will draw All men unto me" (John
12:32). (Df course this precious drawing Magnet
of God would draw only those who are willing
to be drawn. Read Luke 3:6; 24:46, 47; Matt.
12:20, 21; Gal. 3:28; Rom. 10:12; and Acts 1:8
noticing that the good news is to be proclaimed
everywhere without respect to person or nation.
Since Jesus has become the "author of eter
nal salvation unto all that obey Him" (Heb.
5:9) by His death, it behooves us to publish
abroad the kingdom of God in every nation.
We dare not tarry or oppose lest we be found
fighting God. Why stand we here idle, dumb?
An Appreciation
While civilization and nations tremble, it is up
to the church to save people. Scientists, educa
tors, and statesmen are all testifying to the fact
that our way of life is in deadly peril and that
a new way must be found if our world is to
stand and we arc to escape destruction. The
awful condition described by J. Edgar Hoover,
in his latest report on the crime of our nation,
staggers our imagination. We wonder if the
church has become so secularized, so absorbed
in material things, and so unconcerned about
William C. MacDonald Is minister of the Bryn
Mawr Church of Christ, McKeesport, Pa., that has
volunteered to pay $400 annually toward Emily
Saunders" support.
what Mr. Hoover pictures as a "creeping rot of
moral disintegration that is eating into the vitals
of our nation" and is getting worse day by day.
Well, it was to such a nation and to remedy
such a condition, that our Lord came to this
earth and established His church. During His
earthly ministry when discouragement, and
opposition, and indifference were at .their worst.
He said, "Fear not little flock it i.s the Father's
good pleasure to give unto you the kingdom."
Today we are inclined to blame all of our
troubles upon the war. Well, the war is to
blame for much that has and is happening, but
the war is only one of the symptoms of the con
dition we have brought upon ourselves. By our
forgctfulness of God and our disregard for His
program, in His great commission He has told
us to go into all the world and preach His
gospel to all nations. This wc have failed to do,
and because of our failure we are confronted
with this present paganized world. Today the
church is standing at the cros.s-roads, and as
General Douglas MacArthur said in his uncon
ditional surrender speech to the Japanese nation,
speaking from the deck of the battle-ship.
Missouri, to the peoples of the world. He said,
"We have had our last chance." Armageddon
is at our door.
In the light of all this it was with much satis
faction that the church at Bryn Mawr, Mc
Keesport, Pa., learned that Bro. Samuel Saun
ders had announced his intentions of becoming
a missionary to Japan and allying himself with
the William D. Cunningham independent mis
sionary organization of Tokyo, Japan. The
missionary society of the church immediately
became interested in his proposal and began to
look around to find, if possible, some way by
Avbich they could help him in this laudable desire
and to their regret found themselves so obli
gated to other worthy causes, that there
The first treaty between Japan and the United
States was a treaty of Peace, Amity, and Com
merce, signed on March 31, 1854.
Letter From Japanese
Christian Woman
Dearest Mrs. Cunningham:
How are you spending these summer days?
I liope you are very well and happy. I am
very glad that I can write to you again by the
kindness of Chaplain Dutcher who is in the
Finance Building at Toranomon. I often go
there to see him. He is very kind.
When summer comes I always think of Karui-
zawa. How cool and comfortable your house
was! I hope you will come to Japan and spend
next summer there.
There are many American soldiers in Japan
and they are very good and kind to us. Every
day there is a radio service for the U. S. Army,
which I like to listen in. When I listen in for
the meditation hour I feel as if I were in your
Bible Class, for they sing many beautiful hymns
which I know. I like especially to listen to
their prayers and sermons which are my real
spiritual food. While I am listening in I forget
all my troubles.
While we are in this world we face many
troubles. At those times I hear the sweet
whispering "John 14:1" in my heart. What a
great comfort it is!
Now I can neither see you nor hear your
splendid teachings, but the lessons you taught
us in the Bible Class are still remain in my
heart. I hope everyone who attended to your
Bible Class has the same feeling as I have.
Tokuran San and Beter came to see us the
other day and we had a very good time. Every
time when I meet Tokuran San, we speak and
ihink of you and pray for you. Now they are
living at Mita in Shiba-ku. I am planning to
visit them in a few days.
Now I am living with Daniel and Ruth. She
is busy for learning how to make foreign cloths.
I am also busy for teaching English lessons to
boys and girls who are very eager to learn.
Daniel and Ruth give their best regards to
you.
God bless you.
Yours lovingly,
Tsuru Kita
Missionary Activities
Mrs. W. D. Cunninghamhas been busy
with correspondence, visiting churches, and do
ing other work that naturally falls upon the
shoulders of the director of a mission.
Mr. and Mrs. Owen Stillhave already
arrived in Hawaii to work with the Japanese
there until passports are granted to go to Japan
itself.
Mary Louise ZaceIs working in Savannah,
Ga., until such time that she can begin working
full time with the mission.
Andrews Pattonhas been studying at the
Cincinnati Bible Seminary and preaching this
summer as well as doing other work. He writes
on one occasion, "I have to wheel in eight
tons of coal today." Concerning his studies,
Andj' says,_ "I wouldn't take anything for the
help I received in the summer school session.
The instruction was abundantly rich."
Harold Simsspent most of July and August
in Christian Service Camps. July 7-20 (Cler-
niont County Camp near Amelia, Ohio); July
21-27 (Mahoning Valley Camp, Rushville, Ind.);
July 29-.August 3 (Lake James School of Mis
sions): August 5-10 (Cedar Lake Week of
Missions); and August 12-17 (Hilltop Camp,
Columbus, Ind.) Between camp session he
visited churches in Ohio (Moscow, Loveland,
and Bethel); in Indiana (Mays. North Vernon,
Knox, and Centerville); and in Coldwater, Mich.
Samuel and Emily Saundcrshave been edit
ing the mission paper. Both attended Lake
James School of Missions. Samuel spoke there
on Saturday. He also has been visiting churches
in Pennsylvania and Ohio during the past couple
of months.
Let us never forget that the only freedom
worth having is the freedom to do right.
TOKYO CIIKISTIAN
GOD GIVE US MEN
God give us menldetermined, brave and
strong
Who stand for Right and dare to smite the
Wrong,
Whole-hearted menunselfish, fearless, bold
Whose love of truth outweighs the greed for
gold,
Devoted men, who think and pray and plan
How best to serve and help their fellow man.
While selfishness misrules, and greed and lust
Entice and drag their victims in the dust.
Send up a prayer, again and yet again.
With faith unfailing stillGod give us men!
C. H. Mead
An Appreciation
fContinued from page 3)
appeared little they could do. But due to the
fact that Miss Emily Allen had been a member
of the Bryn Mawr congregation and a pupil
in the Bible school long before she became Mrs.
Samuel Saunders, this imposed upon us an obli
gation that made it "mandatory" that we should
remember our world-wide duty to the mission
causes. Constantly the matter was continually
brought before our missionary society and other
church organizations until gradually it was felt
that this providential challenge could no longer
be ignored.
It was finally decided to invite Bro. Samuel
Saunders to speak to the church congregation
at one of the regular Lord's day services. This
invitation was readily accepted, and Bro.
Saunders' reputation as an able speaker brought
out a fine audience who were highly impressed
with his message, "Why I Want To Be a
Missionary." This increased the desire on the
part of the congregation to have a share in the
support of the Saunders family. It was decided
by the missionary society that regardless of
their other obligations which they must con
tinue, that if the official board of the church
would agree to supply whatever annual deficit
would occur in their missionary budget, thev
would assume the responsibility of supporting
Mrs. Saunders to the extent of $400 a year as
their partial-living link of the Bryn Mawr
Church of Christ.
William C. MacDonald
Modernism or Christ
(Continued from page 1)
pel." But the so-called "average church mem
ber" must realize that he, too, has just as vital
a decision to make as the preacher or the elder.
God is no respecter of persons but has called
the weak, foolish, and frail to bring to nought
the evils that now seem to be so mighty, noble,
and wise. The measuring rod for judging these
matters is not the opinions of others but the
word of God, itself. As Jesus faced the devil
on the Mt. of Temptation and decided to remain
steadfast and loyal to God, to Himself, and to
His mission, so let us make the same reso
lution and come down from the "mountain of
decision" determined to be "faithful until death."
(Rev. 2:10).
God's children never meet for the last time.
Rope Holder List
ALABAMAR. L. Maury, $5.00.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAW. W. Bon-
durant, $1.00.
CALIFORNIAMiss I s a b e 11 e Mar Ward,
$5.00.
IDAHOSandpoint Christian Church, $10.00;
George McCullough, $5.00.
ILLINOISDr. Leila G. Scott, $10.00; Camp
Point Church of Christ, $30.00; Emden
Christian Church, $21.88.
INDIANANorth Vernon Christian Church,
$50.00; Mahoning Valley Christian Service
Camp, $46.81; Knox Christian Church, $30.00;
Hilltop Christian Service Camp, $16.00; Cen
terville Church of Christ, $37.00; Tampico
Church of Christ, $10.47; Mrs. F. A. Bobbett,
$1.00; Mrs. Fred Rench, $1.00; Mrs. Cora
Gregory, $2.00.
IOWAKalona Christian Church, $10.00; G.
H. Bierbaum, $25.00; Webster City Christian
Church, $10.00.
KENTUCKYGlencoc Christian Church Bible
School, $10.14; Mr. and Mrs. E. E. House,
$25.00; Corinth Christian Church, $25.00.
MISSOURIMr. John Rails, $2.00; Mr. and
Mrs. Hoopengarner, $5.00; A Friend, $1.00.
MICHIGANColdwater Church of Christ,
$41.00.
NEW YORKMrs. Emma Dykstra, $100.00.
OHIOCharles Venard, $2.00; Young People
of Anderson Ferry Church of Christ, $3.60;
Men of Bethel Church of Christ, $15.00;
Bethel Church of Christ, $28.15; Clermont
County Camp, $40.00; Hopedale Loyal Work
ers Class, $25.00; Scbring Church of Christ,
$121.90; Lakeview Church of Christ, $50.00;
Unknown Giver at Kenmore Church of Christ,
$4.00; Mrs. J. F. Smith, $1.00; Mrs, Kouts
Primary Boys Van Wert, $20.00; Mrs. J. A.
Stiggers, $1.00; Mrs. Mary Osborn, $1.00;
Mrs. Sarah Stouder, $1.00; Mrs. George Mil
ler, $1.00; Mrs. M. G. Hubbard, $20.00.
PENNSYLVANIAThomas Hewitt, $5.00;
Mrs. Louise Helmstadtler, $2,00; Sweet Val
ley Church of Christ, $13.00; Mr. and Mrs.
E. W. Woods, $3.00; Mrs. Sigel Kiff, $5.00;
Ladies' Group, Fayette City, $15.00; Oak
Grove Church of Christ Bible School, $11.00;
.Altoona First Church of Christ, $10.00; Mc-
Keesport First Christian Church, $80.41.
OKLAHOMAMrs. W. M. Lewis, $5.00.
TEXASLeon F. Heard, $5.00; Mrs. Rush
Williams, $20.00; West Amarillo Christian
Church, $100.00.
VIRGINIAPole Green Church of Christ,
$20.00; Gethsemane Church of Christ, $50.00.
WEST VIRGINIAMrs. W. S. Blodgett,
$2.00.
WASHINGTONGreenacres Church of
Christ, $14.00.
(Correctionthe $30 credited to Mrs. Eleanor
Petrequin in the May issue of the "Christian
Horizon" should have been credited to the
Church of Christ at Algonac, Michigan.)
Sacrifice or Obedience
'Continued from page 2)
in the life which is to come as surely as Saul
was rejected from being king. Jesus said,
"Whosoever will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross and follow me.
Whosoever will save his life shall lose it, but
whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and
the gospel's, the same .'-hall save it."
Strange as it may seem, the Chriistians of
Japan have suffered possibly as much for Christ
and His gospel as any race of people. When
the government .saw their attempts to destroy
the Christian faith failed by mass .slaughter they
employed tlie most evil methods of torture
imaginable. Dutch trader, Caron, testifies that
the number of Christiaius who fainted weer few
in comparison to those who remained steadfast
and courageous.
TOKYO
CttRlSmW
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,^^ (Mark 16:15)
Vol. 45 MeKeeiport, Peniia., Octoher, 1946
Nuiiiiier 10
Revival Power in Japan
(From a letter written to John Fergiison. Evangelist,
Detroit, Mich., by Lt. E. Spencer, U. 3. Army Forces
in Japan)
Something stands out here that I never saw
in America. These people are searching for the
Christian message. They liave heard of it all
their lives, and still have been so repressed in
thi.s generation that they now have an outstand
ing desire to licar.all they can about Christ-
They are very open and respective to us any
where we take the message of Chri.st. And
thank God, we have seen so many definite con
versions already that it would thrill your heart.
I never saw anything like it. I get sucli a joy
out of seeing the change that comes to these
new born souls and how soon they begin to tell
others about Christ's salvation.
The work is going forward at a mighty
pace here it seems to me. God is certainly
opening the doors and leading the way. And
He just seems to be showering the blessings on
us who are trying to do His will here. It is very
hard for most of us G.I.'s to learn the language,
so we can't say much. However, the ones we
can speak to in English and through inter
preters are receiving Christ on every hand. It
is my firm belief that these written words are
like planted seeds. I believe God will water and
care for them until the harvesters come. Then
watch a real revival sweep Japan. Praise His
name, I know it's coming.
You should see them in the sick beds, in the
schools or on the trains or any place we hand
them tracts. They just pour over those words.
I know that God has prepared them and I know
He will bless the reading.
Oh, because of our own inabilities to speak
the words and because of the way they are
received, please send me thousands of tracts,
aiul with God's help I'll do my best to put them
out in accordance with Hi.s divine plan.
Loud Speaker
In the July issue of the "Tokyo Christian" we
listed a loud speaker set among our needs.
One of our good friends of Piggott, Ark., R. C.
Tucker, sent the mission the loud speaker box
for an inside set. We appreciate this gift very
much. We are yet in need of an outside loud
speaker set with at least two trumpets to be
used in street meetings. It has been in our mind
to also obtain a portable organ to be used in
our outdoor services. Harold Sims, our very
talented pianist, is anxious for the mission to
get an accordion, too. Any offer along this line
or any line of needed supplies will he deeply
appreciated.
"BECKY"
Emily Rebecca Saunders
(Our youngest missionary and daughter of
Samuel and Emily C. Saunders.)
Warren Dittemore Taken
Another faithful Chri.stian, Warren Ditte
more, has been taken to glory. The Lord found
him where he expected him to beon the
Tibetan Border answering the call and obeying
the command of his Captain to be a soldier
of the cross on the distant firing lines. His
death followed closely that of the late Clyde
Adams who had been preparing to accompany
the Chase mission to Korea.
Knowing God is merciful and just, we cannot
we dare not question His judgments. Truly
He works in mysterious ways, His wonders to
perform. Having the assurance that "All things
work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are called according to His pur
pose" (Rom. 8:28), so we must consider the
deatii of our brother, Warren. Our loss is
heaven's gain, and his, but let us pray that in
his stead young men and women will rise to
volunteer for this great, spiritual, soul-stirring
work.
Ti'ip to Minnesota
Mission Director Visits
Mayo Clinic for Check-up
Recently I spent some time in Rochester.
Minn. I had a very thorough phj'sical exam
ination in the Mayo Clinic and was told by the
head doctor of the department I entered that
for my age I was physically in good conditiorr
I asked him if it was all right for me to go to
Japan, and he asked, "What do j'ou expect to
do there?" I replied, "Teach the Bible." He
said he saw no reason why I should not go. _I
felt that way myself but was glad to liave him
agree to my going.
During my visit in Rochester I spoke in
several of our churches there. On Monday eve
ning I spoke at the Rochester Church. On
Tuesday Mr. and Mrs. Leach drove me out to
Pleasant Grove Church, On Wednesday eve
ning I spoke at Marion Church and on Thurs
day at Plainview Church. I had been to all of
these churches before,-and-jt was a pleasure to
be back again among theseTneiTdiy-feaiile^__^
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Bolton of Johnson City,
Tenn., were also visiting the clinic and kindly
drove me to Marion and Plainview churches.
Except Rochester, these churches are all small
churches, but each church visited had good
audiences and gave an offering for the mission.
The meetings were on week day evenings where
the people work until dark, but they were not
too tired after their hard days, to come out to a
missionary meeting. All this gladdened the
heart of the missionary.
I left Rochester by plane and flew to Chicago
thus cutting a 12-hour trip to one of two and
a half hours.
I was met at the Chicago .Airport by Mrs.
Wilkening, her daughter, and Miss Laura Mauk.
Miss Mauk has been one of my best friends
in Japan for many years, and it was she who
helped and encouraged me in my last sad hours
in Japan and during my illness there after my
accident.
She courageously stayed in Japan through
the war, in concentration camp most of the
time, and has only recently returned to the
States.
We had much to talk about, for we have many
mutual Japanese friends. She suffered greatly
during the war, in camp, but even so when
her Japanese ministers urged her to stay on and
help them get started again saying, "We have
never needed you so much as we do just now."
she told me she just could not come away, so
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
shouid be to obey the Great Commission by pro
claiming the iinscarchabie riches of Christ Jesus
in aii the world, to every creature, of every nation.
Application for reentry as second ciass matter at
McKcesport, Pa., pending.
(Formeriy entered as second class matter on
January 6, 1944 at the Postoffice at Kissimmee,
Office of Publication:
E.FJ). No. 1, Box 190, McKecsport, Pa.
711 Blackstonc Avenue, Connellsville, Pa.
MISSION STAFF
Mr. and Mrs. Samuei K. Saunders
Mr. and Mrs. Owen Stiil Mr. Andrew Patton
INCORPORATORS
Mrs. W. D. Cunningham Mr. Lawrenc^Baln
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
J. F. Ba"xter W. E. Johnson
Mark Collis W. P. Stobaugh
Guy L. DrUi W. R. Walker
Atom Bombs for Japan?
There is much evidence that those who en
deavored to implant the seed of hatred for the
Japanese in the hearts of the American people
during the war did their work well. So well,
in fact, that it is quite common to hear even
those professing to be Christians expressing
bitter and unreasonable hatred against our
"neighbors in the orient. On two specific occa
sions, Christians (') said to one of our number
things that arc certainly unchristian in their
purpose. Both were standing in the house of
God when they said what they did. The first
said, "What Japan needs is not the gospel but
more atomic bombs." The other said, "I some
times feel that I would like to go over there
(Japan) and kill all of those people." This
surely does not represent the attitude of the
church as a whole. The Lord did not send us
to say that a man who would say such things is
not a Christian, but certainly it is agreed that
such an attitude is not in the heart of God,
Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and it is out of
place in the heart or mind of any one who
professes to be a Christian.
Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep m\- command
ments." (John 14:15). Love for our enemies is
one test of our love for Him, for He commanded
us to "Love your enemies, bless them that curse
you, do good to them that hate you, and pray
for them which despitefully use you and per
secute you." And why?? He continues, "That
ye may be the children of your Father which
is in Heaven." (Matt. 5:44,45a). If we love
only our friends, we are no better than the
Pharisees or the most corruptible, miserable
sinner who blasphemes the name of God. These
love their friends as men everywhere do, but
Christians are told to love their enemies.
The atom bomb may be a powerful weapon,
but "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down
of strongholds." (2 Cor. 10:4). Brute force will
never turn men's darkness into light nor trans
late them from the devil's kingdom into the
kingdom of Jesus Christ. It will never teach
the pagan the error of his ways nor the folly
and futility of worshipping false gods. The one
and only thing that can do that is the gospel,
for this is the "DYNAMITE OF COD" to
loosen the rocky soil of men's hearts.
But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate
you, and pray for them which despitefully use
you, and persecute you."Matthew 6:44.
TOKY<^ CIIKISTIAIV
Personals
We have received an announcement of the
marriage of Owen Still, Jr., to Beatrice Ada
Rose of Hannah, Alberta, Canada. The Mission
expresses congratulations and best wishes to the
young couple. (Owen Still, Jr. is the son of
Owen Still of the Church of Christ, Cunning
ham Mission.)
Mrs. Almara Phillips passed away July 7
after a week's illness. In the passing of Mrs.
Phillips the Mission lost a long' time faithful
friend and contributor. Ever since Mrs. Cun
ningham came back from Japan, and long be
fore, Mrs. Phillips has sent quarterly offerings
to help us over this hard time. People with
her vision are the ones who have kept the
Mission going even though work has been dis
continued in Japan and Korea during the war.
A recent letter from Miss Annie Hitch of
Victoria, Australia, states that she has entirely
recovered from tuberculosis and is now study
ing third year Japanese. Annie still has a hope
to return to the work she loved in Tokyo.
Miss Eloise Cunningham spent two weeks
last month visiting her mother in .Connellsville,
Pa. She started our organ fund for Japan with
a gift of $10. -
Miss Eva Green of College Park, Ca., who
has been rendering a most splendid Christian
service as acting secretary for the mission
writes, "I am at Atlanta Christian College now
as office secretary. Will also teach typing and
first year piano. Most everyone thinks I am
crazy giving up a $2,396 a year job that is secure
and for less money and securities. But other
people have stood on the promises of Cod
why can't I?" Thi.s is the spirit of a true nii.s-
sionary. We are proud of you, Eva. Many of
us must be crazy for Christ's work, or it would
never be done. In I Cor. 4:10 Paul wrote. "We
are fools for Christ's sake . . So manj- arc
ready to discourage others when they them
selves would not have the courage to step out
even for the sake of Christ and His gospel.
Mrs. Amy R. Wilking sent us thi.s word:
"Carl and I went out to the hospital to see
Brother Mark Collis (One of the Mission Ad
visors). He had been there five months. He
has difficulty in walking, but his mind is clear.
He is ninety-four years old. Hoping j-ou are
in good health and will be permitted to 'sail'
to Tokyo soon." Pray for this soldier of the
cross.
Streator Convention
The missionary convention held at Streator,
111., at the Central Church of Christ on Septem
ber 10-11, may certainly be considered a great
success. The program, arranged by modest but
capable Leland Tyrrell, the local minister, was
packed with missionary veterans and recruits
whose messages were most informing and in
spiring. Among the guest missionary speakers
were; Mrs. Letha Shepherd, President of the
Christian Woman's Benevolent Association of
St. Louis. Mo.; Dr. Campbell, President of the
College of the Scriptures at Louisville, Ky.;
Harry Bucalstein of the Christian Witness to
Israel in N.Y.C.; Walter Stram, President of
the South Dokota Bible College; Edgar Nichols
and Ellis Back, veteran and recruit to the
Tibetan Border; James Keffer, recruit to India;
John Chase, Harold Cole, and Harold Taylor,
veterans to Korea, Japan, and China respec
tively; Ray Carlson, veteran to the Philippine
Islands; and Samuel K. Saunders, recruit to
Japan and Korea with the Church of Christ,
Cunningham Mission.
A CHRISTIAN'S REVENGE
Some years ago, on the shores of Lake
Geneva, a group of college men listened to an
earnest young .Armenian who had just com
pleted his education in America. He had given
a heart-moving picture of the sacking and burn
ing of his home village by the Turks, in which
awful tragedy his father and mother, sisters
and brothers had all been murdered. He stood
with a Bible in his hand, with love-light in his
eyes, an educated and trained Christian. "Now
I am going back for my revenge on the slayers
of my family," he said, "and that revenge will
Our Prayer Circle
". . . Cod forbid that I should sin against the
Lord in ceasing to pray for you . . ."I Sam'l.
12:23.
"Our prayers are Cod's opportunities. Are
you in sorrow? Prayer can make your affliction
sweet and strengthening. Arc you in gladness?
Prayer can add to your joy a celestial perfume.
What will prayer do for you? I answer: All
that Cod can do for you."Farrar.
"Wrestling prayer can wonders do,
Bring relief in deepest straits;
Prayer can force a passage through
Iron bars and brazen gate."
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Bair, Wadsworth, Ohio
'"We pray that you and all your staff of
helpers may win many souls for Christ."
2ua Hooten, Coquille, Oregon"I pray if it is
Cod's will you may go back to Japan where
you are needed so much. You know conditions
there and know how to work among the Japa
nese so I believe you could accomplish more
-than some one who is new to the work."
Leon F. Heard, Sabinal, Texas"I pray that
your health may be so that you can personally
lead in that task."
Mrs. Bertha Mell Burton, Washington, Ind.
"I am praying that you, your co-workers, and
Brother Owen Still will soon be on your way
to Japan."
Loyal Daughters Class, First Christian
Church, Homestead, Pa."Our prayers will be
with you as you leave those who mean so
much to you; and enter upon your new fields
of labor."
What They Say:
Mabel Farmer, Hampton, Va."May God
bless both you and the retiring editor of this
splendid paper and the Mission of our Lord
which it sponsors."
F. D. Walker, Jamestown, Ohio"I am happy
to state that the church In Jamestown has
agreed to adopt Mrs. Saunders with sup
port, or $400 per year. The church is mighty
proud and happy in the choice made, especially
so since we had the Saunders here all day on
April 28, We all think they are really fine con
secrated young people, and will do a great work
for the Master in tlicir chosen field of labor.
May the Lord bless you in all things."
Danna B. Kelley, Springfield, Ohio"Last
winter before her return I had the pleasure of
hearing Mrs. Cunningham speak. Until thai
time foreign missionary work was rather vague.
But truly the work at its destination is as im
portant as our work here that wc all find love
and unityour Christ and Cod."
Lyda Respess, Washington, N. C."I trust
you are enjoying good health and that chance.s
of an early return to Japan arc more favorable."
Mrs. Majel Lusby Kelly, Grayson, Ky."I
was very happy to meet Mr. Sau!uler.s when he
was here during the Christian Service Camp,
I heard him speak and saw the pictures which
bring back wonderful memories to me." (Mrs.
Kelly spent three very successful years in
Christian work in the Mission in Tokyo.)
First Christian Church, Council Bluffs, Iowa
"Wc are sending you this check ($50) to help
the work in Japan and expect to send more."
Carl E. Ellington, Hugoton, Kansas states
that their junior church put on a little Mission
Play about missions in foreign lands and "we
are sending you this offering ($33.61)."
Edgar H. Bondurant"I hope the way will
soon be open for the Mission to again be at
work over there as the need is especially great
at this moment and the opportunity to reach
the needy people for Christ a most unusual
one."
be to bring them the knowledge of the Lord
Jesus Christ, who died that they might live."
Said one of his hearers, "It almost seemed as if
we could hear the words of Jesus, 'But I say
unto you, love your enemies.' "
This is indeed a marvelous example of the
attitude the Christians of the United States
should have toward our former enemies of
Japan.
Heroes of Japan
Very few homes were not affected by the
recent war. Every son or loved one taken from
his home to defend our native land was con
sidered a hero, especially by his own family,
friends, and his home town.
During the war, however, we were not told
about all of the heroes, because some of them
were in the enemy ranks. Many of them were
heroes so far as our boys were concerned. We
have been led to believe that the Japanese are
blood-thirsty back-stabbers, with yellow skin,
protruding teeth, and eyes so slanting that they
were nearly straight up and down. Cartoonists
painted them more as animals than human
beings. Usually they were portrayed com
mitting some bloody, gruesome deed. Often in
their hands they had a sword, bayonette, or
dagger dripping with human blood, and this
was to picture to us the nature of all of the
Japanese people. Well, the war is over, and
we are learning that they are not what we
had been led to believe they are. They who
certify this fact better than any of us in the
United States are the men who went to face
these foes on the fields of battle and then
actually entered the homeland itself to meet the
common people.
Some months ago the Christian Standard
carried the story of a suicide pilot who, instead
of diving his plane into an American ship, in
tentionally dived it into the ocean. When they
brought him aboard ship, he told them that he
was a Christian, and so far as the American
boys of that ship were concerned, he was their
hero.
On March 3, Brother Saunders spoke to the
Indianola Church of Christ, Colunil)us, Ohio.
."Vfter the service ended that Lord's day morn
ing, a young salesman came to him and related
an experience he had sitting in the back room
of one of the stores in Columbus talking with
the proprietor. The owner of this store gave
the following story. He-had a son who was a
prisoner of the Japanese for four years. He
was in the death march of Bataan. He once
weighed 200 pounds, but he came down to 85
or 90 pounds. But, three times, this soldier
declares, beyond a shadow of a doubt, his life
was spared by friendly Japanese. Sometime-
after the death march, he was in their prison
hospital with one of his legs swollen to three
or four times its normal size. Physicians were
talking of amputating it when a new Japanese
officer came into camp. When the young
American tried to get the officer to understand
that he wanted them to try to save his leg, the
officer told him to speak English, for he could
understand it. He asked the boy where he was
from. When he learned that he was from Col
umbus, the officer said, "Oh, I know where
Columbus is. I was in America for 16 years."
Then he named some of the hotels and stores in
Columbus and told how he went to Japan to
visit his friends and relatives and was put into
the Japanese army.
This Japanese officer sent across one of the
longest islands of the Pacific and secured one
of the best surgeons he could find.' The doctor
operated on the boy's leg. Today he is home.
He has his life, and he has both legs, because
not all Japanese are villains.
WHY???
Why should we give money to save the
heathen abroad when there are heathen in our
own country?
Why should I give money to save those in
other parts of the country when there are needy
ones in my own state?
Why should I give for those in other parts of
the state when there are needy ones in my own
town?
Why should I give to the poor of the town
when my own church needs the money?
Why should I give to the church when my
own family wants it?
Why should 1 give to my family what I want
myself?
WHY?? Because I am a Christian; not a
heathen. A. P. Upham
TOKYO ClIRISTIAiV
Brentwood, Pa., Church
Takes Living-Link
"The Brentwood Christian Church is proud
to be able to share in the support of the Cun
ningham mission. The members are more than
pleased to share in the support of Becky
Saunders, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Samuel Saunders, while the family will be on
the Japanese mission field," reports the minister,
Ray Emerson Stahi. The Brentwood Church
has adopted Becky as their little, living link
missionary.
Ray Emerson Stahl
.A. year ago this October Ray Emerson Stahl
was assisting Rudert A. Graybill, minister to
the Duquesne Christian Church, in a special
week of consecration services. Each evening
before Mr. Stahl delivered his sermon, Mr. Gray-
bill made an announcement concerning a special
meeting of the church to consider the adoption
of Mr. Samuel Saunders as a living link mis-
.sionary to Japan. One evening, he turned to
Mr. Stahl, who was seated on the platform,
and during the course of the announcement said.
"Why don't you bring some of your folk to the
meeting and .see how it is done. It may be that
.some day you will want to support a living link
missionary." Mr. Stahl replied, "We may not
be able to support Samm3' or his wife, Emilj',
but we could support little Becky."
Some time later. Mr. Graybill suggested the
idea to Mrs. Emily Cunningham, the director
of the mission. She was asked, "Would it be
possible for a church to adopt Becky as a living
link missionary?" Mrs. Cunningham assured
that since Becky was going to Japan with her
parents that she would need to be supported
along with her parents. Mrs. Cunningham sug
gested the sum of one hundred dollar.s as the
amount necessary for her first year.
Mr. Graybill reported the good news to the
Brentwood Church. "It is possible to adopt
Becky Saunders as a living link missionar\-! It
will cost j'ou one hundred dollars a year." The
matter was presented to the Women's Federa
tion, a women's missionary organization in the
Brentwood Church. The women voted to under
write the support of Becky Saunders.
In January, 1946, Becky's father and mother
took her to Brentwood and introduced her to
the Brentwood Church. Her father delivered
a challenging message in which he outlined his
reasons for taking his family to Japan to serve
the Christ. The Saunders' visit to the church
seemed to stir a greater interest in missions.
The Church literally fell in love with their new
living link missionary.
There may be some questions raised in the
minds of some a.<> to the wisdom of usin_^ church
missionary funds to support an infant child on
the mission field as a missionary. What can a
child do on the mission field? How long will
it be until she can do something on the field?
How do you know that she will want to be a
missionary when she reaches maturity?
These questions and many more were thought
through in the minds of the Brentwood people.
They knew that since Becky's father and mother
were going to Japan that she would have to go
(CoQttnued on page 4)
3
Scriptural Approach
To World Evangelism
Before the war began there were approxi
mately 1,000 missionaries in Japan, including all
denominations. This means that for a country
of 70,000,000 people there were no more Christ
ian workers than the city of Pittsburgh, Pa.,
which has a population of about 750,000. Alarm
ing?? Indeedll And yet what is being done
to provide gospel messengers for such countries
as Japan. I do not know how many denom-
national missionaries are planning to go to
Japan, but I am quite certain that the number
of New Testament Christians do not number
over 18.
But if there was ever hope for missionary
work all over the world, it is today. There now
seems to be a greater number of young recruits
for foreign service than there has been for a
long time. At missionary rallies elderly soldiers
of the cross have been heard expressing thanks
to God for permitting them to live to sec the day
when a new missionarj' zeal would be born.
In j-ears past the great demand for Christ's
witnesses in other lands seemingly went un
heeded except by a vcrj' few. Why this has
been so may be attributed to a number of things.
Undoubtedly some did not recognize the urgent
need. Distance and slow means of travel kept
nations so far apart that we could not appreciate
fully just how much we need each other
especially how much other countries were in
need of the gospel of Christ. Then again there
has been a shortage of Christian workers.
Young men and women in choosing their life's
work did not fully appreciate the great need,
the great challenge, and the great blessings of
full-time Christian service. Another reason, too,
for the lack of missionaries may have been, that,
as we have earnestly endeavored to "restore
New Testament Christianity," we felt the urgent
need of retaining the experienced evangelists in
the home field to work among the people of
our own land.
But now I wonder if the time is not ripe for
us to permit the preacher, or evangelist, to
assume the role toward saving the world as the
Bible teaches. In years past the preacher has
been more or less expected to do practically all
of the soul-winning, enlarging the church mem
bership, visiting the sick, etc. He has been
considered as a shepherd or pastor of the flock,
the position rightfully belonging to the elders.
(.Acts 20:28). The preachers of the apostolic
churches did not stay a long time in one place.
(At least this is my understanding of the Bible.)
He was more of a traveling preacher going into
places where Christ was not heard. There he
would begin a church and then go on to other
places, leaving the church under the leadership
of the elders to care for itself. Occasionally
he would visit these churches and further en
courage and exhort them. (Acts 14:21-23). For
example, let us observe the pattern set by the
apostle Paul.
Paul entered into regions where the gospel
had never been preached. Quite often after
winning enough converts to form the beginning
of a congregation, he brought in his "Timothies"
to set things in order and to ordain elders in
every city. (Titus 1:5). Sometimes he, himself,
ordained elders in the cities where he preached.
(Acts 14:23). Paul charged Timothy to commit
the things which Paul had taught him to "faith
ful men who shall be able to teach others also."
(2 Tim. 2:3). These faithful men into whose
trust Paul's followers placed the gospel certainly
included the elders of each congregation. (Acts
16:4). One of the qualifications of elders is
that they are to be "apt to teach" (I Tim. 3:1,2).
At Miletus Paul charged the elders of the
church at Ephesus to "feed the church of God."
(Acts 20:28). In I Peter we find the word
mentioned as "milk"food. The ciders of the
early church devoted their time to taking care
of the "flock," and they were paid for their
services. (I Tim. 5:17,18). Having "set things
in order, having ordained ciders in every city
and every church, and having committed to
these men the teaching of God's word, Paul
and his followers moved on to other regions
NO CEILING PRICE
ON PRAYER
In these times of ceiling prices,
There's no ceiling price on prayer.
Azure sky is still above us,
And God's still reigning there.
It is true seme things are frozen;
Things tiiat money can't replace.
Mercliants are restrained from selling
But no freezing of God's grace.
Serving God in prayer and praises
Is a privilege we still face;
There's no ceiling price on praying,
And no freezing of God's grace.
Adelaide Blanton
Brentwood Takes Living-Link
<Continued from page 3)
along. She would need support wliile slie was
on the field. They reasoned that any support
given Becky was helping the parents and the
jnissioi], _ 5he, will need-sonjc kind of support
if she is to live. What difference does it make
if that support comes directlj' or indirectly from
missionary funds?
Brentwood is a young and growing church.
The tliouglit was advanced, "Why not invest
in a young and growing child?" It is hoped
that as Becky adds to her years, that tlie Brent
wood Church will be able to meet the additional
support necessary for a growing girl. It is
hoped that when she comes to the age of
maturity and decides upon full-time work that
the church will be ready for full-time support.
Who dares to say that a child of a missionary
isn't also a missionary? Who has known the
child of a missionary or a minister of the Gospel,
who hasn't made his or her contribution in early
childhood? One of the leading ministers of the
Brotherhood, recently defined a missionary as,
"One who takes the message of Jesus to others."
The Brentwood Church thought that Becky
would fit this definition. Becky will be taking
the message of Jesus to her little Japanese
playmates. She will be taking them by the
hand and will be walking them to the Bible
School. She will join with them in the singing
of hymns and choruses and the listening to
Bible stories. She will be a definite part of the
inission. By her example she will lead them.
Then, there is the interest shown by the
children at home in their little missionary friend.
Already, the children at Brentwood are laying
aside tiicir pennies, nickels and dimes, so that
they may send them to their little missionary,
who is going to Japan. What better way can
we cultivate a missionary interest and interpret
the meaning of missions to little children?
There may be other children of missionaries,
serving the Brotherhood, who could be adopted
as living links by young churches, Bible schools,
Bible classes or missionary societies. Wlio can
estimate the influence this would have on a
young life on tlie foreign field? Who can esti
mate the challenge, which would be provided to
the child, the parents and the mission itself to
know that the folk back home are interested in
"one of these little ones." Why not start early
in the missionary's life and let our missionary
interest and support grow with tlie missionary?
Trip to Minnesota
stayed on in great discomfort for another year.
She had neither heat nor sufficient food, but
bravely stood by. She came home expecting to
go back in six months, but her family and
Mission Board say she must stay at least a
year. She is of the Evangelical Church.
We agreed that our days in Japan all seemed
just like a dream, but we both wish to go back
to dream again.
She thinks the opportunities for doing
Christian work in Japan are unlimited and is,
glad that I am planning to go hack and %ke
new workers with me. E.B.C.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Scriptural Approach
(Continued from Page 3)
where the name of Christ had never been heard.
The local congregations were left to be taught
and nurtured under the leadership of their own
capable overseers.
This certainly gives us food for thought. It
might seem to be fantastic, but it cannot be
denied that it is scriptural. It proves a great
challenge for all today to return to this N.T.
pattern for world evangelism. The churches
under the leadership of the ciders are chal
lenged to take up the work the Lord intended
them to do and free their preachers for work
in otlier places on earth where they are needed
so badly. It affords a challenge, also to the
preacher and his family to deny themselves many
comforts of life to go into these harvest fields.
.-\m I wrong in believing that if we follow this
scriptural pattern, the home land would soon be
converted, and at the same time hundreds of
preachers would be available to go into the un
reached corners of the world with the gospel of
Jesus Christ?
S.K.S.
A MOTHER'S PRAYER
I wash the dirt from little feet,
.-\iul as I wash I pray,
"Lord, keep t^'em ever pure and true
To walk the narrow way."
I wash the dirt from little hands
.'\nd earnestly I ask,
"Lord, may they ever yielded be
To do the humblest task."
I wash the dirt from little knees.
And pray, "Lord, may they ever be
The place wliere victories arc won,
And orders sought from Thee."
I scrub the clothes that soil so soon,
And pray, "Lord, may her dress
Througiiout eternal ages be
Thy rol)e of righteousness."
Ere many liours shall pass, I know
I'll wash these hands again;
-And there'll be dirt upon her dress
Before the day shall end.
But as she journeys on through life
And learns of want and pain.
Lord, keep her precious little heart
Cleansed from all sin and stain.
For soap and water cannot reach
Where Thou alone canst see;
Her luiiids and feet, these I can wash
I trust her heart to Thee. R. Ryberg
PRAYER OVERLOOKED
A father was in the habit of reading the Bible
and praying before retiring. One night they
had company. The people remained late, and
the little girl went to bed. The father and
mother thought she was asleep, so they turned
out the light and went to bed without praying.
In tlie dark, the little girl came over to the side
of her mother and said, "Mamma, will God
care for us tonight? Papa didn't ask Him to
keep us safe tonight." The father got up, and
by the side of the little girl, asked God to care
for them. R. B. Vorse
uuTiT 'STXod-eûatTi^
5 '-QAV IQAIIIQ A09 I
Jtooxing uÂi -STv
Rope Holder List
AUSTRALIA:Miss Annie Hitch, $9.59.
ALABAMA:D. D. Leak, Jr., $1.00.
GEORGIA:Jefferson Park Church of Christ.
$26.52.
ILLINOIS:Streator Central Church of Christ,
$15.00; Rossville Church of Christ, $23.46;
Mrs. Gladys Craddock, $5.00.
INDIANA:Mrs. Bertha Mel! Burton. $5.00;
Mrs. Wallace Gardner, $25.00; Sullivan Senior
Cliristian Endeavor, $50.00; Clark's Hill
Church of Christ, $40.00; Butler Church of
Christ, $37.27.
IOWA:Council Bluffs First Christian Church,
$50.00; Griswold Loyal Workers Sunday
School Class. $5.00; Mt. Auburn Church of
Christ, $15.00.
KENTUCKY:Mr. and Mrs. Carl Wilking,
$30.00; Janet Kelley, $1.00.
MICHIGAN:Mrs. Mary E. Oliphant, $5.00;
Buchanan Women's Missionary Society, $3.50.
MONTANA:L. E. Geringcr, $50.00.
MINNESOTA:Marion Church of Christ Bible
School. $25.00: Marion Church of _Christ,
$13.66; Plamview Church ^ "Christ, ^6.00;
i-'lcasant Grove Church of Clirist, $22.26; Mrs.
Gerhard Betcher, $5.00; Mrs. Dineheart, $5.00;
Women's Council of Rochester Church of
Christ, $22.00.
NEW YORK:Miss Eloise Cunningham,
$10.00.
NORTH CAROLINA:Union Grove Church,
$12.00; Christian Hope Church of Christ,
$35.00; St. Clair Church of Christ, $10.00.
OREGON:Mrs. Zua Hooten, $.51.
OHIO:R. S. Becker, $10.00; Mr. and Mrs.
J. W. Poling, $100.00; Montezuma Church of
Christ, $20.00; Middleport Church of Christ,
$11.00; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Deem, $5.00;
Sebring Church of Christ; $12.00; Mr. and
Mrs. W. H. Bair, $5.00; Southwood Church of
Christ, $10.00.
PENNSYLVANIA:Turtle Creek Church of
Christ, $15.00;- Chewton Church of Christ.
$50.00; Brentwood Church of Christ Primary
Department, $1.50; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel
Saunders, $25.00; Mr. and Mrs. J. G. German,
$5.00; Bryii Mawr Church of Christ, $3.00;
Mr. E. R. Whittaker, $10.00; Lye. Church of
Christ Bible School, $15.00; Duquesne Church
of Christ. $400.00.
TEXAS:Mr. Leon F. Heard, $5.00; Canadian
First Ctiurch of Christ, $5.00.
VIRGINIA:Miss Ola Sims, $100.00; Miss
Mabel Fanner, $5.00.
WEST VIRGINIA:Miss Edith F. Moore,
$25.00.
TOTAL:$1,371.27.
Japan Moves to
Ban Army
On March 6 of this year it was announced
that Japan was considering the adoption of a
new constitution that renounced war for all time
and prohibited the continuation of an army.
MacArtluir approved the move and had this to
say, "the foremost of its provisions . . . that
of atiolishing war as a sovereign riglit of the
nation . . . renders (Japan's) future security and
very survival subject to the good faith and
justice of the peace loving peoples of the world."
Hirohito, reduced from his sacred position
to a mere symbol of state, stated, "It is my
desire that the constitution of our empire be
revised drastically upon the basis of the general
will of the people and the principles of respect
for the fundamental human riglits, I command
hereby the competent authorities of my govern
ment to put forth in conformity with the best
wishes their best efforts toward accomplishment
of this end." This proposed constitution vested
supreme authority in the people and stripped
ail governmental powers from the emperor.
Whether or not this is a practical thing to do.
there is no doubt but what this is the ideal
thing if done by all nations.
TOKYO
GttRlSmW
wmd',
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'^ (Mark 16:15)
Vol. 45 MoKeei|ort, Peiiiia*. Novoiiiiicr. 1046
Niiniher 11
The Call From Japan
By Chaplain Carl Blackler, Gladstone, Ore.
It was my privilege to be a chaplain about
the ship, Mount McKinley, assigned to carry
the Far Eastern Commission to Tokyo after
the close of the war. During the weeks I
was there, a number of cities were visited and I
was permitted to gain as much first-hand in
formation as I wished pertaining to the mis
sionary outlook in that land. Many of the com
ments made to me should challenge the church
in these days, for the constant appeal, wherever
I turned, was: "Send us many missionaries
NOW!"
There are -100,QUO professing Christians in
Japan at the present time; 250,000 of them
Protestants. A Jesuit priest from Kyoto said
to me; "Japan needs 400 to 500 missionaries right
now" meaning Catholic. Dr. Kagawa, said: "We
need at least one missionary for each of the
200 cities of Japan right now."
The question is: How will missionaries be
received? Much fear has been expressed lest
missionary work may be set back many years
as a result of the use of atomic bombs by U. S.
forces. It seems to me that part of the ans
wer is in the Japanese attitude toward the
occupation forces. The common people every
where seem to like what Gen. Mac.'Krthur has
been doing and look upon him as their liberator.
It is possible today to travel anywhere in Japan
without fear.
Kagawa reported that hundreds come to hear
him on English Bible study. The chaplains are
constantly called to teach English Bible classes
largely attended by Japanese, from 50 to 1,500.
Lieut. Col. Moore, born and raised in Japan,
of missionary parents, said: "I could take off on
an itinerary trip now and speak to thousands.
The situation is very ripe. Now is the time to
strike, if we are to strike at all."
Chap. Kregal, with the First Cavalry Division
related that one of his chaplains had closed a
series of evangelistic meetings with 1,000 to
2,000 in attendance every night. Chap. Kregal
himself was invited to speak at a gathering of
Japanese, and when he arrived at the appointed
place, he found 2,000 in a large, unheated build
ing. They remained for a two-hour service,
although the temperature was below freezing.
Members of the Far Eastern Commission on
our ship, after studying general conditions in
Japan, made enlightening comments. I quote
some that I heard.
Sir Carl Berendson, New Zealand Ambassador
to the U. S.t "We need to send the brightest
and best of our young missionaries to Japan."
Sir Geo. Sanson of Great Britain: "Christian-
(Contlnued on page 4)
Mrs. Ciinniiighaiii to Get Passport
Thanksgiving
"O give thanks unto the Lord: call upon His
name: make known His deeds among the
people."Ps. 105:1.
"O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is
good: for His mercy endureth forever."Ps.
107:1.
"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable
gift."2 Cor. 9:15.
"Now thanks be unto God, which always
causeth us to triumph in Christ."2 Cor. 2:14.
"Giving thanks always for all things unto
God and the Father in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ."Eph. 5:20.
"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath
made us meet to be partakers of the inherit
ance of the saints in light."Col. 1:12.
"Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and
praise thy glorious name."I Chron. 29:13.
The Psalmist declared, ". . . in the grave who
shall give Thee thanks?" What answer could
be more vivid than the description in Rev.
7:9-12"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great
multitude, which no man could number, of all
nations, and all kindreds, and people, and
tongues, stood before the throne, and before
the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms
in their hands; And cried with a loud voice
saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth
upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all
the angels stood round about the throne, and
about the elders and the four beasts, and fell
before the throne on their faces, and wor
shipped God, saying. Amen: Blessing, and
glory, and wisdom, and THANKSGIVING,
and honor, and power, and might, be unto our
God forever and ever. Amen."
We are thankful to God for tlie many friends
that he has given our mission and for all those
who love the truth as we do and who are labor
ing together with Flim and with us in making
His Son known among all nations on earth.
We are always grateful for your frequent
prayers and contributions that mean so much
to our work as we hasten in our plans to return
to Japan and Korea to continue the good work
started there so many years ago. God bless
you. S.K.S.
If you want to be rich . . . .
If you want to be poor . . .
If you want to be needy .
If you want abundance
GIVE!
. GRASP!
. . . HOARD!
. . . SCATTER.
New Developments Toward
Returning to Japan
Immediately at the close of World War II
plans were laid to return to Japan as soon as
possible. Entrance into Japan and Korea re
quires going through a lot of red tape, so iin-
mediate return was impossible. Several recruits
joined the mission and hopes were raised for a
return in about six months or at least in a
year. Letters and personal appearances at Wash
ington, D. C. availed only additional uncertainty
and discouragement. Owen Still took his wife
and family to Hawaii to work until passports
could be obtained. Harold Sims and Andrew
Patton returned to Cincinnati Bible Seminary
this fall. Mary Louise Zace continues to work
in Georgia, Samuel Saunders and his family
are editing the paper and traveling and speaking
in the interest of the work.
New developments have arisen. A few weeks
ago Mrs. Cunningham sent a night letter to
Washington, D. C., requesting an interview with
the joint Cliiefs of Staff as we were advised to
do. She received word from the State Depart
ments inquiring as to the nature of her business.
She answered and in return they sent her in
structions to get passports and then present
these and her request to the military authorities
for approval or rejection.
If approval is granted, Mrs. Cunningham
hopes to take Mr. and Mrs. Still with her to
Tokyo and as soon as proper arrangements
can be made to send for the rest of the mission
staff.
C. B. S. Conference
It has been expected now for a number of
years that the Cincinnati Bible Seminary would
sooner or later sponsor the outstanding Bible
or Evangelistic conference in the country among
the Churches of Christ. If the meeting at Cin
cinnati October 15-17 did not outshine them all,
it came mighty close to breaking the record.
There were over 2,500 registrations and very
probably over 3,000 attendance in all. Repre
sentatives of at least 31 states were present.
Over 1,000 tickets were sold for the C.B.S.
banquet. The messages rang true to the book,
stressing loyalty to Christ and every teaching
of His word.
The conference was attended by the following
members of our mission staff: Mary Louise
Zace, Andrew Patton, Harold Sims, and .Samuel
Saunders.
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
in all the world, every creature, of every nation.
Appiicntion for reentry as second class matter at
McKcesport, Pa., pending.
January 6, 1944 at the PostofBce at Kissimmee,
711 Blackstone Avenue, Connelisville, Pa.
MISSION STAFF
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel K. Sounders
INCORPORATORS
Mr. Morris Butler Book Mrs. E. G. Nabeil
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
J. F. Baxter W. E. Johnson
Mark Collls W. P. Stobaugh
Guy L. Drill W. R. Walker
EDITORIAL
"There must be also heresies among you."
I Cor. 11:19a.
Let us not think that this is the first time in the
church's history that the "brotherhood" has been
divided. As early as the first century the body
of Christ was torn by divisions. Just as the
crucinxion ot L.hnsr"was "a" fulfillment of the
word of God, so this falling away of those
among us who once were loyal was prophecied
years ago. (2 Thess. 2:3). We are naturally
concerned about the matter, but Paul declared
that heresies, such as are in our midst to
day arc NECESSARY, "that they whicli are
approved may be made manifest among you."
(1 Cor. 11:19).
It may now appear that the cluircli is enter
ing the dark ages again. Well, perhaps it i-s,
and then again, perhaps it isn't. Ls it not true
that the Bride of Christ, in whom He placed
so mucli faith to produce fruits of righteousness
unto Him, has been taking her ease in Zion
and delighting her.sclf on luxnrious beds of
indifference? I do not believe that we are
entering the dark ages. I believe we have been
in the dark ages and have been unaware of the
fact. We might say that it happened when the
fiery zeal of the restoration movement burned
out. r believe that we are on the way out of
this deadness. This terrible mess we are in
must be the sifting, by the devil on one side
and the Lord on the other, of those who are
loyal and those who are infidels.
Jesus told Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold,
Satan hath desire to have you, that he may sift
you as wheat; But I have prayed for thee that
thy faith fail not . . ." (Lk. 22:31,32). -Satan
desires to have everyone who is loyal to Christ:
the others, he already has. After this sifting
is over, or at least to a certain point, it may be
that the church will once more begin to be the
active missionary church she was intended to
be. The foreign lands will probably have an
opportunity to hear the gospel such as they
never had before. I believe that more will be
done by the smaller number of loyal ones who
remain than was done when the ranks of Christ's
army were hindered by the influence of the
compromisers and unfaithful who will fall to the
wayside rather than fight the good fight of
faith. A young generation is rising up through
whom we can expect the Lord to do mighty
works. At least this is my opinion and I hope
it is true.
TOKYO CIIIIISTIAN
A Christian Japanese
S A story of a Japanese naval lieutenant and
the change Cod had wrought in his heart when
he left Shintoism and embraced Christianity, is
told in "The Protestant Voice" by two naval
officers. This Christian Japanese was serving
on !)oard a transport crammed with American
prisoners whom they were taking to Japan.
.An American ship, not knowing there were
Americans on board, fired a torpedo into the
hull of the transport. Quickly the enemy crew
{a.stened down the hatch cover and swarmed
into lifeboats. They were going to leave the
prisoners drown, but"Suddenly," the officers
reported, "the hatch cover was ripped away,
and the face of the young Jap lieutenant peered
in. As the Americans emerged, the young Jap
crumpled to the deck, bullets from his com
manding officer's pistol buried in his body.
There he died while the prisoners he had re
leased plunged over the rail of the sinking
ship, some to die, others to reach ultimate
safety."
BOBBY'S PBAYEB
Dear Father, there's the other boy tonight,
Who's praying to a god that's made of wood,
He a.sks it to take care of him till light
And love himbut it won't do any good.
He is so far I cannot make him hear;
I'd call to him and tell'him if I could
That You'll take care of him, that You are near
And love himfor his god is made of wood.
I know he'd ask You if he only knew,
I know he'd love to know You if he could
Dear Cod take care of him, and love him too
The other boy, whose god is made of wood.
By Margarita Haywood
What They Say:
Margaret Wiesenberg, New YorkI was
thrilled as I read the story of your work in
Japan. The first chapter could almost have
been written of my husband; their lives seem
to be quite similar in the general. (After read
ing the Flaming Torch.) The Lord continue
to guide and bless you in all your ways.
T. L. Mathers, Clear Creek, Ind.Hope your
health will permit much more time with the
people you choose to labor with and for, in
His Vineyard.
Mrs. C. G. Gibbs, Brunswick, OhioPlease
accept $10.00 from the Church of Christ at
Brunswick, Ohio. With it goes the blessing
of Christ from tlic congregation.
Mrs. Arrington, East Liberty, OhioThe
East Liberty Community held their Vacation
Bible School during August. Each Class made
Scrap Books which we are mailing to you and
hope that they will in some way help you in
your great work.
Edna Strickler, Kalona, IowaI hope and
pray you will be able to go back soon, for I
am sure there is much to be done. The Church
and missionary society would enjoy hearing
from you, and you can depend on us standing
by to give you what aid we can.
Mrs. Danielson, McKeesport, Pa.I am en
closing a check for $66.00 which is for the sup
port of Mrs. Emily Saunders. The Check is
from the Missionary Society of the Bryn Mawr
Christian Church.
We have pledged $400.00 per year toward
helping to support Emily Saunders. This check
is for July and August.
E.B.C.
A Very Thin Hope!
Mohandas Gandhi has a "holy queue." Robert
Ripley says his head is shaved except for a
sacred lock of thirteen hairs "by which he ex
pects to be lifted to heaven when he dies"be
lieve it or not! No wonder the Mahatma goes
on long fasts! He needs to reduce his weight
a-plenty if he hopes to be lifted to heaven by
thirteen hairs!
Our Prayer Circle
"Prayer is our highest privilege, our gravest
responsibility, and the greatest power Cod has
put into our hands. Prayer, real prayer, is the
noblest, the sublimest, the most stupendous act
that any creature can perform."
The Kneeling Christian
"Lord teach us to pray!"
Mrs. Ralph M. Read, Pine Bluff, Ark.Wc
are praying tliat you may soon be able to go
back to Japan. May Cod bless you.
Mrs. Charles Hackel, Arcadia, Nebr.We
are happy that you are able to return to Japan.
Cod bless you.
Mary F. Smith, Springfield, OhioI shall be
praying for you and remembering you other
wise whenever possible.
Mrs. A. A. Elliott, Watson, 111.May Cod's
richest blessing follow you all the way. I am
asking the blessed Father the very best for you
and your workers.
Grace G. Cummings, Melbourne Beach, Fla.
I do hope my prayers have helped, for it is a
rare thing for mc not to pray for you and the
Mission every day, and. I shall keep on praying
for you and the other workers.
Harry R. Speer, Clinton, IowaWe are happy
to hear that your health permits you to return
to Japan and pray that time may come shortly.
We attended the rally at Streator and enjoyed
it very much. Brother Saunders is certainly a
fine young man.
Thomas S. Blackwell, Bargersville, Ind.May
Cod bless you and spare you many years to come
in the work you and Brother Cunningham began
many years ago is my prayer.
Mrs. Rhea Starr, Cumberland, OhioI am
sorry about what war has done to your work
and buildings which you and Mr. Cunningham
spent so many years to build, but may God's
Grace sustain in all things.
Mrs. W. C. Randel, Indianola, Nebr.May
the Lord's richest blessing he yours while you
labor in His cause is our prayer.
The Joy of Intercession
"Helping together by prayer." 1 Cor. 1:11
I like to feel that though on earth
We never meet,
Yet we may hold heart-fellowship
.\t Cod's dear feet.
I like to feel in all the work
Thou hast to do,
That I, by lifting hands of prayer,
May help thee too.
I like to think that in the path
His love prepares,
Thy steps may sometimes stronger prove
Through secret prayers.
I like to think that when on high
Results we see,
Perchance thou wilt rejoice that I
Thus prayed for thee.
E. G. Barnes Lawrence
Lord's Supper
John Calvin, the best educated of all the
leaders of the Protestant Reformation, said the
changing of the Lord's Supper from every
Lord's Day to a less often time was "a con
trivance of the devil."
Profane history attests to the weekly observ
ance. Pliny, a Roman governor in the province
of Bithynia, wrote to Trajan, the emperor, tell
ing him of certain people called "Christians,"
who met weekly and observed a simple meal,
praying and singing and worshipping one Jesus.
They were harmless, he said and he asked what
should be done wltli them.
The services of the early church centered
about the communion Service. It was for the
"breaking of bread" that they came together.
Piety
Who builds a church within his heart
And takes it with him everywhere,
Is holier far than he whose church
Is but a one-day house of prayer!
Morris A. Beer
Japan Gets Bill of Rights
Undoubtedly the political trend of the Japa
nese government will have much to do witli the
freedom with which the future churcii of Japan
can operate. In last month's issue of the
"Tokyo Christian" you may have read that
Japan was considering the banning of its armed
forces. The following additional information
came out of Tokyo on October 7. A revised
"anti-war constitution," prepared under Amer
ican guidance, and strongly approved l)y Gen
eral MacArthur and Emperor Hicohito, was
accepted by the House of Representatives by a
vote of 342 to 5. Four communists and one
independent were the five who voted against it-
Tliis new constitution limits the Emperor's
power and grants the people a Bill of Rights.
The maintenance of armed forces is outlawed.
The cabinet of Shlgeru Yoshida will resign
within a half year after the constitution is
formally published, and the House of Peers will
also vanish. The Japanese hope, however, that
the Emperor will be permitted to continue as
the "symbol" of state and that Japan's family
system and other "traditional cultural heritages"
would continue. Naturally, they would expect
protection fronT peace loving nations in case of
any future conflict.
Korea
The main Shinto Shrine known in Korea as
the Meiji Shrine on South Mountain, inside the
city of Seoul, and costing two million yen to
build has been torn down and on the site this
year an Easter Sunrise Service was held.
The grroup of Korean Educators who visited
Korea recently said, that one unforgettable im
pression made on the missionaries and board
secretaries was the deep appreciation of the
Koreans, amounting to affection, for the mis
sionaries, of the lasting good results of mission
ary work in Korea, and of Korea's desire that
-all the- missionaries might-be returned to Korea
soon to help reorganize the Christian Move
ment in this new day of Korea's freedom, in
the South, at least, under American Occupation.
The Evangelical Christian
A Korean Christian
A native Korean walked a hundred miles that
he might recite some passages of scripture he
had learned to a missionary. The missionary
heard him through the entire Sermon on the
Mount, and complimented him on his good
memory.
"I could not remember it at first," lie said,
"but by and by I hit upon the idea of living out
each part first. I would get the teaching and
set about doing what it required; then I could
remember the words better." Do we really
know what the Bible teaches unless we have
applied its teachings? S. S. Lappin
Sun Worship in Peru
According to the Student Foreign Mission
News, the sun is still worshipped in some
places in Peru. "Each morning the natives
gather together in an open place to wait for the
rising sun to strike upon a shield of beaten gold
which they have faced to the east. When the
first rays of the early sun strike tlic shield, they
bow down and cry, 'O Sun, we worship thee as
Godand if thou be not God, we worship Him
who made thee.' They are ready for a Pauline
missionary to say, 'Whom therefore ye ignor-
antly worship, Him declare I unto you.' "
Confirming the Bible
"The greatest miracle of the Bible," says Dr.
E. S. Slossen, a chemist of international fame,
"is its chemical accuracy. The first book of
the Bible says man was made out of the dust.
In dust there are 14 different chemical elements,
and in the body of man there are those same 14
chemical elements."
The Gospel Broadcast
TOKYO Clini^TIAN
Christ's Universal
Program
By Felix D. Walker
As we read the New Testament and con
template anew the world program of Christ,
wc cannot help but be impressed with the urgent
missionary note sounded throughout.
In fact, Christ was Himself the first foreign
missionary, having come "down from His glory"
in the eternal realm of the Father, giving up all
the riches of glory, to bear the glad tidings of
salvation to a lost and dying mankind in this
kingdom ruled over by the "prince of this
world," the old devil.
The N. T. sums up His world program in
such words as these: "The field is the world";
F. D. Walker, minister of the Jamestown,
Ohio, Church of Christ, that volunteered to pay
the first $400 of Emily Saunders' support.
"God so loved the world"; "I am the light of
the world"; "Behold the Ivanib of God which
takcth away the sin of the world"; "that the
world through Him might be saved"; "Christ,
the Savior of the world"; "reconciling the world
unto himself"; "Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners"; "He is the propitiation
for the sins of tlie whole world"; "the kingdoms
of this world arc become the kingdoms of our
Lord, and of His Christ."
The early cluirch, in accord with His com
mission to "Go ye into all the world," was
"urgent in season and out of season" in preach
ing the Word to the then civilized world. The
task today is far greater as we realize the mul
titudes in every nation who are living in sin, in
need of Christ.
So the church of today must carry out Christ's
universal program because Christianity is a uni
versal religion and is adapted to all peoples.
Our Christ is a universal Christ; the Christian
religion is a universal religion; the gospel plan
of salvation is a universal plan; our Lord's pro
gram is a universal program, the supreme aim
of Christ's church is universal conquest.
In this post-war world, when many peoples,
who are starving both physically and spiritually,
are crying aloud for the "Bread of Life," wc
have a rare opportunity to fulfill His great pro
gram. Someone has written, "Unless a man is
missionary minded, unless he is interested in
the salvation of every man on earth, he lacks
the light that he ought to have as a true child
of God. He cannot be a full-grown Christian;
he cannot be an intelligent Christian." We know
that Christ's program must go forward. Let
us seek to be intelligent,* full-grown Christians
by all doing our part through prayer, teaching,
giving, and going to bring all people everywhere
into the kingdom of our Lord.
"Go Ye . .
"Go ye into the world, and preach the Gospel
to every creature." "Go yel" To whom? "To
every creature." Where am I to get at them?
Where they arc. "Every creature"there is the
extent of your commission. Seek them out; run
after them wherever you can get at them.
"Every creature that has a soulthere go and
preach the Gospel to him. If I understand it
that is the meaning and spirit of the commission.
Do not rest content with just putting the
Gospel before them, giving them gentle invita
tions and then leaving them alone. Paul ran
after them and pulled them out of the fire.
Take the bandage off their eyes which Satan
hath bound round tbem. Knock and hammer
and burn in, with the fire of the Holy Ghost,
your words into their poor, darkened, hardened
hearts until they begin to realize that they are
in danger, that there is something amiss. Go
after them.
Oh! People say, you must be very careful,
and very judicious. You must not thrust reli
gion down people's throats. Then I say, you
will never get it down. What! Am I to wait
until an unconverted, godless man wants to be
saved before I try to save him? What! Am I
to let my unconverted friends and acquaintances
drift down quietly to damnation, never tell
them about their souls until they say, "If you
please I want you to preach to me?" Is this
anything like the spirit of early Christianity?
No! Verily we must make them looktear the
t)andage off, open their eyes, make them hear it,
and let them have no peace until they submit
to God and get their souls saved. This is what
Christianity ought to be doing in this land, and
there arc plenty of Christians to do it. Why
we might give the world such a time of it that
they would get saved in very self-defense, if we
were only up and doing and determined that
they should have no peace in their sins.
Men are preoccupied and it is for us to go
and force salvation upon their attention. Re
member you can do it! Tlieer is some one
soul that you have more influence with than any
other person on earth, some soul or souls. Let
them know that you feel their danger and are
in distress for them. And keep right on praying
for God can do what often seems hopeless to us.
Exchange
No Objection To Christ
Robert G. Ingersoll. the great infidel, was
once asked to debate J. S. Sweeney, a stalwart
pioneer of the Restoration movement. Mr. In
gersoll replied to the request by saying, "He
(that is, Mr. Sweeney) is a 'Campbellite,' and
these people propagate nothing but Jesus Christ
as their Guide. 1 have no particular objection
to Jesus Christ. If you want me to debate with
a representative of the clergy, procure a man
that has a human creed, and I will answer him."
Orval D. Peterson
Money
It is not what we earn that makes us rich
As riches are really known,
But how honest we are as we lay our hand
On what we call our own.
It is not what we keep that gives us peace
In an age when peace is rare,
But how truthful we are as we lay aside
Our own and the Master's share.
Church Chimes
Two irreligious young men were discussing
the resurrection, telling each other why it was
impossible for them to accept the doctrine. An
old man went by whom they knew to be a
Christian and one of the young men said to the
old man, "Tell us why you believe that Jesus
rose again."
"Well," said the old man, "one reason is that
I was talking with Him this morning."
Haven of Rest
The Jamestown Church of Christ rejoices in
the opportunities afforded to share in this great
work, and especially in their adoption of Mrs.
Emily Saunders as their living-link missionary'
to Japan.
A Card Direct
From Japan
Dearest Mother:
The foreign mail service was at last reopened
for us! How impatiently I have been waiting
for this day. Now we can write to you just
as before. I think many will crowd about the
Central Post Office tomorrow morning to send
their first letters to overseas. I'll go there
earlier than any other one and put this card into
the post with great joy. Yours, Sarah Hotta
This was truly good news for u.s for now we
can write directly to our Japanese friends, and
they can to us. As Sarah says, "I have been
waiting for this day." Heretofore all our mail
had to be directed to someone of the occupa
tional forces, but now it can go direct to our
friends. E.B.C.
_The new Japan is a literate Japan. Slie is a
liberated Japan. She may become a liberty-
-I'oving Japan; but only with the Bible in her
hand now while she is groping for the new way,
will she ever find true libertythe freedom
with which Christ sets men free.
Yes, they are reading the Bible in Japan.
But sg far only a very few are able to do so for
lack of books. Every volume that is sent will
be read . . . Bible Society Record.
A Call to Arms
Reville"Now it is_ high time to awake out of
sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than
when we believed."Rom. 13:11.
Attention"Look unto me and be ye saved, all
the ends of the earth: for I am God, and
there is none else."Isa. 45:22.
Roll Call"I have called thee by thy name;
thou art mine."Isa. 43:1.
Quick March"I press toward the mark for
the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus."Phil. 3:14.
Halt"Jiea-ye-Jiot. stand still, and see the sal
vation of the Lord."Ex. 14:13.
At Ease"I will give you rest."Matt. 11:28.
On Guard"Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter
into temptation."Mk. 14:38.
In Camp''The angel of the Lor<l encampeth
round about them that fear him, and de-
iivereth them."Psalm 34:7.
In Combat"Fight the good fight of faith, lay
iiold on eternal life."I Tim. 6:12.
A Prisoner"Fear thou not; for I am with
thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God."
Isa. 41:10.
Wounded"They that wait upon the Lord shall
renew their strength."Isa. 40:31.
In Death"Let not your heart be troubled: ye
believe in God, believe also in me."-Jn.
14:1.
Grand Review"Well done, thou good and
faithful servant;enter thou into the joy of
thy Lord."Matt. 25:21.
Winchester, Va., Bulletin
The Call From Japan
ity will now have an influence in Japan out of
all proportion to its numbers."
Hon. Nelson T. Johnson, Sec. Gen. of Far
Eastern Com.; "If the democratic way of life
is to succeed in Japan, it will come through the
churches, principally the Protestant."
Dr. Reuchlin of the Netherlands: "There are
great possibilities in Japan. The most intelli
gent people there are Christians."
Col. Babcock of the U. S.; "With the occu
pation there has come a great increase of con
versions in Japan. The Japanese would be de
lighted to have more missionaries."
A professor of one of the commercial schools
in Tokyo said: "Christianity will now make
much progress. The young people like the
Christian principles." Mr. Saksena, a Hindu
from India: "I can see that the church is going
to make much headway if it sends missionaries."
I am reminded of the vision that appeared to
Paul, when there stood the man of Macedonia
praying him to "Come over into Macedonia
and help us." (Acts 16:9).
TOKYO CUKI^TIAIV
PROFIT OR LOSS
What will it profit, when life here is o'er
Though great wordly wisdom I gain,
If, seeking knowledgeI utterly fail
The wisdom of God to obtain?
Though gathering riches and fame,
If, gaining the worldI lose my own soul
And in Heav'n unknown is my name?
Though earth's farthest corners I see.
If, going my way, and doing my will
I miss what His love planned for me?
Though earth's fleeting love has been mine
If, seeking its giftsI fail to secure
The riches of God's love divine?
What will it profit? My soul, stop and think
What balance that day will declare!
Life's record laid barewill gain turn to loss,
And leave me at last to despair?
"A Debt of Gratitude"
A corporal, not a church member, wrote to
a minister in his home town in the South, say
ing: "The success of our New Georgia campaign
depended upon the co-opcration we received
from the natives, given wholeheartedly and
clieerfully by these men who a few years ago
were savages. A handful of missionaries risked
their lives and sacrified comforts and luxuries
of home to teach them Christianity. It can't
be estimated in figures the number of lives saved
by the tireless efforts of these natives on behalf
of the American Army. As a token of my
appreciation of the wonderful work these mis
sionaries have done, I am enclosing a money
order for one hundred dollars, with the request
that it be used for foreign missionary work. It
is not a giftrather, 1 consider it a debt of
gratitude."
A Hindu's V/itness
A little Hihdu evangelist, who rejoiced in the
name of Samuel, was one clay trotting past a
military barracks in Indiaa quaint figure
with his large Bible under one arm and his big
umbrella under the other.
Sohie Tommies were standing by the gate,
and one of them called out, "How is Jesus
Christ today, Sammy?"
The little man drew himself up bravely, cast
a look of reproof at the men, and said: "I will
answer you from the holy Book which came to
us from your country." And from his Bible he
read Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ the same yes
terday and today and forever."
He went on his way, but that evening the
two English soldiers made their way to Sam
my's house. When they saw him they gripped
his hand and .said: "Sammy, we've come to tell
you how ashamed we .are at our behavior this
morning. In the old countrj- we were supposed
to be Christians, Imt we have gone back whilst
out here. Your brave reply this morning has
made us determined to make a fresh start."
Captain F. Hazle
A worrying Christian contradicts the suffi
ciency of divine grace, and damages the reputa
tion of God as a Father who really cares. When
sucli a mental habit is practiced, we proclaim to
others that God is not able to undertake for us
as He promised to do.
-Herbert Lockycr
Rope Holder List
ARKANSASPine Bluff East Side Christian
Church, $25.00.
CALIFORNIAAnaheim First Church of
Christ, $25.00.
FLORIDATabernacle Christian Church,
$7.57; Fort Pierce First Church of Christ,
$6.00.
INDIANAT. L. Mathers, $15.04; Thomas S.
Blackwell, $25.00; Walnut Grove Church of
Christ Bible School, $10.00; Harlan Church
of Christ, $83.50; Harlan Church of Christ
Jr. Bible School Class, $2.00.
ILLINOISCamp Point Christian Church,
$15.00; Nellie L. Elliott, $5.00.
IOWAKalona Church of Christ Bible School,
$35.00; Clinton Church of Christ, $20.00.
KENTUCKYWhite Run Christian Church,
$10.00; Erlanger Church of Christ, $25.00; Er-
langcr Church of Christ Young People, $10.00.
KANSAS-Ellen Lawrence, $5.00; Norton
Christian Church, $10.00.
NORTH CAROLINAUnion Church of
Christ, $13.32; Terra Ceia Church of Christ,
$20.00.
NEBRASKAMrs. Charles Hackel, $10.00;
Indianola Christian Church Women's Bible
Class, $15.00.
OHIOSmithfield Church of Christ, $10.00;
Mrs. Edgar Groves, $1.00; Mr. Carl Baker,
$5.00; Mr. Ivan Geaiiangel, $10.00; Mr. J. C.
Core, $140,00; Brunswick Church of Christ,
$10.00; Harmony Church of Christ, $10.00;
Southwood Church of Christ, $10.00; Mrs. J.
F. Smith, $1.00; Minerva Christian Church,
$30.00; Toledo, Monroe Street Church of
Christ, $10.00; Dana B. Kelley, $1.00; Spring
field First Church of Christ Women's Council,
$10,00; Xenia Church of Christ, $72,80; Dor
othy E. Shemmel, $10.00; C. B. S, World
Mission Volunteers, $20.00; Indianola Church
of Christ Mission Group One, $25.00; Mrs. L,
E. McArthur, ,$2.00.
PENNSYLVANIAMrs. Anna D, Sipe, $5.00;
Mrs. Clarence Sipe, $5.00; Women's Mission
ary Society Bryn Mawr Christian Church,
$66.00; Milledgc Church of Christ, $24,70;
Hazclwood Christian Church Missionary So
ciety, $15.00; Kennywood First Christian
Church Loyal Daughters Class, $10.00.
VIRGINIAPole Green Christian Church,
$20.00.
WEST VIRGINIAMrs, W, S. Blodgett,
$2.00.
Total, $917.93.
E.B.C.
.The Bible
Generation follows generationyet it lives.
Nations rise and fallyet it lives.
Kings, dictators, presidents come and goyet it
lives.
Hated, despised, cursedyet it lives.
Condemned by atheistsyet it lives.
Scoffed at by scornersyet it lives.
Exaggerated by fanaticsyet it lives.
Misconstrued and misstatedyet it lives.
Ranted and raved aboutyet it lives.
Its inspiration deniedyet it lives.
Yet it livesas a lamp to our feet.
Yet it livesa.s a light to our path.
Yet it livesas the gate to lieaven.
Yet it livesas a standard for childhood.
Yet it lives-as a guide for youth.
Yet it livesas an inspiration for the matured.
Yet it livesas a comfort for the aged.
Yet it livesas food for the hungry.
Yet it livesas water for the thirsty.
Yet it livesas rest for the weary.
Yet it livesas light for the heathen.
Yet it livesas salvation for the sinner.
Yet it livesas grace for the Christian.
To know it is to love it.
To love it is to accept it.
To accept it means life eternal.
Christian Digest
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
I John 2:16.
TOKYO
CHRISTIAN
Vol. 45 McKeespoi-1. Peiiiia., lleooiiiber, 104U
Niiiiiher 12
s a iUa*.
C!ll|nstma0 mh a Nm
5 S
Just forty-five years ago last September Mr.
and Mrs. W. D. Cunningham with baby Eloise
went out as Paul did to do mission work, in
dependent of every one but God. That is the
New Testament way. They had no promised
support from any person or organization, but
they did have all the precious promises of God,
and the two they quoted most were "My God
shall supply all your need according to His
riches in glory," and the other "Lo I am with
you always." In all the years these promises
never failed. Y.otsuya Mission was begun in
faith and carried on that way all through the
years.
The contributions of friends through the years
were deeply appreciated but most of all were
they grateful for the prayers that helped them
to win six thousand souls to Christ. From a
very humble beginning the Mission, under the
blessing of God, was able to evangelize in many
parts of Korea as well as in Japan.
Friends here in America and Canada tried
hard to discourage them from going but their
faces were set toward the Mission Field, and
they felt that when God said "Go" they could
not listen to any man's "No". Missionaries on
the field also tried to persuade them to return
to America, but instead of turning back they
went ahead and rented a small Japanese house
and moved in.
Mr. Cunningham soon found two good posi
tions of English teaching, and there was great
rejoicing in the little Mission home for that
meant they could stay on the field. At the end
of the first term Mr. Cunningham was asked to
give all his time to the larger of the two
schools at an increase of salary, and he could
choose his own hours. Before this all the work
had been night-work from six to ten o'clock,
Later he was called to teach in the Noble's Col
lege, the highest English teaching position in
Japan, and again he had a raise in salary. But
he didn't go to Japan to do English teaching.
He was doing a limited amount of Christian
work all along, but he wished to give his full
time to this important work. By this time
friends in America began sending small amounts
to carry on. They were much in need of a place
to work. Their house was far too small for
Life and Works
of
The W. D. Cunninghams
classes, so they wrote to friends in U. S. asking
them to supply enough money to build a small
chapel. Six hundred dollars were sent, and
First Church was built, and the work actually
begun.
This little chapel stood there and served for
the work until after Mr. Cunningham passed
away in 1936. Nine Churches had grown out
of little First Church, and at the suggestion
of the Japanese it was torn down in 1937 and
Memorial Chapel was built at a cost of $3,500,
raised entirely by the Japanese and Koreans.
This building was destroyed by U. S. Bombers
in May, 1945.
As soon as little First Chapel was built Mr.
Cunningham began regular services and also
held Bible Classes. Soon there were enough
Christians to organize a Church. Mr. Cunning
ham selected promising young men from among
his Christian students and began training them
for the ministry. They were also given work
in First Church. They went out to help in the
street preaching and to open Bible schools in
different parts of the city. Street prcacliing has
always been an important part of the work of
the Mission. There are millions of Japanese
who will never darken the door of a church
t)uilding, because they have been prejudiced
against Christianity from their baby-hood. So
they went out where the people were.
These young Timothys (as Mr. Cunningham
called them) conducted Bible Schools wherever
they could rent a room for them on Sunday
afternoon. If the neighborhood was encourag
ing, the minister went to preach for them occa
sionally, and in this way churches were started
and the ministry trained. They had always em
phasized children's work, for they knew that in
them rested the future of Japan.
Among these young Timothys were some
Koreans, and as they were anxious to work for
the Lord they were sent to a district where
Koreans were segregated. A Korean Bible
School was a different proposition for all the
Mr. W. D. Cunningham
Koreans old and young wanted to attend. They
arranged this by having two Bible Schools.
One for the children and one for adults. From
the first they were both well attended. The
Koreans are very zealous Christians, and they
found many of the adult group were members
of some denominational church. It was not long
before the adult group, who had been now
taught "the more perfect way" were baptized
and the first Korean Church of Christ was
organized in Japan. They soon started an out-
station in another district which rapidly grew
into another Korean Church, Both these
churches were self-supporting from the begin
ning. The Koreans are perhaps the poorest
Christians in the world and the best givers.
Most of the Christians tithe. When they have
no money to tithe, they tithe their food and fuel.
These are brought to the church and sold the
MEMORIAL CHAPEL
1
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Entered as second class matter in the McKeesport
Postoflice under the Act of March 3, 1879.
711 Biackstone Avenue, Conneiisville, Fa.
Send contributions for Mission to Mrs. Cunningham.
MISSION STAFF
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel K. Saunders
Mr. and Mrs. Owen Still Mr. Andrew Fatten
mCORPORATORS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
George J. Barthold E, E. House
J. p. Baxter W. E. Johnson
W. W. Bondurant J. E, Llpscombe
Mark Coills W. P. Stobaugh
Guy L. Drill W. B. Walker
The Birth of Christ
"Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a
son, and shall call his name Jnimanuel." "For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
a'nd his name shall be called Wqnderful, Coun
sellor, -The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his
government and peace there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David, and upon his king
dom, to order it, and to establish it with judg
ment and with justice from henceforth even for
ever. The zeal of the Lord of liosts will per
form this." (Isa. 7:14; 9:6,7)
"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel
was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named
Nazareth. To a virgin espoused to a man whose
name was Joseph, of the house of David; and
the virgin's name was Mary. .\nd the angel
came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art
highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed
art thou among women. .-Xnd when she saw
him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast
in her mind what manner of salutation this
should be. And the angel said unto her. Fear
not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb,
and shall bring forth a son, and shalt call his
name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be
called the Son of tlie Highest: and the Lord
God shall give unto him the throne of his father
David: And he shall reign over the house of
Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be
no end. 'J'hen~said Mary unto the angel. How
shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And
the angel answered and said unto her, The
Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power
of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore
also that holy thing which shall be born of thee
shall be called the Son of God. And Mary
said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it
unto me according to thy word. And the angel
departed from her." (Luke 1:26-35.38).
"Now all this was done, that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying. Behold a virgin sliall be with
child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall
call his name Emmanuel, which being inter
preted is, God with us. Then Joseph being
raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord
had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she "had brought forth
her firstborn, son: and he called his name
JESUS." (Matt. 1:22-25).
The Word of God
The man who lives only for himself is en
gaged in a very small business.
T<IKYO CHRISTIAN
Samuel, Becky and Emily Saunders
Dear Brethren in Christ:
By tills time we had . hoped to be in Japan,
but evidentl)' God wanted us in the United
States for a while longer. Why?? I do not
know, but who are we to cjuestion His judg
ment. Very probably the short time longer thai
we spend in our native land will in some way,
seen or unseen, prove to be a blessing. But the
way seems to be opening now. Mrs. Cun
ningham hopes to get her passport before long,
and if it can be arranged to take Mr. and Mrs.
Owen Still with her, they will sail to Japan as
soon as possible. When homes can he arranged
for the rest of the missionaries, we expect to
follow.
Sometimes I wonder if I made a mistake in
leaving a settled pastorate so early. However,
I am aware, not only of the hatred for the
Japanese in our country, even among members
of the church, but also the lack of vision and
the grave indifference of the Christians toward
the salvation of the lost pagans who are starving
and literally begging to hear the message of
Christ. If only I can do something to remove
the veil of ignorance from the eyes of the
Christian Americans concerning the common
people of Japan who did not want this war anj'
more than we did, and if I can help to open
their vision to the harvest fields, white already
unto harvest and waiting for the Christian har
vesters, I shall feel that my work at the present
is not wasted nor in vain.
I have been richly blessed by my visits among
the brethren thus far, and from their own testi
monies I am led to believe that they have been
blessed with a better understanding of the
Japanese situation. Many, upon hearing the
Christian side of the story, are now convinced
that we ought to be sending the gospel, God's
power unto salvation, to Japan instead of more
atomic bombs, as one "Christian" said to me in
the house of prayer one Lord's clay morning.
God's dear son died for tlie people of Japan as
well as for the people of the United States, and
surely a soul there is as precious in His sight
as mine.
Some people have tried to discourage us from
answering the "iiacedonian Gal!" from Japan,
but I am sure that through your prayers and
God's blessings all things will be wellboth
here and hereafternot only for us but also for
those wlio shall learn of Christ and love and
obey Him as the result of our preaching.
.As the Christmas holiday draws near, and the
world about us hurries, scurric.s, and worries
about material things, let us keep in mind the
real purpose of Christmas. Tliaukiiig God for
His unspeakable gift, let us rededicate and re
consecrate ourselves to the sacred task that He
has given us in making the Savior of the world
known to the people of the world that there
truly might be "Peace on earth, good will
toward men." God bless you. S.K.S.
Dear Christian Friends:
I would like to send you all my wishes for a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Last
year at this time we felt that by now we would
l)e settled in Japan working for the Lord, but
apparently our desire was not God's will. We
are hoping and praying that next year will see
our plans fulfilled, but may God's will be done.
We are very grateful to all of you who are
supporting us in any way, and ask that you will
pray for all of us. I had the pleasant oppor
tunity of meeting many of you this past year.
The School of Missions at Lake James was
among the rich experiences I shall never forget.
Tliere we met many friends from ail over the
country. I hope to be able to meet you friends
again and to make many new acciuaintances in
the years ahead.
May God bless each and every one of you
and give you strength to do His will this
coming year.
In His service,
Emily C. Saunders
Hi Everybody:
It's a little hard for me to say "hello", so I
hope it is all right to say "hi". I won't be two
years old until February 26, so I can't write, but
I just had to write to you and wish you a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year. Daddie
and mommie say Christmas is celebrated as the
birthday of Jesus. I can say Jesus.
Some day we are going to take a long ride on
a choo-choo and a boat to a far away country
and tell the little boys and girls and their mom
mies and daddies about Jesus. I think that
would be awfully nice, don't you? Sometimes
people say to daddy, "Why do you want to take
Becky to such a place? Maybe when she grows
up slic won't like it there." But mommie and
daddy are teaching me to pray at every meal
and when I go to sleep. I know Jesus will be
in Japan, and if Jesus is there and mommie and
daddy, it must not be such an awful place.
Daddy .says Jesus wants him to go. and we
ought to do what Jesus wants. Maybe when I
grow older, I can tell other boys and girls about
Jesus too and make them very happy.
Well, some day when I can write, I will write
you another letter. Don't forgetwhen you
pray for my mommie and daddy, please say a
little prayer for me. Bye-bye. Becky
"But tliou, Bethlehem Ephratali, though thou
be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out
of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to
be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been
from of old, from everlasting."
Micah 5:2
Harold Sims
It is my good pleasure to be enrolled again in
the Cincinnati Bible Seminary, rooming with
my fellow recruit Andrew Patton, and complet
ing the work required for a Master of Arts
degree. The Lord blesses us continually with
good health and spiritual blessings in abundance.
On the week-ends I am speaking in the inter
est of The Mission, as I have opportunity, and
I think this is a very definite part of my educa
tion. I did this last year also, and found it very
i)eneficia! to me to get out into the churches
and meet our many friends who share with us
in this work. It is especially helpful to have
the assurance of so many that they are remem
bering us in prayer. And now as we approach
the New Year, not knowing what it may bring
forth, let us not fail to pray for the work. It
may be that the end of 1947 will find us all on
the firing line, and we need your prayers.
Another item in my preparation is language
study. Here in Cincinnati there are a few
Japanese who moved from the west coast before
the war started and were not put into the con
centration camps. Ruth Schoonover discovered
this movement and contacted some of the fam
ilies. Among them was a man named Yasutake
who came from Japan in 1928, studied at Prince
ton U. and worked as an interpreter in the im
migration office in Seattle until 1940i I started
taking Japanese lessons from him once a week
beginning about January of this year. Because
of the difficulty of the language, the handicap of
not being able to hear anyone speak it, and
because my time is filled up. 1 do not expect to
learn the language thoroughly, but just a few
principles so that I can pick it up more easily
when we get over there. This September
Thomas Lipscombe, a discharged veteran who
was in Japan 11 months and plans to go as a
missionary when he finished school, joined me
in the language study.
The few Japanese Christians here in town
organized a Prayer Meeting which meets in the
home of Mr. Tojo on the first and third Sundays
of each month. On the third Sunday in No
vember I had nowhere to speak, so I went out
to the meeting at the invitation of Mr. Yasutake.
It was one of the most thrilling experiences rela
tive to our work that I have had. All of the
hymns, prayers, testimonies and scripture read
ings were done in Japanese. There were about
12 at the meeting and they impres.sed me as
being very sincere Christians. They were cer
tainly positive about their support of the work
I was going to do. My short message in Eng
lish was well received and I hope it may lead to
some missionary work among the Japanese even
before I get to Japan.
Finally, I sincerely wish for each of youat
TOKYO CHRISTIAIV
My how swiftly time does fly. It seems only
yesterday that I was graduated from the Semi
nary and now it is almost Christmas. Maybe
you would like to know what I have been doing.
I have been helping out in the local church
wherever I was needed. I am playing the piano
for the morning and evening worship services
and also for the midweek prayer service. Also,
I've been working with the young people.
I am still working for a doctor here in Savan
nah. I feel that this is giving me good exper
ience for my secretarial work with the Mission.
Although it will be hard for me to leave, I am
not completely happy here. There seems to be
something lacking. I firmly believe that I will
find complete happiness in the work of the Lord
in Japan.
While I am not doing full time work for the
Mission, I have been making contacts and be
lieve that I have the necessary support for a
living link. My home church is going to con
tribute a generous share of this.
I was very fortunate in being able to attend
the Conference on Evangelism in Cincinnati.
The fellowship was wonderful and I thoroughly
enjoyed myself.
In closing, I would like to wish each one a
very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New
Year. May the Lord bless you all.
Yours in His service,
Mary Louise Zace
Mary Louise Zace
Owen Still and Family
We regret very much that a personal word
from Owen Still has not reached us in time for
our December issue of the "Tokyo Christian".
We had hoped to have the pictures of all of the
missionaries and some word from each of them
in this month's paper, but for some unknown
reason Brother Still and his family's picture has
not yet arrived. If material for the paper arrives
later, we shall l)e more than happy to include it
in next month's issue. You perhaps already know
that the Still family is working for the Lord
in Hawaii until they can obtain passports to
Japan.
The truths of the Bible are like gold in the
soil. Whole generations walk over it, and know
not what treasures are hidden benoatli.
this Christmas season, and through the New
Yeara full measure of Christian joy and
blessing,
Yours in His Service,
Harold Sims
3
Andrew Patton
Dear Brethren:
What a joy is ours in being privileged to give
a word of greeting to those who have obtained
a like precious faith with us and who are part
ners with us in announcing to those who are
afar off the good tidings of the kingdom of God.
Yet our delight is overshadowed by our dejec
tion caused by a realization of the spiritual need
of the Japanese people, whom, having never
seen them, we love, and our own inability until
now to answer their entreaties for mercy. May
the God of all mercy hasten the day when we
shall realize the fulfillment of our hopes, our
prayers and our labors toward the announce
ment to them that Christ gave Himself up for
them also.
Yet we believe that these days of waiting
are not in vain because we are attending the
Cincinnati Bible Seminary where we are study
ing the grandest Book in the world, the Bible,
written by men "being moved by the Holy
Spirit."
Brethren, pray for us that a great door of
opportunity may be open to us in Japan and
that we may be faithful servants of our God.
May God's mercy be your strength and may all
the earth be filled with His glory.
Yours in Christ,
Andrew Patton
*'Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne"
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly
crown
When Thou earnest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no
room
For Thy holj' nativity:
Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang.
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But in lowly birth didst Thou come to earth.
And in great humility:
Thou earnest, O Lord, with the living Word
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn, and with crown of
thorn.
They bore Thee to Calvary:
When the heavens shall ring, and the angels
sing.
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying, "Yet there
is room.
There is room at My side for thee."
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus!
There is room in my heart for Thee.
My heart shall rejoice. Lord Jesus!
When Thou comest and callest for me.
Life and Works
(Continued from page l)
following week, and the money given to the
pastor for his salary.
For this work done among the Koreans the
Government awarded the Mission -1,000 yen
(500 dollars).
In 1924 they began work in Seoul, Korea,
and thus planted the first Church of Christ on
Korean soil. The. people there were much
pleased with the simplicity of New Testament
Churches, and the work grew very rapidly.
Unfortunately there were many set-backs to the
work there, and they never built the proposed
school for ministerial students. When the
Mission goes back in the future, they hope to
have missionaries in Korea and get the school
under way as soon as possible. There was a fine
group of students preparing for the ministry,
but everything was interrupted by the war, but
there is hope for better results there in the
future.
In 1936, at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.,
Mr. Cunningham was called up higher. Soon
after this the Japanese ministers wrote a letter
to Mrs. Cunningham, signed by every pastor
asking her to go back to Japan and take up
the work which Mr. Cunningham laid down.
She did so, and carried on the work as Mr.
Cunningham had done before. The old work
kept up and some new opened.
It was a great sorrow to Mrs. Cunningham
that she was obliged to retire from the work
temporarily during the war. She is making
every effort to return to the field but this looks
doubtful at present as there is an age limit
placed upon those who wish to go, and she fears
she is beyond that limit.
But even if she cannot go, there are others
who can. The Mis.sion has now lined up a
splendid group of young people who are ready
to go on short notice. Mr. Owen Still, who was
with Mrs. Cunningham in the work before, will
probably go in the near future and prepare the
way for the others.
The Japanese are urging them to come.
There_ is such a great need just now for
Christian workers. They have a home for those
who go first and will guarantee food for them
so long as the need lasts.
Fourth Church has already begun work and
is carrying on very successfully. Four of their
young people were baptized this month. They
are carrying on a night school of one hundred
young people and a kindergarten with seventy
children in attendance besides the regular
church services. All receive Christian teaching
by Minister Hanyu, his wife and the Bible
Woman, Mrs. Fujita.
Will you please pray that God will hasten the
day when all the church buildings may again be
restored and the churches carrying on even
better than before.
Courage
When Constantine's son came to the throne,
he found many in office and at court who
claimed to be Christians, so he issued an edict
requiring them to renounce Christianity or give
up their places. The greater part quickly gave
up their positions, choosing to remain true to
Christ no matter what hardship it meant. A
few, however, renounced Christianity. Constan-
tine then dismissed everyone who had renounced
Christianity, and he took the courageous Christ
ians in again. He explained that those who
would not be true to Christ would not be true
to him.
TOKYO ClIUISTIAY
God's Unspeakable Gift
Another year is rapidly drawing to a close,
and the Christmas season is here again. Gifts
are being laid aside for Christmas eve with
almost the same silence that accompanied God's
gift years ago in Bethlehem of Judaea. Once
more the story of Jesus' birth will be repeated
over and overthis story that never grows old.
Men arc born and die, kingdoms rise and fall,
but Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday,
today, and forever. "Thanks be unto God for
His unspeakable gift." As the galaxy of heaven
ly bodies center about one central blazing sun,
so let the galaxy of mankind be drawn about
the majestic Son of God.
During the ages before the birth of Christ,
human voices called out of darkness, pleading
for light, comfort, and peace. Sin had robbed
earth and its inhabitants of their joy and bless
ings that God had given them at the beginning.
Happiness, contentment, and good health were
exchanged for tears, sorrow, pain, trials, and
tribulations. The crown of glory fell from the
head of man to be replaced by the sweat of
labor and toil. Everlasting life on earth was
exchanged for death as the tree of life was
guarded from the reach of man by the flaming
sword placed at the entrance of the garden from
which man was driven. However, God in His
mercy promised the Redeemer, and through the
centuries that followed the Jewish people lived
with the hope that the Messiah would be born
into their family. In the fulness of time the
dreams and hopes of all ages came truethe
Messiah did come. But even for His birth
place there was found no room, except in a
lowly stal)le with a manger for His bed. No
shouts of welcomeno songs of praise filled
the sky to celebrate His birth or bid Him wel
come. The world was deeply troubled by
religious divisions and political strife and am
bitions. Heaven's angels made the announce
ment of Jesus' birth to lowly shepherds on the
Judaean hills. These received the word with
great joy and wonderment. While the rest
of the world about them reveled in sin, the
shepherd lads praised God for their new-born
King.
Todaythe world is in a very similar con
dition. As the season in which His birth is
celebrated draws nearer, how much room is
there in men's hearts for Jesus Christ, after
1900 years of preaching? In a world torn by
political and social strife and by religous divi
sions, men are still hardening their hearts
against His gospel, and many who once loved
and served Him have fallen away into sin, be
cause iniquity and sin abound everywhere.
Let the redeemed of the Lord always have
room in their hearts for Jesus. He is truly the
Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The
Everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace.
Blessed is the man who has peace with God,
not only during the Christmas holiday, but all
through the year because God's dear Son rules
and reigns in his heart. Let us sound forth
His worthy pi. ses and sing with the angels of
heaven, "Glory "to God in the highest." "Blessed
is He that cometh in the name of the Lord."
Notice to
All Subscribers
The post office department has instructed our
mission to begin using standard subscription
blanks, signed by the individual or the church
subscribing for the "Tokyo Christian," if we
wish to continue using 2nd class mailing privi
leges.
Heretofore, any person or group of persons
who donated at least $1 to the mission was sent
the paper free for one year. If we continue to
follow this plan, we shall be forced to use 4th
class mailing privileges. This would mean that
every single copy of the 7,500-8,000 papers go
ing out each month must bear a one cent stamp.
This would cost the mission over $75 per month
for postage alone. The cost of printing has
Rope Holder List
CALIFORNIAMr. and Mrs. C. S. Byers,
$10.00.
FLORIDANellie Charlton, $1.00.
INDIANAWilkerson Christian Church,
$12.00; South Milford Church of Christ,
$25.00; Warren Church of Christ, $25,00;
Knightstown Church of Christ, Jr. C. E.,
$13.50.
ILLINOISCamppoint Christian Church (2
offerings), $30.00; Wapella Christian Church,
$19.85; Marsa First Christian Church, $37.53;
Miss Fern McClelland, $10.00; Mr. and Mrs.
S. E. Henry, $100.00; O. E. Isenhart, $5.00.
IOWAMoorehead Christian Church Bible
School, $21.13; Council Bluffs First Christian
Church, $25.00.
IDAHOSandpoint Christian Church, $10.00.
KENTUCKYMrs. H. J. Floyd, $1.00; Sadie-
ville Christian Church Women's Missionary
Society, $12.00; Kathryn McCord Guild,
$50.00; Corinth Christian Church, $31.20;
Mount Eden Christian Church, $34.56.
KANSASJ. C. Templeton and Family, $3.00.
MISSOURIMartinsville Christian Church,
$30.00.
MICHIGANAlgonac Sunday School, Inter
mediate Department, $2.08; Algonac Church
of Christ, $15.00.
NORTH CAROLINAFrank Noble, $12.50;
Washington Independent Missionary Society,
$20.00.
NEW MEXICOEstate of Ida B. Osborne,
$50.00.
NEBRASKAPalmer Church of Christ Sunday
School, $26.99.
OHIOMiss Jean F. Regis, $5.00; Southwood
Church of Christ, $10.00; New Somerset
Christian Bible School, $15.00; Indianola High
School Department, $10.00; Danville Church
of Christ, $42.80; Ripley Bible School Mis
sionary Society, $10.00; Dover First Church
of Christ, $20.00; Jamestown, East Xenia
Street Church of Christ, $100.00; -Mineral
Ridge Missionary Society, $63.00; Mrs. Tura
Theobold, $10.00; Collected by Andrew Pat-
ton, $20.00; Cincinnati Laurel Homes Mis
sion, $27.00; R. S. Becker, $10.00.
PENNSYLVANIABryn Mawr Missionary
Society (2 offerings), $66.00; Mrs. Nora Rin-
inger, $2.00; Mrs. W. E. Rodger, $3.00; Taren-
lum Christian Church Missionary Society,
$25.00; Meadville Loyal Christian Companion
Class, $20.00; Scottdale Church of Christ,
$5.00.
TEXASBarstow Christian Church, $10.00;
West Amarillo Christian Church, $100.00;
Mrs. Cora B. Halsell, $100.00.
VIRGINIAHarrisburg Church of Christ,
$50.00; Mrs. W. W. Cline, $20.00.
WEST VIRGINIAMrs. W. S. Blodgett,$S.00.
TOTAL$1,382.14.
been around $140 per month. Using 2nd class
privileges we now pay less than $4 per month
on postage.
The mailing list we now have is accepted by
the post office for One More Year, at the end of
which time, those who have been receiving the
paper must renew their subscriptionunless, of
course, they have subscribed for more than one
year. We have subscription blanks to be used
by churches and individuals who wish to make
a donation to the mission, designating a certain
portion of their gift to pay for the subscription
if they care to receive the paper. We also have
blanks to be used by those who wish only to
subscribe for the paper.
We feel confident that the churches and in
dividual friends of the mission will gladly co
operate in helping us bear this extra burden by
doing his little share. If not, we shall be forced
to use 4th class mailing privileges and pay $66
a month more for postage. We shall always
consider your entire contribution, including that
portion designated as subscription money, as
your gift to our mission in helping with the
Lord's work in the Orient. For further infor
mation write the editor.

Sims Harold Lois 1946 Japan

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