A New Day for Evangelism in Japan

A look at the great changes that have occurred in Japan.

By B. P. HOFFMAN, Professor of Bible, S.D.A. Theological Seminary

The great changes that have occurred in Japan and the situation obtaining there today offer a striking illustration of prin­ciples emphasized many years ago by the mes­senger of the Lord in a message entitled "Ex­tension of the Work in Foreign Fields," found in volume 6 of Testimonies to the Church, pages 23-29. This message is introduced by the words :

"The word comes to me in the night season to speak to the churches that know the truth : 'Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.' Isa. 60:1.

"The words of the Lord in the fifty-fourth,chapter of Isaiah are for us : 'Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habi­tations; spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes ; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited." —Page 23.

In the application of these words to our times Mrs. White points out:

"It is the very essence of all right faith to do the right thing at the right time. God is the great Master-Worker, and by His providence He prepares the way for His work to be accomplished. He provides oppor­tunities, opens up lines of influence, and channels of working. If His people are watching the indications of His providence, and stand ready to co-operate with Him, they will see a great work accomplished. Their efforts, rightly directed, will produce a hundred-fold greater results than can be accomplished with the same means and facilities in another channel where God is not so manifestly working."—Page 24.

The work of the third angel's message was taken to Japan fifty years ago. A solid founda­tion was laid and an indigenous church has been in the process of building, which repre­sents much toil and sacrifice. Precious triumphs of faith have been seen. The solid worth of the souls that have been won was revealed by the fierce trials of persecution and of privation and peril through which they have recently passed. However, it has always been a source of con­cern and perplexity, tinged with a certain disap­pointment, to the members there as well as to the leaders, that more rapid progress has not been made, and that larger numbers were not being brought into the truth. The experience of other Christian bodies in Japan has been similar.

The nation's phenomenal progress in the ma­terial aspects of civilization, the emphasis on the nationalistic spirit, and also some unfor­tunate developments in their political relations with the western world, all seemed to have fos­tered a spirit of self-satisfied independence, with little sense of need of anything Christian­ity had to offer. The public preaching of the Christian gospel apparently had little appeal and met with no marked response. I recall being engaged in public evangelistic efforts in a dozen of Japan's cities, with the use of tents, halls, and church buildings. Advertise as we might, together with personal calls and invita­tions, at best we would find but very small audiences, in which often the idly curious would outnumber those genuinely interested. A large proportion of the membership was won through personal one-by-one efforts, Bible readings, and the literature ministry.

The burden of the prayers of the church was that there might be some manifestation of di­vine power in some sort of providential work­ing in which, in the language just quoted, God "provides opportunities, opens up lines of in­fluence, and channels of working." Little did we dream what shape those providences would take, or with what baptism the church of Japan would be baptized in answer to our prayers. But during the recent heartbreaking years, when the brethren in Japan were cut off from contact with the home base, when the churches were disbanded by government decree and the believers scattered, when they were in peril from the terrific destruction of nearly all the cities, and when many of the leading workers were suffering in foul prison cells, the faithful, by their faith, could dare to hope that out of all this ordeal God would reveal His mighty arm on behalf of the cause that still was upper­most in their minds and hearts.

At last, with a suddenness that left much of the nation in dazed bewilderment for a time, the war came to an end. Almost before the workers were aware of what had happened, evidences of the answers to their prayers began to come in, in the form of inquiries for litera­ture, queries regarding the meaning of the world situation, and requests for studies and meetings.

It was as most inspiring experience to me to be present in institute work with forty work­ers from all parts of Japan in April and May, 1947—the first such meeting they had had in years—and to hear them relate their experi­ences, and tell of the many openings and calls that are coming to them from people who are now desirous of knowing what light the Bible throws upon the problems of a troubled world.

After the close of the institute it was felt that a preaching effort should be undertaken in our church on the outskirts of Tokyo—one of the few church buildings that escaped the bombs and fire. Thought was given to what kind of advertising would be fitting at such a time, but it was decided that none would be necessary. So without so much as a sign out in front the meetings were begun. The word seemed to spread in some way, and from evening to eve­ning the people came in increasing numbers, until by the end of the series the building was being filled to overflowing. They came from miles around, and there were people of all classes, educated and professional, as well as businessmen, housewives, laborers, and univer­sity students.

On the closing evening there was a most heartwarming response to an invitation for those who wished to express themselves in re­gard to the things they had heard. A goodly number, who had never had any experience with Christianity before, arose and expressed appreciation for the things they had heard. They told of their conviction that the truth brought them from the Bible was the only mes­sage that now offered real hope to the people of Japan, and they also expressed the determina­tion to follow on to understand this message more fully. Others, reticent to stand up and speak in public, told us as they were leaving that they had felt the force of the Word in their hearts, and wished to learn more of its saving power. It was a sad thing to have to close the meetings and to take our departure, knowing that workers were not available to adequately follow up the interests and reap the harvest that seemed to be ready.

While these meetings were in progress, let­ters and even telegrams were received from in­fluential leaders in civic life in other cities at some distance, requesting that similar meetings be held there. The group of workers who have returned to their various posts form a very thin line of outposts in these teeming islands, that stretch out over two thousand miles from north to south. The small number of missionaries and Japanese workers who carry the responsibili­ties of leadership are pressed under heavy bur­dens and faced with perplexing problems in connection with the reorganization of the vari­ous lines of work and the rehabilitation of in­stitutions and other properties. They need much wisdom and grace, and many additions to the force of workers, but most of all a copious outpouring of the Holy Spirit in order to take full advantage of this most pressing need and un­precedented opportunity for evangelism in Japan. Will not each worker give Japan a place in his intercessory prayers.


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By B. P. HOFFMAN, Professor of Bible, S.D.A. Theological Seminary

March 1948

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