The chart on page nine shows that we have circulated almost twice as much reading matter during the last ten years as in the twenty years preceding. Such figures are a strong indication of the growing vitality of a great cause, and a prophecy of its triumphant climax.
Energetic Colporteur in the Philippines, Old Watchtower in the Background
Chart of Publishing Work
Our Present Publishing House at Shanghai
The Ministry of the Press
BY N. Z. TOWN
Secretary of the Publishing Department
“THE ministry of the press is not merely an auxiliary to which the Christian teacher can look to supplement his labors; it is itself an evangelistic agency, even penetrating further and delivering a more effective message than any missionary could.”
This has been found true by the people who are sending out this Harvest Ingathering Number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. The story of the growth of the circulation of our literature since its beginning in 1845, is illustrated in the following figures:
Total sales for sixty years,
1845-1904 ............ $ 7,577,000
Sales 1905-1914 ............ 14,086,000
The figures show that during the last decade, the total value of literature circulated is almost double that of the previous sixty years. During 1914, we reached the two million dollar goal toward which we have been looking, and for which our faithful colporteurs have been striving for a number of years. Our thirty-seven publishing houses and branches, located in twenty different countries and islands of the world, are kept busy continually, producing this literature in over eighty different tongues.
Our First Press in China
Colporteurs’ Class in the Philippine Islands
In the Philippine Islands, our missionaries are working their little press from 5:30 in the morning until 10:00 at night, trying to meet the demand for literature among the native Filipinos. They are printing books of five and six hundred pages on a small job press, and are looking forward anxiously to the time when they may receive help to obtain better equipment.
The outbreak of the European war has created a great demand for literature that will throw light on the Bible prophecies regarding these times. And notwithstanding the special difficulties that the war brings to our colporteurs, even in some of the countries that are at war our missionary literature is having a wider circulation than ever before. We thank God for the souls rescued through the ministry of the press.
Used to Answer a Prayer
By W. E. Gillis
BY W. E. GILLIS
A BROTHER from Hunan, China, was doing colporteur work in Kiangsi, and as is sometimes the case, he came to a village where the colloquial was so pronounced that he was entirely unable to understand the people. After wandering around for some time rather disconsolate, he prayed the Lord for help. It was not long until a young boy came and spoke to him, and he could understand him perfectly. The boy went through the village with him, and by interpreting, assisted in selling quite a quantity of literature. Thus the Lord used a boy to answer this man's prayer, and to accomplish that which He wanted done.
Shanghai.
“The Lily Number”
By T. H. Okohira
BY T. H. OKOHIRA
ONE summer we were holding a series of meetings in a tent near the city of Tokyo, Japan. After service one evening, a woman who had become interested in studying the Bible said she had an old mother sick in bed, and wanted us to go and see her. “My mother is a bigoted Buddhist,” she went on to say, “and holds tenaciously to her own view, saying that the Buddhist belief is the best one of all religions.”
The next day, my coworker visited her. He talked with her about Jesus, but she did not listen. She said: “I have met many Christian friends, and talked with them about the Christian religion. I find no better faith in them. It is no use to talk with you.”
He then told her that he had a good Christian paper she might like to read. “No,” she617said; “I could find no better theory in it. I am well satisfied with my Buddhist literature.” She was well versed in Japanese literature.
“I am sorry indeed that you are sick,” he went on. “I believe you would like to recover from your illness, would you not?” “Yes, indeed.” He then told her that this paper contained some interesting articles about health principles which, if she would read them, would be of great benefit to her. She then accepted the paper, which was a special number with a picture of a lily on the cover.
After a few days, we again visited this woman. She was quite changed in her attitude. Holding up the little paper, she said: “Indeed I found many good suggestions in the health pages. I was then enticed to read the other pages, and I have read it all through five times. I believe it teaches the simple, plain, and solemn truth, which I never read before in Christian literature.” She then testified, “Through this ‘Lily Number,’ I found my living Saviour, and I am saved in Him.”
Tokyo, Japan.
Wiring for Papers
By H. A. Oberg
BY H. A. OBERG
OLD, slow-moving Korea, as well as her subjects, is feeling a touch of Western civilization, which is evidenced by the way colporteurs make use of the telegraphic facilities and the “C. O. D.” system in their work. In a letter received from the native supervising colporteur of the eastern division, he explained that after ordering 300 copies of our paper by letter, he decided that they would run short, so wired for 600 more. He reported two men in four days selling 153 papers. After getting four men started, he writes, “There is no happier work.” The increase of Bibles, books, and papers put out during the past year indicates that a rich harvest is about to be gathered in.
Seoul, Korea.
Waded the River for Love of the Books
By Floyd G. Ashbaugh
BY FLOYD G. ASHBAUGH
Group of Colporteurs in Argentine, South America
It does one's heart good to see these silent messengers going into homes that are closed against the living preacher. Many of the people thank me for bringing them the book, and seem to prize it very highly.
At one town, about ten miles back in the mountains, where I delivered books, the people looked at me in surprise, and wondered how much money I was getting for selling books. It was during the rainy season, and I had waded through the Kangarangan River five times, so you can imagine my appearance better than I can describe it.
I explained that the importance of the truths contained in the book, and not the money, was what drove me through rivers and over hills, and kept me going in heat or rain, in dust or mud. They looked at their books again with added interest.
The past three years' experience has been more precious to me than silver and gold. But I long for the great home gathering, when the honest hearted ones shall shine as the stars in the kingdom of heaven. My prayer is that much of this precious seed may spring up into life eternal.
The Seed Grew after Many Days
By R. F. Cottrell
BY R. F. COTTRELL
In the spring of 1911, two of our colporteurs were working in the city of Ping Siang, China, when a sudden rainstorm drove them to the railway station for shelter. While there, they fell into conversation with a young man by the name of Djou Yu Seng, who at once manifested great interest, and invited the colporteurs to his home.
Before leaving, they obtained Mr. Djou's promise to attend a meeting at Changsha, Hunan. He came, remaining about three weeks. After returning we heard from him two or three times, and then followed an interval of years when we heard nothing.
Recently two young men, strangers, arrived from Kiangsi province to attend our Bible school. They relate that in the early part of last summer, Mr. Djou's father was critically ill. The old man had heard his son tell of the marvelous fulfilment of Bible prophecy, and though himself in the balance between life and death, his heart was aglow with gospel light.
Mrs. J. B. Stuyvesant, Colporteur in Guatemala
Apparently forgetful of his own condition, he told the young men of a crucified and soon-coming Saviour. He told them of God's law, and of His holy Sabbath, and appealed to them to believe with all their hearts. At first they were reluctant, but at length consented to study the Bible, as the old gentleman suggested. Little by little, their indifference gave place first to interest, and then to assurance and earnestness.
And now they have come to learn the will of God more perfectly. They further report that the young Mr. Djou, although somewhat backslidden for a time, is now a true Christian, and that in the vicinity of his home, a number of families have been won from darkness to light.
Haakau.
Our Japanese Publishing House at Tōkyo
Influence of Bible Circulation
THE Rev. F. G. Penzotti, in a recent article in one of the missionary magazines, makes the following statement regarding the circulation of the Bible:
“After thirty-six years of experience in Latin America, I find that the most practical way to begin missionary work in a new place is to send our men with the Bible in their hands to prepare the way. The colporteur carries the divine lamp in his hand from town to town and from house to house, and can enter the homes where the voice of the pastor or missionary has never been heard. It frequently awakens interest, and there are genuine conversions by means of the colporteur. The work is difficult, but has the approval and blessing of the Lord.”
Activities in Japan and Korea
By H. Kuniya
Winning the Sister-in-Law of Admiral Togo
BY H. KUNIYA
THE first time I called at the home of the aged sister-in-law of Admiral Togo, Toke Ogura, who was in Nagasaki, Japan, about a year ago, her home was full of idols, several in each room. She was a devout worshiper of idols, and spent much money in traveling to pray for deliverance from her troubles. She had lost her husband and two sons.
One day I asked her, “Do these gods help you in your distress?” “No; I am tired of these idols,” she replied.
Evidently she knew nothing of the principle of love in all this round of worship. She was impelled by fear, thinking to appease the wrath of these gods.
When she learned of Jesus’ love and of the love of the Father for sinners, her heart was made glad. She gladly accepted Jesus as her Saviour.
She then destroyed all her idols and shrines, and built a new home. Her relatives and friends are surprised at her happy life, reflected in her cheerful face, as is shown in the accompanying picture. She is sixty-nine years of age, but works daily, and is a faithful attendant at our church services. Is not this a striking example of the power of the gospel of Christ to salvation, of which the apostle Paul declared he was “not ashamed”?
Nagasaki, Japan.
How I Was Saved
By Sumi Sasaki
BY SUMI SASAKI
WHEN the volcanic eruption occurred on Sakurajima (Cherry) Island, near Kagoshima, Japan, about a year ago, I was teaching a grammar school. Where I lived, the land was fertile, producing fruits and vegetables of all kinds. The scenery was beautiful. The island being out in the bay from the city, many tourists visited it, also people from the city came there for their vacations.
The school and village where I was teaching were entombed by masses of lava and ashes over a hundred feet deep. The gods of the ancestors, the temples, with their idols, as well as the property of the rich and the poor alike, were buried. Only by the grace of God were a few lives spared. I was among some who jumped into sampans (boats) and were saved. Had we delayed a few minutes, we should have been buried by hot ashes and rock. I saw the explosion from the water as our boat left the shore.
After this awful experience, in which I lost my dear mother and sister, I was reminded of the true God, whom I had heard a little about at meetings held by a missionary in a tent. My heart began to travail after the true God. I went to certain pastors to study the Bible, but could find no satisfaction. One day, a colporteur came to my home. What I bought, brought light to my heart, as I found truth in God’s word.
Dedication of Our Church at Wakamatsu, Japan, June, 1914
For my past sinful life I have deep sorrow, but am happy in God’s promise of forgiveness through Jesus, and the life to come. As soon as I am prepared to do so, I shall tell this good news to our Japanese women who sit in darkness.
Tokyo.
Leading Their Parents to Christ
By Helen May Scott
BY HELEN MAY SCOTT
We have now been in our new school buildings for more than a year, and God has truly been with us. Aside from study, there is missionary work to be done, and the students take an active part in this. One night each week, they go to different parts of Soonan and near-by villages, to hold meetings with unbelievers. In this way, several have been led to accept Christ.
Toke Ogura, Nagasaki
Some of the village children attend the primary school, and have accepted Christ and been baptized. This has had a good influence, and parents have become interested. One girl and her mother were baptized at the same time, and now the father is attending church. Another girl, with her mother, brother, and brother’s wife, has been baptized. And so it is—when one of these children becomes a Christian, very often others in the same family also accept of the Saviour. As we see the great need of trained workers to give the gospel to all the world, we earnestly pray that God will stir His people as never before to give and pray for the school work.
Determined to Read It
By F. H. De Vinney
BY F. H. DE VINNEY
FIVE years ago this summer, one of our mission Bible workers became acquainted with a poor widow by the name of Komio San, who lived in Nagasaki, Japan. She earned a living for herself and little boy by washing, and other housework of the roughest kind.
She soon became interested in the study of the Bible. She had no education, not even of the most primitive Japanese kind, having never been to school a day in her life. When the tent meetings began in Nagasaki, she attended faithfully, gave her heart to God, began to keep the commandments, was baptized, and united with the church.
She was not satisfied to get all her knowledge of God’s word from others, but longed to read it for herself. A year ago, she asked the Lord to help her to learn to read, and then she did all she could herself. The Japanese language is more difficult than the English, and to learn to read it is usually a matter of years; but in less than a year, she was able to read her Bible and hymn book, to her great joy, the delight of the church, and the constant wonder of all acquainted with the circumstances.
She has become commonly known as619the “Sabbath woman,” through her practice of always stipulating, when engaging for work, that she would not work on the Sabbath, nor on prayer meeting evening. She pays a strict tithe of all her earnings. Her services are in demand. It is said of her that when she is working in a family, the money box can be left open. Both Christian and heathen families are glad to get her to do their work. Wherever she goes, her life is a living witness to the power of the gospel upon human hearts.
Our Publishing House at Seoul, Korea
Such converting and transforming power, manifested in such a life, presents the greatest of miracles.
Tokyo, Japan.
Faculty of Bible School at Soonan, Korea
The Price of a Daughter-in-Law
By Ella Camp Russell
BY MRS. ELLA CAMP RUSSELL
ONE day, as two Korean women sat chatting together, I caught the following conversation:
“How fortunate you are to have a daughter-in-law! How much did you have to pay for her?”
“Three hundred dimes. Cheap, wasn’t it?”
“Very cheap indeed; but I cannot pay even that, for I am a widow. It distresses me very much, for my son is now over twelve years old.”
At this point, I asked the first speaker how she obtained such a bargain.
“O, I bought her when she was small,” she replied.
“How much did your father sell you for?” I asked again.
“O, I went very cheaply,—only fifty dimes. But I was only ten years old.”
“I went for less than that,” said the second woman. “I brought only thirty dimes. My parents were dead, and distant relatives sold me to some very poor people when I was eight years old. My husband’s parents died soon after; and all my life, I have known but sorrow and the terrible struggle to get food and something to wear. My husband is now dead; and with my three small children, I have many times faced starvation. It is only the love for my babies that gives me the courage to keep up the fight for existence.”
Soonan, Korea.
Speechless Before the Prophecies
By P. A. Webber
BY P. A. WEBBER
In an interview with a student of the Imperial University of Tokyo, I was asked for a prophecy concerning the time of Christ's first advent, and my answer was a reference to Dan. 9:24-27. He still asked for more proof of the divinity of Christ. Many prophecies of the Old Testament were compared with their counterpart in the New, and as every phase of Christ's life—His birth, His ministry, His death—is so minutely foretold, he was led to exclaim most earnestly, “As students of Christianity, we are so glad to know that we have proof for our belief in Jesus!”
He was most interested in the prophecies in regard to the return of the Saviour, and asked many questions which showed he had taken account of the things now occurring in the world. As the scriptures were examined which show the waymarks foretelling the second coming of Christ, he was speechless.
We who have been so long in the Christian way can say with this young man, “We have . . . a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed.”
