BELIEVING that it will be a source of encouragement to our people who have given so liberally of their means to assist in starting the work in Washington, to learn of its progress, from time to time we shall give a report of the work done at the Sanitarium. We have at present thirty-two workers, this number being made up of first-year students chiefly. The question may be asked, Why take such a large class? Our aim has been to afford an opportunity for just as many as possible of our young men and women to enter the class who desire to fit themselves for medical missionary work and future usefulness. Being connected as we are with the Foreign Mission Seminary, the students have special advantages in doing this. While we have not been able to receive all who have applied, we have tried to shut out none who were really seeking to enter the Lord’s work, and who gave evidence of being true missionaries. The time has come when every latent power must be aroused and put into active service for Christ.
Those who are called into foreign fields as medical missionaries, should understand how to gain an entrance into the homes and hearts of the people by the intelligent use of our literature in canvassing. This knowledge and experience they should obtain before being sent forth as missionaries, and it should therefore form a part of their training.
Our plan is to have each member of our classes spend two months each year in canvassing for Life and Health and “Ministry of Healing” in the city of Washington. This can be done without having them miss any of their class work. Brother Richardson has been engaged to impart the needed technical instruction to members of the Sanitarium family, and then give them practical instruction in house-to-house work. One set of workers will spend, perhaps, one month or six weeks at this work; they will then be recalled, and another set will take their places. By following this plan a certain number of the classes will be constantly doing active field work. This enables us to carry a larger class than we otherwise could, and also to do a work that should be done by our sanitariums, but could not be done should we have only sufficient help for the sanitarium work proper. Conferences and mission fields are calling for experienced and tried workers. For such workers openings exist everywhere. When students have completed their training at our sanitariums, the sanitariums should be able to recommend them as men and women of reliability.
A spirit of unity, harmony, and co-operation exists between the Foreign Mission Seminary and the Sanitarium. The Sanitarium physicians teach classes at the Seminary, and members of the Seminary faculty teach classes at the Sanitarium. Some of the members of the Sanitarium classes are taking special studies at the Seminary, and members of the Seminary classes are taking class work at the Sanitarium. We are glad to see that God is placing the various branches of the work in their proper setting in the great whole.
The prospect for the future is good. Those who come seem pleased with the place, and especially with the spirit of oneness that exists. God’s blessing has certainly been resting upon our efforts to help our patients. One sister, brought to us by Elder Farnsworth, who seemed to be at death’s door, weighing only seventy-three pounds, at the end of two weeks began to improve, and during the next two weeks gained seventeen pounds in weight. She is still improving, and is gaining in weight. We desire our people to remember in their prayers the work and workers in Washington.
D. H. KRESS, M. D.
Oklahoma
By J. R. Bagby
ALVA.— Since our last report we have continued our meetings four weeks, with good attendance and good interest, but with plenty of opposition from the Campbellites, which was met in such a way as to be beneficial to our meetings.
September 30 we had a storm that tore our tent in six different places from top to bottom, and then tore it up into little strips from one to six inches wide, a whole armful, but never broke a rope nor pulled a stake. We repaired our tent, and continued to hold meetings until October 14, at which time we baptized two men and their wives. Many others are interested, and we expect not less than ten persons, heads of families, to unite with us.
There is a good interest in this vicinity, and we expect much good yet to be accomplished here. Brother Fittro and wife will remain here, doing house-to-house work for a time, then we will hold another meeting in a schoolhouse or church, and follow up the work that is started till we get a strong church fully equipped.
I will now spend a few days at home, then return to Weatherford and follow up the work. Pray for the work at this place.
J. R. BAGBY.
Adventist Students at George Washington University
At the present time there are seventeen of our young people pursuing medical studies at the George Washington University, in the city of Washington, D. C. Those in the senior class are A. W. Truman, C. S. Bossert, A. W. Hewitt, Riley Russell, W. B. Scott, and J. W. Hopkins; the juniors are H. N. Sisco, F. W. Vasenius, A. B. Dunn, and C. W. Symonds; the sophomores, F. A. Loop, C. H. Morian, W. A. H. Paige, P. H. Wolfram, and G. E. Klingerman; freshmen, C. H. Hayton and Wilfred Ingle.
Field Notes and Gleanings
Word from Brother H. Clay Griffin at Rocky, Ark., states that the interest is still good, and the tent crowded every night.
Brethren C. M. Gardner and A. J. Stevens closed their tent-meeting at Atwater, Cal., the week ending October 5, having held services for about five weeks, with good interest. The ninth they pitched the tent again at Le Grand, and had a good attendance at the opening.
Since Brethren H. B. French and T. W. Field have been laboring at Hamby, Tex., seventeen have begun to keep the Sabbath, and fourteen have united with the church. Some of the latter were members of our churches in other places, and the remainder are new believers. It is expected that others will unite with the organization there.
From Brethren R. T. Nash and W. M. Crothers, who closed their tent-meeting at Cherokee Springs, S. C., October 13, we learn that “meetings had been in progress four weeks, with a good interest, and some silent but bitter opposition. Nothing great has been done, but the Lord has been with us, and the heads of four families have taken a firm stand with us.”
Medical Missionary Department
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference
W. A. GEORGE, M. D., - - - Chairman
W. A. RUBLE, M. D., - - - Secretary
Membership of Attainment
By M. E. K.
WE appeal to all our parents and older people to lend their influence to the general movement that has been started to have our young people study the truths of this message and the history of our denomination. A knowledge of the present truth and of the providences of God in the rise and progress of the advent message is absolutely essential for holding and enlisting our young people in this work. The specific directions given to ancient Israel concerning the teaching of the principles of truth to their children, are just as applicable now as then. “These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart : and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deut. 6: 6, 7.
By means of monuments, and the observance of memorial days, the Israelites were ever to keep in mind, and teach to their children, the wonderful history of God’s dealings with his people.
The cardinal truths of the third angel’s message ought to be constantly studied in the homes of our people in such a way as to make them attractive to the children and youth. We have a very favorable opportunity to do this, now that our Sabbath-school lessons are on “A Synopsis of Present Truth,” and the special series of the Signs will give a forceful and attractive presentation of these great principles in the form of Bible readings.
“Our Truth” number of the Instructor, to be issued in December, will also be very helpful to the young. These special issues of the Signs and Instructor should be studied, and then carried by hundreds of thousands to people who do not know these things.
In our homes, as well as in Sabbath-schools and church services, the remarkable history of the advent movement should be studied. “The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16: 8. The history of the United States, and the names of its great men, are constantly kept before the minds of the children in the public schools, and this has its effect in training the youth in the love of country and for citizenship. And some of our own children are more familiar with these statesmen and heroes of the nation than with the heroes of the advent message,—men whom God has used in the beginning of the greatest movement in connection with the history of the plan of salvation.
There came to my notice, recently, two little books which impressed me much, a “Junior History of Methodism,” and “Heroes of the Methodist Church,” written for children. The one object of this literature is to make Methodists.
We are living in the time when God has set his hand to finish this work. “Both the youth and those older in years will be called from the field, from the vineyard, and from the workshop, and sent forth by the Master to give his message. Many of these have had little opportunity for education; but Christ sees in them qualifications that will enable them to fulfil his purpose. If they put their hearts into the work and continue to be learners, he will fit them to labor for him.” “With such preparation as they can gain, thousands upon thousands of the youth and those older in years should be giving themselves to this work. Already many hearts are responding to the call of the Master Worker, and their numbers will increase. Let every Christian educator give such workers sympathy and co-operation.”—“Education,” page 270, 271.
During the first week in March there is to be given to all our young people who desire it, an examination in the truths of the third angel’s message and denominational history. Certificates of attainment will be granted to those who can pass the test. The examination in Bible doctrines will be based on the present Sabbath-school lessons, the Bible Reading series of the Signs, and “Our Truth” number of the Instructor. “The Great Second Advent Movement,” by Elder Loughborough, will be the basis of the examination in denominational history. Lessons on this book will be sent to those who request them, enclosing stamp. The Missionary Volunteer Reading Course, now being conducted through the Instructor, will also be a help to those who follow it.
And now let every loyal heart ring out the call, “Advance!” to our “army of youth.” Let the first report of the membership of attainment be a large one.
M. E. K.
Young People's Work
Conducted by the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference
M. E. KERN, - - - - Chairman
MATILDA ERICKSON, - - - - Secretary
Temporary Address, College View, Neb.
Introductory
By M. E. K.
OUR young people can never do the work God would have them do without the encouragement and help of their parents and the older members of the church. No scheme of young people's work will be a success that does not reach the homes of our people. It seems, therefore, a wise provision that there is to be a Department of Young People's Work in the REVIEW.
There is great rejoicing all through our ranks, we know, that our young people are giving themselves to God's work. “Already many hearts are responding to the call of the Master Worker, and their numbers will increase.”—“Education,” page 271.
From time to time we desire to have heart-to-heart intercourse with one another through these columns, concerning our young people's work. Ministers, officers of the church, and our older members have been called upon to lend a helping hand in devising plans whereby our young people may be enlisted in the service.
We invite short contributions on live topics. Let questions and experiences be sent in. In many minds, the young people's problem is a great question mark. Let us consider what has come to us through the spirit of prophecy, study the Report of the Young People's Convention, and whatever is written on this subject, and pray and work that the mighty energy of our thousands of young people may be turned upon the great soul-winning work that should be done at this time. M. E. K.
FREDERICK GRIGGS*, Chairman,*
C. C. LEWIS, *Secretary
By Frederick Griggs; C. C. Lewis
This department will appear in the first issue of each month of the REVIEW AND HERALD.
It will be devoted to the consideration of Christian education in the denomination, involving the work of primary, intermediate, and advanced schools. The principles of education in a broad sense will be discussed in their application to the methods employed in the different grades of these schools. Reports of the work done in all parts of the world will be published. The preparation of workers to carry the gospel to all lands and the immediate finishing of the third angel's message will be kept prominently before the schools as the leading aim in Christian education.
This department is conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference.
FREDERICK GRIGGS*, Chairman,*
C. C. LEWIS, *Secretary
True Education
By F. G.
True education is that which develops in the individual a life of unselfish service. All the powers of his being — body, mind, and soul — are to be so trained that they will work normally and in perfect harmony. The moral faculties are to be supreme over all others, but they are so only when fully co-ordinated with them. To educate the physical and the mental without the co-ordinate education of the spiritual, tends directly to a one-sided development of the individual. God made man upright, and placed all the powers of his being in perfect balance, but selfishness destroyed their harmonious working. It is the work of true education to assist in the restoration to this normal and perfect condition.
But it is in the province of education to do no more than to assist in this work. There is no process of education in itself, apart from divine power, by which the individual can be restored to the image of God. All that can be done is so to present facts, in relation to the principles underlying them, as to lead the individual to a desire to co-operate with the Spirit of God in his work. The facts revealed in all fields of study are the same, whether they are taught the child by the Christian or by the agnostic, but their explanation of the causes and effects of these facts — that which gives them their real meaning and force in their relation to the life of the individual — must differ as widely as do the views of the Christian and the agnostic.
When facts are taken apart and considered by themselves, their meaning is of no real value to the student. The Christian finds no explanation of the meaning of creation and life, other than that given in the inspired Word of God. But he who does not believe in the Scriptures as being holy and inspired, must seek in his own mind for some cause by which the wonderful phenomenon of life can be explained. The Holy Scriptures offer as an explanation of the marvels of creation and life, the fact that there is an all-wise and all-powerful Being above and entirely outside of all created things, who, through his Son, Christ Jesus, created and upholds all things that are. The Scriptures themselves teach that for one to know this philosophy there must be an exercise of abstract faith — simple belief. Nor is it sufficient that we see in nature alone this creative power. The facts of creation and life are given us to teach us of redemption. One and the same power is manifested in both creation and redemption. We are to study the work of God in nature to understand better his work of grace in our hearts.
This childlike faith in an all-wise, kind, and all-powerful Jehovah, who has vested in his Son, Christ Jesus, “all power in heaven and in earth,” is the only philosophy — is the only source of that education — which will bring into perfect co-ordination all the faculties of the individual, thus producing a perfect system of education.
F. G.
The Opportunity
By F. G.
IN the very nature of the events now taking place in the world, this present school year is destined to be a most important one for our schools. History is making most rapidly, and intensity has indeed taken hold of every earthly element. The heathen lands are awakening under this mighty impulse. During the past five years China has been opened in a miraculous way to modern civilization. Opportunities for the spread of the printed page all over that densely populated land have been greatly increased during this time. This is also true of India. The advancement of the railroad and other features of modern civilization in Africa are rapidly opening that dark land to the missionary. The East Indies are being infused with the entire new order of affairs. This new life is coming into the southern part of the United States also.
So all over the world there has been, during the last half decade, such an awakening to education and to all that pertains to modern civilization as has never before been seen in the history of the world. Now all this means but one thing to us. The Lord is giving an opportunity to this people to finish the work. Truly he has set his hand to its immediate completion. He is calling upon us in no uncertain tones to respond. The means which our people have placed in lands and in banks, hoarded up, as it were, against a long life, should be immediately placed in this work.
To no class of our people do these things call more loudly than to our young men and women. Educate, educate, educate yourselves for immediate service. Secure that training which will make you strong and sturdy in every way. This is the opportunity for our young people. F. G.
Another Calamity—Its Lesson
By F. G.
It is undoubtedly known to all who will read this, that Union College, at College View, Neb., recently suffered from a twenty-five-thousand-dollar fire. The cause of this fire, resulting in the loss of the college power-house, which contained a boiler room, laundry, printing plant, bakery, blacksmith shop, and carpenter shop, is not known.
Our hearts go out in deepest sympathy to this institution in this great affliction. Prosperity has been attending this school in a marked degree for the last two or three years. There has been a material reduction of its debt. The attendance at the school has been increasing, and the work which it has been doing seems to have been in every way most commendable. It is, perhaps, impossible to point out those lessons which are to be learned from this and similar calamities. However, these disasters must be permitted that we may be taught lessons of value. The lesson to be learned from this calamity is not one that is confined to Union College. The work is one, and the lesson applies to all.
If our institutions of learning which are established for the purpose of preparing men and women to take an intelligent and strong part in the closing conflict between right and wrong are doing well their work, they must of necessity be the especial attack of the evil one. We have no defense in ourselves against his malicious power. Our sole help is in the protection of the Lord, in whose cause we fight. He alone can protect us and our work. But we often fail to look to him as constantly and earnestly as we ought, for this most necessary care. Here certainly is a lesson which we all should learn. Union College has been blessed this fall with not only a remarkable attendance, but with23a most marvelous revival period. This in itself would naturally arouse the anger of the enemy of souls. Without doubt many thousands of prayers have been ascending from parents and from all who are deeply interested in the school, for the salvation of the unconverted. But the query naturally arises as to whether there have also been the same earnest prayers offered for God's protection of the school itself against the attacks of Satan.
The Lord has set his hand to finish his work. Our schools are full, and the Spirit of the Lord is at work. All our people must remember that Satan is now coming down in great wrath, and, as never before, must we flee to our great Tower of Strength. F. G.
A Thought for Our Young People
By A. C. Selmon
“I DREW them . . . with bands of love,” so the Lord says of the wayward ones among the children of Israel. Would you as the Lord’s messenger win out the wayward ones back to the fold today? Then you also must draw them with bands of love. With people who for ages have been under Satan’s dominion, love has been almost crushed out, and, because of this, love shown in deeds is the only kind that they really comprehend.
From my own experience I know that many, coming to a field like China, will, upon first arrival, have a heart full of love for the people among whom they are to work; and only those who have this love should come. The first few weeks or months may produce a change in one’s affections for the people. Their filthy surroundings and their insincerity are very apt to lead one to regard himself as their superior in every respect. So it is that a sort of caste at once springs up between the missionary and the people, and even between the missionary and his native evangelists and colporteurs. I am conscious of the fact that there was something of this in my own experience. At first I spoke of “the Chinese,” later I addressed them as “the Chinese brethren,” and I am thankful that the Lord has been leading me on, so that now I speak of them as “the brethren.” This has not only been a change in the way of addressing them, but it has been a change in the mutual relation existing between us.
The best commentary upon the relation existing between the mission body and the native church here in China, is shown by the recent movement among some of the leaders of the native church for independence. This is but the logical outcome of the caste that exists between the foreign and native workers. Paul’s precept, to be all things to all men that he might by all means save some, in no place should be more thoroughly carried out than among the people of China.
I was out traveling with one of the evangelists, and reaching a village late at night, the only inn that could be found was a shed, open on one side to the November wind. The greater part of the room was taken up by several wheelbarrow-loads of crockery, and one end of the room was occupied by the innkeeper’s three goats. The only sign of a bed was a door lying across two stools, but this was preferable to the cold, damp ground. The evangelist, never having been out traveling with me, began spreading his bedding upon the bare ground, leaving the bed for me. I told him we would share the door together. I thought little of it at the time, but I afterward learned that this little act did more than anything else could have done to make him feel that I regarded him as a brother and fellow worker.
It has been well shown, in the lives of the few men who have really done a great work in spreading the gospel in China, that they lived close to the people; that they regarded their native helpers as brethren and fellow workers. They also carefully avoided anything that would lead to any feeling of caste springing up. This they did by avoiding any display, either in the houses they lived in or in the furnishing of their homes; and they even adopted the dress of the people in many cases. To do this is only to follow the example of the Master. He lived very plainly when here among men, accepting the hospitality of the people, and going in and out among them without any outward pomp and display.
To those who would come to a field such as China, an important part of the preparation is to follow the example of J. Hudson Taylor, and dispense with many things that are usually considered necessaries, but are really not necessaries. The furnishing of your room could be simpler, and your clothing and food might be plainer, with much profit to you in every way. By so doing and with such a preparation, when you come to work among plain-dressing and plain-living people in a foreign land, you will be able to get close to them, and your life among them will be to them the most convincing testimony of the value of the message you bear.
A. C. SELMON.
One Thing I Do
By Claude E. Holmes
“THIS one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
In these few words is crystallized the whole life of the learned Paul. Such a whole-souled, self-forgetting consecration can be made only after an earnest consideration of what it involves. Nothing less than the word of God himself, who spake and it was, could cause such a transformation as that made in the life of Paul at his conversion. God is willing to accomplish the same work in us; and upon his working this transformation depends our accomplishing anything of worth. This transformation involves the energy by which we are to do the task before us. A locomotive may have its headlight pointed toward the city it is desired to reach, but unless it becomes filled with a sufficient head of steam, it will never arrive at its destination. Paul says, “I press toward the mark.” With him there was no vacillating between that thing and this. Once for all he settled it, and then threw all into the effort to obtain the prize.
Every young person must be careful that he does not make the mistake which ruined the life of Cain. He was what we might term a horticulturist. Probably he was a skilled gardener, and raised fruit of which he might well be proud. His heart was set upon his work, and he waited patiently until it grew and matured. But, sad to relate, his affections were so bound up with his own labors and the success of his work, that he considered it well adapted for what the Lord required, even though the Lord had given direct instruction to the contrary. And by failing to give heed to God’s wishes he brought upon himself the name of a murderer. Even though our work may be perfect, let us not be so wrapped up in any work, whether it be on a farm, in a shop, or in commercial lines, that we think the Lord must accept it.
God speaks to you, young man or woman, as he did to Cain: “Bring me an offering.” What shall be our offering?—“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Perhaps you may say that you are not in a condition for the Lord to use you. Go to one of our schools and prepare yourself. Make a good offering to the Lord. Had Cain made an offering of a lamb, as God required, his labor would have been accepted, but in refusing to heed the exact words of God he failed altogether.
We have a noble example of a determination to win, in the life of Caleb; He said: “Let us go up at once, and possess it [Canaan]; for we are well able to overcome it.” All the giants in the land of Canaan could not daunt the courage of Caleb. After forty years of wandering with a murmuring and rebellious people, he was just as ready to do what he said could be done—and he did it.
Where are the “children” of Israel to-day who are ready to face the giants—the hard languages, the buffetings, the toils, the difficulties, even in distant lands? Who will be among the victors to take part in the triumphal entry into the New Jerusalem?
CLAUDE E. HOLMES.
The Value of Field Experience
By R. W. Parmele
Too high an estimate can not be placed upon the value of a practical field experience. There is a true saying that “we learn by doing,” and “experience is the best teacher.” Combating error, meeting those who do not know the truth, overcoming all their objections, and leading them to the acceptance of the message, give one an experience that can be obtained in no other way. That experience can not be described. It can be realized only by its possession. It helps the one who has it to realize the value of a soul, and to appreciate the importance of a training for service.
These facts lead to the conviction that a great loss is sustained by both teachers and students who do not engage in field work. On page 135, Vol. VI, of “Testimonies for the Church,” occurs the following: “God designs that all our institutions shall become instrumentalities for educating and developing workers of whom he will not be ashamed, workers who can be sent out as well-qualified missionaries to do service for the Master.” And then this sad statement24follows: “But this object has not been kept in view.”
There must be a reason why this object has been lost sight of. What is that reason? After having had an experience in proclaiming the message for his time, Jeremiah became discouraged, and resolved to give up the work. “But,” said he, “His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”
The writer inclines strongly to the opinion that if the teachers in our good schools would spend their vacations in active labor “on the firing lines,” rescuing perishing souls, the word of God would become in their hearts “as a burning fire.” Then as they again enter the schoolroom, they would not forbear. They would have a fresh experience to tell, and they would tell it.
This could only result in giving to the students an inspiration, and many more of them would thus be encouraged to spend their vacations in the field. And what results might we expect in a school where the Word of God was in the hearts of all the teachers and a large number of the students “as a burning fire.” But, alas! many times the words of Shakespeare or Holmes or Longfellow or some other man fill the hearts of both teachers and students almost to the entire exclusion of the Word of God.
“Every one who has been converted to God is called upon to grow in capability by using his talents; every branch of the living Vine that does not grow is pruned off, and cast away as rubbish. What, then, shall be the character of the education given in our schools? Shall it be according to the wisdom of this world, or according to that wisdom that is from above? Will not teachers awake to their responsibility in this matter, and see that the Word of God has a larger place in the instruction given in our schools?”—Vol. VI, page 133.
R. W. PARMELE.
A Missionary Meeting
By L. Belle Matthews
OUR little Thursday afternoon missionary meetings were counted the happiest hours of our school life last winter. We had eighteen pupils, ranging from five to nineteen years old. Thinking the best way to obtain definite results from our study to become missionaries was to form a band and go to work, we elected a president and a secretary of our Mission Band, which convened every Thursday afternoon after recess. When the afternoon session began, our president and secretary took their places at the desk. A song was sung. Some pupil was asked to lead in prayer, and after another song the secretary read his report. Then work was passed out. The boys and smaller children sewed carpet-rags, and the older ones pieced quilts. After sewing for about thirty minutes, the work was gathered up, and papers and tracts were prepared for those who were to distribute them. We had ten or twelve readers for the “Family Bible Teacher.” A roll of Signs and Instructors was taken to the jail every week. The children also took up an extra collection, to send the men in the jail a Bible. A paper and tract rack at the depot was kept supplied. We bought flowers and took to the sick in the hospital. Little cards, with messages of comfort from the Great Comforter, were also taken to the sick.
Our program included readings and recitations on some helpful missionary subject. The young people of our State had pledged to support one foreign worker, and as our worker was in Japan, we began the study of that country, and one Thursday afternoon had our Japanese program. Four girls were dressed in native Japanese costume, and as, with their straw mats, sandaled feet, and flowing robes, they gave a description of their country, we seemed to be for a few minutes in the land of the mikado, and felt the call for help.
A report of each one's work for the week was then given, and after our collection the happy hour was closed with a song or prayer. We hope to see results of these feeble efforts.
The following is the paper on Japan read that Thursday afternoon by Ethelyn Miriam Tarr, one of the little “Japanese” girls, aged eleven years:—
“Japan”
“I live in Japan. Japan is a native empire, that is, it is not controlled by another nation. It lies in the same belt as the United States, and it has much the same climate.
“My home is composed of about four thousand islands. There are a great many volcanoes in Japan, and earthquakes are common. We have many good schools, and newspapers, telegraphs, railroads, and steamships.
“Farming is the leading occupation, although a great deal of land is too rough for this work. Japan ranks next to China in the production of raw silk. Much rice and tea also are raised. There are but few sheep or cattle, but many hogs and fowls are raised. There is plenty of coal and iron, and good water power; hence Japan is fast becoming a manufacturing country.
“Come with me to my home. You will have to ride in a jinrikisha. This is a little two-wheeled bamboo cart. It looks like the little racing sulkies the men use in training their horses, only ours are much lighter, and are drawn by a man. You will have to take off your shoes and leave them at the door, as my floor is covered with beautiful, clean mats. There are no chairs or tables, so you will have to sit on the floor. The lady of the house does not shake hands with you, but bows two or three times and falls on her knees, and touches her face to the floor. To be polite, you should also kneel and bow.
“Here in Japan are many little orphan children, whose fathers were killed in the late war with Russia. But these little children are not left to themselves, to run the streets without any home they can call their own, for about twelve years ago a kind Christian Japanese man made an orphanage for them, where about twelve hundred children are cared for. So you see some of our ways are much like yours. But many of us have never heard about the dear Jesus, and we hope you will remember us and send us more missionaries.
“I forgot to tell you that we are considered the cleanest nation in the world. We have some very fine bath-rooms. We love to bathe.”