Tokyo

Christian
'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Volume 62 Klmberlin Heights, Tennessee
m
TAMOTSU HORIUCHI
One of the Tokyo Christians
You Should Know . . .
I am planning, b^inning with this
issue, .to write a series of stories about
Japanese Chrilstiiaiiis; sellecrting some of
those ordinary, unobtrusive people from
many walks of life who are the salt and
light of this great c^y. It is my hope
that hy this means you brethren "in""the
United States may he edified and encour
aged, and that you will have a broader
interest in and understanding of the Lord's
work in this field.
This tall, thin boy first came to visit
us back in February 1955 after making a
very formal appointment by telephone. His
purpose was stated as' Bible study, but it
developed that he was mainly a lonely
young man seeking someone to talk to.
Since that time he has visited us very
often, and as confidence has grown he has
talked of many of the things on his heart
freely and honestly and we Ibelieve he has
grown sipiritually.
While Horiuehi-san was working as an
intern or apprentice in a barber shop in
1952 he saw an advertisement in the street
car going home one night announcing a
large mass Christian meeting sponsored
iby the Pocket Testament League and star
ring the famous track champion Gill Dodds.
Out of curiosity he decided to go, buit when
he finally got to the place the runner had
already finished his demonstration and
some Japanese minister was just getting
started into a sermon. He started to leave,
hut a young man persuaded him to stay
and listen a little, and at the end of the
rally he received a Japanese language
gospel O'f John. He decided to go to the
meeitlhg to which he had been Invited.-Tfiis
was at the Immanuel Church, a Japanese
denomination in the Wesleyan Methodist
tradition.
His first impression of a Christian wor
ship seiwice was ithat it was uninteresting,
and he yawned and talked out loud to those
around him about movies etc. One young
man about his age became his friend, some
times scolding him for irreverence and
sometimes patiently inviting him back and
talking with him about the Bible and Chris
tian experience. Finally it icame to be a
pleasant experience ito lattend the meetings
in one of the downtown public halls, and
he decided to accept Christ and was sprink
led on Oct. 19, 1952.
After he had consumed several after
noons of valuable time I asked how he
came to get in touch with me, and was
somewhat deflated to learn that he had
just looked at random in the telephone
Spring, 1963, No. 1
Book Translot'or Appears
Seven months had gone by since re
turning to Japan and still no sign of a
prospective person to translate books into
the Japanese language. It seemed as if God
was saying in answer to my prayers, no.
But I still trusted that it was the Lord's
will and kept praying that if he wanted
these books translated, to provide someone
to do it.
It was about the middle of March (that
the Lord opened the door and sent a young
women in answer to prayer. She seems to
be quite capable as she has translated two
or three books which hajve been well accept
ed. Of course this takes into consideration
the fact ithat two or three others worked
on the translation afiteitwards to put it into
top condition.
Thanks to the kind permission of Don
De Welt, professor at Ozark Bible College,
MlLss Kagiwada has begun translating the
Bible study text book, "The Church in The
Bible". If all goes well this book could go
on sale in the Spring of next year.
The Lord ^^ling, I trust that many
more shall be put into Japanese, in order
that His iQhuroh will grow and proisper in
Spirit and Truth. Your prayers for ithis
project have been appreciated. Please con
tinue to pray for this work and the finances
necessary to carry it on. The publication of
one book costs about one (thousand dollars.
Stanley Buttray
book. I had noticed that one of the odd
turns to his personality was a peculiar
laffinity for Americans. He was not only
visiting me but many other missionaries
of my aoquainfance 'iri" severar^enomina^-
tions.
It is not a bit strange for High School
and College students to seek out one Am
erican friend on whom to practice their
English, but .this boy with his many foreign
ifriend'S was unable to speak more than the
minimum of English words and had less
interest than others in learning any more.
To a degree, talking with him provided
some practice in use of Japanese language,
but I didn't need to spend as much time
on that as he was willing to occupy, so I
had to set time limits on his coming. Grad
ually he outgrew this tendency to kill time
and learned to respect the time of others
as well as his own. Noiw our schedule is
that he comes to our house every other
Monday for IV2 hours and cuts my hair
while here.
Continued on Page 3
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Published quarterly by the Missionaries
of the Church of Christ Ciimnlnghara Mis
sion. Tokyo, Japan, for the information
and inspiration of every Christian whose
heart is open to the call of Christ, and who
is willing to help in the supreme task of
carrying out the Great Commission of
Christ: Matthew 28:19, 20.
Entered as second class matter in the
Knoxville, Tenn., Post office under the act
of March 3, 1879.
Two-Year Subscription 50 cents
Subscription and "Flaming Torch" $1.00
MISSION STAFF
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 575
2-Chome, Kamibahiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo,
Japan. Forwarding agent: Mrs. Homer And
erson, R. D. 1, Meadville, Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 27 Sakura-
yama, Nakano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forward
ing agent: Mr. or Mrs. Ray Armstrong, Rt.
3, Box 310, Piqua, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 1-52 Aral
Machi, Nagano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forward
ing agent: First Church of Christ, Orange
at Center St., Eustis, Fla,
Packages for Japan should be sent direct
by parcel post to one of the missionaries
whose addresses are shown above. Consult
your local post office concerning mailing
rules and limitations of size and weights.
If you change your address please notify
H. L. Hamilton, Kimberlin Heights, Ten
nessee, giving both your old and your new
address, If you make an offering of $1.00
or more you are entitled to receive this
paper if you so request. Churches or groups
making an offering of $10.00 or more may
request a bundle of 10 copies for distribu
tion.
Churches Have
Annual Meetings
One of the most firmly fixed Japanese
traditions is the necessity of and the
methods of closing out the year and open
ing up the new. Before the end of the
year all financial, social and moral debts
must be paid if humanly possible; the
house must be thoroughly cleaned of the
year's dirt; many old dishes and pans are
discarded; and a definite stage of life is
considea'dd completed. Alohg with the
most happy and widespread holidays of the
year, the beginning of the year also calls
for new plans for the year ahead, and
for ultra-polite requests to all benefactors,
customers, teachers etc. for continuing favor
during the months ahead and for best
wishes for everyone's health.
So this naturally becomes the season
for yearly congregational meetings of the
churches. We have attended some of these
meetings and received reports from some
oithers, and ithe picture is generally en
couraging, Here are some of the different
decisions that were made by the Japanese
in their own freedom and responsibility.
Page 2
\
YOCHO-MACHI Church Building 1 to r: Mrs. Hanyu, Mr. Ogawa, Harold Sims
and Mr. Slim Hanyu.
ftllKAWASHIMA
We have witten previously about the
good record in giving made by this con
gregation of Koreans. The 1963 budget
was set for a little over $2700., which is
enough above the 1962 income to show hope
and confidence on the part of the whole
congregation. There were 12 baptisms dur.
ing the past year.
MINATO
This 13-year-old church took a very
important step forward by appointing its
first "official" elders and deacons. One
of the weaknesses and problems of the
average church in Japan is the lack of
mature men to share leadership in the local
congregation. This is because the numbers
are small, and the majority of those who
attend regularly are students and older
women rather than men in the productive
years of life. Unfortunately, while Chris
tianity is generally respected as a good
and proper religiona place to send kinder-
garden children and young people who need
to learn "good things" , it has a kind of
reputation as being not the sort of place
where adult men will be found.
Most of the churches have found that
the only practical way to conduct the busi
ness during the developing years until
Scripturally qualified officers arc available
is to elect yearly a group of 3 or 5 people
(both men and women) known simply as
"officials". Of course their main business
is connected with the finances, and the
preacher does practically all of ithe teaching
and preaching. But we have been watching
and praying for the day when men who can
really be called elders and deacons and
merit that respect and responsibility would
appear.
The Minato church, with Stephen lijima
as minister since the beginning, has been
making slow and steady progress in this
direcition for several years now. Some
months ago I was quite surprised when he
told me that there are 16 families connect
ed to that church, although some live quite
a distance away and do not attend regularly.
So this year it was my privilege to
attend the simple and impressive service
on Jan. 6 at which 2 eiders land 4 deacons
were selected and appointed to lead and
iserve the congregation. The elders are
seasoned and tested men with families and
are able to teach, and the deacons also are
all man-led and solidly grounded in the
faith. I believe they are as close to meet
ing the Scriptural Standards as we humans
usually come. And this forward step was
all the more meaningful to them because
they had waited so long to call any man
elder.
NAKANO
In September 1961 this small congre
gation, with just 16 members paying
"monthly pledged offering," called as their
minister Mr. Yukio Itagaki and his family.
Mr. Itagaki had graduated from our Tokyo
Bible Seminary and was having services
in his home, but was supporting his family
by working as a icoHector for the First Life
Insurance Company.
The church could only pay 5000 yen
monthly (about $14,). Of course he would
get his apartment in the back of the church
rent free, and that counted for something.
But this was pitifully small compared to
the comfortable salary of about $80. per
month plus twice yearly bonuses that he
had been receiving. However because of
his dedication to Christ Mr. Itagaki gave up
his good job and its security and came tO'
the Nakano church on faith. He said he
would teach English to middle-school stu
dents on Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Friday
afternoons and charge $1.50 per month per
student in order to make enough to live
on. But of course there was no guarantee
that students would come, that was just
believed.
The promise of 5000 yen per month
required some faith and vision on the
ipart of the church members also, because
the offerings had not been up to that
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Page 4
The All Japan Church of Christ Convention held at the foot of Mount Sakurajima
(volcanic mountain in background.) This was the national convention.
All Japan Christian
Convention
The churches of sunny Kyushu were
the hosts for the 1963 'convention for the
Churches of Christ in Japan. The gather
ing was held on April 24. Tokyo was re
presented by five missionaries and three
Japanese preachers but the most distant
area represented was Sendai in northeastern
Japan with a missionary and a preacher
attending. One Christian from Okinawa at-
ftended the meeting. Naturally most of those
attending were from the local area, coming
from Satsuma and Osiuni Peninsulas and
from Tanegashima. Considering the fact
that the churches in Kyushu are fairly
remote from other areas where our chur
ches are located, the convention was rea-
sonajbly well attended.
A fine spirit of brotherhood and co
operation was shown hy all at the meet
ing. The program was well planned and
executed, and the ministers of the area
had done excellently in coordinating their
preparations for the meeting.
Exce'llent accommodations were
provided for the meeting in a beautiful new
hotel built on the foundation of the lava
beds east out several years ago by a
volcano inside Mt. Sakurajima located a
short distance away. On the opposite side
the hotel faces beautiful Kagoshima Bay.
This was certainly an excellent setting for
a convention.
We believe that the Kyushu Conven-
ition fwas pace-setting, and in many respects
should serve as a model for our future
gatherings of similar nature. Those things
which divide Christians were not allowed
to mar the spirit of the meetings. On the
other hand those things which inspire and
edify and are of practical use to the Chris
tian were given first place in the speeiches
and discussions.
Arriving back in Tokyo after an ab
sence of about five days, those of us who
went to the convention, from here seemed
to feel that we had had enough of such
gatherings for a little while, but that the
time, money and effort spent in going to
the convention was well worth the cost.
Andrew Patton
Life of Christ Vizualized
Now All 3 Volumes
in Japanese
Many of you with good memories will
recall that back in 1954 The Christian
Standard gave extensive publicity to the
project, originally conceived by LaVerne
Morse and me, of printing Volume III of
their popular Life of Christ Vizualized
series in various foreign languages for the
mission fields. In order to make them
available to the missionaries at a cheap
price the Standard raised a large fund to
isubsidize the printing of a total o-f more
than 100,000 copies in the various languages.
When we returned to Japan for our second
term in Sept. 1954 I 'brought along the
33,000 copy Japanese language edition in
8 1000-pound boxes and cleared them
ilhrouigh customs.
They did not sell as well as we expect
ed, and the first reaction of most people
was to ask immediately for Volumes I and
II. However a good number were sold and
many others were given away. I still have
more than 2000 copies at my house. Think-
ing back now, it would have been better
psychology and merchandizing policy to
have printed volume I first. But we thought
that the facts eoncerninig the death and
resurrection of Christ 'are not nearly so
well known among the heathen as the
"'Cihristmais story," and in case we should
only be able to finanice one volume of the
series ithe one with the icentral gospel facts
would be the most important.
In 1961 I received an offer from the
'Standard to furnish me at a reasonable
price with Volumes I and II printed in full
color, but without the English language.
The crating and shipping costs would be
paid from the small remaining funds left
over from the former project. I first made
various inquiries at the Japanese Ministry
of International Trade and Industry about
the restrictions and precedures for import
ing these booklets, and after solving most
of the currency exchange problems and
assuring myself and most officials that
there would be no trouble I ordered 3000
sheets each of Volumes 1 and 'II.
It took 'most of la'St year to get them
ordered, shipped and cleared through cus
toms. During this time, Itagaki-san (minis
ter at Nakano church) was translating the
text in his spare time. A printer in our
neighborhood began printing in the Jap
anese language early in February, and we
plan to put the entire 3 volume set on sale
in March in various Christian book-stores.
Harold Sims
Meeting At Sakurayama
The Spring evangelistic meeting of the
Sakurayama Church was held on April
11-14. In spiite of all our efforts to advertise
'the meetings, they were more 'meagerly at
tended than we had hoped. Meetings for
adults and for children were held. A total
of 146 persons attended the two meetings.
Both ithe children's and adults' meetings on
the following Sunday Showed a slight in
crease in attendance.
Harold Sims and Mr. Itagakl, minister
of the Nakano Church, did the preaching
during the meeting. The Sakurayama
lOhurhh is making plans for another meet
ing in June. Andrew Patton
Page 3
amount for months. But things went so
much better than all expected that by the
annual meeting in Feb. 1962 it was decided
to raise the preacher's salary to 6500 per
month. This year it was decided to raise
it to 8000. There are about 30 students
coming to the classes. So Itagakis are mak.
ing a comfortable, although plain, living
and also a vital contribution to Christ's
kingdom, and everybody's faith and courage
has been strengthened and we are thank
ful.
YOCHO-MACHI
Just at the end of 1962 this church
became the seventh of the congi-egations
formerly in the Cunningham Mission to be
officially approved and recognized by the
Tokyo Metropolitan government as a duly
incorporated tax free local Christian church. Kamioehiai Church of Christ.
Of course all of these 7 churches are still
associated in a number of ways, but their
land and buildings are no longer owned
by the Mission buit by the local 'group. The
changing of the deeds and registration is
now almost complected.
This was the big event of the year
for this little church, and it took a very
long time. Nowadays the city is rather re
luctant to regis-ter anything as tax-free, so
there were complete investigations of the
church finances, background etc. Of couree '
doctrinal matters are entirely free, but the ,
city wants to be sure the purpose is religious
and that the property will be handled in a
responsible manner. Needless to say, they CHRISTIAN (Continued)
finally got everything in order and were
approved. L . . . . x.. -..j .u.vw ...
There was a church on this lot before that we finally came to the reasons tor parijctiiarly big argument with his family
the war, and the young former minister was this friendliness toward Americans. First, being cast out of the home
called into the service and was killed in he was sickly all of his life, and by missing and didnot return for several days. Through
the war. During 1948 the church, with a much school time he got behind his class- he did not budge from his Christian
few pre-war members as a nucleus, was mates and only completed the ninth grade, convictions, and it seems that the family
restarted by missionary Sam Saunders. The Therefore it was hard for him to meet on accepted his Christian profession
Mission bought a round-roofed quonset hut common ground with other Japanese young gj as genuine and they are even
from U. S. Army surplus and erected it on men his age who had gone through High willing that he find a Christian girl for
the lot. Mr. Saunder's interpreter was a School and College, and he was very sensi- ^ ^ife.
leader in the YMCA and brought many of ;tive about this. Amerilcans usually didn't
the young men to the church. Two of these ask about his schooling and were generally camper at Motosu for 3 years. One year
young men went into the ministry, and one kind and friendly. Secondlyhis working in ^e had the task oT hTtnglng~wltlr^lriiir"a''
of thenr"-y=^en3amin Wataraiis now the a barber shop (a suitable trade for one in large box of eggs when he came up from
congregation's minister. his circumstances, and his onlylivelihood) Tokyo one day later than the rest. He man-
He supplements the small pay he re- was a hindrance tothe close fellowship with aged to tote the large and fragile box safely
ceives from the congregation by working other 'Christians for which he longed so on the crowded train and then the long,
as a draftsman. Also the church has some much. All barber-shops in Japan have their bumpy bus ride. But through some mis-
income from a small parking lot which busiest day on Sunday when most office understanding there wtais no one to meet
occupies part of the church land. It is workers and students have the day off, and him at the village, and he had to carry
always full belcause the neighborhood is ithen they are closed on Moniday. So he was that box of eggs 2 miles around the
very crowded. The leading member of the unable to attend regular church services, lake to the camp. From this episode he
churchy is Mr. Ogawa, who is a branch man- However missionaries all seemed to be at received the nickname "Mr. Mother-hen"
which is quite distasteful to him as can
For several years the Kamiuma church be imagined, but always provides a round
had an English Bible Class conducted by of giggles to the young folks who were at
Andrew Fatten on Mcuiday evenings, and camp ;that year.
'he was a regular member there. Finally " '
on July 2, 1956 he was immersed in that
church.
....... His Christian life has had its ups and girl who is also able to work as barber and
held the last three days of March at the downs. At one time he was very zealous beauty operator. The two of them will
Kamioich^i Church. Guest speakers were -and spent most of his free time at the operate an independent shop and close up
brought in and it was a good meeting. There ichurch. His mother (an ardent Buddhist) on Sunday and go to church,
were two decisions to be baptized by two and his brother-in-law, who is head of the
TOKYO CHRISTIAI^
MR. KOBAYASHI and wife in front-center of a group scene of those attending
young ladies who had indicated a short ithe last night of the evangelistic meeting
lime before their desire to become a Chris- she decided not to wait but be baptised on
tian. One of these is a young woman who Easter Sunday,
is now teaching in a high school. She has
come off and on for two years.
Thank God for these two for yeilding
their lives to Jesus. Pray for them in tiie
The other young lady is a second year strugglec of this new life, that it will be
high student who last year at camp almost the means of converting a brother and sister
made her decision to become a Christian, who also have been attending the services
But since then she has made known her for some time. The average attendance at
desire to be baptised, but planned to wait these meetingswas about twenty-five, which
until summer camp this year to be baptized in these days is quite good^ _
in the beautiful Lake Motosu. However, ,
Stanley Buttray
house, told him ithat if he was so interested
. . in the church and gave so much effort to
It was only after much questioning should take care of him. After one
Horiuchi-san has been an enthusiastic
his circumstances, and his onlylivelihood) Tokyo one day later than the rest. He man-
ager of the Mitsubishi Bank and a promin- borne on Mondays,
ent business-man. i
Evangelistic Meeting
At Kamioehiai
A ithree diay evangelistic meeting was
Hobby: Photography
Favorite verse; Ephesdans 4:29-32
Goal in life: Marry a nice Christian
^by Harold Sims
Tokyo
yv""
Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Volume 62
Patton Furlough
On September 14, 1963. Betty and, I
observed the tenth anniversary of our
arrival in Japan. No cake was baked, no
meeting was held to commemorate the
occasion, but you-can be sure that both
of us paused to think over the experiences
and happenings of the past ten years. If
some prophet with infallible foresight had
revealed_lo.-us .at tlie time of our arrival
what would take place during the following
ten years, we wonder if we would not have
been fairly easily persuaded to return to
the home base.
But when we think back over how
the Lord has blessed, and led, and protect
ed, and preserved us during that time our
hearts are filled with grateful praise, to
Him whose grace and kind providence
have upheld us.
We have nothing to boast of concern
ing our work during this ten-year period,
for nothing spectacular or extraordinarily
successful has characterized our ministry
among the Japanese. But we flatter our
selves in thinking that some very definite
progress has been and is being made to
ward the establishment of the Lord's right
eousness in this pagan and materialistic
city called Tokyo.
During the time of our ministry here
our own efforts have resulted in the
planting of two churches, we have assisted
in training several young people for the
ministry, a number of souls have been
saved, and we hope that we have been
able to help a number of Christians along
the way to build themselves up in their
most holy faith.
But we believe that the greatest bene
fit which has been derived from our work
here has been received by ourselves. The
trials, opposition, heartaches, anxieties, and
other hard knocks have taught us, we
trust, to be more humble, patient, and
trustful before the Lord. Separation from
our Loved ones has not been easy, but
through this the Lord has taught us again
that the doing of His will must be our chief
desire. We thank our heavenly Father for
these and the countless other blessings we
have received.
Turning to the near future, 1964 is
furlough time for the Pattons. Since travel
by ship is cheaper and it affords us an
opportunity for a rest, we will travel by
ship. Passage must be booked about a year
in advance. So we have booked passage
on the S. S. Pres. Wilson, sailing from
Yokohama on May 19, 1964. Naturally, that
requires money. We estimate that at least
Eimberlin Heights, Tennessee
The Andrew Fatten family, Andrew, Philip,
Noel, Betty, Stephen and Sharon.
S1500 (above the $345 deposit which we
have made for reservations) will be neces
sary for us to make the trip from here
to Ohio. We do not have this money and
must look to the Lord and to you brethren
for these funds. Your help would be ap
preciated. All offerings should be sent to
our forwarding agent: Mr. and Mrs. Ray
Armstrong, R. R. No. 3, Box 310, Piqua,
Ohio.
Andrew Fatten
Sick List
Recently not many days have passed
without some one of the Pattons being sick,
or hospitalized. Just before summer camp,
the children were on the sick list, but we
thought it nothing serious. Philip was espec
ially sick. We took him to the doctor, got
some good medicine, and thought he was
practcally iwe!l except for a lingering
cough before the time of camp arrived.
This year our whole family went to camp,
and for a day or so the children seemed
to be alright. Philip's cough, however,
lingered, he lost his appetite, and lost what
food he did eat.
We finally took him to the Red Cross
hospital located several miles from the
camp. The doctor there diagnosed his case
as bronchial pneumonia and he was hos
pitalized. They immediately gave him shots
and oxygen and gave him some nourish-
Continued on Page 2
Summer 1963, No. 2
3 Camps This Year
During the three Christian Camps this
past summer of the Churches of Christ in
the Tokyo area there were a total of fifteen
baptisms. Ten of these were at the Karui-
zawa Camp and five at the Motosu Camp.
I took part in the three different camps
and with the other missionaries and native
-pastors rejoioedto-see these" young men
and women make their decisions for Christ.
Most of these had received a fair amount
of teaching before making their decision,
which is customary. But one of the four
young men who went with me from the
the Kamiochiai Church with little or no
knowledge of the Bible, God and Jesus
Christ, came to me on his second day of
camp and said he wanted to be baptized.
This, of course, was quite unusual, and is
frowned upon by many. But after receiving
further teaching he said that he was certain
he wanted to be baptized. So, Ishi san, a
second year high school student was bapt
ized on August 16th and has been faithful
in his attendance at church since that day.
God's word says, "Faith cometh by
hearing, hearing by the word of God". How
ever, quite often proceeding hearing and
the resulting faith, there has been either
prayer or testimony. The story behind the
story of Ishi San's conversion is the testi
mony of the beautiful Christian life of one
of his own classmates by the name of Oishi
San. It was just a year ago that I first met
Oishi San a week after he became a Chris
tian at the same Christian Camp. Durin?
the first year of his Christian life I have
watched him grow in faith, in truth, in
pi""y"cr Uiiu iiovv "iie" biougric one ciasamatc
after another to church, and also his father.
If this was the story of every Christian, the
church would double in one year.
Since according to statistics the fatality
rate of Christians here in Japan is about
90%. please make it a point to remember
these young converts in your prayers.
Stanley Buttray
One of the campers hidden among the
rocks having his personal devotions at 6:30
in the morning.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Published quarterly by the Missionaries
of the iChurch of Christ 'Cunningham Mis
sion. Tokyo, Japan, for the information
and inspiration of every Christian whose
heant is open to the call of Christ, and who
is willing to help in the supreme task of
carrying out the Great Commission of
Christ: Matthew 28:19, 20.
Entered as second class matter in the
Knoxville, Tenn., Post office under the act
of March 3, 1879.
Two-Year Subscription - 50 cents
Subscription and "Flaming Torch" .... $1.00
MISSION STAFF
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 575
2-Chome, Kamioichiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo,
Japan. Forwarding agent: Mrs. Homer And
erson, R. D. 1, Meadville, Pa.
Mr. and (Mrs. Andrew Patton, 27 Sakura-
yama, Nakano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forward
ing agent: Mr. or Mrs. Ray Armstrong, Rt.
3, Box 310, Piqua, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 1-52 Arai
Machi, Nagano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forward
ing agent: First Church of Christ, Orange
.at Center St., Eustis, Fla.
Packages for Japan should be sent direct
by parcel post to one of the missionaries
whose addresses are shown above. Consult
your local post office concerning mailing
rules and limitations of size and weights.
If you change your address please notify
H. L. Hamilton, Klmberlln Heights, Ten
nessee, giving both your old and your new
address. If you make an offering of $1.00
or more you are entitled to receive this
paper if you so request. Churches or groups
making an offering of $10.00 or more niay
request a bundle of 10 copies for distribu
tion.
SICK LIST Continued from Page 1
ment through long needles inserted in the
muscles of his legs. After four days of this
he was ready to return to camp. After
about a clays rest he began to have a
wonderful time again with the other chil
dren on the camp grounds.
After two weeks of camp were over,
we returned home and began making prep
arations for the children to enter school-
Since both Sharon Lee and Philip did not
seem to be in too good health we took
them to the doctor for a check-up. The
doctor reported that both of them had bad
ly infected tonsils and that they should
be removed as soon as possible. When they
had been in school only a week, arrange
ments were made for them to have them
removed at the beginning of the next week.
When the day arrived, Philip had developed
another cough and we could see that he was
in danger of having pneumonia again.
He spent a week that time in the hospital
and an X-ray taken at the time revealed
that he had pneumonia again.
David Buttray had his tonsils removed
at the same time Sharon Lee did and he
got along just fine. But as things seem
to consistently happen to Sharon, she had
complications. She began to bleed exces
sively after the operation. She was taken
back to the operation room and the neces
sary repairs on her throat were made and
she received a blood transfusion. We are
l:f.ppy to say that she is better now and
i.s going to school again, though she looks
very pale yet.
Philip, however, has not yet return
ed to kindergarten, though he should be
able to do so shortly. His tonsillectomy
will perhaps have to wait until around
Christmas.
Andrew Patton
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION
Date of filing October 1, 1963.
Tokyo Christian is published 4 times a
year at Kimberlin Heights Rural Station,
Knoxville, Tennessee in Knox County. Of
fice of publication and general business
office of publisher is at Kimberlin Heights,
Tenn.
Editor and publisher is Harry L.
Hamilton, Sevierville, Tennessee.
Owners are: Harold Sims, 1-52 Arai
Machi, Nagano Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Stanley
Buttray, 575 2-chome, Kamiochiai, Shin-
jiiku, Tokyo, Japan. Andrew Patton,, 27
Sakurayama, Nakano Ku, Tokyo, Japan.
No Known bondholders, etc.
Facts About Motosu Camp
for 1963
Owners: Church of Christ (non-instru
ment) Location: In the foot-hills west of
Mt. Fuji, 3000 ft. altitude. 100 miles from
Tokyo.
Cost: $75. per week for rent of the
grounds. 55c registration and about 81c per
day for each camper. Each one brings his
own rice and blankets.
Dates: August 6-10, Middle School
students. August 10-12, Families and work
ing people. August 12-17, High School and
University students.
Number of churches represented:
Total faculty (including families) 21.
Seven: Total number of campers: 103.
Number baptized at camp 5.
Hi * *
Bobby Sims and Kyoko Nemoto were
baptized at Nakano church on Sept. 1. The
Nemoto girl is the fiancee of Tamotsu
Horiuchi, the barber who was mentioned
in the Tokyo Christian several issues back.
Tronslation
The translation work is continuing on
the book "The Church in the Bible". Please
pray that another person may be found
to correct it as well as the finances neces
sary for printing.
Stanley Buttray
Page 2
.mm
iii&'
One of the Tokyo Christians
You Should Know
This is Manabe-san. She can always be
counted on to attend our Nakano church
for at least one service every Sunday and
the Thursday evening prayer meeting,
unles.s there are extremely extenuating
circumstances. She always comes carrying
her little grey bag containing her well-worn
Bible and her hymn book and her little
notebook, and always seems to be in a
hurry.
She has some mannerisms that you
might find interesting or amusing, as the
folks here do. When any problem large
or small is mentioned she immediately
rubs her hands together and gives a quick
bow with her head and says "I will accept
the honor of praying for that" whether
it is to serve on a committee, or how much
pepper to put in the curry. She bows easily
and quickly when she greets everybody,
and a perpetual smile enlivens her face.
The most notable thing about her is
that she takes notes on every sermon or
Bible lesson she hears, and she told me not
long ago that she has used 191 of the little
notebooks (all the same size) since she
started attending church about 10 years
ago. She has several favorite, well-worn
expressions which are really heartfelt and
characteristic; such as,^ "heart full of
thanksgiving and deep emotion," "grace"
of God unable to be measured or known"
"being led and guarded."
Like many others, she writes Japanese
17 syllable poems. She also corresponds
with a number of prisoners, especially
those in death row, sending them tracts
and other Christian literature and per
sonal encouragement. And the Christian
Literature Crusade book store counts her
as one of their best customers, because her
bag always contains a good supply of
picture cards with Bible texts which she
encloses in letters or gives to various
friends, or strangers. She also belongs to
some group pledged to pray daily for
world peace, which she does zealously.
All of the above Christian witnessing,
as well as numerous visits to sick and shut-
in brethren, is done in addition to her
regular work of maintaining a household
and working as a life insurance salesman
and premium collector for the company
in which her husband is employed as a
medical examiner.
Several years ago we were planning
cottage prayer meetings in the homes of
various Christians, and I hinted that we
would like to be invited to Mrs. Manabe's
home. The only reply every time I brought
up the subject was that she would pray
about it. Then I began to understand some
thing of the conditions in her home, and
to appreciate deeply her devotion to Christ
and the church.
Here is a very brief picture of the
conditions in the home: There are 3 grown
daughters. The eldest is now 32 and seems
to be seriously unbalanced emotionally.
This has affected the atmosphere in the
household to a large degree, as we can
imagine. In fact Mrs. Manabe first came
to church to enroll her youngest daugh
ter in Sunday School and attend worship
herself on the advice of her doctor-hus
band, who thought "religion" might be the
answer to some of the problems in the
family and personality deficiencies.
But since that first time she seems to
have received no encouragement from any
one in the family to continue in her faith.
In fact she is the only one in this congre
gation that I know of who has suffered
outright physical persecution for the name
of Christ. Her daughters will not help with
the housework in order to enable her
to go to church, so she has to prepare
the meals and do all the dishes alone
every time. And that is why she usually
comes to church a little late.
Also, the oldest daughter has burned
her note-books and hit her with various
objects at times. Sometimes she has to
come to church with her apron on and her
shopping basket on her armunder cover
of going out to buy some groceries.
Because of the natural Japanese fam
ily pride Mrs. Manabe tries to hide these
conditions from us as much as possible,
_and she continues to cover-up for the fam
ily and put on a good and brave face be
fore the world.
This background will help you to
understand why her favorite text is "Be
lieve on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou
shalt be saved, AND THY HOUSE."
Mrs. Manabe's family name means literal
ly "true or real frying-pan", and in some
ways it may be fitting for the life to which
she has been called. She often says she could
not have endured life as she has experi
enced it in this world except for the faith
in God which she has received through the
gospel of His Son.
Harold Sims
Sept. 1, 1963 Marked 40 years since
the great earthquake which completely
destroyed all of Yokohama and most of
Tokyo.
TOKYO CHRlSTIAli
A number of campers and faculty members who enjoyed mountain climbing on one
of the afternoons.
Mr. Itagaki, minister of the Nakano Churchbaptisingthe five teenagers in Lake Motosu.
These five represent nearly the same number of churches in the Tokyo area.
A Day At Camp
The sun rises right on time, casting
strong golden light across the still, blue
waters of Lake Jlotosu and against the
tree-covered mountain on the western shore
and the 14 cabins of Christian Camp. An
alarm clock rings in one cabin at 5:20 a.m.
so Mr. Sims rises and opens the door to
let the welcome light flood in "and show
where he dropped his socks in the dark
ness of the night. He dresses hurriedly,
steps out in the fresh dewy air, and walks
up the hill to the dining hall. We have
named this main building, where we "go
up" to feast, Jerusalem. Each of the other
cabins is given some Bible-connected name
one means for getting the Scriptures into
the heads of the campers.
In the kitchen, Mrs. Yoshimura is al
ready busy tending the fire under the large
black "okama" (rice cooking pot), which
is large enough for boiling missionaries in,
but is used these days for preparing de
licious white rice for upwards of 80 people.
The wooden paddle for stirring resembles
a boat oar, and a large wooden lid covers
the steaming interior.
He now starts down the hill ringing
the rising bell. He goes by Ephesus, Corinth
etc. (girl's cabins have N. T. names) and
on by the teacher's cabins (Rome, Alexand
ria etc.) way down to Jericho and Beersheba
(boy's cabins have 0. T. names) near the
lake-shore road.
One by one the doors pop open, and since
most cabins face the East to meet the
mornin' sun they are immediately filled
with light and activity. People with basins
and toothbrushes begin heading for th^
some go to Sodom or Gomorrah. (Ah, you
guessed it!)
At 6 A.M. private devotions begin. Each
camper is expected to go somewhere by
himself and read, pray and meditate with
God's word open before him. It is_ a
blessing to see the young people taking
advantage of this week away from the
rush of city life to turn their thoughts
to God and the deeper things of life. The
scene of bowed heads here and there among
the rocks and trees in the morning calm
ness is a definition of peace.
Ten minutes before breakfast there
are physical exercises in the little clearing
near Jerusalem, and the bell rings at
seven sharp. Meanwhile, one of the 4 teams
has gathered V2 hour earlier to help tidy
up the dining room, set the table, dish up
Continued Next Page
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
A DAY AT CAMP (Continued)
the rice etc. Just after the end of the meal
this same team hustles up to the spring-
fed water tank to wash the dishes and
return them to the shelves.
At 8 o'clock the classes begin. There
is a chapel service in mid-morning at
which all of the campers gather. This year
a series of sermons by John Muto on the
life of Jacob proved very interesting, prac
tical and profitable to everyone. Also dur
ing the class periods every day Mrs. Sim?,
Patton and Hammond conducted a Bible
class for the smaller children, including
their own. And they were to be seen from
time to time down by the lake doing their
washing.
Before lunch there is a swimming
period. The wind usually comes up in the
afternoon, making the combination of cold
water and waves that takes much of the
joy out of swimming.
Lunch is served at noon, and of course
another team has the KP duty at each
meal in turn.
From 1:30 4:00 there are heartily
played games of soft-ball and volley-ball
between the teams. It is a tradition that
one afternoon we climb the mountain be
hind the camp group. In addition, this year
for the first time, we scheduled a hike
around the lakea distance of 12 kilo
meters. When we were about Va of the
way it began to rain, and before we were
able to get home there was a full-fledged
storm blowing and everyone was soaked to
the skin. At 4:00 PM (unless it is raining)
everybody is ready for a short combination
swim and bath in the chilly water.
Before supper (5:30) the campers are
always rushing around preparing for their
team's part in the evening recreation pro
gram. Despite the lack of equipment and
practice we always have surprisingly fine
Bible Dramas. The ideas used are often
very original, and both players and audience
have the story indelibly fixed in their
minds long after all is done. This year one
boy went to a nearby cornfield and got a
supply of very dark brown corn silk which
made a very realistic beard when stuck on
with scotch tape. (See picture of cast of
Raising of Lazarus)
At 6:30 the gasoline generator starts
up, lighting ten SOW bulbs in "Jerusalem"
and signaling the start of the evening
program. First there is one hour of con
structive fun and entertainment. One high
light of the camp this year was this hour on
Sunday evening, when we sang and/or
hummed everybody's favorite hymn, Fol
lowing this there is a vesper hour, with
singing of choruses and the evangelistic
message.
A final song and prayer ends the
program for the day at 9 PM, The genera
tor is turned off, and the whole camp
becomes subdued in the darkness of the
forest. Quick preparations for bed are
made by flashlight and candle and an
other day is done. Harold Sims
Page 4
:i^v'^
Stanley Buttray and the four high school students that went with him him to camp
from the Kamiochiai Church. On Mr. Buttrays left is Mr. Oishi, his son, and then,
Ishi san the one who was baptized.
The cast for Bible drama, "The Raising of Lazarus" at camp.
Camp Echo Meeting
Our summer camp was a great success
again this year. A wonderful camp spirit
and a sense of close fellowship was deve
loped by those who attended the camp.
In order to further cultivate this spirit,
a camp "echo" meeting was held on Sept
ember 24 at the Sakurayama Church. Sand
wiches, cookies and punch were shared by
those who attended. Counting the mission
ary children, around 100 persons attend
ed the gathei'ing. Short camp "remember-
ancc speeches" were made by some of the
campers. An 8 mm. movie and colored
slides of the camp were shown in order
to help us relive the pleasant experiences
of camp life. Many brought their personal
snapshots taken at camp and shared them
with the group. Brother Stephen lijima, one
of the camp teachers, delivered a gospel
message to the group. Friendships made
at camp were renewed and the whole group
had a wonderful time. We believe that this
meeting was a good beginning on the pre
parations for the camp in August of next
year. Our plans call for the holding of
another camp at the same place at that
time. Andrew Patton
These are four of the five campers that
were baptized at the end of the second
week of camp.
Christian
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature*' Mark 16:15
Volume 62
Patton Furlough
Betty and I and our four children hre
scheduled to leave Yokohama on the S. S.
President Wilson on May 19, 1964 for a
year's furlough in the United States. We
expect to spend a year at home in report-
ing fn mir einppnrtprc! and contacting the
American brethren in behalf of our work
and missions in general.
Already housing for us while on fur
lough has been taken care of. The mother
of Brother Walter Maxwell, elder of Betty's
home church, has offered us the use of
her completely furnished home gratis dur
ing our stay in the States. This relieves us
from -anxiety in reference to one of the
most difficult problems which missionaries
face on furlougha place to live. Mrs.
Maxwell says that she has been unable to
help us in the past and this is one way in
which she can help us in the Lord's seiwice.
Now two other major problems must
be grappled with before we leave for fur
lough. One is the provision for leadership
for the Sakurayana Church while we are
absent from the work. Various possibilities
of solution for this problem are being in
vestigated but no final conclusion has been
reacted. We believe that this need for a
leader can be met before the time for our
departure arrives.
Raising sufficient travel funds is the
second major task before us. In response
to a former appeal friend.'; have contribute
ed some to this fund but most of the
remaining five months before furlough
$1500 needed is to be raised during the
time. If our brethren will pray about this
and give what they think the Lord would
have them give, we believe the furlough
funds will be on hand in plenty of time
to pay fares home.
We lare anticipating with much plea-
ure our return to American shores next
year. Little Stephen will be seeing his
native country and his grandparents for
the first time. The other three children's
memory of their beloved America and
friends back home is a bit vague. After a
five-year interval, even our memory of old
friends' names is somewhat short. We look
forward to a renewal of acquaintance and
fellowship with our friends in the home
land. We pray the Lord's blessings on you
all.
Andrew Patton
Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee
<|1
Ifi
Oishi San, David Buttray, and the preachers
son, Kei Chan pose with some of the post
ers that were used for advertising one of
the evangelistic meetings at the Kamiochiai
Church.
Evongelist-ic Meef-ings
The month of October and November
is especially a good time for evangelism.
Adults have not yet begun preparing for
the New Year, students are not not having
exams, and the farmers have just finished
with harvest. In spite of such ideal condi
tions and preparations there was no harvest
of souls.
Here at Kamioohiai we had two meet
ings. A three day meeting in late October
and another three days near the end of Nov
ember. The attendance wasn't anything
spectacular, averaging 23 in the first and
37 in the second. There were about
15 persons that showed interest beyond
mere curiosity, but lacked the initial
amount of faith to go 'all the way.
In November I helped in a four night
meeting in Negata Prefecture. Each night
was in a different village. This was the
fourth time to visit these villages, and in
some places we were invited back to the
same home for the second time. In the one
village that had been the most promising
before, we now found to be almost dosed.
This was caused by one man running off
Continued Next Page
Summer 1963, No. 2
Church of Christ
Teen-Agers Have Party
One day while standing in the lunch
line at Christian Academy la friend of mine
from the non-instrument Church of Christ
suggested that we ought to have some sort
of a "get-together" because of all the
Church of Christ teen-agers in the Tokyo
area. When I got home that night I nien-
tiooed this suggestion to my parents, and
they thought it was a good idea. That night
I counted up the teen-agers of both church
groups who are in Tokyo this year, and
there were 17 of us11 attending the
Christian Academy in Japlan and the others
The American School or Air Force De*
pendent schools.
We finally decided on a spaghetti sup
per on Oct. 11, so invitations were sent
out and we looked forwUrd with great
anticipation to that Friday night. The day
finally came, and 9 of the 11 from CAJ
came home after school with Sylvia, the
hoys, land me. (The other 2 came later)
As we came into the house we smell-
ed the spaghetti and garlic bread that was
almost done. Everybody got introduced to
my parents, and then each person was
given a piece of paper of a different color
on which we wrote our names with plain
spaghetti (without any sauce). There were
4 Steves.
We talked for a little while and then
sat down at places marked with 'the Same
color as our spaghetti name cards and
started the big spaghetti supper. After we
had gorged ourselves mother announced
that we would have dessert of ice cream
and pierWell we had if"later, after the
games. We played various games chosen
by Daddy and then ate dessert. It was
about 9 o'clock when we closed up the
party. Daddy drove some of the kids to
the station and others walked home. One
girl spent the night with me.
It was a good opportunity to get to
know the other teen-agers. I hope we can
have more parties. by Hope Sims
Philip Patton learned that Thanksgiv
ing is 13 time to give as well as receive. He
had his tonsils removed a few days before
Thanksgiving. He has made a speedy re
covery and his throat has healed remark
ably fast according to his doctor. He seems
to have made such frequent calls and found
so many friends at the hospital that he
doesn't mind staying there alone for any
length of time! We are hoping, that he
can stay at home for a while now.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Published quarterly by the Missionaries
of the Church of Christ Cunningham Mis
sion. Tokyo, Japan, for the information
and inspiration of every Christian whose
heart is open to the call of Christ, and who
is willing to help in the supreme task of
candying out the Great Commission of
Christ: Matthew 28:19, 20.
Entered as second class matter in the
Knoxville, Tenn., Post office under the act
of March 3, 1879.
Two-Year Subscription - 50 cents
Subscription and "Flaming Torch" $1.00
MISSION STAFF
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 575
2-Chome, Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo,
Japan. Forwarding agent: Mrs. Homer And
erson, R. D. 1, Meadville, Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 27 Sakura-
yama, Nakano-iKu, Tokyo, Japan Forward
ing agent: Mr. or Mrs. Ray Armstrong, Rt.
3, Box 310, Piqua, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims 1-52 Arai
Machi, Nagano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forward
ing agent: First Church of Christ, Orange
at Center St., Eustis, Fla.
Packages for Japan should be sent direct
by parcel post to one of the missionaries
whose addresses are shown above. Consult
your local post office concerning mailing
rules and limitations of size and weights.
If you change your address please notify
H. L. Hamilton, Kimberlin Heights, Ten
nessee, giving both your old and your new
address. If you make an offering of $1.00
or more you are entitled to receive this
paper if you so request. Churches or groups
making an offering of $10.00 or more may
request a bundle of 10 copies for distribu
tion.
EVANGELISTIC MEETINGS (Continued)
with some of the village's money and also
leaving his wife and family. Since the
eldest_ daughter, a Jr, high school girl was
a Christian (baptized la year ago), the vil
lage began to blame and persecute the
mother and daughter until they finally
,were forced to move into the next town
Then because the mother had this sudden
heavy responsibility, the villagers thought
she had gone away to commit suicide and
m this way cause them more trouble. This
is 'an example of the many problems hind
ering the progress of the Church here in
(.'"apan.
However, sometimes through problems
or .persecutions God brings about unusual
and unexpected results. Such was the case
of Mrs. Kagiwada a widow with two chil
dren. It was just four months ago under
dire circumstances that we moved her
and the children to Sakae, a little town
about forty miles north of Tokyo where
there was no Church and in some respects
no Witnesses. The old house she moved into
is right across the street from that what
we would call a Jr. high school. This made
it possible to earn almost enough money
by teaching English to make a living. At
the same time she used this opportunity to
teach them about God, Jesus Christ, and
to advertise regular meetings to be held
on Sundays. For the initial service her
small Japanese house was packed. But
since then it has decreased until there
are about ten to fifteen that come.
It was only natural that she didn't
want to leave Tokyo, nor move to a place
where she wasn't acquainted. But God,
knowing there were lives ready to re
ceive the Gospel, made it possible through
lan unusual chain of events for Mrs.
Kagiwada to go there. The result has been
that one university student and three Jr.
high school students in the short time of
only three months have been baptized
into Christ. Such results after three months
of evangelism in the States is to be expect
ed. But here in Japan it is very unusual.
And even if we train our faith to expect
big things, even so, the unusual seldom, if
ever happens. Therefore, let us praise and
thank God for this unusual event and for
these four young persons who have come
to worship the Christ.
Stanley Buttray
t
Miss Velma Held, a fifth grade teacher
with the Air Force here, also has been
the teacher of the Tokyo missionaries'
c'hildren for a number of years.
A Thanksgiving youth rally was held
in the Community Hall near Hammond's
house in Kumegawa on Sunday afternoon
Nov. 24. About 60 people attended from
5 churches. Chaplain Richards from near
by Tachikawa Air Blase was the special
speaker for the occasion.
4:
Tamotsu Horiudhi and Kyoko Nemoto
were married on Nov. 23, and opened their
new barber shop the following week.
Page 2
Thanksgiving Dinner
The Pattons were hosts for the annual
missionary Thanksgiving dinner at the
Sakunayama Church. The expense for a
big 20 lb. turkey was shared by the group.
Besides, there was Stateside ham and all
of the traditional trimmings and side dishes.
Nothing was lacking to make our pot luck
dinner as sumptuous and enjoyable as
though we were enjoying the same kind
of repast with our feet tucked under grand
father's table in the good old U.S.A. Per
haps as much was carried back to our
homes in baskets that day as was eaten.
The occasion was made even more
enjoyable because several of our Armed
Services friends could participate in the
feast and fun with us. There was Com
mander Andrews, Seaman Rayal with his
wife and baby, Seaman Varvel and his
wife, and schoolteacher Velma Wier. Lois
Sims and A1 and Eleanor Hammond were
unable to join the festivities because of
sickness among their children. The
Fleenors were visiting other missionaries
in Nagoya. Most of the rest of the mission
ary group in Tokyo were present at the
gathering. We are seldom able to get our
whole group together for such a joyous
time of fellowship as this so all enjoyed
it to the fullest.
After the meal Harold Sims bad a very
appropriate devotional service. God whose
gracious hand had provided these and
countless other bounties was praised and
thanked in song, in prayer, in Scripture,
while numerous prayerful and grateful ex
pressions of praise ascended to Him who
gives all good things. And rest assured too
that our fellow Americans and our beloved
country were especially remembered too,
in the light of the brutal murder of the
President a few days before. This is the
spirit of Thanksgivingto lift humble
hearts, even in the midst of sorrow, in
praise and adoration to Him for his bount
eous mercy on not only us but the whole
human race.
Andrew Patton
News of the assasination of the late
President Kennedy reached Japan early in
the morning Nov. 23, the same day that
transmission of live television programs
across the Pacific by Relay Satellite began.
It was a great shock to the whole nation
of Japan. I am sure the hundreds of people
of all ages in all walks of life who expressed
their condolences to us as representatives
of the American people would be grateful
if we took this opportunity of expressing
to a little wider audience their profound
sense of loss and their sympathy for the
American people. It was a politically re
assuring experience to us to have this
chance to see where the deep emotional
currents of the Japanese people are flow
ing.
Page 3
Mikawashima Preacher
Makes Trip To Korea
Mr. Cho, the energetic and much-loved
pastor of the Mikawashima (Korean)
Church of Christ, has a great idea for
evangelizing in his native land. He has
been in Japan for a number of years, and
also has been to McGill University in
Montreal, Canada for some study.
Recently he made a 30 day trip to his
native land to visit relatives and friends
from whom he 'had been long separated
and to observe conditions in the churches
Ifirst hand. I was privileged to hear his
verbal report to the church people after
he returned to Japan. Following is a
translation of a brief article he wrote
concerning_his trip to Korea.

The Present Condition of
Rural Churches in Korea
by Ki Sun Cho
With the end of the second world war
Korea was divided into 2 countries by
the 38th parallel. This was not simply
an unhappy division of the nation but also
a most unfortunate breakdown of the
national economic structure. All of the
mineral resources and power generation
works are in the northern part, /and the
southern part has most of the food produc
tion resources. Therefore the division of
|the country into 2 parts makes both
countries like a man half-paralyzed. In
addition to this the Korean war and the
many political changes made the economic
life of the people even more poor, and
the growth of the national economy be-
icame very slow.
The Korean farms are very poor. The
population of Korea is now 25 million.
Fifty percent of this is farm population,
and 50% of these farms have an average
of only 1.25 acres of ground. The average
farm income for /a year is only Y 80,900
($622.) per family.
The -government has made a 5 yeaiv
economic plan and is trying diligently to
develop the farming industry. But the con
flict with the Communists, and the fact
that there are almost 5 million refugees
from North Korea living in the south, make
the release of the Korean farmers from
poverty very distant and difficult.
In connection with these things the
Korean rural churches are very weak. Al
most 600 preachers are gathered in Seoul,
but in the rural areas one pastor has 5 or
6 small churches. The greatest reason for
this fact is that the Korean farmers are
so poor. 'But it is not impossible to make
the Korean farmers rich. This way is to
make them not depend on tilling their
limited lYi acre of land, but to enable
'them to raise animals and poultry for
protein foods and cash crops.
I have been serving in the church
tfor almost 20 years, and when I confront
these conditions of poverty I alwiays wonder
what is the way to release these people
Mr. Cho in his laboratory
at Nihon University
from their binding poverty. Also I thought
that if I had such power I would be very
happy, along with the poor people who
would be helped.
As for evangelism in Korea, the
Korean pastors must have both technical
knowledge and wisdom about agriculture
to give leadership to the people in both
spiritual and physical things. In other
words the Korean evangelist must not sit
in a high place above the people and speak
to them only in words, but as our Lord did
he must go down with the people, put his
hands in the soil, and while feeding pigs
and chickens he must preach the gospel.
I strongly felt these things, so 3 years
/ago I entered the Master's Course in the
Nihon University Department of Agricul
ture, and am now studying Zootechnical
Science in the doctoral course. My dream
is that I might have a school to train
evangelists for the farming 'areas or a study
center for animal husbandry^ The evange-
lists that are graduated from "The city
seminaries are not enough for the farming
villages. The man who knows both the
gospel and animal husbandry must become
the center of the farming villages to lead
the people.
In other words the greatest weak point
of the Korean churches is that the rural
churches are not advancing. Looking to
ward the future of evangelism in Korea we
must say that it must turn from centralizing
in the cities to pioneering in the farm
villages. This is not only the solution to
the problems of the church but the way
to release the poor farmers of the nation
from their miserable poverty.
Please pray for the churches in Korea.
Mr. Yamaguchi's Funeral
Some years ago the Tokyo Christian
carried the story of the conversion of Takeo
Yamaguohi, a former Brigadier GeneM of
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
the Japanese Imperial Army. After the war
his disillusionment had led him to a life
of drunkenness, dissipation and dissolution.
The death of his wife m/ade him even more
lost; with no peace of heart, no purpose
in life, no faith and hope, no God. On a
morning walk one Sunday he happened by
the Nakano church as they were singing
a hymn. He liked the sound, fand came in.
He continued coming for more than a year.
One day he asked me about a problem
that was bothering him deeply. His wife
was buried in a Buddhist temple cemetery
nearby, land he already had the plot next
to her reserved for himself. But he wonder
ed whether if he became a Christian he
would have to be buried somewhere else.
I told him that as far as Christianity was
concerned it wouldn't make any differ
ence where his body was buried, and that
since his wife's grave was already there
it would be O.K. to keep the previously
made arrangement. I advised him to go
to the Buddhist priests sand tell them if
he became a Christian so there would be
no need of Buddhist ceremonies when he
died. This seemed to reassure him, and
some months later he asked to be baptized.
For several years he was most faith
ful in /attendance at churchnever missing
a Sunday morning service. Then about 3
years ago he had his first stroke and be
came weaker and unable to come when
weather was bad. He insisted on coming
to church whenever he was able, even
until he was so weak various members of
his family were forced to come with him.
I believe the Nakano church was the last
place he visited before his second stroke
made him bedfast more than a year ago.
We visited the home a number of
times, and though the old man could not
speak clearly it was obvious that he knew
us and appreciated very much our visits
and the news of the various church activi
ties.
On my last visit I noticed that he was
growing much weaker and also that a Bud
dhist home-altar or God-box had been
placed in his room. Feeling that his time
'was horrr talked in the"^airbrieffy-with
the daughter in whose home he lived. I
said that I wlas sure he desired a Christian
funeral. She said that she also would like
a Christian funeral, but they had the prob
lem of the place alreiady reserved in a
Buddhist cemetery and also her father
himself had not expressed his wishes.
Some days later we received a tele
phone call that he had piassed away, and
I went directly to the house. There I was
told that the older brother, who has the
final word, had said thlat they must (have
a Buddhist funeral. The reason was that
they were afraid that the priests would say
when they brought the ashes for buriial,
"Where did you have the funeral?" I
insisted that we have a Christian service,
so finally we worked out arrangements for
some of us to go to the home and have a
simple service the next diay before the
Continued Next Page
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
FUNERAL (Continued)
Buddhist priests arrived.
Six of the folks who could be contact
ed quickly came to the church the next
day, and we went to the home together.
The candles, incense-pot, black-framed
picture, his general's uniform and other
trappings were all set up for the Buddhist
ceremony, but we stood there in the room
with the family land included in the sim
ple service an exhortation to them to find
the peace and salvation in Christ as their
father had. All of the members of the
family except the older brother seemed
to appreciate our coming and joined in
singing the hymns. Later they brought an
offering for the church.
This little incident will give an indica
tion of the difficulties for Christianity as
it seeks to take root in this country with
its ancient triiditions of Buddhism.
Harold Sims
Cherry Mountain News
The preacher arrived a little ahead of
time and took a chair, and bowed his head
in prayer. The other helpers offered their
prayers while making final preparations for
the meeting. The meeting had been talked
up and planned for several weeks. It was
then October 17th, the day of the begin
ning of 'a four-day meeting at Sakurayama
(Cherry Mountain) Church. Each worker
was asking, "Will anyone come? Will our
efforts be in vain" At the same time they
prayed, "Lord, gather the people; open
their hard hearts with thy word; and save
their souls."
First one came and we were grateful
for at least we had one to show the light
of life to. Then another and another eame
and sat down until they numbered 19. After
some hymns of praise and a prayer were
offered preacher lijima arose and spoke
the "words of truth and soberness" to the
group.
At the conclusion of the service chairs
formed a circle and personal contact was
made with the newcomers. Most of these
who came for the first night continued to
come until the close of the meeting, the
laverage attendance being around 20 for
the four nights. Several of these are con
tinuing to attend the regular service of
the church.
The regularly scheduled services are
also enjoj'ing an increase in attendance
which now averages above 20. We antici
pate even a larger group during the Christ
mas season. The Sunday School children
will have their program in the afternoon
of December 22nd and the adults will have
theirs on the evening of the same day.
The adults will have a "sukiyaki" supper
and a short devotional together after which
we will sing oarols throughout the neigh
borhood. Some progress is noticeable at
Cherry Mountain.
Andrew Patton
One of the Tokyo Christians
You Should Know
I had planned to introduce one of our
Christian University students in this issue,
but it occured to me that since he is quite
advanced in his study of English it would
be rather interesting to you readers in the
U. S. and challenging to the student to have
him write his own story. Here it is.
I consider it a great ^
privilege and a plea- ^^1^^
sure to be allowed
to write up some , BF
copy for this maga- '
zine. Let me, to be- ;
gin with, introduce ''
Church. We say in
Japan that the first-born is the least clever.
Well, I am the first born in my family. I
have one younger brother and two younger
sisters.
I lam now a Junior of Hosei University
English and American Literature Faculty.
Hosei University is one of the Big Six
Universities in Tokyo. My hobbies are
devouring voraciously all the books I can
lay my hands on listening to classical
music, playing baseball, and speaking Eng
lish with members of the English Speak
ing Society as a kind of mentally fascinat
ing diversion of the mind from study.
Now that there's only about a year
left for my campus life I have got to make
the most of it. There would be a lot of ways
to exploit it to the greatest possible degree;
but for my part I am at present working
tow'ard passing the prescribed teacher's
certificate examination from the state
board of examiners, which is due next year.
After passing through the university course,
I will take a post-graduate training course
in Amerid.3n literature leading to the Mas
ter's degree, while serving as a part-time
instructor at a senior High School.
I would like to write about how I be
came a Christian and how my faith in
Christ has grown. It is clear that my faith
is stronger than a year ago. This October
28 marked the first birthday in my Chris
tian life, although I don't think I am much
of an enthusiastis Christian. Looking back
upon my Christian history, it seems to me
that my first step toward the road of God
the Father began with taking, under Min
ister Sims, English lessons; through which
I could not only make tremendous strides
in English study, but also come to get a
sprinkling of knowledge about Christianity.
Then I started to attend the Bible Class
on every Sunday evening where I could
know more about the Word of God. How
ever, if the truth must be told, I sat in on
it out of a mere passion for English, with
a thought of taking advantiage of the lessons
given in English.
I guess I had never given a thought
Page 4
to having faith in God and being baptized
before I took part in the Christian Camp
thiat came off the following summer, The
Christian Camp truly provided me with a
precious opportunity to seriously tackle
various kinds of religious questions. As a
matter of fact, I was all in a devotional
mood through the camp life. But Xcouldn't
convince myself to repent and be baptized,
thoughI eame near believing in Christianity
when the Camp came to its end and the
holy baptism ceremony took place in due
course. I have no idea what put me in that
awkwiard feeling at that time. In all likeli
hood it was concern that there be no levity
in my decision, and the idea that I should
sleep over it. It was only a' couple of
months after the camp when I decided to
make profession of my faith in Christianity
land to receive Christian baptism with
unutterable and unexpressible joy. Thus, I
changed life and started afreshthe life
with Christ.
What makes me greatly regret every
once in a while is that nay faith in Christ
has not been constantly strong. I think it
is hard to keep on having a good and fresh
Christian faith all through one's life
particularly in his youth. I meet with a lot
of obstacles in my way. Among them the
biggest one is the humdrum routine of
everyday, life. It spoils everythinglet
alone our Christian faith. You ,are a re
gular church-goer, and read the Oracles of
God every day. All right. But what you
have got to be afraid of Is that living in
the busy daily life of a big city you might
lose your sincere interest in Christ and
come to have a dry-as-dust routine faith
that will no doubt peter out before long.
In other words, you might come down with
a spiritual disease.
Surely, to have an ardent interest or
strong keenness for Christianity is one of
the best melans to prevent our faith from
becoming weak. In this sense I myself
make it a rule to study not only the Scrip
tures, but their background; historically,
geographically, geologically etc. I am sure
that through studying by ourselves we
can excite a good deal of interest and at the
the same time come to a lot more under
standing of what is preached at church.
Reading many books and novels which
have bearing upon ChristianityJ. Bun-
yan's "Pilgitim's Progress", H. Sienkie-
wicz's "Quo Vadis", L. Wallace's "Ben Hur"
for instancealso did me a world of good
in strengthening and deepening my faith.
So as a young Christian I still have
my ups and downs in faith, but I would
like to spare no effort to ward off the
spiritual disease which is the problem with
the world, and the cause of hate, racial
prejudice, fights and war, and stand firm
on the ground of Christianity.
Well, it turned out to be a long essay.
I think I had better put an end to it.
To 'all fellow Christians in a distant
land.
In Him,
KATSUNORI KOGURE
SIMS NEWSLETTER
September 19^3
Dear Friends,
On a July afternoon I was taking Lois to the grocery store when
suddenly at the bottom of a hill the station wagon brakes failed. A
nearby service station man "fixed" them^ A week later the same thing
happened as I pulled up in front of Mikawashima church. That time a
nearby nropane-gas-taxi mechanic repaired them for me free of charge.
Then 3 days later I had to go to the high-priced Chevrolet place and
have the whole system overhauled. Perhaps that incident is typical of
this summer that Just wouldn*t stop. Now before school and the regu
lar fall schedule begins we will try to bring you up to date on our
recent activities.
We believe the CAMP AT LAKE MOTOSU this year was the best of the
seven we have participated in so far. We were able to rent the
grounds for longer than the regular one-week period, so we had 3 dif-
ferent sections this time; Aug. 6^10 for Middle School students,
August 10-12 (week-end) for families and employed people, and August
12-17 for High School and University students. The total number of
campers was 103, besides the 3 missionaries and 3 Japanese ministers
who served on the faculty and their families, so there was an average
of over 70 for every meal with a peak of 88. On the final day of camp
k High School young people and 1 working girl were baptized in a beau
tiful lake-side ceremony. Many other young folks had their very first
contact with the Christian life and word during those days, and we
believe the camp will continue to have an influence in coming months.
It bears mention that all but 1 of those baptized at camp last year
were there again this year and evidenced growth and faithfulness in
their Christian lives.
Again we are most thankful to God that because of His watch-care
there was only one serious illness and no injuries during the 2 weeks
of camoing out in the Fuji foothills 20 kilometers from the nearest
doctor and even 5 kilo from the nearest electricity or telephone. The
weather also was Just about ideal except for 2 days of wind and rain
as a strong typhoon passed by southern Japan.
As manager again this year it was my lot to do most of the pur
chasing and other arrangements before camp, so altogether that one
project occupied most of my waking hours for a month. Feeding all of
those oeople with only the most primitive and meager fuel and kitchen
equipment and a thin supply of spring water is a problem, but with
the very able and sacrificial labors of Mrs. Yoshimura (one of the
ladies in Lois' Bible Class) everything worked out 0. K. During the
days of camo we were so busy we never missed the newspaper, telephone
or other preoccupations of the civilized, but at the end of the time
we were about ready to return to the comforts of home. The days of
fresh air, cool breezes, strenuous exercise and contact with the young
people was Just the blessing we needed.
NAKANO CHURCH had a week-end of recreation and Bible study July
27-29 at a small government hostel located on the hilltop site of an
old castle overlooking- a bend of the Tama river in the outskirts of
Tokyo iNrhich 27 attended. The expenses were only $2.00 per person
each night, including supper and breakfast. Some of the group, in
cluding Jennie and Bobby, went on a 9 mile hike that Monday up along
the ridge of a 2000 ft. high range of mountains and dot^m the other
side to a large reservoir lake.
Also during July we tore off the old wooden front of the church
building, which was rotting badly, and replaced it with part stucco
and part stone facing and new front doors--adding a low cement block
fence. It really looks nice now, and the people are real proud of it
and are cooperating to paint the inside wails, wax the floors and give
the whole place a sprucing up.
OTHER TRIPS
One day in May all of the Tokyo missionary men and some of the
Japanese preachers went doi^m to where Bill Walker is building a new
house and helped to literally raise the roof. In Japan, carpenters
continue the ancient customs of prercutting all pieces of the frame
and chiseling them so they fit tightly together and then raising the
whole thing in one big day of work. Serving on such a crew was dif
ferent (not to say heavier) work than any of us were used to, but
along with the back strain we had a lot of fun and new experience.
-2-
On July 10 our family went to the ocean for a day in the surf
along with some of the local church people. It was our first swim In
ocean water for 3 years.
August 3 we drove 50 miles out Into the country for our first
visit to the farm home of our neighbor's wife. The place Is nicely
situated along a beautiful river and we enjoyed seeing how the rural
people live and also eating fresh corn and other things.
Jonnle and Bobby found a cash box In our yard one day, and when
we looked Inside we noticed that It had some coins and papers In It
and the lock had been forced open, so we concluded that It was stolen.
The local policeman came and made a full Investigation. It turned
out to be the box that had been stolen from our neighborhood canned
goods shop a few nights before. The merchant brought us a little
gift and the boys were heroes for a day.
Last week Lois and I had to go dovm to the Immigration Office and
apply for extension of our visa. That means It has now been 3 years
since we began our third term. Does It seem that long to you? (Lois'
and my mother are exempt from answering that question) To us the time
seems to be passing very quickly.
A WORD ABOUT MONEY
Like most missionaries, I guess, our fInaffysey are^perennlally
low. ^It has been my practice not to ple'a' f'^^^ney, ahd ^T'^^^^
"X"deeply appreciate the sacrificial offerings we have received from
so many of you and very regularly over the years. But for some months
now our offerings for general expenses have not been sufficient to
keep up the modest budget we operate on and we are constantly scraping
the bottom of the barrel. If we could have a little more In our funds
In Eustls to fall back on In emergencies and to use when opportunities
come It would be a real asset to our work. Remember the brake story
aboveat the end "high-priced."
Yours In His service.
SIMS TOKYO MISSION
First Church of Christ
Orange and Center
Eustls, Florida
HAROLD QIMO
Missions Services
Box y6b
Joliet, JLLL
OCT 7
Non-Proflt Organization
U. S. Postage
PAID
Eustls, Florida
Permit No. 57