JAPAN NEWS LETTER No. 65.

Bible Truth Mission, 32 Agechi, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. Beloved Brethren and Sisters:- Feb. 1928.

Please note change of. address as above. Our house has not changed, but there has been a re-division and re-numbering in this district.

Owing to so many claims on us here our expected return to America is postponed till the summer, Lord willing.

In Memoriam. Mrs. Kame Kasamatsu died on Jan. 27th at her home at Ikaho in the Haruna Mountains, Gumma Ken. She was a widow of Brother R. M. Kasamatsu through whom the work we have in this land began nearly twenty-five years ago. She had been ailing on and off for two years. Her faith was bright and she left many witnesses in women whom she had led to the Lord through her sewing classes, maintained for many years, six months each year. It was one means of her livelihood. And she also gave the girls the gospel, and many turned to the Lord. These converts are scattered over a wide district in that prefecture. When we make visits to them they gather in relatives and neighbors for cottage meetings.

Mrs. Kasamatsu's father was a hotel keeper in this hot spring resort of Ikaho. Mrs. K. first received the gospel from a Japanese Christian lady of a town in the same Ken, who belonged to one of the early families of Japanese Christians. One of Mrs. K.'s brothers is in fellowship and serves in the gospel; also her sister and one niece are believers. One sister died in the faith some years ago. Her other brother professed to be a Christian once; he is now keeper of the hotel. We pray that the boy Tsuneo left in this world may turn to the Lord while he is young.

Several of us from the Tokyo meeting and other places went to the funeral. Nearly 300 people were present, including many of Mrs. K.'s converts. The weather was fine though cold, and inside and outside the house the people listened to the gospel message spoken by a few of us. Also at the grave side there was good attention. It was a good opportunity for the gospel. Three or four of her favorite hymns from the Japanese Little Flock Hymn Book were sung, including one that she had asked for just before she died. And according to Japanese custom the names of those away who sent condolences were read; also a brief history of the departed one. The long procession winding down the beautiful valley to the cemetery about a mile and a half away, no doubt made an impression on the farmers. She was buried beside her husband, and we pray that the texts on their tombstones will continue the gospel testimony.

New Year Meeting. On Sunday, January 8th, the brethren and sisters of the Tokyo neighborhood came together at the meeting room in Dr. Tsukiyama's house, and after a very happy remembrance of our Lord in the breaking-of-bread, we had Bible study; then supper together and conference over the Lord's things.

Baptisms. Seven patients of the Ryoyojo Hospital have been baptized lately by Brother Fujimoto. He visits this hospital every week, and has happy gospel talks with many of the patients. Some are convalescents, others are not likely to live. One died recently happy in the Lord, The believers there with Brother Fujimoto have started a little meeting for remembering the Lord.

This hospital work was begun by Dr. Tsukiyama several years ago, and as reported in news letters from time to time, many patients have been converted, some of whom are now with the Lord, and others who recovered are now in fellowship with us. It is a large Government Hospital for consumptives in Nakano, a suburb of Tokyo.

Others baptized lately have not been many-three since last mention in news letter. A few inquirers are constantly coming to the meetings, some of them from the open air meetings. One woman, a friend of Mrs. Tsukiyama, who has been house helper for us lately, has been very diligently reading the Bible. She wanted to know at first, if one had to read all the Bible in order to become a Christian. She is one who confessed the Lord in baptism lately.

Additions. A few earnest believers from the Episcopal and other companies of Christians have lately come into fellowship in our Tokyo meeting.

Women's meeting. A small number continue to gather with Mrs. Tsukiyama and Mrs. Craig on Thursday afternoons at our house for prayer, Bible study and singing practice. Beside the few sisters of the meeting, other women sometimes are present and Mrs. Tsukiyama explains the gospel. Two of the young sisters also come on other days for my wife's help with the hymns, and singing practice.

Outline of the whole Bible. This study with the brethren and sisters which I commenced in January last year has been completed with the Lord's help. Having quite a library of good books and pamphlets in English of the Brethren and others I have made use of these. The outline has been very brief, giving headings and references to other passages on the principal subjects only, with brief explanations. The brethren hope to reproduce the notes by means of a multigraph. Some have already been reproduced by Brother Saito on this machine. He is skillful with the style pen in this work. He is brother to Mrs. Tsukiyama, keeps a barber shop, and does this work in his spare time with the help of his wife.

Literature. Reprints of Mr. Samuel Ridout's brief outline of fundamentals, entitled, "What do you believe?" and the Key of Mr. A. E. Booth's Chart of the Ages-the Japanese translations of these are being reprinted. We have yet a supply of the chart in Japanese. The translation was made by Brother Kasamatsu years ago.

Daniel. In going over this prophecy in our outline studies we made a translation of Mr. H. A. Ironside's chart which is inserted in his book on Daniel, and it has been of much help. Brother Nishihara, an electrical draftsman, drafted and made blueprint copies.

Japanese from America. By means of names and addresses sent to us by brethren in America (in harbor work and others) we are in touch from' time to time with Japanese who have returned to their home land. One who was introduced by Brother Gibb of Boston, is an officer on a Japanese steamship. His home happens to be not far away from our location, and when he was off duty for awhile lately he attended the Bible classes at our house. Another young man and his wife were introduced by Brother Aubel of Baltimore. He was in electrical engineering in America and for a while in the same plant in Baltimore as Paul Aubel. He is in charge of a department of a plant near us here now, and he has been to our meetings. His mother who is still in America is a Christian worker in the Methodist Church. They are a nice couple and we hope will be decided for the Lord.

Bible Colportage. The Japan Agency of the American Bible Society had a very profitable gathering for two days at its annual Workers' Conference, to plan the work for the year. Beside the Secretary, Mr. Aurell, a couple of Japanese pastors spoke to the gathering-the colporteurs and staff. I also had the privilege of giving them a few words on the tree of life, the water of life, the tread of life, the word of life, and the Prince of life; all of which they carry to the people in the books they sell. They have started this year on a campaign for selling a portion of Scripture through the villages of the country, with the aim of "every house, one portion." And for this a nice paper covered edition of Luke, in good print with three good pictures, to sell for five sen, has "been prepared.

Open-air Bible Reading. One evening on the street at Gotanda, Brother Fujimoto came early ready to sound out the gospel trumpet. He was expecting Brother Mizuno, but Mizuno was prevented from coming by his work. While waiting Brother Fujimoto sat on a stone with two enquirers who had attended before and were on hand again. He opened the Testament and began reading with them. Soon others gathered round, and Brother F. handed out Testaments opened at the place. So the open air meeting went on as a Bible Reading on elementary gospel. Much good seed by the spoken word and the printed page and by the sale of Testaments, is sown at these open air's which are held by the brethren as weather permits in several places.

Mail stolen. It is reported that six mail bags were stolen from the foreign section of the Tokyo Central Post Office in December, so if any one does not receive reply from us to a communication, please write again.

Remittances. As we have received a couple of drafts in Japanese money, let me say again that it is better to remit in dollars, by check, draft or money order, because more can be received for dollars here, than if dollars are changed into yen in America, as the balance of trade being in favor of America, there is a demand for American exchange.

We are very thankful for remembrance in prayer for the work here. Are there no recruits for Japan? let me again ask.

Affectionately yours in our Lord,

E. B. Craig.

Lerida, Spain. Dear Brethren in Christ:- Feb. 24th, 1928.

I have arranged with the S. S. Co., for passage on the steamer Orazio, sailing from Barcelona on March 2nd, for Panama. After much prayer, the Lord has guided in this matter, although sometimes we cherished the thought of leaving with the whole family for the States. They are content to remain here, until my return. It seems it would be a loss at this time, to leave all and discontinue the meetings begun here, Termens and Torreserona, especially this latter town, where we find many interested souls, some having given a good testimony of faith in the Lord Jesus. Our older boys will continue the meetings, for which we praise the Lord.

After prayer, I came to understand that my time can better be used by landing in Panama, instead of New York, as was my first intention. The dry season in Central America lasts until May so I can spend two months there and see how the work goes on in San Jose and Managua, before sailing for the States. As I will have to take the Pacific Mail Steamer in Corinto, I expect to visit friends in California and thence journey to New York, where I desire to arrive about August, in order to take steamer for Barcelona during September. Will you kindly forward any mail for me during March, to Box 758, San Jose, Costa Rica? I will keep you posted as to address in Nicaragua, when I reach San Jose. I will appreciate a few lines in "Help & Food" so that friends may address letters, in your care until the end of August. A letter mailed to Termens and forwarded to our present address was lost on the way, but we don't know who was the writer. Kindly mention this, so that we may get a duplicate, if possible.

I wish to thank you in advance for your kindness and coveting your prayers for blessing on the Word the Lord may in grace give during this long trip and in different places, for His own glory and the salvation or edifying of precious souls. I beg to remain, with our united Christian love. Sincerely yours by His grace,

B. Montllau.

Inkongo, Congo Beige. Dear Brethren in Christ:- Dec. 19,1927.

Three weeks ago the baptism took place here of thirty-five people who have been waiting some time so that we could test them. The young girls who professed conversion a year ago were not among them, as we want to be as sure as possible as to their reality. The word "Lay hands suddenly on no man" is very necessary here, where it is easy for natives to follow one of their number, even in confessing Christ, and to have very little idea as to what this involves. From the Cimbangu district there were fourteen women and four men. This is cheering as that district has been left very much alone since Mr. Nixon left, and we have not been able to visit it until just lately, when Mr. Moyes spent a week-end there, We hope to be able to visit it more regularly in future, but there is so much to do at Inkongo that it is difficult to leave.

Of the rest, five men and four women are of the Basongi tribe, from the neighboring village of Bekalebwe. The others were from Inkongo and the villages near. A letter from the Basongi district from Alec McTavish says, "Five lads were baptized here yesterday (Dec. 4). All the lads have been with us for two years, and we pray that they may cleave to the Lord with purpose of heart."

We have been going through the Minor Prophets for the early morning addresses here at Inkongo, and the native brethren are much interested. In speaking of the coming Kingdom we always remind them that (1) the Christian has blessings to be enjoyed now, better than any earthly blessing, and (2) that the Lord's coming must be very near and we should serve Him diligently the little time that remains to us. I recently pointed out to a Belgian officer the prophecies of Daniel and others as to the world kingdoms, some of which have been fulfilled, others being still future. He was surprised to find there were such things in the Bible. Yet there are many natives, some of them slaves not long since, who know the Scriptures, read and accept them as the Word of the living God, and rejoice to know that the One they know now as Lord and Saviour will soon reign in righteousness, and be universally owned. How true it is that God has hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them to babes. H. Wilson.

Nyangkundi, Irumu, Congo Beige. Dear Brother in Christ:- Jan. 27th, 1928.

Will you please convey my thanks to the saints who have so kindly remembered us at the Thanksgiving Day meeting at Elizabeth, N. J.?

May the Lord richly reward all who have so generously given of their means for the work of the gospel.

I am still holding the morning session of our native school on my verandah, with the afternoon class of boys held in my kitchen. A garage and tool-house is now being built, which we hope to use temporarily as a school-house and meeting hall, the Lord permitting.

A good number are at the daily gospel service held at the close of the morning session, the largest number usually being there on Friday, Doctor's day for giving salvarsan. To-day there were 142 at this meeting. We pray that souls from among these tribes may come to realize their need of a Saviour and may accept God's offer of mercy to the glory of His Name and the salvation of their immortal souls.

Miss Wilson now has another baby under her care, a little girl about seven weeks of age. The mother died when the baby was four days old. She is so tiny, but seems well. The other children are doing well. David S. and John W. are both growing very rapidly. David is trying to walk and will soon be a year old. The girls are doing well at school, Mrs. Searle teaching them.

It is very, very warm here the last week or so. The sun beats down mercilessly, and the air is thick with haze. At times the wind blows violently. At night, the numerous grass fires look very pretty against the horizon, and among the hills. But these seem to add warmth to the wind as well. We shall welcome the rains when these again come on.

Mikairi continues his out school work, now using a bicycle we were able to get for him. Now and again there is a little friction with the R. C. native teachers at the out-schools, but our God graciously overrules in these matters and answers prayer in this. What a wonderful God is ours, One who cares for His own so tenderly, and who provides in our every need.

Thanking you for your interest, love and fellowship in the work, I am, Your sister by grace,

C. DeJonge.

Alajuela, Costa Rica. Dear Brother:- Feb. 2, 1928.

The dry season is now here and we are seeking to reach out to the towns beyond, or more in the interior and not on the Railroad. We visited San Pedro Poas, a place of 4000 last week, distributing tracts and dealing with souls. The week before I was down near to Limon were my wife took fever and died.

In the early part of January three of us were a few days in Grecia and one day in El Meson where there are a few believers. Here there is good interest in our Sunday night meetings. We will appreciate your prayers.

Aff'tly in Him, D. Lamorue.