We desire to counsel with our brethren as to several matters of importance regarding the work in this department. The first of these is as to correspondence with those who are specially interested in work in the foreign field. Often letters of interest have been sent from abroad which would find a welcome place in these pages. We would be glad to have these, from which extracts could be made, and the letters returned when so desired. Similarly, items of interest, information as to the field, etc., would be cordially welcomed. Then some may have questions as to the work, which they desire to have answered. They may need information as to the Foreign Work, or they may have exercises of a more personal character as to their own path. This will suffice to show what we mean by proposed correspondence. Any suggestions bearing on the subject, any questions, are invited and can be sent to the address given below. We desire to have this department an efficient help to the saints, a channel of fellowship and communication. We hope that the increased interest will warrant an enlargement and, if necessary, a supplement to our periodical. We do not wish to enter hastily into anything new, and above all to avoid anything like coming between the Lord and His people. We trust that all will be in accord with the object of help and food, which is always on its cover-"To serve as a channel."

The other matter we wish to speak of is the setting aside a page of our paper for "Personal Items"-brief word as to the workers abroad, or as to others who may be contemplating going, and who have offered themselves for the work. We shall be glad of suggestions and contributions of items.

Address, Samuel Ridout, 1138 E. 7th St., Plainfield, N. J.

The following letters will be read with prayerful interest and thanksgiving. Let us be much in prayer for our dear sister, that she may be specially guided and fitted for whatever service the Lord has for her, and that the way may be opened for her according to His mind.

Detroit, Mich., June 7th, 1926.

Beloved Brethren:-The enclosed copies will be self-explanatory, but I am adding this note to ask if you will kindly give it whatever notice you may think wise, in Help and Food.

We will appreciate any advice you may be able to give as to the proper persons for Miss DeVries to correspond with relative to going out into the field.

We earnestly desire the fellowship of God's people in prayer for our young sister, that His leading and guiding may be unmistakable to her, and that as the way opens up for her, she may have the joy of serving Him until He comes. Accept our love in Christ.

Affectionately your brother in Him,

A. P. Severy.

Detroit, Mich., Oct. 11,1925.
To the Saints Gathered to the Name of the Lord,

Assembly Hall.

Dear Brethren:-For many years missionary work, and especially that in foreign fields, has had a special appeal to me. During the past two years God has taught me many lessons which have strengthened this interest.

Perhaps one of the first lessons was that I must be an empty vessel to be meet for His use. This was especially brought to my mind in the story of Gideon. Each man had an empty pitcher, which was broken upon command, revealing the light. I, as an earthen vessel, must be broken that the treasure might be manifest (2 Cor. 4:7). Having learned my weakness I learned to have rest and peace in Him.

"Sweetest rest and peace have filled us.
Sweeter praise than tongue can tell;
God is satisfied with Jesus,
We are satisfied as well."

I slowly learned that I was living as the hymn says, "Some of self and some of Thee." I was not that empty vessel. Then two verses seemed to ring in my mind; "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass" (Ps. 37:4, 5). These verses laid hold on me. Three weeks of my vacation a year ago and four weeks the past summer were spent as a learner at His feet, while, with His strength, I sought to teach the neglected children in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, of His love. These children have almost no opportunity of hearing of the Saviour. There are no churches and no Sunday Schools in most of these communities. It was my privilege to teach in one town in the morning from 9:to 11:30, and in another town in the afternoon from 2 to 4. Remaining two weeks in each school, four towns were reached with the blessed gospel. The teaching consisted of hymns, Bible stories and scriptures.

During this time I was reading the Life of David Living-stone. It increased my desire to serve my Redeemer in foreign lands. Upon reaching home I picked up a paper and read an article on "How I may know God's plan for my life." Here prayer was the chief factor. Since then, during study of the Word and communion with Him, I have been led to answer His call as stated in Rom. 12:1. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service," and I have said, "Lord, I will go," realizing 2 Cor. 4:10:"For the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal," and souls are precious in His sight.

I desire your fellowship in prayer that God may direct me and open the way that I may serve Him in foreign fields. My mind has been especially on Africa, but I am desirous of doing His will and where He sends I will go. Yours in our precious Saviour,

Marie DeVries.
Detroit, Mich., May 28th, 1926.

To Saints gathered to the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ at Windsor, Dearborn, Redford and elsewhere.

Beloved Brethren:-For several months past our sister in Christ, Miss Marie DeVries, has felt led of the Lord to go into the foreign mission field. We are attaching hereto copy of her letter to us, presenting her exercises, and we desire hereby to heartily commend to your love, fellowship and prayerful interest, our dear young sister.

Miss DeVries came out in separation some four and a half years ago and has been in happy fellowship with us ever since. By her consistent attendance at meetings, deep interest in the things of God, and keen desire to serve the Lord in Sunday School work, as well as the fact that she has devoted part of her vacation time for the past two years to mission work in the upper peninsula, also now is conducting a special Girls' Bible Class every Tuesday afternoon, she has indeed commended herself to us.

During brother Amies' visit here, we had the opportunity of learning a little of the requirements of the workers in Central Africa, and we believe our sister is well adapted for that field. Miss DeVries has been a High School teacher for about five years and has ability in that line.

When Dr. Woodhams' party went out, the way was not clear for Miss DeVries to go with them, but now the Lord seems to have marked out her path of service more definitely, and, if possible, she wishes to leave for Africa with the next party going this Fall.

May the Lord richly bless and sustain our young sister, and grant that utterance may be given her, that she may open her mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel (Eph. 6:19), also that she may have the joy of bringing many precious souls to Him.

We esteem it a great blessing from the Lord to have one go from our midst to the mission field, and truly desire your fellowship with us as we commend her to God and those with whom she will find her field of service for Him. May the Lord grant to us all that we may "stand fast in one Spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27).

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with vou all. Amen" (2 Cor. 13:14).

Affectionately your brethren in Christ,

on behalf of the Assembly at Detroit, Mich.

Donald Fraser, Russell H. McAllister, Jas. N. Duncan, A. P. Severy, Geo. Mitchell, D. G. Hegel,
J. P. Robertson, David B. Thorpe, J. W. Sutphen John, Clyde Harry Coltman, Wm. E. McAllister, G. T. Louys

JAPAN.-Our special subject for this month is the great and growing Empire of the East. We call special attention to "Some Facts Relating to Japan," by our brother Little. We trust that these articles are being used to awaken and increase an interest in the vast field, as well as a guide to systematic study in the home and in meetings for prayer for the work.

SOME FACTS RELATING TO JAPAN

The Japanese empire comprises a long group of islands ranging over a wide extent of latitude and longitude. On the extreme north are the Kuriles, called by the Japanese the "myriad isles;" on the extreme south is Formosa. There are six large islands in the group. Off the N. E. coast of the main island is the deepest sea bed in the world, known as the Tuscarora Deep. Japan has one of the most beautiful mountains in the world, named "Fujiyama," formerly a volcano. There are many lakes, some of which are famed for their beauty. Japan has always been subject to earthquakes, often severe, with numerous fatalities. One of the most severe occurred but a few years ago. The chief crop grown in Japan is rice, which is also the principal food. The Japanese are lovers of flowers and nature's beauties. The people are short of stature, and ancient Chinese records refer to them as "dwarfs." Gaiety of heart is said to be a prominent trait of the Japanese, although their philosophy of life is stoical, and suicide is common among young men. Courtesy is a cardinal feature of their ethics. The first national census, taken in 1920, showed the population to be slightly over 77 millions. They therefore rank 6th among the nations in this respect, and with an area of approximately 150,000 sq. m., they are 3rd in density of population.

The head of the Japanese empire is the "Mikado," whose dynasty has been preserved unbroken throughout the history of the country, which goes back, traditionally, to 660 B. C. Ancient Chinese records indicate that, prior to about 400 A. D., the Japanese lived in a state of advanced barbarism, but without civilization. The people are said to have lived in rude houses, and even the Emperor's palace was a wooden hut. With the advent of Chinese influence architects and artisans were brought in, and things soon displayed a grandeur hitherto unknown. There were alternate periods of learning and ignorance on the part of the people, but not until after 1871 was Western education introduced.

The primitive religion of Japan was a sort of combination of nature worship and ancestor worship, without any explicit code of morals, and, while believing in a continued existence after death, with no light as to the condition of those who had died. This became known as "Shinto," which means "the divine way." About the year 522 A.D. Buddhism was introduced, and while poorly received at first, it later received Imperial patronage and flourished greatly. It practically absorbed "Shinto," but later they were separated again, and now both exist together. The Buddhists never resorted to the torture of individuals, although the various sects fought with one another on the field of battle.

Until the accidental discovery of Japan by the Portuguese about the year 1542, there was no intercourse with any country except China and Korea. The Portuguese at once established trade relations, and in 1549 Francis Xavier visited Japan and tried to introduce Christianity. In spite of the bigotry showed by him and those who shortly followed, several of the Japanese feudal chiefs favored the new religion, with the sole object of obtaining the advantages of the new commercial outlet. At the close of 1581 the Jesuits claimed 150,000 converts. By the end of that century they and the Franciscans had made themselves so obnoxious to the Japanese rulers that Christianity was proscribed, and the country adopted a course of international isolation which lasted until 1854. This was the period of Japanese political reconstruction, and it may be wondered what the effect would have been if the simple gospel had been preached and received.

The next attempt was made subsequent to 1854, and in 1873 liberty of conscience was allowed, although not declared by law until the constitution of 1890. Protestant missions began in 1859, with the Anglican, Am. Presbyterian and Dutch Reformed Churches. In 1880 the first complete version of the Japanese New Testament was published, followed, in 1887, by the Old Test. There are now many others in the field, including the Salvation Army.

Work in association with "Brethren" began as early as 1890, when Mr. H. G. Brand went out from England. Meeting some Japanese Christians who were students of English, and who desired to follow God's Word, he gave them the writings of English brethren. This was the beginning of what proved to be a fruitful work, and many were gathered to the Lord's Name. A professor of English in the Government Foreign Language School of Tokyo, Mr. W. G. Smith (connected with "Open Brethren") , wrote some tracts and held English Bible classes in his house, but he did not try to learn Japanese.

The work with which our brother Eugene Craig is associated began about 23 years ago, through the labors of a Japanese brother named Kasamatsu. He came to America and was converted. Coming into contact with "Brethren" here, he identified himself with them. When, later, he returned to Japan, he married a Christian woman, and together they engaged in the work of the Lord. A visit by brother Craig in 1911 resulted in his giving himself to that work. Brother Kasamatsu is now with the Lord, but Dr. K. Tsukiyama and others have taken up the work. But the need is great. May we have hearts to respond to the words of our Lord, "Give ye them to eat," and share the Bread of Life with them. R. J. L.

JAPAN NEWS LETTER

Beloved Brethren:

Having had sciatica for the past two months I have been much hindered from work. The sciatica came on just after the arrival of brother and sister Gustav Koll. By the Lord's mercy I seem to be recovering now.

Brother and sister Koll have been busy learning Japanese. But they expect to be absent from Japan, Lord willing, for about six weeks, on a visit to the brethren laboring at Hinghwa, China, where brother Koll formerly labored. His brother Wilhelm is about to leave China for a furlough to Germany. I expected to go with them to China, and visit Japanese communities there, but my lame leg prevented.

Literature. Thanks to the Lord I have been able to attend to some of this work while laid up. Among articles recently prepared in Japanese are:C. H. M.'s "Unequal Yoke" (the part as to marriage). A. H. Stewart's "Saved in the Pit, and from the Pit." "So-called Divine Healing," an adaption from G. Mackenzie and others. C. Knapp's "Moved with Fear." This latter is timely here too, for the "movie rage" is in Japan also, counteracting fear of the living God. "Pilot wanted!" A gospel appeal. And "Gain after Loss," a Korean leper brought to Christ by means of his disease. Also "The Wrong Learning;" some articles from Mr. Ridout's Treasury of Truth Almanac; and "The Bible."
Distribution of Literature. Beside the quantities distributed here, our Japanese literature is distributed by brethren in harbor work at the various ports, and by other brethren in America. Also a sister in Honolulu, and a brother in Shanghai have ordered quantities for distribution.

Meetings. The Japanese brethren are carrying on as usual. The meetings in Kanda keep up; also the hospital and cottage meetings in the suburbs.

Open-air work. My illness and inclement weather has hindered, but recently some of the brethren had open air meetings in our neighborhood with good crowds. Tracts were readily received and some Testaments sold. Brother Ando had some good open-air meetings at Yokosuka, the_ naval port. At these meetings there generally is a good