Up to the present time I have been unable to learn anything of the young Japanese you met in England, but the Lord, doubtless, if He will, will bring us together. I look to Him for it. I have now been living for some time at Tokyo, as it is the native capital, and very difficult in character to Yokohama, which is quite Westernized. I am also told, too, there would be no difficulty in having tracts translated, and the cost would not be very great; probably a small book, as the “Coming of the Lord,” would cost about 3s. to 4s. a hundred. A larger one would be a little more. You may have heard how much I have to be thankful to the Lord for. The teacher with whom I have been studying Japanese has been rejoiced at having the word of the Lord opened out to him. He had been a simple-hearted Christian for some time, but felt almost alone because of the lukewarmness and mere profession around him. And the many things the Lord has shown him in the word has been a real deliverance to his soul. While the simplicity of his confidence in the word, together with an open and unprejudiced mind, have enabled him, in the Lord’s grace, to accept the deepest truths with a readiness with which I have often marveled. And it has not been lightly, as he has, or does even now, suffer for standing for what God has given him through His word, I have seen evidences of how in heart, too, he realized his portion is all in heaven.
As the state of the country, more especially as seen in Tokyo, comes before me, there is truly seen the largest need for ministering Christ. Coming in contact with the one or two truly converted Christians that I have, I have been struck with the terrible bondage the preaching of those in the various denominations has put them in. When they accept Christ, they have to accept also a system in which there is the most arbitrary hierarchy. This is truly felt by them. The missionary is altogether in another order of things to themselves. But worse than that, they, when there has been the Spirit’s work, have been taught to value the Bible as the word of God—(although amongst the missionaries there is the most wicked latitudinarianism)—but this is never opened out to them. All they are given for food are the various services! Thank God, there are the exceptions to this state of things, in the one or two missionaries really desiring to make known the glad tidings; but excepting these, the above is only too sadly a true picture of what is at once seen and felt to be the state of things which bears the name of Christ. It will be easy to apprehend that the fact that all Christ’s are brethren, redeemed by the same precious blood, is like a new revelation to them—where before the thought of a Christian was one who was recognized as a member of a church, and thus the soul fettered to this world and man’s organization. The test thus made to the heart is Christ, and this is the same for all. With my teacher I marked at once how the heart, when separated from the system to which he was connected, at once sought Christ where He was, and since that time he continually speaks of “being free” for Christ. There is such a sweet simplicity in the personal love for a personal Savior, where God’s grace has rescued a soul from heathen darkness, that is little realized amidst the endless questions and hackneyed theology of Christendom. Salvation is a real thing with them, while they know a mere professor with the quickest perception.
Besides all this, there is a feeling that the word of God contains more than they understand or has been explained to them. The other day the Lord in a marvelous way brought me to know a dear old christian man who had been saved twenty years before, and whose friend told me he had been “expecting a preacher like me, because he had difficulties about the various sects, when the Bible taught the church of Christ should be one” (using these very words—the friend was able to speak English).
Although what is heard in England of the character of Japanese Christianity, its dislike for sectarianism, I doubt not, is but the imitation of Satan, in the pride of this nation to throw off all bondage of the west. But underneath there are the sure evidences that God has been working most deeply by His Spirit, effecting true confidence in Himself, so that the liberty the soul has been brought into feels at once the yoke which is sought to be placed upon it. Besides, I do not think Satan often imitates unless there is the true work he would seek to hide from view, otherwise it is bringing God’s work, even if in imitation, into prominence.
I have felt it of the Lord, to keep me from getting much engaged in active work until I can speak the language. But there is so much that can be brought before Him with real confidence of heart, indeed it assures us in a special way when we in truth count upon God alone to act. And I need not say how much prayer is needed and asked, not only for His work here, but for His servant. Indeed my heart often trembles at the vastness and “whiteness unto harvest” of the field; but we know our sufficiency is of God, and more for our heart, before the dawn of another day our eyes may at last be beholding Him whose present love so fills the heart, as we realize it comes from that living Savior who loves us, and has washed us from our sins. With much love in the Lord.
To C. S. Herbert G. Brand.