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Christian

Volume 60
'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee Winter, 1961, No. 1
TYPICAL JAPANESE BATHTUB.
However, for those who are fortunate to
live in the large city a gas burner is avail
able.
Jhis store used an unusual method
to advertise their OFURO (Bathtub) by
placing in it a foreign style mannequin.
News And Views
A1 Hammond, now located in Tokyo, has
begun the publication of two magazines re
cently, one in Japanese edited by Stephen
lijima, and the other called the Far East
Christian Missionary edited by himself in
English. The latter has its office in the
Sakurayama Church building.
Grace Elizabeth, fourth child and third
daughter of Julius and Virginia Fleenor,
A'as born in August.
Ward Patterson, former classmate of
the Pattons at Cincinnati Bible Seminary,
spent about five weeks in Japan at the
end of last year. During that time he
traveled extensively in southern Japan,
toured Tokyo, and as far as 100 miles
north of the capital. He is on his way to
Melbourne, Australia where he is sched
uled to study for a year. The Philippines,
Hong Kong, Laos, and other Oriental
countries are included in the plans for his
itinerary to Australia! No one enjoys
travel more or sees more than Ward.
Announcement'
I would like to inform our brethren
in America that The Church of Christ
Cunningham Mission, (otherwise known as
the "Yotsuya Mission"), has neither sent
nor plans to send in the future any Jap
anese national to represent us to the
brethren in America. (See fuller details
on page 4.)
Andrew Patton
Kikuchi From Nokono To
Arokowo
The Arakawa Church in Tokyo has
been the sickest church in the area for
some months. In November the pastor left.
The few members left there decided to
ask Titus Kikuchi, at present pastor of the
Nakano Church, to return for a second
ministry with them. He was with them
from the beginning when they met in the
home of one of the members, and for 5
years after the building was erected. They
felt that since he is well acquainted with
the people and also with that factory dis
trict and its problems he would be a more
effective leader at this time than some
new person.
We missionaries had been making
various plans for attempting to revive the
work, and several different possibilities for
leadership in the work there were under
consideration. But we hadn't thought about
the Kikuchis going. I suppose it was be
cause we were thinking mainly of the
material aspects and the "commonnsense"
notion that no one is going to voluntarily
t/'ke a step down or back. The Nakano
Church is bigger, better located, has a
much better parsonage etc.
It must have been a difficult decision
for Mr. and Mrs. Kikuchi, but on Nov.
23 they came and told us they had decided
to resign at Nakano and go back to
Arakawa church. The reasons were mostly
intangiblefeeling of responsibility to the
people there and the church he had helped
establish etc.
The Nakano people were very shocked
at the announcement of his resignation,
but many of them have expressed admira
tion for their dedication and unselfishness
in making this financial and prestige sacri
fice for Christ and His kingdom'is caus'-
and they have joined in praying that his
ministry there might be fruitful.
Harold Sims will serve as pastor at
Nakano until a Japanese preacher can be
found.
Harold Sims
The Wesley Walker family of Hok
kaido recently passed through Tokyo on
their way back to their work after spend
ing eight months in the United States
on furlough. Wesley's mother was left in
charge of their work while they were on
furlough, but due to an accident she was
hospitalized and was unable to do much.
Wesley himself has juist recuperated from
a serious operation.
Noel Ray Patton celebrated his fourth
birthday on December 22.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Published quarterly by the Missionaries of
the Churf>h of Christ Cunningham Mission.
Tokyo, Japan, for the information and inspira
tion 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 &e Knox-
ville, Tcnn., Post office under the act of March
3, 1879.
iSvo-Year Subscripton 50 cents
Subscription and "Flaming Torch" $1.00
MISSION STAFF
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 575 2-Chome,
Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. For
warding agent: Mrs. Homer Anderson, R. D. 1,
MeadvUle. Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 27 Sakura-
yama, Nakano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forwuding
agent: Mr. or Mis. ^y Armstrong Rt. 3,
Box 310, Piqua, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 1-52 Arai Machi,
Nakano-Eu, Tokyo, Japan. Forwarding agent:
First Christian Church, Tokyo Mission, Box
262, Chariottesville, Va.
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 limit
ations of size and weights.
If you change your address please notify
H. L. Hamilton, Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee,
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 offer
ing. of $10.00 or more may request a bundle
of 10 copies for distribution.
Thanksgiving Day
On Thanksgiving day the Buttray,
Fleenor, Patton, Sims, Walker, Wells and
Comsto^ families (latter 2 are U. S.
Navy and Air Force folks who are both now
.^back^ in i:he States) met~ together at
TMe^OTs house for the day. First wie went
over tcK&e church for a simple service of
song, prater and praise at which everyone
present (including the children) stood and
told something for which he was fhankfni.
Then we went over to the house to eat
the traditional menu of turkey and dress
ing, all the trimmings and pie delidously
prepared by the several wives. After eating
our full we sat around and talked and
lauded all afternoon. How wonderful to
have this kind of fellowship.
On December 4 the Sakurayama
Church sponsored a Christmas carol con
cert presented by an all-Japanese choir
under the direction of Ugo Nakada, a well-
known Japanese musician, who has com
piled a hymnal of his own.
Stephen Mayfield, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Guy Mayfield, missionaries to Canada, is
now in the Air Force and is stationed in
Fuchu Air Station just outside of Tokyo.
We see him quite often.
Customs
There are strange and unusual customs
in every land. Some are native to the land
and others have been adopted. But one
thing is certain no custom has been able
to stand against the change of time, not
even our celebration of Christmas. Since
Christmas is more or less native to the
United States, the change has been slight
but subtle. While in a completely foreign
land such as Japan where it has been
adopted, the change is not one of subtlety,
but rather total ignorance to its true mean-
ing.
To illustrate, an Amencan was travd-
ing by train from the city of Hiroshima in
the Southern part of Japan to Tokyo about
the 15th of December. With him was an
older Japanese man, and both of them
were engaged in looking out the window
and viewing the beautiful landscape of
Japan Ti^en suddenly the beauty and
harmony of Japanese architecture was
abrupty broken. For there standing out
like a sore thumb, stood a foreign-style
white church building. Above the front
door on a ladder was an attractive Amer
ican woman decorating the church with
Christmas trimmings. They both had seen
the same thing at the same time, (but
they weren't the only ones) and turned to
say something about it, when some Jap
anese across the aisle remarked: even the
Americans are beginning to celebrate
Christmas! This remark clearly illustrates
what the average Japanese knows about
Christmas.
Stanley Buttray
Brother A1 Hammond one of our mis
sionaries here in Tokyo who has just re
cently returned from furlough in the
States is publishing a new mission^
magazine titled, "The Far East Christian
Missionary". This is the fulfiltoent of an
idea which he has had for some time. The
first issue is due out around the first of
March. So if anyone is interested in rece
iving this first edition, please write to:
A1 Hammond, 27 Sakurayama-machi,
Nakano-Ku, Japan. It is to be a quarterly
magazine. Mr. Hammond says this first
issue is chock full of thrilling and inspira
tional articles by real live missionaries. The
missionaries contributing to this new
magazine are primarily those working in
the Far East countries. I suggest that you
get your order in immediately.
Staidey Buttray
The Buttrays have again come to that
phase of the mi^onary life which is called
furlough, lime has so rapidly passed by
that we are hardly ready for the occasion.
However, it may be possible that we can
be ready by sometime in June, especially
if the necessary travel fimds of $1,200.00
are available at that time. Please remember
us in these financial problems.
Stanley Buttray
Last year I applied for a used house
which was being sold at one of the closed
army camps, but unfortunately I didn't
receive it. However about a month ago
anther opportunity arose and this time I
Page 2
was successful. In the latter part of Feb
ruary or early March 1 hope to get started
putting up a church build^ here at Kam-
iochiai using this torn down army house as
a basis. This house is only about three
years old and is still in excellent condition.
Originally this 26 by 75 ft. duplex
house cost the army $17,000.00 dollars.
Dismantled and delivered to my home will
only be $800.00 dollars. However, it will
cost at least another $2,000.00 dollars to
rebuild. Please pray with us that God will
use this place and this new building to the
glory of his Name. And that it will be a
mighty influence in this part of Tokyo for
God, through the saving of a multitude of
souls.
Stanley Buttray
Paula Nielsen, fifteen year old daugh
ter of the Paul Nielsens living in Sendai,
is presently staying with us here in Tokyo
while she , has chiropractic treatmets.
These adjustments must continue for at
least six weeks or more.
Stanley Buttray
A Widow's Christmas
A few months ago we stood in need of
a Sunday School teacher at Sakurayama
Church. The church was too young to have
anyone capable of teaching the children.
After searching a while we found Mrs.
Suzuki, a widow and member of the Nakano
Church, and asked her to teach our Sunday
School children. Though she has had no
previous experience at teaching, she is
very faithful and applies herself diligently
to preparing herself to teach the children.
She enjoys this work and the children
appreciate her efforts and respect her
highly.
Mrs. Suzuki has four children of her
own three boys and a girl. Her husband
died a few months ago after having been
bedfast with tuberculosis for seven years.
The family is receiving a small amount
of financial help from the government, and,
because she is a widow, her children's
school tuition is mostly gratis. She takes
in sewing to provide for the rest of their-
living. They are fortunate enough to own
their own home in Tokyo, though it is a
very humble one. The children are all wdl-
behaved and excellent in characterchil
dren of which any parent can be proud.
To help his mother the oldest son has a
small job in the day time and goes to night
school.
The Suzukis were in need of warm
blankets, so the Sakiurayama Church gave
them two for Christmas and 3^. Eliltz of
Kobe and some of her friends in Arnica
gave them three more. On C^istmas day
the Suzukis were guests for dinner at a
neighborhood restaurant, the children's
first such experience. In addition the
Sakurayama Church gave the family a
small gift of money. Even though these
things may not help very much financially,
it will help this family to see that other
Christians do understand their h^dslup
and are willing to help.
^Andrew Patton
*age 3
iranobe Meeting
I From October 10-16 I went to Tanabe
:ity in Wakayama prefecture (about ^0
niles southwest of Tokyo) for a week of
preaching, at the request of Vivian Lem-
mon our sister missionary down there. The
purpose was partly evangelistic, of cov^e,
but also we sought to rally the Christians
and restores some of the inactive ones.
This congregation was at one t^e among
the strongest and most promi^g of the
churches of Christ in this land, but for the
last 3 years or so they have been beset by
a preacher-in-woman-trouble scandal and
then other problems following, and these
workings of the evil one have taken their
toll in confusing and discoiuraging the faith
ful. In such a case all of us are ready to
do whatever we can to help.
The results of the meeting were not
spectacular, but most of the_ people seemed
to be encouraged. Some inactive folks start
ed coming again, and the attitude and
atmosphere in the services seemed to warm
up a little more every night. So we had
reason to be thankful. The attendance
averaged about 15 nightly, but that was
better than they had been having on Sun
day mornings.
I personally was glad to get acquaint
ed with the folks in tte church there and
also enjoyed very much the scenery. On
Sat. night we had a meeting in one of the
villages in the nearby mountains where
there is 1 Christian family. That contact
with a typical country family, and the
scenery of the rice harvest on the way up
was worth the trip.
One evening Miss Lemmon and I
were invited by one of the Christians to
a special sukiyaki dinner at the town's
newest and best hotel. We ate in a second-
floor room overlooking the bay, and the
view of that calm sunset on the sea with
the fishing boats returning home and the
loaded ferry coming across from the re
sort area, and the green mountains in the
background and the pine-covered islands
in the distance was a picture for the
to Japan and privileged to preach the gos
pel to this land and people.
Harold Sims
for $21.40 so that they could go shopping
for items to send to Japan. When the chock
arrived each of the four classes in our
department selected one person to be their
shopper. These four, along vdth one of the
teachers and myself, went shopping one
Saturday afternoon. The shoppers knew
ahead of time that they had to save some
of the money for postage and they did a
very good job at budgeting their money.
We let them select all of the items to be
sent so that they would feel that it was
their project entirely. As a result, there
may be some items in the package that
you really don't need; however, we feel
sure you will find some use for all of it.
They did buy the paper and crayons you
ask^ for and then included such items
as pencils, water colors, day, rubber balls,
and combs. The scrapbook is also in this
package; however, I'm afraid that it may
be a rather weak attempt at explaining
our way of life to ^e Jap^ese d^dren.
This package is being mailed to you
today, and I hope that you have no trouble
in receiving it. If for some reason there
should be an added expense for you, please
let me know and we will see that it is
"taken care of immjediatdy."
This has been a wonderful project for
our department and I feel that each of the
children benefited from it. It astounded
many of them to realize the distance that
you live from us and that there are people
in Japan who never heard of Christ.
We pray that you will have a success
ful stay in Japan and that God will bless
you and those working with you.
Sincerely yours.
Miss Barbara Williams, Superintendent
Primary Department White Oak Chris
tian Chur^
Cincinnati, Ohio
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
they had difficulty in thinking of gift ideas.
In these cases the modeling clay and some
of the other things were just the answer
to the problem.
One of the teachers in the -/Ur Force
Dependents Schools in Tokyo (Miss Vetoa
Held of Hampton, Iowa) came with her
car and took me and 4 of the ladies out to
the hospital on Dec. 21. She also brought
candy canes and other treats purchased
with offerings of the English language
Sunday school for our children, which she
teaches.
The children saw us come up the
street and climbed into the windows to
watch and greet us. We were ushered into
the small office where there was a smaU
stove^the only heat in the building. Then
we went on a brief tour of the rooms, and
found many children running on the cold
floors in their bare feet, and in one roam
a nurse was shaving the heads of the
little boys in preparation for the New
Year. We were showed the Ohristoas
tree which had been set up in the dingy
little dining room. All of them were v^
happy that we had arrived with the moCT
welcome presents just the day before their
Ghristmas party.
The few remaining things from the
box were sent to other Sunday Schools to
use as prizes. .
^Lojis Sims
A Letter
"After this length of time, you have
probably given up ever hearing again from
the Primary Department of White^ Oak
Christian Church; however, the children
certainly didn't forget you.
They made a bulletin boardconcerning
Japan, with your letter and the picture
of your family right in the center. They
collected pictures of Japanese people,
buildings, and boats and placed them on the
board. We also spent much time in dis
cussion of Japanese clothing, food, and
customs.
All of the children saved tax stamps and
then eagerly awaited their refund check
What We Did With The Box
We appreciate very much the thought-
fulness and work that the Primary Depart
ment teachers - and - pupils- put into the
above box which we received in good
shape just at the time of preparation for
Christmas. Some of the things were used
by our Sunday School children at Nakano
to make decorations for the diureh walls
and Christmas tree. The paint sets and
boxes of crayons and balls were wrapped
for prizes to the Sunday School children
who had been present most of the Sundays
of the year.
Then the ladies group at the church
had been preparing gifts for a children's
T. B. hospital hear hmre. One of the ladies
in the Bible Class suggested we help this
particular group because her own little
boy had spent a year there in 1958, and
m'any of the children are poor as well as
lonely. They had gotten a list of the ages
of the 51 children and had made tiiem
little bibs, mittennstyle wash cloths with
funny faces embroidered on them, and bean
bags for the children in different age
groups, but there were some for whom
A Motter of Expression
We were sitting at the breakfast table
eating oatmeal and talking about when
Bobby would join the other 3 in school.
Bobby (5%) has had the habit for the
past few months of describing his feelings,
and desires with expressions such as, "My
stomach says" or "my stomach doesn't want
to"; which, by the way, is a literal transla
tion of an oriental figure that he doesn't
know about. When his imaginative picture
of how school would be waxed too wildly
colorful and "out of this world" his older^
sisters began to call hinTback to the facts.
He then avowed that his stomach was the
source of his information.
Sylvia then explained to him that he
had brains to think with and then said,
"why don't you use them?" The blue eyes
took it all in and then replied immediately,
"Because I don't want to waste them. The
battery might run down."
Aren't many of us adults obsessed by
the same fear unexpressed?
Harold Sims
Miss Velma Weir, member of a Chris
tian church in Oregon and now teacher in
the Tachikawa Air Base school near Toksro,
visited the Pattons and tiie Safcurayama
Church on December 12. During the Christ
mas holidays she visited the Mark Maxeys
in Kyushu.
Announcement
Miss Eloise Cunningham and some of
the preachers sympathetic to her have re
cently begun the reorganization of their
group and are appealing to all of the
Churches of Christ in Tokyo to join them.
Miss Cunningham is an Episcopalian who
fancies herself to have inherited the work
of the Church of Christ Cunningham Mis
sion! Her group consists of a few disgrunt
led preachers of some churches affiliated
with that Mission. We have been informed
that this group plans to send certain Jap
anese preachers and leaders from their
group to the United States to raise funds
to support their organization. Since it has
been customary with them to use the name
"Yotsuya Mission," the Jananese name by
which the Church of Christ Cunningham
Mission has been known, brethren in Am
erica may mistake these emissaries as hav
ing been sent to America as our representa
tives. We have no such plans for sending
any Japanese national to represent us
among the brethren in America.
Andrew Patton
Christmas In Japan
There are many contradictions in the
life of the Japanese, not the least enter-
esting of which is manifested in the way
the people of this pagan land celebrate
Christmas. A Japanese recently made a
remark like this to a missionary: "We
Japanese are beating you Christians at your
own game. We make more of Christmas
than you do." The sad part of it all, how
ever, is that, observance has become al
most as important in the eyes of the
Japanese as the observance of the New
Year's holidays, their actions during this
season are almost as pagan, as worldly, and
as far from the spirit of the gospel of
Jesus Christ as the revolting ungodliness,
idolatry, and drunkenness practiced by
them during the New Year's season.
In this land filled with idols and idola
ters and where the Christian religion is
so little known and practiced we have
learned to rejoice when even a semblance
of the meaning of an observance with a
Christian coloring is understooid. Therefore,
we Jiave no reason to be violently critical
of the^bright tinsel, the gay Christmas light
ing, the erection of Christmas trees, the
milling crowds roaming the streets on
Christmas Eve (those tramping the streets
of Tokyo on Christmas Eve 1960 were
estimated at about 800,000), the buying
and giving of gifts, and a number of other
harmless practices connected with the
celebration of Christmas here. Perhaps
none of these things, however, will help
people to appreciate God's gift to the
world when His Son was born in Bethle
hem.
But we are alarmed at the notorious
and indecent actions committed here under
the name of a "Christmas party." Business
offices, for instance, have taken up the
old American custom of throwing a Christ
mas party (called in Japanese bonenkai
forget the year party) for their employees
and executives. Two weeks of nightly re
velry, when alcohol flows like water and
Stephen Andrew Patton
New Arrival
Andrew and Betty Patton announce
the birth of their third son and fourth
child, Stephen Andrew, born on January
5. Both Betty and the baby are fine.
geishas, strip-teasers, and the like are
nearly as numerous as the guests, are used
to drown the memory of the past year.
About the only people who look askance at
such goings on are the police who are dis
pleased tivat they have to arrest so many
more drunks than at any other time of the
year. Hardly anyone seems to care about
the shame and inconsistency of a nude
dancing among the tables of a crowd of
"Christmas party" revelers, while she sings
"Jingle Bells," "White Christmas," or
"Silent Night."
Another typical way in which Christ
mas is celebrated in Japan is illustrated by
the annual International Christmas Party
.sponsored by the Tokyo YMCA to which I
was invited by virtue of the fact th^t I
taught a Bible class there during the past
year. The party was a pure social affair at
which the name of God or of His Son
Jesus Christ was not mentioned except in
the Scripture reading and prayer which
I was called on to give.
About ten different nations of people
were represented at the party and the
medium of speech was English, though
there was at least one person there who
could not understand that language. The
party was very entertaining and the occa
sion afforded one an excellent opportunity
to meet the officials of the YMCA and
mingle with these representatives of s
many nations of people. But I wonder i
it would not have been more fitting t
have left the word "Christmas" out of th
title used for the gathering.
The members of an English converss
tion class which I have been teaching a
YMCA wished to show me the spirit o
Christmas in a different way. They invitei
me to one of Tokyo's many thriving coffei
houses, where we listened to the fines
hi-fi Christmas music while sipping a 2i
cent cup of coffee and discussing curren
events!
One of the most delightful Christma
gatherings we attended last year (1960
was the one held with our Sunday Schoo
children on Christmas day. Reading of ap
propriate selections from the Gospel narra
tives was interspersed with the singing o
Christmas carols. The children themselve.
demonstrated what they had learned a
Sunday School or at home by singing carol
or playing instruments. A blind girl play
ed the organ beautifully and then she an;(
her sister sang a carol. Two boys playe(
mouth organs and other youngsters sani
solos or played the organ. Then slides weri
shown to illustrate the Biblical account o
our Lord's birth.
Thirty nine children were present anc
everyone seemed to enjoy the program
I wonder if innocent little children dc
not know how to enjoy and understanc
Christmas better than adults at leas
those adults who try to drown the occas
sion in drink or the contaminated river oj
ungodly living. At least our fond hope is
that when these Sunday School childrer
reach maturity they will remember whal
they are learning from the Word of th(
Lord.
Andrew Pattor
Mrs. Fujita Passes
One Nov. 14 a large funeral was held
in the Setagaya Church for Mrs. Fujita
(75) who was the widow of one of the
earliest and most faithful ministers in the
pre-war Yotsuya Mission and the founder
of the Setagaya church, and also the mother
of Mrs. Hanyu, wife of the present minis
ter. Since she became a widow more than
20 years ago Mrs. Fujita's life has been
centered in that church and its activities,
She has lived in a room upstairs in the
church building, been present at all meet
ings and the sympathetic ear to all troubles
and problems of the membership though
the war years the post-war poverty and
the rebuilding.
At the funeral many different speak
ers spoke lovingly of her fearless continu
ing of church meetings during the war
when the pastor was a soldier in China and
the government constantly obstructed the
work and the bombs fell often, her unsel
fish and thoughtful distribution of relief
clothes and food to the needy in the post
war days, her work for the WCTU and
other organizations. In the old days they
used to call her kind "Bible Women"
Dear Friends,
MAR 9 .1RP.1
February 8, 1961
It has been juat a few weeks since we sent a news-letter to be mimeographad
and mailed out from Charlotteavilla,but there is now-gnme"mhre.news that we feel
merits a special letter from Tokyo, On Sunday night Feb. ^ parents of
a.Jloy, our fifth child. We have named him ]^_niel Jerome and will call
him Danny. He wiaighed 8 pounds p ounces at birth, and boTh"mother"'and baby are in
the poak^of health and happiness. V/e are very thankful to &od for His great and
multitudinous blessings to us.
The very important yearly meeting of Nakano Church is always on the first
Sunday of February, and for a whilo v;e wore afraid it might be interrupted for a
run out to the hospital, but ho waited politely until after the business meeting
was over at p so we could put the work for Christ first. All during these
months of traveling and readjusting to life in Japan he has been very cooperative.
Since we have no Japanese preacher here at Nakano since mid-December I am
acting as P-,'t'0.r^for^the present. We have an average attendance of about 20-25 at
the morning services' and'"4 or 5 in the evening every Sunday. For prayer meeting we
always havo ono faithful woman present, and often a zealous college student or
someone else. In totaling up some facts for a report to the annual congregational
meeti^ I discovered that in It years^since beginning services here there havo bean
91 additions (4 transfers and "87 baptisms). Of this number only l6 are present
active members here at Nakano.* Almost half of the remainder have not denied the
faith and are still loading Christian lives, but they havo moved so far away it ift
impossible for thorn to attend with any regularity. Most of them are in some denom-
imtional church in their neighborhood, but that is batter than nothing. The
others, many of whom live closo around hero, are just disinterested, inactive, or
gone away mad. V/o have completely lost contact with more than-20, most of them
girls who are now married and have a different name, etc. The statistics sound
discouraging, but wo are far from hopeless. There are at least 4 or 5 non-Christians ^
in the audience every Sunday, and some of them are interested and attending regularly.
I was down on the island of Kyushu v;ith the Mark Maxoy family.
One of the yearly activities of their Kyushu Christian Center is a 2 week intensive
Bible study course for the purpose of training ordinary Christians for local church
leadership. The early part of January is a good time, because farmers and other
folks havo a lot of^time off following the New Year's celebrations. I taught Romans
for 2 hours every night for 10 nights, and received a groat deal of personal benefit
from the preparation for the class. Only 4 people attended the full number of
nights and received certificates, but with delegations from three of the nearby
churches a.total of -5.8 different people attended so-wo. hope it will be of real
benefit to the people who came arid" the churches they serve.
During the time I was in Kyushu I also enjoyed the fellov/ship with the 5
JapanosG preachers and 2 missionarios of the Churches of Christ in Kagoohima
Prefecture at^their bi-monthly meeting where plans for evongelistic meotings, camp,
monthly magazine, etc, woro^v/orkod out and coordinated and several thought-provoking
messages v^ere heard. Also i spoke at the local orphanage, leper colony, and Rotary
m lih n n wfl 1 1 Q ff] O r^v/-k A o
Club as wall as 2 churches.
%
Yours in His service,
HAROLD SIMS
--i-
Dear Friends,
Our last ncvjs-letter was mailed out in February shortly after Dam^y-boy
was born Now hs is 3 months old^ a lively definition of the word "wGll-fed",a
pleasant little personality beginning to laugh, watch his brothers play, grow out
of his baby clothes-a wonderful addition to all of our other blessings*
After coming back home Lois remained upstairs for the rest of February
taking care of the baby and recovering her strength* One of the Japanese women
in Lois' Bible Class (awidow who just house-keeps for her 27 year old son) Kindly
came in to help with the house-work on most days, but because she was unacquainted
with American cooking most of the kitchen chores became bqt lot* The situation was
complicated by a series of light cases of Asian flu running down through the whole
family except me* So during those days I was really busy and tired down by comestic
duties*
The rule in such cases is to make the most of it, which I tried to do*
The day we went to the hospital Lois had left some sweeipotatoes in the oven, and
when I found them that night they were very well done^ but not ruined. When
visiting Lois the next day I remarked that I planned to make a pie with them*
This provided much merriemnt for Lois and her rooft-^mate^ because the bum of my
demonstrated culinary ability in 14 years of marriage h^ been frying eg^s and
always breaking the yolks* Later the same evening I mentioned the idea to Blirs*
Buttray, and she tried to discourage me by saying that kind was too hard for a
beginner, but after looking almost an hour I found the cook-book smd started work
on my first pie-crust* Ever so slowly, one thing at a time, countless references
to the book, and the crust seemed to be 0,K, Then I found the recipe for the
filling, and rcji into an unforseen problemI didn't have enough potatoes cooked,
80 hod to hurriedly boil some more* Next I came to nutmeg* I almost turned the
kitchen upside down, but couldn't find any, so sprinkled in a little black petter
(needs some kind of seasoning) and weut on* The whole process took about 4 hours,
but the pie looked perfectcracked a little around the edge, you know(pause for
southern readers to drool)* The following day Lois and her room-mate pronounced
it excellent for a beginner*
Encouraged, I decided to try a cake* First I got out about ^ doaen of our
Christmas-gift mixes and looked them over to see which would be easiest to make*
That was a snap* So in this way we manjiged to have some kind of dessert every
night for the 3 weeks I was in charge, although the supply of puddings and mixes
that Lois had so carefully stored was sorely depleted*
Lois hasr had some trouble with high blood prosauro and over-active thyroid
glad since the baby came* The blood pressure b^ improved some the last time we
went to the Dr* but she still has to take pills and visit the Dr* rather often*
The first week in March was spent at Xokohama Customs Houseno exaggeration*
We ran up against a stone Wdl in efforts to bring our Ford Station Wagon into
Japan, because we had not owned it a year* after many consultations with both
Japanese and American officials it became clear that the only solution was to sell
it to a U*S* serviceman, which is difficult enough, Eventually I worked out a trade
with ui airaian friend of Mark B&txeys* He gave me his 1955 Chevrolet Wagon and
$750 for my 1959 1 had to take a loss, but because of the mounting storage bill
find the legal complications it was a refief to get the matter settled, and wo now
have a reli able car with the Japanese import tux p&id*
Tho second filonday in ^!arch at the Milcawnatmia church parsonage a prayer
meeting of 5 Japanaaa ministara y-nd wr.g hold as tho first movo in an
attempt to got all of the ministers in the Tokyo area together in a monthly
fellowship of prayer, exchange of news and announcements and discussion of problems#
The second meeting was held on April 10 at the Sims house with 8 present, A'o arc
hopeful that this will help to improve and heal some of the divisions that havo
afflicted the work for the past several years.
One of tho very few young t 't the Naktino church surprised us all hy
announcing his decision quit University tmd oator Osako iJiblo Seminary to prepare
for the ministry at the first of April, He has been a groat help in the various
phases of tho work hore, and all of tho members hate to lose his zealous activity,
but wc are thanlcful for his committment to Christ and pray that he may be over more
fruitful and useful.
From March 28-31 tne annual convention of Japanese Christians and missionaries
was held in Osaka# Hope and Sylvia accompanied me on this trip, and we all
enjoyed the fellowship very much. More than 100 attended the meetings which
were held at the Youth Hostel in a large park in the city, and a larger crowd
was present for the dedication of tho nice new building of Osaka Bible Seminary
wiiich was the concluding sorvice.
More detailed reports of thcso news-items will be found in the Tokyo Christian.
We hope you all are getting it* If not, please take time to drop a cord to
Mr. A, El. Sims 1312 Forrest Ave., High Point, H. G. and you will be added to the
mailing list.
From April 2-9 we held one week as special Bible studies each evening from
7 - 8:30 at Hakano church. It is hoped and plaiinod that this will be an annual
ovont that will strexigthea the Christian's faith in God's word and the habit of
rogular, understanding reading and also a means of interesting outsiders in tho
riches of truth that arc in the VJord. This year's talks were givep by Jphn Muto
and were most interesting and uplifting. The attendance was smaller than wo hoped
for, but it was consistent. The smallest crowd was 10 and the largest 18. The 3
people who came for the first time (in r^ssponao to 1500 hami-bills and signs in'"
front of tho church) havo continued to como to rogular services.
From April 12-22 I went down to Okayama prefecture where Pilr, and Mrs. Bob
Hest arc engaged in rural evangelism, a series of 1 and 2 night special evangelistic
meetings had been scheduled in a number of villagos and towns in th^jir area. It
was a vory enjoyable time for me because of the crowds that came out to hear the
high-nosed foreigner speak Japanese. He seldom get to preach to as many as lOO
people in Tokyo, but at one meeting thoro wore bettor than 250 and most of them
were oiily slightly acqutiintod with Christ and His good nowsl ^
Yours in His service,
Harold and Lois Sims
Tokyo
Christian
'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Volume 60
News And Views
Foundation for the new Church buiM-
ing at Kamiochlai was begun the last week
in April. The man contracted to build the
Church is a Christian carpenter and the
four young men that work for him are
either Christian or at least attending church
somewhere. They all took part in a short
dedication service before beginning work.
A day for finishing cannot yet be set
as the rainy season will soon be upon us,
but I have hopes that it will be finished
by the 20th of June. If so, a two or three
week evangelistic meeting will mark the
completion of the building. And I trust that
it will light a Spiritual Fire that shall never
be dimmed.
Pray with us that Go-J will work
mightily, wonders to behold in these days.
Our time for returning home depends
on the completion of the church building.
And even at this moment we are still not
sure just when that will be, but most likely
not before the middle of July. After spend
ing the first few weeks at home (Meadville,
Penna.), we will be available to visit liv
ing-link churches as well as make other
appointments. We are especially desirous of
finding other Churches who will become
regular supporters. If you would like us
to visit you, please write to our forwarding
agent Mr;. Homer Anderson, Route No. 1,
Meadville, Pennsylvania, or directly to us
at: 575-2 Kamiochlai Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo,
Japan.
Stanley Buttray
Future Mlssionairies? Philip and Noel
Patton.
Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee
Summer, 1961, No. 2 & 3
Akada To Osaka Seminary
Akada
In the fall of 1957 a High School stud
ent, son of a silk dyer in our neighbor
hood, began attending my Saturday even
ing English Bible Class. He was enrolled in
a Catholic institution, and had some know
ledge of and interest in Chrstanty and was
full of questions about Protestantism etc.
In the summer of 1958 he was one who went
with us to Lake Motosu for young people's
camp. After that he started attending
church from time to time.
Before we went on furlough in 1959 I
spoke to him about becoming a Christian,
but he said he could not yet believe. We
were made very happy when during our
year in America we received a letter from
the preacher at Nakano informing us that
he had been baptised. When we returned to
Japan we found him one of the most loyal
members here at Nakano church, and it was
truly a remarkably changed person from
the young man we had remembered from
1 year earlier. He was deeply concerned
about the problems of the local church, de
siring and learning to pray, seeking op
portunities to evangelize, attending mass
evangelism campaigns by Oswald Smith, a
zealous worker in the Christian Student
Association of the Chuo University, teach
ing in the Sunday School etc. We have been
thankful for him many times since we re
turned to Japan 6 months ago.
Since he is in the midst of the regular
4 year course at one of the good Univer
sities here we had not said anything to hiTn
about becoming a minister, so were happily
surprised when he suddenly said that he
wanted to become a preacher. As he ex
plained it to us there were three steps in
his thinking and decision to dedicate his
life to the gospel. The first one is connect
ed with the lact he. is now completing his
second year in the University. The first two
years are given to general and basic sub
jects such as language, social studies etc.
and then beginning with the third year
each student begins to concentrate on his
major subject or field. So during the past
few months he has been forced to give a
lot of thought to his field of endeavor and
beyond thatrto his life's work and purpose.
His friends had almost all settled on this
problem months or years ago, and were
looking forward to studying law, medicine,
economics etc. with joy and vigor and am
bition to become specialists and famous
peoiple. But he found himself increasingly
undecided and restless. He couldn't honest
ly feel any happiness or satisfaction for
himself in any of the regular professions,
and did not want to become a drifter or
waste his education in something he did not
really enjoy.
The second step was when the thought
struck him that he could be a preacher.
The more he thought of it the stronger he
felt that this was God's will and call and
that his life would be best spent for this
purpose. The contemplation of being a
worker in God's vineyard was the one pros
pect that brought peace and joy to his
heart Also-the shortage of preachers and
some of the problems in the church at
Nakano had added to his compulsion.
It was at this stage that he first men
tioned his thoughts to me. I warned' him
about the unpopularity, low salary and
other "bad-side" aspects of the ministry
in Japan and also about the problems con
nected with dropping out of the University
But if after thinking everything over again
he was sure I would be very happy.
The third step was talking the whole
plan over with his parents. In many cases
this is the hurdle that is never overcome.
Hardly any parent in Japan is happy when
a son enters the ministry, and especially
the opposition would be intense to quitting
university. After a couple of weeks he got
the courage to speak to his mother first
and then his father, and they were very
understanding. His mother visited our home
and said that she would be happier this
way than if he were becoming either a
rightist, leftist or beatnik like a great
Continued next page
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Published quarterly by the Missionaries of
Mie Churr^h of Christ Cunningham Mission.
Tokyo, Japan, for the information and inspira-
Iion of every Christian whose heart is open to
'Jie caU of Christ, and who is willing to help
In the supreme task of carrying out the Great
( ommlssion of Christ: Matthew 28:19, 20.
Entered as second class matter in ^e Knox-
Vilie, Tenn., Post office under the act of March
.. 1879.
I'wo-Year Subscripton 50 cents
^ubscription and "Flaming Torch" $1.00
MISSION STAFF
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 575 2-Chome,
l\::miochlai, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. For-
'.V .rding agent: Mrs. Homer Anderson, R. D. 1,
Ncadville. Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 27 Sakura-
yama, Nakano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forwarding
igent: Mr. or Mrs. Ray Armstrong, Rt. 3,
Box 310, Piqua, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 1-52 Arai Machi,
Nakano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forwarding agent:
First Christian Church, Tokyo Mission, Box
262, Charlottesville, Va.
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 limit
ations of size and weights.
If you change your address please notify
H. L. Hamilton, Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee,
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 offer
ing of $10.00 or more may request a bimdle
of 10 copies for distribution.
}***" - -
Page 2
'' . CO
W / V^
J
Stanley and Mabel Buttray putting up a new sign to advertise the weekly meet
ings. Tliis is a temporary sign located where the entrance of the new Church building
will be. The sign interpreted reads: Hear every Sunday the greatest story ever told,
about the greatest life ever lived.
Continued from Front
Akada To Osaka Seminary
many young people are doing these days
in Japan So he interpreted the rare in
stance of parental consent as another in
dication of God's will and providence.
The fourth step was taking the
entrance examination for Osaka Bible Sem
inary which he passed' O.K. The fifth step
was breaking the news to the Nakano
church. The church people were unanimous
ly sorry to lose him, because he has become
a key figure in teaching Sunday School,
printing the weekly bulletin, being at all
services, keeping attendance records etc.
But they also expressed their admiration
for him and their prayers will go with him.
Thus far three students have entered
Bible Seminary from Nakano church. The
first one got T. B. and had to quit school
after about 3 months. The other one attend
ed Tokyo Bible Seminary for 2 years and
then quit and is now in the newspaper
business. We hope and pray that Akada-
san will go all the way as a faithful preach
er of the word, and m'e humanly confident
that he will.
Harold Sims
We wish to thank each one who have
already sent in gifts for our return to the
States. Your ready response to share in our
travel expense is a real blessing. We are
still in need of nine hundred dollars for
our return fare, but trust that God will
supply our every need.
Recent visitors here have been my
nephew, Jeff Buttray and our forwarding
agents son David Anderson. Both are based
near Seoul, Korea.
Stanley Buttray
The following excerpts are from con
versations that I have had with some of
the young people whom I have taught.
One day a young student came to me
asking, what to do to become a Christian.
You can imagine my feeling as I began
telling how happy I was to do so, when he
said quickly, "Oh no, not for me. I have a
friend who is very ill and the doctor says
that he will die unless he has hope. If he
becomes a Christian he will have hope."
Another said: "How I envy the faith of
you Americans. We have nothing like it,
I am empty."
Coming from class one evening a young
man made this statement, "I was reading
the Bible yesterday and found this verse,
'Man shall not live by bread alone'. I was
so glad to read this for I have heard it from
childhood but never knew it was in the
Bible."
One student said, "I am studying law.
Please teach me about Moses and the Ten
Commandments for I have heard that
many of our laws come from the Ten Com
mandments."
Sometimes their statements brings
sorrow to our hearts, such as this: "I know
Christianity is the only way and I under
stand, but my family is Buddhist, very
strong Buddhist and because I am the old
est son, I must carry on the tradition and
custom of my family. It is my duty."
Another who is Christian said, "For
some time I had been praying for God to
reveal his will for me and I was reading in
Page 3
Romans 10 where it says invefse'^li. "How"
then shall they call on him in whom they
have not believed? And how shall they be
lieve in him of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear without a preach
er?" I felt God -was calling me to give up
my work and devote my life to the preach
ing of the Gospel. But when I asked my
father's permission he told me no, because
I am the eldest son and my duty is to my
family."
But at other times our hearts rejoice
and we are blessed by the faithfulness and
loyalty of the Christians. A few weeks ago
I received a phone call from a former
Y.M.C.A. student saying, "I have been
praying and fasting for two days waiting
for the Lord to reveal His will to me. He
spoke to me through His Word, Psalm 37
and Philippians 4. I wanted you to know
so you could rejoice and praise with me."
- agn T witnpssed a baptLsm
of a new convert and afterwards she gave
this witness to the congregation: "This is a
new Mrs. Matsuoka. The old Mrs. Matsuoka
is dead. She was buried in the waters of
baptism. I am a new creature in Christ,
made clean in the sight of God."
After a long absence one of the Chris
tian students of the Bible Class returned
telling me he had been in the hospital for
six months. I told him how sorry I was
to hear he was iU and he answered, "It was
good. I had a good rest, time to read my
Bible, time to think about Go-d and to pray.
And I was able to teach those about me of
Christ."
Praise God for those who are strong,
faithful witnesses of Christ for they are the
ones who will win Japan for Him. Pray for
Japan.
Mabel Buttray
J-
Sakurayama Church News
The work of the Sakurayama Church
located next to the Pattons' home in Tokyo
was a year old on March 6th. During that
short time the young work has been faced
with various difficulties and problems. In
spite of these, however, we are happy to
report that this church has experienced a
gradual growth in numbers and in the
spiritual lives of its members. There were
five baptisms as a result of this work dur
ing the past year. Besides the Gospel seed
was sown in the hearts of many more. Be
cause of this preparation made during the
past year we hope to have a more fruitful
harvest during the coming year.
Those members of the church who can
are meeting every morning at 6:00 for
prayer. On Sundays after the worship
service we meet for prayer and a study
of things related to the Christian life. Com
ing from a pagan background and now
trying to live for God among a wicked gen
eration, these young Christians have serious
conflicts and hindrences to their new-found
faith. One girl, who was saved last year
had a job which would not allow her to
attend church. She found another job and
began her work there with the stipulation
that^shebe allowed freedom from work
on Sundays so that she could attend church.
She is now teaching one class of children
in the Sunday School. One can imagine
what a powerful example of faith that
would be to those unbelievers who witness
her devotion to the Lord.
Last year when the work began I had
to carry practically the whole teaching,
and leadership loads. Now the church
members themselves are beginning to
shoulder some of these responsibilities.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Harold Sims (left) and Mark Maxey
(right) with the 4 who received certificates
from the Leadership Training Institute.
They are now doing all of the teaching in
the Sunday School. We rejoice that one
"young man,"MrrKato; who transferred from
another church is preaching most of the
time for the church and has given up his
job to allow himself time to prepare for
entering the Christian ministry. While at
tending a Bible college he will spend as
much time as possible in ministering to
the church. Another young man who was
converted-rccenlly ,_is thinking seriously
concerning entering a Bible college next
year. A young lady who was a member of
the Shimoochiai Church has agreed to meet
with us and play the organ on Sunday
mornings. In these ways and others the
need for leadership for the church is being
filled. Our earnest hope is that this young
church will steadily grow along with its
young leaders so that God's glory may be
manifested and soul saved through its
ministry.
Andrew Patton
Missionairies and their families gathered at the new Osaka Bible Seminary Build
ing for the All-Japan Convention.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
1
Attendants at an evangelistic meeting held at Sakurayama Church in April.
Children's Work
At Sakuroyamo
Among the converts to Christianity in
Japan today many confess that they at
tended Sunday School when they were
children. This a living illustration of the
Scripture, "Train up a child in the way he
should go, and even when he is old he
will not depart from it." (Prov. 22:6)
Those in Japan who embrace the Chris
tian faith after reaching adulthood are few.
The course of their lives is already set, and
they have settled down in the ungodly
world, without God and any desire to know
His will. Strangely, though, these same
people often desire for their children to
attend a Christian Sunday School to learn
the valuable ethical principles which they
believe will be helpful to their children,
especially in later years. They are not
interested in Christianity but morality. This
affords practically the only opportunity we
have of contacting those families for the
Lord Jesus Christ. While teaching the
children in our Sunday Schools the moral
principles of the Christian religion we
impress on these young minds the neces
sity of a vital connection with the Savior
Jesus Christ. So these parents are getting
more than they sought.
The classes at the Sakurayama Sunday
School are now divided into two groups.
Primary and Junior. As teachers are
provided we hope to start a class for High
School students. Through the past year we
have surveyed the Old Testament and are
presently studying the Life of Christ. At
present there are four helpers in the school
and they are trying to prepare themselves
better for this work. The attendance has
gradually grown and now numbers twenty
eight in enrollment, about two thirds of
which attend regularly.
On the emperor's birthday, April 29,
We took the Sunday School children and
our family on a picnic. We visited a park
and zoo located on the outskirts of Tokyo.
At that time the teachers, using flannel-
graph, taught the children a lesson from
the Bible. Many others gathered to see
this strange sight. Even on the picnic we
were able to testify for God to those who
did not know Him. Another strange sight
for the people whom we saw at the park
was our little Steven, then three months
old. They were amazed at the little white
baby who was so big and fat. Some women
insisted on holding him. While they did
that we distributed tracts to those who
had gathered to see the attraction!
Plans are now being made for a week
of Daily Vacation Bible School in July
at Sakurayama Church. Teachers who will
be free to help during the week are being
enlisted and teaching materials are being
chosen. We hope to have a good enroll
ment and that the children will learn some
valuable lessons during the week. Through
the Sunday School we hope to train up the
hiture church. Such a church should know
the Bible and be able to withstand the fiery
darts of the evil one.
^Andrew Patton
1961 Convention
This year the annual all-Japan conven
tion of the members of churches of Christ
was held in Osaka from March 28-31. The
Japanese part was held in a nice, new and
low-priced Youth Hotel in a park near the
edge of town. It began on Tuesday after
noon and continued through Thursday
morning; and everything was planned,
paid-for and carried out by the Japanese
brethren. The attendance was over 100,
with about 25 from Tokyo present.
During the convention a very import
ant and lively discussion vitally affecting
the future of our churches in Japan was
continued through most of Wednesday.
Three of the preachers are spearheading a
Page 4
movement to form a "Church of Christ
Alliance." It turned out that their ideas
are not too definite and were not very
well-received, but we fear this is a drift to
ward Disciple-type denominationalism. We
were gratified to notice some discernment
and strong convictions against such a thing
among some of the Japanese preachers.
After the Thursday morning session
the whole group went by chartered bus to
the dedication ceremony for the new Osaka
Bible Seminary class-room building. The
building is very solid, practical and fine
lookinga credit to our missionaries in
that area. There was a large crowd pres
ent, and messages were brought by Grace
Madden Braley, Mark Maxey, Bro. Sugano
(a 76 year old elder long associated with
Osaka Mission).
Thursday night and all day Friday the
missionaries met together for fellowship,
sermons and discussions, and as usual we
all profited by that. Everybody returned
home on Saturday pleasantly fatigued.
Harold Sims
News Bits
On February 5, 1961 Harold and Lois
Sims became the happy parents of a fine
baby boy (third son and fifth child). His
name is Daniel Jerome, and he will be
called Danny. At this writing both mother
and baby are getting along fine and Harold
is gaining some cooking experience.
A summer camp to be held on August
14-21 is being planned for the Tokyo
churches. The camp site will be on the
shores of Lake Motosu at the foot of Mt.
Fuji.
The much-heralded Tokyo Christian
Crusade led by Bob Pierce of World Vision,
Inc. has begun. Their organization and
publicity are amazing; their music excel
lent. The preaching is nothing spectacular
and like so much of modern day preaching
what is omitted of the gospel in the mes
sages adulterates it. Of the 8,000 persons
who attended the first night of the Crusade
hundreds flocked to the front when the
invitation was given. Then they were turn
ed over to counsellors. I wonder how
many of these were given the apostolic
answer to the question, "What must I do
to be saved?" One can only inquire also
how many among the crowd who went
forward were sincere seekers and knew
what they were doing? Or were they just
overwhelmed by the large crowd and the
excitement of the moment? Our experience
tells us that a Japanese generally does not
know what he is doing if he accepts the
Lord after hearing only one sermon!
Tony and Shirley Toledo of Seattle,
Washington spent a night with the Fattens
in March. They were returning from a
visit to Tony's childhood home in the Philip,
pines where they were able to establish a
new church. The new church already num
bers about thirty in members. The Toledos
were able to obtain a preacher for the work
who can speak the local dialect and they
will support him until the church is self-
supporting. That has already been a very
commendable missionary endeavor.
JUL11136'
July 10,1961
Dear Friends,
We have been very negligent about letter-writing, and no doubt some of you are
beginning to wonder how we are getting along. The answer is fineeverybody and 5.n
eveiy way. But we have been rather busy bringing forward some of our co-workars on
thwir journeys, which is one of the con^^ensations of living in crowded, noisy, misty,
mu'=^y i'okj^o. " Since May 20 there have only been 7 nights that we have not had at least
1 gv^st here in our home, and the record was broken on Sui^day night June 11 when we
had 1^ guests.
Mr. S. M. Chang, pastor of our Church of Christ in Pusan, Korea arrived on May
20 and was with us for 17 days. I met him, and visited the church in his house,
when I spent 6 weeks in Korea in 1958, and since that time he has been trying to get
a vl.sa to enter Japan. He is a very able, responsible and consecrated young vdio
und^srs'tands Japanese language and is very interest in books of all kinds. He is
prerident of the Pusan Christian Cultural Society, and has a lot of influence in his
ccmiunity. His purpose on this trip was to visit our churches hero and pronrote
cultural ^"d religious associations between the two countriss, but the rexations bet"
ween iic^ and Japan have been so poor that his visa was denied until this spring.
Altogether he spent about 50 days in Japan, visiting most of our churches ftom
Kyushu to Tokyo and writing an article a day for the Pusan Newspapers about Japan.
Of cc'Jirse the coup de etat happened while he was in Japian, so he was a little con
cerned about that aiid an avid reader of the newspapers while here. Having wide int
erests he was on the go every day in Tokyo, visiting churches, colleges, bcck-stores,
Christian writers, novelists and other people. We enjoyed having him.
The last week of May Mark Maxey made his "annual trip" to Tokyo and took in part
of the International Rotary Convention and one night of the Tokyo Christian Crusade.
This latter meeting was sponsored by World Vision Inc. and was the most extensive,
e^qjansive and expensive Christian meeting ever held in Tokyo. The music was wonder
ful, and there were good crowds an during the tiu>nth-long meeting in the city gym
nasium. "Decisions" were made in the Billy Graham fashion. There was a lot of
criticism on the part of some of the Christians in Japan (American dominated, too
much of a "show," etc.) but the secular press gave it some notice. We put up posters
in Nakano church announcing it and attended 4 or 5 times ourselves, but did not act
ively support it by serving on committees etc.
Also during this same week in May Martin Clark and his wife were up for 2 days
seeing their future daughter-in-law off to the U.S.
Immediately following the above-mentioned Christian Crusade we had a week of
evangelistic meetings at Nakano church from June 4-11, thinking that while there
was a climate of publicity for Christianity in the city and perhaps some interest
generated in the hearts of people in this community we would make a reil Effort to
contact them. We printed 8000 sheets of advertisement for the meeting* Most of
them were put into newspapers and delivered to homes in the area (tj^is costs about
$1,00 per 1000 copies and is a good way of reaching the homes and having them read).
The rest were passed out on the street corner before church time.
The weather was very good for this season. Stephen lijima of the Minato church
was the evangelist and brought good messages every night. But we were disappointed
in the attendance. The highest was 25 and the lowest 13 (not counting me and the
preacher). We orO.y got the names of 5 new people who had never been before. How
ever the church people cooperated very well, and several people attended every night
including a couple of non-Christieins who have bee -me very good prospects.
Bd9 xc
iil SaS xoiT
We asked our good Arieod Lydia Shigenobix from the Radio
up lead the singing special oiusic tot the iseetings and also to conduct a
children's oeeting Aroni 6s30 to 7s30 before the meetings every night* The latter
Has a new experiment and very successful* The Sunday the meeting began we oc^
12 children in Sunday School* That night we had 20 for the first chili^e^a^^d^
>^nd the attendance increased every night to a high of 46* So oiJ^1Sth^ay^-Soho^'%itt* >
endance since the mating has been double the previous average*
On Sat* night June 10 I went to the airport to meet the Seggelke family on the
way home f^om Korea* They stayed with us 3 days* Then the night before they left
the Bernel Getters arrived on the way back to the U^S* from India* That was the
night when we had 22 people sleeping in the house and church oh all beds and some
floors* For breakfast there were not enough plates and eutlery^ so we had 3 sittings
and then went to ISei^ park and ate on paper plates for lunch*
Later on in the month the Harold Taylor family stopped by briefly on their way
back to Korea and then the Earnest Faber family arrived from the States and stayed -
with us 4 days while clearing their baggage ahd arranging for it to be transshipped ;
to Hokkaido as they begin their second term*
Regular services at Nakano ehurch and other classes etc* were maintained while
the coDgmmy was here, of course* Plans are going ahead for camp this summer*
We are now in the midst of the depressing rains that come at this season every
year* It has been raining steadily day and night for a week and everything is soaked
and moldy*
The financial report for the first half of this year is enclosed*
for our every remembrance of you end they are often and sweet*
We thank God
Balance on Bferch 17, 1961
Sale of Gar
Evangelistic BSeeting in Okayama
Sale of Books (including some Life
of Christ Visualised that I left at
book store before going to America
in 1959)
Repayment of loan to Japanese
preacher
From guest preaching iji J*church
Total
Yours in His Service^
Harold Sims
.47
5(K)*00
69*44
66*67
27*78
4.17
716*53
Dlaburaewants
Automobile, gas and repairs
Other travel (including trips to
Osaka convention and Okayama for
meeting)
Postage and long distance calls
Help for 3 Bible Sem students
Pay to Japanese evangelist for
meeting
Advertising for Meeting
Help for writing Japanese letters
Help with repairs on Minato church
building
MMikawashima Youth Camp
Purchase of books
Sunday school supplies
House repair
Tokyo Christian printing
Total
Balance
124.83
61.19
30.18
140.55
42.22
13*38
15.39
33.33
69.44
6.11
6.00
2.90
43.34
588.86
Ilarrolo ;'c?arland
Box 963
Jolietf Illinois
'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Volume 60 Eimberlin Heights, Tennessee Fall 1961, No. 4
Ladies Bible Class Camp
The Sims family spent a month this
summer at a 'cottage in the mountains of
central Japan which they rented from the
Fleenor family who are now on furlough.
While there we had some of the ladies
from Lois' Bible class come up for a 3 day
visit and a kind of camp. The accompany
ing picture shows the 6 Japanese ladies
who attended and the son of one of them
as well as Hope, Lois and Danny Sims.
Korean Camp
One of the most prosperous churches
connected with our work in Tokyo is the
church at Mikawashima. Its members and
minister are Korean and its history reaches
back before World War II.
This church planned a three day camp
this year at Lake Kawaguchi near Mt. Fuji.
The camp was held on July 24-26. with
over forty persons in attendance. Harold
oima aim 3ttidrew-Pattcm--mjre iiivited to
participate in the activities and the Patton
family went along for the vacation. After
the 3y2 hour train trip to Lake Kawaguchi,
we crossed' the Lake to the hotel where we
were to stay in a large motor boat. Quarters
for all campers except the missionaries
were reserved months ahead of the time
in a small hotel, which provided three meals
a day and lodging for a very reasonable
price, a little over a dollar a day per
person. We missionaries stayed in a nearby
hotel. Both hotels faced the beautiful lake
and gave a wonderful view of Mt. Fuji.
A greater percentage of the total time
spent in this camp was devoted to teaching,
preaching and discussions than most of the
camps we have attended.
The camp day began with a worship
service by the lakeside early in the morn
ing. Classes began soon after breakfast
and continued almost to noon. Some class
periods were 90 minutes long. Recreation
time was in the afternoon only and pract-
Showa Dori Church
Building Dedicated
On the hot Sunday afternoon of July
16 there was a good number of visitors
for a simple program dedicating the new
church building at No. 553 Kami-ochiai 2
chome Shin Juku-ku Tokyo to the preach
ing of the gospel of Christ There were
delegations from 6 nearby Japanese Chur
ches of Christ and also quite a few foreign-
nrc '"'ruifT A nT-icTif
Sgt. and Mrs. Murphy of Norfolk, Va.,
Stephen Mayfield and Richard Meyer of
the USAF and also Velma Held who
teaches in the Air Forces Dependent
Schools. Also the 5 Church of Christ mis
sionary families now in the Tokyo area
were represented.
There was a church building and
kindergarden located here for some years
before the war. After the war the house
in which the Sam Saunders (and for the
past 10 year the Stanley Buttrays) lived
was erected on one side of the lot but
there was still room for a church building
in the future.
During 1960 Stan Buttray began Sun
day School and worship services in his
former garage which had been floored and
closed in to make a little chapel. Evangel
istic meetings were held in November and
again in February.
ically the only sports entered into was swim
ming. Some instructive and interesting dis
cussions were carried on in the evenings.
Though the night was already far spent,
there was a sermon after that.
On the final night a lot of clean fun
was had-araund a .camp-fire. As is usual
among Koreans on such an occasion, every
one had to either sing, make a speech or
perform. "When this was finished at was
already late. In spite of this three young
people were asked to give their testimony
and a sermon followed that.
When the camp ended everyone was
tired both physically and mentally. But
the great benefits and' blessings received
at the camp compensated for these and
other sacrifices.
Andrew Patton
Stanley, Mabel and David Buttray left
Tokyo by airplane for a year of furlough
in the United States on July 29. Their
address while in the homeland will be
Route 1 Meadville, Pennsylvania. Those
who would like for them to visit and present
our work in Japan should get in contact
with them as soon as possible.
View of the new church building from
the southwest corner.
This spring an opportunity suddenly
opened to purchased 'Q. S. Army depend
ent dweUings which had _to bejnoved in
connection with phasing out one""^ the
bases. Since the cost of building materials
is very high in Japan these days the price
of $722. for the house constituted quite a
saving in cost of materials. So the house
was bought, torn down, trucked to the lot
and then the materials were reformed into
a very modern, aesthetically pleasing and
modestly sized and priced church house.
As yet there is no congregation to
speak of, so we have the fold before the
flock; but our prayer and confidence is
that God will use this tool to His glory
and that soon a thriving congregation of
truly converted' people will be assembled
here.
As soon as the new building was com
pleted an evangelistic meeting was begun,
running from July 12-19. The attendance
varied but averaged nearly 20. A young
people's choir from one of the nearby
churches came several nights and present-
(Continued on Page 2)
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
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 Subscripton 50 cents
Subscripton 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-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forward
ing agent: Mr. or Mrs. Ray Armstrong, Rt.
3,Box-310v Piqttar-Ohio:
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 1-52 Arai
Machi, Nagano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forward
ing agent: First Christian Church, Tokyo
Mission, Box 262, Charlottesville, Va.
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.
Motosu Camp
For the past few years the churches
in Tokyo have held summer camps but they
have been more or less on a small scale.
Ths summer an effort was made to unite
the churches as much as possible in one
camp program. Five or six church groups
participated in the camp this year and we
are convinced' the venture was a success.
The camp site is located at the foot
of Mt. Fuji, about 100 miles west of
Tokyo. In our opinion, the site is one of
the most scenic in Japan. The grounds
are surrounded by mountains on three
sides and face toward beautiful Lake
Motosu. Since the place is high in elevation
it gives the Tokyoite a refreshing change
from the humid weather in the metropolis.
The camp also has an attraction for the
person of pioneer spirit. Fuel is gathered
from the surrounding mountainside by the
campers. Light is provided at night by
candles and flashlights brought by the
campers, there is no electricity. There are
cabins and beds but the mattresses are the
old-fashioned ticks filled with straw. Shut
ters serve as both windows and ventilators.
The camp adapts itself well to a varied
recreationed program. There is boating and
swimming in water clean enough to drink.
Everyone must swim since there is no other
means of taking a bath. There may be
baseball, volleyball, table tennis, badmin
ton, and camp fires at night. In Japan the
non-Christian often thinks of the Christian
as a sour-faced, austere person, with little
enjoyment of life. The experience at camp
helps to dispel this mistaken idea.
The campers were divided into four
groups and each group took its turn at
preparing meals, serving, and cleaning up
after meals. The camp day began with
one group preparing breakfast while the
rest spent an hour together in prayer and
devotions at the lakeside. The morning
study hour consisted of two hours of
classes, two classes being conducted simul
taneously each hour, and a chapel hour.
The camp leaders alternated in speaking
at chapel and A1 Hammond spoke each
evening at "Vpi^i^s. Since the Japanese are
as a rule deficient in general Biblical know
ledge, two classes on Biblical Introduction,
one on the Old Testament and-the. other
on the New, were taught. The two other
classes studied were the conversions in
Acts and the Book of Hebrews.
The dates for the camp were August
14-21. Each camper was left free to choose
the number of days he attended camp ac
cording to his convenience. On the first
day of camp about 48 were registered. A
total of 58 perhaps were present during
the week. A few, because of responsibilites
at home, left camp at mid-week, but the
greater part remained until Friday or Sat
urday. A small group remained" until Sun
day afternoon, when camp was broken
up.
No conversions were made during the
camp week, but other benefits compen
sated for this, making the camp a worth
while undertaking. Over half of the camp
ers were non-Christians, and we are sure
that they came home with a far better
understanding of what the Christian faith
and service is than when they arrived at
camp. They had' the great advantage of
hearing Christian principles expounded and
then of seeing them enacted in the lives
of the Christians present in the camp. They
could understand that dedication to Christ
and a clean, wholesome enjoyment of life
go hand and hand. The Christians coming
from various churches, developed a close
friendship with other Christians, and got
a better view of the unity and solidarity
they enjoy with others in Christ. But
whether saint or sinner, preacher, mission
ary, or child all were instructed and inspir
ed at the camp. A meeting of the leaders
will be held soon to discuss the weak and
strong points of the camp and to lay out
initial plans for another camp at the
same spot next year.
Andrew Patton
English Church Services
Recently a spontaneous movement has
taken place among the Tokyo missionaries
and their friends stationed here to meet
together early on Sunday mornings for a
worship service in English. The men long
Page 2
for an audience to whom they can preach
freely in their own tongue without having
to grope for words and stumble in Japanese
and still not say what is on their hearts.
The others, who seldom are privileged to
hear a sermon in English, make an atten
tive audience.
These services were begun in August.
The audience is made up of missionary
families and friends connected with the
armed forces and business people stationed
in this area. Some of these familes travel
25 miles to get to the services. Some of
our guests have been: Stephen Mayfield
(whose parents are missionaries to Canada
and Europe): Richard Neyer, Stephen's
friend, both of Fuchu Air Base; Mr. and
Mrs. Helm (connected with Japan Air
Liner) who are from the Madisonville
church in Cincinnati; Velma Wier from
Salem, Oregon (teacher at the Tachikawa
Air Base); and Velma Held who teaches
at the "Washington Heights Armed Forces
school,-and-Jarme]^-from Hampton, Iowa. ^
Also Leonard Johnson from San Jose
spent the Lord's Days with us as many
as possible while here on business. Mr. and
Mrs. G. C. Andrews and their family from
the Atsugi Air Base visited us when the
temperature was about 100 degrees in the
shade. Because of the great distance they
had to travel, they said they would try to
come back regularly when it became cooler,
Isabel and Janet Dittemore was with us for
the first service as they had just come
back by ship from Hong Kong. "With them
was the dean of women of the Canadian
Academy in Kobe, Miss Officer. The peak
attendance so far has been 32.
Bill Walker has been preaching to
this Sunday morning congregation. The
meeting is being held at the Showadori
church building which was recently dedicat
ed. The English services are at 9 every
Sunday morning. At 10 A. M. the mission
aries end their service and dash off to
hold their Japanese services at 10:30 in
the different areas in Tokyo. We are
anxious to see what this group will do
for the Lord.
Andrew Patton
SHOWA DORI CHURCH
(Continued from Page 1)
ed special messages in song. Also Miss
Shimizu from the neighboring Shimo-ochiai
Church of Christ led a children's meeting
every night, before the adult service.
Preaching was done by Mr. Cho from
Mikawashima church, Mr. Kobayashi from
Fujimidai church and Harold Sims.
The William . Walker family will
live in Buttray's house during their year
of absence and help in this new work.
Japanese leadership is in the hands
of Mr. Kobayashi who moved into the new
building with his wife and 2 small boys
on Aug. 21. He was formerly associated
with missionary Bob West in Okayama
prefecture and has been preaching for an
independent interdenominational church
for several years.
Page 3
Okayama Omoide
The first word means "hill-mountain",
and is the name of a prefecture in central
Japan about 100 miles south of Osaka, The
second word means "thoughts going out"
or recollections. I just want to record a
few paragraphs of outstanding impressions
while the memories are &esh in my mind
of a recent 10 day trip into the country
villages of Okayama for a series of special
evangelistic meetings.
During the past 5 years a solid and
steadily growing evangelistic work has been
established in that area through the devoted
efforts and great prayers and faith of Bob
and Audrey West, our fellow-missionaries
from San Jose, Calif., and Mr. and Mrs.
Nakamura, a Japanese couple who graduat
ed from Tokyo Bible Seminary in March
1955. We are very thankful to God for
what has been accomplished there, and also
for this rare opportunity to visit and work
-among the^ural folks,-andnmost-of allfor
the thrill of preaching to large crowds of
between 100 and 250 people who know very
little about Christ.
The series of radio programs on the
Gospel of John, with accompanying corres
pondence course, prepared by Isabel Dit-
temore and featuring her trio of musicians
is now being broadcast on a station that
reaches this part of the country; so, in a
combined attempt to create listeners to the
radio program and generate interest in the
good news of eternal life, the trio and I
were pictured on thousands of posters and
hand-bills and held meetings in town-halls
and school auditoriums in most of the towns
and villages in a 2 county area.
Some of the things that linger in the
memory were:
1. On a beautiful sun-breezy afternoon,
a party of 4 leave a little Japanese car by
the side of the dirt road" and descend
sleeply to the banks of a river about 30
feet below. Two of them change clothes in
the shade of a bush as 5 others arrive
by bicycle from the nearby town. Then the
preacher leads the group in a song and
prayer and precedes a young man in his
twenties into the midst of the cool, clear
stream that waters the paddy fields of the
"narrow valley. The water~ls~3nst- about
waist deep in some of the holes. As the
burial into Christ takes place there is no
sound but the water tumbling over big rocks
a few yards up stream.
This young man is a road maintain-
ance worker, and has a steady year-round
job filling holes in a 3 mile stretch of
well-traveled road. One day a passing car
threw out a copy of the Gospel of John
and he picked it up. Some months later
a missionary moved into town. The first
visitor at the missionary home was this
young man asking for a Bible Class on the
Book of John. After five years of questions,
doubts, and attending meetings he finally
decided to put on Christ.
2. A Country movie house. The floor
slopes down toward the stage in large yard-
wide steps of concrete cushioned with about
1 inch of fine dust. No benches, but thin
straw mats are spread out for people to
sit on. The walls are of straw and mud.
and full of the remnants of hundreds of
movie posters partly torn off. The ceiling of
rough-hewn timbers supporting the roof
was decorated with hundreds of intricately
worked cobwebs and lighted with about
6 one-hundred watt bulbs. I will always
remember it as filled with 250 to 300 ordin
ary farming folksmost of whom knew
very little about Jesus Christ. It was the
largest Japanese crowd I have spoken to.
3. An afternoon in the home of
and Mrs. Abe. He is a former Jr. High
School teacher and head of social and
welfare work in the area. Now his time
is given to church first, and then teach
ing English and editing a magazine of
Japanese "haiku" poems. They keep about
10 kinds of birds in cages all over their
house, so the atmosphere is always musical
and pleasant. The conversion of this in
fluential man and his wife^ stirred the
entire community several yea"& ago.
4. Bob and Audrey West-^ften lonely
and always tired because of daily meetings
and more op-
portunities than they can fill. They lack
some in Japanese language ability, but are
loved and respected deeply by all the peo
ple. It was an inspiration to hear Bob
West pray^beautiful wording, "lifting up
holy hands" and all in English. The
Japanese didn't understand much that was
said except the name Jesus Christ and the
word Father, but they got the feeling, and
he had been used of the Word to teach
others to be men and women of prayer.
5. A husky, loud-voiced country boy
full of zeal and love for the Lord". Hides
a bicycle 1 hour down-hill and 2 hours back
home before and after every service at the
Hayashino church. Some times he gets a
little Buddhism, national pride, Bushido
(code of the warrior) etc. mixed in with
his Christian testimony, but he is willing
to learn and anxious to tell others.
6. The door-bell rings at 8:30 AM Sun
day. A Jr. High School teacher from a
town iy2 hours distant by train is there
with a girl from his school. He himself
is not a Christian, but he brought this
girl to the missionary's home because she
has a Bible and has been stud^g it and
wants to know more. She is immersed be
fore that day ends.
wife patiently working and putting down
roots in the community and gaining re
spect. Their preparation for the meetings
was excellent, and their "common-touch"
goo-d" to see.
8. A severely crippled girl about 3
feet tall who barely propels herself along
on bent who deformed legs. Her face just
shines with pure and simple joy especially
when she can join in singing around the
organ after church.
9. After the meeting closed at 10 PM
the missionary offered to take a girl and
her mother home in the car since they had
so far to walk. We rode along a steadily
narrowing, ascending and deteriorating
road for about 40 minutes before we got
us near their home as possible. They had
walked 2 hours to the meeting.
10. A post-office employee who gave
a wonderful talk and prayer at the Lord's
Supper using a well-worn and loved Bible.
0
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
His wife and some relatives have been won
through his testimony.
11. A rather unkept middle-aged
man with a shrivelled right hand. I met
this fellow on the first night of the meet
ings and thought he was a little peculiar.
He insisted I listen to him pray to see
how good he was. Later I found that he was
indeed very, much of a "problem-child." I
wondered if I would have the patience to
deal with his daily phone-calls and spoiled
child ways as the Wests do. But on the last
day I was there we went to visit the
mayor. He told me that this man used to
be the terror of the valley. Nearly always
drunk, he carried a knife and would rob,
attack, fight, use terrible language, steal etc.
He said that the change that had taken
place in that man was positively a miracle
and that if Mr. West did nothing else but
"save" (he used this word, although not a
Christian) that man it would have been
a great contribution to the community and
a credit to our religion.
12. One jiice morning we decided to
climb the mountain in back of West's
house. After 40 minutes of hard climbing
we looked down on a tranquil scene that
was worth many time the efforts of the
climb and real food for the soul. A scene
untouched by the war or much else of the
20th century. The preponderance of the
farm houses were straw-roofed. The fields
were cut in a satisfying neat pattern to use
all land and water to the best advantage.
Great old trees thrived along river.
Most of the 2 or 3 thousand souls down
in that valley are without Christ and care
not. But God is at work and perhaps be
cause he looks down from far above He is
more patient and loving than we are.
by Harold Sims
New Preacher At Nakano
The Nakano church has called Yukio
Itagaki as their new minister. He and his
wife and little boy moved into the parson
age early in September to begin their min
istry. Mr. Itagaki gra-duated from the
Tokyo Bible Seminary in 1956 and was
engaged for 3 years in pioneer evangelist
in Chiba prefecture for 3% years. Their
meetings were held in a kindergarden
where Mrsr Itagaki was teaching7-I>ut-she
lost her job there in 1960 and he had to
take a job with an insurance company to
support the family. So it is a great joy to
them to get back into the active ministry,
and I believe it will be good in every way
for the Nakano church to have them here.
For 6 weeks this summer the preacher
from the Church of Christ on Tanegashima
(an island off Kagoshima prefecture in
extreme south Japan) came to Tokyo with
his family to study in a special summer
session of the Tamagawa University, of
which he is a regular correspondence
students. Since the Nakano parsonage was
empty they s^ed" there and were a big
help in the churchespecially during the
Daily "Vacation Bible School which was
held the week of Aug. 21-26.
For 3 days before the Itagakis moved
to Nakano church Harold Sims and a
young man from the church painted the
walls of the parsonage.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Part of the audience at the dedication of the new church building on Showa Don
(next door to Buttrays) on Sunday after July 16, 1961. The 2 Japanese signs are
advertising the dedication service and the week of evangelistic meetings following.
Nakano Evangelistic
meeting
An evangelistic meeting was held' at
Nakano church from June 4-11 immediately
following the Tokyo Christian Crusade
which gave much publicity to Christianity
through the city, "We were hoping to draw
some of the people who made "decisions"
at the American-style crusade.
Miss Lydia Shigenobu from the Radio
Mission in Kobe came to lead the music
and a children's meeting every night prior
to the regular evangelistic service. Stephen
lijima was the evangelist.
The children's meetings (not very
common in Japan) were very successful,
with attendance increasing nightly to a
high of 46 and doubling our regular Sunday
School attendance.
Attendance at the meeting was not so
good as we hope after using 8000 hand
bills and other means of advertisement.
The high was 25 and the low 13. But some
very good prospects were found.
The Center Of Japon
by Harold Sims
You leave the Tokyo Central Station
at seven PM on the "Buzzard", fastest train
in the land. Read the magazine and then
go to sleep. The next morning you see Hiro
shima glide by as you eat breakfast in the
diner, and before lunch you have passed
through the undersea tunnel and are on
the island of Kyushu, In the evening, after
23 hours of hard and fast riding, you get
off at the end of the line in Kagoshima.
Then you take a ferry for a scenic 50 min
ute trip across the bay,
Mt. Sakurajima, a towering gray vol
cano dominates the scene. Like some old
men, it sometimes smokes quietly and again
it snorts, burps or bellows so loud the
whole neighborhood is disturbed^window-
panes rattle for 25 miles and more. From
the ferry pier you change to a bus for
another 50 minutes to the "In front of the
Mission" stop, and are greeted by Mark
Maxey, the only missionary and white man
living among the numerous people, towns
and villages of the eastern half of Japan's
southernmost prefecture. To compensate
for what some might imagine would be
boredom or loneliness this wonderful fam
ily (1) has a constant stream of visitors
who always come back for more of their
hospitality and (2) they persist in calling
this the "center of Japan."
A part of their missionary activity is
operation of the Kyushu Christian Center.
(As you would imagine the name does not
refer to geography, but something like the
modern word "nerve center" or the older
telephone "central") One of the yearly
activities at the Center is a 2 week inten
sive Bible Study course during the early
part of January when farmers and other
people have a lot of time off. The purpose
is to train the ordinary Christian for local
church leadership and service.
This year I taught a class in Romans
for 2 hours every night for 10 nights. Only
4 people attended the full number of nights
and received certificates, but with dele
gations from three of the nearby churches
a total of 38 different people attended.
Two of those who received certificates
were a fine young farming couple who
came up from a small island south of the
mainland for the 2 weeks of study. They
are seriously considering going into the
ministry at great personal sacrifice. An
other one who came every night was an
old school teacher whose hearing aid some
times got out of order and could be heard
beeping and squawking all over the room,
but he was a good listener. Some of the
leaders of the local Kanoya church attend
ed as many nights as they could and were
very responsive.
For 2 days while I was there they had
the bi-monthly meeting of the ministers
and missionaries in the prefecturea at the
center, and it was good to have the fellow
ship with these 5 young Japanese preachers
who are near the same age and very good
friends, and also Paul Pratt who is the
missionary on the other side of the pre
fecture, There is a fine unity among them
and they are busy at each meeting making
decisions and plans for the active program
of evangelism, camps, monthly magazine
and other things which they are -doing in
a constructive way!
One day I was asked to make a brief
speech to the local Rotary Club, of which
Mark with his "Center of Japan" propag
anda is a very welcome member, A West
German youth was there on his way walk
ing around the world. He reported he had
been away from home 3 years and in 23
different countries, and he is planning to
take 3 more years to get back home. Of
course he spent the night with Maxeys,
One night we went with the American
Lt, Commander who is the advisor to the
local Japanese Naval Air Force unit and
his newIy-arrived-from-the-States friend to a
Japanese hot spring to initiate the new
comer to some of the "hot-spots" of the
penisula.
It was good to see friends and co-
laborers in the work, and I returned to
Tokyo with renewed energy and new ideas
for the work here.
Gleanings from
s<
BOKKA = "song in the pasture"
edited by: translated by:
Stephen M. lijima Harold R. Sims
389 Sanko--cho,Shiba-shirckane printed by:
Minato-ku, Tokyo Andrew f^tton
y:' 3"4!
IN THETNTERESt OFTNTERNATIONAL. UNDEI^TANDING AND CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD
NunJjer -42 ^ September 19^1
I WANT ^ ; .0-.. . .
Just any number of things. The limitff to the Satisfaction of the desires' and quests
of mankind have never been reached* So we must not be always hurried about seeking,
but rather we need to reflect whether the things we already have in our hands can be
called our possessions in the true sense.
Things that are soon lost, things that do not give joy, things that do not satisfy,
things that decaymore than we realize these are the things that only add burdens.
He who has only one real thing in the true meaning of "owning" really has everything.
PHILIPPIANS STUDY Number 9 Gospel Warnings Phil.
The Impulse of the Gospel
Paul is planning to end this letter, but suddenly a force moves to push Paul's
pen forward; and, as if reheated, Philippians expands* What is the cause that drove
Paul on, and brought forth a style that could be mistaken for Galatians? The impulse
of the gospeli Ihe power of the Holy Spirit 1 This unexpectedly aroused Paul and
would not let him lay down the pen as planned. The loyalty to the truth and the
righteous indignation against those who oppose it that belongs to those who live in
the gospel of the Cross suddenly boiled up inside of Paul.
From Joy to Warning v. l-^
If there is one word to sum up Paul's writing in Philippians it is joy. Joy in
the Lord is again "joy of fellowship" given to those in the Lord. The fellowship
between Paul and the Philippian Christians which was joined by Timotly and Epaphroditus
as "living epistlesj' was a fellowship that can only stand upon the gospel of Christ.
Because there was the freedom and thanksgiving that only can be given by the gospel
there was fellowship. If the joy of the gospel were to be taken away from this
fellov^ship what would be left? So now he who had put the word "joy" in his mouth
for the concluding greeting changed to the following warning with a start, as if
being burst open*
'again the same things "Paul taught and explained many, many times and gave this
warning whenever the chance came- This was not a personal problem, but a problem of
the truth. He did not hesitate, especially when seeking the spiritual safety of
his beloved brothers in Christ.
"dogs, evil workers "Both refer to Judaizers or legalists. They were people who
found primary meaning in the outward form of circumcision and emphasized only that.
Paul boldly names these circumcisionists "emasculated ones" and clearly distinguishes
them from the truly circumcised. This is an urgent case. He has no leisure to
consider whether his use of words is good or bad- Certainly Paul's wording, in itself,
is not the most fitting. Nevertheless, especially to someone like Paul, clinging
only to Christ, redeemed by the Cross, a gospel believer desiring nothing else before
God but spiritual worship, if he was in the true meaning "circumcised" it was a very
important thing for him to have a clear discernment of the fundamental difference
from thos formal circumcisionists*
Paul's gospel faith passed through many battlesthe battle with hypocrisy and
legalism were the things on which it passed through the gate and was brought up.
In Paul's case to warn against these formal circumcisionists was not a negative fear
but a positive enunciation of the gospel.
And even today the gospel believers should not neglect the same kind of warning.
The Lord Jesus Himself said, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees."
Ihe Gospel as the Basis of the Warning v. 4-11
Paul's warning gushed forth from the essence of his gospel faith. This was not,
as is often seen these days, a religionists discussion like Comparative Religion,
nor was it an argument for denominational doctrine. At the base of his warning the
grace of the gospel flows as a fresh underground stream.
"reliance on flesh"Paul has more confidence in the flesh than arjyone else.
In a sense all Christians are also the same. In us also there is an Old Testament
type legalistic training period, so to speak. That is our human preparation before
we receive the revelation of God. The period of endeavor when we put our confidence
in ourselves is finally cut off when we fall with fear before the power of God. And
then one is given a complete valuation of the ^aee of God.
"dependence upon grace"Can man in the depths of failure and hopelessness be
given a will to trust in God's grace alone? Sickness, war, poverty, despair, discord,
defeat, natural disasters etc.there is no limit to human misery. But do these
things make man religious, do these things give a person faith? This is a big
problem. It cannot be answered lightly. The one thing that can be said is that
with Paul "as we know the Lord Jesus Christ more deeply we come to think of other
things as even useless and unprofitable." This attitude is necessary.
If Man comes into unhappiness and misfortune and is crushed and just because of
this he is able to do as the world says, "when it's too much for me, ask God" this
is still not a true experience of conversion. Truly if a person does not give his
very best and then on the highest peak of that be completely broken by God's right-
ousness and holiness and then helped and raised by God's love and grace he cannot
be made into one who "lives in dependence on grace."
"resurrection faith" It is thought by many that faith has some benefit as its
aim in view. All right, that in itself is not bad. The problem is just what benefit
you are seekihg^-:. We-are able for sore to know what kind of religion one has by what
ben^its he'seeks .'-^Like- Christ/.I want to^ part icipatef in the'resurrection of the
dead" was the statement of Paul's desire. More than any earthly or modern world
hopei on'the day when^ I stand before God that spirit might be living, that I
might escape the punishment for my sins, that I might be justified by Godthis was
Paul's hijghest desire and- it is the'greatest benefit to the one who believes in
Ohri:st.i Jesus saldv" -'seek ye first ; God 's-kihigd'om! and rijghteousnesel' Paul lived
accordin^to^that dionorabie word^ ' - i .
r; Ambng^Chjriat's followers''there is a joy that does-not spend itself. There is
an undhahgeabfie fellowship,^tan undisturbed pbacov It is sbmethihg- that all peoples
of the world cannot keep: from en-vyihg. Nevertheless to somehow'think that these:
things:are-some beautiful dream story or decorative words- and^^figures is^ an extreioe
misunderstandings - Rather we must n6t forget that- this joy, fellows hip, peace,
thanksgiving is bom "out of eVery Christian's daily, living battle in the life of
faithi: and-is^the holy.fk*uit that hkS 'beirf-presorveii'
The ftght against;legalism is not limited: only to Paul or to^the Galatians or
Philippians". '-Today it.Is a common battle for ail those who want to live in" the gospel
Of ChristIn c ontra'st to' the Cross of Christ,- which is the way of salvation opened
by Gpd,::the way of. the law is One that defies God's plan and seeks to build up by
nwn's power and wisdom and a^hority and righteousness. Satan can secretly change
our prayers, our efforts ^in Bible study,^our glorious church-worki even my own faithT
to legal:works and estinguish the. gospel's mercy.: Th^ we can say:that Paul's
warning is necessary; for us tode^ also. So let us thank God and not hate this
psirituai warning* ^
CRITICISM JESUS RECEIVED
Many- times a person's real value, is more clearly known by the criticism he receives
than by^ the-praise poured upon'ham. The case of Jesus is the best illustration of
thisJ.;; The criticisifl He received finally rested upon Him in the Cross. Through the:
critiC'isnL he received Jesus served both-God and inan* Prom now opi we also want to
go;forward:/itt-obedience to the word of God boldly,, not s.uffefing because of human
criticism. -From criticism,, whibh is the greatest fetter. He. has set us-free. Hs
who-would live freely in God's grace can only find the way in Christ who received
the greatest criticism from the people of the world.:
. 7 V
Gleanings from
BOKKA = "song in the pasture"
edited by; translated by:
Stephen M. lijima Harold R. Sims
389 Sanko"Cho,Shiba--shirokane printed by:
Minato--ku, Tokyo Andrew Jetton
IN THE INTEREST OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD
Number 4l August 1961
EyERYBODYS DOING IT
Everybody's going, everybody's seeing, everybody's buying, everybody's reading, everybody's
sayingin^ this "everytiody" there seems to be some value,L_jaeaning and comfort* And we
make haste that we might not be behind-the times,. Jceep up with current topics and be
always new.
But this world (government, law education, culture, moralsall associations) stagnates
and sticks fast at a line below the mean value* In this world ("everybody") there is
nothing good. True value always lies dormant in what "everybody" throws away and
does not consider* For this reason a person must escape from this world-everybody
Christ would scoop us out of this present evil world* Galatians 1:4"
THE SIUDY OF PHILIPPIANS No. 8 Phil. 2:19-50
Timothy and Epaphroditus "Better than a Letter"
Finally it seems that Paul is thinking of finishing this letter. He has finished
giving them three important exhortations, and now he thinks of the person who will carry
it to Philippi. To whom shall I entrust this letter? Paul himself knows its iir5)erfection.
And what letter is able to boast of its perfection? There is nothing so easily mis
understood as a letter* Therefore the person who takes it to Philippi must be better
than the letter and a satisfactory supply in place of Paul to explain points that were
easily misunderstood or parts that could not be easily expressed*
In modern times we can use the postal service easily and cheaply, and because we have
a tendency to trust too much in letters it is all the more bad to forget that there is
something better than a letter.
Well, then, what is better than a letter? Needless to say, it is an individual*
fact a letter can only accomplish its purpose if there is first a thorough fellowship
and mutual understanding, trust, love, real knowledge between two people. What we call a
letter can only fulfil its purpose when it is between those so closely related that they
don't even need a letter*
Paul knew this fact better than any other* He is often called "a letter-writerJ' but
this is not because Paul wrote many letters or because he was very good at writing letters
but because he well knew the limits of a letter. In this sense the letters of Paul are
of an entirely different kind from present-day letters* So our Philippian letter also
has much for us because of the men who carried it* Paul said some very precious things
about Timothy and Epaphroditus*
About Timothy v. 19-24
Timothy was a half-breedhis father was a Greek, but his mother was a Jewess* Ife
came from Lystra, and when Paul revisited this place on his second missionary journey he
apprenticed himself to Paul and eventually became an evangelist and one of his beloved
disciples.
Rit Timotl^ was not just someone picked up by Paul accidentally. At an early age in
his home he had been fostered in the faith* Japanese Christianity will never be any good
until the children are able to study the Bible at home from their parents. When will
that time come/ Japanese still will not think of religion except as one's "honorable
cult I'
Timothy's mother Eunice and grandmother Lois were converted during Paul's first
evangelistic journey* After a short tune the child of that home had grown spiritually
' 'III " . I, I " ' II. , . .'I
and was ready to follow Paul. We can see from this how the gospel that Paul taughtthe
gospel onlywas a most powerful and "living as is" thing. When the gospel of Christ, and
that alone, is given it does a powerful work. If it does not have' power it is always
when someone has performed some contrivance on it When we shut it up in some denominational
doctrine or put on it various ornaments that flatter human wisdom the gospel will not
work with its original power.
Timothy is now Paul's companion in a Roman prison. The Jews who were surrounding
Paul are listed in v. 21. With their mouths they chanted the extension and maintenance
of the Jewish churches; but in acts everyone of them, while boasting of adhering
strictly to the lavr of God, pursued his own orthodoxy and fame only, and there was not
one real comrade who really thought on the things of Christ. In the midst of this,
Timothy's fidelity became apparent, and "this Timothy" Paul selected with resolution as
his "personal letter."
Following after Timothy in his heart and dreaming of the day he could visit Philippi
again Paul was finally never allowed that privilege. When we think of Paul's very earnest
and overflowing emotion that could not be completed in written words but must be delivered
through a person, and how it was fully delivered in this way to Philippi even we readers
can feel a deep satisfaction.
About Epaphroditus v. 25-pO
Epaphroditus' name only shows up in Philippians and we have no materials for knowing
in detail about him. The brethren at Philippi wanted to comfort their honored teacher in
prison and he v/as the one who brought the offering they had collected. It seems that he
decided of his own will to remain at Rome and take care of whatever physical needs Paul
might have. Paul took this kindness ofEpaphroditus not just simply as personal kindness,
but as the "hand of love" of the believers in!the distant church at Philippi.
The characteristic of Christian fellowship is that Christ is always standing in the
midst. It is a great error to say, "I sim a-person who serves only Christ and my relations
to other people are secondary, small matters." Of course to obey parents and be kind to
ones friends in itself is not service to Christ, but to serve Christ is to in all human
relationships live daily, truly "in Christ."
The reason Paul admired beyond measure the service of Epaphroditus and Timothy is
because it was based upon a gospel motive. In thJLs waj'- can't we say that Epaphroditus
himself was already a "love-letter" from the church at Philippi? In the background of '
Philippians the fellowship that binds individual to individual together in Christ was
added together many times . .
What is the secret of why this very little Philippians has been read and passed
down as the "love-letter}' and in every age has been to Christians the same demonstration
of the power of love and such a comfort? It is because of the fact which this Philippian
letter has- produced. vVhat Philippians has already taught (Christ is the first example,
Paul himself showed with his own body, and Timothy and Epaphroditus learning from that
also demonstrated it)the living and working God's work; thinking of that first, over
flowing with the joy of always obeying it, putting that before my affairs, my friends, my
teachers, my church, and even evangelism and being absorbed in it. In one word, the
Holy Spirit's work. Philippians .is a letter that was born from the very midst of the
freely working Holy Spirit.
THE VALUE OF THE OLD
There are some cases wnere it is better to make up your mind and throw something away
and get a new one. But that is rather rare. In most cases one should be advised, "it is
better to figure out some way to keep it longi' The world's' concept of value thinks that
the older a thing becomes the more its refundable value declines^ But that is not the
.Only concept of value*
Both things and people, both material and spiritualideas, religion, faithin all of
these things the older is usually better* The perso'm I envymdst wears old things, is
surr^nded by old friends, remains at the seme old job, lives- in the old faith and the
old ideas* Yet whenever you see them they are al waya-newliVingin new hope and joy.
HAFPY MARRIAGE AND HARMONIOUS HOME
This seems to be man's most serious ideal., and is undoubtedly a good thing. Often
Christianity is taken up as the best solution to this..problem* They make it seem that " '
Christianity promises a happy marriage or a perfect Home. We must make clear that
Christianity is unrelated to whether we have a happy marriage. There are many fine
Christians who are troubled by problems -in. the hom-e, and .there are those outside of ' ..
Christianity who liave happy homes.,. .We must not-use the gospel as the key to earthly
happiness, because it is the key to heaven.
Sept. 6, 1961
Dear Friends,
We hope all of you had a nice suramar. Our faroily all enjoyed acme recreation,
change of activity and service for the Lord and now we are getting settled for
the fall work.
After a week of sweltering heat that dried out the rainy season and a church
wedding that wilted a lot of nice starched shirts we made for the mountains on
July 10 seeking a little comfort. It could be called a vacation, but actually
up there surrounded by the tall pine trees more work and study is accompliehad
than by staying in Tokyo, and the children have more fun and batter appetites.
Wo had rented the cottage owned by the Julius Fleenor family for the season,
since they are on furlough this year. Harold came back to Tokyo every week-end to
preach at Nakano church, gat the mail and take care of other business.
From July 24-26 ho want with 44 young people from the Mikawashima (Korean)
church to a youth hostel on Lake Kawaguchi (5 hours by train) for a camp where ha
preached twice and participated in two discussions which were lively, timely and
aye-opening. These Korean young people are seriously thinking about the revolutions
in South Korea and the divided state of their homeland and what their attituAo as
Christians and citizens should be toward these political problems. Following
this ha took 6 of Lois* Bible Class members in the csr up to our mountain home
for 5 days of camp. During this time wa 14 went in one car to visit the famous
lava bads on the slopes of 8000 ft. active volcano Mt Asama, Then for 2 weeks
the Andrew Fatten family came up and stayed with us. We had lively paj'ties for
Danny's 6 month (he cut a tooth that day) and Jonnia*s 9th birthdays.
On August 11 we all came back home. It was and is still hot in Tokyo, but
there were other things to do. Along with our family of 7 we also brought back
a cute little pup that Sylvia had received from d friend. She is the pet lover
of the family, and made careful arrangements for her little red hen, 5 gold-fish,
4 canaries to be watered and fed by the Ikeda family during her absence. Mr,
Ikada is the preacher of our church on the island of Tanagashima in the extreme
south of Japan. He is taking a correspondence course from the Thmagawa University
in Tokyo, and had to come for a 6 weeks summer course on the campus, so we ^
"arfshgad for their family to live in the empty Nakano church parsonage, look after
the 2 buildings here and help with the church work.
After a busy week-end of last-minute arrangements Hope, Sylvia and Harold
left early Monday morning Aug. l4, the car heavily loaded with food, blankets etc.,
for Motoeu Camp. Wa rent this site near the foot of Mt. Fuji for 1 week every year.
It has no electricity or modern convenience and the road is a test of both auto
mobile and driver's nerve, but it has isolation, quiet, cool air,.good swimming,
scenery and camping spirit. This year a total of 58 people wenV-the largest
number in the 5 years wa have held camps there. Sept, 5 one of the I5 who went
to camp from Nakano church was baptized here.
We Game home the next Sujiday afternoon, and the day following began our
Vacation Bible Schoolfrom 6-8 each evening" in order to have cooler temperature
and more teachers. The attendance averaged 22, and we were happy to have 10 of
the mothers come to the closing program, some for the first time in a church.
During the summer the Nakano church decided to call Yukio Itagaki as minister
beginning in September. Ho graduated from Tokyo Bible Seminary in I956 and has
been doing independent and pioneer evangelism in Chiba prefecture. We are thrilled
to be working more closely with this wonderful young couple of much ability, faith
and conviction and are hopeful" for the future, Harold spent most of last week
working with a seminary student painting the inside walls at the church.
The new school term at Christian Academy began yesterday and with Bobby in
the first grade wa now have 4 in school every day. One year ago today we arrived
back in Japan for our third term of service. The time has passed quickly, joyfully
^d peacefully, Wa are sustained by your prayers, financial support and the
immeasuraable supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ. We continue to seek these
blessings with yeildod and open ^oarts because we are needy and want to be used.
Yours in His service.
The HAROLD SIMS PAMILYv
Gleanings from
BOKKA = "song in tie pasture"
edited by; translated by;
Stephen M. lijima Harold R. Sims
389 Sanko-cho.Shiba-shirokane printed by:
Minato-ku. Tokyo Andrew I^tton
IN THE INTEREST OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD
Number October 19^1
DIFFERENT FROM m
"Stay far away from the person of whom you think thus." It is believed that
friendship only bloojzis in sympathetic feelings and similar tastes* If you say "unity"
soon the effort is made to discover things in common- Because they depend only oh
joint ownership, the' groups or bodies made by men are weak and fragile-
The fellowship born of God contains all kinds of differences--a thousaoad
differences, ten thousand distinctions are all-right. ,Christ's Ohirch keeps, its
life precisely because of that-
The conditions of unity are just what God gives:(^e Lord, On Faith, One
Baptism. In this way a dear, longed-for fellowship passes to and fro between
completely dissimilar ones, and forbearance, humility, respect and confidence,
independence and cooperation v/orks lively.
V/hen, through Ohrist, one is able to rejoice that a person is different from
himself then he for the first time knows what, friendship is. Eph. k-
THE STUDY OF PHILIPPIAN3 number 10 Phil.-,.,5:12-l6
Christian Growth Hope of Resurrection
When one becomes a Christ5a,n various changes take place within that person^
because Christ takes hold of him. His change continues slowly, daily from the first
day after conversion until the last, because Christ condescends to be in him-
Christian's change is nothing-.else than "grov7th. .,To be. taken hold of by Christ
doesn't mean tho completion-:of. something, but rather it signifies the' teginning of
something. When the power of Christ is poured into me.and I take by first step as
a Christian an unceasing grovrth is opened.
The growth of a Christian is sustained by a remarkable hope, a new hope that ''
has not been experienced up to nowto become dike Christ# Until now death was'the
terminal of life. ^ nature and force of circumstances our eyes had been fastened,
only to earthly things. But, Christ the Lord of resurrection overturned; that life' "
from the roots and kindled a light of new hope., I do not want to be locked up in
eternal death, I want to rise like Clirist and be-with God# eyes look up to tha
cross of Christ, to the distant future, to the kingdom of God, and .gaze fixedly
on them#
"That by any means I night attain to the resurrection of the dead " Paul '.shouts' '
Paul's Christianity sums up in this one word- - Cross and resurrection, forgiveness ^
of sin and eternal life, righteousness given by God and the hope of.seeing Christ---
what a dynamic, overflowing-with-life faithS" In contrast to this tha .legalistic'
religion of the Jews (circumcision of the flesh, strict adherance to the forms,
narrow sectarian disposition, the insecure prid in one's own works) when compared',
with Paul's Christianity is the difference, between a'living and dead^thing*
Furthermore they try to bind again in circumcision those who have given a new
birth cry through the hope of Christ.
Paul's righteous indignation against this gushed forth as a gospel warning#
At the same time, that the Philippian Christians might understand the signifiganoe '
of grovrbh which is the essence of Christianity.'- and that they might endure in the
battle, Paul talks of the true meaning of Christian growth using himself as example.
. j
V. 12-14
Behold the figure of Paul single-mindedly aiming at one prize, earnestly
charging along life's course. Christ takes hold and makes a man like this*
The prize is not earthly, something that rots* The blessing of being invited by
God's voice, and called upward to the kingdom of God by the faith of Christ's cross
and resurrectionthis is the goal of all Christians* So their earthly life knows
no stopping place. There is no chance to pause, take a breath and boast to others
that he has already gotten to such and such a stage* Here is the special character
of Christian growth. According to this world's way of thinking "growth" is built
upon the premise that it is nothing more than coming finally to a set stage or
condition* IKiat growth aims at pride from the first* It gets to the top, rests
and instantly anticipates coming down* But Christian growth is growth unconscious
even of growth* Paul says there was only one thing clear to him, namely always
looking up and only pressing forward*
A Christian lives in faith. Growth is just a phenomenon that accompanies this*
He does not, as the worldly people do, train hard for moral improvement, exert
himself in study or seek "growth" but with the objective of conforming to God's call
he believes and goes ahead.
"forgetting the things that are behind" What does this point to? If the reader
will with Paul continue forward by faith he will come to forget all of the things
that pass away. First his own sins, uncounted failures, mistakes, regrets and
weaknesses, the polluted former history where doing over again will not avails the
position, enterprise, name, fame etc.* that have been built up by my own power and
wisdom. All of these. There is nothing that will not go flowing back and behind*
"facing the things before, concentrating all powerff Also in front of us from
now on there are various things that "will pass away" which take our attention*
But Paul's eyes are poured out toward the eternal prize*
""right now pressing on? Who would expect to hear this word from the mouth of
Paul? If we hear just this one word everyone cannot help admiring Paul's humility*
Christian life, in the process of growth, no matter what moment we might cut out and
look at always shows the cross section of humility. But as we saw before the
Christian does not train to gain the virtue of humility, he only seeks earnestly
the prize from above*
But to the gospel there is one fearful enemylegal ism. !Kiat can stop growth
and even take away humility. Paul has already fought this enemy a long time, and he
knows better than anyone that the weapon is deep and sharp discernment given by the
Holy Spirit* Paul here pleads with all to look to God's revelation, because by man's
wisdom and power it is impossible to resist this enemy*
V* 15-16
When he thought that the terrible hand of the circumcisionists had even
stretched out over his beloved Philippian flock Paul's heart would surely be rash
and impetuous. If their young faith would only embrace and trust the words of the
old senior Paul it would be fine*
"I want you all to think like this? But even this he does not press against an
individual* Each person has his own different way of growth. All of their thoughts
would not be completely unified' with those of Paul* Ttus with his enemy before him
Paul's encampment has a disadvantage. Paul fully trOst.? God's revelation to give a
solution to this disadvantage. This is backed by his experience. The same Paul who
was the enemy of the gospel had been changed into an apostle
Unity of opinion is human thinking, but Paul greeds before his enemies an
entirely different encampment* A as A, B as B, each one being taught by God's
revelation directly* C as C, D as D, each being led directly by God* Find the rate
of growth given to you* Don't have your eyes dazzled by the growth of others and
forget your own steps* We must to the end go according to the rate of growth we
ourselves have reached. Do not have the illusion that another's growth is my own,
or wear borrowed clothes. Each person in his own name should proceed on the
foundation given him by God* To be behind another is no problem* Setting the speed
is God's work. It is whether I grow and progress according to the rate given me*
I must not deceive myself* Believing that all will be made clear by God's
revelation we must listen to him*
Gleanings j
'' ."Y t -t -Ir;',''- ' : ,
> ' . I
i-": '-4
-M
edited by:
Stephen M. lijima
389 Sanko-cho, Shiba-shirokane
MinatO"ku, Tokyo
n";
nr
~ ''
translated by: '-i;-.
Harold R. Sims ! .'.iif
printed by:
Andrew I^tton
HH
IN THE INTEREST OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD
Number 44
IT IS HOPELESS
November 19^1
And then there is ei collapse* V/hen hope is gone even the vigor to live goes flying
away. The power to pass this day and meet that day will not be forth-coming if there
is not some kind of hope*
Disappearing hope is not true hope* Man's selfishness becomes his immediate hope ...
and tosses his life about in the waves of joy and grief. True hope is an eternal
thing* and points to the distantand-leads one to that great world that cannot be
seen with eyes. The greatest and eterhal hope is Christsins forgiven, called
sons of God, wrapped in God's righteousness, bound in God's love. The one who lives
in this hope does not know hopelessness. Romans 1^:1^
THE STUDY Gp BHILIPPIANS
The inner battle for growth
number ll
Phil. ^:17 - 4:1
^ Christian continues to grow, -jtr the help:pf the Holy Spirit he is made more'^^
and more humble, is filled with thanks and goes forwai^d* Paul was a good model of ^
thds.^ and as we Hudied.last time, he grew.while in the manly fight with legalism*' '^
Growing Christians are at the same time w^fibrs in. Rattle. However-their battle is
mainly, in the spiritual domain- '
Djt thsre is one more eneny about, which'the-Ghristian must'be .warned* - hi point
of power to take the- bones out of thie gbspel of .Christ it is not a bit inferior to
legalism. What is this? It is no law-.-antinomianiam. -We. might call it the.-revefse
sdde^ .of'l'b^alismr
The gospel'freedom, if- tied up^with licehs-h'-'throws the .Christian dowti'to^destruc-
tion^.the moment it. is/given. Galatians. 5:15 Is' a warning...from the veteran Paul who
had dd'ep experience .of this^battle'- - .
It is easy'''for-njan. to "run to. extremes. "Paul hims'elf was a Hebrewthe country
of law-^nd, he went out to Greece--tlie country .pf freedbm'-ii; So more thaW'-anyone else
he .fought-well against both of thhse'dangers and .obtained, victory. God saluted Paul
and made:: him the "gospel protector." Law does not give.birth to the gospel, but then
non-law or anti-law is not the gospel* It is .a big mistie. to be so 6vef-zealous in
'. fighting .Jegalism that we .bonfus'0' non':^law'license with gpspel freedom* Then .bn'iy
insincere,,.counterfeit Buddhistic' "all ride" faith with be bbrh. ' ,
Well, rejecting legalism and also fighting non-law-ism, when we'be; a person
.hlessed. with growth what shape does he take? What kind of person .does Paul speak of
when he rsays," "Ih the real meaning .a..well-rounded person*" ? .. . '
-1. Imitators '-"v.-' 17 '
A very surprising word leaks from the mouth of Paul who taught humility.* " All
..together imitate me.* The readers probably doubted-their eyes and. ears* it'is not
easy to harmonize this word and Paul's huiiility, but-bhose who already know Paul's
humility can still study it-more from this* o ... . ; ' '
Real humility is toward God- Humility toward man is only borri deFiyatavely from
this * To be truly humble before God is the important/tiiihg, .and at-time, other., things
(surfact humility toward man) may be sacrificed* , '
Now many important things inlif are received by imitation;- . It isr .true with
language more than anything* Those wild'toil to learn a f'oreign language while freely
handling their native tongue must.conclude that- it is because the simple principle
of imitation is treated lightly-
Our attitude toward life, art, techniques etc.the basis of most iiDportant things
is learned only by watching and doing until it becomes a part of us. Above all
faith is like that. It has to do with life and humanity. As you cannot speak a
word of foreign language by studying it in your head, so you, cannot live in faith
by only reading a book. Ihe person who has no teacher of faith, ho fellowship in
faith, no one to imitate is to be pitied* We must pour a steady lo6k on some
special peopie who are living in obedience to Ohrist. Instead of being suspicious
of Paul we should rather envy the Christians of that time who lived in such
fellowship.
2. 5he enemy of the cross v. 18,19
Everyone has one of two ways open to himto be one who lives in the gospel
of the arosa,. or to be an enemy of the cross. The believer who boasts not
in his own righteousness and finds Grod's salvation only in the cross does net need
an ''ismP But if net based on the gospel he cannot be without some "ism"
legal ism, no-law-ism, churchism, no-churchism, Biblicism, theologyism. Holy
Spiritism, rationalism etc. There is no end-to the list'v'but it backs up Paul's
.statement that there are many who walk as enemies of th^ cross.
God does not make isms and is not going to save by isms. The Cross of Christ
is above and separate from ism. Why does man let himself be pulled around by isms
and not cling to the gospel alone? The answer is simple, He thinks only of earthly
things. Therefore.religion is only a problem of food and drink. Rather than
moving according to truth he moved in order to eat.
Do they not ree^lize that human works are only shame? Strangely they cease not
to seek honor .in ttet shame, and they lose the distinction betweeh salvation.and
destruction. .Is thefe hot mUdh sadnoss in this? Are these not Paul's tears?
They have gone backward from the gospel of Christ. Only the one who confesses that
apart from the gospel all is vanity is wortl^ of the gospel. Thus a Christian
fights all kinds of earthly inducements. This battle is a condition of his growth.
5* Headquarters in Heaven 5:20-4:1
Headquarters means Commonwealth. The Japanese "nationality, citizenship" is
. somehow abstract and weak. Mere than a Sin of Japanese language it is bcttn from
the traditional weakness of Japanese social organs. Nationality, house registration
etc. all have an official"business on the desk" feeling. In Japan wo don't yet
have deep-footed citizenship. Japanese don't feel with their bodies the rdght tff.
citizenship in their ordinary life.
Souter introduces the word as ooibny and gives it a wonderful leaning. The
Japanese, translation "from there" does not;point to heaven,' but the gender and.
iwmber modifies the word translated %ati6haiity" which makes the meaning mOre '
peculiar.
Paul is saying that in contrast to the" way , ists are fastened, to ths earthly,
the real world for us Christians is "he spirituaTT Our conanonwealth is in heaven."'
Surely this is in the real sense no-church faith (if such a way of saying is
permitted) the-gospel faith. Never forget that wS must not.be carried away by the
eloquence of the Japanese translation and leave it alOne in shallow interpretations.
What; is the one greatest hope of those who have thei^ base in'^heaHn? Christ 's
;;?eturn. And at that time this earthly corruptible body will" be made into an .
incorruptible glorious body. Those who do-noii lose this hbpe dfe givep .^dwth,
and they also survive all kinds of battles with various isms. ipon'| move one step
from the one great hope of our glory at Ohrist's return.Che who was hot in that
place cannot possibly comprehend how much Paul who lived in this hope loved his
Phiiippians. But if we,living in this hope and continuing ih'this battle, can
hear Paul's call "J^y dearly beloved, my joy and crown" as our own, and can read
Phiiippians as epistle" we can stand fast in the Lord also.
PROBLEMS THAT ARE NO PROBLEMS- -.
Really there are many problems that sire no problems around uspersonally,
in the home, and in the church. If we are always tormenting .6ur minds and
sticking our necks out on problems that are no problems, when we.come up against -
a real problem we will have lost the power to take hold of it."
Forget, have no dealings with, forwakb those countless "no problaMtf For
that.purpose it is necessary to think'clearly about what really is the bjLg problem
for you.and me and human life. True religion teaches us this.
COLD BIBLE STUDENTS
There are not many in the world who want to study the Bible, so we often think
those who study with us are "invaluable men." Yet there are times when we must say,
Too bad? That is when there is a cold Bible student.
Who is this? It is a reader who does not love the Bible. Love is turning the
t^e self tward it.^ The reader who loves the Bible is one who does not hide all of
his daily life and his own problems, necessities and major concerns but faces them
to the Bible. The cold Bible student hides his true self and thus does not have
responsibility in his questions.
nu J^eally live 950 years? Was the earth really made in a few days? When
Christ homes will a trumpet really blow? etc." There is no limit to their doubts.
To answer these doubts is not necessarily troublesome, but to answer it honestly
often there seems to be insufficient sincerity in the questioner.
One question becomes the touchstone. "What connection does that have with your
present problems?" Ifere the^.cold Bible student ahxta his mouth, but.in contrast the
one who loves the Bible will bring out all that is in his heart. .
^e Bible lover will finally have the experience of being spoken to by the Bible,
and the living Christ testified to"in the Bible will answer the reader's love. But
the cold Bible student can receive nothing from the Bible. As long as he hides his
real self Christ cannot answer him. -. John 5:59,40
MAN' S ErasAND, GOD'S EYES
.^We say, "God does not make oiie above another," but man is hot satisfied with
that, mn puts one over another, and it seems he is not at ease \mtl he has someone
"^-r.his euthority. Above the eye or under the eye, upper-classman or lower-claSsman,
. leaner or. bor^^er, _pr^iVbr"10sS^^h;s eyes always judge by these things. As a
result;f.9mes the. technique "Of phang^^ according to the other party,
like tnr;n.fng,oyer;i^is is;the condition of rising in-the world, the .
secret of pr6of of atiiii^^^^^ teacher should distinguish
between children Sjcji; fatifers; ani brotibr^^^ public servant must
distin^i^^ his s^rioys;;^'inferim^^ changes his attitude
bOy is ffcm the-wholesaler or a customer, and
Even the religibnist 'puts a .difTerent construction on the dignity of the belieiver
^d. the -ordinary, citizen.. The person who haS none of this technique is ultimately
lcfcp|?ed.:Up.9n: as'us^^ " -'..'-J::'' '
trifling as man I But God is hot so.;: "God's eyes are
^ with only the measure of spiritual valuesfaith
called'by God and seen through his'.eyes we stop, being a "
+ tecome a: man ciii^ing to Christ..": The:."pera.qn who .lives according
thinly with the eyes hf'GOd. His" eyes hecome clear andvpur end
^^s'ting task of distinguishing and. can cut-.all connecti^s
with the trick"techhi^ue" hand. Ihtting. away, the...glory in ability.he
takes peace, and in plaCe'of success'he receives the :fellowffhip of. a" few .friends .
The highest human desire is that we live in the consciousness of only God's eves.
Romans 12:11 .
^rightly is .a good thing, becausis there is an overflowing prepondereince of
the_ dark "way .of thinking. "> .
To live .strongly . I. not only approve, but want to encourage you from the heart,
because"'there are too many people who are tdo x^eak and bow-and give the right of
way to wrong.
To live uprightly. By all means I would have you do such a thing, because there are
too few people who love righteousness.
What is the best life anyway? Everybody thinks about that problem. How can I
send my life along in the best way? Someone says, "Even if you say no difficult
things, just live strongly, justly, brightly. Isn't this the best life? The common
is good. Be satisfied with daily life, thankful, do good if even a little, and
plodding along be busy at your workthis is best."
Among those holding this "strong, upright, bright" ism there are surprisingly
many believers. 1 also approve, and would like for this way of thinking to become
more usual and widespread. But as a real problem is becomes very difficult to
understand just what is strong, upright and bright and furthermore how to live it.
So it becomes easy to let "strong, upright, bright" end as just a mood when we are
feeling good.
Following Christ If this practical thing were not the Sdeal and vision we s.e^
the best life would end.
To live strongly we need strength- Christ becomes that strength. To live
uprightly we need to be able to distinguish between good and evil. Christ becomes
that light. To live brightly we need a hope that does not bum out. Christ
certainly gives us that eternal hope. ^ ,,,
Without following Christ we cannot hope for the best life. When one lives
following Christ he can live strongly, uprightly, brightly no matter who he is*
DEMONSTRATIONS ETC.
While inside' I am thankful for grace and peace the ^tside world is every
moment changing bewilderingly. Rather we should say it is rushing toward the end.
Especially public opinion is boiling about the Soviet tests of giant bombs. At
the same time those demonstrators do not even form 1 line against such a big thing*
Compared with the late uproar about the U.S. Security ceaty this is a strange
arrangement. F^om it we can know that though it is reported ("tens of thousands
of demonstrators at the people's plaza") it is nothing more than part of an
organized fabricated authority and does not present the opinion of the general
constructive citizens of all classes. The eyes of the people of good sense are
still pouring out anger at the bomb testing of the great powers and this is more
fearful than a prosperous demonstration-
Also according to the newspaper the national railways are suffering from the
problem of riders covering free rides by misusing passes and they are going to take
more, strict measures to enforce the rules. . And those who customarily do this
"free-loading" are students and company en5>loyeea--rin other words, the young
in^telieotw^ls. More, than the Soviet tests., this may have a fearful effect on
Japfiui. ifeo^ who opposed the eecurity treaty so noisily for ^
mary days, are the, same ones, who don't, pay. the proper fare when using public
trahsportaticn This is the big probim- If the security treaty were abolished
as they wisli, and if the Soviet tests were stopped^,-; as long as they are ll^s
Japan's future.will undoubtedly be thia llfree'^loadingP "
... If Lwere a government official. T would do as one western country and ^esiroy'
ail' of the' wickets V/hen the national railroadh'went broke because of the unjust
rid^ers J. wouid "just publish the fact,.: close .-up the railroad arid let them walk.
If'they,could learn through that inconvenience and unfreedoift the small truth tiki,
moralsis wh-"^ keeps things running the Japanese would ibecome'more adult* As all
knowi the thing I think is most unfortunate is that the man who at hoine seems a
moral ..man. seems to change to one without.;the slightest sense of way or virtue when
it comes to spcial^or national things. This is because they do not have the
of the true..God. True morality goes along with true religion- - '
A CdNTESTANT
In Anewspaper every day a famous man from various fields contributes a short
article* Among these there are writings by a famous contestant. As I read his
writings from wbek to week I realize an .important thing. Jn him there is no
individual shapesomething that can be called himself. His life is only "How can
I win?" Ultimat^y he has built himself up on his opponents- How futile. More .
than winning over someone life's greatest problem is to realize eeucly what is in
yourself. Christ's teaching "love your neighbor" is not unconnected with this.
\ 8
Nov. 15 1961
i)aar Friends*^- C.
(^Fourteen ysaxe ago today' v/o varriYcd in poet-war Tokyo to join Kirs. Cunningham
and the'ol^cro" In thrs work^or G^'ist and Hie Church in what has becomo the
world'B^argaat-cit^r,Ag&irr'thie paneing year God has manifested His faithfulnaae
and love to us and we are suro to you also* bet all praise be to who alooe
ie God and who will be onaltad among the heathen*
For the first eight montize of this year Karold acted as the ad-intorim
pastor of tlia church next door to our house here in Kakano, having the respon
sibility for all the regular servicssa Also he spent 2 weeks in camp and 7 weeks
in evangelistic meetings In September Yukio Itagaki began his ministry with
this church. He is a fine young minister who loves Christ and the Word in
simplicity and truth. His disposition is always cheerful, because he practices
the art of being happy and thankful about all things large and small. It is a
real joy to have him and his good wife and little 2 year old boy as our neighbors
and fellow-workors, The church folks like them very much also, so wo are very
hopeful for the future of the work hero. Glorious are.the triumphs of Christ
who rogoneratoQ men such as those and puts them in His service.
Hope Joyce is now a toon-agor suffering through the persecutions and
rustroit-ione that most eighth graders have and all survive. Sylvia Joan is in
the eirth grade, 11 years old, and also grcv.'ing rapidly. Both of them aro taking
piano lesocns and siriging in the choii's at school, and they aro earning a little
spending money by tor-o'ning English pronunciation, in a small school operated by
Mr. Itagaki In the church on week-day nights. Jonathan is working through
fourth-grade multiplication tables and talking about rocket ships, Bobby is the
shortest boy in the first grade, but his exuberance carries him along with the
rest. Danriy-boy just passed hie ninth montha gay little follow with a
^-toothed gi'in who trios to join in the conversation and to walk*
Lpis^has beon bothorod for aomo months by high blood pressuro and an
or-activQ thjToid glard. Various medicinoo havo boon tried, but the doctors
at the Seventh-day Advontist Hospital have decided she definitely must havo an
operation for removal of part of it. So_ah^,.,,aiitQra the ^hospital tonight for
thi^ major surgory. Wo Imow that God will take care of her and also we are con-
"licioue of the prayers of many on our behalf. She will be completely well and as
active as over by Christmas when you will bo receiving this lottor, the Lord
willing. The faith and fellowship that wo share in Christ is moat strengthening,
and no ono con take it away.
Yours in His service,
HAROLD AND LOIS SIMS
'*^(6 <UKeC (/U*H a .'SO.
Gleanings from
BOKKA = "song in the pasture"
edited by; translated by:
Stephen M. lijima Harold R. Sims
389 Sanko-cho.Shiba-shirokane printed by:
. . Minato-ku, Tokyo Andrew F^tton
IN THE INTEREST OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD
Number 4^ December 1961
A SPEC'lAL PERSON
Sometimes we envy him. We fret and say "somehow I want to be like that", or
else fall into a sort of mediocrity feeling which resignedly says, "I am not given
that much power and ability.
But up until now God ims pushed forward the course of His history by means of
many ordinary people rather than by one genius. There is no need for us to become
special people* Rather it is better to be a common son of God* One who looks at
man declines alternately between a competitive and a self-debasing spirit. One who
looks to God is wrapped up in thanksgiving and peace and content with a life faithful
in small things. Matt. This is the voice a Christian should hear.
PHILIPPIAI>IS STUDY no. 12 Phil. 4:2-9 Unity Exhortations
Tlie first exhortation of philippians v/as unity in the gospel life (1j27~50).
It seems that this was the first subject occupying Paul's mind when writing Phil.
Near tlie end-ef~th leLber Paul again relurns to the root subject- But it is not
just a simple repitition. Being practical to the extent of giving names he states
clearly the center of the problem and requests that they cooperate for unity in Christ
The readers of that time surely could understand what Paul wanted to say. Today v/e
cannot understand the particulars, but the important teachings that we should hear
as the message of Phil, are clear- Let us study it and be fed.
Euodias and Syntyche v. 2,^
It seems that these two specially named by Paul were the best leaders of the
Ihessalonian Church, and these most zealous and powerful warriors for the gospel
were at the same time the cause of division in the church and the root of the trouble*
V/hen v;e discover this solemn fact of the spiritual world, that those most helpful to
the Lord's work become at the same time the first hindrance, it should make us fear
and quake and offer anew prudent prayers.
"Be of the same mind in the Lord" In the fellowship given by Christ v/e are to
v;ork at unity and cooperation. 'Ihis one conuron thing is really most difficult for
all kinds of people'* Moreover Christians are given through Christ, who makes it
possible, the glory and responsibility of shouldering this difficulty. The original
is, "In the Lord think the same thing." Not control or unify ideas, isms, opinions,
-pfolibies* Paul is urging them to leave those wide differences as is and yet above
that get your' thoughts'across to each'otheh- A gap in ideas or opinions usually
means contention betv/een two, but' it should not be so and is not always necesssorily
so* Precisely becau^.e there is fellowship in thinking the same thing the different
opinions and opposite ideas bring forth mutual benefits.
"I ask yhu also,"' "Suddenly Paul is calling'-someone, but v/e cannot understand v/ho.
According to o'ne opinion 'yokefellov/"'is ah'object-noun- and-refers- to a m^n named
Yokefellow. Whoever it is, Paul is-urging him for the sake of unity to extend the
.hand of help with brotherly love and respect to the good friends and leaders*
Euodias and Syntyche are the center of the trouble, but when seen from the
battle with the enemies of the gospel they are insiders. He is teaching not to oast
aside, but to put out warm hands and help from the side for the sake of unity.
True fellowship comes from those who live in the gospel and feel the gospel fight is
their own* The one who throws disunity into the fellowship is one who for a little
withdraws from the battle-Uine and takes his eyes off the common eneny.
Paul's eschatological faith v. 4-7
While Paul hijijself is in a Roman prison he is wrapped up in an overwhelming
hope and joy, the source of which is his faith in the second coming* To thrust out
some of this joy to his Phil* friends he draws out of the well called Christ. This
is Paul's parting greeting, but he does not end vdth a simple "sayonaral'
Even in the midst of affliction Paul, who was completely immersed in this joy,
urges magnanimitygiven by meekness, born of calm judgement, coming from impartial
love. This was the thing working in Paul himself at this time. Regarding Euodia
and gyntyche the Phil* friends must have the same thoughts and attitudes as Paul.
"Peace of God'.' This is heavenly peace given by God* The only way that true
peace can be realissed on this earth is in daily life that leaves everything to the
Lord, trusts Him and prays. This peace guards people's hearts and thoughts from
all kinds of deflections
Magnanimity that brings forth Ui^ity comes from reconciliation to the God of
peach* Reconciliation with God comes from the second-coming faith* And the
second-coming faith is believing Christ is living and soon coming and drawing
near. Only vrhen v?e yeild to th.living Lord can unity and reconciliation rule-?
passing the limits of human understanding- Otherwise each person persuades himshlf
of his own say, and whiT^ mouthing peace unity if finally lost.
Christian Spirit v. ^,9
Truth, saoredness, justice j purity, love, nobility, morality etc .all kinds
of good things. Paul is not just lining up these, but is exhorting them to fill
their hearts daily with one of them.
"y/hatsoever 1' No matter how small a truth, or how much love is covered with
self, conoentrato on doing this not thinking it is hard. It is all right to begin
with anything, but act, live and then peace is made. With all your life do what you
have studied from Paul. V/hat a strong common-place. This is the Christian spirit.
Jesus said, Blessed are the peace-makers, fCf they sliall be called sons of God.
Paul taught this- with his bodythinking of these good things one by one, practicing
them, concentrating on making peace. Apart from dihis kind of steady, plain,
strong-"commonnesfl" true peace does not oojs&g even though sometimes they gather a
party and proclaim peace and flourish power and conquer enemies. The God of peace
is not with them.
Thus in the popular view Phil* is going to end with Paul's encouragement.
But if v/e turn over and taste one by one we know what a ddep truth dwells in this
ajmplicity. The practice of prayer, yeilding, reconciliation and all good things
is evejything* What a fine pe rson of living faith is Paul who does this kind of
teaching. To call him a dogmatist is a big mistake.
A PAT3SN0E STORY ; 'i- i by MasaJiisa lijima
Dark peeling ,,
dUie word ''patience" truly has a certain dark feeling. Perhaps .some,people :
will knit their brows and say, -!'I)o you spealc of patience nowadays .
If, you think of patience as. holdiig back what ,you should say or forbearing to
do what you want, then .w cannot help thinking of it as the symbol of old, dark
feudaiistio times. "We don't do that negative morality nowit is good to go ahead
and, say v/hat you P.Vfgbt to ab\mdantly and freely and dp what you want to, straightfor
wardly,'and~Xt"^ili he ell ripit~to~think of the ('after things' later* This can be
called the present-day style of thinking and the modern way of living*
^ patience in the true nieaning is different from that. When we come to
Qhristiahity very word has a completely different meaning and content.. So "patience"
in the Scripture is manifest aa ah almest unrecognizable strong and positive action*
To the Clu^istian there are few attitudes of life as important as the patience that
is showQ us in;the Bible,
Lpng-Suffer
This means to bear burden or sihpfering, be submerged in pain or duty a lonfe time#
In" the English Bible lcng-su:^ering is one word used for patience,' and the thought'
back of it is "how long can I endure the duty, burden or trial?
* (Because we felt the study of Philippians should not be cut and yet that you
might appreciate and use some of the other material, we are adding this extra
sheet containing some of the short articles from several issues. -Harold Sims)
AOCIDEimL LOVE
Many people know only accidental love. For instance, often what is called
one's love for his alma mater is only because by chance he happened by become a
student of Aschool, so he loves A school and is proud to be a student there. Or
by chance scmieone lives in B city, so he seeks the good of B city and advertises it.
In most cases one's love of his old ijbme town is not a degree above this* We
happen to be born in 0 country, so thoughtlessly we blindly believe in the super
iority of 0 country and think all others mediocre. In many cases people's patriotism
is this kind of thing.
There are others. We say love for my children, or love toward my family, but
all of these are nothing more than partiality because it has some connection with
myself. In other words it is just another variation of self-centeredness And
the fact is that these things really do not belong to the true meaning of love,
and we need to know that this is merely the lowest animal instinct.
True love is God's love, and the love tipward both God and man of the person who
has experienced God's love can truly be osilledlove. The center of love in Christ
is no longer self but God's judgement, God's plan, God's grace. Believing that the
Cross of Christ was also for this nation true patriotism is bom, and praying that
the Cross of Christ might also be for this child true love for one's child is born.
When one comes to the Cross of Christ he is released from all of the narrow loves
of earth and lives freely in the one and only Christ's love.
CONTENTED WITH AN IMPERFECT BODY
A crisis comes to everyone. By some chance or impulse his own eyes are turned
and limitations. No telling how many times this experience comes in life. If he
deceives himself at the first crisis the second one will be more serious. It is
very important that at the earliest opportunity a person face this crisis squarely
and receive this surprise and sadness submissively, because this crisis is a good
opportunity for him to turn to true contentment. Of course at that time he must
hear the gospel of Christ, or must call to mind the gospel he has already heard.
\flien the thing from God (the gospel) and the thing from man (his sadness) come
together the work of the Holy Spirit called conversion occurs.
We must not misunderstand about God being grieved or angry. That is not at our
imperfections and weaknesses, but rather that man hides and covers up; and though
the facts are not so he tries to have no weakness and in5)erfection, and deceives
himself by acting as if God is not necessary. This pride is what grieves and
angers God.
The Christ that God gave to us was "not such a one as cannot be touched with
feelings of our infirmities." We should stop living in emptiness and courage^sly
recognize ourselves just as we are before God. When we know God and His will and
works further uneasiness and worry will pass away and peace and thanks will come in.
THE COMMON
People seem unable to stand the common. They make all kinds of designs and efforts
to escape the common. Perhaps the greatest spiritual effort of man is spent on this#
Unchangeable things, quiet things, repeated things, old thingsdo not match
the nerves of people. Only when a person is made over to know the grace of God
can he become at ease in the joy of the common-place. There is often hidden a
strong and big change in the quiet life that seems to men's eyes as too much
without change. Rumors of world crises, earthquakes, rising prices, juvenile
crime, college professor's evil deeds, student's violence etc.in this world there
is nothing good. Being in such a place as this, spending this ordinary Bible
and faith life 10 years as one daysuch a thing must be thought a marvelous
thing among marvels. With thanks I send out 1 more issue of this small magazine#
Gleanings from
BOKKA = "song in the pasture"
edited by: translated by:
Stephen M. lijima Harold R. Sims
389 Sanko-cho.Shiba-shirokane printed by:
Minato--ku, Tokyo Andrew Ritton
IN THE INTEREST OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD
Dear Friends of The Bokka:
months we labored v/ith Brother John Muto in translating Brother liiima'
monthly e^tion of THE BOIOCA. T3SE PASTORAL SONG was only in mimeograph form but it
spiritual riches of the Japanese original. Even though the pur-
^ X. version was to better introduce the Japanese cony in Japan, we
enjoyed the oriental ejq)ressions of the same Gospel.
The lollowing illustrate how helpful the magazine was:
"Thank you for a wonderful study on the "Christian Home". I find it a very
tmely message for the American homes and, with your permission, would like
to use it in the church here." Jack Kendrick, Minister, Healdsberg,Calif.
"I feel eager to v/rite you and say how though it is small (Boklca) yet it is
spiritually rich and helps revive my faith." Sam Bym, Union City, Tenn.
%y husband used the article, "Thou Art The Man" as a devotional at Markle's
(Church of Christ) last board meeting, V/e keep every copy for future ref
erence." Mrs. Arvill B. Brown, Huntington, Indiana
''I like the articles in the Bolcka on Philippians. I would like to put it
in our ONE WAY with your pemission," Harold Taylor, Korea
Yet, the pressure from an over-stretched schedule and limited funds prevented us
from getting out additional translations of the monthly magazine. We came back from
a busy summer of camps and evangelism and couldn't find tme to talce up the tedious
task of preparing the En^ish manuscripts. Also, the growing circulation of FiiR EAST
ClffilSTlAi^I MISSIONARY increased our obligation in that direction. Brother lijiiaa in
sisted that seven editions of the English had been enough, and that I shouldn't worrj'"
about it. However, I felt badly and hoped for an answer vJiile weighing the value of
my other activities,
^ ^Praise the Lord, Harold Simshas consented to taking up this_import.^t- task. The
spiritual treasures of the Japanese original v/ill now be brought to you regularly .in
fonn of "gleanings" printed on this stationery, Harold will be translating Brother
lijinia's regular Japanese issue into English and putting it on stencils, Andy Patton
w^l continue to print it on his Gestetner as before. 5udo San, in our mailing office,
will mail it out to ola friends and new,
This_lit.tXe-monthly magazine ,is something of a banner for truth here In Jaoan.
If the English "gleanings" are helpful to you, let "
Yours, In Christ,
Al Hammond

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