The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-16

SplIlb, anu w tDo oduO QCOoo WIN
Christ. Is it so?"
4. IF you are, then it is necessary
for you to have daily and intimate
intercourse with the Book which con-
tains the will OF God and the account
of the deeds, faith, ideal and spirit OF
Christ. Are you ready to be diligent
in doing this'"
5. "Since you desire to be received
into membership, l trust you are
willing to accept the laws and con-
stitution of the church. Is it really
so7"
6. Every member stands under
obligation to propagate, either direct
ly or indirectly, the teachings and
the spirit of Christ, and to spread
abroad our faith among the people
and thus to help the work of the
church. Do you understand that
you are bound to do so, and are
you ready to be honest in discharging
this duty?"
7. SIN order to maintain the church
and to spread our faith certain ex-
penditures are necessary, and these
must be paid out OF the pockets of
the members. 1t is, therefore, a
duty which you ought to willingly
discharge, to contribute something
to the church monthly. Do you
promise to do 500"
Evangelistic Journeys.
In accordance with a vote taken
by the Japanese Convention last June,
Mr.. 10, in addition to his regular work
in Fukuoka, makes two evangelistic
tours each month, spending six days
each time and visiting three towns.
This is plan proposed by Mr.. 10
himself with the thought that he
would sooner be able to bring about
self support than by the ordin-
airy method of one man in each
place. He believes that his influence
and his results will be at least
doubled while the expense will be
comparatively small. 1t is under
stood that the mission shall not be
responsible for expenses outside the
necessary cost of travelling. 1t is too
early to judge as to results, as the
first few months must be the most
difficult ones. 1t is clear, however,
that in two of the towns he has made
himself felt, and he is very hopeful.
Both of these towns are growing
rapidly by reason of an increase in
the coast traffic. The island of Kiu-
shiu is one vast coal-bed and several
hundred mines are already being
worked. The places above mentioned
are seaport towns conveniently stu
ated for supplying coal to passing
steamers; and as all the Pacific
steamers, as we'll as the greater part
of the coasting steamers, pass that
way, there is every hope for continued
prosperity.
speaking Meeting" Organized.
One feature of our visit which gave
great pleasure to Mr.. 10 and which
| hope will lead to good results was,
the opening of what is called in Jap
anese an enzetsu kaUai, which is gen
orally translated into English by the
term speaking meeting" A rather
barn-like theater or public hall was
hired for two evenings and the meet
ings advertised in the papers and by
posters. On the first evening there
were three speakers and at least 300
peoplewere present during the speak
ing. On the second evening there
were four speakers with some in
crease in the number of hearers, at
at least 200 remaining from beginning
to end of the meeting. The purpose
is, of course, to advertise our work
and bring it to the attention of a
larger number of people than could
be reached by ordinary methods.
l should have mentioned above
that two candidates for baptism were
unable to appear on account of sick
ness. The total results of half
years labor are therefore five adults
and three children.
Incidents of the Journey.
One or two pleasant incid ents not
connected with the work
may be of interest. The city of Ha-
kata, which is separated from Fuk-
uoka only by river, has recently
been made a special port for foreign
trade, and the people are all alive
with the project of building harbor
for large merchant ships.
One of the gentlemen interested in
this enterprise invited us to join in
an excursion around the bay by boat,
Mr.. 10 giving us to understand that
our opinions concerning harbor con-
struction were desired. We were
shown neatly drawn designs which