Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-12-14
REVIVAL IN JAPAN,

For several years those acQualleeu
with conditions In Japan have com
planned OF the prevailing indifference
and even hostility to the missionary eff
forts in that country Very little en-
couragement has for long time come
for the christian emlssares en-
gagged there. The votarIes Of the an
Client religious systems have, on the
other hand, awakened to unwonted ac-
tiyity with great effect, and II APP
peared to some. as II the western mis-
onaries were about to lose what little
ground they have occupied.
A change has occurred lately, II the
reports Of one Rev, NJ. c. Harris, the
superintendent Of the Pacihc-Japanese
mission, may be relied upon as correct
AS quoted IN the Northwestern Chris
tian Advocate, he says that showers
Of blessings are now falling all over
Japan Thousands have enrolled them
selves as truth seekers The churches
are almost embarrassed by the num-
bers, The schools have sent forth
thousands Of preachers, eyangellsts
and teachers,
Giving details Of the success attend
ing the Methodist propaganda, he says
th,t Kudan church, Tokyo, enrolled 500
in three weeks, Glnzo church over 300,
two churches in Yokohama above 500,
HirosalSi 100, Hakodate 175, and 50 on
all over the country. 1t is estimated
that 1900 have already been enrolled
and that this Will reach 10000 by the
end of this year His conclusion Is, that
II Christ were In Japan today, He
world undoubtedly speak to His dlsci-
pies; SAY not four months and then
cometh the harvest. Lift up your eyes
and behold the fields already white UNI
to harvest" Now" he adds, rs the
day OF salvation for Japan"
We do not know how much OF this Is
solid fact and how much Is due to the
point Of view of the observer, but the
Latter-day Saints would not be sur
prsed TO hear OF such a general relig-
ious revival In Japan at this time, They
are aware Of the fact that the Lord,
within the last few months, has sent to
that country His messengers clothed
with divine authority and endowed
with the light Of truth They know
that an Apostle OF the Lord has
turned the divine key that opens the
door Of heaven 10 the inhabitants OF
Japan" II would be strange If this mo-
mentous act should not have a marked
effect upon the entire religious situation
in the empire, and result In inquiries
for truth, and ultimately In numerous
conversions to the true Gospel 1t
would be strange, II every religious de-
nomination In the field should not feel
the sweet influence Of the pouring out
OF the Spirit of God. In every country.
where the Church has been planted and
plospered It's advent was preceded, or
attended by remarkable religious
awakenings The history of the mission
in the States, in Great Britain, in Den
mark, Switzerland, Germany, viii, We
believe, furnish Illustrations of this
fact. Even the dedication of Palestine,
by Apostle Hyde, for the gathering of
the Jews, had its visible effects upon
the country and among the believers
in gathering. The Lord goes with His
servants wherever they go upon His
erands, and where the presence OF the
Lord is, there Is life, light, and ad-
vancement, We accept, as a matter of
fact, and call attention to the testimony
Of impartial witnesses as to religious
awakening in Japan, at time when
the country has been dedicated by an
| Apostle OF the Lord, We expect the re.
suit will be a bountful harvest of
precious souls, FOR the kingdom Of
heaven,