Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-19

we're discussing the question oI SHiIid,
there stood big tent. fronted and
hanked by many bright-colored Jap
anese banners. Through the flaps came
the sound of a mans voice, pleasant,
resonant and powerful. The voice was
exhorting people to come to God and
be saved
The correspondent Of The Associat-
ed Press who was on his way to the
Diet, stopped at the entrance of the
tent. A little group Of smiling, welcom-
ing Japanese were there.
who is that man speaking?" was
asked.
why. don't you know?' came the
answer. That's Kimura, the Billy
Sunday Of Japan"
At the same moment the notes Of a
Christian hymn sung in chorus Allied
the great tent and bursting without
caused hundreds Of passing people to
stop. listen and inquire. They we're in
formed that it was all a part Of the
great Christian Evangelistic movement
now under way throughout Japan, and
that Seimatsu Kimura. the young re-
vivalist Of Japan, friend and student Of
Toxic meetings.
The picture was much the same as
American revivalist meetings with the
added interest by the rich-colored
flowing kimono, the black hair of
the Japanese women, the occasional
clatter Of the wooden shoe, and the
many-hued japanese decorations.
The music ceased Then a japanese
regular handsome features. medium in
height, rather stocikly built, dressed
in European clothes, stepped forward
from his co-workers on the platform
and began to talk in Japanese. He
began quietly, but. soon his voice rose
and his face changed as becoming
more impassioned. he discoursed Gag
erly upon the theme Of salvation.
leaning forward and shooting out a
clenched fist before him. the evange-
list cried to the men: You students
in Toxic. sitting there on your Web
ster dictionaries. you think you are
fine and mighty indeed. You think how
much better you are than other peo-
pie; but. / ask, have you found the
love Of Jesus Christi"
Then turning to the young ladies he
shouted You with your pretty kim
onAs and pretty faces-think you, per-
taps, that You are saved by these
ttings alone? Prepare yourself ere it is
too late. Come into the kingdom of
Jesus Christ and be saved" Then he
went on hammering home truths to
the different sections of his audiences,
gesticulating violently at times. NOV
~ nervously back and forth upon the
platform, jumping up and down.
crouching to his knees. and especially
using his wonderful black eyes, and
his expressive face to bring home the
thought he was trying to communi-
cate.
Suddenly he flung his right arm up
ward towards a sign which rested
atcve the platform and read it both
IN Japanese and English.
Christ for the citizens of Toxic.
The citizens of Toxic for Christ.
Earken to the words, my brothers
Harken to the words, my brothers and
sisters. My aim is to convert to Chris
tianity every one of the 60.0o0,eoo
souls in Japan today. believe in sud
den conversions. Come here now. and
give me Your hama as an emblem that
you have accepted the faith
A number. Of people walked up to
the revivalist and accepted CHRISTIAN
ity. Then there was more music and
the correspondent was introduced TO
the Sankcy Of the Toxic revivalist
movement He is called "Nio" Sakai,
because he loves he violin and as
Sauhey was singer for Moody so Sa-
kai is the player for Kimura.
The following day the correspond
ent was told by the revivalist him.
self something Of fis life anu some
80. If his hcLrs :rr the fG'iIc.
Seimatsu Kimura, who is known by
his American friends as Henry Kim
ura, was born in Japan about 40 years
ago. II was the SON Of a wine seller,
he said. and when l was boy OF 10
I was kicked out Of my house. 1 SOLD
newspapers to earn enough to eat. Al
the age Of Is was converted to Chris
tianity and somehow, since then, lie
has gone on happily and fruitfully.
think. as I told Dwight l.. Moody one
day. that it is a case of Philippians
4-19. But my God shall supply all
y OUR need according to his r1ches IN
glory by JESUS Christi"
ii was ore of three Children ne
went on, "and of my brothers. Seishi-
70 Iwamura adopted by the 1wamura
family is now preparing for Sunday
school service by studying at the
Theological Seminary at Hartford,
Conn. And I would like to note my
other brother and my father ana
mother have been converted.
WHEN I was 10 years old l went to
the United States to learn how to win
souls. Dwight L. Moody was holding
revivalist meetings in South Califor-
MIA and SO big were the crowds that
l mad a hard time to hear him. But l
saio to the big policeman at the door:
| Look here, Mr.. Policeman. l nave
come 5000 miles to hear Mr.. Moody
and you just must get me in
THAT was how first met MI.
Moody. 1 stayed close by him ana
when he left for the North. 1t was l
who carried his satchel. Mr.. Moody
was astounded to find me following
him on to the train and was more
astounded when told him that was
going with him. told the great
preacher that I wanted to become an
evangelist. / asked him what school
ehould 90 to. 7 said I had asked two