The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-12-28
Missionary Describes
 Japanese Conditions
Rev Floyd r. Roberts, Former Local Clergyman, Pens Interesting Data in Xmas Message to Waterburians

able to keep up many contacts in spite of her confinement. Mother hood knows no race lines, and the details of home care make bond that breaks down all artificial bar riers. It seems to me that Jap- anese babies and American babies look very much alike-Pm quite sure they speak the same lam guage.
 Last month I was one of four delegates of our mission to the an- nual meeting 0f'the National Chris tian Council, held in Tokyo. For me 1t was a great opportunity, for most of the leading Christians of Japan were there. The program was excellent and we'll organized. In addition to the full council meetings, sectional meetings were held for discussions and~ findings. Topics discussed were grouped around the general theme of the present crisis. Such subjects as In- ternational Cooperation, Educa- tion, Evangelism, Social Move sments, Literature, the Rural Situa- ton, were discussed. I was quite impressed by the fact that a long,. wordy. and ''diplomatic'' statement on the attitude of Christians to- ward the present political and in- ternational situation, was rejected most emphatically as too weak. The drafting committee was in- -structed to re-write it, making it short, to the point, and emphatic. In answer to the quite general feeling here in Japan that na- seyfC C rxyffh Vncoih1n fo inevitable in 1935-6. it was freely stated that the church opposes such viewpoint, and calls upon the government to see to it that crisis shall be avoided by all means. 1, Another interesting but time consuming job has been in pulp licity. As you know, am chair man of our mission committee that edits little magazine or News Bulletin. We were given instruc- tions" at mission meeting this sum- mer and have been trying to carry them out. As a result, we plan every month to publish one number. That means rustling for news items and editing. I only hope the results will justify all the time it takes. If you don't see the News Bulletin, let me know and I'll see that you get a sample copy. Also we'll gladly put you on our regular mailing list for the small sum of fifty cents year Gan ad-
 A touching incident took place a couple of weeks ago that may be of interest to you. Little Ref Oku- mura took scarlet fever and after only three days it became certain that she could not get well. She was six years old, a daughter of one of our Tokai church members, and attended the same kindergar- ten as our Don. MT Sakai was especially fond of her for she had 3 sunny disposition and was an enthusiastic member of his Eng fish class for little children. She was a regular attendant in Sunday school. Her father is a bond sales man and @ second generation" Christian, and the mother is pre- pairing for baptism. Just few she might not be baptised Chris tian. Her pastor was out of the city so I was asked to officiate. So MT Sakai and went over to the hospital, he read a very simple service and I baptized her. She died just a half hour later. I~also played organ at her funeral. Her kashes were placed in little wood- en box before the altar, and her picture was set up back of the box. Like most Japanese funerals, this was long and sad. After 8 long sermon, greetings were given by representatives of groups with which the family and child has been associated-hisf firm, the kin dergarten, the church and so forth. The father responded and thanked everyone for their attendance. I was especially impressed by the greetings of the little eight-year old boy who spoke for the Sunday school. Like others, he spoke di- rectly to the picture and spirit of Ref in something like the follow- ing words. "Goodby Ref San. I hadn't known you were even sick until mother told me you had died. was very sorry Co hear that you will not be in Sunday school any more. We shall all miss you very much. have a little brother in heaven. hope you will meet him my love. Goodbye" This is very
 
 seen in America, but there is some thing beautiful about it too. After the ceremony, everyone present went forward and bowed low be- fore the picture and breathed a Goodbye" The Japanese seem re- luctant to part from the spirits of their loved ones and like to finger over this parting service. They seem to feel a living presence.
 The papers report the cabinet approval of the 1884 budget; more than two million yen. the largest in .the history of Japan. Almost half is for armaments, the army and navy getting 35,O00,000 be- tween them. The navy gets most. All navy propaganda is based on the potentiality of America as the enemy. All this preparation is said to be to meet the "crisis of 1885 G." whatever that is. Japan will