The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-05
Missionary Success In China Fhctuates
 As Natives Battle Japanese Invaders
Former Local Minister Writes of Conditions
 in Orient

 experiences with the former teach CT had revealed what we might expect. Her violent conduct is probably the reason so many mothers remained loyal through it all. At present our kindergar- ten enrolment is about forty, in- stead of the sixty we might have had. The Church school also dropped off but is now climbing back to normal. We have two new teachers, both graduates of our own Congregational kinder garten training school (Glory) in Kobe. Mrs. Ito, the present head teacher, is woman past forty, with four children of her own now in school and able to hely with home affairs. She is an earnest Christian, gentle and most self sacrificing. The children worship her but do not always obey. Miss Tamura is very young, graduating only this spring. She is therefore inexperienced but shows qualities or real worth. I think she will develop into a good teacher. Mrs. Suzuki and her five-year old daughter are still with us. You may recall that she is a widow, daughter of prominent Christian doctor in one of our churches in north Japan. She helps in the Kindergarten, the church school, and girls club work, and also supervises the lunches for the kin- dergarten. These lunches are pre- pared four days each week and are surprising good for two cents day! MT. and Mrs. Koide and their little son are still our main- stays. I had hoped to be able to include in this letter the news of 8 daughter CD. It might yet go into postscript! Koide's daugh- ter, you understand.
 Bible Class at "Y"
 Other activities go on as usual I still teach five hours in the Con- mercial Middle school thus paying for the Biwajima Building School income. My class of students here at home from the nearly Con- mercial college is flourishing and is most gratifying. Attendance av- erages about IS every week and the discussions are vital and stimulating. Through that group have been privileged to give two lectures in the college, to help many of the students with their preparation for various English Oratorical Contests, and to help them in personal problems. I feel that I am helping many of these young men to mold their lives and characters. I also have a Bible class at the YMCA, and various informal groups from time to time. Secretarial duties of various kinds, correspondence, visitation and conference help to keep me out of mischief. May al- so keeps busy, with the children's schooling, church work and per- sonal contacts. She is now giving every Nriday to work at Biwajima too, and that has helped great deal more than she realizes. (She isn't here to censor this.)
 The high point in the last six months, but now of only historic interest, was the dedication of our new building. The District Con- ference for this area was held in our building and we took the oc- casion to dedicate too. We already had many guests for the confer ence, and in addition we were honored by the presence of the American Consul, the director of the city social service bureau who spoke for the mayor, MT. Moran from Osaka who represented the commission of the American board, the head of the Kumiai headquarters, and others. That's done, now we have work to do. Pray God that we may have the courage and faith and power to do it.
 With all best wishes to you, our friends.
 THE ROBERTS FAMILY.