Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
James Taylor
Rt. 4
Tokyo
Volume 60
Mt.
Christian
Winter, 1961, No. 1
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee
been the sickest church in the area for some months. In November the pastor left. The few members left there decided to ask Titus Kikuchi, at present pastor of the Nakano Church, to return for a second
ministry with them. He was with them from the beginning when they met in the
home of one of the members, and for 5
We missionaries hajd
been
making
various plans for attempting to revive the work, and several different possibilities for leadership in the work there were under
consideration. But we hadn't thought about
notion that no one is going to voluntarily t'^ke a step down or back. The Nakano
Church is bigger, better located, has a
much better parsonage etc. It must have been a difficult decision
23 they came and told us they had decided to resign at Nakano and go back to
Arakawa church. The reasons were mostly intangiblefeeling of responsibility to the people there and the church he haid helped
TYPICAL JAPANESE BATHTUB.
establish etc.
to
and they have joined in praying that his ministry there might be fruitful.
Harold Sims will serve as pastor at
Harold Sims
AnnouncemenfI would like to inform our brethren in America that The Church of Christ
The Wesley Walker family of Hok kaido recently passed through Tokyo on their way back to their work after spend ing eight months in the United State.s on furlough. Wesley's mother was left in
charge of their work while they were on
spent about five weeks in Japan at the end of last year. During that time he traveled extensively in southern Japan, toured Tokyo, and as far as 100 miles
north of the capital. He is on his way to
Cunningham Mission, (otherwise known as the "Yotsuya Mission"), has neither sent nor plans to send in the future any Jap anese national to represent us to the brethren in America. (See fuller details on page 4.)
Andrew Patton
furlough, but due to an accident she was hospitalized and was unable to do much. Wesley himself has just recuperated from a serious operation.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Page 2
Customs
the Church of Christ Cunningham Mission. in every land. Some are native to the land Tokyo, Japan, for the information and inspira- and others have been adopted. But one tion of every Christian whose heart is open to thing is certain no custom has been able the call of Christ, and who is willing to help to stand against the change of time, not in the supreme task of carrying out the Great even our celebration of Christmas. Since
ruary or early March 1 hope to get started putting up a church building here at Kam. There are strange and unusual customs iochiai using this torn down anny house as
a basis. This house is only about three
years old and is still in excellent condition. Originally this 26 by 75 ft. duplex
house cost the army $17,000.00 dollars.
ville, Tcnn., Post office under the act of March but subtle. While in a completely foreign cost at least anotiier $2,000.00 dollars to rebuild. Please pray witii us tiiat Grod will land such as Japan where it has been use this place and this new building to the 50 cents adopted, the change is not one of subtlety, Subscription and "Flaming Torch" $1.00 but rather total ignorance to its true mean glory of his Name. And that it will be a mighty influence in this part of Tokyo for ing. God, through the saving of a multitude of MISSION STAFF To illustrate, an American was travw- souls.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 575 2-Chome, ing by train from the city of Hiroshima in Eamiochiai, Shinjuku-Ku, Tol^o, Japan. For the Southern part of Japan to Tokyo about warding agent: Mrs. Homer Anderson, R. D. 1, the 15th of December. With him was an
MeadvUle. Pa.
Commission of Christ: Matthew 28:19, 20. Christmas is more or less native to the Dismantled and delivered to my home will Entered as second class matter in the Knox- United States, the change has been slight only be $800.00 dollars. However, it will
Stanley Buttray
older Japanese man, and both of them ter of the Paul Nielsens living in Sendai, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 27 Sakura- were engaged in looking out the window is presently staying with us here in Tokyo yama, Nakano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forwarding and viewing the beautiful landscape of wMle she has chiropractic treatmets.
white church building. Above the front First Christian Church, Tokyo Mission, Box door on a ladder was an attractive Amer 262, CharJottesville, Va. ican woman decorating the church with Packages for Japan should be sent direct by Christmas trimmings. They both had seen parcel post to one of the missionaries whose the same thing at the same time, (but addresses are shown above. Consult your local they weren't the only ones) and turned to post office concerning mailing rules and limit say something about it, when some Jap anese across the aisle remarked: even the ations of size and weights. Americans are beginning to celebrate If you change your address please notify Christmas! This remark clearly illustrates H. L. Hamilton, Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee, what the average Japanese knows about giving both your old and your new address. Christmas. Stanley Buttray If you make an offering of $1.00 or more you Brother A1 Hammond one of our mis are entitled to receive this paper if you so request. Churches or groups making an offer sionaries here in Tokyo who has just re ing of $10.00 or more may request a bundle cently returned from furlough in the States is publishing a new missionary of 10 copies for distribution. magazine titled, "The Far East Christian Missionary". This is the fulfiUmient of an
agent: Mr. or Mrs. Ray Armstrong Rt. 3, Japan When suddenly the beauty and These adjustments must continue^for at harmony of Japanese architecture was least six weeks or more. Box 310, Piqua, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 1-52 Arai Machi, abrupty broken. For there standing out Stanley Buttray Nakano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forwarding agent: like a sore thumb, stood a foreign-style
A Widow's Christmas
A few months ago we stood in need of a Sunday School teacher at Sakurayama Church. The church was too young to have anyone capable of teaching the children. After searching a while we found Mrs. Suzuki, a widow and member of the Nakano Church, and asked her to teach our Sunday
School children. Though she has had no
previous experience at teaching, she is very faithful and applies herself diligently to preparing herself to teach the children.
She enjoys this work and the children appreciate her efforts and respect her
highly.
Mrs. Suzuki has four children of her
Thanksgiving Day
On Thanksgiving day the Buttray, Fleenor, Patton, Sims, Walker, Wells and Comstock families (latter 2 are U. S.
Navy and Air Force folks who are both now
idea which he has had for some time. The own three boys and a girl. Her husband first issue is due out around the first of died a few months ago after having been March. So if anyone is interested in rece bedfast with tuberculosis for seven years. iving this first edition, please write to: The family is receiving a: small amount
back in the States) met together at Fleenors house for the day. First ym went over to the church for a simple service of song, prayer and praise at which everyone present (including the children) stood and told something for wMch he was thankful.
Then we went over to the house to eat
A1 Hammond, 27 Sakurayama-machi, Nakano-Ku, Japan. It is to be a quarterly magazine. Mr. Hammond says this first issue is chock full of thrilling and inspira tional articles by real live missionaries. The
the Far East countries. I suggest that you behaved and excellent in characterchil get your order in immediately. dren of which any parent can be proud. Stanley Buttray To help his mother the oldest son has a snvall job in the day time and goes to night The Buttrays have again come to that school.
of financial help from the government, and, because she is a widow, her children's school tuition is mostly gratis. She takes in sewing to provide for the rest of-their living. They are fortunate enough to own missionaries contributing to this new their own home in Tokyo, though it is a magazine are primarily those working in very humble one. The children are all well-
furlough. Time has so rapidly passed by that we are hardly ready for the occasion. However, it may be possible that we can be ready by sometime in June, especially if the necessary fravel funds of $1,200.00
are available at that time. Please remember
under the direction of Ugo Nakada, a wellknown Japanese musician, who has com
piled a hymnal of his own.
Stephen Mayfield, son of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Mayfield, missionaries to Canaxia, is
now in the Air Force and is stationed in
Last year I applied for a used house which was being sold at one of the closed army camps, but unfortunately I didn't
receive it. However about a month ago
Fuchu Air Station just outside of Tokyo. We see him quite often.
gave them three more. On Christmas day the Suzukis were guests for dinner at a neighborhood restaurant, the children's first such experience. In addition the Sakurayama CJhurch gave the family a small gift of money. Even though these things may not help very much financially, it will help this family to see that other Christians do understand their h^dship and are willing to help.
^Andrew Patton
Page 3
TOKYO CHEJ^IAN
for $21.40 so that they could go shopping
for items to send to Japan. When the chock arrived each of the four classes in our
Tanabe Meeting
From October 10-16 I went to Tanabe
ideas.
In these cases the modeling day and some of the other things were imt the answer
department selected one person to be their shopper. These four, along wth one of the
teachers and myself, went shopping one
of the money for postage and they did a very good job at budgeting their money.
We let them select all of the items to be sent so that they would feel that it was
car and took me and 4 of the ladies out to with offerings of the English language
This congregation was at one time among the strongest and most promising of the churches of Christ in this land, but for the
the hospital on Dec. 21. She also brought candy canes and other treate purchased
teaches.
last 3 years or so they have been beset by a preacher-in-woman-trouble scandal and then other problems following, and these workings of the evil one have taken their toll in confusing and discouraging the faith
ful. In such a case all of us are ready to do whatever we can to help.
their project entirely. As a result, there may be some items in the package that you really don't need; however, we feel sure you will find some use for all of it. They did buy the paper and crayons you
ask^ for and then included such items as pencils, water colors, day, rubber bails,
and combs. The scrapbook is also in this package; however, I'm afraid that it may be a rather weak attempt at explaining our way of life to the Japanese children.
watch and greet us. We were ushered into the small office where there was a small stove^the only heat in the building. Then we went on a brief tour of the rooms, and found many children running on the c(dd
floors in their bare feet, and in one room
This package is being mailed to you today, and I hope that you have no trouble in receiving it. If for some reason there
should be an added expense for you, please let me know and we will see that it is "taken care of immieddately."
tree which had been set up in the dingy littie dining room. AH of tfaem were very
averaged about 15 nightly, but that was better than they had been having on Sun. day mornings.
happy that we had arrived with the most welcome presents just the day before their
Christmas party.
also enjoyed very much the scenery. On Sat. night we had a meeting in one of the villages in the nearby mountains where
there is 1 Christian family. That contact
many of them to realize the distance that you live from us and that there are people in Japan who never heand of Christ.
We pray that you will have a success ful stay in Japan and that God will bless you and those working with you.
Sincerely yours,
The few remaining things from the box were sent to other Sunday Schools to use as prizes. .
Lois Smis
A Matter of Expression
eating oatmeal and talking about when Bobby would join the other 3 in school. Bobby (5%) has had the habit for the past few months of describing his feelings,
and desires with expressions such as, "My stomach says" or "my stomach doesn't want
One evening Miss Lemmon and I were invited by one of the Christians to a special sukiyaki dinner at the town's
newest and best hotel. We ate in a second-
the fishing boats returning home and the loaded ferry coming across from the re sort area, and the green moimtains in the background and the pine-covered islands in the distance was a picture for the tour
What We Did With The Box to"; which, by the way, is a literal transla
We appreciate very much the thoughtfulness and work that the Primary Depart
tion of an oriental figure that he doesn't know about. When his imaginative picture of how school would be waxed too wildly colorful and "out of this world" his older sisters 4)egan-to-caIl him-hack to thft.iagts. He then avowed that his stomach was the
source of his information.
A Letter
"After this length of time, you have probably given up ever hearing again from the Primary Department of White Oak Christian Church; however, the diildren
certainly didn't forget you.
to make decorations for the church walls and Christmas tree. The paint sets and
boxes of crayons and balls were wrapped for prizes to the Sunday School children who had been present most of the Sundays
of the year.
;EUirold Sims
They made a bulletin board concerning Japan, with your letter and the picture of your fjonily ri^t in the center. They collected pictures of Japanese people, buildings, and boats and placed them on the board. We also spent much time in dis cussion of Japanese clothing, food, and
customs.
particular group because her own littte boy had spent a year there in 1958, and
many of the children are poor as well as lonely. They had gotten a list of the ages
of the 51 children and had made them
Miss Velma Weir, member of a Chris tian church in Oregon and now teacher in the Taohikawa Air Base school near Tokyo,
visited the Pattons and the Saburayama
little bibs, mitten^style wash cloths with funny faces embroidered on them, and bean bags for the children in different age
Church on December 12. During the Christ, mas holidays she visited the Mark Maxeys
in Kjrushu.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Page 4
mingle with these representatives of so many nations of people. But I wonder if it would not have been more fitting to
have left the word "Christmas" out of the title used for the gathering.
Announcement
Miss Eloise Cunningham and some of the preachers sympathetic to her have re
cently begun the reorganization of their group and are appealing to all of the Churches of Christ in Tokyo to join them. Miss Cunningham is an Episcopalian who
fancies herself to have inherited the work
of the Church of Christ Cunningham Mis sion! Her group consists of a few disgrunt
led preachers of some churches affiliated with that Mission. We have been informed that this group plans to send certain Jap anese preachers and leaders from their group to the United States to raise funds to support their organization. Since it has
The members of an English conversa tion class which I have been teaching at YMCA wished to show me the spirit of Christmas in a different way. They invited me to one of Tokyo's many thriving coffee houses, where we listened to the finest hi-fi Christmas music while sipping a 20 cent cup of coffee and discussing current
events!
been customary with them to use the name "Yotsuya Mission," tlie Jananese name by which the Church of Christ Cunningham
One of the most delightful Christmas gatherings we attended last year (1960) was the one held with our Sunday School children on Christmas day. Reading of ap propriate selections from the Gospel narratives was interspersed with the singing of
Christmas carols. The children themselves
ing been ,sent to America as our representa tives. We have no such plans for sending any Japanese national to represent us
among the brethren in America.
Andrew Patton
Christ-mas In Japan
There are many contradictions in the
life of the Japanese, not the least enteresting of which is manifested in the way the people of this pagan land celebrate Christmas. A Japanese recently made a remark like this to a missionary: "We Japanese are beating you Christians at your
own game. We make more of Christmas
demonstrated what they had learned at Sunday School or at home by singing carols or playing instruments. A blind girl play ed the organ beautifully and then she and her sister sang a carol. Two boys played mouth organs and other youngsters sang solos or played the organ. Then slides were
shown to illustrate the Biblical account of our Lord's birth.
Thirty nine children were present and everyone seemed to enjoy the program.
I wonder if innocent little children do
New Arrival
Andrew
the birth
those adults who try to drown the occassion in drink or the contaminated river of
most as
important in the
eyes of
the
Year's holidays, their actions during this season are almost as pagan, as worldly, and as far from the spirit of the gospel of
child, Stephen Andrew, born on January 5. Both Betty and the baby are fine. geishas, strip-teasers, and the like are nearly as numerous as the guests, are used to drown the memory of the past year. About the only people who look askance at such goings on are the police who are dis pleased that they have to arrest so many more drunks than at any other time of the year. Hardly anyone seems to care about the shame and inconsistency of a nude dancing among the tables of a crowd of "Christmas party" revelers, while she sings "Jingle Bells," "White Christmas," or "Silent Night." Another typical way in which Christ mas is celebrated in Japan is illustrated by
the annual International Christmas Party sponsored by the Tokyo YMCA to which I was invited by virtue of the fact th^t I taught a Bible class there during the past year. The party was a pure social affair at
which the name of God or of His Son
ungodly living. At least our fond hope is that when these Sunday School children reach maturity they will remember what they are learning from the Word of the
Lord.
Andrew
Patton
ters and where the Christian religion is so little known and practiced we have learned to rejoice when even a semblance of the meaning of an observance with a
Christian coloring is understoocd. Therefore, we have no reason to be violently critical of the bright tinsel, the gay Christmas light ing, the erection of Christmas trees, the milling crowds roaming the streets on Christmas Eve (those tramping the streets
of Tokyo on Christmas Eve 1960 were
of the Setagaya church, and also the mother of Mrs. Hanyu, wife of the present minis
ter. Since she became a widow more than
estimated at about 800,000), the buying and giving of gifts, and a number of other
harmless practices connected with the
She has lived in a room upstairs in the church building, been present at all meet ings and the sympathetic ear to all troubles
celebration of Christmas here. Perhaps none of these things, however, will help people to appreciate God's gift to the
world when His Son was bom in Bethle
hem.
and problems of the membership though the war years the post-war poverty and the rebuilding.
At the funeral many different speak ers spoke lovingly of her fearless continu ing of church meetings during the war when the pastor was a soldier in China and the government constantly obstructed the work and the bombs fell often, her unsel fish and thoughtful distribution of relief clothes and food to the needy in the post war days, her work for the WCTU and other organizations. In the old days they
used to call her kind "Bible Women"
But we are alarmed at the notorious and indecent actions committed here under
the name of a "Christmas party." Business offices, for instance, have taken up the old American custom of throwing a Christ
mas party (called in Japanese bonenkai
Jesus Christ was not mentioned except in the Scripture reading and prayer which I \v3iS called on to give. About ten different nations of people were represented at the party and the medium of speech was English, though
there was at least one person there who
forget the year party) for their employees and executives. Two weeks of nightly re
velry, when alcohol flows like water and
could not understand that language. The party was very entertaining and the occa sion afforded one an excellent opportunity
to meet the officials of the YMCA and
Christian
'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature"
Volume 60
Mark 16:15
^^uinmer^_J^
ing at Kamiochiai was begun the last week in April. The man contracted to build the
Church is a Christian carpenter and the
about becoming a minister, so were happily surprised when he .suddenly said that he
wanted to become a preacher. As he ex
are
''.'3^^---Ai'
somewhere. They all took part in a short dedication service before beginning work.
plained it to us there were three steps in his thinking and decision to dedicate his
life to the gospel. The first one is connect ed with the fact he is now completing his second year in the University. The first two years are given to general and basic sub jects such as language, social studies etc. and then beginning with the third year each student begins to concentrate on his major subject or field. So during the past
few months he has been forced to give a
week evangelistic meeting will mark the completion of the building. And I trust that it will light a Spiritual Fire that shall never
be dimmed.
lot of thought to his field of endeavor and beyond that to his life's work and purpose.
His friends had almost all settled on this
Pray with us that God' will work mightily, wonders to behold in these days.
Our time for returning home depends on the completion of the church building.
And even at this moment we are still not
sure just when that will be, but most likely not before the middle of July. After spend ing the first few weeks at home (Meadville,
Penna.), we will be available to visit liv ing-link churches as well as make other
regular supporters. If you would like us to visit you, please write to our forwarding agent Mr;. Homer Anderson, Route No. 1, Meadville, Pennsylvania, or directly to us at: 575-2 Kamiochiai Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Stanley Buttray
In the fall of 1957 a High School stud ent, son of a silk dyer in our neighbor hood, began attending my Saturday even
The second step was when the thought struck him that he could be a preacher. The more he thought of it the stronger he
felt that this was God's will and call and
ledge of and interest in Chrstanty and was full of questions about Protestantism etc.
In the summer of 1958 he was one who went with us to Lake Motosu for young people's Before we went on furlough in 1959 I
attending
purpose. The contemplation of being a worker in God's vineyard was the one pros pect that brought peace and joy to his heart. Also the shortage of preachers and
-some~xrf ~the-problems ln~the cliurch-at
Nakano had added to his compulsion. It was at this stage that he first men tioned his thoughts to me. I warned him about the unpopularity, low salary and other "bad-side" aspects of the ministry in Japan and also about the problems con nected with dropping out of the University But if after thinking everything over again he was sure I would be very happy. The third step was talking the whole plan over with his parents. In many cases
this is the hurdle that is never overcome.
lb
Association of the Chuo University, teach ing in the Sunday School etc. We have been thankful for him many times since we re turned to Japan 6 months ago. . Since he is in the midst of the regular 4 year course at one of the good Univer sities here we had not said anything to him
Hardly any parent in Japan is happy when a son enters the ministry, and especially the opposition would be intense to quitting university. After a couple of weeks he got the courage to speak to his mother first and then his father, and they were very understanding. His mother visited our home and said that she would be happier this way than if he were becoming either a rightist, leftist or beatnik like a great Continued next page
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Published quarterly by the Missionaries of Mie Church of Christ Cunningham Mission. Tokyo, Japan, for the information and inspira
tion of every Christian whose heart is open to
the call of Christ, and who is willing to help in the supreme task of carrying out the Great (.'ommission of Christ: Matthew 28:19, 20.
Entered as second class matter in the Knox-
i -.vo-Year Subscripton
50 cents
$1.00
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 575 2-Chome, Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, J'apan. For warding agent: Mrs. Homer Anderson, R. D. 1, ii.eadville. Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 27 Sakurayama, i<'akano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forwarding agent: Mr. or Mrs. Ray Armstrong, Rt. 3, Box 310, Piqua, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 1-52 Aral Machi, Nakano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forwarding agent;
addresses are shown above. Consult your local post office concerning mailing rules and limit ations of size and weights.
If you change your address please notify H. L. Hamilton, Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee, giving both your old and your new address. If you make an offering of $1.00 or more you are entitled to receive this paper if you so request. Churches or groups making an offer ing of $10.00 or more may request a bundle
of 10 copies for distribution.
Stanley and Mabel Buttray putting up a new sign to advertise the weekly meet ings. This is a temporary sign located where the entrance of the new Church building will be. The sign interpreted reads: Hear every Sunday the greatest story ever told,
about the greatest life ever lived.
We wish to thank each one who have
dication of God's will and providence. The fourth step was taking
entrance examination for Osaka Bible Sem
already sent in gifts for our return to the States. Your ready response to share in our
still in need of nine hundred dollars for our return fare, but trust that God will was breaking the news to the Nakano supply our every need. church. The church people were unanimous Recent visitors here have been my
Another said: "How I envy the faith of you Americans. We have nothing like it, I am empty." Coming from class one evening a young man made this statement, "I was reading the Bible yesterday and found this verse, 'Man shall not live by bread alone'. I was
so glad to read this for I have heard it from childhood but never knew it was in the
Bible."
ly sorry to lose him, because he has become nephew, Jeff Buttray and our forwarding
a key figure in teaching Sunday School, agents son David Anderson. Both are based
Stanley Buttray
printing the weekly bulletin, being at all near Seoul, Korea. services, keeping attendance records etc. But they also expressed their admiration for him and their prayers will go with him.
Bible Seminary from Nakano church. The the young people whom I have taught. first one got T. B. and had to quit school
after about 3 months. The other one attend
The following excerpts are from con Thus far three students have entered versations that I have had with some of One day a young student came to me asking, what to do to become a Christian.
Sometimes their
statements
brings
ed Tokyo Bible Seminary for 2 years and then quit and is now in the newspaper business. We hope and pray that Akadasan will go all the way as a faithful preach er of the word, and M'e humanly confident
that he will.
^Harold Sims
friend who is very ill and the doctor says that he will -die unless he has hope. If he becomes a Christian he will have hope."
custom of my family. It is my duty." Another who is Christian said, "For some time I had been praying for God to reveal his will for me and I was reading in
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Page 4
movement to form a "Church of Christ Alliance." It turned out that their ideas
and strong convictions against such a thing among some of the Japanese preachers. After the Thursday morning session
the dedication ceremony for the new Osaka Bible Seminary class-room building. The building is very solid, practical and fine
lookinga credit to our missionaries in
that area. There was a large crowd pres ent, and messages were brought by Grace Madden Braley, Mark Maxey, Bro. Sugano
(a 76 year old elder long associated with
Osaka Mission).
Thursday night and all day Friday the missionaries met together for fellowship,
sermons and discussions, and as usual we
News Bits
On February 5, 1961 Harold and Lois Sims became the happy parents of a fine baby boy (third son and fifth child). His name is Daniel Jerome, and he will be called Danny. At this writing both mother and baby are getting along fine and Harold is gaining some cooking experience. A summer camp to be held on August 14-21 is being planned' for the Tokyo churches. The camp site will be on the
shores of Lake Motosu at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
At Sakurayama
Among the converts to Christianity in Japan today many confess that they at tended Sunday School when they were
children. This a living illustration of the Scripture, "Train up a child in the way he
should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Prov. 22:6) Those in Japan who embrace the Chris tian faith after reaching adulthood are few.
did not know Him. Another strange sight for the people whom we saw at the park
was our little Steven, then three months
old. They were amazed at the little white bby who was so big and fat. Some women
The course of their lives is already set, and they have settled down in the ungodly world, without God and any desire to know His will. Strangely, though, these same
psople often desire for their children to
The much-heralded
Tokyo Christian
Crusade led by Bob Pierce of World Vision, Inc. has begun. Their organization and publicity are amazing; their music excel lent. The preaching is nothing spectacular
and like so much of modern day preaching
what is omitted of the gospel in the mes
attend a Christian Sunday School to learn the valuable ethical principles which they believe will be helpful to their children, especially in later years. They are not interested in Christianity but morality. This affor-ds practically the only opportunity we have of contacting those families for the Lord Jesus Christ. While teaching the children in our Sunday Schools the moral principles of the Christian religion we impress on these young minds the neces sity of a vital connection with the Savior Jesus Christ. So these parents are getting
more than they sought.
be free to help during the week are being enlisted and teaching materials are being chosen. We hope to have a good enroll
ment and that the children will learn some
sages adulterates it. Of the 8,000 persons who attended the first night of the Crusade
hundreds flocked to the front when the invitation was given. Then they were turn ed over to counsellors. I wonder how
valuable lessons during the week. Through the Sunday School we hope to train up the
future church. Such a church should know
1961 Convent'ion
This year the annual all-Japan conven
tion of the members of churches of Christ was held in Osaka from March 28-31. The
what they were doing? Or were they just overv/helmed by the large crowd and the
excitement of the moment? Our experience
provided we hope to start a class for High School students. Through the past year we
have surveyed the Old Testament and are presently studying the Life of Christ. At present there are four helpers in the school and they are trying to prepare themselves better for this work. The attendance has
Japanese part was held in a nice, new and low-priced Youth Hotel in a park near the
edge of town. It began on Tuesday after noon and continued through Thursday morning; and everything was planned, paid-for and carried out by the Japanese brethren. The attendance was over 100, with about 25 from Tokyo present. During the convention a very import ant and lively discussion vitally affecting the future of our churches in Japan was continued through most of Wednesday. Three of the preachers are spearheading a
Lord after hearing only one sermon! Tony and Shirley Toledo of Seattle, Washington spent a night with the Pattons in March. They were returning from a visit to Tony's childhood home in the Philip pines where they were able to establish a new church. The new church already num bers about thirty in members. The Toledos were able to obtain a preacher for the work who can speak the local dialect and they will support him until the church is selfsupporting. That has already been a very commendable missionary endeavor.
Page 3
Romans 10 where it says in verse 14. "How then shall they call on him in whom they
have not believed? And how shall they be lieve in him of whom they have not heard?
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
and we are blessed by the faithfulness and loyalty of the Christians. A few weeks ago I received a phone call from a former Y.M.C.A. student saying, "I have been praying and fasting for two days waiting
for the Lord to reveal His will to me. He
spite of these, however, we are happy to report that this church has experienced a gradual growth in numbers and in the spiritual lives of its members. There were five baptisms as a result of this work dur ing the past year. Besides the Gospel seed was sown in the hearts of many more. Be cause of this preparation made during the past year we hope to have a more fruitful harvest during the coming year.
Those members of the church who can
Harold Sims (left) and Mark Maxey (right) with the 4 who received certificates from the Leadership Training Institute.
spoke to me through His Word, Psalm 37 and Philippians 4. I wanted you to know
so you could rejoice and praise with me." Sometime ago I witnessed" a baptism of a new convert and afterwards she gave
this witness to the congregation: "This is a
new Mrs. Matsuoka. The old Mrs. Matsuoka is dead. She was buried in the waters of
are meeting every morning at 6:00 for prayer. On Sundays after the worship service we meet,for prayer,.and a study of things related to the Christian life. Com ing from a pagan background and now trying to live for God among a wicked gen eration, these young Christians have serious
conflicts and hindrences to their new-found
They are now doing all of the_teachin5 in the Sunday School. We rejoice that one young man, Mr. Kato, who transferred from another church is preaching most of the
time for the church and has given up his
made clean in the sight of God." After a long absence one of the Chris
tian students of the Bible Class returned
telling me he had been in the hospital for six months. 1 told him how sorry I was to hear he was ill and he answered, "It was good. I had a good rest, time to read my
faith. One girl, who was saved last year had a job which would not allow her to attend church. She found another job and began her work there with the stipulation that she be allowed freedom from work on Sundays so that she could attend church. She is now teaching one class of children
job to allow himself time to prepare for entering the Christian ministry. While at tending a Bible college he will spend as much time as possible in ministering to the church. Another young man who was converted recently is thinking seriously concerning entering a Bible college next year. A young lady who was a member of
the Shimoochiai Church has agreed to meet with us and play the organ on Sunday mornings. In these ways and others the
in the Sunday School. One can imagine what a powerful example of faith that
would be to those unbelievers who witness her devotion to the Lord.
Praise God for those who are strong, faithful witnesses of Christ for they are the ones who will win Japan for Him. Pray for Japan.
Mabel Buttray
Last year when the work began I had to carry practically the whole teaching, and leadership loads. Now the church members themselves are beginning to shoulder some of these responsibilities.
need for leadership for the church is being filled. Our earnest hope is that this young church will steadily grow along with its young leaders so that God's glory may be manifested and soul saved through its ministry.
^Andrew Patton
. Jaaes TayZor
Ht. 4
Wt. Version, m.
'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature"
Volume 60
Christian
Mark 16:15
Fall 1961, No. 4
Building Dedicated
On the hot Sunday afternoon of July 16 there was a good number of visitors for a simple program dedicating the new church building at No. 553 Kami-ochiai 2 chome Shin Juku-ku Tokyo to the preach ing of the gospel of Christ. There were delegations from 6 nearby Japanese Chur
ches of Christ and also quite a few foreign ers. Among the Americans present v/ere
Sgt. and Mrs. Murphy of Norfolk, Va., Stephen Mayfield and Richard Meyer of
the USAF and also Velma Held who
teaches in
the
Air
Fpxces
Dependent
building
and
in which the Sam Saunders (and for the past 10 year the Stanley Buttrays) lived
was erected on one side of the lot but there was still room for a church 'building
in the future.
from Lois' Bible class come up for a 3 day visit and a kind' of camp. The accompany ing picture shows the 6 Japanese ladles
who attended and the son of one of them
Korean Camp
One of the most prosperous churches connected with our work in Tokyo is the church at Mikawashima. Its members and minister are Korean and its history reaches
back before World War II.
During 1960 Stan Buttray began Sun day School and worship services in his former garage which had been floored and closed in to make a little chapel. Evangel istic meetings were held in November and
again in February.
ically the only sports entered into was swim ming. Some instructive and interesting dis
cussions were carried on in the evenings.
the
This church planned a three day camp this year at Lake Kawaguchi near Mt. Fuji. The camp was held on July 24-26. with over forty persons in attendance. Harold
Sims and Andrew Patton were invited to
participate in the activities and the Patton family went along for the vacation. After the ZVz hour train trip to Lake Kawaguchi,
we crossed' the Lake to the hotel where we
were to stay in a large motor boat. Quarters for all campers except the missionaries
were reserved months ahead of the time
On the final night a lot of clean fun was had around a camp fire. As is usual among Koreans on such an occasion, every one had to either sing, make a speech or perform. When this was finished at was already late. In spite of this three young people were asked to give their testimony
and a sermon followed that.
in a small hotel, which provided three meals a day and lodging for a very reasonable
price, a little over a dollar a day per person. We missionaries stayed in a nearby
hotel. Both hotels faced the beautiful lake
When the camp ended everyone was tired both physically and mentally. But the great benefits and' blessings received at the camp compensated for these and
other sacrifices. ^Andrew Patton
a very modern, aesthetically pleasing and modestly sized and priced church house. As yet there is no congregation to speak of, so we have the fold before the flock; but our prayer and confidence is
that God will use this tool to His glory
and gave a wonderful view of Mt. Fuji. A greater percentage of the total time
Stanley, Mabel ajid David Buttray left Tokyo by airplane for a year of furlough
in the United States on July 29. Their
address while in the homeland will be
and tht soon a thriving congregation of truly converted' people will be assembled
here.
Route 1 Meadville, Pennsylvania. Those who would like for them to visit and present
As soon as the new building was com pleted an evangelistic meeting was begun, running from July 12-19. The attendance
varied but averaged nearly 20. A young
our work in Japan should get in contact with them as soon as possible.
the
nearby
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Page 2
Everyone must swim since there is no other
means of taking a bath. There may be baseball, volleyball, table tennis, badmin ton, and camp fires at night. In Japan the
non-Christian often thinks of the Christian
freely in their own tongue without having to grope for words and stumble in Japanese
and still not say what is on their hearts. The others, who seldom are privileged to
as a sour-faced, austere person, with little enjoyment of life. The experience at camp helps to dispel this mistaken idea.
The campers were divided into four
groups and each group took its turn at preparing meals, serving, and cleaning up after meals. The camp day began with one group preparing breakfast while the rest spent an hour together in prayer and
devotions at the lakeside. The morning
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 575 2-Chome, Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forwarding agent: Mrs. Homer Anderson, R. D. 1, Meadville, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 27 Sakurayama, Nakano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forward
study hour consisted of two hours of classes, two classes being conducted simul taneously each hour, and a chapel hour. The camp leaders alternated in speaking at chapel and A1 Hammond spoke each
evening at Vespers. Since the Japanese are as a rule deficient in general Biblical know ledge, two classes on Biblical Introduction,
one on the Old Testament and the other
25 miles to get to the services. Some of our guests have been: Stephen Mayfield (whose parents are missionaries to Canada and Europe): Richard Neyer, Stephen's friend, both of Fuchu Air Base; Mr. and Mrs. Helm (connected with Japan Air Liner) who are from the Madisonville church in Cincinnati; Velma Wier from Salem, Oregon (teacher at the Tachikawa Air Base); and Velma Held who teaches at the Washington Heights Armed Forces school, and formerly from Hampton^ Iowa.
Also Leonard Johnson from San Jose
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 1-52 Arai Machi, NaganO'Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forward ing agent: First Christian Church, Tokyo Mission, Box 262, Charlottesville, Va. Packages for Japan should' be sent direct
by parcel post to one of the missionaries
whose addresses are shown above. Consult
your local post office concerning mailing rules and limitations of size and weights. If you change your address please notify H. L. Hamilton, Kimberlin Heights, Ten nessee, giving both your old and your new address. If you make an offering of $1.00
or more you are entitled to receive this
paper if you so request. Churches or groups making an offering of $10.00 or more may
request a bundle of 10 copies for distribu
tion.
The dates for the camp were August 14-21. Each camper was left free to choose the number of days he attended camp ac cording to his convenience. On the first day of camp about 48 were registered. A total of 58 perhaps were present during the week. A few, because of responsibilites at home, left camp at mid-week, but the greater part remained until Friday or Sat urday. A small group remained until Sun day afternoon, when camp was broken
up.
spent the Lord's Days with us as many as possible while here on business. Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Andrews and their family from the Atsugi Air Base visited us when the temperature was about 100 degrees in the shade. Because of the great distance they had to travel, they said they would try to come back regularly when it became cooler,
Isabel and Janet Dittemore was with us for
the first service as they had just come back by ship from Hong Kong. With them
was the dean of women of the Canadian
Motosu Comp
For the past few years the churches in Tokyo have held summer camps but they
have been more or less on a small scale. Ths summer an effort was made to unite
No conversions were made during the camp week, but other benefits compen sated for this, making the camp a worth while undertaking. Over half of the camp ers were non-Christians, and we are sure that they came home with a far better understanding of what the Christian faith
Bill Walker has been preaching to this Sunday morning congregation. The meeting is being held at the Showadori
church building which was recently dedicat ed. The English services are at 9 every
Sunday morning. At 10 A. M. the mission aries end their service and dash off to hold their Japanese services at 10:30 in
of Tokyo. In our opinion, the site is one of the most scenic in Japan. The grounds
The camp site is located at the foot Mt. Fuji, about 100 miles west of
and a clean, wholesome enjoyment of life go hand and hand. The Christians coming from various churdies, developed a close
friendship with other Christians, and got a better view of the unity and solidarity
they enjoy with others in Christ. But
are surrounded by mountains on thj:ee sides and face toward beautiful Lake
it gives the Tokyoite a refreshing change from the humid weather in the metropolis.
The camp also has an attraction for the person of pioneer spirit. Fuel is gathered
whether saint or sinner, preacher, mission ary, or child all were instructed and inspir ed at the camp. A meeting of the leaders
will be held soon to discuss the weak and
ed special messages in song. Also Miss Shimizu from the neighboring Shimo-ochiai Church of Christ led a children's meeting
every night, before the adult service.
Preaching was done by Mr. Cho from Mikawashima church, Mr. Kobayashi from
Fujimidai church and" Harold Sims.
strong points of the camp and to lay out initial plans for another camp at the
same spot next year.
^Andrew Patton
recreationed program. There is boating and swimming in water clean enough to drink.
building with his wife and 2 small boy on Aug. 21. He was formerly associate with missionary Bob West in Okayam prefecture and has been preaching for a
independent interdenominational for several years. churc
Page 3
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
and full of the remnants of hundreds of
Okayama Omoide
The first word means "hill-mountain", and is the name of a prefecture in central
Japan about 100 miles south of Osaka. The
second word means "thoughts going out" or recollections. I Just want to record a
movie posters partly torn off. The ceiling of rough-hewn timbers supporting the roof was decorated with hundreds of intricately worked cobwebs and lighted with about 6 one-hundred watt bulbs. I will always
remember it as filled with 250 to 300 ordin-
11. A rather unkept middle-aged man with a shrivelled right hand. I met this fellow on the first night of the meet
ary farming folksmost of whom knew very little about Jesus Christ. It was the
ings and thought he was a little pwuliar. He insisted I listen to him pray to see
how good he was. Later I found that he was
wondered if I would have the patience to deal with his daily phone-calls and" spoiled
child ways as the Wests do. But on the last day I was there we went to visit the mayor. He told me that this man used to
During the past 5 years a solid and steadily growing evangelistic work has been
established in that area through the devoted efforts and great prayers and faith of Bob and Audrey West, our fellow-missionaries from San Jose, Calif., and Mr. and Mrs. Nakamura, a Japanese couple who graduat ed" from Tokyo Bible Seminary in March
1955. We are very thankful to God for
is given to church first, and then teach ing English and editing a magazine of Japanese "haiku" poems. They keep about
10 kinds of birds in cages all over their house, so the atmosphere is always musical
and pleasant. The conversion of this in fluential man and his wife stirred the
be the terror of the valley. Nearly always drunk, he carried a knife and would rob, attack, fight, use terrible language, steal etc.
He said that the change that had' taken
place in that man was positively a miracle and that if Mr. West did nothing else but "save" (he used this word, although not a
Christian) that man it would have been a great contribution to the community and
a credit to our religion. 12. J)ne nice morning we decided to climb the mountain in back of West's
the thrill of preaching to large crowds of between 100 and 250 people who know very
little about Christ.
entire community several years ago. 4. Bob and Audrey Westoften lonely and" always tired because of daily meetings in widely scattered places and more op portunities than they can fill. They lack some in Japanese language ability, but are
The series of radio programs on the Gospel of John, with accompanying corres pondence course, prepared by Isabel Dittemore and featuring her trio of musicians is now being broadcast on a station that
farm houses were straw-roofed. The fields were cut in a satisfying neat pattern to use
all land and water to the :best advantage. Great old trees thrived along river.
and villages in a 2 county area. Some of the things that linger in the
memory were:
home before and after very service at the Hayashino church. Gome times he gets a little Buddhism, national pride, Bushido
(code of the warrior) etc. mixed in with
day. A Jr. High School teacher from a town IY2 hours distant by train is tilere
with a girl from his school. He himself
by bicycle from the nearby town. Then the preacher leads the group in a song and
prayer and precedes a young man in his
narrow valTey. Tfi^ water is just about waist deep in some of the holes. As the
and
his
wife patiently working and putting down roots in the community and gaining re
spect. Their preparation for the meetings was excellent, and their "common-touch"
goo-d to see.
well-traveled road. One day a passing car threw out a copy of the Gospel of John and he picked it up. Some months later
a mssionary moved into town. The first
8. A severely crippled girl about 3 feet tall who barely propels herself along on bent who deformed legs. Her face just shines with pure and simple joy especially when she can join in singing around the
organ after church. 9. After the meeting closed at -10 PM
slopes down toward the stage in large yardwide steps of concrete cushioned with about
1 inch of fine dust. No benches, but thin straw mats are spread out for people to sit on. The walls are of straw and mud.
the missionary offered to take a girl and her mother home in the car since they had so far to walk. We rode along a steadily narrowing, '. ascending and deteriorating road for about 40 minutes before we got us near their home as possible. They had walked 2 hours to the meeting. 10. A post-office employee who gave
a wonderful talk and prayer at the Lord's Supper using a well-worn and loved Bible.
For 6 weeks this summer the preacher from the Church of Christ on Tanegashima (an island off Kagoshima prefecture in extreme south Japan) came to Tokyo with his family to study in a special summer session of the Tamagawa University, of which he is a regular correspondence students. Since the Nakano parsonage was empty they stayed' there and were a big help in the churchespecially during the
Daily "Vacation Bible School which was
held the week of Aug. 21-26. For 3 days before the Itagakis moved
to Nakano church Harold Sims and a
young man from the church painted the walls of the parsonage.
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
tage 4
Part of the audience at the dedication of the new church building on Showa Dori (next door to Buttrays) on Sunday after July 16, 1961. The Z Japanese signs are advertising the dedication service and the week of evangelistic meetings foliowing.
Nakano Evangelistic
meeting
An evangelistic meeting was held at Nakano church from June 4-11 immediately following the Tokyo Christian Crusade which gave much publicity to Christianity through the city. We were hoping to draw some of the people who made "decisions" at the American-style crusade. Miss 'Lydia Shigenobu from the Radio
Mission in Kobe came to lead the music
men, it sometimes smokes quietly and again it snorts, burps or bellows so loud the whole neighborhood is disturbedwindowpanes rattle for 25 miles and more. From the ferry pier you change to a bus for
another 50 minutes to the "In front of the
times got out of order and could be heard beeping and squawking all over the room, but he was a good listener. Some of the leaders of the local Kanoya church attend ed as many nights as they could and were
very responsive.
and a children's meeting every night prior to the regular evangelistic service. Stephen lijima was the evangelist. The children's meetings (not very common in Japan) were very successful, with attendance increasing nightly to a high of 46 and doubling our regular Sunday
School attendance.
Mission" stop, and are greeted by Mark Maxey, the only missionary and white man living among the numerous people, towns and villages of the eastern half of Japan's southernmost prefecture. To compensate for what some might imagine would be
boredom or loneliness this wonderful fam
visitors who always come back for more of their hospitality and (2) they persist in calling this the "center of Japan."
For 2 days while I was there they had the bi-monthly meeting of the ministers and missionaries in the prefecturea at the center, and it was good to have the fellow ship with these 5 young Japanese preachers who are near the same age and very good friends, and also Paul Pratt who is the missionary on the other side of the pre fecture. There is a fine unity among them and they are busy at each meeting making
decisions and plans for the active program of evangelism, camps, monthly magazine and other things which they are doing in
a constructive way!
Attendance at the meeting was not so good as we hope after using 8000 hand
bills and other means of advertisement.
A part of their missionary activity is operation of the Kyushu Christian Center. (As you would imagine the name does not refer to geography, but something like the
modern word "nerve center" or the older
telephone "central")
One day I was asked to make a brief speech to the local Rotary Club, of which
Mark with his "Center of Japan" propag
is to train the ordinary Christian for local church leadership and service.
This year I taught a class in Romans for 2 hours every night for 10 nights. Only 4 people attended the full number of nights and received certificates, but with dele gations from three of the nearby churches
anda is a very welcome member. A "West German youth was there on his way walk ing around the world. He reported he had been away from home 3 years and in 23 different countries, and he is planning to take 3 more years to get back home. Of course he spent the night with Maxeys. One night we went with the American
Lt. Commander who is the advisor to the
are seriously considering going into the ministry at great personal sacrifice. An
local Japanese Naval Air Force unit and his newly-arrived-from-the-States friend to a Japanese hot spring to initiate the new comer to some of the "hot-spots" of the penisula. It was good to see friends and colaborers in the work, and I returned to Tokyo with renewed energy and new ideas
for the work here.