in 
.ricksha and self in another. 
NORTH SHORE BREEZE 
MANCHESTER, MASS., SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1908. 
EIGHT DAYS OF MISSION WORK IN JAPAN 
Former Manchester and Boston Pastor writes interestingly of his work in the Far East. 
[The following account was written by Rev. 
Frank C. Briggs, former pastor of the Baptist 
church, Manchester, and also assistant pastor at 
Tremont Temple, Boston, and was addressed 
to his Beloved Fellow-Workers at the First 
Baptist church, Manchester. It was read last 
Sunday evening atthe B. Y. P. U. meeting. 
—Ep. | 
TajIMA PROVENCE, JAPAN, 
Dec. 12, 1907. 
STARTED this morning for a 
few days work with the evangelists 
on the West Coast, and am_ going 
to try to take you with me to see the 
work as it is followed day by day. My 
baggage consists of two boxes (Stereopti- 
con and Acetylene gas machine) and a 
basket of tracts, necessary clothing, etc. 
The uncertainties of a trip of this kind 
bring a great blessing. Having no one 
who is able to assure a welcome or even 
aplace for meetings, in many places 
throws one back where he ought always 
to be, depending very practically on God. 
Thus this morning I have the blessed 
experience of starting on errands for the 
Master not knowing how they are to be 
done, but certain that they are his errands 
and that therefore the way will be pre- 
pared. Sol tell Mrs. Briggs to give 
thanks that God is going to use me. 
The Bantan R. R. running north 
from Himeji is finished only to Waday- 
ama (50 miles.) Here the Chief’ of 
Police is one of our christians so I stop 
to plan with him for a. meeting on my 
return, then go on, baggage in one jin- 
‘The road 
from here used to be fine but work on 
the railway extension has put it in terrible 
condition, so the usual fare of 60 cents 
to Toyooka (20 miles) is increased to 
80 cents. 
The usual time for the run is four 
hours, today it was a walk of seven 
hours. Some of the christians of “Toy- 
ooka came in before I was settled at the 
Takeya Hotel and gave cordial welcome. 
Arranged with Akimoto San, the devout 
evangelist whom God has recently given 
. . (a4 . 
subject is —§ Christmas,’ 
us for this place, for an early start in the 
morning for Kumihama, and explain the 
pictures and the message to him. ‘The 
’ the one holi- 
day celebrated by some people in almost 
every nation on earth—custom of mak- 
ing presents, commemorating a wonder- 
ful present which God gave to men. 
God has given man so many precious 
BY F. C. BRIGGS 
gifts —which is it?—pictures of scenery, 
flowers, rice, trees, animals, children, 
etc., with special talk about water thirst— 
desert experiences—oasis—all these pre- 
REv. 
Frank C. Briccs 
cious gifts of God, but all minister sim- 
ply to bodily wants—God’s great gift 
satisfies soul thirst. (Indian devotee) 
John 3:16, pictures and brief story of 
Christ’s com'ng, His teaching and life 
and lastly the cross. Christ the Great 
Christmas gift—revealing God to man 
and redeeming him from sin and its re- 
sults. 
Friday Dec. 18. Okamoto San our 
good bible woman and others called this 
morning so we did not get started till 
nine-thirty. ’ Tis but seven miles so we 
have plenty of time, only as the christian 
teacher who has formerly helped us in 
Kumihama has gone to Osaka, we want 
to be there before noon. 
‘There is not a christian in this town 
of about three thousand. Akimoto San 
has never been here and I only know 
that the Principal of the school has been 
cordial, so we call at the school and find 
that Inoko San is at homesick. Inquire 
for the head teacher. A_ bright young 
man. Met him last spring. “Thanks 
for past favors and will there be any ob- 
jection to using the school for a meeting 
tonight? Very sure it will be all right 
but will consult the principal and let us 
know. We gotothe hotel. Akimoto 
San on entering a new place always 
kneels for a brief prayer. I like the 
habit. 
After dinner the head-teacher comes 
to report, everything being arranged. 
The school children wili advertise. Do 
some writing, then walk through the 
town as an advertisement. Put up the 
curtain, etc., in the big room which they 
have prepared. With children on the 
floor in front, it will hold five hundred. 
At seven-thirty the place is full. Akimo- 
to San gives this his first talk witha lan- 
tern splendidly. We aim not to explain 
the pictures but let the pictures explain 
the teaching. Ask those who would 
like to hear more to remain for an_after- 
meeting. Coming to see pictures is 
easy but asking for further teaching shows 
an interest which many aré not willing 
to reveal. It is quite a step but about 
thirty remain and I talk for half an hour 
trying to make them see their need for 
the great gift which we have heard. 
Man by sin separated from God loses 
knowledge of true Heavenly Father. 
Blindly worships substitutes for God. 
Needs light and salvation. Christ comes 
to lead the lost child back to his heavenly 
Father. Give out about 200 tracts. 
Find that a good many came. after ’the 
house was full. ’Twill make them 
more eager to come early next time. 
Have a later talk with three young men; 
two of them seem very genuine in- 
quirers. : 
Saturday, Dec. 14. We had planned 
to walk over the mountains to Kinosaki 
(9 miles) but it was pouring so we have 
to use jinrickshas and go round the 
mountains (15 miles.) Before starting 
we go to inquire for the School. Prin- 
cipal and find him up evidently waiting 
for us. Is eager to talk about Christ- 
ianity. Has worshipped Ancestors, the 
sun and the Emperor but. finds no soul 
satisfaction. Deeply conscious of sin 
and keenly alive to his responsibility in 
guiding the 450 children under his care 
into ways of truth. He is looking to 
the teaching of Christ for light. Just 
what is the message? And we let the 
jinricksha men wait an hour while we 
make as clear as possible God’s wonder- 
ful plan of salvation through Christ. He 
drinks it in like one athirst, and it seems 
to most blessedly fit his need. When can 
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