Sims Harold Lois 1959 Japan

r U
V
JAN2^1S5b
Jan. 3, 1959
Dear Friends,
Well, first of all w have done a lot of traveling this past year.
Harold was away from home for about 10 out of the 52 weeks in various evan
gelistic and teaching endeavors. Six weeks this fall were spent in Korea,
teaching 2 subjects in the Seoul Bible Seminary, and visiting 9 of the 70
churches scattered through the country and all of our missionaries over there.
It was a very interesting experience, and a report will appear in the Tokyo
Christian v/hich we hope you all receive and read. Two weeks were spent in
Nagcya with Bob Chambersone in an effort to open a new work in the nearby
city of Moriyama, and the other with the Mukojima congregation. One week in
the summer he served as vesper spealcer for the Osaka area young people's camp.
And a brief meeting was held in a small country church where one of our
former Seminary students is ministering.
Then the whole family made some trips together. During the first week
in April we all enjoyed a long ride by third-class sleeper down to Kagoshima
for^the yearly convontion, and of course the fellowship with other missionary-
families, the stay in the Japanese hotel and the ride back. In July Lois and
her Ladies Bible Class cooperated with the Mabashi church ladies in an unusual
and much-talked-about camp for that age group held in the mountain resort of
Karuizawa about lOO miles from Tokyo. The family went up for that and stayed
for an extra week of vacation. Then in August we all v;ent to Lake Motosu for
our Tokyo area Young People's Gamp which v;as very successful and pleasant in
every way. Finally, Lois went to Kobe in December for a week of recording
music with Isabel Dittemore and her co-workers for use in their radio program.
The traveling was not for the purpose of getting awcy from our troubles
and worries, although we did have a spate of them in mid-year v;hen the Pastor's
Association (a group na^ reduced to 4 cooperating with Eloise Cunningham) tried
to block our choice for new minister at lokosuka and take over themselves.
Since the former preacher had let the congregation die there was no one else
to make the decision, so we had to. There were numerous other problems, but
"the Lord delivereth out of all."
It has been a year of real progress on several fronts. Trio work begun
at the first of the year in Shinagawa among the Koreans living in south Tolcyo
has gone forward. There have been 12 baptisms and attendance averages about
20-25. man leading in that work v;aG ordained on July 20, and is growing
in faith after backsliding for a number of years. The Yokosuka church has an
unfortunate history that must be lived dovm, so things are moving along very
slowly, but we trust more solidly. The young man down there is in his first-
ministry, so often gets discouraged, but he is not lejzy; and \iheii he began
cleaning up the yard and painting the building immediately after moving, the
people in the neighborhood began to remark about the improvements. Since he
is the only son his widowed mother lives with him, and lately when they had to
take in his mother's sister's son who vms orphaned by her death from T.B. they
have had^some financial struggles. But thoy are going ahead. The Nakano and
Mikawashima churches, v;ith v/hich v/e have long been intimately associated, are
about the samerocking along rather peacefully with an average attendance of
about 20 and 50 respectively, fair offerings and about 2 baptisms each during
the year. Harold assisted both of these churches in their evangelistic meetiiigs
last spring and during the summer helped out at Abiko,
s
The decision to close the Tokyo Seminary last March after 10 years of
operation brought a big change in our work, but not as much comment as we had
expected* I am convinced it v/as a good and right move* It has freed me for
more traveling and general evangelistic work, and I think it has helped the
work by removing a bone of contention* We are not against seminaries as suchj
but felt that ours had served its purpose for the present and our efforts
should be given to strengthening the faith of Christians, establishing the
present churches and preaching the gospel to all v/ho have ears to hear*
For Lois this has been one of the busiest years in the work, as the
children are rapidly growing and turning loose from her apron strings. She
has studied Japanese, taught her two regular Bible Classes for ladies and
High School girls, and since fall has also taught sewing in the Home Ec* Dept.
at the Christian Acadeny (missionary children's school) one afternoon a week
and has sung in the trio of the radio-program. In the meantins she had an
appendicitis operation and a lot of dental work .don-.
Jonnie ..entered-the first grade-in September,.-and Sylvia is-'in the third
and Hope in the fifth. They mingle with 2C0 other American children daily,
fight and laugh and play in regular fashion, and are not so out. of the
ordinary as some might imagine.
The centennial of Protestant missionary activity in Japan falls in 1959
and there are several conventions and other special activitiec planned to
commemorate this* Of course everyone is hoping and pro,Yiiig for a nev; spurt of
evangelism and enlarged vision by our Japanese brethren daring this yea.c*.
For us the year holds mary happy expectations, bece.uoo ..'e ore planni.''.g our
second furlough beginring next summer.
Lois dreams something almost every night- ana we c:.Yen navs a gocd laugh
to begin the day as she tells them, but then she t\:;rns practical. I sleep
soundly at night and dream in the dayti.me; a liabib acquired wnen I vfas a
small boy in a awi'ng in Newport News watching ships go ovx to soa. Whon we
came back to Japan for our second term I was well-stookod with visions and
.plans for rapidly grcrîng churches, a better Semdnaryj jueliohing ventures ooc
The past years have resounded with crashing and crumrling aiaams, and
there have been long moments of discouragement. But through -inose eoqierieijces
we have gained some needed lessons about our ins-ufficie-ncies, c-apsn s people
and God's ways. The vision is not lost. We shall still rejoice to sec-
largo crov;ds and going and growing churches, but our vision Icj the present
has changed. Rather than expecting and striving for stastioal suGcess, nice
church buildings and other outward signs of long-established, .ieep-rootea
and majority accepted Christianity "just like we havein America" we must
first take more primitive steps and emphasize the fundamental ihn-ps here.
The first thing is to get individuals thoroughly converted c.nd o. mmittol
Christ the Lord, then in their fellowship with those other of ro.r.nan'./
of like precious faith they will form into cells bound together y
meeting in homes, edifying one another and leavening the ccnriL-nity.
pastors, buildings etc. will come, but now this simple yet very d-lfficult ^
way seems most scriptural and practical for this country where "Christianity'
is such a small minority.
V/e thank each of you for your support, and most of all for your prayers
on our behalf, and request that you continue to proy and work faithfully ana
diligently where you are "for the night cometh^"
Yours in Him,
HAROLD AImD.LOIS SIl^
dec 2 n 1959
Harrole KoFarland (lo)
Box 968
Joliet, [llinois
Tokyo
Christian
'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15
Vol 59
Kimherlin Heights, Tennessee Wiriter 1959, No. 2
Patfons Return To Tokyo Suzuki Son Yokosuka Sunday Meef-ings
Fukuda San who formerly helped me with
the church at Yokosuka, has recently started
a Sunday evening meeting near his home. So
far, the average attendance has been about
four persons. He continues to attend and help
in the Minato Church on Sunday mornings,
along with his wife. I suppose to make ends
meet (financially), they both work. He works
for the Kyodan (united churches of Japan)
"Audio Visual Aid" section and his wife
terches kndergarten.
Stanley Buttray
Only a few weeks ago we were enjoying
he fellowship and friendship of brethren
md friends back home. So it is yet a bit
lifficult to realize that we are now on the
)ther side of the world again and have
aunched out on another term of missionary
iervice in Japan. It is good to be back, though,
ind to be aclivel.v engaged in the good work
igain.
m
The Pattons .soon after landing at Yokohama
We left Piqua, Ohio on July 30 for Color-
ido, Califoria, and Japan. A year previously
A'e had made an appointment with the Color-
ido Christian Service Camp, Sedalia, Colo.,
to spend a week with them on our way to
California. We were entertained during the
week-end preceding camp by our friends, Mr.
and Mrs. Talmage Pace of Longmont, Color
ado, and Mr. and Mrs. Everett Keifer and the
Westside Church of Denver. After enjoying
the wonderful fellowship with these friends,
being refreshed and encouraged by them we
set off for camp.
Upon our arrival at camp we discovered
that Mr. and Mrs. Glen Taylor, our friends
from Washington who help to support us in the
work, were in c. mp to see us. They were taking
a vacc-tion and had dropped by Denver to see
her folks and us on their way to Montana.
They were able to spent only a few minutes
with us by how enjoyable that time was!
Continued on page 2
Suzuki San is a typical eleven year old
Japanese boy. Small, but with plenty of energy
fnd has a pleasant disposition. He is well
liked by his friends and seems to have leader
ship qualities. These qualities were quite ap-
.parent as we watched him in his eagerness to
learn about God and Jesus Chrst. He wrs al
ways encouraging someone to come to Sunday
Scnooi class and trying to keeo them well be
haved after bringing them. He learned the
Bible stories quickly and when questions were
asked the following Sunday he could always
answer. He was one of two that had perfect
attendance records for the first quarter.
One Sunday during the second quarter
he told Miss Yamashita how he had gone home
one day and found his father doing something
at the God Shelp (a special shelf in one of
the rooms, or sometimes found hidden away
in a special pkce in the wall, on which are
placed several objects related to ancestor wor
ship, Buddhism and Shintoism.) Without hesi
tation he spoke to his father and sad, "throw
those things out, for they are not Gods! I
believe in the true God". His father was so
surprised at his son's sudden outburst of un
belief that for the moment he was stunned
to silence. But quickly replied in the stern
voice of a Japanese father, "You don't know
what you are talking about." A few weeks
after this incident Suzuki San failed to attend
the Sunday School class. So when he came
the following Sunday we asked him why he
was absent the week before? And he replied
that his father told him not to come! But
Suzuki San has continued to come faithfully
since, and has indicated just recently his de
sire to be baptised.
Please pray for Suzuki San that God will
lead him and bring him into an obedient
faith, and for his parents that God will also
melt their hearts. Pray also for all of the
other children for there are a number of ele
ven year old girls who are as deeply inter
ested.
Stanley Buttray
Sims Furlough Report on Page 3
TOKYO CHRISTIAN
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Published quarterly by the Missionaries of
the 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
Commission of Christ: Matthew 28:19, 20.
Entered as second class matter in the Knox-
ville, Tenn., Post office under the act of March
3, 1879.
Two-Year Subscription
subscription and "Flaming Torch'
MISSION STAFF
50 cents
$1.00
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Buttray, 575 2-Chome,
Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. For
warding agent: Mrs. Homer Anderson, R. D. 1,"
Meadville, Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 27 Sakura-
yama, Nakano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forwarding
agent: Mr. or Mrs. Ray Armstrong, Rt. 3,
Box 310, Piqua, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims (Furlough
address for the winter: 790 15th Ave., South,
St. Petersburg, Fla.) Forwarding agent: A.
E. Sims, Alexandria, Kentucky.
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 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 addreiss.
If you make an offering of $1.00 or more you
.re 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.
PATTONS (Continued from 1)
The camp was located in a cool scenic
mountain resort area ideal for camping pur
poses. There we enjoyed the fellowship of
the fine faculty, many of whom we had not
met previously, and the large student body.
Fourteen such camps were visited during the
past two summers and as we look back on
them now we rejoice that we were able to meet
nnd work with such a large number of youth
during that time and we do hope that we may
have influenced them for good in even some
small way. We thank God that He has made
such opportunities possible.
The last week-end in Colorado was spent
in enjoying the wonderful hospitality of Mr.
i.nd Mrs. Jack Schlieker of Denver. On Sunday
morning we spoke to the young Church of that
city to which they minister and rejoiced with
them at the progress they were making. On
monday morning we loaded our bags and our
selves on the train again and took off for
T'alifornia. Next day we again found our-
"elves at the Home of Peace in Oakland,
California where we stayed until our sailing
(late and where our final shipping and packing
were done. On our last trip to Japan the buses
in Oakland were on strike and our only means
of transportation was by taxi which, of course,
was very expensive. This time the truck drivers
were on strike during our stay in Oakland and
pickets were placed at points leading to San
Francisco. This resulted in pur having to send
our freight on another ship a week later. It
worked out alright in the end, though, for it
cost us no more and the freight arrived in
Yokohama in plenty of time for us to get it
through customs soon after our arrival in
Japan.
The voyage to. Japan aboard the President
Wilson was an enjoyable one except for a
few minor ailments we had enroute. We were
pleasantly surprised to find that Mr. and Mrs.
Edgar Nichols and their two sons were aboard
the same ship returning to their mission work
in Hawaii. The Nichols and we got permission
to have a worship service aboard ship on the
first Sunday at sea and-we worked together
in conducting the service. A fairly large group
gathered for worship and to hear Brother
Nichols' sermon on John 3:16. We had made
arrangements with the steward for the bread
and grape juice for the Lord's Supper and we
led the group in the observance of that ordin
ance.
As is customary with ships taking the
same route to Japan, the Wilson docked for a
day in Honolulu, giving us another opportunity
to visit our missionaries in Hawai. The Burn-
sides, Stills, Lt. Col. Nicholas, Louie Sosebe,
and Jessica Floyd met us when the ship dock
ed. We spent a very pleasant day in fellowship
with the Stills and in the evening we spoke
at the midweek service at the Pearl Harbor
Church where the Sosebes minister. An hour
later we were again aboard ship and begining
the last leg of our journey to Japan. A Baptist
minister of Japanese descent from Hawaii and
I shared in the responsibility of leading the
worship on the Lord's Day. He spoke to the
Japanese audience and I to those who gather
ed for the service conducted in English. On
the morning of September 4 we stood in an
almost endless line for quarantine, customs,
and immigration officials' stamp of approval
for entering their country and finally we were
permitted to set foot on firm ground again.
The missionaries from Tokyo and Japanese
friends were there to greet us as we debarked.
How pleasant it was to see them again!
Since our arrival in Tokyo we have had
to spend a great deal of our time until now
in getting our house arranged and ready to
live in for the next five years. However, I
have consented to teach a Bible class at Tokyo
YMCA every Tuesday night. Every Sunday
we have tried to visit a different one of our
Churches to learn how they are faring and,
as we have opportunity, to add a word of
encouragement. In a general way we can re
joice over the progress some of the Churches
have made during the past year. Many new
faces are seen among the membership of some
of them while some of the faces we had be
come accustomed to seeing are conspicuously
absent. We are particularly distressed over
the dismissal of services at two of the
Churches each on different Sundays and for
different reasons. At the one the minister was
ill at the other a neighborhood event con
flicted with the Church services! What ever
Page 2
the reason it shows a lack of faith in and
devotion to our God. This points up the fact
that a lot of vigilance, and prayer, and ex
hortation is needed from us if they are to be
revived and set again on the road of faith.
Your prayers for these brethren will be a
great help.
About the middle of November we plan
to start a Bible class for adults on Sundaji
evenings, a morning worship service, and a
Sunday School for children in the building
formerly used by the seminary. As time and
opportunity permit and as the Lord leads U
we will start Churches or spend a great dea]
of time with the weaker Churches which need
to be revived.
We rejoice that God in His providenc<
has allowed us another opportunity to worl
toward the salvation of the Japanese people
It is evident that much- patience and long
suffering as well as much faith and zeal arc
needed in an evangelistic endeavor in Japai
at the present time. We pray for the couragi
and faith and wisdom necessary to help caiT3
the work forward for the next five years. Maj
our God give a great increase!
Ândrew Pattoi
New Publication
Because of the many corrections made
the second edition of "The Church of Christ'
by Samuel Saunders which finally came of
the press in June is a real improvement ove
the first edition. Although no change wa
made in style or outward appearance, yet b:
increasing the number of lines per page, thi
total number of -pages was decreased from 13i
to 98. Thus it was possible to place the book oi
the market at a lower retail price.
The publication of "On The Rock" ha
been postponed many months. Primarily, be
cause of the lack of a full time translator. Bu
even if a satisfactory full time person coul
be found for translation work, finances woul
not permit. Therefore I have had to depen
on men who work at other jobs, to get thi
very important work of translating done a
their convenience. Even now the person mah
ing the second correction said, "That it woul
be good to have it checked again". No on
wants the responsibility of giving the fins
O.K. for printing. Ths is a typical trait o
the Japanese people. It looks now as if th
translation will not be ready for printing b<
fore December 1st. If so, we cannot hope t
see it come from the press before the middl
of January.
Alexander Campbell's book, "The Chrii
tian System" has been translated for almoj
a year. Because of the above reason, an
others, the correcting and etc. has not bee
done. But Muto San, one of our Tokyo Bibl
Seminary graduates hcs decided to undertak
this work. So, I have some hopes that it wi
be published sometime in 1960. There is als
the possibility that he may consider in th
near future to work full time in the transla
ing and correcting of New Testament book:
Please pr,-y that God will richly bless thi
work to the saving of many souls.
Stanley Buttray
Our Furlough Home
No doubt many of you heard by now that
we are making our home in Florida this fur
lough year. There are several reasons for
this.
We arrived stateside in late June with
no specific location decided, trusting God to
leaJ us. As we traveled we made enquries
i bout rental opportunities, but nothing suit
able seemed to open up; and we arrived in St.
Petersburg, Florida in mid-August just 2
weeks before time for school to start with no
place to call home yet. Of course Lois' mother
and father who had retired and moved there
were desirous that we locate near them if
possible.
We now began to really look around in
earnest, but when we mentioned 4 children
all of the landlords turned us down flatly. So
a big decision was made. (Since the down-
payment was sniall, (he monthly payments
would be cheaper than rent and we would
have our equity after all, it seemed to be
the wisest use of money to buy a place.
The house we are settled in at 790 15th
Ave. S. in St. Petersburg, is a 2 story house
about 30 years old; with 2 porches, 2 baths,
6 regular sized rooms and a garage. Along
with the house came all kitchen and dining
room furniture, 2 beds and a washing-machine,
so we had to buy just a minimum of furniture.
The location is very convenient to shopping,
schools and buses.
It took much time, thought, quietly
breathed prayers, and a few tears before the
decision, but finally we went down to the
realtor's office to make a small initial deposit
and sign the contract. As we were sitting there
we heard fire-trucks pass, and then after a
while the phone rang and we were very aston
ished to hear that lightning and had struck
the house just about the time we were signing
up. Immediately the thought ran through our
minds that this might be an omen or some
sign from God that He did not want us to
have this place. We went down to the house
and found it full of firemen and the smell of
smoke with a hole in the roof and the second-
floor ceilings damaged by water. We were
assured that insurance would completely cover
the loss, but we had to decide all over again.
" Our "Of 3 ptysslblF^xplanations of the lightning
(1) a warning from God (2) an attempt
by the Devil to interfere (3) a naturi.1 pheno
menonwe chose number 3 and went ahead.
A least we can report that the insurance
company put the house into better shape
than it was before. The whole upstairs was
repainted. And nothing since then has happen
ed to make us wish we had not taken the
plunge.
Does God's Protection ond
Blessing Extend Even to
Machinery?
We are inclined to think so after our ex
periences with the Chevrolet 1954 Station
Wagon thus far. On June 22 we left Glendale,
Calif, with a luggage rack on top full of large
suitcases, and the inside full of small bags,
lunch basket and people. She ran like a top
all the way home and then around over the
country visiting relatives and living-link chur*
chesaveraging over 100 miles per day for
the first 90 days.
The real road test came when Harold
returned to Cincinnati in early September
to take the trunks and foot-lockers (which
weighed over 1100 pounds when shipped from
Calif, by Railway Express) down to Florida.
When the car was all loaded up the back
bumper was less than 6 inches from the
ground, and the tires looked half-flat. No
body who saw it thought the 1000 mile trip
would be made without trouble, but it was.
12frh National Misssosâ^y
Convention
One of the highlights of this year at
home was the wonderful convention in Spring
field, 111. in late September. We were edified
by the good messages, the close fellowship,
the large attendance, the inspirational sing
ing, and the whole spirit of the meeting.
Many of us will be back on our fields by next
year, but we hope the meeting in Norfolk,
Nebraska will be as helpful to those who
happen to be on furlough at that time as this
one was to us.
Florida State Conyention
Since we are living in Florida for our
furlough I took the opportunity of attending
the convention of our people in Lake Butler,
and I am very glad I did. Great and good
changes have come in the churches down here
since I was a High School boy in Eustis. All
of the churches are growing and there are
new ones being established on every hand.
There is a spirit of optimism and victory in
the air, and there is sacrificial effort being
made on ail fronts. It is a real challenge and
encouragement to me to be here during the
months in the homeland, and my prayer is
that I may be imbued with this zeal and
vision as we return to Japan.
Harold Sims
Army ChapsI Closes
The Army Map Service chapel was offi
cially closed with the last service being held
on Sunday morning July 26th. This was due
to the reduction of personell on the Base and
is a procedure followed by all Armed Forces
units. However, results from the contacts
made there during the eleven months of
preaching still continue. On Tuesday Septem
ber 8th, just five weeks after the Chapel
closed Nakayama San was immersed. He is
one of the young university students who at
tend the weekly bible classes as well as Sun
day morning services. When summer vacation
began he had already been deeply interested
for a number of months. So, on arriving home
he frankly told his father that he had been
studying the Bible and asked if it would be
alright if he became a Christian. Naturally
there were some doubts in Nakayama San's
mind on whether his father would give him
permission. For he was the eldest son, and
according to custom he should follow in the
footsteps of his father. Also, his father's re
ligion was Buddhism.
But in spile of these two controlling pow
erful factors of Japanese family life, the fa
ther said, yes! Our God does hear and answer
our prayers. But there must first be the sow
ing of the Gospel. As Jesus in John 8:31 said:
"... If you are faithful to what I have said
you are truly my disciples." If this is an area
in which we are lacking? God help us!
When a young Japanese person become.'
a Christian, it often means facing the greatest
crises of his life through opposition and ever
persecution from the family. However, suci
an experience being quite rare among us wh(
are Americans, we may find it difficult t(
understand. But there is One who does, an<
that Person is Jesus.
Pray that God the Father will watch ovei
ind care for these ones who have become
children of the King. For living in this Satar
controlled land, their obstacles will be man)
fold more than ours. Therefore, please remeni
ber the following just now in prayer: Naka
yama San, Wal^nabe San, Kanamura San, anc
Morita San who had much to do with the con
version of Nakayama San. Pray that they wil
continue to grow in Spirit jnd Truth and be
come strong faithful defenders of Christ ane
His crucified.
Stanley Buttray
Mr. and Mrs. Titus Seiichi Kikuchi with Torn (5 years old) and Ryuko
(3 mo. old little girl) minister to the Nakano Church of Christ in Tokyo.
One class of a Sunday School held in the
i-ay at Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo.
><Jisiogikubo Church Observes
fenth AnnBvsriary
On Saturday night and Sunday November
7, 18 the Nishiogikubo Church of Christ,
'hilip Oba minister, observed their tenth an-
ivcrsary. On Saturday evening a film on
ohn Wesley was shown to the audience and
mdrew Patton served as guest speaker. On
unday morning Shin Hanyu, minister of the
etagaya Chui'ch, spoke on the subject, "The
Ihurch, the Body of Christ."
The Nishiogikubo Church's roots reach
lack to a little over ten years ago when Owen
;till started a Bible study class in the home
if a young couple in that community. Later
t^ndrew Patton was asked to lead the group,
tmong those won to the Lord during the
lext few months was a young man named
>akio Ikeda, who a little later became the
nterpreter and finally the minister of the
:hurch. The meeting place was changed twice
tefore a suitable place was found for the
neetings on Sunday. After moving to a rented
lall the young Church grew rapidly and a
uilding was built to house it in the fall of
949.
Around 1951 the great exodus from the
'hurches in Japan began and many of the
nembers of the Church lost hold of the Lord
nd slipped back into the ways of the world.
;o the faces seen at the tenth anniversary
neeting were almost completely different from
hose who showed such promise of faithfulness
n the early years of the Church. It was en-
ouraging, though, to see the "old crowd", a
mall number of souls who had borne the re-
>roach of Christ and still remained faithful
o Him.
We rejoice that souls have been saved
hrough the ten years of the history of this
'hurch. We are saddened, however, at the
ealization that the Church has lost some of
ts original evangelistic fervor and spiritual
itality. We pray that they will allow them-
elves to be used of God in a greater way in
he next ten years in the doing of His will
han in the past.
Andrew Patton
mm
i
( W
":'Am^
former garage of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley But-
Hew Bible School
Through the sacrificing of my car garage
it was possible to start a Bible School last
April. It has continued now for more than
six months. It begun with an average atten
dance of thirty-eight children, and this average
was maintained for the first three months,
However, the average for these past four
months has dropped to thirty. The room com
fortably seats about thirty-two children. So,
in order to reach the maximum number of
children, I decided to have two class periods
of fifty minutes each, beginning at two P.M.
on Sunday afternoon. Since I was still preach
ing Sunday mornings at Army Map Service,
it was necessary to have the classes in the af
ternoon. But thus far, it seems afternoon
classes have proven to be just as good a time
as mornings.
With one or two exceptions the age level
is from six to eleven. Or as the Japanese
would say, "Ichi nen sei kara go nen sei ni
made". For teaching purposes we try to di
vide this age level into two classes. The two
exceptions are four year old children who
have attended from the beginning. One of
these has been brought by her mother and
the other by her older sister. And of course
the mother has learned more than the daugh
ter.
I have not done the teaching myself but
have had the young lady who was organist
at the Army Chapel to do all the teaching. I
have helped with the singing and the audio
visual aids. The interest has held up very well
and the children have now learned much about
God and Jesus His Son, having gone through
a six month course of the life of Christ.
Recently with ten of the children we visit
ed a natural zoo about an hour's train ride
from here. Because of the crowds of people
we did not immediately find a suitable place
to eat, rnd all the ehildren were quite hun
gry. After singing a chorus the teacher asked
a question. Having just seen among other ani
mals some asses, she asked the children, "Who
rode on an ass?" And the youngest (four years
old) answered, Jesus Christ! This little girl
named Mitsuko Chan with her older sister
has been the most faithful in attendance.
And can almost without missing, name the
books of the New Testament and recite a
few verses of scripture.
Without a doubt opening the hearts and
minds of these little children to God and his
love is certainly one of the greatest works,
and most fruitful that can be done here in
this unenlightened land of Japan. Pray for
these little ones. Pray that the harvest will
be a hundred-fold.
Stanley Buttray
Andrew Patton and Stanley Buttray tak
ing down a quonset hut which was given to
Mr. Harold Sims. Three days of hard work
finished the job.
MflR 2 7 12Si
ilarrole McFarland
Box 963
Joliet, ruinola
110}
Tokyo Christian
Vol. 58
Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee, Winter, 1959 Numfeer 3
12 YEAR OLD CHEVVY SOLD
In 1950 the Mission bought a 1946 2 door
Fleetline Chevrolet from a service-man who
was going home. The speedometer then re
gistered 42,000 miles. Since then this car
has given very faithful service to the cause
through 8 years in journeys oft and rough,
and with a minimum of care and repair. It
endeared itself first to Buttrays until they left
for furlough in 1955 and following that to the
Sims family. Of course it was familiar to
all of our friends and many gas-station attend
ants, policemen etc. Among some of them it
had a reputation as "the great unwashed."
Back in 1956 the speedometer stopped at
98,400, and it blithely passed 2 inspections
without being noticed. The actual mileage
certainly passed 120,000. For the past year
some of the more dire prophets among our
Japanese friends have been predicting that it
would someday just give up the ghost in the
middle of an intersection and become a pile
of scrap iron. So in dread of an approaching
gigantic repair bill and the $100 road tax for
1959 we finally parted with the old "thing"
in Dec. The highest bidder only gave $87.
She has seen her best days, but she served
well.
DON'T MISS "MY TRIP TO KOREA"
STARTS IN THIS ISSUE ON BACK PAGE!
Sueyoshi church in Kagoshima prefecture
where Harold preached on Sunday morning
Jan. 11, 1959 during 2 weeks Qf teaching in
a local leadership training institute in Kanoya.
In the congregation that morning are includ
ed Mark Maxey and his daughters Paula and
Faith.
Patton Sailing Date Set
Left to right: Sharon Lee, Philip, and Noel Patton
On January 26lh the Fattens made re
servations fcr an "Economy Tourist Class"
cabin on the SS President Wilson sailing from
San Francisco for Japan on August 21, 1959.
'ihe ship is scheduled to arrive at Yokohama
on September 4th. This should allow them
time to enroll their daughter, Sharon Lee,
"in the Fail terra of Kindergarten. She will
be five years old on July 30.
The total cost for the ship tickets will
be $948.86. This is the same amount it cost
them for them for their tickets to San Fran
cisco on their way home and it means that
Piiiiip, who vvill be a year old on July 8, will
travel free since he will not require an extra
bod. They made a down payment of $250 in
order to make the reservations. Since they
had only received $105 in offerings designat
ed fcr travel purposes it was necessary for
them to borrow $145 from their general fund
in order to complete the payment. The re
maining $698.86 and the $145 borrowed from
the general fund must be on hand by July.
Besides this at least $1050 will be needed for
their travel to San Francisco, for the buying
of equipment needed for the next term of
service, and for freight expenses to Japan.
Your help in this matter is urgently needed.
Negotiations are already under way with
the U.S. and Japanese governments concerning
the securing of a passport and a visa for their
travel to Japan. Barring complications, both
of these should be on hand within three
mcnths. It will be only about six months until
the time when they will have to begin their
travels toward California. Before that time a
number of preparations must be tak^n care
of. ~
One major item of these preparations is
the raising of the remainder of the pledged
support necessary for their next five-year
term of Missionary activity. Pledges amount
ing to $2541 a year have been made by Chur
ches and individuals. Pledges amounting to
$4.59 a year toward their salary and $3000
a year to finance their work are badly needed
now. If four churches would pledge $72 a
month each all of the pledges they need would
be on hand. Or if eight Churches would
i^'edge $36 a month the same would be true.
If sixty six individuals would pledge a dollar
a week, $52 a year, practically the same am
ount would be raised. If you have not made
your pledge toward their support please do
so without delay. The time is short. Send all
communications for them to; Andrew Patton
C/o Ray Armstrong
R. 3, Box 310
Piqua, Ohio
Andrew Patton
Tokyo Christian
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
Commission of Christ; Matthew 28:19, 20.
vilic, Tenn., Postoffice under the act of March
3, 1879.
Two-Year Subscription 50 cents
Subscription and "Flaming Torch" - $1.00
MISSION STAFF
Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Forwarding agent: Mrs. Homer Anderson,
R. D. 1, Meadville, Pa,
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, Furlough
address same as Forwarding agent: Mr. or
Mrs. Ray Armstrong, Rt. 3 Box 310, Piqua,
Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, 450 Aral Machi,
Nakano-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forwarding agent:
A. E. Sims, Alexandria, Kentucky.
postoffice concerning mailing rules and limita
tions of size and weight.
giving both your old and your new address.
are entitled to receive this paper if you so
The Sims family in front of the building
where an evangelistic meeting was held in
Mukojima, Nagoya City Dec. 5-7. Lanterns
are advertising the service, and also lighting
the entrance way.
ANSWER TO AN INQUIRY
Several weeks ago we received a letter
from a brother containing accusations against
us based on false allegations which he had
evidently heard made concerning us. In order
to clear up similar misunderstandings which
others may have concerning our actions
in, Japan, we quote the letter and our anwer
to it. Our purpose in this, however, is not
to defend ourselves but to prevent misunder-
standings concerning the Lord's
which iwe are engaged.
Dear Pat:
"Is it true that some missionaries broke
into Mrs. Cunningham's house and helped
themselves to what they wanted? If so we
better keep them at home and put them to
work in the workhouse."
Yours
Our answer to him follows.
Dear Brother
We shall overlook the bitterness in your
letter for perhaps we would have similar senti
ments toward you if someone in whom we had
confidence represented your character to us
as, no doubt, someone has done concerning
us to you. If we have done things worthy of
such punishment we shall not endeavor to
escape from being "put to work in the work
house." In our democratic society, however,
even a criminal has the right to speak in his
own defense Therefore, if we are criminals
as we are accused of being, we beg leave to
make our defense.
You asked if it was true that some mis
sionaries broke into Mrs. Cunningham's house
and helped themselves to what they wanted.
No doubt, you got your information from a
circular sent out by Miss Eloise Cunningham
in which she attacked our characters and mis
represented the facts and us to Ihe brethren
in America. I am surprised that you so easily
take such fabrications as gospel truth from
an Episcopalian woman who never darkens any
of our Churches in Japan except for business
purposes against your own brethren who are
Christian missionaries, and that without so
much as asking them if these things are true!
The statement that we missionaries broke in
to Mrs. Cunningham's personal property and
helped ourselves to her goods is an untruth.
In the first place, the house was not Mrs.
Cunningham's personal properly. If it was,
why did not Miss Cunningham call the police
and have us jailed and brought to justice?
As a matter of fact the house where Mrs.
Cunningham lived while she dwelt in Tokyo
was not her personal property but, like the
homes of the rest of the missionaries working
with her, was built for missionary use from
free-will offerings of Christian people. Mrs.
Cunningham endorsed this fact personally
before her death when she by her own deci
sion, and that of the other missionaries af
filiated with the Church of Christ Cunning
ham Mission of which she was director, placed
the house where she lived, together with the
other missionai-y houses. Church buildings, and
other properties owned by the Mission, in
the Iji Zaidan, the property-holding corpora
tion of the Mission. At the same time it was
her own recommendation and influence that
caused the missionaries affiliated with the
Church of Christ Cunningham Mission to be
made trustees of the Zaidan corporation. Fur
thermore, Mrs. Cunningham never made any
personal claims that the house where she lived
was her own personal property. It is evident
then, I believe, that the house in question is
Mission property and not Mrs. Cunningham's
personal possession.
Page 2
As to breaking into the house we plead
guilty. But here are facts on that score.
Since the death of Mrs. Cunningham we have
used the house as a dwelling for other mission
aries. (Compare, by the way, Miss Cunning
ham's proposed use of the house as a "Shrine"
to the memory of her parents and as a social
hall with the purpose for which it is being
it is being used.) When one of the missionaries
whom we had permitted to live in the house
moved to another island to do missionary work
there was a short interval between the time
when he left and the lime when another mis
sionary came to Tokyo and lived in the house.
During that interval Miss Cunningham evid
ently thought that this afforded a good opport
unity to take possession of house. So she moved
a Japanese preacher and his wife, who were
favorable to her, into the house. Because
these people needed a place to live and rather
than cause trouble at the time we allowed
them to remain in the house. In fact they still
dwell in the back of the house. When the
next missionary arrived to occupy the house
we found the Japanese family gone and the
doors pad locked. There remained nothing for
us to do but to break the lock and allow the
missionary to enter tlie house. Now, is that
the hovsebreaking concerning which we are
condemned? If so, we plead guilty but insist
that there was no crime involved and no
breaking into the personal property of Mrs.
Cunningham. Rather, it was the entrance into
a Mission house which had been illegally enter
ed by Miss Cunningham. So the guilt of break
ing into a house belonging to another falls on
Miss Cunningham's head and not on ours.
To the allegation that we helped ourselves
to what we wanted in the house we plead
not guilty. On the contrary, when, after Mrs.
Cunningham's death, we decided to move an
other missionary into the house we asked
Miss Cunningham to move her mother's pos
sessions from the house. She refused to do this
and said that we could cast her mother's
things into the street if we wished but that
she would not consent to their being moved.
Therefore, we moved Mrs. Cunningham's pos
sessions into rooms which the missionary
should have been permitted to use and her
property has been stored in the house since
that time. This has caused the missionaries
to occupy only those rooms not occupied by
the Japanese preacher and Mrs. Cunningham's
furniture! So this too falls back on the head
of Miss Cunningham and not on us.
You picked out these allegations from the
many other which Miss Cunningham made
against us in her paper, indicating that you
considered them to be the strongest arrows
she had in her quiver. We too are willing
that these be considered fair samples of her
writings against us. Let the facts speak for
themselves. We have no desire to try to per
suade you to take our part but simply request
(hat the plan facts and the truth of the matter
be given a fair hearing.
Your choice not to support us is your
own personal affair and none of our own.
We would fight for your right to make such
a choice. As a matter of fact, if folks have
no confidence in us we would rather they did
not support us. On the other hand, we insist
that facts and truth, not hearsay and false
accusations, be allowed to speak when the
characters of Christian missionaries are at
tacked.
Page 3
We would like to commend you for your
manliness in bringing your questions concern
ing our character directly to us rather than
airing them behind our back.
1 We extend to you our kindest personal
regards and best wishes.
Sincerely your,
(signed) Andrew Patton
FUTURE MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES
A statement regarding the closing of
Tokyo Bible Seminary signed by the faculty
of that school appeared in the Spring 1958
Issue of Tokyo Christian. Since that time we
have met several brethren during our furlough
travels who have expressed interest in the
closing of the Seminary, We cannot remem-
iber that any one of these brethren expressed
idoubt as to the wisdom of closing the school
ibut rather their interest in that event seemed
[to lie in the reasons for the closure of the
school. Those reasons have already been pub-
[lished in this paper. However, since that state-
[ment dealt almost wholly with our reasons
for the closure of the school and not with the
phase of work in which the missionaries pro-
Iposed to be engaged in subsequent to that date
Iwe think that a few words of clarification in
regard to the work which we intend to do
would be in order here. Of course, we can
.only speak for ourselves and not for the mis-
'sionaries working with us, yet perhaps the
[conception which they have of their work
would not be greatly devergent from the
conception of ours stated here.
We believe that one phase of any work
which we propose to do for our Lord in Japan
must be evangelistic in nature. Every mission
ary should be a winner of souls. It seems to
us that evangelism is not the primary task
of missionaries in their own persons but the
preparation of the native Christians to per
form that work. Yet at the same time they
must win every soul they can without allowing
those evangelistic efforts to defeat this prim
ary work of training and encouraging the na
tive Christians to tell the old story of Jesus
I nnrl Ki.g .lnve-Whpn-wn.J!ir-5-WPnt trv .Lipan we
Iwere strongly convinced that the best means
! to both of these ends lay in the use of a Bible
I College and Tokyo Bible Seminary was estab
lished and was used with those ends in view
for a period of ten years. Our experiences dur
ing those years forced upon us the conclusion
that the use of Tokyo Bible Seminary had not
been a very successful venture in evangelism
or in the training of the Japanese Church
under the prevailing circumstances and condi
tions in Tokyo. So instead of using such an
institution as a medium of evangelism when
we return to Japan we will work on con
vinced that our efforts will be rewarded
the local Church level and we are strongly
convinced that our efforts will be rewarded
far more abundantly. Of course, we shall estab
lish new Churches, help conduct evangel
istic meetings for the winning of the lost,
teach English Bible classes with the same
view in mind, try to win individuals as we
contact them person to person, and use any
other means of introducing the lost to Christ
which time and circumstances permit.
Christian education, however, is our prim
ary object as missionaries. If we allow our
selves to be side-tracked from that supreme
object we shall be weak where we ought to
be strongest and our work will endure only as
long as we are present to direct it. Therefore,
we do not intend to accept the office of preach
er, elder, deacon, or other leader in a local
Church in Japan except in cases of absolute
necessity as a stop-gap measure. Rather, we
shall train elders and deacons in the Word of
the Lord and in how they should conduct them
selves in their respective offices. We shall
train Bible teachers for adults and for child
ren. We shall strive to teach the Christian in
the pew to accept his responsibility toward his
God, the Church and his fellowman. As we
conceive it, this is our primary task and if we
fail to emphasize this we had better stay at
home.
^ niir work in .Tapan should be advisory in
nature. The ordinary person in Japan has been
little affected in any direct way by the opera
tion of Christianity on the society in which
he finds himself. So the Japanese Christian
usually does not know how to conduct himself
as a Christian at home, at school, in his society,
or in the Church. Therefore, we who have a
part of the New Testament Church at work
in our home land and who have been care
fully trained in the Bible ought to be in a
position where we can render these young
Christians valuable assistance. Our advise and
guidance will be gladly and freely extended
to those Japanese Christians who need and
desire our services
Again, our work as missionaries in Japan
will be exemplary and inspirational in nature.
In this field the impact of the influence of our
whole family must be felt by those whom we
are able to contaict. Our children's part in this
will be to impress their Japanese friends by
word and deed with the beauty of the Lord
and the desirableness of his salvation. We ad
ults must do likewise in the world in which we
will move. Our actions must convince those
who behold them that Christ is real and preci
ous to us and that our practice is harmonious
with our profession. Our interest in the lost
and constant effort to win them and to estab-
lish our brethren in the faith should be such
as to inspire the Japanese Christian to go
and do likewise. We should set such an ex
ample in self-control and selflessness and at
the same time radiate such Christian joy that
it will cause both saint and sinner to take
notice. In short, we believe that the forceful
enactment of Christianity by a servant of God
in the midst a pagan people will often do
more to turn them to God than a thousand
spoken arguments against their religions or
their sinful lives or for the truthfulness of
Christianity.
Our work in Japan should also be benevol
ent in nature. Numerous people in Japan are
without the bare necessities of life. We should
help those people whom we can and who are
qualified to receive such help so long as our
help will not stifle their own initiative & cause
us to lose sight of our main objective of minist
ering to their spiritual needs. We intend to
teach the Japanese Christians to oare for their
poor and unfortunate as their means permit.
Again, this should be mostly done through
Tokyo Christian
the local Church. Along similar lines will be
the problem of financing Church building pro
jects in a country where the poor are as num
erous as in Japan and where most Church
members are not bread winners of their fam
ilies. We believe that the Japanese Church
should finance its own building as nearly as
possible. But to encoiurage the Church and
help them to raise the necessary funds we
propose to make outright gifts to them for
that purpose if there is need for such gifts.
We intend to use much discretion and restraint
in such use of the Lord's money. As circum
stances demand it and if our funds permit,
our help will be extended to the orphan, the
widow, and the aged. Benevolence to the un
fortunate and Christianity go hand in hand.
In summary our work in Japan will be
evangelistic, educational, advisory, exemplary
and inspirational, and benevolent in character
with the main emphasis beingj)laced on the
educational phase at the level of the local
Church. And our aim in all these things will
be to make the Japanese Church a glorious
Church without spot or wrinkle or any such
thing and ready for her Lord's return. Can
any more rewarding work be given to any
man? We invite your participation in that
work with us.
Andrew Patton
THE PATTON CHILDREN
The members of our family who have per
haps enjoyed our furlough most are the three
children, especially Sharon Lee and Noel.
They have traveled many hundreds of miles,
made many friends, as well as made them
selves genuine nuisances while dad and moth
er were trying to put on programs in the Chur
ches. But in spite of their spells of childish
mischievousness they have done remarkably
well in their travels.
Sharon Lee is now four years and five
months and Noel is two years and one month
old. Both of them were bom in Japan and
often talk of returning to the place of theii
birth. Because of a positive patch test which
we had taken on Noel after we returned to
ATnprir>a wp wpro fpflrfiil that he had contra&t-
ed tuberculosis. He had a chest X-ray in July
and it showed no signs of active tuberculosis.
Then in January the whole family was given
complete physical examinations and every
thing was well with Noel as well as the rest ol
the family except for a borderline anemic con
dition in Betty and the three children. We arc
thankful that all of us enjoy good health.
Perhaps the healthiest looking Patton is
little Philip. He is seven months old, weighs
24 pounds, has four teeth, and is as jolly as
lark. He is scheduled to make his first trij
to Japan in August when he will be slightlj
over a year old.
None of the children have any living-linl
support pledged as yet. They too will have i
part to play in causing the light of the Lore
to shine in darkened Japan and they will neee
support. Your pledges toward their suppor
would be greatly appreciated.
Andrew and Betty Patton
Tokyo Christian
MY TRIP TO KOREA
Harold Sims
On the morning of Sept. 24, while I was
praying and thinking about what plans I
should make for the month of October, a
telegram of invitation to teach 6 weeks in
the Bible Seminary in Seoul, Korea arrived
from Bro. Harold Taylor. The school there
uses the intensive plan of study, so one course
is completed each 6 week term. Because of
constant urging from our many friends among
the Koreans living in Tokyo through our years
of contact and cooperation with the Mikawa-
shima church, acquaintance with the mission
aries on the field, and a natural curiosity I
had long felt a desire to see the land and the
work there. Heretofore duties at the Tokyo
Bible Seminary had prohibited my taking
time off for a visit to our neighboring country,
but now there was no compelling reason to
refuse. Here was an opportunity to serve as
well as a chance to enlarge my sympathies
and understanding of the Korean people and
churches and to gain new vision and encour
agement for the work here. So in a short
time we (Lois was consulted, of course)
arrived at the decision to go. It would be
the longest separation in our 11 years of close-
knit family life, and before it ended we both
fully felt the length of the Scriptural 40 days.
A meeting of preachers and students in
Pusan, Korea where Harold spoke.
Preparations of passport, visas, arranging
substitutes for Bible classes, putting in a supply
of fuel oil, shopping for Christmas presents
for home-folk, etc. took many days out of the
next 2 weeks. On the morning of Oct. 20 one
of the young men from Mikawashima church
drove me out to the airport in return for my
favor of taking some gifts to his wife's family
in Seoul, and I boarded the crowded North
west Airlines plane for Seoul. In less than 3
hours we landed at war-famed Kimpo airport.
So this is Korea! It is a lot like I had
imagined the empty, rusty quonset huts,
many jeeps and a few old American cars, and
the ever-present soldiers indicating a post-war
and preprosperity state of affairs. On the long
drive in to Seoul we watched the farmers at
rice harvest, and seeing the men carrying
great loads on their backs by A frames and
the women (most of them in the native dress)
carrying things on their heads, with the
obvious poverty on every hand gave me a
distinct first Impression, "Now I have really
arrived in the Orient." After we crossed the
Page 4
Mi
if
L: to R. Lonnie Migs, Lois Sims, Isabel
Dittemore, Lydia Shigenobu in the studio of
the Christian Radio Mission in Osaka.
SINGING ON THE RADIO
by Lois Sims
Last November and December I had the
pleasure of singing with Isabel Dittemore and
Lydia Shigenobu on the Christian radio pro
gram "Behold The Man", produced by Mrs.
DiLtcinorc of Kyushu Christian Mission.
When the young woman who regularly
sang with them had to leave her work. Isabel
asked me if I would be able to fill in the
new Han river bridge into Seoul this impres
sion was enhanced by the streets and markets
full of cabbage and people, the small tile-
roofed houses stacked up on the hills, and the
obvious squalor of many living in caves or
filthy lean-to huts. Of course the center of
town is not much different from any other
city in the world.
(Note: This interesting account will be
continued in the next issue.)
VISITS TO HOSPITALS
by Lois Sims
Usually someone sends us a check for
$5.00 or so for Christmas treats for the Sun
day School children, but this year a new idea
for using these funds occurred to me. Several
of our Christian friends are in hospitals, I
remembered, and it would be nice to visit
them, taking some food and gifts and bringing
a little cheer into their lonely days. I was
thinking especially of the little 6 year old
Suzuki boy, who is In a suburban children's
T. B. hospital with 65 other little ones, and
his father who is in another hospital 3 stations
back toward town and never expects to return
home.
At our regular Ladies Bible Study meet
ing the next Friday I brought up the idea,
and they were enthusiastic in cooperating.
trio for the December programs. After much
planning we finally arranged to get together
the week of Nov. 2-8. Isabel, Lydia and Don-
nie Mings (accompanist) came to our home,
and we spent a full week practicing and re
cording the music for the December programs
at a studio here in Tokyo. Most of the music
was new to me, so we had to practice morning,
noon and evening some days.
ihen in December Bobby and I spent 4
days in Kobe at the home of Isabel and her
daughter Janet practicing and recording the
music for January programs.
I am glad that I could help in this way
and pray that the Lord will use these programs
to reach many people for Christ.
Tuesday Dec. 23 they were here early in th(
morning with armloads of tangerines. Japanese
rice crackers and candy, and color-books anc
crayons which they had purchased from theii
their own funds. Mabel Buttray heard aboui
the project and baked a lot of cookies as hei
contribution. I also baked cookies and pre
pared some other things including some
old children's puzzles and Christmas cards anc
a number of copies of Life of Christ Vizual
ized. Vol. III.
A jolly time was spent in dividing th^
things and wrapping them. Then when w
were ready to start a miserable cold rain began
so we had to borrow Stan Buttray's car, an(
that made the trip much easier and more fui
for the ladies who seldom are privileged h
ride in newer cars
At the children's hospital the nurse
would not let individuals receive gifts, b
cause of the effect on the other children, s
they divided everything evenly among thei
all later. We had a brief visit with the littl
Suzuki boy and his 4 room-mates in their ur
heated room. Although the walls were covej
ed with crayon drawings the building wa
clean and the staff seemed very capable an
kind.
We visited 2 other regular T. B. hospitals
and were able to bring joy to many sick folks
but we received the greatest blessing oui
selves.
4 '
. March 4j 1959
Dear Friends,
Since our last letter Harold has traveled from one end of Japan to the
other, and Lois and the children have been keeping the home fires burning. 'Now
v;e are sitting around on this beautiful early-spring afternoon enjoying Lois'
birthday by quietly preparing cake and ice-cream before uhe children return -
from school and contemplating the pleasant fact that exactly p months from
this afternoon we will be sailing out of Yokohama for the U<-S and our second
furlough, the Lord willing. Looking back over these past 5 years we are made
conscious of the swift passage of time and opportunity. Of course the few
remaining weeks may be the busiest of all, but it will no doubt seem slow to
the children who zealously count the remaining days on the kitchen calender
every morning before going to school.
But first let us tell briefly about Harold's travels. On the night of
Jan. 5 he arrived at the hospitable homo of the Mark Maxey family in extreme
southern Japantraveling via the new express train that covers the 1000 miles
in only 22 hours instead of the usual 52. There he assisted in a iC~day
local leadership training institute which was conducted in the newly-es't/atllshoc
Christian Center in Kanoya, and also preached in two of the churc.h:3j in tho
prefectiure and spoke to the Rotary club. Eigint persons received certificates
for completing the course of study for tho 2 weokfy, and va total of 20 difforcent'
people attended some,so we felt it v;as fairly sucoe-sti'le '.Dio weather -v/as far
from the expected balmy southern. There v/ere se^'-erai very cold days, ai;d one
of the largest snov/s in years fell around tho orange trees'
After a little over 2 woeks at liorr.o ho .loft Toicyo agaiu on Fob-, o headed
in the opposite direction for 2 weeks of preaching on the noruhorn island of
Hokkaido. After crossing the straits on the ovc>r--;iigh"., ferr^/ he was in a
winter wonderland v/hen the sun began casting purple and pink shadows on -the
snow-laden mountains in the cold de.wn of Feb. He never gjt tired of locking
at the ever-present snow, including many large -wii beautifu'IH/ (jxecutod figures
at the "snow-festival" and the people on skis and packages on sleds Although
the tempuratures approached zero every night t}iere was some thawing at mid-day
quite often, and the people said it was tho vmrn'.e.ot Pc.bimiary in a long time.
Since the people are used to it, and there were oig coal stoveb, ihe weather
did not deter the pepple from coming to the meetings.
Uie first week, from Feb. 6-15.t v/as spent v.-ith the Wesley Walicers and
the Moiwashita church in the capital city of Sapporo. Tne ba.ckbono of this
church is a lively group of young marr5.ed people, and they are experiencing a
period of growth that v;ae a real joy and encouragement to participate in. Ihe
lowest attendance at the nightly meetings vras.5S adults, and the highest 71
For anywhere in Japan this would be considered vevy good, but tha best thing
about the meeting was the many responses to tho invit-ation. During the week
of evangelistic meetings 12 v;ere baptized, and 5 'Others made mhs confession but
deljêd baptism for parents permission or other causes. (A letter from Walkers
gives the good news that these 5 ^ additional people were bapt?.zed tho
Sunday after the meeting closed.) Two mon and their wives were baptized
together, and other homes were imitod in Clirist as a result of decisions for
Christ. So there was much rejoicing, and we thank God for His blessings and
for the gospel and its power.
From there he continued on to colder Obihiro for another weeks meeting.
In the summer of 1957 we had preached in a tent in that city, and at that time
there had been no converts. Now there arc 6 members, and the 4 that live in
the city now are very faithf-ul and grov/ing in Christ- They have a nice little
chapel built in a good location on the south side of town, and also have
regular meetings in 2 nearby tov;ns Wo had an average attendance of over 20,
and some of these seemed to be good prospects, but there were no responses to
the invitation. I>aring the week in Obihiro the hospitality of the Earnest
Fr.ber home was enjcyed again*
After the long 2-diy journey homo it was good to be reunited with the
family on Feb . 24. 35-nce then v:o have been busy catching up on some of the
accumu.l.aued business, and settling down. No more trips are planned except
to the yearly convention v/hich is to be held in Nagoya the first week in April.
Ihe pastor cf t-ne 3Corean church at M.ikav7ashima district in Tokyo resigned
last Sunday effective the end of this month. It was o:q)ected, but one of our
most difficult and pressing problems is finding e. replacement for him. There'
are also other loose ends t-o catch up in connection v;ith the work of some of
the churches before we leave. Wo earnestly request your prayers that God may-
guide us and give wisdom and that we may follow- Also pray for the Japanese
Ghristiat^s, many of them tempted and discouraged
Time flies, but the Simses ere going by shipit's cheaper. After some
disappoij'atments at finding most sailings fully Ducked for the summer as early
as January we fin.n.lly nsvc confirmed rosor/aticns on a Japanese passenger ship
cn tne South ^êrican run. 'liiis is the u.ScIC. Lino ''Brazil Maru'.' We are very
''"appy with this arrangement, becauso tciAri;?!- class on this ship is the most
convanierrtj comfor'oablo .nd trie chej-'.pesu-'c-ntcns-po.rtation we could find. Also
the Paul Nielsen family, missionaries in Sendai, will be among our traveling
companions on this voyage, We r.re to ss.il from fokohsica on June 4 and arrive
An Los Angeles about Juno 16 or 17"
From there on our plans are still Indefinite at the present time. We
don'i- know exactly where 'we will be making our home for the year in the States.
Ecwaver you ecu: contact us through ?2y father at ?rO Box 75 Alexandria, Ky.
Thus far everything has worked out fine, and we are trusting the Lord to
direct our paths.
Our little black book for speaking dates is almost completely an open
book nov;, so if there are any particular dotes on -which you would like to have
us visit you please lot u''- know of your desires as soon as possible. We will
do our best to servo.
Yours An Christ,
iiAROLi) AND LOIS Sn*IS
F.S. Mission Ssrvioss, Box 968 Joliet, 111- has a study packet prepared about
our work in Tokyo, Wc hovfin'+ i+. yet, but hope you will be able to use it.
Harrola KcFarland
Box 968
Jolidt, Illinois
(10)
Tokyo Christian
vôl. 58 Kimberlin Heights, Tennessee, Spring, 1959
Number 4
Sims Furlough
The Harold Sims family returned to Jap
an in early September 1954 for their second
erm of service in Tokyo. Now having com
pleted another 5 years of work we are prepar
ing for our second furlough beginning this
su.uiiicr. The childien especially have been
'ouking forward to the trip and are writing
he number of remaining days on the kitchen
calender.
Tians Pacific passenger accomodations are
very crowded at this time, but we were able
0 book tourist-class cabins on a Japanese ship
3f the OSK Line called "BRAZIL MARL"
which promises to be satisfactory in every
wayincluding the very reasonable price. The
Paul Nielsen family from Sendai Japan will be
among our traveling companions. We will sail
from Yokohoma on June 4 and are due to
arrive in Los Angeles about June 16. At the
present moment we don't know where we will
settle for the school year, but our temporary
address will be P. 0. Box 75, Alexandria,
Kentucky.
^ All in all it seems to us a good time for
3 furlough. There are always some situations
in the small churches in Tokyo that cause us
to hesitate to walk off and leave thsm. But
very often the only thing and the best thing
Ve can do about these problems is to pray,
referring them up to the Head of the Church,
which we will continue to do even more earn
estly while separated from them. Our purpose
certainly not to boast that we have "earn
3d" a furlough by our accomplishments. We
have no large spending program in mind, and
are not going out to "raise" a definite amount
pf-money^The-Lord has blessed-us-wiih..goo.d
health, so we are thankful we don't need
special medical care and physical recupera
tion. We do feel the need of spiritual refresh
ing, and look for God to grant this through
Contacts and fellowship with friends and
orelhren in the common faith. After approx
imately one year at home we expect to return
to Japan with renewed zeal and vision for
this work to which God has called us.
Harold and Lois Sims
On March 26 the litt'e 5 year old son
%f Mr. and Mrs. Titus Kilkuchi (ministers of
:he Nakano Church of Christ) became very
ill with purpura (leaking blood vessels) and
was h.spiializad. This is a very serious dis
ease and often fatal. It is thought the cause
was too much use of anti-biotic drugs during a
winter soige of tonsilitis and cold. In answer
to prayer he recovered much more quickly than
expected and returned to his home April 14.
Morning worship service in chapel at Army Map Service, Tokyo, Japan
ANOTHER ONE WON
In the first five months since I started
preaching for the Army Map Service Chapel
at Camp Oji here in Tokyo there have been
four baptisms. Dale Marsh the assistant chap
lain was the first which I wrote about in the
last Tokyo Christian. Since then Jack Anth
ony a young man from near Los Angelos who
also had been coming to the services frmn
the reopening of the chapel in September was
baptized. He had been very faithful in his at
tendance and determined to learn all that he
could, even to attending the English Bible
class for the Japanese on Tuesday evening. So
ii wa.s a real joy to have him inform me one
day that he wanted to be baptized.
Th^n ^herc was Merita San. a Japanese
university student who aKo had boon coming
from the beginning. Not only did he attend
the Tuesday night Bible class but also most
of the Thursday night class and the Sunday
murning services bringing his friend Nakayama
San with him. The turning point in his life
seemed to be evident in a remark he made to
me after service one Sunday morning. He said:
"Now I comp'ctely understand the meaning of
Christianity." It was just two weeks later he
came desiring to be baptized. Since then, one
night as I was taking him and his friend home
after the Tuesday night class, his fr'end Naka-'
yama San said: "I find it a little difficult to
understand the Bible." But Morita San who
had become a Christian just a few weeks be
fore said: "I did not find it so, it was very
easy." A week later he made this remark to
me, "Nakayama San is studying the Bible very
diligently, and I hope be becomes a Christian
soon." So does (jod! So do I. Please pray for
him. Also, please pray for a Kanamura San who
has been coming to every service for the last
two months. He is a good man and deeply in
terested in the Bible. Pray that he will yield
to God and His Gospel soon.
The last young man to be baptized was Don
Wareham whose home is in Massachusetts. Don
had formerly been sprinkled but after hearing
the Gospel for five months and studying for
himself what the Bible teaches concerning
salvation, he was convinced that immersion was
necessary. So he was baptized according to the
Scriptures, and has been rejoicing ever since.
After the Thursday night Bible class a few
weeks ago he told me that had read the book
of Acts through in the past days in order to
reassure himself that baptism was necessary
to salvation. The reason was, on Tuesday night
of the same week as the Bible class was coming
in a p1qs.e...a. ypung man who i-s a Missionary
Baptist came in and sat down. When 1 asked
if anyone had a question, he said that he did.
He said, he didn't think baptism was neces
sary to salvation and (hat faith alone was suf
ficient. This resulted in a lengthy discussion
which ended in a promise to read all scrip
tures pertaining to salvation. This gives you
some idea of what I am trying to do.
If the Lord tarries, I am sure there will be
others that will yield to the Whole Truth.
Please pray that God will guide and use me
to this end, that all might be built up into the
fulness of God.
By the time you receive this information,
Jack will be discharged and at home, and Don
will be on his way. They need our prayers
as they face their families, denominational
friends and the possibility of no New Testa
ment Church nearby.
Stanley Buttray
Tokyo Christian
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
ville, Tenn., Postoffice under the act of March
3, 1879.
Two-Year Subscription 50 cents
Subcripton and "Flaming Torch" $1.00
MISSION STAFF
warding agent: Mrs. Homer Anderson, R. D. 1,
Meadville, Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, Furlough
address same as Forwarding agent: Mr. or
Mrs. Ray Armstrong, Rt. 3 Box 310, Piqua,
Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims, (On furlough
Address same as: Forwarding agent: A. E.
Sims, Alexandria, Kentucky.
postoffice concerning mailing rules and limita
tions of size and weight.
Harold Sims preaching in Moiwashita
church, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan
WINTER EVANGELISTIC MEETINGS
EN HOKKAIDO
In August 1957 our whole family made a
very interesting trip to the northern island
of Hokaido where I preached for a week of
evangelistic meetings in a tent erected next
door to missionary Earnest Faber's home. We
enjoyed a very good time, the marvelous scen
Page 2
aS x X
I
Snow sculpture of Japanese warriors fighting on a bridge erected in a park in
downtown Sapporo.
ery was unforgetable, and the meetings were
fairly successful. However someone suggested
thai mid-winter might be a better time for
church activities, because in the long days of
the short summer everyone is so busy. It was
thought there would be more leisure for the
average person on cold winter nights. So that
is why I found myself on an express train
headed north out of Tokyo Friday afternoon
Feb. 6.
In unseasonably warm Tokyo I felt quite
conspicuous in my over-shoes until I reached
the station where there were other north-bound
passengers. After 12 hours of chooing and
whistling along the seacoast and through the
small farms of northeast Honsu we arrived
at the tip of the main island at midnight and
immediately boarded the ferry for the 4V^ hour
crossing to Hokkaido. As dawn broke we were
on the train climbing up into the hills north
of Hakodate (the seaport of Hokkaido) and
it was truly a winter wonderland. At first the
whole soft surface of the snow was tinted pur
ple and pink and then it became glistening
white. It must have been about 2 feet deep
with higher drifts in some places, and to say
the very least I didn't get tired of looking at
the straw roofs covered with snow, the sleds
instead of carts in the railroad stations, the
black running streams between the hign uaiiis,s
of snow, the weighted but unbending trees
etc.
Snow was falling lightly when Wesley
Walker met me in front of Sapporo station,
and we were soon going through the busy
streets of the island's capital city. It seemed
a little strange to me to see everybody wearing
boots, the streets all paved with ice and all
vehicles "chained" (except the sleds which
were used for many common tasks like garbage
collection). It was the week-end of the annual
"Snow Festival," so the city was unusually
full of people. Needless to say, I discovered
that snow sculpturing is another one of the
handworks and fine arts at which the Japanese
are adept. They had built such things as a
2 story house with electric lights in the icy
windows, a replica of their South Pole ex
ploration ship, and rows of smaller entries.
(The accompanying picture shows one of the
prize-winnersa Japanese bridge on which 2
warriors in ancient armor are fighting).
The Walker's work is on the south end
of the city in a section called Moiwashita.
When we arrived on Saturday afternoon the
place was full of women cleaning in prepara
tion for the evangelistic meeting. The Walk
ers live in a 2 room apartment in the back '
of the church, and are kept warm by a large
brick "Pechka," a Russian-type chimney-stove.
The church auditorium is floored with Japan
ese mats (the only like this I have seen) so ^
I slept there in Japanese style, except that
I had an electric blanket that kept me very
comfortable in spite of freezing temperatures
inside of the room in the mornings. ,
Everyone talks about the weather, so I
was soon discovering that in spite of the 2
feet of snow on the ground and the icicles hang
ing from the eves this was the warmest winter
in many years there. There was some melting '
almost every day, but everything was always
frozen stiff before darkness fell. We had sever
al big snows, but the weather did not seem to
interfere with the attendance at the church.
The Moiwashita church is built around a
lively group of young married people, and is at
present enjoying a period of growth that was
a joy and encouragement to witness and part
icipate in. For the past several years the
Walkers have operated a nursery school for
the children of working mothers and others in
the neighborhood, and some have been reach
ed through this contact. Others have been
invited by their friends, since there are many
apartments in the area occupied by young
couples about the same age. It was rare and
great to see a large representation of this age- '
group in a Japanese church, because the aver
age church has more older people and students
than people in the prime of life.
Another intesting thing about this church
is that it is located very near a large Japanese
Self-defense Force base, and most of the mem
bers are either soldiers or work on the base
in some capacity. There is a strong pacifist
sentiment in much of Japanese Christianity,
and most churches want nothing to do with
Page 3
the Army. But these people also need the
gospel.
The lowest attendance during the meeting
was 52 adults and about 10 children, and the
highest was 71 adults. For anywhere in Japan
this would be considered very commendable
attendance. But the best thing about the meet
ing was the response. Twelve people were
baptized during the meeting and 3 others made
the confession on the final night and were
baptized later. (Thy have a nice heated baptis
tery, by the way) Several homes were united
in Christ as a result of the meeting, and 2 men
and their wives were baptized together. So
we are very thankful to God for His blessings
upon the meeting and for the gospel and its
power.
After the 8 day meeting in Sapporo ended
on Feb. 15 I took the night train down to
Obihiro in the cold plains of central Hokkaido
where I had assisted the Fabers in a meeting
1^ years previously. - -
Since I had been in Obihiro 6 had been
baptized and a small and nice-looking chapel
building had been constructed on a well-locat
ed lot across a part from one of the main
streets of the town. On Monday night when a
movie was shown we had 80 in attendance, but
the rest of the week there was an average of
about 20. There were no responses to the in
vitation, but quite a lot of new people came
to the services. The Mennonite church, which
is strong in that section, came in a body one
evening, and it was interesting to see them put
black coverings on their heads before the
.service began, as their custom is.
After the Sunday evening Feb. 22 I start
ed the long journey home. With the help of a
very talkative conductor on the train who
amused everyone with his incessant descrip
tions of the scenery and details about sched
ules etc. given in heavy slurring northeastern
Japanese accent over the loud-speakers in the
cars we arrived safely in Tokyo on Tuesday.
It was snowing here for the first time since
Jan, 1. It wouldn't take long to guess that
everyone greated me with talk about the wea
ther I had brought back.
Harold Sims
THE PRINTED PAGE
The printed page often has more lasting in
fluence than the message which is heard. Also,
I believe a greater percentage of the people
can. be reached by this method. Even though
it is a method little used by Jesus, yet I am
sure it is one which meets His approval. I
dare say, that the Gospel enters more homes by
this method than any other, except, p^Jssibiy
radio.
Realizing this opportunity and challenge,
I am endeavoring to translate and publish
material that has come down to us from the
early Restoration Movement leaders. This litera
ture and all other that endeavors to enlighten
and bring people to pure New Testament Chris
tianity is of the greatest importance.
Y.M.C.A. Bible class taught on Monday evening by Mrs. Buttray
Tokyo Christian
Christmas Day at the Buttrays.
The three young men in the
foreground from left to right
are, Jack Anthony, Don Ware-
ham, Dale Marsh. Young men
from Camp Oji who have been
baptized.
Two thousand copies of New Testament
Christianity No. 1 finally came from the press
December 20, 1958. Thus far 325 copies have
been sent to missionaries and book stores.
This includes Okinawa and Korea as well as
here in Japan.
Already we have had a few reports from
those who have read this book of sermons
translated from New Testament Christianity,
by Z. T. Sweeney which have been encouraging.
For example:, the young preacher who has
taken over the work on Tanegashima Island,
recently read the book and made this comment,
"The reading of this book has reassured my
faith in the Church of Christ of the
New Testament. From Okinawa word comes
that after reading only half of the book they
were greatly impressed. Pray that God will
wonderfully bless this book to every person
that reads it. It is surely to have its influence
upon the poor misled of denominationaIi.sm.
A reprint of Samuel Saunders book, "The
Church of Christ" is at the printers just now
and should come off the press about the first
of May. Also, "On the Rock" by D. R. Dungan
is being translated and should be ready for the
printers about the first of May. Accordingly
I am hoping this book will be published by the
first of August.
I am searching for an attractive and ap-
propiate cover picture for this book, "On the
Rock" which simple meansBuilding our
faith and hope only in Jesus Christ and His
Word as found in the New Testament. So I
am asking you who read this to help me by
sending in a sketch, drawing or painting. The
sketch chosen will be printed in the next issue
of the Tokyo Christian.
A thousand dollars will be needed for the
publishing of the next two books by the first
of July. This is definitely a worthy cause,
and the more gifts that are received, the great
er volume of oooks will be published.
Stanley Buttray
Tokyo Christian
TENTH ANNUAL ALL JAPAN
CONVENTION
Partly because Nagoya is conveniently locat
ed in central Japan there was very good at
tendance at our regular first week in April
convention this year. The Christians mostly
young people) in that area although small
in number did a very good job of planning
the program and making all of the arrange
ments, even designing a "modem art" poster
for advertisement. There were more than 140
people present for the 3 days of the Japanese
meeting, and there was a spirit of unity mani
fested that sent everyone away rejoicing.
Following this we had 2y2 days of fellow
ship for the missionaries which was a real
spiritual feast for all. This year we reached
a new high in attendance with a total (includ
ing the children) of 89. Almost all of our
missionaries in Japan were present, and there
were several guests from other nations. Mr.
and Mrs. Alex Bills came over from Korea,
and Mr. and Mrs. Don Byers from Thailand and
Mr. Ralph Harter from India stopped by on
their way home for furlough, we would like
to recommend that other missionaries arrange
stop-overs in Japan at this season of the year
in order to be with us.
^
On March 31 Mr. Nam resigned as pastor
of the Mikawashima Church of Christ in Tokyo.
(This is a congregation of Koreans in Japan)
At the present time a successor has not been
found.
MY TRIP TO KOREA
Harold Sims
(Continued from last issue)
Through the kindness of Northwest Air
lines letting one of their employees go with
me I arrived at Taylor's house earlier than
they had expected me. The old Mission house
and the Seminary building are in a good
locaticn about half-way up one of the hills near
the West Gate of the city and just a few
minutes drive from the center of town. Out
side of the brick-walled yard there are found
both rich and poora cross-section of Korean
humanity. Many refugees from the North
have moved near the old city wall in order
to lean their houses against it and use the
government owned land without charge, and
their uninhibited quarreling provided no end
of noise, excitement and diversion.
I enjoyed very much the hospitality of
the Taylor's house during my stay in Korea.
It is a very busy place, because it is the center
of funds and relief clothes for several orphan
ages, the guest-house for all of our missionaries
in Korea, service-men and many Koreans, the
news-exchange and problem-consultation ser
vice center for more than 70 churches scat
tered throughout the country, the Mission
office and the home of the Seminary president.
For the first several days I was rather con
fused because of the many coming and going,
but after 6 weeks I became used to it.
There are problems in housekeeping in
Seoul that would never occur to anyone in
other places. Water is a precious commodity
which is hauled daily from an Army supply
place across town in a Mission-owned tank
truck and stored throughout the house in very
large earthenware pots "after the Jew's man
ner of purifying." Electricity is cut off about
one-half of every evening because of the power
shortage. American-type groceries are obtain
ed by calling a man who named his establish
ment The A & P and giving him your list. He
sends an assistant around to back doors and
(no matter what color you call them) markets
to obtain and deliver your goods to the door
along with a bill for several thousand hwan.
He has no stock, pays no tax and doesn't need
much advertising.
It would take too long to recount all of the
impressive things I saw and the experiences
during those 6 weeks in Korea, but I would
like to list a few of the most memorable.
1. Mrs. Im's Orphanage in Taejon
Our closest friends among the Koreans
in Tokyo (the Lees) had urged me to visit
this place by all means, because there I would
see their original home as well as her sisters
and in-laws, her mother's grace etc. So when
I heard one of the interpreters would be going
down there from Seoul to arrange his wedding
I asked him to take me along on the 4-hour
train trip. From the station we boarded a
badly shaking but determined bus and bought
tickets (pieces of old blue oil-cloth used thou
sands of times over) for the outskirts of the
town. We got off at a small cross-road and
started walking along between the rolling
hills. Soon we passed a pretty, white country
church and turned into a path over the hill.
We arrived at the orphanage in a few minutes
and all 99 children as well as the various adult
workers came out to meet us The well-kept
buildings are beautifully situated in the mid
dle of a peach orchard, with plenty of fresh
air and sunshine and a magnificent view of
paddy fields below, hills surrounding and tow
ering mountains in the background.
The folks went all out in hospitality to
me. It was my first opportunity to sleep on
the famous Korean warm floors. They cook
over low wood-burning stoves on the outside
of one side of the room and let the smoke
go through small openings under the stone
Hoor and out the chimney on the other side.
Just the comfortable thing for that cold
climate.
Before supper I had a good visit with the
family, and one younger sister of Mrs. Lee
who used to live in Tokyo and teach in the
Mikawashima kindergarden showed me some
old pictures of the work more than 20 years
ago that were very interesting. I was showed
around the place and noticed that they were
using sawdust and rice hulls as fuel in the
large open kitchen. Wood is scarce and ex
pensive. After supper they had evening wor
ship and I was asked to give a message to
the children. I spoke in Japanese and one of
the older helpers who used to live in Japan
then interpreted into Korean. After I finished
they put on a program for me. I was particu
larly impressed by the English language abil
ity of one tall, skinny boy who gave a speech
and sang "Oh, Danny Boy, the Peeps (sic) are
calling" Afterward he talked some with me in
order to practice his English conversation, and
I was amazed to hear him quote whole pages
from his text-book and literature he had read.
The superintendent told me he was the top
boy in his class in every subject and studied
by candle-light (there was no electricity in
rural areas) until after mid-night every night.
Page 4
The hopeful energy of that young boy conquer
ing his circumstances typifies to me the best
in the Korean people.
2. Preacher's families in Korea
The preacher at Mikawashima sent gifts
by me for his family, and asked me to take
them a Bible and preach the gospel to them,
for they are all Confucianists. I located the
middle-class home at the end of a narrow alley
off one of the main streets of Seoul. Of course
they were glad to see me and hear news of the
their son who had been gone more than 13
years. I was ushered into an upstairs room fill
ed with the dusty, tangy smell of Chinese herb
medicines which were stored in scores of mark
ed bags hanging from the ceiling. This is the
father's business. My heart went out in sym
pathy to this polite, stalwart Korean family as
they told calmly of how 2 of their sons were
carried north by the Communists (one a
minor government official and the other a
Univ; student), and that while they want to
see their son in Japan they think conditions
in Korea are still too unsettled for him to
return. They promised to read the Bible.
In Pusan I searched for the wife and chil
dren of Mr. Rhee who preaches in Shinagawa
and has been separated from his family for
7 years. I found her employed as a Bible
Woman in one of the Presbyterian churches
there, and met the 2 nice daughters living
with her. Needless to say they were delighted
ceased to pray for him every day. As a return
gift to him they gave me his old Bible which
to hear news of their father. They have never
was given to him by his mother more than 30
years ago. Later I met his older son and
daughter who live in Seoul, and was very im
pressed by this fine family and the human
tragedies caused by politics. It really helped
me to know the people here by visiting in
their homes in Korea and seeing their back
ground.
3. Chinese Resturant in Inchon
One day I accompanied Mr. Taylor on a
business trip to 2 of the orphanages he over
sees in order to see the children, their rab
bits and pigs, and the port city of Inchon
where MacAuthur made the famous landing
that won the first phase of the war. A statue
of the famous general is prominent on one of
the hills overlooking the rather drab city of
brick warehouses. We had lunch in a Chinese
resturant, and noticed the sign on a small
neighboring establishment. The present name
was Taipeh R. but the previous Peiping name
had been very poorly painted over, and the
change wi^h the political tides was very
thought-provoking,
4. The Department Stores
Shopping in Korea is different from any
other place I have ever been. The store seem
ed to be just a series of small private shops
under one roof. For instance, men's wear
section was a line of counters each one
having shirts, ties, cuff-links, gloves etc. If
you went by one place without buying the next
would try to stop you, and if you offered a
lower price they would come down. It was
a joy to watch the old oriental hand H. Taylor
jew them down. Also you could find unexpect
ed things in the counters such as American
pens, electric-razors etc. that had been bought
from the PX by one me*hod or another.
(To be continued next issue.)
Tokyo Christian
Kimberlin Hgts. Tennessee FaU 1959 Number 1
w
University student's class mentioned in
article below at a farewell dinner which they
gave for Mr. and Mrs. Sims.
SOME REWARDS OF WORK WITH
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Hlarold Sims
During our first year in Japan most of
our time was spent in teaching Englishmany
times using a Scripture passage as the basic
assignment, of_course..But I gradually
came to the conviction that our purpose in
Japan was not to teach English but preach
the gospel in Japanese. So from that time
English Bible Classes were limited to 1 or 2
a week, and the main effort was given to
learning Japanese language, and of course
more and more time was consumed with
Seminary teaching and church work.
However there are some compensations
and values in English teaching that cannot
be over-looked, and I have come to appreciate
this more in the past few years. One of the
major elements in Tokyos population is Un
iversity students from all over the country.
There are 78 government accredited Univer
sities in the citymore than 1/3 of the total
in all Japan. And the notoriously stiff entrance
examinations eliminate all but the cream of
the crop, since often only 1 in 20 or more
appliCc.nts is admitted in "the big six." One
of the chief contacts wjth this group of b: ight,
future leaders of Japan is through English
language.
Of course we missionaries are sometimes
troubled in various ways by their "scientific"
doubts and difficult questions. And the per-
rentage of those who are converted and be
come true Christians is appallingly small. But
though we cannot be satisfied with it, we can
at least rejoice a little that they have some
hearing of the Word and understanding and
respect for Christ and His followers.
For example, a young man came to our
home one afternoon about 2 years ago and
asked if I would carry on conversation in
English for 1 hour every Thursday afternoon.
He would call every time before coming and
ask it if were convenient, and he would leave
on time. Since it required no preparation and
he was the son of a prominent newspaperman
in our neighborhood, I consented to his re
quest. He was faithful to his promise, and after
a few times he asked if he might bring his
friends with him. Soon we had a class going.
Many times when I was discouraged or
worried about somethng the visit of these
well-mannered, intelligent boys brightened my
whole day. Their conversation broaoened and
stimulated my own knowledge ind thinking
as well as giving me a high resipect for Japan
ese people and their ways.
I wish I could say that they became Chris
tians, but not yet. True to Japanese tradition
they gave us a farewell present and a special
dinner party, and some of the last faces we
saw at the pier were these young fellows
waving to us.
The Fattens
Back in Japan
(Printers note this material was writ
ten for an earlier publication date as you will
see when you read it. The Pattons are already
in Japan and hard at work.)
August 21, 1959 marks the time when we
and our three children will âve goodbye to
our homeland and turn our faces again toward
the Eastern World. Our objective will be
another five-year term of service as Christian
missionaries in Tokyo, Japan. Having had the
experience of parting from home and friends
and loved ones before, we know how difficult
it is. When one passes under the Golden Gate
Bridge with the star-spangled banner still vi
brant in his ears while at the same time he
takes one last fond look at his beloved Amer-
ical, his heart, and perhaps his eyes, is full.
But in spite of our fondness for home and
friends, we are anxious to get back to work
in Tokyo. Our hearts and heads are full of
plans and desires for the lost and for the
Christian in Tokyo which we would like to
help fulfill. The harvest is still plenteous and
the laborers are very, very few. It is for this
reason that we return to Japan and to any
work which the Lord may have for us there.
Continued on page 2
Tokyo Christian
THE TOKYO CHRISTIAN
ville, Tenn., Post office under the act of March
3, 1879.
Two-Year Subscription - 50 cents
Subscription and "Flaming Torch" ^1.00
MISSION STAFF
warding agent: Mrs. Homer Anderson, R. D. 1,
Meadville, Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Patton, 27 Sakura-
yama, Nakano^Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Forwarding
agent: Mr. or Mrs. Ray Armstrong, Rt. 3,
Box 310, Piqua, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Sims (Furlough
address for the winter: 790 15th Ave., South,
St. Petersburg, Fla.) Forwarding agent: A.
E. Sims, Alexandria, Kentucky.
post office concerning mailing rules and limit
ations of size and weights.
SIMS HOME RENTED FOR ONE YEAR
One of the problems connected with our
furlough was that of what to do about our
house and furniture in Tokyo. Several pros
pective renters among the missionaries we
know were contacted, but all of them wanted
a place for a longer period of time than one
year. Nobody wants to move often. So we
prayed that God would guide us to a solu
tion for this problem.
Finally we were brought into contact wth
the Education Department of Tokyo Univer
sity, who needed a furnished house for just
one year for a professor from Stanford Univer
sity who would be coming to Japan for teach
ing and research sponsored by the Ford
Foundation. Not only were they pleased to get
the house, but they were willing to pay a very
good price for it in advance. So we have
the house taken care of and hope that the
professor and his family have a ve.ry enjoy
able stay in Japan and will not be overly
bothered by our pet bums and traveling sales
men.
PATTONS Continued from 1
At the end of our very pleasant furlough
we would like to extend a final word of thanks
to all the good folk who have entertained us
so royally in their homes and in the churches.
We know that there is a host of sincere souls
who remember us constantly before our God
in ,prayer. The earnest prayer of a righteous
man still avails much. For these and a multi
tude of other blessings and tokens of fellow
ship in the gospel of Christ we bow our knees
to our heavenly Father and extend our hands
to our brethern who have joined with us in
the work.
We hope to leave Ohio by train on July
30 for Colorado where we will spend one
week in camp. Then we will proceed to San
Francisco to finish the sailing preparations.
Equipment will have to be purchased and
packed and gotten to the dock on time. We
shall be as busy then as at any time during
our furlough. If our friends would like to
communicate with us while we are in Cali
fornia, our address will be: Andrew and Betty
Patton, c/o Home of Peace of Oakland, 4700
Daisy St., Oakland 19, Calif.
We had to borrow money from our gen
eral fund in order to finish paying for our
ship tickets and we will have to do the same
for our train tickets to California. This will
make us very short on funds for our work
after we reach Tokyo but we had to do it
that way in order to meet the deadline of July
6 which the American President Lines set
for the final payment on the tickets. We hope
to sell our car before we leave Ohio and that
money should help a great deal in meeting
the travel expenses. We have estimated that
it will cost us $2,000.00 for our ship and train
tickets, for items of equipment needed during
our next five-year term, and for packing and
transporting our baggage to Japan. To date
we have received $710.75 toward the travel
fund. That leaves $1289.25 yet to be raised.
Will you please prayerfully consider this and
send us an offering to help bear the expense
of our travel back to our work?
Andrew Patton
Mailing List
Revised
Beginning with this issue of the Tokoyo
Christian many of you who have been receiv
ing 10 copies will be recieving only one. The
reason is that we have attempted a long-over
due revision of the mailing list.
We are not just seeking to economize, for
printing and mailing a few extra copies makes
very little difference in the cost of the publi
cation. But we do have a suspicion that many
of these copies are not being read and used
effectively, and perhaps we are just putting
burdens on some of you by sending as many
copies for you to distribute.
If you are disappointed at the reduction in
copies, or if you can use 10 or more copies
PLEASE send a post-card to our printer at
Kimberlin Heights, Tenn. and so inform us.
We will be happy to send as many as you can
use and to know you are interested.
Page 2
Waseda University campus, where Har
old Sims taught an English Conversation class
for a time.
A JAPANESE YOUTH TO HIS LOVING
CHRISTIAN HOME
(This poem was handed to me a few days
before leaving Japan. Written in English by
one of our Christian friends, I think it ex
presses well the emotions in his heart and is
worth publication. It is worth more than that
to us. H. S.)
Thou blessed country America!
Thou wast born of Puritans,
God has led you all the while;
So thou prospered ever abundantly.
Thou, America brought to us many bless
ings.
Yet the greatest thing that we ought to
give you million thinks is
To thy blessed feet.
For thy beautiful feet brought here the
good tidings
Remission or forgiveness of our sins so
deep.
Because of your service, even across the
ocean
You came to Japan in order to proclaim
the Lord's grace and Love.
We were able to be liberated from the
chains of sons of Satan.
I praise the name of the Lord almighty
By His will thou wast sent and served.
May God give you much blessings to the
thousands of generations
Because of your sons who love the Lord
and keep His commandments
Oh, America, how I wish that I could
see Thee. I Love You All!
Page 3
Tokyo Christian
they showed us real hospitality during the 4
days we stayed in southern California. We
spent the nights in the A1 Hammond home in
Glendale, and the days in purchasing a used
ear and getting insurance, driver's license
etc. for the trip east. Also we were able to
make brief visits to Disneyland and other
points of interest to the family.
We believe God was leading and giving
us good speed in getting all of this business
done, and we saved quite a lot of money by
driving east instead of going by train or plane
with all of the baggage etc. Also we were
able to see Grand Canyon and some other
scenery on the way and to visit in three
churches.
It is good in every way to be back in our
home country.
Our address for the present is P. 0. Box
75 Alexandria, Ky.
Our Itnerary is:
July 12-18 Camp Northward, Falmouth,
- V ' ^ July 19 First Christian Church, Turtle
Part of the group of Japanese Christians and missionaries on the deck before we sailed, jy]y 20-25 Mahoning Valley Christian
_ _ _ _ _ Service Camp, Rushville, Ind.
^ S rnumjm SmmM Church of Christ, Marklc, Ind.
iints rBinny now .ouefvuifvi
August 4, 5, 6 Virginia Evangelising Fel-
I m m m MM lowship Rally
I v MiK y H August 9-15 Smoky Mountain Christian
\ M wm S Vf MmMmmM^S Service Camp, Knoxville, Tenn.
m m w* w August 16 St. Petersburg, Florida
Sims Family Now
At Kentucky Home
into that beautiful harbor and a genuine plea
sure to overhear the comments the Japanese
were making about everything. We spent most
of the day in downtown San Francisco seeing
sights such as Woolworth's, a real American
drug store and cafeteria etc. which were de
lightful and familiar to us and new to the
children.
Then we went on to Los Angeles where
we disembarked. We were met by the minis
ter of the Crenshaw Christian Church, and
August 23 Eustis, Florida
August 30 Twenty-fourth St. Church
Newport News, Va.
Sept. 27-3DNational Missionary Convention,
Springfield, 111.
We will be happy to hear from all who
would like to have us visit and your preference
of a time if you have one, so wc can make
definite arrangements to visit as many of you
as possible, accomodate your desires and plans
and serve Christ and His church to the best
of our ability.
After progressing steadily eastward almost
halfway around the globe at the rate of approx
imately 300 miles each day for 25 days after
leaving Yokohama on June 4 we arrived at
the A. E. Sims home in Alexandria, Ky. about
7:40 P.M. on June 29. There we had a wonder
ful reunion with our loved ones and thanked
God for His leading and many blessings on the
long journey.
The 2 weeks on the boat were relaxing
and enjoyable and also interesting. We were
on a Japanese ship crowded with more than
900 emigrants to Brazil, and had many op
portunities to witness for Christ. I asked for
pcrmTggion-to~hold Christian services on the
first Sunday out. and after the officers had
recovered from the initial shock at hearing
such a request they gave very fine cooperation.
We were allowed the use of the third-class
dining salon as a place for the meetings and
announcements were made over the ship's loud
speaker system. Ixtis and I prepared song-
sheets for the singing and I outlined a simple
message about the man who pulled down his
barns and built greater. We didn't know what
to expect. When we went to the assigned
place on Sunday morning we found it filled
with people playing games and visiting. After
we tacked the song-sheets on the wall and an
nounced that we would begin the worship ser
vice most of the people remained in their
seats and began to listen attentively. Others
came in, and we had more than 100 in attend
ance and a very rewarding meeting in bvery
way. Many of them heard a gospel message'for
the first time.
The ship made an unscheduled stop in
San Francisco on June 16, and it was a real
thrill to go under the Golden Gate Bridge and
The Brazil Maru pulling away from the pier in Yokohama June 4.
Tokyo Christian
HAPPY SENDING MEETINGS
The usual word for "farewell meetings'*
in Japanese consists of 2 ideogrtphs mean
ing "sending-separation" and has an aura of
finality about it that didn't exactly seem fit
ting in our case, because we definitely plan
on returning to Japan after one year of fur
lough, the Lord willing. So the preacher at
Nakano took the first half of "welcome meet
ing" and made up the new expression "hap-
pyênding meeting." The Japanese appreciate
such fine nuances in the powerful art of
words, although the English translation sounds
like they are glad to see you go.
Anyway we had a final meeting with each
of the groups with which we have had close
and long connections. All were a little dif
ferent in details, but conducted in the polite,
restrained and pleasant Oriental manner. Al
ways tea and rice crackers were served, little
speeches of gratitude and esteem were given
and a gift as a "token of our feeling'." Then
each individual wished us a safe journey, a
happy time with our loved ones, cautioned
us to take care of our health and begged us
not to forget to write. We had this type of
meeting with the Ar^wa, Abiko, Mikawash-
ima, Shinagawa and Nakano churches. Harold
Also visited 2 other churches and 2 preaching
points which he seldom visits in order to give
a last message before leaving. Then the
missionaries, Harold's University student's
Bible Class, Lois' ladies Bible study group and
the former Seminary students arranged a
time for their formal farewells. Some of the
University students whom we had taught in
vited us to a Chinese Resturant for a real
feast as their gesture of appreciation.
Then came sailing day. Again representa
tives from all of these groups as well as other
personal friends were at the pier when we
arrived after finishing customs and immigra
tion procedures. They all received passes to go
on board and see our rooms as well as the
ship. Being a rather large and nice one and
Japanese owned they were all happy about
that. At 3:30 the order came for all but
passengers to disembark. Since there were
close to 1000 passengers there was a crowd
of 3 or 4 times that number to see us off.
One by one we spotted our friends in the
milling throng below and waved for 30 minutes
until the ship pulled away. The warmth of
these farewells will long remain in our hearts
and draw us back to serve among these peo
ple. There are some faces in t^ great crowd>
ed city that have grown familiar and beloved
and that shine as lights in the world. It is
to this humble flock that God has called us,
and may He in His love and power watch
over and lead us all. Harold Sims
GRANDMOTHER OF SEVEN
Paraphrased by Mrs. Rex Van Allen
I wish there were fingerprints on our window-
panes.
And scratches on every chair;
Fourteen little shoes over the floor.
And playthings everywhere.
With seven little heads all faSt asleep.
And everything as still as a mouse.
Their rosy cheeks on pillows of white
Would make up for a littered up house.
I wish they were here asleep in our beds.
To me that would really be Heaven.
Who wants a house that is neat as a pin?
Not I, I'm the grandmother of seven.
MEETINGS IN NAGOYA
The first full week in May I spent in the
Howard Davis home in Nagoya and preached
for 6 nights. The first meeting was in the
East side church next door to the Davis house.
The second was in a little chapel building on
an Island in the middle of a vdde river about
20 miles from the city. It was very interesting
to me to have the contact with the farming and
fishing village and its people, because we
have worked almost entirely in the cities.
The weather was very rainy and cool all
week, but attendance held up very well.
There were 3 confessions of faith. All of
them were High School boys who had been
attending Bible Classes and other church
activities for a long time, and there was much
rejoicing.
Koreaii Visit
This Report Is Continued from Previous
Issues of the TOKYO CHRISTIAN
By Harold Sims
5. The Church at Buldong
One of the Seminary seniors invited me
to preach at his church on a Sunday night. It
was in a small village about 20 miles from
Seoul. We went by truck, because Mr. Taylor
warned that his car wouldn't take it, so I was
a little prepared for the road, but not enough.
We turned off of the highway to a rutted road
just wide enough for one car between the
muddy fields. Occasionally we crossed irriga
tion ditches first riding high, then down
through the water and up over the other side
that really tested the steel fiame of the
vehicle. The road just came to an end in the
midst of a village of small mud-walled and
thatch-roofed houses too low for me to stand
in. We walked up to the church where some
30 young people were already singing in the
dim lamp-light. They all sat on the cold floor
singing warmly.
Most of our churches in Korea are built
by the members, so everything is not exactly
square and plumb. The floors are laid with
poor grade Vz inch lumber with no tongue
and groove. Snce all pieces are the same
length a straight seam runs across the floor
about every 6 feet, and it looks like a fence
laid down in sections. But the faithful old
women in every place come early and pray
for a long time before the services with their
knees and foreheards touching the floor. All
of the people appear zealous. I deeply wish
there were small congregations in the villages
throughout Japan similar to those I saw in
Korea, where hymns of praise and faith are
sung, the Word is preached and prayer is
wont to be made.
6. Yung Nak Church
I had no appointment to speak on Sunday
night Nov. 16, so accompanied by one of the
students I decided to attend the largest church
in Korea. It was built entirely by Korean
funds, and the main membership is composed
of refugees from North Korea. Of course it
was Presbyterian they rule the roost over
there. The large building was well-built of
stone, with a high ceiling and well-proportion
Page 4
ed auditorium. There was a Hammond organ,
flanked by 2 young people's choirs. All of the
women sat on the right and the men on the
left, and we had to go down to the front, be
cause there were no other empty seats
well over 2000 were in the audience on that
ordinary Sunday evening. And when they
stood and sang "Far and Near the Fields are
Teeming" my spine just tingled along with
the rafters. Only a missionary from Japan
where we average 3 or 5 for the Sunday PM
services could receive the full benefit of see
ing such an audience and the MEN, of all
ages and stations in life listening attentively
to the Word. It was worth the trip.
The early Presbyterian missionaries laid
a solid foundation there, and should be com
mended for their work. They not only made
Calvinists out of the whole country they in
culcated much deep piety and zeal. For the
first week I was there I was awakened by the
ringing of church bells all over town at 4 AM
calling the people to the daily prayer meet
ings that are known around the world. The
skyline is dominated by churches, which are
usually large located on the tops of hills stand
ing in sharp watch-man-like severity over the
small houses around them.
7. Dedication of a New Orphanage Building.
It was a cold rainy afternoon, but there
was a large group of American service men
and Economic Cordinator civilian personal al
ready on hand looking very uncomfortable
in the cold mud. These people some full
Colonels and many lesser grade officers had
contributed to the building of a nice cement
block building called House of Hope located
near the dependant housing area. One of the
men had discovered 30 orphans living in a tent
on one of the hills some months before and
initiated a drive in the Chapel to build a
home for them. The construction was super
vised by a very capable and proud negro sar-
gent. It helped my patriotism to see the pure
joy on their faces as they brought the 30
shivering children in to their new home, had
a simple dedication ceremony and gave each
one a knitted sweater and cap. May our nation
be a people always taking delight in helping
the less fortunate.
8. The North Korean Doctor.
One of the dinner guests at Taylors house
was a doctor and his wife who had sponsored
an English Bible Class by Bro. Taylor every
morning from 7-8 AM in their hospital for a
year or more. He could speak Japanese, and
so we had a very interesting conversation
about politics. He was bom, educated and
worked as a doctor in the capitol city of North
Korea until the Americans retreated after
once conquering that city. Then he fled south
with many others. This was the m^^ nmitant
anti-Communist I have ever met, klso a
fine, Christian, intelligent man and a real
Korean patriot. One of the finest buildings
in central Seoul, incidentally, is called the
"Anti-Communist Center."
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT TIME

Sims Harold Lois 1959 Japan

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