87
During my talk with the Japanese captain he offered to "take a letter from me to the children in Chefoo." This captain at the time was under orders to sail for Chefoo where our children were in school. I was astounded by his generous offer, but I said I could not accept as it might involve him with his own military authorities. He brushed my objections aside as being of no consequence and said, "But it is for the children and has no military significance. Ironically I thought of the Master whom we profess to serve saying, "Suffer little children." Would He talk through a Shintoist? Yes, He would and does. Sometimes we Caucasians never fully realize. We are reluctant to admit a foreign voice might be the instrument of His will. Before we parted the captain asked me if he might call on me on his return from his Manchurian trip. I did not see why not. Our Norwegian neighbors were naturally anxious to get on one of the repatriation ships and sought my aid. The limit that could be repatriated was less than two thousand and there were many thousands waiting repatriation. There were wealthy people who were willing to "buy" a place on a repatriation steamer if they could get a willing official to "sell." While some Swiss protectors might be willing to make money on the side, it was extremely doubtful if they could find a Japanese to take a bribe. "Accept our 'poison' or die!" is said in effect. Yes, accept it and die spiritually. After my daily voyaging through the streets I always returned nauseated - unprecedented suffering on such a vast scale ---- One's impotence to help made it the harder to witness. There seemed to be no limit to the physical hardship and suffering that the Chinese were called upon to bear. Yet, in spite of it all, there were flashes of good humor, and a keen eagerness to hear the Word of God. There was a lack of self pity and boundless gratitude for the smallest favors. Ten days elapsed and no word had come about the passages for the Norwegians. I woke one morning with a strong leading to go and see the Japanese official in charge of repatriation. How could I arrange it? It was dangerous to go into the Japanese Consulate where the official had his suite. There were sentries and gendarmeries to pass, the possibilities of being found out-of-bounds, or ignorant of some new
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker