93
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
March, 1936
Jinsaburo SPEAKS HIS MIND
B y OPAL LEONORE GIBBS
grow to understand it. It is written by a preacher who suffered incarceration for Christ. Today in morning was the Holy Supper ceremony. All who had received baptism came to the front by the altar fence and kneeled down. Then the pastor and the missionary also gave each one a piece of bread and a small cup of grape juice, explaining that bread was broken to show us of the Lord’s' broken body, and that the wine was as His blood spilled out. It was very hushful and quiet meeting, and we felt deeply how holy ceremony it could be. Pastor Fujimoto said that all over world, Christians are engaging in it. It is the seal of a great Christian brotherhood, and he said probably every hour in the day, somewhere was such Lord’s death celebra tion. I am glad to be one of such great body. Also today I did vow before altar about cigarettes. I have not done so much since becoming Christian, but today I felt I must vow it and never again make my mouth dirty. Moreover, it casts away money in a way not necessary, and we are stronger men of Japan without it. Uncle takes the long pipe, for as in all ways, he is very antique. His shop is also, and I am goading my courage to speak to him regarding more light and spreading glass in the windows with handsome fans stretched about to view. But it is poison to his spirit to be advised by some one still very young, and even the thought of doing it makes me a little dog with tail pointing frontwards underneath. N o v em b e r 23. This is day of the New Tasting Cere mony, when His Imperial Highness eats first the new rice and then all we his people may also eat. I thank God for our good Emperor. He also does not take tobacco nor drink sa-ke [rice whiskey] except on ceremonial occasion. The O shi-shi [devil dancers] came to our house this evening, and Aunt gave them a few sen [copper half pennies] to have them dance and play. I suppose she believes the horrible mask on such drunken men will fear the devils away from our house all winter. One o f Aunt’s children, the girl, is very sick, but she is not bettered at all by O shi-shi. Mother aids in caring for the child. Hayashi San asked me once did I try to lead Aunt’s children to our Sunday-school? I did not yet, and feel my lazy, dilatory spirit. So I tell God if He heal the child, I will lead them all as possible. 3 rd of D e c em b e r . Aunt’s child is well again, and today I led her and the brother also to our Sunday- school. They were like frightened kittens, so I must sit with them close. Mrs. Fuji moto taught these small ones, and though in number more than thirty, she did it so well with many song movements and stories from Bible. Hayashi San asked me to teach in Sun-
sister, heard Aunt converse with a visitor, and she whispered to me that it was the go-between fellow and that Aunt was con sulting him about my marriage. I do not want a wife yet—I want to attend univer sity in America. When I take wife, I wish to choose for myself as foreign men do. This custom of marriage as practiced by Japanese is atrociously horrible. I hate it! And I did not speak to Aunt this evening when she greeted me. N o v em b e r 10. A hurricane smited us yesterday at noon,
Having majored in English in a Japan ese university, Jinsaburo, a young Chris tian longed ardently to go to America for study in a large university. His immature Christian faith faltered when, his prayer not granted, he found that he must support his sister and his recently widowed mother by working as a clerk in his uncle’s shop in Tokyo. Upon returning to the spiritual influence o f “ the missionary McEdward" and o f Japanese young men in the missionary’s Bible class, Jinsaburo renewed his daily prayer and Bible study and later journey ed to Shakuji Lake to be baptized. There he so rejoiced in the fellowship with other Christians that he wished he “might live always at Shakuji Lake.’’ But now he must return to the problems o f being a young man in the business world, and, regardless o f irregularities in spelling and English idiom, he continues to describe his struggles and aspirations through the pages of his diary. PART II. 2 n d of N ovember . T h is year the maples have been very i grand. Uncle has two which have been like dual fires burning redly at front and hind end o f our house. Matf"; sumura San has made a journey to Nikko and seen the mountain side populated with such red maples as pained the eyes to look upon. I wish also to go, but I am swiftly growing into old, tired man o f business and have no time for travel and viewing of beautiful Nikko. Last prayer meeting time Hayashi San came to lead me, else I should have not gone. Because o f fatigue, my head grew in weight there until lightened by an inter esting occasion. This was as follows: An old man came in somewhat lately and sat down. He has a big black dog which he loves very much and I think lives with him lonesomely. O f course he closes his house with dog inside when he comes to church meeting. But this night the dog made escape from the house and smelled along the road the footsteps of his master. All the long way to the church he smelled, waiting at the door. When another person arrived more lately, the dog entered also. He noticed no person nor seemed abashed at the concourse of people, but smelled up one aisle, then down another, till at last his tail fanned back and forward. And he looked like very joyful dog. He had found his master. But as he did not bark, but lay quietly, he was permissioned to remain. And the leader, Pastor Fujimoto, said we must be like the good dog and come to the meeting to seek our Master. Then we will be happy and joyous as him. I felt it a good lesson to me. Today how angered I have been! Even yet my gorge uprises within. Akiko, my [Mrs. Gibbs, a missionary in Japan for many years, has been well acquainted with the young man she calls “ Jinsaburo.’’ These incidents reflect her personal knowl edge o f his spiritual development .]
Courtesy, N.T.E. Line. Attitudes of respect for their elders melee the children of Japan teachable and responsive. and I have been much adventured. Rain fell like spears and knives, and such wind as tore away doors and windows and many shop signs. Uncle and I could not take the tramcar home, so we must walk long miles, bending our heavy bodies like the bamboo. But at last a taxi lifted those weary men home. Then the storm abated not but grew larger in fury. Our wood night-doors were all closed, but the roof was rised so one door went flying out and around the house till it rested on our kitchen roof. I never did view so strange a phenomena. Fine trees in the garden fell some flat, but we saved others by tying ropes around the fence and house. I thought: Is this the way Western men in America tie the wild cow ? Poor people in the low districts will be in floods of water and trouble, and I feel a heavy heart in their behalf. N o v em be r 12. Tonight Mr. McEdward lended me a book in English called “Pilgrim’s Progress for Young People.” He advised me to peruse it carefully, remembering it is a great parable. Another man asked him what is a parable? He answered, “An earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” I have read it as I could in the shop, and it is most strange book. But by and by I
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