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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
November, 1937
Jinsaburo Lifts His Cross
By OPAL LEONORE GIBBS
we forgot all these things, remembering only the Presence of God. I felt such great awe and hushed calm within. But when I reached home, the servant bid me to Uncle’s room, where I was in formed that ,tomorrow night I must accom pany him to house where bethrothal is furnished, and must even view my future wife. Now I have walked in the garden very tumultuous, with all innerly peace rudely shattered. I know I must not marry girl who is not Christian. I will fight to keep from it. My fist sometimes shakes toward Uncle’s shadow, which silhouettes on the paper door, and my fingers could almost wish to pull the few hairs from his head. I will refuse to marry with this girl. I will be strong to attend not the betrothal meeting but the church. Indeed, I shall be as ancient martyr for Christ and die for Him. Uncle has always second clerk at the shop, so I need not labor there at night but occupy my place in God’s house. Moreover I shall go riow and so inform Aunt of my decision. M a y 31 My hand trembles to write of what happed today. Uncle glowered wrathfully at me this morning, and all through the journey to his shop, we did remain silent. I strived for outward calm and dignity, for am I not man, even as he?
PART IV J in sa b u r o ’ s D a y of T error
M a y 2 6 The Bishop did not arrive from Osaka City, for he has a son who became ill. So instead, we invite Mr. Morinaga, Japan’s great chocolate king, for the first night of meeting. For he is very famous Christian speaker. It was windy night and Mr. Mor inaga confined his long beard with rubber string so it could not blow about. Perhaps because he is old, his memory did not account the rubber, and he arose to the pulpit stair without removal. As we sang, however, his hand strayed upward, and very swiftly the rubber was hidden in his pocket. I wished to smile broadly but did not dare. Then he spoke to us his witness of power, how for long years his soul was borne away captive in business life, forgetting all but the form of Christian life. But God spoke strongly through the dying of his wife, and revived the dead bones in his soul. Now he is not ashamed of gospel of Christ, for it is in reality the power of God unto salvation for him. I have been writing of it to Matsu Chan and sent him also large packet of Christian printing. M a y 3 0 Oh, the Bishop did come at last, and how sadly we looked upon him! For he is small and fat like a peanut, with clothses quite poor, with no distinguishing beard o'r splendid voice. But as he gave the preach,
Following his university days in Japan, Jinsaburo, a clerk in his uncle’s shop in Tokyo, continued his struggle with English spelling and idiom by writing frequently in his journal. A t his church, he noticed the attractiveness of one of the young women, whose name he learned was Miss Tatsuda. Jinsaburo’s uncle, upon whom he was dependent for a livelihood for himself and his mother and little sister, was planning a marriage according to ancient Japanese custom, without allowing Jinsaburo to choose the bride. Jinsaburo angrily deter mined to pray for escape from this marriage, and he hoped that his uncle might meet with a great accident, "perhaps burst him self open with eating and drinking.” M a y 21 p | ^ ODAY I was bidden remain at home I for labor in garden, and was very -JL joyous to remain in bright sunshine instead of dark antique- of Uncle’s business place. But my joy leaked out variously as I kneeled to pull the weeds from our earth and make it smooth as the porch floor around bushes and trees. Now my back and thighs have concussions of pain. Once our English language professor de scribed to us foreign bath tub which is long
For noon lunching we repaired to old restaurant together. It was very hot, so hot as I never remember in May. Uncle always pleases with antiquated food, all Japanese style, and I felt to conciliate him by ac companiment. As we ate rice and eels, sudden barking of dogs began. I rose to my feet, for when the air is still and hot, and yellow in color, and when dogs bark in sad alarm, it presages earthquake. Others were passing swiftly into the garden, and I felt it will come soon. Shall I go and leave Uncle, or shall I bear him forth ? He was drinking sake [pronounced “ sah-kay”—rice whiskey] as always and loathe to cease. T o my plea to come, he called me a coward and foolish brat. So I left him. A short time passed. Then the shock came upon us like the grasp of giant octopus. But strange phenomenon I No building around us was cast down, and no part of this old restaurant, save the end room of left wing. And in that room Uncle sat drinking his sake. But no, just as it began, I sprang to him and seizing his waist, I dragged him forth. But falling tiles from the roof striked his head, and [ Continued on page 451]
and only high as a baby stands. H!ow can such tall bodies immerse in such small water? But then he said also the foreigners are dirtier than we and often bath only once in a week. That is the cause of their disagreeable odor. The pro fessor is quite a wag. My young brother, Shozo, has taken entrance examination to Im perial University Middle School, but his name was unposted. So he tries another school—Keio Uni versity. This also is wormwood and gall to his spirit. But at last, he has examined successfully the Waseda first year Middle School. He is fourteen years and very good stu dent. I wish there was place for all earnest students in our best schools. Of course, Japan must have large families as possible so as to become great and mighty nation, but schools also should construct of gutta percha, so they can stretch over all sincere applicants. [This story by a missionary of many years’ experience in Japan portrays the spiritual conflict and victories in the life of a young Christian whom the author knows well. The illustration is through the courtesy of the Board of Tour ist Industry, Japanese Government Railways .— E ditor .]
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