First SBC Missionaries Appointed to Japan
On April 2, 1860, the first SBC missionaries were appointed to go to Japan:
It is gratifying to be able to state, that during the year five missionaries have received appointments. Brother Crawford H. Toy, of Virginia, in the early part of the year, was accepted, and, in accordance with his wish designated to the new mission about to be commenced in Japan. Shortly after, an appointment to the same field was conferred on John L. Johnson, of Virginia. The former of these is spending a brief session at the Greenville Theological Seminary, and the latter is expecting to close his studies at the University of Virginia during the present year. Brother J. G. Schilling has been appointed to the Canton mission, and brethren J. J. Fitzgerald and George W. Parker to the Liberia mission. Several other brethren are now in correspondence with the Board on the question of laboring in the foreign field, two of whom will soon visit Richmond, for special conference on the subject.
Three missionaries are now under appointment for Japan. This band of brethren, consisting of brethren J. Q. A. Rohrer, Crawford. H. Toy, and J. L. Johnson will, we hope, ere the year closes, be upon their destined field. The former of these will probably sail in a few weeks -- the two latter sometime in the fall. Among this interesting people, we propose to commence an assault upon the powers of darkness. It will be a difficult enterprise. Not with carnal weapons, but such as are mighty through God, we propose to pull down these stray strongholds and trusting in Him, we send these young men as our standard bearers in this conflict. The Board are gratified to be able to say, that while they may not immediately succeed in the work they thus attempt, an increasing sense of its importance and magnitude presses upon their minds. The testimony of Brother Cabaniss, who is given much thought on the subject, is altogether favorable to an earnest prosecution of this attempt to dispense the gospel to the Japanese.
If you visit the blog tomorrow you will see that there is an immediate tragic ending to this good news. However, I also grieve in my spirit that 149 years later, Japan is less than 1% Christian. Is the Gospel so weak? By no means! God give us the wisdom, the language, & the BOLDNESS to preach & teach your Word with life changing authority as You send Your Spirit over this land. It isn't possible that the Gospel has failed here - makes us to open our mouths - surely you have many, many children here. God equip us then make us obedient!!
It is gratifying to be able to state, that during the year five missionaries have received appointments. Brother Crawford H. Toy, of Virginia, in the early part of the year, was accepted, and, in accordance with his wish designated to the new mission about to be commenced in Japan. Shortly after, an appointment to the same field was conferred on John L. Johnson, of Virginia. The former of these is spending a brief session at the Greenville Theological Seminary, and the latter is expecting to close his studies at the University of Virginia during the present year. Brother J. G. Schilling has been appointed to the Canton mission, and brethren J. J. Fitzgerald and George W. Parker to the Liberia mission. Several other brethren are now in correspondence with the Board on the question of laboring in the foreign field, two of whom will soon visit Richmond, for special conference on the subject.
Three missionaries are now under appointment for Japan. This band of brethren, consisting of brethren J. Q. A. Rohrer, Crawford. H. Toy, and J. L. Johnson will, we hope, ere the year closes, be upon their destined field. The former of these will probably sail in a few weeks -- the two latter sometime in the fall. Among this interesting people, we propose to commence an assault upon the powers of darkness. It will be a difficult enterprise. Not with carnal weapons, but such as are mighty through God, we propose to pull down these stray strongholds and trusting in Him, we send these young men as our standard bearers in this conflict. The Board are gratified to be able to say, that while they may not immediately succeed in the work they thus attempt, an increasing sense of its importance and magnitude presses upon their minds. The testimony of Brother Cabaniss, who is given much thought on the subject, is altogether favorable to an earnest prosecution of this attempt to dispense the gospel to the Japanese.
If you visit the blog tomorrow you will see that there is an immediate tragic ending to this good news. However, I also grieve in my spirit that 149 years later, Japan is less than 1% Christian. Is the Gospel so weak? By no means! God give us the wisdom, the language, & the BOLDNESS to preach & teach your Word with life changing authority as You send Your Spirit over this land. It isn't possible that the Gospel has failed here - makes us to open our mouths - surely you have many, many children here. God equip us then make us obedient!!
