＊JAPANESE WORK.
In Japan itself .the recent war with Russia has in a very Providential way created open doors for Christian benevolent activity, not only on the battlefields among the wounded and dying but especially in the military hospitals crowded full of Russians as well at. Japanese ，“ sick and wounded and ready to die. ”
Scores and thousands have been ministered unto by our Missionaries, and this purely ’charitable work has made a deep impression. The whole nation has been profoundly touched. The Emperor himself has contributed vast sums to assist the Christian missionaries.The occasion has afforded a splendid opportunity for the exemplification of the grace of Christian charity. Our own Bishop Harris has scattered over $20,000 among widows and orphans, the gifts of our Methodist people in America. Here in Hawaii no such open door has occurred. On the contrary, we have lost greatly through the return of many thousands called back to Japan for military service ; our mission stations have felt this exodus most keenly and our statistics will therefore show some decrease. We have also lost three good workers during the year-one returning to Japan and two going on to the Coast for further study.This severe loss has been in a measure compensated by the recent arrival of Rev. S. Miura,an experienced pastor and a very faithful worker, to whom we extend a cordial greeting in the Master's name. We need at least two or three more recruits. The pastorate of one of our more important churches is still vacant, while two or three larger plantations have sent us requests for evangelists, with promises of financial assistance.
＊HONOLULU, RIVER STREET.
Rev. G. Motokawa,pastor. The most important achievement in our Japanese work during the year has been the erection and dedication of the new church on River street, costing $8,000. Of this amount only $500 was received from our Missionary Society. the balance being raised here on the ground. We have still on hand $1,600. for a parsonage, which we propose to erect just as soon as a suitable site is secured. The honor of this enterνrise belongs to Pastor Motokawa. who has toiled nobly and well. It is only on the ground of a little needed rest that his congregation is at all willing to excuse him. No Japanese is more widely known in this city and on the Islands. than Mr. Motokawa, nor none more greatly respected and beloved by all classes. His work and influence has extended far beyond his own church, and in his prison work and open air preaching Sabbath after Sabbath, as well as in hospital and benevolent work, God has greatly blessed his efforts in building up the Redeemer's Kingdom. Nearly a year ago, through the dying testimony of man executed on the gallows in yonder prison, whom Bro. Motokawa had led to Christ, a prominent newspaper editor, educated in our Mission schools in Japan, but having lost his faith through contact with the liberal German teachers of Tokyo, was profoundly touched and wonderfully reclaimed, and is to-day the pastor of our Japanese Church in Los Angeles, a consecrated man of God. How wonderfully the Holy Spirit works !
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