In August 1907, Oswald Chambers was in Japan.
I’ve written about his experiences with the Oriental Missionary Society. I’ve also described his trip with Juji Nakada and Yale graduate Gilbert Little Stark.
But what did he think of the experience?
Chambers was a wide-eyed admirer of a country that had been locked away from the West for many, many years.
His diary detailed his excitement at what he saw and experienced.
Cowman and Kilbourne and I took jinrickshaws [sic] to the depot; how these fellows can run!
Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God p 128.
Once arrived in Tokyo, a group met them at the train station. Tokyo Bible Training Institute students escorted the men to the school.
Impressed with nearly everything he saw, Chambers thought the school well laid out.
He spoke with an interpreter, which he noted was splendid, “but restraining.”
Lettie Cowman
He liked Lettie Cowman.
“Mrs. Cowman is a royal soul and truly a saint. They have taken me into their home in splendid style.”
OMS friends often described the hardships Lettie and Charles Cowman suffered. They were serving in a faith-based ministry without the support of a missionary board.
A retired missionary told me a story involving the Cowman’s financial sacrifice.
One night, Lettie went to make dinner and only had a loaf of bread and a tiny bit of tea.
Charles surprised her by returning with a guest, Oswald Chambers.
Lettie swallowed, set the table, and placed the pot and small loaf of bread in the middle for them to share.
Given his notorious lack of concern over money matters, Chambers probably didn’t care.
Tokyo Events
Chambers and Nakada spoke to Christian gatherings on the first three days of August 1906.
Nakada was a near-celebrity in his homeland.
“Nakada is a mighty preacher here. To see the altar service is wonderful.”
Chambers’ diary soon filled with descriptions of the scenery, the people, thoughts on missionaries, and how much he enjoyed Japan.
He traveled halfway around the world to observe missionaries in action. He particularly wanted to see how the Bible Training Institute trained its native-born believers.
To his surprise, Japanese natives embraced Christianity very quickly and with great enthusiasm. He marveled at their faith and how God answered their prayers.
The other missionaries
The Oriental Missionary Society’s entrance into Japan in 1901 did not come easily.
Other missionaries in-country were suspicious — wondering whether the OMS planned to begin a new denomination in Tokyo.
Cowman and Kilbourne had no such plans. They merely came to preach a traditional version of their faith, based in the Holiness Movement.
As Chambers was a noted speaker for Britain’s League of Prayer. He was sympathetic to the Holiness Movement, which presented no problems for him.
But at the convention he attended that summer, he noted hostility among the non-OMS missionaries. It troubled him.
Chambers in Japan found it, “a most entrancing country.” He thought the Oriental Missionary Society a far more elaborate and well-organized work than he anticipated.
Lessons to take home from Japan
Chambers had been a student at Duncan McGregor’s Dunoon Bible College. He appreciated how living in a community with other students stretched his spiritual life.
He believed Christianity was better “caught,” not “taught.” Living together and thus being forced to deal with issues provided an excellent training ground.
But, he recognized how missionaries heading overseas needed to be prepared for the task once they arrived in-country.
He appreciated how the Tokyo Bible Training Institute (BTI) focused on training its students for the ministry.
The school trained “Bible Women” to work with women–particularly in their homes.
The BTI trained the men for street evangelism, and they soon went to work preaching the gospel.
Chambers appreciated their preparation.
Traveling with the Cowmans
Shortly after Chambers’ arrival, Charles and Lettie Cowman decided to leave Japan for a “deputation trip,” to England.
They asked Chambers to join them, anticipating his presence in England might help their fund-raising.
The three sailed south, around India, and back to England through the Suez Canal.
When they stopped in Kobe, Japan, Charles lay ill from neuralgia. Lettie delivered tracks and portions of Scripture to the crew.
Several days later, Charles Cowman pointed out a comet in the sky.
They arrived in England on October 11, 1907.
When he saw his brother Franklin, Chambers pulled a shilling from his pocket and handed it to him. “I went all the way around the world on that one shilling.”
God had provided everything else he needed!
Oswald Chambers founded and ran his own Bible College four years later.
Tweetables
Oswald Chambers in Japan with the Oriental Missionary Society. Click to Tweet
Why did Oswald Chambers visit Japan? Click to Tweet
Very interesting! Loved the picture of the women’s meeting.