the Hymnal Committee of the same church, four hundred and seventeen pages; and Life of General Booth by Major Yamamuro, five hundred and sixty pages. In the above list the title is given in English wherever so reported. Some of these books been new, some have been often published before. In one instance, that of the Prayer Book, last year's issue was the thirteenth edition.

The more important books reported as in process of preparation* may be roughly classified as follows;-Commentaries on Job and Proverbs, by Yuasa Kishiro; on Isaiah, by Hino Musumi; on Matthew, by Schiller, and Dr. Broadus' Matthew by F. G. Harrington; on Romans, by Ashida Keiji; on I and II Corinthians, by Dr. Learned, on Galatians, by Miyagawa Misaku; on I and II John and on Revelation by Miyagawa Tsunetaro. Under this head might also be included Notes on Annotated Paragraph Bible, translated by Bishop Fyson, and Annotated New Testament, and Selections from New Testament Annotated, both edited by George P. Pierson. Perhaps here should be placed also the Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on The Psalms and on Isaiah, translated by T. Matsumoto. Dr. Correll is preparing a commentary on the Book of Common Prayer. Three doctrinal works are being translated by A. B. Hutchinson: one a Catechism, one (English) Church Teaching, and one Tale of the Atonement. The Harmony of the Gospels, by Stevens and Burton, and a Harmony of the Epistles, compiled by George P. Pierson, are also being prepared and among the historical and philosophical works in preparation are Church History, by Dr.

* Some of these had already been issued early in 1907.

as

Learned; Latest History of Religion in Europe and America, by Nakamura Chonosuke; The Time of Jesus, by Martyn Sydel; Prof. Bousset's Das Wesen der Religion; a work on The Presence of God, by E. Usami. The Russian Mission are preparing, in addition to the Homilies of Chrysostom above mentioned, My Life in Christ, Vol. IV; The Servant of God; The Complete Works of St. Isaac of Syria, and The Sermons of St. John. The books reported "devotional" and which will probably soon appear are:-Pres. Charles Cuthbert Hall's The Recovery of the Apostlic Theology; Dr. Dugan Clarke's Instruction to Christian Converts; six works. by E. A. Kilbourne entitled Power of the Blood, Carnal Nature, Necessity of Sanctification, Humility, God's Gift to Men, and The Holy Ghost; Carradine's The Better Way; Prof. Steven's The Teaching of Jesus; Bishop Candler's Great Revivals and a Great Republic; (Horner's?) Experimental Christianity; and a book For the Afflicted by Akashi Shigetaro. The Salvation Army are issuing for the first time four books by Gen. Booth: Doctrines and Discipline, Addresses by the General, Articles by the General, and The Salvation Army at a Glance. They also propose the following reprints: Life of General Booth, The Gospel for Common People, Helps to Holiness, Orders and Regulations for Soldiers, Purity of Heart, and six tracts. The Y.M.C.A. are preparing a work under the title of Young Men and Religion. The Union Hymn Book Committee report that they have in press the third edition of their book with staff notation, and the first edition in the Roman letter. An Introduction to the Old and New Testaments by Makino Toraji; a Guide to Baptism by George P. Pierson; Taigan Fukuin [An

Interview with the Gospel (?)] by Ōmiyo Suesada ; a Gospel Chart by Murata Heizaburo; The Prayer of Miss Nami, a book for children by Kurahashi Sōzo, and some pictorial cards prepared by Miss Baucus complete the list of reported works in preparation. It may be added that some blanks have been returned with names of educational works not mentioned in this report, the reason being that their titles seem to exclude them from any list of “religious publications" properly so called.

In closing, the writer will venture the assertion that while religious reading is a potent factor in the advancement of any country, the present condition of Japan and its comparatively large number of intelligent readers make the immense importance of Christian literature here patent to every thoughtful observer.

ALBERT ARNOLD BENNETT.

CHAPTER IX.

THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY IN JAPAN.

GENERAL CONDITION

The work of the Bible circulation during the past year has been particularly encouraging. More and more is there a real demand for the word of God, and a sincere desire to know what are its teachings. So general is this demand that in the principal towns the bookstores are keeping Bibles on sale because of the increasing number who wish to purchase.

AMONG THE Soldiers

It is impossible to give more than a small part of the testimonials that are received as to the value of the work of Bible distribution among the men in the army and navy. One sergeant was given a Testament just as he was leaving for the front, and it was to him an unspeakable treasure. In frequent letters to his home he told of the joy and comfort that he found in reading it. He was afterward fatally wounded and when lying at the point of death in the field hospital, he was seen by a comrade to take from his pocket the precious volume, and with a look of infinite satisfaction read from it until strength was gone, and then, laying it aside, he passed quietly away to be with his Lord and Saviour.

THE BIBLE IN THE HOSPITALS

Among the many sad victims of the war was one named Miki, who lost both his hands. In this

helpless condition he was so unhappy and so distressed in mind that he thought it would be better to die. While lying in the hospital he heard from one of the missionaries about the Bible, and, becoming interested in what was read from it, he began to read it for himself. Then in his own words, "My sorrow departed like dew before the sun. I began to pray to God, and for Christ's sake he forgave my sins, and I found such peace as no man can know or tell; and my heart overflows continually with gratitude to Our Heavenly Father for all his mercies."

A soldier named Kobayashi writes to the Bible House that while in the hospital in Tokyo he received a copy of the New Testament in which he found such helpful teaching that his great desire now is to propagate the same among all his people.

A missionary in Tokyo writes, "The soldier of whom I wrote you as having read the Bible so many times has recently been baptised, and returned to his own province, resolved to work and pray until he has led all his family and neighbors to faith in God.

"One young soldier, still in the wards, has sent to our house as inquirers five different friends. Three of these have definitely resolved to be Christians. One has already brought another friend to study. A subordinate officer of the Reserves has gone back to the Bonin Islands hoping to lead his family to Christ.

"A card from a cadet says, 'It was hard to find that my illness put me back a whole year in my examination, and thus in the line of promotion; but I am far from regretting it. Had I not gone to the hospital I might never have studied the Bible, nor learned that faith in God which is now my greatest treasure.'