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| 1904 letter lot from Kugimiya |
Tokio Kugimiya (釘宮辰生, くぎみやときお, 1872-1947) attended Trinity College (Duke University, North Carolina). Upon his return to Japan, he worked as a pastor, spreading Christianity throughout the country. He played a significant role during the first quarter of the 20th century in Japan and within the southern Methodist community of America.
The letters presented here have never been published before, constituting fresh and historically important material. These letters provide insight into Kugimiya's mindset at the time, as well as details about his preaching efforts. Financial constraints were a constant challenge, leading him to seek monetary assistance from influential figures in the South, specifically the Browns. Another interesting aspect of one letter is when he writes about the war with Russia!
This collection comprises two letters sent by Kugimiya to Mrs. E. S. Brown and Cornelia W. Brown of Lynchburg, Virginia. The letters, dated 1904 and 1921, include their original envelopes and content. The following translation is verbatim, with "xxxxxx" used where the script was illegible.
Mrs. E. S. Brown, also known as Jane Margaret (Winfree) Brown (1821-1910), was married to Edward Smith Brown (1818-1908). Cornelia Walton Brown (b1846) was their daughter.
The 1904 letter, sent from Hiroshima, Japan, consists of a faded typewritten letter on thin Japanese rice paper signed by T. Kumigaya. Additionally, a two-page handwritten letter describes his mission in Japan. The envelope, made of thin rice paper, bears a postmark of July 23, 1904, Lynchburg, VA.
The 1921 letter, sent from West Osaka, Japan, is addressed to Cornelia W. Brown at 818 Court St., Lynchburg, VA. The Japanese postmark is incomplete. The envelope contains a letter and a bookmark with a verse, "Blessed are the pure in heart," from Matthew 5:8 in Japanese: 心の清き者は福なり 太五O八. The letters and envelopes remain in their original folded state, preserving the authenticity of their creation and delivery.
Hiroshima, Japan
June 6, 1904
Mrs. E. S. Brown,
Court St. Lynchburg, Va
Dear Madam,
I wished to write you often after I reach my home but I was very busy for my work and I could not write often. I think you are began to think that I am forgeting America and friends there. I cannot forget them because they are helping the work of Japan mission, and I am one of the worker here. I send you two copies of an outline of my work for past months. I am very busy for my work to preach an to reach Christian truth. Last Sunday we had a special meeting and Dr. S. H. Wainright preach for me and we could not hold all the people in my church because my church is very small for such large number of the people. I am trying to raise money for new church building and I got some, but the present condition in Japan have not enough mony for this demand because the war takes our money.
So church woman's society began to make some small things and send to American friends and ask to sell them and raise money for us. I send you many card case for this purpose. When you get them please sell all among your friends , and it will be great help to us. It is made with Japanese fine silk and all the members of the woman's society of my church made them. And please sell one for 20 cents. When you send money please send by foreign postal order to me.
We are fighting against Russia for for the self existence of our nation and for the peace of the Oriental countries. We are appreciate highly of the sympathy of America and England toward us. I believe we are right xxxxxxxxxxxxxx God will stand by usand held our ........in the battle field. We almost destroyed Russia ....we got three great victories on the land. I think this war will brought new tendency which the nation favor a new religion which come from America and England. I wish the God use this war for his good cause. Please pray for our nation.
Give my best wishes to Miss Cornelia and Mrs. Ivey ......................
God will be ith you and bless you
yours trury,
T. Kugimiya
1904 Handwritten Two Page Letter by Tokio Kugimiya 釘宮辰生(くぎみや ときお)
My church: My church is a week self-supporting church, which is supported by about 90 members.
My regular work: Every Sunday I preach twice at the church where 60, in average, in the morning; and 50, in the night. I have two Sunday schools, one for adults and the other for children. I am a teacher of an adult class. Every Wednesday night I have a prayer meeting; in Saterday night I have an inquirer's meeting. Beside these I have regular meetings of the bible study at the homes of my church members and inquirers. Also I have a chapel work in Wednesday afternoon. And the church Y.M.C.A. work and woman's society and children's League work need my assitance for their work.
Reaping work: I baptized sixteen men and women after I began my work here. These are the visible effects of the God's truth, which were planted into the hearts of the natives. I am sure there will be many growing seeds umder the soil in this city. I will see them soon.
Wide spreading work: I have one more important work, that of edition of an evangelical paper. This kind of paper work is very important because it will spread Christian thoughts in the homes of many heathens, who never come to church. All of them are educated and they can read and write alright. So this paper will be a splendid way to reach the people. It contains many plain talks of the Gospel and living testimonies of converts and good sermons. I have printing 1,200 copies every month and distribute them to the people. It is done by the hlep of the Y.M.C.A. of Trinity College and of high school. I am so thankful for them who are sending the supports for this needed work here.
Evangelical trips: I made 4 trips for past month. In Oct. I went to the western part and preached 6 times. In Nov. I went to Shikoku and Kushu and preached 17 times. In Feb. I went to Kobe and lectured eight times at the Palmore Institute. There were 15 persons who decided to be Christain. Also I preached at church. In April, I went to Yamaguchi and lectured four time for the students of a government college, and 6 of them decided to study Christianity.
These were my work for 7 month in Japan. Please remember me in your prayer; I wish to do a good work here.
Utsubo, West Osaka
Dec. 26, 1921
My dear Miss Cornelia W. Brown,
I wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year. I send you a little package by postal parcel. I wish you to find my love to you.
I am sorry to tell about our father Bishop Lambuth's death. It was very so sad matter to the churches in Japan. All church members felt so sorry. But we are glad to have him who finished his life in our land. He loved our country and us. We loved him heartily. And He finished his work in our land. It is a great inspiration to us.
When I met him at Karuizawa where our mission meeting was held, he told me several important advice. And I asked him some special plan of our work for his help. He encouraged me much. I am very sorry to separate with him. But I know he is praying for me and for our work in Japan.
God is always dose best. So I must say He has done His best will for us. I pray God to send us double portion of his love and his spirit.
My health is not well this year, but I did much work still. I am so thankful to you for your kindness which I recieved this year. I had been hot spring over month. And It was good to me. I am happy to know my dear friends in Lynchburg. When you see Mrs. Ivey please tell her my love to you and her.
From the next spring I expect to do another line of Christian work in Japan, which is very important and most fundamental work for mission. It is a traveling evangelist. Please remember me in your prayer. May God's blessing be with you always. Give my best wished to Mr. and Mrs. Pettyjhon.
I am,
Yours truly
T. Kugimiya
Note: Bishop Lambuth (Walter Russell Lambuth 1854-1921) was a Methodist minister. Mr. Pettyjhon (John Patterson Pettyjohn 1846-1939) was a wealthy contractor and a Methodist from Lynchburg, VA.
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