in a special quarter called the
Yoshiwara of each city, as well as cut off from all the hopes of the
Gospel. A law had indeed been passed allowing such girls as might wish
to abandon their awful calling to do so; but it was so administered as
practically to remain a dead letter.

"Why," thought our leaders, "should we not issue a special edition of
our _War Cry_, explaining Christ's love and power to save the deepest
sunken in sin, and our Rescue Work, and then go and sell it in the
Yoshiwara?"

The idea was carried out, and, to all appearance, the first day, with
wonderful success. The great companies of pleasure-seekers saw in the
"Paper" a novelty of interest and bought and read it eagerly. But it was
far too great a success to please the brothel keepers, who at once hired
men to attack _The War Cry_ sellers, should they repeat their invasion.
When it became known that our Officers had thus been attacked, reporters
of the Tokio and Yokohama papers hurried to see the, for Japan, unusual
sight, and then the whole Press of the country came out strongly on our
side. We were fully recognised as the loving friends of the friendless
and oppressed, and from that day our standing in the country was
assured.

Not many girls were gathered into our little Rescue Home; but thousands
learnt the way of escape from their houses of bondage, and within a few
years many thousands returned to their old homes all over the country.
It should be explained that the brothels were really supplied as a
result of the heroic devotion of the girls to their parents and homes.
It was common for a girl, in any time of extra want or destitution, to
suggest or consent to her sale to one of the bad houses for the relief
of her family. This fact, however, of course increased both the
national sympathy for the victims, and the high appreciation of our care
for them.

But the main thing, after all, in all this action was the revelation of
an Army, unable as yet to make itself well understood in words but
capable of thus manifesting its resolution to fight for the liberation
of all men from the power of sin.

We had issued already a _Common People's Gospel_, written by our Chief
Secretary, Colonel Vamamuro, which gave a very clear explanation of our
teachings and system. This book was not only a sort of harmony of the
Gospels, but explained how we understand and teach the Salvation Christ
bought for us all. This Gospel came to be appreciated and uti