JAPAN BAPTIST ANNUAL FOR 1932　（1932年）

INLAND SEA

Marlin D. Farnum

It has been thought and sometimes said that, with the sale of the Fukuin Maru a few years ago, the self-sacrificing labors of Captain Bickel and the money invested in the ship were lost to the work of missions. Perhaps many people have forgotten that at the time the decision was made to sell the boat, it was strongly stated that such a move did not mean that the work on the Inland Sea was to be neglected. Without going into the reasons leading up to the sale of the ship, let it be remembered that an agreement was entered into with the groups of believers on the Inland Sea that the proceeds resulting from the sale would be reinvested in church buildings to be erected in the centers of the work: Five locations were chosen, in consultation with the workers, and the money accruing from the sale was allotted for each project, a sum for the purchase of land and another sum for the construction of buildings. In this way the money invested in the Fukuin Maru would not be lost to the work; rather would it continue in service as it provided equipment with which to carry on strong programs of evangelism in centers from which the gospel influence could reach out into the neighboring villages as well as enable the church to secure a firm footing in the central town.

This plan regarding the use of the Fukuin Maru funds was made five years ago, so that doubtless many are wondering why there has been no report of the completion of the building program. At the time this agreement was made, it was thought wise to ask each of the local groups to contribute one thousand yen towards the projects, In this way the church members were given a responsibility of their own; whereas in the past everything had been done for them, now they were to have a definite part in the undertaking themselves. In seeking to develop the spirit of self-support this was a wise provision. But it militated against an immediate accomplishment of the building program, as the Inland Sea groups of Christians are small numerically and weak financially. The gathering of a thousand yen is not an easy undertaking, but they have been at work through the years setting aside a few yen as the individuals were able to contribute. So the main reason for the delay in the erection of these buildings has been the necessity of waiting for the contributions of the local groups.

But with the coming of this spring two groups approached the goal so closely that building plans were drawn up and approval of the Mission Property Committee was received so that work could commence as soon as their contributions were completed. And today we are all rejoicing in the fact that work is actually under way on two of the building projects.

One of these is at Agenosho, on the island of Oshima. About ten years ago a fine piece of land in the center of the town was purchased with money from a specific. After the purchase the town built a new main road directly through a portion of the church land. This gives the church a fine frontage on the main artery of travel through the town and provides an unusual opportunity for evangelistic work.

On the 23rd of May we let the contract for the construction of the Agenosho church and parsonage and on the same day as many of the members as could get away from their work gathered on the lot for a short but impressive service of thanksgiving. Actual construction began the next day, with the contract calling for the work to be completed by October. The main building provides a worship room, kindergarten room, kitchenette, and four smaller rooms which can be used as class rooms for the Church-school and the Peasant Gospel Schools which we plan to hold from time to time. With this equipment a strong center of work will be built up in this important town.

Dedication of Site for New Church, Agenosho.

The picture above shows the Agenosho believers at the thanksgiving service. Pastor Fujiwara is dressed in a dark suit and kneeling in the front row. His wife is the middle one of the three women dressed in light kimono in the front row. Mrs. Fujiwara is a graduate of the Juso Bible Training School and is carrying on the kindergarten at Agenosho in a most effective manner, though under handicaps due to the present poor quarters. The military officer is Takasaki Sensei, military instructor attached to the Agenosho Middle School. It is about a year and a half since he became a Christian; following deep attachment to the Shin sect of Buddhism, he took up the study of Christianity, and special meetings conducted by Doctor Axling provided the immediate stimulus leading to his decision to become a Christian. He is proving to be one of the strongest workers in the Agenosho church, often speaking at the services in witness to his experience of faith. Though a military man, he believes in Peace and sees no way but the Way of Jesus leading to Peace.

The second place where building operations are beginning is Miyanoura on the island of Omishima. On the 29th of June the contract for this work was let and the Christians gathered for a service of thanksgiving. The contract calls for the building to be completed by October -- so we are anticipating having the Agenosho dedication and that at Miyanoura at about the same time. The plans for the building at Miyanoura call for a central building containing worship room, kindergarten, and a second floor with four smaller rooms which can be used for Church-school work and Peasant Gospel Schools or thrown open to provide a gallery over the first floor when mass meetings are held. As at Agenosho, a suitable parsonage is being provided.

The picture below shows the Miyanoura group gathered at their

Thanksgiving Service for Land, Miyanoura.

thanksgiving service. On the extreme left in light stands Mr. Hanaoka who came as pastor last April after his graduation from the seminary. The Miyanoura church had been without a pastor for three years until this spring; now that they at last have a leader of Mr. Hanaoka's abilities they are working with added spirit and enthusiasm. Mr. Hanaoka has a passion for rural evangelism and has the ambition of becoming a first class rural worker. These first few months of his pastorate give promise that he will become a real leader. Mr. Watanabe, the postmaster at Miyanoura, stands fifth from the right holding hat and cane. Mr. Watanabe was Captain Bickel's bosom friend, opening up his home for the Captain and his family whenever the ship anchored in the safe harbor at Miyanoura, and standing faithfully by the Captain with valuable advice and the making of contacts which a postmaster in Japan can make. The kindergarten at Miyanoura is conducted by Miss Katayama who stands a little behind and to the right of Mr. Watanabe. The Miyanoura church members contribute for running expenses proportionately more than any of the other Inland Sea groups.

So far actual building is being accomplished only at these two places; but lately a start was made towards the beginning of the church at Habu, on the other end of Innoshima, for we have purchased and registered a suitable piece of land. The Habu members have gathered about two hundred yen towards their allotment; now with the land purchased they will be spurred on to making greater efforts. We are hoping that another year will see buildings erected there, too.

This report will indicate, then, that as fast as the Christians of the Inland Sea succeed in making their contributions toward the building projects and as soon as satisfactory land is found, the carrying out of the plan for the use of the Fukuin Maru funds proceeds.

Schenectady Gazette - Dec 5, 1941　（1941年）

Missionary To Speak At Calvary Baptist

Rev. Marlin D. Farnum of Tokyo will speak at a special refugee dinner service to be held at the Calvary Baptist church, Sunday afternoon at 1o'clock.

Born and ordained in Medford, Mass. and a graduate of Colby college and Newton Theological institution. Rev. Mr. Farnum received his appointment as a missionary from the American Baptist foreign Missionary society.

In 1927 Rev. Mr. Farnum was engaged in the establishing of churches on the island of the Japanese inland sea with headquarters at Shigei, He and Mrs. Farnum have also been doing evangelistic work in Tokyo until a year ago when Mrs. Farnum and their three children returned to this country to be followed last summer by Rev Mr. Farnum.

Rev. Mr. Farnum comes to Calvary church to conclude a campaign for world emergency funds which the church is raising in order to meet denominational contingencies on both the foreign and home fields.

The simple meal of sacrifice which will be served by the deacons of the church will be attended by members of the church and congregation many of whom have expressed their intention to contribute the cost of a regular Sunday dinner at home to the cause of suffering humanity

Rev. B. D Profio, pastor of the church, is chairman of the committee in charge and will introduce the speaker Miss Celia Larned is secretary of the group. Elmer Martin, the special treasurer, and Mrs. H. C. Myers, co-ordinator or women's work. Others assisting in the undertaking are C. W. Arthur, Virgil Hasche, Mrs. Elmer Martin, Nathaniel Owen, Mrs. John W. Powles. Newell Crawford, Charles Loeber and Benjamin Lewis.

War Relocation Authority Photographs of Japanese-American Evacuation and Resettlement, 1942-1945　（1944年）

[ Volume 39 ]
[ Section E ]
[ WRA no. G-629 ]
Miss Chiyo Taki (right), president of the Japanese American Young People's Christian Federation of New York City, is introducing the Rev. Marlin D. Farnum, associate secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, to Miss Miwako Oana, formerly of San Pedro, California, and the Heart Mountain Relocation Center. The introduction took place at the opening session of the Eighth Annual Japanese American Christian Conference sponsored by the Federation at which Rev. Farnum was the keynote speaker. Over 100 persons, including many young resettlers, attended the conference. Sessions were held on three successive days at the Japanese Methodist Church, Japanese Christian Association, and Japanese Christian Institute in New York City.
New York, New York. 7/8/44

Honorary Degree Recipients　（1955年）

Keuka College awards degrees honoris causa to individuals who have made significant contributions to the College, a specific field, or to society in general. The honorary degree is the College’s highest honor.

1955 Reverend Marlin D. Farnum D.D.
D.D. = Doctor of Divinity

Lewiston Evening Journal - Feb 2, 1967　（1967年）

Rev. Marlin Farnum To Be Speaker At Court Street Church

Rev. Marlin D. Farnum of Buckfield will speak at the seven o'clock service at the Court Street United Baptist Church, Auburn, Sunday evening.

A graduate of Colby College in 1923 and Newton Theological School in 1927, he spent the early part of his life in Medford, Mass.

With Mrs. Farnum, he was appointed to missionary service by the American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society in March of 1927 and in September of that year he and his wife sailed to Japan.

After language study in Tokyo they were designated to the Inland Sea where they carried on general evangelistic work and helped to develop rural churches. In 1938 they were transferred to Tokyo, and Mr. Farnum became mission secretary and was associated with student work.

The missionaries returned to this country in March of 1941 and Rev. Farnum assisted at national headquarters in the recruitment of new missionaries and was subsequently appointed secretary of missionary recruitment.

He also has served as foreign secretary for India, Congo, and Europe and at the time of this retirement in May of last year had served for five years as Secretary for Overseas with responsibility for coordinating the total overseas program of the American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society, making it necessary for him to visit all of the areas where the ABFMS carries on work.

James Mair and his committee will serve refreshments at the conclusion of the service.

Death Record of Marlin D. FARNUM　（1983年）

Name: Marlin D. FARNUM
Date of Death: Friday, 21 Oct. 1983
Place of Death: Portland, Me.
Age: 83 years
Death Certificate Number: 8308621

映像でたどる昭和初期の因島（中国新聞）

映像でたどる昭和初期の因島

昭和初期の因島重井村（現尾道市因島重井町）の生活や風景を撮影した映像を尾道市の重井、土生の両公民館が公開している。布教活動で来日した米国人宣教師が16ミリフィルムで記録。米国の遺族がＤＶＤに収録して地元住民に贈った。

撮影者は1931〜38年に、一家5人で住んでいた宣教師マーレン・ファーナムさん（83年没）。約30分間の白黒映像で音声はない。33〜35年ごろの撮影という。

近くの白滝山を散策したり、庭で縄跳びをしたりするファーナムさん一家や、畑にかんきつ類を植える人々、重井小の登校風景、校庭で体操する児童の姿などが残る。

米国ポートランド市に住む次女ヒルダ・ニコルさん（84）夫妻が2005年秋に来島。ファーナムさんの旧宅でペンションを営む矢田部健二さん（54）に編集したＤＶＤをプレゼントした。

広島県立文書館の安藤福平主任は「昭和初期の地域映像は大変珍しい。当時の様子がうかがえ、地元の財産となる資料だ」と話している。重井公民館＝電話0845(25)0016。

（中国新聞 - 2012年3月29日）

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