in diffusing the
musk-scented perfume, and this in future is pregnant with remarkable
results. These few seeds of corn that ye have sown in that soil shall lead
to luxuriant crops, this limited number of souls will be converted into
great cohorts, nay, rather into an imposing spiritual army, and that seed,
under the Divine Direction, shall yield abundant and heavy clusters.

Praise ye God that ye have been assisted with such Divine Bounty. Ye have
sown some seeds and now watering is needed. If souls should undertake a
voyage from America or Honolulu to the land of Japan, the teachings of God
shall thereby be swiftly propagated and important consequences shall
result. You two have fulfilled your roles and have striven within the
limits of your capacity. At present ye must rest for a time; the turn of
others has arrived, that they may similarly travel to Japan, may water the
seeds that have been sown and may serve and take care of the tender
shrubs. The days of life are swiftly going by, and eventually man will be
confined into subterranean regions and his name shall perish, except those
souls who become Divine gardeners and who sow seeds in the soil of hearts.
Those shall eternally remain shining and glittering like unto stars from
the horizon of Truth.

(1919)

3: Mr. Kanichi Yamamoto
1879-1961

Mr. Kanichi(8) Yamamoto has the distinction of being the first Japanese
believer. He immigrated from Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, to Hawaii, where
he worked in the home of the family of a believer. Also living there was
one of the early Baha'is of Hawaii, Miss Elizabeth Muther.

Miss Muther wrote to a friend on September 8, 1902, "After I became a
believer I felt that sometime I might tell (Mr. Yamamoto). I prayed that
his heart might be prepared to receive the truth. Although it was a little
difficult to give him the Message because of his imperfect knowledge of
English, yet God helped me so that he understands perfectly and is
rejoicing in the Knowledge of His Truth. I have just had a little talk
with him and he told me how happy he was and that he expects to write his
letter to the Master this evening."

[Photograph with the following caption:]

Mr. Kanichi Yamamoto, the first Japanese Baha'i with four of his sons. The
three oldest boys were given Persian names by 'Abdu'l-Baha. Taken in
Berkeley, California in 1920.

Mr. Yamamoto rewrote his letter four times before he was satisfied. "He
felt that he could n