Readers of "The Cumberland Presbyterian" will learn with deep sorrow that Rev. Yoshibumi Abe, the brilliant young Japanese student and minister, who was a visitor and lecturer at many of our churches while pursuing his studies in this country, died very suddenly at Sendai, Japan, on April 8.

Mr. Abe was a graduate of Missouri Valley College. He then attended the Theological Seminary at Lebanon, and afterward spent a year at Yale, going back to Japan about two years ago. The following letter, written to Rev. H. L. Latham by Rev. J. Monroe Stick, of the mission of the Reformed Church at Sendai, gives some touching details of the days of Mr. Abe and some idea of the esteem in which Mr. Abe was held by those among whom he labored, and is a fitting tribute to a zealous and consecrated Christian:

"April 15, 1905.--Rev. H. L. Latham, Yamada, Ise.--My Dear Brother: Your kind letter of sympathy relative to Mr. Abe's death was indeed very thoughtful and kind of you. We all appreciate it very much. His fine wife appreciated it highly and may write to you at some future date. This new wife is the sister of a Shinto priest, but a very strong character. She bore up beautifully and was the recipient of praise, sympathy and admiration of all in Sendai. She is raised to the head of that family, and will surely be a strong and beautiful character to uphold this new honor. Mrs. Abe will continue her teaching at Fukushima Jo Gakko at a salary of yen 35 per month. All our prayers unite in true sympathy for her, because just four days before her marriage she was baptized a Christian. She is therefore young in this new life, but, we all think, very strong.

Since Professor Abe's return to Japan he had done fine and noble work. He was a rare man-gentle, meek, honest and faithful. He at first taught a Sunday Bible class in the large Sunday school of which I am superintendent. From a class of 8 to 10 he had, within nine months, increased the class to 50 and 60. Every person who associated with him was drawn closer to him, because he really loved to tell others about Christ and to win them over to him. At a memorial service at the home of Mr. Abe's mother a few evenings ago a well-known teacher and head of a large school here in Sendai attributed his new life to the influence of Professor Abe.

As you know, Mr. Abe was just married ten days prior to his death, and in his wedded life he certainly enjoyed himself. Just this morning a sincere Japanese man visited me and said that Mr. Abe and Mrs. Abe were 'ideal lovers, setting a pure example for all Japanese to follow.' This Japanese man told me also that before they were married the present Mrs. Abe made all Mr. Abe's Japanese clothing and often sent him gifts to Sendai, just as lovers in America attend each other. We all saw how much they loved each other, and to be separated so soon makes the burden so very heavy; yet 'underneath are the everlasting arms.'

Mr. Abe, because of his fine ability, was asked to go to a small town about five miles distant from Sendai, called Nanakita, to teach a Bible class every Saturday night and to hold Sunday school and preaching on Sunday morning there. He did so last week, and the students tell us that he spoke to them up to 12 o'clock last Saturday night and then went to bed, never to wake up again.

The direct cause of his death is diagnosed apoplexy, and every symptom showed it to be so. The cause for this is unknown. He was always healthy and seemingly strong. The sad but large funeral bore additional testimony to his noble deeds and strong and faithful life. Indeed, it was the largest funeral I ever saw in Sendai-i.e., Christian funeral. To show respect, nearly all who went to the church also went to the graveyard, fully three miles distant from the church.

You know him better that I do and can imagine the rest. Our hearts mourn him far more than words can express.

Again thanking you for your sympathy and kind letter, I am yours in Christ.

J. M. Stick."
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, May 18, 1905, pages 626-627.]

1899
March 31-April 1 & 3, 1899 - Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Slater, Saline county, Missouri
"The time having arrived to hear young men with a view to impressions in regard to entering the ministry, Bros. W. Harold Laine and Yoshibumie Abe presented themselves, and after an interesting interview were received as probationers for the ministry under the care of this Presbytery."
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 31-April 1 & April 3, 1899, page 8]

1899
Abe Yoshibumi, student, Marshall, Missouri
Candidate - New Lebanon Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 18-25, 1899, page 198a]

1899
September 22-23, 1899 - Stony Point, Morgan county, Missouri
Candidate absent: Yoshibuma Abe
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 22-23, 1899, page 2]

1900
March 9-11, 1900 - Pilot Grove, Missouri
Candidate absent: Yoshibuma Abe
Report on Examination of Candidates
"Your Committee on Examination of Candidates and licentiates would submit the following report:
All the candidates and licentiates, excepting Licentiate Cunningham, are in school pursuing either literary or theological studies--three of them in Missouri Valley College, one in Cumberland University, and three in the Theological Seminary of Cumberland University--and so far as we have definite knowledge, are doing faithful work. The special work assigned these has been done so far as we have been able to learn. Bros. Lain, Crockett, McCord and Miller prepared written discourses upon the texts assigned them by the committee. These have been examined, and corrections and suggestions made to the young brethren concerning mistakes in spelling, grammar and doctrines. All were examined upon the catechism of the Confession of Faith. Bro. Crockett passed a very satisfactory written examination upon the first five chapters in volume one of Beard's Theology. Bro. Cunningham, not being in school, was given the first year of the literary course prescribed the the General Assembly. On account of not being able to meet the committee at the time and place appointed for the examination, the committee has not been able to examine him on these studies.

Your committee recommend:
1. That Bro. Cunningham meet Bro. Margeson at the time and place they may select to be examined upon the studies which were assigned him to pursue.
2. That Yoshibumi Abe be licensed, and a committee be appointed to attend to the matter when it shall be convenient for hi to appear before it.
     E. E. Morris,
     B. Margesson,
     W. H. Black.
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 9-11, 1900, pages 1-2 & 20-21]

1900
Abe Yoshibumi - Lebanon, Tennessee
Candidate - New Lebanon Presbytery (Missouri Synod)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 17-24, 1900, page 213a]

1900
October 2-4, 1900 - Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Cooper county, Missouri
"The following was adopted:
By order of New Lebanon Presbytery, in session at Pilot Grove, Cooper county, Missouri, March 10th, 1900, Rev. W. H. Black, D.D., Rev. E. E. Morris and Rev. James Martin, members of said New Lebanon Presbytery, met in Missouri Valley College on the 31st day of May, in said year, and proceeded to license Yoshibumi Abe a candidate under the care of this Presbytery, to preach the Gospel of Christ, wherever God, in His providence, may cast his lot.
    W. H. Black,
     E. E. Morris."

"The following report of the Committee on Examination was adopted:
Your Committee on the Examination of Candidates and Licentiates would report as follows:
Candidates McCorkle, Tegler, Lain, Hail, Miller, Crockett, and Licentiate McCord, are students in Missouri Valley College. Candidate Sterling Galley is attending school in Sedalia. Licentiates Abe, Hunt and Baker are students in the Theological Seminary of Cumberland University, and J. N. Cunningham is engaged in the work of the Gospel Ministry within the bounds of the presbytery. Brothers Tegler, Abe and McCorkle prepared excellent written discourses upon the subjects and texts of Scripture assigned them. Brother McCorkle also passed a very satisfactory examination upon the Catechism of the Confession of Faith. Brothers Abe and Hunt also report that they have completed the work in theology given them to do by your Committee. The other young men will be examined at the next meeting of the Committee prior to the next meeting of the Presbytery, upon the work already assigned them in theology, and upon the additional work that will be given them later by the Committee.
     1. We recommend that a letter of dismission and recommendation be granted Brother T. N. Hunt, as per his request.
     2. In reference to Brother J. N. Cunningham, we report that we have submitted to him written questions in Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography and History to which he has given written answers. This examination has not been very satisfactory. We have had a frank and friendly conference with him with reference to his future conduct, and will assign him definite work in prosecution of his studies.
     E. E. Morris, Chm.
     W. H. Black
     B. Margeson.
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 2-4, 1900, pages 4-5 & 7]

1901
March 8-10, 1901 - Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Sedalia, Missouri
Licentiate absent: Yoshibumi Abe
"The following report from the Committee on Examination was adopted:
Your Committee on Examination of candidates and licentiates would report as follows: All of your candidates and licentiates are in college or theological seminary, excepting Bro. J. Newton Cunningham. Bro. Sterling Galley is attending the high school in Sedalia, from which he will graduate this spring. Bro, Yoshubumi Abe is attending the Theological seminary at Lebanon, Tenn.; Brothers Tegler, McCorkle, Lain, Hail, McCord, Miller, Crockett and McDowell, are attending Missouri Valley College. All those who are in school are making very good progress in their studies. Bro. Cunningham did the special work assigned by the committee and took the examination on the same. While the examination was not very satisfactory, yet he is to be commended for his willingness to do the work assigned him. We recommend that he be assigned the following literary and theological work: Meyer's General History; Barne's Complete Geography; Hill's Elements of Rhetoric and Composition, and Blake's Condensed Theology. Brothers Tegler and Lain and Hail have failed to do the work assigned them by the committee. Brothers McCorkle, McDowell, McCord, Crockett and Miller passed satisfactory examinations on the work assigned them. We ask that we be allowed to assign work to those candidates and licentiates not already given work to do.
                                                     Respectfully,
                                                                          E. E.Morris.
                                                                          W. H. Black,
                                                                           B. Margeson."
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 8-10, 1901, pages 1 & 8-9]

1901
Abe Yoshibumi - student - Lebanon, Tennessee
Candidate - New Lebanon Presbytery (Missouri Synod)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 16-23, 1901, page 271a]

1901
August 27-29, 1901 - Union Church - Pettis county, Missouri
Licentiate absent: Yoshibumi Abe
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 27-29, 1901, page 1]

1902
April 11-14, 1902 - Otterville, Missouri
Licentiate absent: Yoshibumi Abe
"The Committee on Examination of Licentiates and Candidates reported as follows and the report was adopted:--
That work was assigned all the candidates excepting W. B. Cowgill, Yoshibumi Abe, and Arthur Hail. Work was not assigned these because of their being without the bounds of the Presbytery--one in Japan, one in the Theological Seminary, and the other in unknown parts. Bros. D. McCorkle, W. L. Bone, D. S. Alexander, H. S. McCord, Geo. C. Miller, and Joel Crockett are students in Missouri Valley College where they are doing faithful and satisfactory literary work. On account of their college duties they have not been able to do much of the theological work assigned them. Brothers Bone, Miller and McCord stood a fairly good examination in the history of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Brothers McCorkle and Alexander prepared written discourses on the texts given them by your committee. Brothers Tegler, Gallie, and McDowell were students in Missouri Valley College a part of the time since your last meeting, but Bro. Gallie's eyes failed him and he was forced to drop out of school. Bro. McDowell's mother was taken very sick and on that account he was called to his home in Wyoming. It is his purpose to return to Missouri Valley College next fall. Brother Tegler has left school for reasons that have not been given to your committee. Brother Lain is out of school. He has not yet reported to your committee for examination. Brother Yoshibumi Abe will graduate from our Theological Seminary in May. We recommend that you appoint a commission consisting of Dr. W. H. Black, Revs. James Martin, J. W. Mitchell, and L. F. Clemmens, to ordain him to the whole work of the gospel ministry according to the requirements of the Constitution of the Confession of Faith. We further recommend that you license Brothers Joel Crockett and Geo. C. Miller, and that tomorrow afternoon at the conclusion of the missionary service be set as the time for their licensure, and lastly, we recommend that the funds contributed for education by your Educational Society and by all your congregations, excepting the Marshall, be at the disposal of your Committee on Examination for the use of your needy candidates and licentiates through the General Assembly's Board of Education, and that you recommend them to the favorable consideration of the vacant congregations within your bounds needing their services.
                                                    Respectfully,
                                                                          E. E.Morris, Ch'm.
                                                                          B. Margeson.
                                                                          W. H. Black."
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 11-14, 1902, pages 3, 11-12]

1902
Abe Yoshibumi - student - Lebanon, Tennessee
Licentiate - New Lebanon Presbytery (Missouri Synod)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 15-22, 1902, page 224a]

1902
September 9-11, 1902 - New Salem Church - Cooper county, Missouri
Not mentioned in minutes.

1903
March 24-26, 1903 - Marshall, Saline county, Missouri
Minister absent: Yoshibumi Abe
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 24-26, 1903, page 1]

1903
Abe Yoshibumi - student - New Haven, Connecticut
Minister - New Lebanon Presbytery (Missouri Synod)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 21-28, 1903, page 210a]

1903
September 15-17, 1903 - Harmony Church - Saline county, Missouri
Minister absent: Yoshibumi Abe
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 15-17, 1903, page 2]

1904
March 22-24, 1904 - Bunceton, Cooper county, Missouri
Minister absent: Yoshibumi Abe
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 22-24, 1904, page 2]

1904
Abe Yoshibumi - student - Japan
Minister - New Lebanon Presbytery (Missouri Synod)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 19-26, 1904, page 190a]

1904
September 20-22, 1904 - Highland Church - Cooper county, Missouri
Minister absent: Yoshibumi Abe
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 20-22, 1904, page 1]

1905
April 18-19, 1905 - Pilot Grove, Cooper county, Missouri Minister absent: Yoshibumi Abe
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 18-19, 1905, page 2]

1905
September 12-13, 1905 - New Bethlehem Church - Cooper county, Missouri
Yoshibumi Abe
"The following paper was adopted relative to the death of Yoshibumi Abe, who was an ordained preacher of this Presbytery:
This Presbytery has learned with regret, that Yoshibumi Abe died suddenly at his post of duty at Sendai, Japan, April 8th, 1905. He was a graduate of Missouri Valley College, and of the theological school at Lebanon. He did graduate work at Yale University, and was a successful teacher at Sendai, at the time of his unexpected death. He had been married only a short time before his death. We pray that the brief influence of this young brother may bring much good to the Kingdom of our Lord. He was in position to do great service, but it pleased the Lord to call him hence. We commend his young widow to the care of our heavenly Father and instruct the Stated Clerk to write her a letter of condolence, if he can learn how to reach her by mail at her home in Japan.
                                Wm. H. Black."
[Source: Minutes of New Lebanon Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 12-13, 1905, page 8]