| Activity | The Loochoo Naval Mission was begun in February 1843 by a small group of naval officers, who wished to send a missionary to the Loochoo Islands (Ryukyu Islands) aiming thereby to reach Japan. When their application to CMS was refused the officers set up an independent fund and sent out Dr. Bernard Jean Bettelheim, who was succeeded by Rev. G. H. Moreton. When Moreton's health failed the mission came to an end. In 1861 the balance of the funds was given to CMS as a basis of support for evangelistic work in Japan, when that should be possible. CMS began work in Japan in 1869. |