The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-17

lOI CldSS-SO VIC WClO
are other things which indicate the decay OF
the feudal system in Japan. Formerly
Daimio was not permitted to travel unless he
was attended by large retinue. Now he
may 90 about unattended Then the people
were required to PROSTATE themselves before
a Daimo, as he passed along. This also is
done away. So it seems likely that feudal-
ism, which was so many years in passing
away in Europe, will in this land melt away
in few years.
: EFFORTS TO REVIVE THE sINToo RELIGION.
The new government Of Japan has been
making efforts to revive the Sintoo religion,
which is the ancient religion of the country,
but which has long been overshadowed by
Buddhism. The Sintoo is associated with
the old regime, when, as now, the Mikado
was the acknowledged head of the empire,
and some of the Sintoo heroes are reported
to be ancestors of the Mikado line The
present Mikado has accordingly given orders
that in the temples where the Buddhist and
Sintoo worships have been combined, the
Buddhist shall be discontinued. When we
were at Hiogo. Mr.. Ballagh told us that the
people of that place had been in great ex-
element not long before, on account of
report that the gods had rained down gifts
from heaven, and the Sintoo temples were
crowded, and costly offerings were made. MIR.
B. thong hit the government was at the bottom
of it. From the little we have been able to
learn of the Sintoo religion, it seems to be
one of the least debasing of the heather su-
perstitions. Though they worship lords many
and gods many, they do not use images in
their worship. When we were at large
Sintoo temple at Hiogo, a little boy who was
showing US the place, son of the Sintoo
priest, asked Mr.. Ballagh where his God
lived; and on Mr. Ballagh's replying. Sin
heaven" the little fellow said that his god
lived there too. At this temple, the people
worshipped before q shrine containing
mirror and piece of paper. The mirror is
the symbol of pure conscience, and the god
is imagined to come down to the paper to
hear prayers. On one SIDE of the court OF
this temple was building containing a
| wooden horse. with his head bent down to q
trough, in which offerings are put. This,
perhaps, has something to do with the heroes
who are associated with the Sintoo worship.
Quite number of persons came to worship
while we were visiting the temple. Each one
strikes the gong, which hangs in front of
the shrine to attract the attention of the
god, then bows his head for moment, claps
his hands, and passes on. A number Of
pieces of fortune-telling paper were tied to
the lattice-work of the shrine. A cabinet
of drawers containing these papers stood by
the shrine, and the inquirer, after paying a
small sum of money, drew his paper by lot.
These are then tied up as mementoes before
the god. But these are all sad details to
those who know what it is to be assured of
their fortune by the faithful and true Witness.
POPULATION OF JAPAN.
In regard to the population of Japan, DR..
Hepburn was of opinion that it has been
exaggerated. He said there are considerable
districts of country, especially in the region
north of Jeddo, that are almost without in
habitants. His own estimate of the popula-
ton is fifteen millions. The highest estimate
he heard, he said was that of Sir Harry
Parkes, the English Minister, who puts it at
twenty millions. Jeddo has diminished very
much in population within q few years past.
Ten years ago it was estimated to contain a
million and half of people. Now the popu-
Iation is about third of this. The absence
of the Daimios, with their families and re-
tainers, and of many who drew support
from their presence at the capital, combined
with the insecurity caused by the civil war,
has greatly depressed Jeddo, while it has
built up Yokohama. A number of the ma,
tives have sought refuge under the shadow
of the British and French forces which are
now stationed at the latter place; and it is
conjectured by some that Yokohama will be
before many years the chief city in this part
of Japan. We saw great number of Sec
= i Il g. l. II Il
Yokohama, which we understood were brought
into market by the breaking up of house
holds in Jeddo.
MORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF JAPANESE.
All that We saw Of the Japanese increased
our interest in this people. And surely
they deserve the pity of all Christians
Though we were prepared to find the vices
which are common to the heather among
them, We were not prepared to meet the
great degradation which does actually ex
list. We should judge that few, if any, even
among the heather nations, have so far lost
all sense of shame as the japanese. They
confess that there is no virtue among them;
and as it is daily occurrence for both sexes
to battle promscuously in their lighthouses,
all open to the street, you may well believe
what corruption exists among them, and how
many there arc who receive in themselves
the recompense of their error which is meet.
NATURAL SCENERY.
Of the beauty of the Japanese islands you
have often heard. We passed through the
inland sea in going from Yokohama to Maya