The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-07-23
JAPAN.
Some Of the Pee uiiarities of the Coun-
try and People.

nome OF the Fec Oh the SOuns
try and People.
Rev. DR.. Brown, missionary to Japan,
gave in a recent sermon preached in Chi
cago some interesting statements in regard
to that nation, which is now attracting SO
much attention A brief abstract of the
address is appended:
We find in Japan people who date back
seven centuries before Christ-2500 years
from the present era. There has been but
one reigning family on the throne In all that
time. While ID other kingdoms the scep
ter passes into other hands, here is King
who is descendant of the King of seven
centuries before the Christian era. The
island of Japan looks small upon the map,
but it is great in reality. We call ourselves
great because, if we took a census, we
should have 40, 000, 600 people in our land.
The Japanese have as great population
to-day as we have, and they have the most
perfect system by which to take census
at any time. This most ancient of people
are but twenty days from us. They have
had written laws for 1900 years. They have
literature, and books on all manner of
subjects. They have had time to do the
best thing; and have done what no other
heather nation has ever accomplished. :
They are very polite, and from the noble
man to the peasant show much culture and
breeding. The writings of Confucius have
been translated from the Oh nese and tho
roughly studied. They have acquired
such degree of skill in many things as to
be unequaled by any people in the world.
The Japanese have keen intellects, and
can argue as clearly, and drive as sharp
bargain as any people in the world. And
here is mistake made by churches, in
haaoncn smart
enough to suit home congregation, he
will do for missionary to the heaten.-
They need as smart a man as we do.
The speaker was located at Yok ohama,
and there learned the Japanese language.
The people were very reticent about them
selves and their country, but ask all man
ner of questions concerning other people
and lands; they are inquisitive and employ
every means to learn, Their knowledge
of the outer world is also astonishing The
history of Washington is well-known, and
his memory is reyered by them.
Whenever the Governor of province
goes out he is attended by body guard of
armed men, who are in turn well watched
by others He visited the missionaries on
their arrival and desired to know what
thew wanted. He could not see what men
wished there if it was not money, and his
curiosity was great to see whatever the MIN
sters had brought with them from Amer
ica The piano excited great admiration.
Chinese books were particularly inquired
after, and Bible printed in the Chinese
language being shown the Governor, he
declared them to be Roman Catholics, who
were driven out of that country long ago.
continual visiting was kept up for the
purpose of spying out what the mission
ha Gnvar,, C.
desired that young men connected with the
custom house should be taught the Eng
lish language; but soldier was constant
ly present to see that they did not teach
Christianity. The guard could not, of
course, speak a word of English, and Chris.
tianity was taught. A few young men came
to get Bible primers; when next seen they
had carefully obliterated the word Chris
tianity" Their heads would have paid
the forfeit had it been seen. They are af-
raid of 1.-THE very name of Christianity
is o terror to them. No one can buy, sell,
or even live, if he is known to have any
thing to do with it.
At last the missionaries were permitted
to teach what they preached. Some hun
dred of them have been taught, and few
Of the n are of noble families and heads of
departments; so Christianity is getting a
foothold in the high places. The country
is divided into sections, each one being
governed by prince who has standin g
army of his own. Could these princes be
converted, how much good would there be
accomplished, as they have control of SO
many people?
There are now twenty japanese in this
country, sent here for an education by
princes, who pay all expenses. No other
country had done what this has within ten
years after its being opened to civilization.
The Emperor of Japan has ordered that six
young men be educated at his expense in
English-one in each of the principal pro-
| LESSONS. These men do not want to go
into the military, or other prote ssions, but
to preach.
In the year 1920 much happiness was oc-
casioned by the news that in the Sandwich
Islands the people had agreed to abolish
their idols Now 10000, 600 of heather
people were ready to receive the gospel. =
The Chinese Emperor has ordered that no
new Buddhist temple shall be erected, and
no decayed Buddhist dolrepaired in China.
The Chinese have decided that Buddhist
should no longer be the state religion.