Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-05-27
CHILDREN IN JAPAN.

political and social condition, and there
is much interest awakened in our coun-
try about these things, | have seen moth
ing written concerning the children of
Japan. Perhaps the juvenile readers of
the Christian Weekly would like to hear
something about them, from one who
looks upon these little ones with the
deepest compassion, and with longing
desire that they may soon share the
blessings of those who are born in Chris
tan lands.
In the first place there are more chill
dren in this country than in any other, |
believe-that is the proportion is larger
they literally SWARM on every side.
There are multitudes that seem very
poor, but as begging is forbidden by law
in all the cities and towns, we cannot
tell just how needy they are. A large
number of the children one sees here are
very much diseased-sore eyes, sore
heads sores all over them, make them
look very repulsive but then we know
they cannot help this, and we therefore
pity them, and would gladly do some
thing to relieve them if we could. Poor
food, poor houses to live in, scarcely any
clothing, even in bitter cold weather,
are generally the causes, and it is sad
to know that they are deprived of all
these comforts, and then must suffer from
such bodily ailments too.
Yet, with all their ignorance, poverty,
and disease, they are good-tempered,
quiet, and polite. The poorest and
most miserable looking ones have ever
seen, will not receive the smallest favor
without very low bow, and touching
the back of the right hand to the fore
head, which is their way of expressing
thanks [ often think they are an ex-
ample in all these things to many of the
more favored children of cultivated,
christian homes.
Their dress, when they wear any, is
very odd. l will not attempt to describe
it, but their little shaver heads are the
funniest things that can be imagined
From their birth till they are five years
old, till which time they never have any
name given them, all the children must
have their heads shaved, and the varie
ty of ways in which this is done, shows
great deal Of ingenuity. Some have
little spot of hair about the size of /;
silver dollar left right upon the top O.
the head, all the rest clean and smooth
as the face. Others rim like fringe
around the head some small lock Of
hair hanging over each ear; others small
spots all over the head. Altogether
they are the queerest looking little PEG
pie that can be found.
Yet it is not these things that NOV
my heart, as l meet them constantly
1t is not these things that would hav
impressed upon the minds of the dea
children in my own native land whc
may read this, but the one fact tina
among all these millions of children
there is not one who knows anything o
the loving Savior, the precious bible
the quiet Sabbath of rest, the pleasan
Sabbath-school, the sweet songs ant
hymns that cheer and instruct the mind
of christian children.
They never sing; they do not hav
any happy festivals, or Christmas-tree
nothing indeed that is so much enjoy
ed by the dear children in America. Ye
they have precious souls, they hay
, minds that are capable of being laugh
, and what is very encouraging many {
the people here are beginning to feel tn
Importance of educating these children
and need the help of christian people
$ do it. This is great and blessed wor
and confidently expect that the chi
o dren of our Sabbath schools at home al
$ to do great deal to help in it.
Sometime [ hope to tell them son
+ facts that will make them willing, gla
to help in such cause One little il
S cident only, will mention now. A fe
e months ago l went with some friends
: visit large temple, where there a
: great many idols. A great crowd
h children followed us to its door, and as
|. looked upon them and felt so sorry f
n their ignorance and misery, | said to Il
= friends, 'Let us sing some Sabbat
n school hymns for them" So we sto'
upon the porch Of that great heath'
temple and sang for them our own bea
d tiful hymns, Jesus Loves Me-" THE
n is a Happy Land" and several other
,e and such a wondering, delighted croy
re of miserable little objects never we
( seen together. 1t was the first til
IS probably that they had ever heard
r note Of singing. Oh how we did pr
to that soon there might be many not on
to listen but to join in these sweet son
We of praise Christian Weekly.
CHRISTIAN FRATERNITY.-The 81