The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-23
FOR EnE CESrnAL PnEsszrERIAN.
MODERN MISSIONS.
JAPAN.

i
ment and the United States, that vast en-
pire had been for centuries shut out, almost,
from all the world. By that treaty our peo-
pie were allowed to trade at three points
only. Moreover, to these places might our
missionaries preach, and then to our own
people only. By a long established law, the
Japanese who changed religion was put to
death. The delegation from that country
to this, few years after the treaty, entered
no house of worship while in our dOminions,
nor would they talk upon religious subjects.
But 10, tse c. sngeI The leaven thus put
within the mass fermented soon, and has
Vegmsnsed eVer since. Ia lsSs, the Prime
Minister of one of the deputy kings, and his
brother, son and physician, were hopefully
brought to Christ. These facts, on being
reported to the Royal Deputy, led him not
only to read the Scriptures but to send his
Minister to the missionary, requesting him
to come and reside at his (the Deputy's) cap
ital, and establish schools throug ghout his
dominions. A son of Rev. Rufus Clark, of
Albany, N. Y, sailed for Yokohama, in Ja-
pan, in October, 1871, with chemical ap-
paratus, to teach natural science and other
branches. This was from an advantageous
offer by the government. Mr.. Clark has
since entered upon the duties of his Office,
with the privilege of teaching religion also.
Another distinguished clergyman Whose
name is not remembered has since been To-
Gated at another point, for a similar purpose,
and with like privilege. In 1872, several
hundre Japanese youth were sent to this
country to be educated, and then return.
All their expenses are paid by the govern
ment, except in a few cases where the pa
rents pay it. Late political broils have
somewhat interrupted this arrangement, but
it is to be hoped that they will soon subside.
In the midst of all however. the gospel has
had free course to run and be glOrifed, and
Christianity, with but little interruption, is
tolerated, and sometimes encouraged largely
over the empire.
AFRICA.
Let us look at Africa next. In Egypt
the United, and Associate Presbyterians
have Presbytery, but of how many men,
bers l do not know. They have tWenty.One
organized churches, in which there are 655
eommuning members. In their schools there
are 29S pupils. These native GhristisnF
gave S2,952 to support the gospel among
them last year.
In South Africa, 10000 communicates
have been gathered into organized churches,
and in western Africa, $4,000. Ethiopia
then also stretches forth her hands unto God.
Psalm xviii: 81.
THE ISLANDS.
But "the islands shall wait for his law,
lisa. xiii: 4. In 1920, or about that time,
the gospel was introduced into the Sandwich
Islands. 1t was a very remarkable prOvi-
dence which opened up the way; but pass
that over. Fifty-fve thousand natives have
been gathered into churches, by the missiona-
aries. Of these, IL. 900 still survive. In Hi
loon on the island Hawaii, single church has
a membership of 1850. The Christians on
these islands, besides supporting their own
ministry, give annually about $4,000 to
send the gospel to the heather; and yet fifty
years ago they were themselves heather in
the lowest sense, with language not then
written.
In the South Sea, and Friendly Islands
the people fifty years ago were as degraded
as in the Sandwich Islands, and all idolaters.
But the gospel was carried there, and see
the change! Their church membership is
more than 100000 They have eight hun
dred preachers of their own. The churches
not only support their Own worship, but send
a number of missionaries to other islands.
The FIJI Islands are in number about
eighty. The population is about 100000.
Thirty years ago these people were cannibals.
They would eat all the seamen wrecked upon
their shores that they could catch. A few
years ago, an American vessel from Vancou-
vers Island, on the Pacific coast, was wrecked
at sea. The crew took to the boat, and,
after drifting some hundreds of miles, reached
one of these islands. On finding where they
were, they gave themselves up for lost
Wandering about on shore, one of them
found Bible. 81 say jack" said he to
companion, calls right, Christianity is here.
We will all be saved" And so they were.
In 1885, Christian, missionaries reached
those islands. In thirty years One-half of
the population had the Bible in their own
language. They have now 25,OeO church
members-many of their preachers are of
their own people. There are thirty-seven
thousand pupils in Christian schools"
"Nations the learned, and the rude.
Are by these heavenly arms subdued."
Madagascar is large island, south Of
Africa. 1t has a population of four and
half millions. The gospel was introduced
into it in 1918. Not long after the language
was reduced to Writing-the Bible was trans
lated, and it, and other books were printed
In short time a number of the people be.
came converted to the Christian faith. The
King, however, who had been great friend