The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-03-07
From the Illustrated Christian Weekly,
A Christian Literature for Japan.

OSAKA, December 30lh, 1876.
AZ meeting Of the Japan Mission of the Amer
lean Board, held in Osaka. December 2Sth, 1876
the following resolution was unanimously passed
{" Resolued That we ask the Prudential Com
mittee TO lay before the officers of the American
Tract Society our present opportunity to rapidly IN
crease the religious literature of Japan ard to ask
for an additional grant of one thousand five hun
dred dollars for the work Of 1877"
The reasons, simply and briefly, are these:
There never was better opportunity fO'
giving to a great nation sreliglous literature
than that which We are facing now. These
80, 900, 900 people are having every other
kind of literature poured in upon them; sci
ence and history are being translated, but
when it comes to religion, some one says
Heaven must be astonished to see how little
of religious literature has been scattered
among this people during the fifteen years
missionaries have been in Japao." We have
cast about US to see what is to be done; and
we see that God has brought to our very
doors body Of young men, earnest workers,
who are already cOnsecrated by promise and
work, to spend their lives for Christ; these
young men are unusually we'll educated in
both religion and science; and since they
speak English are pr(Gnitently fitted both to
translate and to express In the best way
whatever we desire to publish. If we can
use these men, taking ouly small part Of
their time, we can in one gear put more COS
pei truth 10 the book stores and homes of this
nation, than has been done in the past fifteen
years.
1t seems to US to be an opportunity that
should fill the Christian s0Orld Wth Jog. 1t
may seem strange to you that we did not
foresee this great opportunity in May last,
when We asked for only $500. We confess
to our short-sightednesS without heSitation;
God is making his work fairly to run and to
be glorifed; there is not missionary on the
ground but is surprised to see place after
place not only opening to our solicitation,
but strangers are inviting Us miles and miles
into the interior to hear ABOUT this way: three
churches and over fifty places where the Cos
pei is preached weekly, in city where a
year ago not native was proclaiming Christ,
show our own surprise as we'll as joy. Thirty
Christian young men, who have braVed threats
and IMPROVEMENTS, and some Of them, even
peril Of life, for this way, landed at our doors
and ere ready to take any work for Christ
that we can advise, not asking cent of money
from us. All this shows coming of the
kingdom that we had not looked for. And
when we feel that We missionaries can multi
ply ourselves hundred.fold by using these
educated persons, not only as preachers, but
IS writer's, to give books to thousands they
can never reach in any other way, we have
no hesitation in saying that the $500 we
asked for last May, should now be $2,0
Briefly, then, (1) the best use Of ourselves;
~ the best use Of the means God has given
us; and 81 the endless needs of these people
who are feeding on skepticism and at the
same time calling on US to put forth the truth
if we have any-demand instant action. We
ask for strenth to meet the challenge; you
can help US; and may God give you the heart
to do so. Truly yours,
]. II. De FOREST.
In transmitting and urging this appeal
Rev. Dr.. Clark, Secretary of the American
Board, says: "The rapid development Of the
missionary work in Japan is almost incredi.
bic. It is wholly without precedent in any
of our missionary fields. 1t would seem that
japan is to be our Madagascar, and at no
distant day. We hope, therefore, that you
will see it practicable to comply with the re-
guest of Mr.. De Forest"