The New York herald., 1879-07-06
GROWTH OF CHRISTIAN UNION In
JAPAN.

AN INTERESTING RECORD MISSIONARY con-
FERENCE TO BE HELD A FEW WEEKS HENCE.
The Rev. r.. Henry Davis. writing from Kobe.
Japan, to the Church Union of this city. says the
missionary who has been longest in the country,
with a single exception. had not heard prayer in
the Japanese language about seven years and a-half
ago. But now there are missionaries of the Greek
and Latin churches and of the Methodist, Baptist,
Congregational. Reformed Dutch, both English and
American Episcopal, and OF two branches of the
American Presbyterian churches. and perhaps few
other smaller denominations. All these have won
this hearts of Of this people to faith
and love. But 1t has been something of puzzle to
the Japanese to know how many Chrsts these mis-
sionaries from America. England. France and Ger
many are bringing to them. And that their minds
may not be too much confused and their hearts
hindered from the of the zone faith" in the
zone Lord and themselves kept from tho recep-
ton of the zone BAPTISM" the missionaries have
been driven to more or less unon--Christian union
If not church union. There two or three ex-
hibltions OF this union spirit among the mission
aries. and one very marked example, even stronger.
among the Japanese Christians.
The translation OF the Bible is example of this
union among the laborers. The Greek and Latin
missionaries of course will not work with Protes-
tants but hve OF the principal Protestant denom-
inations at work here have had for several years
translation committee OF one man from each-the
Testament. This work has thus been nearly fnis
each book being published by the American Bible So
cety its translation accomplished They expect
thus q complete New Testament within year. This
committee has done its work ut Yokohama. And in
view Of the expected early completion of its work
convention all the Protestant missions was called
and met at Toxic last summer to make arrangements
for the translation of the Old Testament. 1t was
decided to divide this into numerous sections and
assign one or of these to a committee of mis-
sonarics residing each mission station care being
taken that these committees should be composed as
far possible of missionaries belonging different
churches.
TRANSLATION THE SCRIPTURES.
In good time. therefore, tho whole OF the sacred
Scriptures will DO rendered into the Japanese Lam
guage and represented by version as free from de-
nomnationaism rs the version of King James
n contamination greatly to be desired and prayed
for.
Another evidence OF the growth of this union i'm
spirit well in work, Mr. Davis SAYS is found In
the mutual use OF the same building by Episcopal
and non-Epscopal missionaries alternately Tor
English services. And In case either party
wishes To use the house twice in sue
ccsson permission is readily obtained OF
the other. ana public notification OF such change
There also union organization sed OF these
missionaries. who represent the English and Ainer-
can Episcopal churches. the Congrep atonal and
Cumberland Presbyterian churches of America aud
one Evangelical German society. The meetings of
this organization held quarterly and the object
of 1t is the discussing any question pertaining to
the evangelization OF Japan. The spirit OF these
meetings is very refreshing and fratcrnal,
indeed. to one who in moro than half
States never had the pleasure OF being recognized a.
a minister of the Gospel by any Episcopal clergy
man, though several OF this class are recorded among
his personal friends.
There il also some kind OF a plan whereby the dif
together. supporting ono theological school and
carry ing on other CHRISTIAN efforts an common Thoir