The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-04-20
THE ISLES OF THE SEA.

We are struck with the fact that while
infdels are active in trying to overthrow
Christianity in it's old seats, the teach
ings of Jesus are quietly spreading over
the whole world, taking root and pene-
trating where they were never intro
duced before. This is wildly illustrated
by an article before US from the Japan
Gazette of March 18th, giving an account
of the visit of the King of Hawaii to a
japanese church in Yokohama. 1t seems
that about ten years ago the converted
heather of Hawaii sent the sum of 81 900
to build the first native Christian chapel
in Japan The members of this church,
the king of Hawaii being in Yokohama
were anxious to give expression to him
of their thanks for this donation, and &C
cordingly he was invited to visit the
church, which he did on the 10th Of
March. The king was received at "the
station" by DR.. w. T. Gulick on behalf
of the church, and escorted in private
carriage to the church, where he was met
by the church officers, and conducted
with his attendants to a seat on the pull
pit platform. 1.-THE word ALoRA," we
are told, in evergreen capitals on the
rear wall of the pulpit, the Hawaiian
Christian salutation, Love be to thee /
brought a thrill Of JOY to the members OF
the royal party" The Introductory ad-
dress was then made by DR.. Gulick, who
stated that the $1,000 donated by the
native Christians of Hawaii, with addi-
tional amounts from private sources, had
provided them with the use, free of all
expense, of this beautiful house of God
in which we are now assembled, and in
which for upwards of four years past we
have steadily worshipped." DR.. Gulick
stated that he held in his hand reli-
gious paper published at Honolulu which
made grateful mention Of the presence of
his majesty at the recent dedication of
the first Chinese church in Honolulu
an edifce which cost $4,000, one half
of which sum was the contribution of
Chinese converts, and the remainder OF
friends in Japan. Dr. Gulick then pre-
sented to the king the Rev. Okuno Ma
satsuna, who delivered an address to the
king in japanese, which was translated
into English by the Rev. Ikuba Kachi-
noske. Among other things in this ad-
dress occurs the following passage:
We have heard of the great success which has
attended the preaching of the gospel in your
dominions, but the cause of Christianity as vet
with us is in its infancy Yet we are happy to
tell your Majesty of more than 10 churches and
1000 Christian believers. We hope also the
day is not far distant when we in turn shall
send our missionaries to other islands and coun-
tries to proclaim the glorious gospel Of the bless
ed God.
As triAing token of our high respect for
your Majesty we humbly present your Majesty
with a copy of the New Testament in our Ian
guage and pray that the high degree of liberty
and advanced national prosperity which has
been the blessing Of those nations where this
book has had its widest influence may be more
and more fully enjoyed both by your Majesty
people and ours
The king replied, in which he said:
l feel very much gratiied for this exchange
OF love, not only between Hawaii and japan as
nations, but also between the Christians of
my country and yours / shall ever consider
this estimable gift Of the Christians of Japan, as
valuable memento Of my visit to this coun-
try and do not doubt it will be very crafty
ing to the Christians Of my kingdom when re-.
turn, and when / show them the present you
have given me to-day. The Christian religion
is the prevailing religion of my people, and |
hope the liberal spirit Of the imperial sovereign
Of japan, and your labors--tbe labors Of the