New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-10
PROBATION md THE HEATHEN.
WHAT A MISSIONARY IN JAPAN SAYS.

The Eer Otts Cary IT, IN The Boston Journal.
American Christians know something OF the lmpor-
tant char ges that taking place IN Japan They
cannot however. realize az do those who are on the
ground the importance OF SEEING the present 'ppor
tunity Tor Fastening the eyanselzaton OF The land
The future OF Japan whether 1t shall be land OF Prot
estant Christianity OF Roman Catholicism, or OF mf-
deity depends largely on what shall be done during
the next few years
For a long time promising openings for new work
have pressed selves Oh the attention OF the mis-
sioraries Of the American Board. We have logged 10
enter fields that seemed he for the harvest have
frequently written earnest appeals that new men
hasten TO assistance we have prayed to the Lord
OF the harvest that He would send abOrers yet IN
stead o an increase OF force have death enter
our ranks We have sickness compel either the
temporary or the permanent withdTawa RON the 'ahd
of many OF company, until at the present time the
number of workers s less than was seven years ago
Then We had upon the ground seventeen male mIsson
aries TO-DAY have nut twelve. or, including those
OF the North Japan Mission. fourteen.
At last it seemed though our prayers TO God and
our entreates to men were about 10 be answered We
heard that there III OF the theological SEMI
naries several students whose attention had been
strongly drawn to our field We trusted that 1t was
the Lord the harvest who had called them, and our
hearts filed with JOY new disappointment
awaited up We hear that some perhaps all, OF these
men whom speak will not be allowed to come to
Is II because they were not called oil OOd IDat
reason has been given. L. II because the condition
OF Japan has changed that there need of their
help On the contrary we have, during the last two
or three months by letters and kilograms sgnited to
the Board that must a. once have help IN order TO
take up work which the officers OF the Board have
come Reports which apparently well attested
cav that been rejected because they believe
that heather who do not hear Of Christ IN this lite may
have future probation.
The present writer is not believer In the new
theory 1t has seemed 10 him that one serious objec
ton 10 that its acceptance would keep back men
from engaging IN missionary work. That argument Is
taken away, or rather II Is turned against those
who offer II tor II reports are true 1t Is those who deny
future probation who keep men back IRON mission
fields. Those who doing this doubtless acting
under the very best motives but do they realize the
fearful responsibility that they are assumng1 II
those Of US who hold by tie old theories correct
then these millions OF japanese have only this lie in
which 10 obtain salvation and IN all human prot aoil-
ity the keeping back of men who desire to preach to
them the gospel will prevent many thousands from
bearing u before they die
Ii. all things considered. the interests OF Christs
Kingdom demand such course. let IL be taken but let
II first be thoroughly real zed what sacrifices
are involved Ii our theory and the practical results
that Will come from vigorously upholding ii, are
worm more these thousands of souls for
whose salvation Christ died worth more
than the speedy evangezaton OF Japan worth
more knan the peace and unity OF the Congregational
Churches; worth more than the prosperity Of 1he
Board, which must suffer evils If lie constituency
divides on THIS question thsn let push our theory
even 10 the extent OF losing all these tbngs wb,cb
Of such nestimaole vare only let US before We
do ii. cit down. or rather stand lace face with
perishir world, and count the cost.
For one the writer OF this article is ready provoad
the rejected her respects, satisfactory 10
stand shoulder 40 shoulder with them in advnncing
against a common Zoe lie Is assured. too. thar most
OF has associates sill gladly co the same. II 10 TO
see how who makes the theory OF future proba-
ton such hobby that he must always be arguing the
question might Introduce element of dIscord that
would diminish ruther than increase our strength
Ne should be sorry 10 have such person come just
Ms should regret the coming OF OF those advo
Gates oil the older views Who always dOnning the
paint would spend their time aud strength III attack
Ing the AndOVer theology
Those shO hold the view concerning future pro-
patton ~ only theory OF subsidiary Importance, and
who arr ght the enemy that they
stop 10 hight their brethren could be useful alhes
whom cannot Ia the pre~ent crisis afford reject
~ the very least men ought not be kept back fro m
Us simply because they affirm that this Bible
pos tiyely settles the question leave the
Iess ground foF hope that there may be future OPP
portunity tor thoss WHO. IN this lie never hear OF
CausG