The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-04-18
For the Central Presbyterian.
Reforms and Changes in Japan

Among other reforms and changes the
cause of Temperance is making hopeful
progress in Japan. There is in Tokyo
a Woman's Temperance Association
which has membership Of $50. They
have recently published treatise on the
evil of the use of intoxicating drinks, and
a fourth edition of l 500 copies was re-
quired in the first month. The Lectures
of Mrs. Leavitt have also been published,
and are having wide circulation.
The Yokohama Temperance Society
has over 100 members. The most OF
them are officials connected with the To-
cal government, the prison, and the po-
lice department. Only portion of them
are Christians, but they are accustomed
to meet very often to study the Scrip
lures, and they are collecting money for
the purpose of establishing school for
the poor. On the 18th OF February the
first public meeting was held at the
Union church in Yokohama. 1t is es-
timated that there were about 600 peo-
pie at the meeting, and it was regarded
as a great success.
A temperance society has been estab-
lished at Sapporo on the Island of Yesso,
and there are $50 members. They have
adopted a badge, and are very Jealous in
trying to impress upon others the evil of
strong drink. Not all of them are Chris
tians; for there are many others who
have been convinced that the use of
strong drink is agreat evil and hindrance
to the progress of their nation.
An extensive brewer at Mishima was
for long time DESTROYS of becoming a
Christian, but did not feel that he could
continue his business and serve God at
the same time. After long and severe
struggle he closed his brewery and gave
the large and costly building to be used
as church, and the upper story has
been converted into school room for girls
A committee has been formed in Tokyo
for the purpose of establishing a White
Gross Society in Japan. The chairman
of the committee is Bishop Bickesteth, of
the English Church, A meeting was
held in the rooms of the Chamber of
Commerce at Yokohama on the 18th of
February, to explain the object and
methods of working of the White Gross
Societies
A good number were present; and it is
hoped that this effort may help to pro-
duce change in the habits and lite of
many in the East. A considerable part
of the residents here, being away, from
the restraints of Christian homes and re-
ligious influences, adopt the low and de-
basing system of morals that prevails in
these corrupt and heather lands. This
is one cause of the bitter hatred and op.
position to missions that is met with
among those who visit or reside in the
East Those who abandon themselves
to the Goddess customs that prevail
around them do not like to meet even the
silent reproof of pure and holy lives.
Two or three persons living in the town
of Furnich invited native evangelist to
come there and teach the people So
man went there In July last and preached.
1t was the first Christian service held in
that place. About 100 persons were
present and it was arranged that ser.
vices should be held there every month.
But whenever there is Christian
preaching the Buddhist priests raise the
question, how shall we defend ourselves
and keep out this religion that has come
here to destroy our influence and take
away our support.
So at this place Buddhist lecture was
appointed for the next day, and it was
intended to oppose, and, if it was posi-
BILE, destroy whatever influence the
Christian teacher had gained.
But the night before some thief broke
into the temple and stole all the gold or
naments from the idol, and it had to be
repaired before there was any further
service Such an act quite astonished
the priests and demonstrated to the
people the foolishness of idolatry.
When it became generally known to
the inhabitants of the place they came to
look with contempt upon the Buddhist
religion on account of its inability to pro.
tect its gods from destruction, and their
spoliation became matter of general rid
icule.
Thus many of the people have been
awakened from the dream of the past
and now seek that religion which they
understand to be not only true but ne
oessary for their highest happiness.
In imitation of what is being done by
the missionaries, the Buddhist priest at
Hikone mas established what is called a
Young Mems Education Society," The
object of this is to instruct the young
boys in the teachings Of the Buddhist
Scriptures, and in this way prepare them
to oppose the doctrines which the Chris
tians teach.
One Of the best and most influential
newspapers IL Japan has recently pub
"a 4 a