The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-08-04
JAPANESE MISSIONS.
INTERESTING INTERVIEW WITH
REV. BRYAN GRINNAN.

take an active interest in missionary
matters. Ii is certainly one which de-
servedly receives all the attention TN at
can be given il. In fact, 1t Il a ques-
ton that the steady going part oil our
population have. from time to time,
eiven means and mental contribution.
Very few. however. of those who
| have Rugged the idea Of eDlIghtening
the ignorant in pagan lands have come
down. 10 minute details. 10 order TO
do this it might be necessary 10 meet
missionary. a man sent out from these
broad limits Of freedom. where all are
permitted to worship God according to
I their faith. and where the grand doc
iripes Of glorious truth have become so
general that we sometimes fail TO be
thankful enough for such rich blessings
and overlook them.
TALK WITH A MISSIONARY.
II was lust such ideas that crept into
/ the mind of TINES reporter when he
Yesterday saw Rev. Bryan Grinnan.
/ who for some time has been deyOting
/ his time and service for the benefit of
the inhabitants Of japan. Mr.. Grin
nan is "a man Of medium build. pleasing
features and youthful appearance. lie
would be about the last man IN Ken
mOnd that would be taken for mis-
sionary-t that is 10 say, taking busl-
ness view OF him. But he has been IN
japan. as a Presbyterian minister, and
he has done faithful work there. lie
is well posted in Church matters over
there. and his statements are exceed
ingly interesting.
lie told the TINES man that he had
been living at KOchi. 400 miles from
Toxic. and that he had been surprised
at the eagerness of the japanese to EN-
brace Western customs. The people
were eagerly anxious to have the Eng
lish language spread over the land ana
they hailed any effort to do this with
the greatest delight.
what are the educational advan-
tages in respect to carrying out tins
idea Of becoming acquainted with West
ern ideas - was asked.
so far as school books are concern
ed. it will astonish you when tell you
that Swinton's History. Spencer So
GEOLOGY. Maury's Geography, McGuf-
fev's series. and other text books with
which you are familiar. are eagerly
sought for, and obtain prominence IN
the schools.
"Wnl you please cay what sort OF
system Is followed
"Tney have perfect system. begin
ming with the kindergarten aud end
ing with the Great Superior System.
How many scholars are there. Mr..
Grinnan. in these schools Z"
I'm the elementary schools there are
20,0OO.'
DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.
There are, however, " said Mr.. Grin
nan. two kinds OF schools. One Is
called the lower and the other the up
per school. aud classed collectively
there are over 100000 pupils in all.
+ There are We middle schools. and they
correspond to under college schools.
and all the sciences are taught IN these
schools; that is. just such sciences as
we are taught here in America. In a
great number of these schools the Ian
I guages are tau sht. aud the price IS COM
mensurate with the ability of the COM
munity 10 pay
DO these people like our literature
"Why. they are great admirers OF II.
/ II would surprise you. and l want TO
say that Just here good point could be
raised. Just as soon as a nation be-
comes progressed with the literature
of foreign country. just 50 soon will
/ il at once begin to asslmulate with that
country i'm matters Of trade. and there
IS the point that our people IN consider
ing missionary work should dwell
upon. Japan is not what IT used to be .
and the United States-thanks TO mis-
sionary efforts-have made decided
and favorable impression over there.
All that is necessary is to continue the
good work. -
ABOUT CHANGES.
GLOW will this affect the govern
meuty'
Il can say this. liberal ideas have
forced the government TO make changes.
An entering wedge sticks. which
Will open up the country TO more
liberal views. 1t cannot be dis
puted that great changes are being
wrought. la fact, the japanese regard
the missionary as a great educator
/ must say, however. that there is a
strong reaction against foreign inter.
polati0n, and yet 1t is a healthy one.
For instance, all court officers
on state occasions. appear IN full UNI
form. but this does not work change
against us. for the reason that. in my
Judgment. a too rapid change would
not do. The Emperor Of japan has
eleven wives, but the law gives them
the privilege of divorce. merely by dis
sent.
"Of the population of Japan. what i
the number of protesting Christians -
The population OF Japan in round
numbers is about 80 600 geo. OF this
number there are now $4,000 protesting
Christians
How many students at the Imperial
University at TOkiOS'
There are at least 700 students: and
| will say that this university was
founded by the government, and there
Just such sciences, &c. are taught as
are here.
Mr.. Grinnan came over from Japan
and arrived here on the 9Th of June.
lie has done good work as representa-
tive of the Southern Presbyterian
Church here.
TIE npDLAM ACNtIIM pONS