Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-01-28
Christianity and sapam

Christianity and Sapan
During the last fey days convention Q!
diviaitg stndeots OF ihe Episcopal Church
has been in session in n, W York for the pur
pose Of stimulating the missionary spirit of
that communion. Among the subj acts dis
cussed was TIE Future of tho Church iD
Japan" Japan is not promising field fer
the sort OF missionary effort which these
jealous young men would encourage, In
1887, as the result of nineteen years.
work" there were only IS coo adult Pro
tes!ant Christians of all sect5 out Of pop
ulation of 35,000,000 The Japanese rsiuse
to take serious view CT Christianity, and q
great part Of them are of the same disc )si-
ton toward them own religion. Talk to
an educated man, and he will frankly tell
you that the Buddhist mythology is only
series Of old wivea' tales TO him, and that
all Intelligent japanese beli9VA ocly IN one
First Cause. Press him still further, and
his ideas Of religion differ liite from pure
aguosticism. Dogma and doctrine TO not
commend themselves TO his reasoning facnl.
ties The spirit Of religious Indifference
among the Japanese was manifested IN
rather amusing way at recent conferences as
to the adviea5ility of adopting new nation
al religion. MIR. Fukuzawa, we'll known
writer. was in favor of taking Christianity,
mot BECAUSE it is true, but because 1t lie the
creed of the most highly civilized nations,
and Japan should wear the same dress as
her neghbors with whom she desires to stand
we'll" Professor Toyama advocated chris-
tianity 80 improve music, and unite senti.
ment and feeling In harmonious ooopaTa-
tion." Mr. Ksto, president OF the Univer:l-
ty Of Toxic, was of the opinion that rell-
giou Is not needed for the educated" though
he urged religious teaching in the schools
because there is serious lack Of moral SEN
tment among the masses" But MIR. Sa-
guira contended that it would 5e useless to
devise or embrace any new religion, because
"the Japanese have no taste for rsli-
gion and can never become religious peo-
pie"
The circumstance that many Of the old
Buddhist temples of the country are falling
into decay would seem TO justify MIR. Sagui'
ras remark But Lord Eustace Cecil adduces
one striking proof that after all, religious
faith still exists as vital influence among
great numbers of the people. Ten years ago
the imposing Buddhist temple of the HoWg-
wauji sect at Kioto Was burnt down, ana
now it is rebuilding on e scale OF magn!h'
ceDce never before seen in Japan. Yet the
So 500 900 obtained for its construction since
the fire was collected not from the rich, be-
cause as class they do not exist, but from
the very poorest of the people, who live ID
mud huts hardly SO good as Irish cabins, anc
feed upon millet and rice. When he Ia
uuired as to 'some fifty ropes of thick, BLACK
- oaho nat m
and as big round as a pair Of stout lists
could grasp" which hung from one Of
the beams supporting the walls of the
new building, he was informed that they
were made entirely OF human lair. '"They
we're the offerings of the women OF Japan
who, too poor TO contribute money, han cut
off their black tresses as lit sacrifice toward
so holy an ohject;' and the quantity OF hair
showed that these woman must have num-
bered hundreds Of thousands. later such
a demonstration" es Lord Eustece says,
"the existence OF faith ia Japan, if only the
right cord was touched, needed no demon
stration.n But, so far, the Christian mia-
pionaries have not touched that chord.
When the japanese lose their old faith they
do not adopt new, but pass into the religi-
Gus indifference displayed at the conference
spoken of.
Yet Lord Edstace finds it difficult to
speak too highly of their present transitory
condition. "It is marked not only by uni
form courtesy, but by good behavior.
Neither swearing nor bad Language is to be
heard on the streets, nor is drunkenness or
immortality to be seen unless. sought for.
Everywhere civilty and polteness seemed
to be the rule among oil classes. not only to-
ward one another, but invariably and es-
pecially toward strangers. Thanks to a
good police and the natural aulabiiity Of
the people, crimes of violence and outrage
are scarcely known" Itappears, then, that
even if they do not adopt Christianity as
their formal religion, the Japanese are prac-
tising and displaying its viriues.-N. I. Sun
-o-cs---------
AYoice From the Executive Mansion.
Mr.. A. K. HAwKEs-Dear Sir: The pan
tiscopic glasses you furnished me aop1e time
since, give excellent satisfaction, l have
tested them by use. and must say they are
unequaled in ciearness and brilliancy by
any that I have ever worn. Respectfully, {,
JOHN B. GORDON.
Governor of State of Georgia.
G. fa6 b,-I