Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-12
A PLEASANT TALK
With Rev. Henry II. Rhses, q Missionary to
Japan

j. Rheea, OF Fourteenth street. A RRGIs-
TER reporter met Rev. Rhets ytste day,
and found him to be very genial gentle.
man. He and his wife have been mission
aries in Japan for the past eleven years,
going there under the auspices of the
American Baptist Missionary Union. whose
headquarters are at Boston. They have
been residing at Kobe for the past eight
years, the fret three of their stay being at
] Toxic.
Mr.. and Mre. Rhees bring back with
them two children-0ne a Jspsnese girl
aged eleven years, and the other an IRA
sian boy aged about six years. His father
was an Eoglishman and his mother Jap
anese. He is bright little fellow and his
name is Walter Georges. He is an orphan.
The girl, whose parents are both living, is
an interesting bit Of Japanese femininity,
and her name is Ysmamota TOra, which
translated would mean, tiger at the foot OF
the mountain. As Mr.. and Mrs. Rbees
have taken the children to raise they have
named her in Euglish Dora Y. Rhees, as
Tora can be figured out, by little lin
guistic science, into Dora. They are an
interesting couple.
"When did you arrive in the United
States ?" was asked of Rev Rhees.
"Well, we arrived at San Francisco on
November IL, but, as had many friends
in California, having preached their at one
time, We spent some tine among them.
We boarded the the Oceanic at Yokohama,
and when we arrived at San FraL cisco the
captain said we had beaten all previous
records on the same trip, placing the time
at 13 days and II hours, the former
record having been 13 days and 90 hours
| haven't been in Auerica since l left
eleven years ago, and it is quite treat TO
be back once mere"
"How is missionary work progressing in
Japan?"
"Just ahont as we'll ss could be ex-
pecled. | think many of the reports about
the progress of Christianity in Japan are
too highly -cOlored and give people false
idea about the true state of sfliirs. have
heard it said that Japan would be Chris
tianized in ten years, and understand that
a prominent divine made the statement
that there would be no more need for mis-.
sionsries there in ten years. Now, have
seen nothing that would lead me TO make
snch a statement as that. In fact, ! do
not believe Japan will be what We could
call Christian country in tie next half
century"
There is no doubt bat that the people
there are anxious 10 adopt Western Gus
toms and secure the advantages ef West
ern civilization. Bat have rolced that
they want to secure all the fruits Of Chris
tianity without adopting tie religion.
In the whole Japsne-e Empire we can
only count 1000 people whom we can
call Christians OF course there are meny
more who believe there ia only on God,
but they do not believe be IL the Savior
But, AZ said before, think we are max
ing very good progress. "
How are the schools over there?"
swell, they have q splendid graded
school system. la many Of the schools
they tays Christian teachers, and they are
doing good work. Generally japanese
children do not learn English readily.
They are people, / have found,
who approximate results rather than
reach their full significance and fleet,
and it ia this way with their EnRlish.
OF course there ere many exceptions TO
this rule In Kobe we have large girls
school which il self supporting. think
it has a roi. Of about 100 pupils, 100 Of
whom are boardels
Speaking of women, perhaps the women
OF japan have a higher place in society
than the women of any other heather ma.
tiou. The wOmsn's influence in tie tsmi-
ly and in business is prominent factor,
aud a special feature is the mother in .lsw's
power in the family. She rules the roost,
as it we're, ard all the jIkes the paragraph
ers can get of on her hold good az far a.
Japan il concerned. In all the smaller
stores and in the exchange shops you will
always find q woman the cashier. A man
may sell goods or negotiate an exchange,
but the woman handles the cash.
japanese are great readers, and all
their spare time is put in in this way. !
remember Of one instance OF being on r
train. There were fourteen in the car
thirteen OF whom were japanese end |
WAS the fourteenth. All Init two were
reading newspapers and, l was one Of the
two. Many of the railroads are owned by
the Government while others are owned
by corporations. There has been dispO-
sitiOu lately on the part of the Government
to sell their railroads 10 corporations, bat
they wanted TO let certain mobiles have
them and the people and newspapers
raised such o howl that they were com
PEELED to draw of,
Japan has q complete postal telegraph
system, and the rates are very reasonable,
although il comes higher when Eagish is
used. The offices are located right in the
p st flee bnildines, and il has proven a
success. The Government will rot allow
speculators to use the wires 10 gamble in
stocks, and there IL no bearing or bulling
the market there. Neither are there any
corners.
''The great ilood in Wakayama, which
Was more destructive to life and property
than the Johostown hJod washed away
thousands OF scres OF rice and IN attempt
was made 10 put up the price
of the article by those who held
great deal. Complaint was made
and the government investigated the mat
ter, and finding there was no necessity TO
advaBce tie price they forbade It. snd the
officials allowed no ole 20 eeii rice above
reasonable price"
Rev. Rhets talked entortainingly on
other mstters especially the Japanese
language, OF which he hsG made study
He expects TO remain in the United States
for year and hall ~ his hard work 10
Japan has affected his mental heath. He
will remain here until F'iday, when he
and Mrs Races 20 TO their home in New
Iersey.
CnNUInTEn