New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-16
PRESBYTERIANISM IN JAPAN
REPLY TO SATORI KATO'S REJOINDER
TO DIR. IMBRIE
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

Sir. The recent news from Japan IL so full %
general interest that the press throughout the coun-
try willingly gives II more than common prominence.
This is thing TO be expected. But that one OF the
great dailes should also yield full space for the con-
sideraton OF affairs connected with the Church IN
that country is something quite out OF the ordinary
The courtesy. you may be sure. Is appreciated by
large class OF the readers OF The Tribune. Will en-
deavor impose upon II further than Is neces-
sary and therefore take up only the chief points In
Mr.. Katos rejoinder
l. Or Imbrle uses the word worship in referring
70 Christ when II is 'exat In japanese. There IL
great difference in worshpping one and eXalting
him"
The Confession says: "The Lord Jesus Christ
whom We worship (or exalD as God The drerehce
between worship God" and 'exalt as God as
expressions ascribng divinity TO Christ, Is not APP
probable The word In question IL the one commonly
used In the Bible where employ the word glorlfy.
| wrote worship Simply because that Is the word
occurring in the recognized English translation OF
the Confession II conveys no erroneous Idea, ana
/ thought It simple piece of pedantry In MT hato
to change 1t to exa, 1t may be added that imme-
dately aferward the Confession applies 10 CHRIST
word that only be rendered worship. the
Holy Ghost, Who with the Father and the Son is
worshpped and glorihed.
. ..Dr Imbrie intima ties that have quoted only
parts of sentences for the purpose OF msrepresentng
facts Why then. does he msrepresent the teach
Holy GhosD the prophets and apostles and holy
men of old were inspired" He Is decidedly mis-
taken 1t says. The Holy Ghost speaking in the
Scriptures OF the Old and New Testaments, is the
supreme and mfallible judge. etc
But / am not mistaken The Confession contains
both statements and precisely as quoted them.
g. "Only few words are necessary concerning
the committee to revise the hymn-book. II wanted
to be as him as he has attempted 10 De on
me | would say that Or. lmbrle has stated that
which Is not truthful. But will not do THIS say
DR.. Imbre Is simply mistaken
But am right. after all, and Mr. kato Is wrong
II he will only turn TO his copy OF the Fukuim Shin
DO published on July -. he will find an account OF
the proceedings of the Synod. From that he VIII
learn that my statements are absolutely correct.
A. "In regard to Mr. IshIwara. merely stated
that he was dismissed without trial. How does
Dr. Imbrie know that he was guilty OF aduitery'
He was never tried for any offence
What Mr. Kato wrote in his first letter Is this:
1.-THE deposition from the ministry OF the Kew.
Naomi Tamura and II. Ishlwara. the latter without
a trial. Is nothing more than scheme TO drive OUT
the orthodox brethren" The main point IN TINS
REGARDING Mr.. Ishlwara certainly seems to be that
he was deposed account OF his orthodoxy 10
this | replied. Mr. Ishiwara deposed. not be-
cause he was evangelical In his theology. but
because he was guilty Of adultery How do
know that his fault adultery and not orthodoxy!
Because he condemned for adultery ny
presbvterv containing both missionaries anu Japan
ese ministers who are Incapable either OF confound-
ing the TWO things. OF submitting TO their con-
founding in silence The copy OF the Fukuin
Shimpo 10 which | have already referred SPEAKS
OF an appeal the Synod on the part or MT ISM
wara The particulars are not given but presume
that Mr. Ishlwara complains Of something that
he regarded "a irregular in the procedure and that
I imagine Is what Mr.. Kato means by saying that
Mr. Ishwara deposed without trial The
SYNOD declined 10 sustain the appeal
l. II returned 20 Japan. and united with me
Chnzel Presbyicry where / had been called to
labor as pastor OF the kagoshima Church. ~ 'id
not return to the Presbytery which originally iet
some enlcavored to use This as n means OF pefs"cu
ton intimaiing that diI not come back because Oh
my unsoundness In the faith. Or Imbrie iniimaies
the same thing In his letter. The synod however
approved OF my action
The Presbytery OF Toxic brought the action OF the
Presbytery OF Chinzel IN receiving Mr. knio before
the synod The Synod decided that the Prespytery
OF Chlnzei lacking In courtesy toward the Pres
bytery Of Toxic and also decided that II either
find work for Mr.. hato within its own hounds 'h"
Kagoshlma Church Is within Us bounds. or els"
transfer him TO the Presbyiery where he Intends 70
work permanently. IL also adopted new canon
making the course pursued By him Illegal in the
future. This Mr Kato has the assurance to de@-
crbe az the approval Of the synod
G Il call especial attention to his d)r. imbriep
abatement where be saws: This Confession Mr.
KaiO describes as thoroughly antagonists 10 '"'
standards Of the Presbyterian Church Perhaps Il
would be sufficient say In reply that this i the
creed upon which. Two years ago. the chnrch was
cordially welcomed 10 membership IN the Alliance OF
Reformed Churches hOlIHs the PresJfieIlah SFs-
tenn" Mr. Kato then states that D" mas learned
| from the American secretary Of III" Alliance mat
the church In Japan wa. received into membership
no; two years ago. bat In 1855. Will the COMES
sion WIS not adopted until December. 1871
For several years an application for membership
| in the Alliance was ia mind. ! am under the I'M
preston that statement was publisher 70 the eIect
! that such an application had been made ana re-
| ceived In fact however. none was made until tho
meeting Of the Alliance at Toronto In September.
1892 The rule OF the Alliance Is that any church
admitted to membership must be PresbyterIai In Hs
! government. and must have a confession III mar
! nony with the consensus Of the Reformed churcheA'
| Precisely what the consensus Is has never Deem
| decided In making IT, application. therefore. the
church forwarded copy Of the Confession ana irft
! the decision Of the matter to the Alliance Itself
| The report OF this committee on the reception of
| churches Was presented and adopted on september
g. 1899 uwo years ago. Referring u the Application
| from the church In Japan II says. The committee
and the whole council cannot but rejoice IN the e&-
Istence Of ihls ew-born church. ana OF the pros
peritv that has hitherto attended its course. IL
! therefore most warmly recommends the Council 10
welcome # into the household Of our faith and order
and 70 gran, the application" (see page 1881
| : Mr. Ka,o makes long quotation from one OF the
| Japanese papers In this the writer quoted ex-
presses the opinion that the new Confession opens
the door lrto the Church even - men to whom most
| vou,d deny the word evangelical This. says MT.
| Kato 's the opinion OF the Rev. Mr.. lloshino. the
great advocate OF the Imbrc Confession Ana mon
| he asks How does DR.. lmbrie Ike The statement
above quoted from one OF his followers Is he' 100
! misrepresentng the facts M, -,
This is the Chinese method OF warfare Inc pea.-
| ino Of drums the nourishng OF fans and ne "pen-
| ing and shutting al umbrellas. Mi Hoshn1 was ~
a .agin l
| for iescrlbing him as IT, great advocate. ne ~
| also A friend but no one would be more sl'PIlsri
| ,ban he 10 learn that he IL one or my fol!ow'ss
| The ouo,aton. moreover does not AT an prove the
| pont AT Issue What Mr.. kato quotes u simply
Inc ouInion Of an individual that certain persons
| might be admitted the Church, what he ass"r'ei
in his grsi letter that the UNDERSTANDING %,
| IN. SYNOD when this Confession was adopted
| vas that men holding Views OF the kni dessrlpei
| might be received There are two very Nh, he,en r