Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-07-31
CORRESPONDENCE.
our japan Letter.


KYoTo, June Goth, 1894.
Editor Bennington Bonner, Benning-
ton, Vt, U. S. A.-DEAR SIR-The
commencement exercises of the nine
teenth year of the Doshisha have been
held to-day and several hundreds filled
the chapel in attendance. In the rear of
the allowed platform hung a picture of
DIR. Neeshima, in front of which two
flags were crossed, one of white with a
red circle at the centre, the other of pur-
pie with white centre. At the roof
beams and at the iron pillars that sup
port the gallery above the entrance doors
were similar flags of smaller size, nine
pairs in all. Evergreen bOughs ran up
the edge of the alcove, surmounted by
yellow flowers of DAINTY look. A yell
low vase of white lilies was on the or.
gan. Evergreens and flowers bordered
the platform. AS you entered the chapel
a large portrait at the left of the plat
form met your eye, and you might have
been told, had you asked, that it repre-
sented one of the four founders of the
Doshisha, Mr.. Yamamoto, no longer liv-
ing. At the right of the platform on the
wall was picture of Capt. Foulk, pro-
fessor who died year ago. The stain
ed-glass windows, open on every side,
made the room comfortable, in fact,
quite as bearable as those at commence
ments in America.
l. The exercises began with music,
the audience standing and listening to an
organ and cornet duette for a bit, then
joining in congregational singing.
2. The Bible was read by DIR. Yuasa.
3. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr.
Yamaoka of Tsu, Ise. 10,
T. Prof. Morita's little girl and her
teacher played a violin duette and were
joined in the end by an organ accom-
paniment.
5. The governor of Kyoto Flu, Mr..
Nakai, who favors Christians, was pres
ent and read an address.
The governor wore a Prince Albert
and wlne-colored tcowsers, white vest,
standing collar and black necktie, shoes
rather pointed and rather thick soled.
He has full beard and is about 5 feet,
two inches in height. His paper was
sensibly not more than ten minutes
long.
6. Prof. Ukita, whose articles in the
Independent, on American Women"
have aroused such deserving criticism of
himself as an observer, then gave an adj
dress of 80 minutes duration.
I. An anthem then followed by DR..
and Mrs. NJ. l.. Gordon, the Rev. George
Allchin and Miss Wainwright, Mrs. D..
G. Greene presiding at the organ.
s. The exercises were now varied by
the presentation of 4S diplomas to grad.
yates of the various departments, who
were four from the Harris Science
school, two from the Law school, four
from the Theological school and thirty
eight from the Collegiate department.
Whereas, generally, the Japanese are
dignifed and more or less graceful, on
such an occasion as this they appear any
thing but graceful. They stumble on to
the platform, bow most awkwardly in
their American clothes, or in their Jap
anese dress with American shoes.
Mr.. Neeshima, clerk of the college,
read off the names, a Mr.. Kato passed
the diplomas to DR.. Ichihara, and he de-
livered them to the students as they
passed by him. One student took pains
to bow to each of the three concerned in
getting the diploma into his hands, and
bowed to the governor who was still on
the platform. His classmates and
good many of the audience laughed at
him, but he really seemed as self-pos-
sessed and graceful as any of the class.
Each diploma was roll IA inches long,
tied with green ribbon. Two students
dropped out an inner roll as they were
going down the stairs. and that too
caused laughter. These diplomas all lay
neatly piled up in order in a beautiful
black lacquered tray with piece of silk
over them. AS it was removed, it sug-
gests the Communion table in spite of
its difference,
DR.. Ichihara, whom some of the Ben
nington people had the pleasure of hear
ing some four years ago, and who has
been acting president of the Doshisha
in Mr.. Kozaki's absence, gave an adj
dress of force with this as one of his
sentences: Education is the founda-
ton of power"
8. Mr.. Narahashi then gave an Grafton
which proved tedious even to the Jap
anese, who became restless and left in
small numbers. He seemed a manly
fellow and addressed the teachers and
students much as an American valedic-
torian would.
10. Mr.. Allchin, whom Middlebury
people will remember to have been or
dained there, played his cornet beauti-
fully, with Miss Wainwright accompany
ing on the organ.
IL. The Rev. George 4. Albrecht pro-
nounced the benediction.
After this, the guests removed to the
new Divinity school building and par
took of tea and cakes and sugared ice.
Thus are Western school exercises
forcing their way into Japan.
Hoping this may be of some interest
to your numerous readers, 1 am very
sincerely, CLAUDE M. SEVERANCE.