The morning call., 1894-12-03
WITH IMPRESSIVE SERVICE.
How Some of the Students Gave
All They Had.
TOWARD THE BUILDING FUND.
Bishop GoodseIl's Prophecy - His
Views ON the Future OF
Japan.

The first Japanese Christian church in
noon in the presence of large congrega-
ton of Americans and Japanese.
The building. which is situated on Pine
street, near Larkin, belongs to the Metho-
dist Episcopal deuomin ation. 1t is pretty
structure in the old English style, with
schoolrooms and library on the ground
floor. Upstairs is the church proper.
which has large seating capacity and Is
neatly furnished with bamboo mating
and chairs. The picturesque loaded win
dows are filled in with yellow glass. except
the west window. which is varlcolored.
This beautiful memorial has been placed
there in memory of DR.. Otis Gibson, the
first pastor of the japanese on this coast
Yesterday afternoon the church was
handsomely decorated with choice oriental
vases filled with masses OF chrysanthe-
NUNS. When the services began at 3
o'clock there was scarcely vacant seat In
the building. The prominent Japanese of
the colony, including the acting Consul
and his suite, we're present, as we'll as
number of Americans prominent in evan
gelicel work. Rev. NJ G. Harris. the
superintendent, led the services, which
began with a hymn, in which the japanese
of the congregation showed remarkable
capacity for Congregations singing. The
organst was one of the MikadO's subjects.
After the hymn Rev. DR.. Masters OF the
Chinese Methodist Mission led in prayer,
some devoti0ns were conducted In
Japanese, and Bishop D. A. Goodsell then
made his address. He said:
my japanese brethren and fellow
Christians, | count this one Of the hap
piest days of my life to be able TO address
No in tnp, pEn # cd fod hu
Japanese and American brethren. One
of the features of Christianity that strikes
me most is that all men are brothers. 1t
has been my lot to travel in manv lands,
and wherever | have been, among Italians
or Spaniards, Indians or Egyptians,
japanese or English. l have been made TO
feel that in Christ all men are brethren.
This has not always been recognized.
but as the religion Of Christ has spread,
the feeling has grown more universal.
Il am filled with gratitude as | think
how this church has largely been bull! by
the offerings of our Japanese brethren.
Only a few years since there was scarcely
Japanese Christian on this coast, and
now there are 800 in this church alone.
When l think OF The patriots who have
gone from this congregation al the call of
their Emperor and their country l thank
God that they have learned to preach the
gospel in their own land, desiring that
others should have the same light.
Il have not thought alone OF our Japa-
nese here as a company of students come
to learn Western science and knowledge,
but as a company who will return home to
care for their unshepherded brethren. /
am no prophet, but am a Christian man
with faith. and as think of the first Japa-
nese church built on this coast l think of
it as font whence will flow Christian
blessings, and may the Lord make the
prophecy come quickly" Then address
ing himself especially 10 the japanese in
the congregation the Bishop said:
1--WE have not attempted to interfere
with your politics. We have taught you
to revere your heroes, to obey your own
laws and have tried to help you in the
great upward movement that Japan has
made in the last twenty years. 1t has been
great JOY 10 US to know how patriotic
you have been in the great struggle. |
cannot say how it will come about, but a
people led by such desire for knowledge,
such wisdom and such heroism, God can
not but use for breaking down the barriers
that have closed so many millions OF peo-
pie to the words of the gospel"
The Bishop then went on to describe the
affection for the Jap nese he had acquired
while travelling in their land.
VI went into temples that we're not of
my faith and found kindness and courtesy