Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-07-12

ten days since were crowded with patri-
otto admirers of royalty eager to catch
sight of the Imperial pair or of high Off
cials, and which resounded with fire.
works and the tones of royal band, are
now quiet and unguarded by the 80 spec
ial policemen from Tokyo, for the sOver-
eigns have gone back to the metropolis
The majestic camphor tree, the pictur-
esque pine, and weeping willow sway in
the wind and refreshing air is waited
everywhere. The mountains over and
beyond the trees of the Gosho range ir-
regularly in uneven contour while clouds
as light as foam hang in terraces be-
tweeE the earth and universal blue aloft.
Buddhistic roofs and Western archi-
lecture, the telegraph poles and electric
light appurtenances, side by side find
place. Yonder is the Yaami Hotel with
accommodations for the most elites, aG
prices sufficiently high to satisfy those of
princely income. From it's beautiful ver-
andahs panorama of surprising beauty
may be had. North of it is the Exhibi-
tion, good sized bazaar, rather than a
Worlds Fair.
The City of Kyoto is my place of resi-
dence and have over 100000 neighbOrs
who clap their hands toward the rising
sun at morn and look suPerstitiously at
the moon and stars. In their homes are
god shelves and at night little saucers of
rape.seed oil with a tiny wick or candles
are lighted in honor and is customary
habit every day in the year. The city
slopes gradually from north to south and
the drainage is therefore good. 1t is
laid out quite regularly. The Hongwan-
il is located here and this Buddhist
Headquarters draws pilgrims by the
thousand from all over the empire. ST.
100000 can be raised for the repairs as
easily almost as for war with China.
Women are glad to offer their hair to
make ropes with which to lift the tim
bers of the sacred temple. 1t is a mira
Gle of beauty and it's design throws most
of the poor liItle Christian edifices erect
ed here into dark shade.
There are thousands of houses licensed
for nameess vices and the people at the
same time rival the world in their bronz-
es and needlework, cloisonne and lacq-
uers.
The city is beautiful for situation and
yet no Constantine has made it Christian
yet. The DOshisha College with its fine
brick and granite walls and the fore gn
residences about the great park, have
risen into existence despite narrow mind
ed opposition, and here and there over
the city and in suburban districts preach
ing places where Jesus Christ is pro-
claimed as the Saviour of sinners, have
been secured. In the early morn the
rich toned heather bells ring across the
sleeping city, and by day the electric cars
move across carrying nomadic race, for
the japanese are great pilgrims. Tools
are worshipped despite the facts that
point to Western influence.
The kindergarten has come to stay and
AN asylum for the blind has been run
ming for some time. For four months at
place engaged for the purpose near the
Exhibition grounds there will be preach
ing every day. Two months of this work
have passed and every day tracts have
been given away. People will drop in
out of the rain and hear of Christ. Others
will step in for cup of tea which is
given away and sit down for little rest,
hearing of Christ for the first time. One
woman will pull out ten sen with which
to purchase Testament, as she lays her
pipe down, and another will clap his
hands as he hears of the love of God.
The grandest thought that can come to
Christian in the face of all this, is that
the Japanese even here, are all to feel
the spiritual power of Christianity some
time and that the day is fastening, and
that the Christians already made are to
be the chief saviors of their own race.
Any missionary may be thankful for
what God gives them to do, but he must
decrease and the Japanese preachers in
crease in ability to help the Nation. Hop
ing this may be of some interest to the
readers of the Bennington BANNER,
am very cordially,
CLAUDE NJ. SEVERANCE.