The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-10-19
NOTES IN REGARD TO JAPAN.
BY REV. CLARENCE E. RICE.


Many friends ask concerning our rela.
tion to missionaries of other churches,
in Japan. We have only to say that we
are treated by other churches there
much as Universalists are treated here,
except that in japan there is greater
opposition than here. Even socially we
notice the difference. Our orthodox
brethren feel that Universalism is bad
enough in America. In japan it is dan
gerous and they propose to do what they
can to keep out the heresy. Meanwhile
we continue to work on quietly and the
Japanese seem to like what we have to
offer.
Until Christianity went to Japan there
was no word for "sin" in the Japanese
language.
The word now used for sin is 'tsume"
which originally meant "crime." Thus
it is inferred only that was "sin" to the
Pagan Japanese which was violation
of law statutes. The subjective law was
not taken into the account But gradu-
ally Christianity developed the Chris
tian consciousness and "tsume" took on
anew meaning. Sin in all of it's hurtful.
whitening effect on the soul became in
Japan, as it is in Christian countries. a
real thing. The study of philology in
Japan reveals many interesting instances
of the influence of Christianity upon the
vocabulary of the Japanese language. 1t
is something to have put into the Jap.
anese language the truth that "sin'
means death to the soul here and now.
Friends often ask if it is not difficult
task to accustom ourselves to the Japan
ese mode of life. their food. etc. For the
benefit of those who are not informed it
might be of interest to state that our
home in japan and our manner of life is
as much like our home and life would be
here as we can make it. We live in
home built after the style of houses here
in America. We have the same kinds
of food as here at home. We hire JAP
anese cooks who have been taught for
eign modes of cooking. We have chairs
to sit on and tables to eat off Of. We are
not ordinarily obliged to use chop-sticks
to eat with, or to eat rice as steady
diet.
Only when we go into the interior, or
to our outposts for week or two, are we
obliged to live as do the Japanese or eat
the concoctions of their culinary depart
ments.
Rev. Mr.. Leavitt who has been in jap
an since Christmas last writes discrimin-
atingly and hopefully of our work there.
Bro. Leavitt evidently does not shut his
eyes to the fact that japan is still Pa
gan land and that there is great need of
Christian teaching there. But he sees
the opportunity and is devoting himself
heart and soul to the work. That there
are grave difficulties in the work we
know, but Bro. Leavitt and all the mis-
sionaries appreciating these, are believ-
ers in the rare opportunities which this
field offers to the Universalist Church.
Wetrust that every loyal Universalist
pastor will not forget Japan Sunday
the day set apart for presenting the
claims of the japan Mission upon our
thought and material wealth. 1t is no
coincidence that our foreign mission
claim should be set forth on All Souls
Sunday. AS God is the Father of all, SO
does our work in japan appeal strongly
to us on this great day of all souls.
Brethren, present our cause in Japan
on November 3, preach sermon bearing
on our work, stir the people by mention
ing the facts and then ask for pledges.
Have everything ready, put pencils in
the pews. and-get a large pledge for
Japan.
WATERFOWL. N. Y. Oct. TO-