The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-03
JAPAN LETTER.
FROM REV. EDGAR LEAvITT.

Wednesday, June 10Th, was held the
2nd annual commencement exercises OF
the Uchu Gakuin. the Universalist The
illogical School in Tokyo. Five young
men were graduated. and ere this is read
in America will have gone to their fields
of labor. Their names are Ito write the
family name first as they do here instead
of last as in America). Nagano Navichiro.
10 Kanichi. Satoh Kiyoshi, Kusunoki
Katsuhik, Fuiito Tazo. These names
all have a meaning, as our American
names all have meaning, only in many
cases the meaning of American names
has been lost. The names Of these stu
dents translated into English as follows:
Navichiro Nagdno. Straight-lined Long
field; KanicKi 10. Penetrates the Castle;
Kigoshi Satoh, Clean Sugar; Tazo Fu-
tito, Thrice great Wistaria place; Katsu
hiko Kusunoki, Victorious Hero. You
see they are all names of good omen, and
il there is anything in names. ought to
be of great credit in the future to our
cause.
The exercises were held at P. M. in
the chapel upstairs which bad been dec
GRATED very prettily for the occasion by
the students of the middle class and the
faithful janitor, Mr.. Yoshida Goodfield.
Above the front platform we're festooned
in pleasant companionship the American
and Japanese flags, showing the united
interest of two nations in this Christian
school. An organ voluntary by Mr..
Kuno, one Of the students, opened the
exercises, which was followed by Scrip
ture reading and prayer by Rev. Mr..
Hoshino, or Startled. pastor OF our Gen.
trail church. The orations of the stu
dents then followed in order, Mr.. Satoh
on THE Means of Most Effectively
Evangelizing the Masses of the Japanese
People," His idea was that it is best to
seek to convert the upper and middle
classes first and tho lower classes would
follow their example and accept Chris
tianity.
Japan, it must be remembered, is
land of classes, il not of caste, as the
term class is not understood in America.
This was Mr.. Satoh's idea. and we find
the idea held by some, if not many Jap
anese, while the missionary idea gener-
ally is that Christian workers should go
after men and women, ignoring the class
idea as not compatible with Christian
ity. Perhaps not, but is not church
policy in America often conducted by
some churches largely on the class idea
plan-that is practically, il not profess
eddy SO?
1.-THE Ideal Pastor" was the subject
assigned to Mr.. Nagano. christianity
and Education" was the theme OF Mr..
Kusunoki, who held that the transform
alton of the civilization and religion of
nation must be slow process; that
Christian education in Christian schools
must be one Of the great agencies
through which the transformation must
be brought about. The subject was
we'll handled Mr.. Fujito spoke of
christianity and the New Orient" re-
ferring to the new life of awakening
thought and civilization in japan which
must spread throughout the East and
make a new Orient. He showed the
need of Christianity in this new order
of things and the responsibility which
rests upon Christians, and especially
upon Japanese Christians. to act wor
thy part in the New Orient in bringing
rth
wherein dwelleth righteousness" Mr..
Jo though he will be considered gradu-
ated, was obliged to leave Tokyo few
weeks earlier on account of his health,
and went to his work at the new station
which he is to open in Fukuoka (Fooh-
guoka), city of about 10000 inhabi-
tants, in Kiushiu. the most southerly OF
the large islands of the Empire, and of
which he is native. The subject of his
address, which he had completed and
submitted to the faculty before going
away, was Self supporting Pastors"
All the papers were prepared and trans
lated into English for my inspection.
but with the exception of the few words
spoken by myself, the entire exercises
were in Japanese. One young man, a
member of our church. gave a violin
solo. and the lady teachers and some of
the older pupils of the Girls School gave
us some vocal music.
After the presentation of the diplomas
with few words of counsel. the gradu-
ating class was addressed by Rev. DIR
d. G. Greene. a Congregationalist mis-
sionary who has been in the country 26
years. He is an able man, a nephew Of
the Hon. VIM. M. Evarts. He was one
of the translators of the Japanese Bible.
He spoke in the Japanese language, and
the students were charmed with his
clear cut sentences. His speech urged
the Importance of the ideas which, as
teachers and pastors, they should hold
concerning God and his world. He
warned them against the Deistic idea
of God as a mere force, or power as he
is often spoken of by many even in Chris
tian America. They should be conscious
of the existence and presence of the per-
sonal God, the kind and loving Heavenly