The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-22
A MISSIONARY TRIP-II.
BY REV. 1. WALLACE CATE.

ingly mild day after night Of rain, and
it was on that day / started for Osaka
from Shidzuoka. 1t is ordinarily jour
ney of about twelve hours. but on this
day it was prolonged an hour or two
owing to delays caused by the transpor-
tation of troops homeward bound from
Formosa. By the aid of a book.
the landscape and my fellow passen-
gers, I managed to beguile the time
away. One group among the passen-
gers was especially interesting. This
consisted of matronly looking woman
and two children, one girl Of dozen
summers, and the other a boy somewhat
younger. Especially was attracted by
the girl, for she was positively pretty, not
according to the orthodox Japanese
notion Of beauty, with the slanting, al
mond eyes and elongated face, but with
we'll rounded face, wide open eyes and
clear skin more than usually free from
cosmetics. This seemed to be the fam.
lily of railway official, for they were
known all along the line and at several
stations baskets of oranges and persim-
mons or packages of sweetmeats found
their way in through the car window
The other passengers we're not forgotten,
however, for the little maid with exquis-
ite grace daintily arranged half dozens
Of oranges or persimmons upon the
covers of boxes or baskets and placed
them on the seat beside the passengers
with little bow to each.
Late at night the train pulled into
Osaka and Mr.. Yoshimura's ruddy,
pleasant face appeared on the other side
Of the gate.
OF Osaka l have written before, yet
my visit seemed like something entirely
new. 1t is city of 4760OO, inhabitants
and the only Japanese city 1 have seen
where the people did not seem to have
plenty Of time to spare. 1t is com
mercial city and busy one. The
streets are straight but narrow and
though it may seem contrary to Scripture
good many people pass through them.
In spite of the narrow streets the jinrik-
isha-men run at headlong pace, avoid
ing pedestrians with wonderful skill.
In Japan generally the foot passenger is
lord Of the highway; but in Osaka he
seems in danger of losing his ancient
right.
Osaka is much interested 10 manu-
factures. There is scarcely any article
of foreign importation which is not imi-
tated there. Here is situated the Osaka
Watch Co.. which manufactures watches
after American models SO cheaply that
they can be shipped to the United States
and sold at good profit for considerably
less than American made watches. l
saw organs and violins in the process of
construction which are correspondingly
cheap.
The mission work in Osaka is being
prosecuted with more vigor than in other
places. Mr.. Yoshimura has been with
us longest of any of our workers. He is
man of great earnestness and of great
talent as speaker. He is not satisfied
with simply working along established
lines but desires to accomplish some
thing above the ordinary. Because of
this desire he is willing to adopt almost
any method which will bring him in
contact with more people. By the sug-
gestion of Bro. Leavitt he began preach
ing in the public park last fall. But
finding music necessary to the success
full working of the plan. and being able
neither to make it himself nor to per.
suade his co-worker to make it for him
after two attempts he suspended oper.
ations. But he has not given it up for
good. He is even now making prepara
tions to renew the work in the spring
hoping to be able then to make his own
music. 1t really requires good deal Of
courage and earnestness to undertake q
plan Of this sort. In this regard the
people OF Japan are very much like the
people of America. Men do not like tc
be laughed at and somebody is sure to
laugh. But it is doubtless true here
as it is in most places. that the man who
is really earn est, able and dignified and
has at the same time real message to
deliver, will win the respect of intelli.
gent people and make place for himself
even though he does not run in the old
ruts.
There is an interesting Sunday school
at Osaka chiefly in charge of Mr.. Satoh
the Co o-worker of Mr.. Yoshimura. In
the innermost room of the church from
fifteen to thirty boys and girls gather
every Sunday to sing hymns and receive
instruction. was much pleased to OBJ
serve that the children were most atten-
tive when Mr.. Satoh explained or asked
questions about the beautiful pictures
which are regularly sent to US by a con
slant friend Of the mission. Pictures are
valuable helps in teaching children in
any country, but feel that they are
especially useful in our work here where
he first necessity is to teach the main
points of the Gospel history.
The Osaka church from front to rear
is forty five feet in length and has a
width Of fifteen feet. 1t may be divided
into three parts. each fifteen feet square,
by movable partitions. The part near.