The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29

SIDE, put something may De Judged
concerning the work which is being
done by the fact that in addition to
the regular academical work there are
departments of law, science, theolo-
gy and medicine, and the number of
students in all departments is about
four hundred.
At eight o'clock on the night of
December 18th, l reached Nagoya,
and was met by Mr.. Akashi, our evan
gelist there. At Nagoya enjoyed
the comforts OF room with a stove
and bed, for all of which l was very
thankful, as the cold was unusually
severe. Nagoya in general is laid
out on the square with the street
corners so nearly alike that even an
old resident has to constantly ask
himself the question: "Where am
I at?" Nagoya is Buddhist strong
hold and the Buddhism is of the
worst kind. AS consequence of this
strong Buddhist influence the pro-
tests against the introduction of
Christianity sometimes take the form
of violence. DIR. Perrin can testify to
this. The Buddhist sect which is
most fourishing in Nagoya is the
Shiu sect. Its ruling principle is that
salvation is gained by faith in Bud
dha and by faith alone. 1t may or
may not be the result of this ignor-
ing of the value of works as a saving
agency, but it seems to be fact that
where the Shiu sect prevails morality
and religion are divorced. This is the
case in Nagoya and the neighboring
province. The high priest himself
has several concubines. There is a
plain tendency toward the sensual.
This extends to the temples, which
are the most expensive and ornate in
the country. Is it the moral contrast
which makes Christianity so objec-
tionable to the people of Nagoya9 Is
it because Christianity would deny
the sensuality which this form of
Buddhism sanctions, or at least ig-
nores, that the people are so Jealous
for their religion9 History shows
that when religion sanctions sensual
practices it thereby provides for it
self tremendous lever by which to
move mems minds. Under these
conditions it is no difficult matter to
induce mob to cry: "Great is Diana
of the Ephesians." Indeed I was re-
minded very much of the contest of
Christianity with the Greek religion.
At any rate on account of this OPP
position the Christian workers in Ma
goya modify somewhat the usual
methods of evangelization, choosing
not to invite violence. Hence meet
ings are not held in houses which
open upon the street. Theatres and
public halls are avoided. Their
method is to influence by individuals
rather than by masses. Mr.. Akashi
has therefore sought to extend his
influence by charging his circle of
friends rather than by public meet
ing. In this he has been quite sue
cessful. l spent the most of my time
while there in calling upon these
friends with him and l was impressed
with their solidity and worth. Some
of them he has gained for the church
and of course he hopes to gain them
all eventually. So far as visible re-
suits in actual membership are con-
cerned his success has not been phe-
nomenal, yet I could not but feel
that he has made real advance and
that he will be able to hold the
ground he has gained. OF course it
is the work of the evangelist to gain
men to Christianity and to gain them
as rapidly as possible and at the
same time gain them completely.
But it is possible for worker in the
first few months of his labors in
a place, by exercising too little
care or by improper methods to build
up a mushroom church which by its
very nature is doomed to a mush-
room fate. Solid work is slow work
whether it be in building a wall or
building church.
Missionary work has always meant
the expenditure of vast amount of
energy and time in accomplishing a
little, and in such work it is safer on
the whole to estimate mans worth
by his conservation and earnestness
of purpose than by the ease with
which he adds names to the church
roll. Mr.. Akashi has been in Nagoya
about eighteen months and has four
members, with the promise of two
more in the near future. But l con-
slider that his success lies not so much
in the distance travelled as in the
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