Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-11-23
COMMUNICATED.
COMMUNICATED.
THE DEPARTURE OF REV. MI
TAI

Everyone connected with the Theo-
logical Seminary of Virginia deeply re
grets the departure OF Rev. Masakazu
Tai. who has been staying at the Semi
nary for several months, and whose
strength OF character and gentle cour-
tesy has won the hearts OF all with
whom he mas come in contact o.
Wednesday last he delivered an address
before the students and few people
from the Hill, giving an account OF MS
experiences in the ministry 0: Japan,
and commenting on American Christian
life as rumors had painted it for him
and as be saw it. He appeared in full
Japanese costume. and delivered his
address in his native tongue, the Rev.
Mr.. Cole kindly acting as Interpreter.
Among other things he said that while
he was contemplating embracing Chris
tianity, several OF his friends came TO
him with the information that Amer:
cans had long ago cast OF Christianity
as worthless religion, and that the
priests had come over TO Japan TO get
living. 81 the close OF his address Mr..
Tai babe his friends formal farewell.
thanking them in 10 measured terms
for their many kindnesses. ard eX
pressing the regret with which lie Left
them all. DR.. Carl Grammer replied
in the name OF the faculty.. expressing
the love which he had inspired in them.
and assuring him Of their heartiest CO.
operation with him in the work OF
Christ.
On Friday afternoes Mrs. Wallis
generously threw open her pleasant
home to the students, and a reception
was given in the name of Nj Tai to
all on the Hill. 1t was we'll attended.
and under the management OF 80 charm
ing hostess, the guests were treated
10 two hours OF merriment and pleasant
intercourse.
AT nine O'Clock on Friday evening. the s,u
dents assembled il the room OF NJ. Welbolrn,
and there formally met Mr Tai for the last
rue Refreshments We're furnished oy Bliss
Jacobs, and everyone united i'll efyEts T.
make Nj Tai's last hours with Us as p'e.s
1t as possible Musical instruments were
brought ont and the japanese ears were t.
gslcd with with selections Of Varied charac-
ter But the chief features OF the evening
were presented hy Mr. Tai himself who sang
japanese song and also. in full costume.
and with the sword which he had used il the
army, gave an exhibition OF that two handed
sword pay which is strictly an Oriental at.
At the close 0. the entertainment Dir. CapeE5
presented him with few books as token OF
the love and affection Of the stuc ents. and al
ter 81 ging hymn the company dispersed.
Mr. Tai left on the ons O'Clock train on Sat
urday and all the students assembled at the
station - bid their friend farewell singing,
as the train pulled out, the old refrain, God
be with you till we meet again.
Mr.. Tai was originally an officer OF the
japanese army. and was very active il the
revolution whicl overthrow the previous
dynasty and SET up the present Mikado. lie
was the first japanese to be elevated 70 the
priesthood in the Protestant Episcopal
Church, and he has served twenty. five years
of faithful useful aud noble work, an exam
pie 10 all OF Christ's ministers Of what great
things can be done for His Names sake.
Theological seminary, November u.