The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-09
KYOTO.
OSAKA, Japan. Dec. 12 1896

Between Nagoya and Osaka, where
we have another mission outpost, is
the western capital of Japan, called
Kyoto. Here for centuries emperors
have been born and have died. Here,
until Tokyo was chosen as the west
ern capital and the seat of the new
Parliament, reigned the mikados of
the past, surrounded by their court.
Here stand the beautiful palace and
the magnificent castle of his imperial
majesty.
Though Tokyo is practically the
only true capital of Japan, Kyoto re-
tains still the old culture and grand
eur of former days. Here is still to
be found the @stheticism, developed
through centuries, of this peculiar
culture. Art, landscape gardening,
culture, according to the highest
Japanese standards, still hold sway
in this elegant city of the Mikado's
empire.
spent two busy days in this old
city. Its heather temples, its pagan
shrines, its splendid art, its elegance,
its beauty and its corruption, make
one think of Athens and its people
when the Apostle Paul came to de-
clare the one living and only true
God. 1t is hard to leave its fascinat-
ing shops, its interesting scenes and
sights. But this elegant city must be
changed for the rich and thriving
modern city of Osaka, the great COM
mercial centre of Japan. In this lat
ter city the Rev. H. Yoshimura, our
oldest ordained japanese minister, is
laboring, and I am invited to his
house for the two weeks that shall
work with him and his church.
LIFE IN A BUDDHIST TEMPLE.
Mr.. Yoshimura makes his home in
Buddhist Temple. Connected with
most temples of this sort are spacious
rooms and recesses which are, or
were wont to be, occupied by the
priests. In the days of Buddhist
prosperity the rooms were often beau
tifully decorated, but in the decay of
Buddhism has come the decay of
the buildings and the poverty of the
priests.
To exc out an existence these
priests often resort to the expedient
of renting rooms or suites of rooms
connected with their temple. Mr.. Yo-
shimura rents suite of these rooms,
and here within these shades, breath
ing the atmosphere of the old tenn
pie, he pursues his Christian calling.
So, here l am passing some days
amid these strange surroundings. At
night, as | lay on the mats can hear
the wind whispering through the
pines which surround the temple.
Last night when the wind blew, the
timbers in the old building creaked
and the doors ratified. Within, the
rats make sport on the thin board
ceiling above, and one had the auda-
city to enter my room, and seize and
make off with the candle which had
lighted me to my bed. But here. in
the silence of this old building, is a
place for study and meditation-a
place we'll adapted to these disciples
of Gautama, who expect through
meditation to attain Nirvana.
But ours is a more active method
of salvation. From this old temple
we enter the busy streets of this
busy city, and just like other Chris
tian ministers at home pursue our
calling.
CHURCH WORK.
The work of missionary who vis-
its outposts such as we have in Japan
is varied. He aims to be the practi-
cal helper of the native evangelist.
Generally be, in company with the
evangelist, makes the rounds of the
parish. By care, and attention to
Japanese etiquette, he seeks to give
courage and inspiration to the young
Christians who have been gathered
into the fold. He strives, too, to ap-
ply the theory Of pastoral theology
which we have taught in our theolog-
ical school. A good opportunity is
given to instruct our young pastors
in practical parish work. | think we
cannot overestimate the need of just
such practical oversight as the men,
bers are trying to give to our outpost
missions.
But it is difficult thing to teach
daily in the Theological School at
Tokyo, and at the same time visit six
or seven missionary stations. If our
brethren will only send us out an
other missionary, or say two, man
and a women, we will be better
equipped for this much needed work.
Another thing which the visiting
missionary has in view during this