The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-10-18


 derful Changes In the Past Fifty Years In Churches and Schools Important Factors In the Development and Progress of the Nation.
 Those who attended the morning ser vice at the United church yesterday morning were undoubtedly ediiied as regards the changes that have been wrought in Japanint the past fifty years. years, most of which are due to the efforts of those preaching Christianity The seating capacity of the church was tested. The pastor, Rev. T. T. Munger, prefaced his introduction of the mis- sionary and speaker of the morning, Dr. Daniel c. Greene, with a few re- marks as to the wonderful success of the meetings of the American Board of Foreign Missions.
 Dr. Green then spoke, in part, as fol- lows:
 Tt is always a pleasure to speak of my work in Japan, especially in New Haven. To come back to this city seems like making a pilgrimage to the shrine of my ancestors. l am glad to know that so many are interested in the work in Japan. You, no doubt, have heard of the changes that have taken place in Japan, but not many of those who haven't been there are able to realize how great they have been. There are eight daily papers published in Japan. Seven are printed by Eng fish speaking people in Japanese. The frequent unfavorable criticisms they make seem to make no impression, ex- cept to irritate the nation.
 There is an adaptation of distinctly foreign things to the Japanese nation. The manners and customs have not been so far transformed that you find a true picture of western life, but tralever who has been in the country before can easily persuade himself that things are not as they were fifty or twenty-five years ago. Some travellers, however contend that things are the same.
 The old life was that of feudalism. The military men who were about five per cent. of the entire population pos sessed entire control. They formed government and it was a relentless despotism. They massacred at will and whomsoever they pleased. Some say this power was seldom exercised but it must have served to make the lives of the poorer classes lives of trouble and anxiety It was not an uncommon thing for these military despots to enter a place crowded with the poor classes and perfectly defence less, simply to pick a quarrel for the purpose of trying their prowess. This state of society may indeed be called relentless despotism. It is only a few years since this feudal government has been done away with and new one esta blished.
 The privileges of the military men have almost vanished and the poorer classes have rights which all are bound to respect They have come into pos session of political power, which they never knew of before. They have had a constitutional government for seven years and a parliament. A system of law has been established which is equal to that of France or Germany. It is builded on a German model.
 Society has been changed in re- sponse to the change in the govern ment The rights of the family have changed. The head of the family for merly had complete control and could do with the several members as he de- sired and no one dared interfere. I am encouraged at the way the Japan csc people are putting aside the old and taking up the new.
 "The many miles of railroad, the myr- iads of electric lights, the multitude of electric cars, the telegraph and com- mercial vessels, have all influenced the country from end to end. There is not even a mountain hamlet where these changes have not been felt. These mountaineerS were originally seriS They had no right to wear any clothes except those which they could them selves manufacture.
 "They could do nothing of their own will. had no liberty, could SOW only those things in the fields which the masters ordered, and were in abject poverty and serfdom. All this order of things is now changed, and every man now is equal. He can get redress if his rights are abused by any one, even by the government officers. I claim that it wasn't possible for those peasants to be thus lifted up and not know it.
 'The presence of liberty means a diff ferent life. Every one is thinking oi better things. There is a stimulus to better things everywhere. Every man desires to lift his children to greater things. They are sanguine of this and have a right to be. Life is so different iZed Foreign intercourse and Christi anity have been the cause of it.
 "The Japanese saw the liberty of the people of western nations and desired it themselves. They realized that the individual was of some value and had rights which must be preserved. Many native Japanese have told me that if il had not been for missionaries Japan would be in the same condition to-day as is Korea.
 "Korea has no respect from surround. ing nations, and its condition it pitiable beyond description. An important fac tor in this development of Japan was the formation of Christian schools Forty thousand dollars was raised fol the establishment of these schools, and the students numbered one thousand The influence of the public men as felt through these schools has saved Japan I don't say this, but men who know have told me that the Christian schools are foremost in all Japan l think the