The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-16
Another Letter From Japan.
Further News From Our Mission.
FROM REV. L. w. GATE,
Missionary

with a boatman to take us ashore,
went far to dissipate the glories
through which we had passed. In
the noisy coal smudged town of Moi,
opposite Shimonoseki, ,,we..spent the
night and proceeded on our journey
the next morning.
Mr.. JOS Work Among His Countrymen.
Mr.. 10, who is separated more than
300 miles from the Enearest of his
brother preachers, was glad to see US.
In such isolation, and working, as all
Christian workers are, against great
difficulties, he has need of all the
counsel, sympathyi6and encourage
ment which we can give him, and
this visit confirmed me in the belief
that he is doing solid, substantial
work. The benefits of such a trip
are by no means entirely to our Jap
anese co workers. The missionaries
themselves reap no small part OF
them. At least such has been my
experience. Overseeing work from
a distance is task frought with
great dangers to both overseer and
workers. misunderstanding is almost
inevitable, so great are the limitations
of human nature. Distance begets
tendency to criticize rather than to
sympathize; to give advice like ora
cles rather than as brethren. The
formal words of the written page are
suited to express thought, but they
are apt to lack the heart throb which
would make them nectar instead OF
gall to the hungering soul to whom
they are sent. To put ourselves in
his place, to realize the circumstan-
ces under which he is working, to
feel the pressure of the obstacles
which beset him, these are the diff
culties which meet us J missionaries.
Hence arise fears AMI criticism and
often unmerited condemnation. But
it generally happens that the greater
part of our fears and the spirit of
criticism is dissipated by close con-
tact with the work and the worker.
So it happens that generally | return
from these trips encouraged and
hopeful, so much so that often
doubt if l have done as much good
as have received.
This is not saying that our work
ers have no failings or imperfections.
They are made of common clay, their
national traditions to the contrary
Notwithstanding. But the wonder
to me is that, considering their ante
cedents, and the difficulties with
which they have to contend as the
opponents of an unpopular and des-
pissed religion among their own
countrymen, they do as we'll as they
do.
Our own ministers in America have
the assistance of Christian tradition,
established methods and the accumu-
lated wisdom of many Christian CEN
turtles in their work. With what con-
secration and vigor they ought to
laborl Yet when measured by the
standard set by the Master, or even by
Saint Paul, how really inferior is the
work done! What may reasonably
be expected, therefore, of those who
have only just come into the light of
the Christian faith? Moreover, when
we think of the limitations and imper-
fections of those who have been sent
to be their teachers, how charitable
should be our judgments of them,
and with what self-searching humil
ity ought we to teach What satisfac-
ton there is in the thought that these
people are not dependent upon our
poor reflection of the teachings and
life of the Master, but may take the
light from its very source!
Mr.. 10 is a thoughtful worker. This
is evidenced by the carefulness with
which he prepares his candidates for
baptism. 1t was with more than u.s.
ual satisfaction that baptized three
adults and three children in connec-
ton with his work. A careful exami-
nation of the candidates before bap-
tism with special reference to loyalty
to Christ and the church, convinced
me that Mr.. 10 had not failed in that
regard. My qualification deepened
when l found that he had prepared
series of questions to which the can
didates were required to give assent
in public at the time of the baptismal
service. 1t indicated clearly that he
fully realized the necessity of careful
for church membership.
1 append copy of the questions:
Questions Preliminary to Church Mem
bership.
l. do you believe in one God, an
everything Power and the Father of
all men, whose attributes are justice,
holiness and love?"