The record-union., 1897-06-01
Excellent Work Shown by the Report to
the Board at New York City.
The Influence of the Work is Per-
ceptibly Increasing.
Christianity Acquiring Prestige
Whichis Not Likely to be Shaken
The War With China a Demon
strati0n in Favor of the Faith.

NEW YORK, May 81 = Reports OF
an encouraging nature concerning the
progress of Christian missions in Ja-
pan have been received by the Ameri-
can Board. Much anxiety has been
felt regarding the work in Japan State
ments from missionaries for some
years have been to the effect that the
Christian religion was losing its foot
hold there and that the japanese, as
they become better educated in the
arts and sciences, were becoming ra-
tionalistic.
Differences had also arisen between
the native Christians and the mission
aries relative to the teachings in the
schools and colleges, and it was finally
found necessary for the American
Board to order it's missionaries and
teachers to withdraw from many in
stitutions of learning which have been
built or partly supported by mission
funds
When the situation became serious
about two years ago the American
Board sent a deputation of distin-
guished clergymen TO Japan to mako
Investigations as to the actual condi-
ton of affairs. The report of the depu-
tation was hardly less encouraging
than those from the missionaries, but
it was decided to still retain the mis-
sionaries for a time at least on the
field.
John R. Mott, representative of the
Worlds Student Christian Federation,
has just reported thorough canvass
of the state of affairs from one end of
the land to the other, and in the
course of his report he has this to
say:
THE rationalistic wave, which has
done so much to chill the life and en-
thusiasm Of the Japanese church dur
ing the last few years is receding. The
ultra rationalistic feeling which had
handicapped aggressive missionary
work is giving way. Since the war the
signs of encouragement have greatly
multiplied.
THE war itself, as nothing else could
have done, has demonstrated that
Christians are not unpa triotic. The at
titude of the Government officials is
therefore becoming increasingly favor
able to Christianity, though thoughtful
people are beginning to realize the
need of moral and religious culture and
that Buddhism and Confucanism are
not sufficient
altogether out of proportion to the
length of its history and the number
of it's adherents. Although on the one
hand there are about 10000 Christians
and on the other millions of Buddh-
lists, the two religions are spoken of as
equals, and where distinction is made
among educated men it is more fire.
quently in favor of Christianity. In no
non-Christian country are students and
thinking men SO accessible to the in
fiuence of Christianity. Wherever you
go you find the people willing to hear
the gospel. The oldest workers tell US
that not for many years have the peo
pie been so eager to hear earnest evan
gelical preaching.
1.-THE Japanese church is better pre-
pared than ever before in its history
for a large and safe work. 1t is show
ing a great dissatisfaction with ultra
liberal thought, and has already be-
come aggressive and practical and less
speculative. The experience Of the past
few years has tried and sifted the
church. It's body has been purged not
only of members, but of leaders having
unworthy Ihotives. The impression
seems to be general that the tide has
at last turned. and that Japan is about
to witness another great spiritual move
ment like the one of the last decade"