The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-09
FUTURE OF JAPAN'S PEOPLE.
REV. NISHIK AWA's DESCRIPTION
OF LIFE IN MUTSU HITOS' LAND.

The YOung Japnnese's Sermons Mt
Wesley and Trinity Churches Lis
tened TO by Large Congregations.
Entertaining Talks on Religious
and Social Life in Japan-Chris-
tianity the Hope of the Country.
Rev. T. S Nishikawa was heard by
large congregations at Wesley Monument
al church yesterday morning and at
Trinity at night. The novelty Of a Japa-
nese preacher probably drew many, but
they were we'll repaid by the interesting
talks to which they listened.
Mr.. Nishikawa is on his way home after
six years in America, during which time
he has been ~, .uiring an academic and
theological .auon to fit himself as a
teacher in one of the Methodist mission
institutions in Japan. He viii leave Sa-
vannah shortly for Vancouver, 3. c.,
whence he viii sail for his native land.
He was introduced 10 the congregation
last night at Trinity church by Rev.
George y. MacDoneI. Jr., who gave
short and interesting account of the open
ing of Japan to foreign intercourse, and
mentioned Commodore Perry's entrance
into the bay of Yeddo, and his
first act Of spreading the Amer
lean flag and opening the Bible upon it,
reading the hundredth Psalm.
Mr.. Nishikawa began by emphasizing the
Importance of watching tine spiritual well
fare and not allowing the advancement of
material interests 70 interfere with the
o. t,y
His foreign accent was at first very no
ticeable, but as he talked, it became less
so, and his words were clearly under
stood. The audience was rather surprised
to observe the distinctness Of his enuncia-
ton, as six years residence in an English
speaking country is not of sufficient length
TO admit of many orientals becoming ia
miliar with the tongue His hesitancy at
times in the effort to catch the proper
word was observed, but this did not de-
tract from the interest Of his talk.
The speaker insisted that man was not
placed upon earth for the mere purpose
of seeking the continual betterment of his
temporal conditions, but that a higher
object was had in his being made the
most supreme of Gods creatures.
Nor is the advancement of civilization
alone the purpose that should animate
every heart" ne said, for that is not the
ultimate end that He has in view
for us" He ,nstanced the
great civilizations that have sprung up,
but TO fall into decay and said that the
advancement TO which Chaldea, Egypt,
India, Greece and Rome brought their an
Gent civilizations lacked the stamp of
perpetuity in the absence of the comfort
and reliance in the teachings of the Son
of Man.
Mr.. Nishikawa's description of his own
country its religions and customs and
the awakening that resulted when Com
modore Perry knocked at the doors Of
Japan in 1853 and aroused the country
from its sleep of twenty-five centuries
was very entertaining. He described the
ignorance and complete Jack of the spirit
of progress that now emphasizes the adj
Vanced condition of the japanese over the
other countries Of the orient and spoke
Of the uses to which electricity Is now put
in Japan, its railroads, ironclads, schools
and its mail system, that is regarded as
one of the finest in the world
After the awakening caused by Commo-
dore Perrys visit, Japan sent out thous
ands Of her young men to study and OBJ
serve in Europe and America, and these
brought back their learning and observa-
tons. That is the reason. Mr.. Nishkawa
said, that Japan has now achieved the
results that show her progress toward a
complete civilization.
Il am proud" he said. Il am a son
Of Japan, and / feel proud of her ctvili-
cation, but there is a reverse side to the
medal and there is as yet lacking the in
SEPARATION of Christianity TO make II last
ing. The japanese are supersutious Three
pagan religions have followers among
them, to be overcome before Christianity
will have won the hearts and saved the
souls OF the people"
He mentioned these three religions
speaking briefly of the purely native re-
ligion, that inspired worship Of only the
material, and of Confus eianism Bud
dnism he described at greater length. and
with the exactness that would be expected
Of one who as has Mr.. Nishikawa. form
erly professed faith in the teachings OF
the pessimistlc Indian. lie said that he
had been raised as "a prospective priest
of Buddha and in his earlier years this
lie was that nearest his heart. His con-
version 20 Christianity however came
about eight years ago, and since then he
mas been an earnest worker in the cause
Of Christ
In referring to the religion
OF the Buddhists he said that
It's followers are forbidden TO
eat anything but a vegetable diet. and to
TINS fact and the generation after gener-
alton that subsisted without the strength
ening qualities of animal food, he attrib-
utes the small stature of the japanese.
We are not very large people. You can
tell that from looking at me I am a small
man, but / am above the average Of my
countrymen IA hight We are not very
big but we were big enough to whip
CHINA We have begun TO eat meat and
urlnk milk now, as many of us are Chris
uans and do not see any harm ln doing
So and we hope TO get large and strong