The times., 1899-10-24
GODS KINGDOM ON EARTH
The Topic at the Congregational
Clubs Autumn Meeting.
The Spread of Christian Religion iu
Foreign Lands Discussed by the
Speakers - Rev. II. sIiyagnyya on
the ResuIts Of missionary work In
Jaunn-RcV. IsRac CIarlS's Address.

the EeSuitS Gf MissioBuFy y orES In
Iaunn-ReV. Isnac CIarlS's Address.
The autumn meeting of the Washington
Congregational Club was held at $50
O'Clock last nignt in the Mount Pleasant
Congregational Church, Columbia Road
near Fourteenth Street northwest Ad-
dresses We're made by men prominent in
religious work both of this country and
abroad.
A large audience, composed of the club
members and their friends. was present
The pulpit was decorated with palms and
cut flowers, which made a pleasing ede-t
The topic of the evening was The King
dom OF God in the Earth; It's Triumphs aud
Trophies" After the hymn. Jesus shall
Reign" by the congregation, the inyoca-
tion was pronounced by the Rev. Nrsene
b. Schmayonian. OF COnstantnople, Tur-
key, who for three years has been pastor
Of the Congregational Church at Falls
Church Va. The Introductory address
was then made by the president OF the
club, Rev NJ Ross Fishburn. pastor of the
Mount Pleasant Congregational Church.
DR.. Fishburn announced that Hon. David
J. Brewer, Associate Justice of the ST
preme Court OF the United States, would
not be present, owing to an Illness which
confined him 20 his bed. He stated that
Justice Brewer had expected to be present,
and that he extended his regrets to the
club, OF which he is vice president
DIR. Fishburn's Address.
DR.. Fishburn spoke OF the great strides
which Christianity had made. Not only,
he said, had all the continents recognized
the supreme being, but the islands of the
sea were calling out for enlightenment. He
thought that this country had grand mis-
sion to perform in the newly acquired pos
sessions in the Philippines, and that the
natives of those islands were anxious for
the support of the United States and the
assistance of her missionaries to preach
the gospel of Jesus Christ. The references
of DR.. Fishburn to the Philippine ques-
tion elected applause from the cOngrega-
tion. The new president said he would en-
deavOr to perform his duties faithfully
during the year for which he was elected,
and spoke at length on the work which
the Congregational Church had performed.
The speaker then introduced Rev. 7.
Miyagawa, of Osaka, Japan, a delegate
from that country to the International
Council OF the Congregational Church, re-
Gently held in this city. The Japanese
minister spoke of the spread of the Chris
/. tian religion in Japan, which he thought
had been remarkable, and gave a complete
history Of the missionary movement in that
country. The first Christian Church in the
Empire Of Japan, he said, had been built
in 1864, and the second in 1868 After that
the spread of Christianity was rapid. The
missionaries converted many of the high
est mobiles in Japan" said the speaker.
tod
those who would otherwise have re-
fused to listen to the teachings Of the Eu-
ropeans. In 1913 the persecution of the
| Christians broke out Many Of my peo-
pie died the death Of Christian martyrs
for the sake Of the religion they had adopt
ed, but many went back to their heather
gods"
The Missionary Work Reviewed
The missionaries were driven out of the
country, but left the effects of their teach
ings before they went. There is no doubt
that Japan was a Christian country before
the Pilgrim fathers came to this country.
The secret Of the success of the Christian
religion in Japan lies in the fact that only
the fundamental principles were taught
The people were eager for single and per-
sonal God. The fact remains, however,
that about One-sXth of the people who
I CHRISTIANS.
and when they returned to the old religion
with the edict against the religion OF Christ
the effect was bad. The edict was in force
for 200 years, when Japan was once more
opened to the missionaries by Commodore
Perry. From 1874 to 1884 the speaker
thought, was the period of Japan's greatest
progress. He considered that Japan was
indebted TO religion for much that
was in her national life. The strength Of
I r~-tY H.
tian homes. The fact that we have not
those Christian homes is one of our great
est evils. 1t is true that the Christian re-
ligion in Japan is hindered by the conduct
OF Europeans among us who are of Chris
tian nations. but who do not follow the
teaching Of Christ"
Trophies of Christianity.
At the conclusion of the address on
Japan, Rev Isaac Clark, professor Of the
o!ogy in Howard University. and class
mate Of Mr.. Justice Brewer at Yale Col
! lege, was introduced to make an address
! in the absence of the Justice of the SUI
/ preme Court Dr. Clark spoke of the
! Trophies Of Christianity" The Venezue-
/ Ian Arbitration Board Of which Justice
/ Brewer was a member which made a
| final decision without blOodshed between
! powerful Great Britain and weak Ven
/ eZuela. he said, was one of the trophies
| Of Christianity The Peace Conference at
| The Hague showed the same influence Of
| the teachings of Christ, and the reception
/ accorded Booker T. Washington, a former
/ slave, by the men of Atlanta, who had
! been shareholders, showed a striking ex-
! ample Members of the Hawaiian dele
/ cation to the international council who
{ were expected to be present and to make
/ addresses, it was stated by the president
/ were not able to reach Washington in time
I but would be in the city Thursday morn
/ ing, and would speak at the congregational
! churches on Sunday
! An address which dealt with the work
! of the international Council, was made by
| Rev S. NJ. Newman d. D. The meeting
was closed by the benedictiOn pronounced
! by Rev. W. +. DeReimer formerly Of
/ Colombo. CeylOn. musical solo by Dr.
/ Charles l. Bliss, and a duet by Dr.. Bliss
| and Mrs. a. D, Melvin, formed a part OF
! The programme that was greatly enjoyed.
Guests at the Dinner.
The meeting in the church auditorium was
preceded by dinner at o'clock in the
! church parlors. Among those present
! were:
] Rcy and Mrs. Ross Fishburn, Rev T. Niya-
! gawa Kcv. :. NJ Newman, Prof. j. W Chick
/ eriug Mrs. j. G. Ghickering, Prof. and Mrs. j.
! l. EwelI Rev Augustus Davidson, Rev. \. b.
! Scbmoriuiau Rev W. ". MCDOWELL Mr.. and Mrs.
| George A. /. Meuiheld Alfred Wood, MIR. and
] a. H..-s