New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-12
MISSIONARY PROTEST TO JAPAN;
WHY THEY WANT RELIGIOUS TEACHING
PERMITTED IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

vigorous protest Is being made BY the various
Protestant missionary societies OF this country
against the recent action Of the japanese Govern
ment. which prohibits religious teaching In the
schools Of the Mikados Kingdom.
The Tribune yesterday published an account
of meeting of representatives OF the mis-
sion societies OF the Congregational, Method
list. Episcopal Reformed, Baptist and Presby-
terrain churches in this city. In which plan was
advocated that the japanese Government DO pe,
ttioned by all the missionary societies in union "a
allow religious instruction and ceremonies TO "
conducted in schools founded private funds
THE Christian Advocate" presents the argumsnt
for the missionaries. which is In part as follows
For some time 1t has been evident that the D.
partment OF Education 0he most conservative -
reactionary or the departments or state) wova
assume a more stringent control OF private school,
but few. believed that religious teaching wcS u..
be lnterfered with directly. Il anticipated "a;
japanese officers might be placed in some Of -
schools hitherto under the direction foreignsIs
would Be SO unsratefu to t. those sewn who hav.
q quarter OF century OF devoted service ~ ~
selfish work Of education and enlightenment -
The Minister Of Education has an advisory ~ ST
teachers, more officials. and the heads OF puIs.s
IN the Department Here Is the real centre
teilectuai Confucianists or modern agnos'a..
They have nothing in common but hostility,
on this they unite and send in their advice % y
Minister. Their shitboleth is "A national "
tenn OF education" whatever that may mean
doing one OF the worst possible things for yot
Japan, teaching the youth that everything n
be seen through japanese eyes. that the
a narrow. irsular standpoint and that a.
pride exaggerated conceit will atone for m -
sins and shortcomings. To encourage an ARE
exaggerated idea OF nationalism they are w.ip
the same spirit that led the people forty yeans
to speak OF the foreigners as barbarians. ans
Perry's fleet as 'the black devil ships .. IA
Christianity indeed Is not mentioned y i,, ~
regulations or instruction. Nominally Bueaans.s
affected as we'll as Christians but Buddnnv,
In japan is too morbund and corrupt TO have ~
by courtesy called religion. takes specia. p. ,I
In bowling TO authority. So these are not anew
by the regulations -, III ~
II is gratifying to learn that practically ~ -
leading newspapers. English and japanese. IN -
empire and many public men have taken n NJ
strongest grounds against the decision OF 'he -
This department action Is really pIow a. ~
ligious liberty II one can be forbidden 70 rssa "a
Bible offer prayer I'm school which ne a.
founded he can, on one preteXt or anothst Ilssca
hidden to read It In any public place II ie hns,ss
can be shut out OF one kind or private schooi
ing II can be shut out OF al such school puustssS
OF the Minister II will be seen, does not rsia
curricuia but TO instruction, even ou. ss.s,I,s
school hours" The schools which the chrisuiss
churches have built aud which they own; s, s.r
the concessions cannot be used for religious 10 -
vices with students, even outside OF schooi hyssnl
Those schools which have not as Wei a. Wv
II is to be hoped that better counsels may "
vail the text OF this order be modified or i,s apkk
cation harmonized with the letter OF the ,ohSrxss
tion and with the liberal spirit OF the age "A "a
Gated missionaries are among the most devotea ~
steadfast friends that Japan has ever had s'ncs =
gates were first found TO be aJar. tI