Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1899-03-29
AN INTERESTING LETTER
FROM REV. HARRY w. MYERS, A MINIS
TER IN JAPAN.

Nv. Myers, formerly OF Lexington, Va.
but now located at Toknsbima, Ava
Japan, engaged in missi nary work
Mr.. Myers, q distinguished young
Presbyterian minister, is well know,
and well liked: by everybody in this ant
the neighboring towns of Elkins, Bev
erly, Huttonvills and yicinities, as these
were the scenes OF his labors during
the summers Of 1894 and 1895, h,
having been appointed to his work BY
the Lexington Presbytery. Here srt
some interesting extracts which We
take the liberty to publish:
1--WE came out here on the same
steamer with Commodore Dewey, and
sat just across the table from him. he
and the Captain and Mrs. Myers and I
were seated around one end Of the best
table at meals, and we had more fun
than all the other passengers together.
Admiral Dewey is real gentleman,
Just as pleasant and affable as possible,
and one Of the most interesting takers
I have ever met. We landed on Christ
mas day, 1897, just little over one
year ago. I wish you could have seen
our city yesterday February 49, A
new railroad has been built running
about ten miles up the valley, and yes
terday it was formerly opened. The
whole city was decorated with flags and
immense arches of evergreens were
put up over al the principal bridges. |
In the station yard there were all sorts
OF arches and other decorations with
OF bright lanterns and the
flags OF all Nations. There was fig
ure OF man at least thirty feet tall
ma de on the palm figure; one hand
pointing over to the fine new depot
When / went down to look tbere must
nave teen six or eight thousand people
here, and twice as many more in the
,ir. els nearly. They had fireworks,
music (!) and a sort Of theatrical dane
ng on platform raised up so high |
hat everybody could see.
"This morning we woke up 10 find
he ground white with snow for the
irst time this winter. 1t was about
hree inches deep. but it melting fast.
went ous and collected a boxful, sol
hat may be we can have ice cream.
zee IS so scarce and expensive that this |
s rare treat for US. When tell you
u the snow and ice we have, you will
,e surprised to hear oranges grow out
# doors everywhere, and that palm
. ices flourish without any protection.
It is really astonishing how much cold
h Sc plants can stand. We live in q
cal Japanese house, only slightly
hanged to suit foreigners. The win
lows and doors were all Of paper, thin
an ugh to let in the light, but we have
put glass in several windows. We also
put stoves 10 two OF our rooms. Our
doors are made Of mating tuffed with
3 raw so that they are soft for the
japanese TO sit on, so we have to take
off our shoes at The door as the Japan
ese always do in their houses. r
Later: As I expected the snow is
about gone, but we got our ice cream.
The servant, evidently wasn't used toi
any ST. h thing, as we found her hest
ing the saucels to put it in. They say |
this is the deepest snow that has fallen |
here for years. Ny work here now,
besides the study Of the language, is
principally teaching the Bible to the |
young men and boys who como to mj |
house. Two afternoons in the week
have class OF them who come to the
house. On afternoon have class
Of teachers and officials in town
about eleven miles from here. at
tend meetings here in the city fonl or
FIVE evenings in the week, and study |
or rather try to study, every morning.
Besides I often have the greatest num-
Der , I visitors, especially Sunday after
moons. Then I often have hymns and
etc., almost Ike q regular church SER
vice. Mes. of the young men are
simply daft on the subject of learning |
English. Some OF the letters l have
gotten are the funniest thing you ever
read in your life. One letter began,
Ny Dear Mr. Loved Myers and the
same fellow wrote me from Korea a
and Benedistory Of
lhe New Year, yet thank for the old
years sake" Another wrote letter
az WAS very much ashamed