The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-29
A BISHOP FROM JAPAN
SPECIAL SERVICES AT ST. PAUL's
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
An Interesting Address on the Jap
anese People by Bishop Part
ridge, Just Returned.

Special services were held at St. Paul's
Episcopal Church last night, a class OF
three being confirmed. The sermon was
preached by Bishop Partridge. who but re-
Gently returned from Japan. His sermon
was intensely interesting and told or the
progress of the Japanese empire in civiliza-
ton and I'm religion in the last few decades
He also spoke Of the fallacies Of the people
of that country, and how some of them
were being obliterated as the inhabitants
of the island become better acquainted
with the Christian religion as it is now
preached in foreign nations
1.-The japanese are a wonderful people,"
said Bishop Partridge. They are. brave
and intelligent and are making rapid
progress in the world, competing in many
ways with the more civilized countries
Her soldiers the admiration of the
whole world and you have all read how the
japanese Were at the front during the
storming of the gates Of Picking. and other
battles fought recently in the Chinese en-
pire. Japan is beautiful country. Come
there and you will find the mountains,
glens, volcanoes; you will find every
riety of scenery from the plains to the
mountain tops. The palaces you will find
be bewildered at the beauty OF the temples.
We must give all honor to them for what
they have done and all credit for the man.
ner in which they have advanced in civili-
cation. But these things you will notice on
trips through the country by aid of your
maps or your guides. Let us go farther
and see something the ordinary traveller
does not see. Examine the by-places, the
houses where the natives live, the institu-
tions and we will find different study and
we will find the smoldering fires beneath
the beautiful. liable TO break out at any
minute and cause destruction.
ROPE OF STRAW.
''In the largest temples you will still see
the rope OF straw, one of the greatest fall
lacies OF the hour. This rope OF straw is
the emblem they trust, and they believe
in the old story that should IL be broken
darkness will come over the earth There
is another strong fallacy in that great en-
pire. The Japanese believe they can prac-
tice religion without morality or truth.
Years ago the japanese made wonderful
stride toward advancement in civilization.
They secured the western peoples ideas OF
government and used them to a great ex-
tent: they used our inventions and thought
10 use our religion. But they thought they
could worship as We do without changing
themselves. In this they found their mis-
take, and when they found they would
have TO change their manner of living TO
pFaCllCc our religion tlcN changed their
ligion. They are trying 10 adopt all the
outlying appearances of religion but they
have taken our religion. and underneath IL
they have made a foundation of the old re-
ligion of Japan.
1.-The japanese are a great patriotic peo-
pie. 1t is with them, My country first LAST
and always Patriotism is all right, but
when they teach truth and falsehood side
by side in their schools and practice other
fallacies they are trying the greatest fall
lacy of the world. This fallacy means
that the Christians Will take up the teach
ings of the japanese and show them that
they have been wrong. Japan's national
| system Of ethics r. another fallacy that will
have 10 undergo a change. They leave out
| all personal responsibility, and now the
| church of God is gaining foothold I'm the
japanese empire We are helping them I'm
our own way. and will help them until
| they are able 10 stand alone.
CHRISTIANS IN JAPAN
christians go TO Japan, and they say
To the natives that they cannot have
| morality without religion. There have been
many converts among the natives. ana
those who have taken up the Christian
faith are the best subjects Of the Mikado
The japanese already believe in patriotism.
but the missionaries are now teaching them
God and truth. The Christians are also
teaching a new form OF ethics and showing
| them that the church is the extension OF
the incarnation. Nearly every man. woman
and child in the island has the knowledge
/ of God, and the missionaries will remove
/ the barrier-sin. They have a longing for
religion and when the Christians nh that
/ longing they get nearer To the people. In
| that beautiful empire OF Jap1n the Chris
| tan sees our Lord as the greatest King OF
Glory, and is ChristianIzing those people
so that the best OF their beliefs remain
and the bad passes away.
Many of the natives still wear the
double swords. one long and one short. Ac-
cording TO an old belief they should use the
| long sword 10 Kill enemies TO their god and
| the short sword 10 kill themselves. They
are now being taught that there e. a bet
| ter thing than revenge. Let Us not lose
that spirit in Japan, but let us follow and
cherish it,