Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-16

sentatlves Of the mission boards, not
at all favorable to propaganda.
A japanese writer is quoted to the
effect that the Christians dispute
about opinions and discuss this doc
trlne and that, but beneath It all there
Is little real belief Christianity came
associated with a civilization that had
It's acknowledged merits. For that rea-
son II obtained some prestige, But now
the feeling OF the nation, in regard to
some parts OF western civilization has
changed. ana Christianity is no longer
held IN the former esteem. IF things
proceed thus he concludes, lin thirty
| years Christianity in Japan VIII be
| efraced"
This decline In christianity has re-
suited In corresponding revival ana
reconstruction Of the ancient religions
| OF the country. On the authority OF
DR.. Michel Reyon, late professor In the
Imperial University Of Japan, II IL
stated that an effort Is now being made
to modernlze Buddhism on the lines OF
The philosophy Of Herbert Spencer and
| the two systems are said to harmonl2e
surprisingly well, for Buddhism Is the
doctrine OF evolution, in a mystic form
Reincarnation seems, to some japanese
minds, to be but another term for evo-.
luton. II is freely believed In Japan
now that christianity was good for
the western nations helping to restrain
| them from committing murder and oth-
er heinous crimes but that 1t Is not
needed in Japan where the people are
naturally good.
Notwithstanding these apparent oD-
stacles the Introduction OF the CHRIS
tlanity of Jesus Christ, so different 10
that which passes under this title VIII
be found opportune, and that the time
has come for a mission to Japan IL eVi-
dent, and we may look for Important
movements in that direction when VIII
rebound to the benefit OF the people
there and to the glory Of the Eternai
Father.
The Church OF Jesus Christ OF Lat
ter.day Saints has special divine mis-
sion to preach the Gospel to every
nation and kindred, and tongue ana
people" The angel spoken OF In the
Apocalypse (see Rev. xiv, Q, y mas re,
stored It in It's primitive purity ana
mower. and the duty Of proclaimlhg H.
for "a witness" Of the advent OF the
Messiah as the King Of kings and Lord
Of lords. devolves upon the Elders OF
this Church.
It does not matter whether they sue
coed in making converts or not, That IL
n minor consideration They go TO the
world to bear testimony OF the reopen
ing of divine communication with man
kind. and the re-establishment OF the
Church set up by the Savior in person
twenty centuries ago, with us doc-
trines, authority, ordinances ana SPIRIT
from which the world has departed
They are not to make war upon exist
ing sects and churches, but to oifer lhe
word of the Lord newly revealed Tor
the obedience OF all mankind, and TO
warn the world OF coming judgments
and POPULATIONS which will be the con-
sequence OF rejecting their message
Everything that Is true, that tends
10 elevate, purify. enlighten and unite
mankind, in all the various systems eX-
tant. they are to acknowledge as OF
God. They are not to attempt to take
away anything that the world already
has of truth, but 20 add to the sum
OF human information on spiritual
things. They do not seek to disseini-
nate their personal opinions as to re-
ligion. but to declare that which Goa
has revealed in the present dispense
lion.
The United states, Europe and some
Of the islands Of the sea, including
Australasia and Polynesia, have been
visited by the Elders. and now Japan
is to hear the living word OF God
There are times and seasons for move
ments in the Church relative to It's
work abroad as well as at home THESE
are noted and acted upon as lnspira-
ton directs through the earthly head
Of the Church When the divine call
comes, II Is for the servants OF God to
obey. no matter where 1t directs them
or how difficult the task,
The mission TO Japan may extend IN
to China and adjacent parts. That VIII
be determined by future events and
the word Of the Lord. But the Apostle
who has been appointed to this ardu-
Gus mission, and the Elders who may
60 with him. should and doubtless VIII,
receive the support Of the faith ana
prayers Of the Saints that they may De
greatly successful.
If any of tho blood OF Israel Is min
gled with the Japanese strain, those
who bear II will come to the standard
now raised, and cling to the Gospel now
revealed. II not. different results may
onsue. In any event, that nation has
to be warned, and the Orient as wen
AS the Occident must hear the glad It'd
lngs of salvation. and have the oppor'
unity 10 receive or reject the word OF
the Lord, which is to all nations ana
to every people.
A BENEFICIAL MEASURE.