Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-25
JAPAN IN SEARCH or LIGHT

A writer IN the New York 1ndepend-
emit pictures Japan in search Of a re-
lirlon. and tells what would happen II
commission were sent on a journey
through the world for the purpose Of
selecting one suitable 10 the country II
h a clever pen picture OF the religious
status Of the so-called Christian coun-
tries especially
such commission would first take
a glance. the writer assumes, at Islam
but pass Il by as unworthy Of con-
sidsratlon II would then look at the
Greek church, but not seriously, not
caring 70 recommend cultus Of which
Russia Is the chief adherent At
Rome, however. the commission would
pause with much interest But not
very long A pope claiming in part tenn
poral power while a prisoner" at the
Vatican. would indicate that something
IS wrong somewhere.
In Germany the searchers for religion
would find empty churches and crowd
ed lecture rooms, whore religion
Is torn to pieces by bold criticism In
france they would find noble cathe.
drals. but the women alone worship,
while the men scott In England condl-
lions are more favorable but the In
qulrers would soon learn that none but
an Anglican bishop would be empow-
erd to transplant that church to
japanese soil and that feature Of the
system would be objectionab BILE.
The commission would now go to
America. Here they would find the
towns and cities oyerstocked with
churches, owned by a number OF sects
all differing on important points OF doc
trlne. This Is also perplexlng. 1t Is
one religion that Japan needs, and not
a diversity Of religious creeds and prac-
tees The result is that the commits.
sloners return without having found
that for which they were In search
The description is graphic. It might
have been added that the Intelligent
searcher for truth would have found
in all Of the countries traversed
a religion that takes but little notice
of the teachings Of its Founder; a sys-
tenn that cares but little for the actuol
everyday needs Of the masses. They
would find systems under which the
most earnest followers Of the Nazarene
are hated, prosecuted and sometimes
put TO death in His name. And II they
were 10 return 10 their own country
with the report that superstition, form
alism, hypocricy and vandalism -four
ish under the banner Of the cross, they
would be justified by their own obser-
vations.
Modern Christianity is spreadingmore
through the force of armies and navies,
than by spiritual means. II Is difficult
w et' iVN q ipHNNnilNlldn pDstINeI Gun
ind any difference in this respect be-
tween Christianity and Mohammedan-
ism In its age OF conquests, although
the latter Is much denounced on that
account, as a religion of blood and FIRE
Japan In search Of religion is
nevertheless. sublime spectacle In this
age, And inasmuch as the Eternal
Fathers promise 70 His children u.s.
that they who seek shall find, the search
VIII not be In vain. The main difficulty,
however, Is that truth, when found.
often appears so different from all that
was expected or anticipated, that It is
rejected, on that very ground. The
very stone designed as a corner stone,
Is often cast aside by the builders, We
hope the Japanese win act wisely, and
accept the hight the Lord of all may
send them, In answer to their prayers,
their search for truth. II So they viii
become a mighty nation, the bearers
of intelligence throughout all Asia,
perhaps whore much darkness sull