The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-09-25
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.

Topic For the Week beginning sept.
2z-Comment by Rev. $. FL. Doyle.
Topic.-An evening with Japanese mis-
sions. Nv. 2. 8.
The prominence of Japan among the
nations Of the world, its rapid progress
In modern civilization and the success
full propagation of Christianity in the
empire all go to make this subject an
unusually interesting one Every mis-
Bionary committee should arrange a
programme of special attractiveness
and thereby interest all in the meeting
and, what is still more important, In
the winning Of the empire Of Japan to
Jesus Christ
Japan Is composed Of a number Of
islands which stretch in a crescent
shape along the northeastern coast of
Asia from Kamchatka to Korea.
Their area is about 100000 square
miles. In location and climate the
islands of Japan resemble Great Brit
ain The climate is temperate, the soil
fertile, the air healthful and food
abundant Flowers and fruits abound.
and the skies are beautiful and clear.
The Japanese people are kindly i'm
pressible, quick to observe and T.. itate,
ready to adopt whatever may seem to
promote their present good, magma
tive, fond Of changes, yet withal loyal
to their government and traditions.
The people are divided into two general
classes-the samurai, including the
k,,i1 10 M oIa fhta
hei-min, or agriculturists, merchants and
artisans. The japanese are intellectu-
ally of high order, but Of low moral
standard Truth, purity, temperance,
unselfish devotion. self denial, are all
sadly wanting, which demonstrates
their need Of the gospel of Christ.
ShintoIsm, Buddhism and Confucian-
Ism are the principal religions of
Japan.
Catholic missionaries under Francis
Xavier went to Japan In 1910. By
making the transition to papal Christi
anity very easy, merely the substitu-
don of one superstition for another
many converts were soon won. But
the political intrigues Of the Jesuits
soon aroused opposition, the Catholics
were exterminated, Christianity and
foreigners forbidden an entrance into
Japan and the island empire became
shut off from the world until won over
30 different policy by our own Com
modore Perry In 1854.
The Christian church soon took ad-
vantage Of the opening of the Japanese
ports. Missionaries were at once sent
In, and after years of faithful labor
results were produced. The church of
Japan was born In prayer. In Janu-
airy, 1872, the English speaking resi-
dents Of all denominations united In
observing the week of prayer. The re-
suits were tremendous. Past suspicion
and prejudice passed away and for the
first time the Japanese were on their
knees In Christian prayer meeting,
pleading to God for His spirit. From
that time on the work has been sue.
cessful In 1877 a number of mission
airy agencies combined their efforts.
There are now seven denominations in
this union which is called ''the church
Of Christ In Japan" They include the
Reformed and Presbyterian denomina-
lions Of the United States, and this
union Is one Of the strongest bodies
of Christians In the empire.
Recent events have made Christiani
ty moro powerful than ever In Japan.
The empire has come closer to the
great Christian nations of England and
the United States. Many japanese
students are being educated in these
countries Unlike China and India, in
japan the educated and cultured class
es have been favorably disposed to the
gospel A great revival has within
recent years been In progress In the
island and thousands have been won
for Christ. Let US earnestly pray for
continuance Of this revival spirit
until the entire land shall have be-
come Immanuel's land May the Sun
of righteousness come indeed to the
empire OF the Rising Sun and with
healing In His wings.
BIBLE READINGS.
lisa. XIV, Ito; XIII, 10-17; Ill, 7; *.
6, 8; Nah 1 u; Matt V, IA, Is; xviii.
10 or Acts Ia. Rom X ID IL