Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-04-20
RUSSIA AND JAPAN.
Rev. John L. Brandt.

RUSSIA AMI - APaN.
Rey. John l.. Brandt
Behold these shall come from afar,
and 10! these from the North ana West,
and these from the Lard of Sinin"
All eyes are now viewing the situa
ton in the far East. On account of
missions in China and Japan. and the
recent war between these nations, our
people know more about them than
about the Russians. but now as the
volcano of war that has long been
smoldering has burst forth with its
destructive force, we turn our eyes TO
Russia. and begin TO study her history
her people. and her civilization.
Russia was unknown as European
power until the dawn of the eighteenth
century. Peter the Great did more to
make Russia and shape her destiny
than any other man. A little intercourse
with the western civilization impressed
him with the inferiority of. Russia.
He resolved to give his subjects the
civilization Of the West He wrought
wonders within the domains of his
country; he raised an army equal to
other European States. He had no
fleet. but in a few years he placed a
formidable Russian feet in command
of the Baltic The seat Of his govern
ment at Moscow was too far from
western interests. so he established up
on the shores of the Baltic, With ire
mendous energy, the new capital of
his empire. from whose towers he
could look out upon wrster! seas and
nations. He introduced cotton silk
and wooden manufactures and the art
of printing amongst his people; he built
roads and canals; he perfected po-
lice and postal service; he made laws
and executed them; he founded schools
and hospitals. and introduced reforms
in The church. He fostered industries,
and prepared Russia to take rank as
n great European power When he as
cended the throne, Russia's dominion
covered 100000 square miles of the
earth's surthce but to-day the Cars
empire extends over nearly 100000
square miles.
During the Intervening period 1t has
been one tremendous expansion OH ev-
cry side Nothing has dared to stand
in the way of Russia's unparalleled
growth. To accomplish her expansion
ideas. she has crumhled thrones. routed
armies. crushed people and botted ma
tons from the map of the world. Since
her career of expansion began. Russia
has pushed her frontier boundary 500
miles westward into Europe; she ad-
vanced and pushed that boundary 800
miles nearer the Mediterranean; she
pushed eastward until her outposts are
contiguous to the territory un:ler pro-
lection OF the British flag.
The history of Japan is no less in
tercsting than that of Russia. Prior
to 1860 this sunrise Kingdom was a
hermit nation. Their laws declared
that Christians should be prohibited
from their country. One law stated
hat while the sun warns the earth,
let no Christian he so bold as to enter
japan" Rewards were offered for
suspected converts. Shipwrccked sea
meu were put in cages and carried
through the streets for exhibition. Stu
dents of the Bible were imprisoned.
But in 1853 Commodore Perry, our
own 4 American sailor, steamed into the
BAY of Yeddo. unfurled the American
flag. opecnd the Bible, sang the one
hundredth psalm. and Japan opened
her doors to the civilized world. From
that day till this she has gradually
beca changing her old and established
customs for the more enlightened ones
of the New World. The triumph OF
civilization is felt on all sides. and
the rapid advancement of the japanese
Is the wonder of the world. AS If by
magic she was walked forth from
darkness into light; from bondage into
liberty: from henthenism into civiliZa-
tion. Within one-half century she has
established schools for the education
of her people. framed benefcent laws
for the government of her people. open
ed her ports for commerce. given
hearty welcome to the missionary and
philanthropist, organized and equipped
Formidable fleet of sea monsters,
trained and developed one of the
miglltiest armies in the world. ana has
established and maintained her posi-
ton as world power.
In the present conflict with Russia
Japan has affirmed that her position is
not one OF aggression, but of self-pro-
lection. She declares the life of her
nation is ut stake. On the part OF
Russia it is necessity TO have an
caste N outlet: on the part of Japan it
is national security. defense Of rights
and the maintenance of peace and
cor. ulerce The one is the complement
of the Other. That which Russia
claims as a necessity. Japan claims
would be her ruin. The crisis is great
the issue tremendous. and the result
will have a lasting effect upon the civ
ilization OF Asia.
DETERMINED INTEGRITY.
BY Re-: x. l.. Russell.
"Though he STAY me- yet will trust