Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
JAPAN'S RELIGION.
Christianity Gradually Getting Foot.
hold in the FIowery kinadom.

Christianity Gradually Getting Foot.
hold in the FIowery Kingdom.
(From a statement by Rev. David
S. Spencer, for 20 years a missionary
of the Methodist Episcopal church in
Japan, and now in the United States
on furlough.)
Protestant missionaries began their
work in Japan in 1859. In the early
years their work was exceedingly die.
ticult, as the hatred of the foreigner
was still strong. The public notice
boards forbade the Japanese subjects
TO believe in the hated foreign relig-
ion (yasukqu. and offered large re-
wards TO those exposing believers in
the new faith. To overcome this hat
red was the work of years, but by
1888 Christianity had gained some.
thing of a foothold ana its progress
increased until 1883, when the failure
OF treaty revision caused a serious
setback to the nation and awakened
a conservative reaction which for the
twelve following years seriously i'm
peded Christian work and caused
great national unrest
But the successful issues of Japan's
struggles with China in 1894 and 1895.
awakened new interest In Japan on
the part OF the entire civilized world
and gave to the nation a new impulse.
The successful revision of the treaties
between Japan and other civilized ma.
tions, taking effect in 1899, threw
wide open the doors to religious pro-
gress and TO all worthy lines of de-
velopment. No clear understanding
of the problem of eyangelization can
be had unless we take into account
the conservative spirit and the reac-
tons mentioned. These have had z
mighty deterrent effect upon Chris
tian propagandism and have been 4
some sense an injury to the peo-
pie. But, in spite Of these reactions.
Christianity has made progress
among the people. There are strong
self-supporting churches. strong
schools and strong publishing inter-
ests. all tending TO build largely for
the best interests Of the nation.
The Roman Catholic church. un.
der the lead of the most earnest and
scholarly men, claims a membership
OF $4,000, the Greek Catholic church
membership of $4,000 and the Pro-
testant families membership lf
about $4,000. These Protestant be-
levers are almost equally divided be.
tween the families known as Presby-
terians, Congregational, Episcopal AMI
Methodist. while the Baptists have an
interesting and growing work. These
Protestants preach the gospel regular
ly in LAO stations. There are some
500 organized churches, with $40
church buildings. Fifty thousand
children are in the Sunday schools.
About 1875 schools are open daily for
the instruction OF 10000 students. One
mission press. the Methodist Episco-
pal. sent out last year more than 700.-
O0O volumes of books and tracts,
more than 2l.000.000 pages OF Chris
tian literature, over the broad land.
The power OF the press is evideat
when we consider that there are more
people in Japan who read the morning
paper than can be found In all the
Russias. where S1h per cent of the
children of school age are enrolled in
her schools. an aggregate larger than
In Russia: where the English langu.
age Is a required study in all her
schools and where the government
sympathizes with all the best meth
DDS Of developing the mind and build
ing strong social and political insti.
tutions. To capture the minds OF this
bright people and TO lead them along
the pathway of Christian progress is
duty resting upon the Christian
church. and no higher duty or greater
opportunity has been offered TO the
people who call themselves Protest
ants