The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-05

or. But for the severe training re-
ceived by her ruling classes under the
guidance Of Bushido Japan could not
to-day have taken her place so easily
and, on the whole. so successfully
among the civilized nations of the
earth.
This system built up again the sane
tons for family and social life, stat
ing in detail the duties of each class
and individual. Bushido restored to
the practical life of the nation those
choice idealizing spirits whom Bud
dhism had for centuries been drawing
off to the mountains. to Japan'S in
calculabl injury. It sought to estab-
lish the practical life of the state and
of. the family on the firm foundation
of character and knowledge. But
Bushido had no systematic propa-
ganda, no missionary zeal.
Christianity's Period of Growth, 1873
1889.
In 1873 the edicts against Chris
tianity were taken down. Tho the
laws themselves were not repealed,
| it was evident that the government
| would not enforce them. During the
new era then commencing, there was
a great desire to adopt western Gus
| toms and ideas. Railroads, ma
chinery and other material products
of occidental civilization were in de-
mand. Christianity, as the re-
ligion of the west, was thought worthy
of investigation. Large audiences
i listened to it's proclamation. Young
men and women focked in increasing
| graduation many of them became
earnest and effective pastors, or
evangelists. Bibles and other Chris
tian books found a ready sale. There
were large accessions to, the churches.
Many of the local churches were self
! supporting; and there were also gen
erous contributions for evangellstlc
Educational and philanthropic pur-
poses. The growth in all directions
was so rapid that it began to be
said even by those who hated Chris
tianity, that probably by the end OF
the century it would be the pre-
! dominant religion of the land. The
! churches of America and England, en-
couraged by the glad news coming
from Japan, sent forth new mission
aries and large contributions for the
enlargement of the work.
A Reaction Sets In.
After this time reaction set in
Conservatives used the opportunity t
arouse a strong nationalistic spirit
j Christianity, which had shared in thu
II favor shown to western ideas, now be
came the object Of bitter attacks. PEG
pie were less ready to listen to preach
. ing, the number of pupils in Christian
!, schools rapidly decreased, there wer
fewer additions to the churches AM
the faith of many grew cold. Hitherto
there had been but little 'doctrinal dis
} cussion; but the Unitarians of Amer
lica, who had recently entered the field
made 1t large part Of their work t
send controversial publications t
4 evangelists and other educated Christ
ians. The liberal missionaries from
Germany gained considerable influ
ence. Moreover, the theological dis
i cussions Of Europe and America wer
followed with interest by those VIII
q could read English or German. TIL
fondness Of the Japanese for novelty
i their tendency to reject supernatural
ism and a desire to show their indie
y pendence of the missionaries made tn
preachers more ready to accept an,
proclaim strange doctrines. Mucl
4 was said about the necessity OF havin,
4 the churches put away dognlas an
customs that had come. from foreigl
4 lands in order that there might be
Japanese Christianity. Theologica
unrest led to spiritual decline and re
Taxation of evangelistic efforts.
The growth Of the commercial spiri
also retarded the advance of tn
Il churches. Especially after the wa
with China, in 1S94-5. there was g
great eynansion OF trade. The thought