The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-18

By this not even a hint of disparage-
ment is meant concerning his lecture.
1t bristled with interesting facts, his
tory, anecdotes of japanese people,
stories of Japanese civil and war his
tory. and in the entire was replete with
exceptionally attracting interest. It
showed above everything the wonderful
enthusiasm of which the educated Jap
anese of this day is possessed. Dr. Taxa
sugi is the very embodiment of the new
spirit which now S fairly hurting the
little eastern islandf years and years
ahead Of its neighbops in civilized adj
vancement.
Another dominant factor in Japan's
awakening is represented in DIR. Taxa
sugi. He Is firm BeHever m God. and
asserted repeate dly in his talk yesterday
that the deity interfeTes IN history. He
declared that God was on the side of
the Japanese against the Russians in
the recent great conflict.
After the speaker had finished his
talk he threw a number of stereopticon
views of the Jap-RUssO war on a screen.
DR.. Tagasuki is one Of the most noted
of Japanese educators. He is a grad
uate of Depauw university, a post
graduate of Boston university, and
student Of several European institu-
tiolIs. He is at the head Of the Universe
ty Of SaPporo, at SappOro, japan. Just
now he is making a trip about the
world While in the United States he
is lecturing under the management of
Iyceum bureau.
Dr.. Tagasuld said in his lecture on
Sunday afternoon:
81 have been travelling in your state
for five weeks. and I have enjoyed
them immensely, for they remind me
so much of japan
Japan was not made in a day. We
have a history of $500 years. Before
your people came to our country we
had our literature, our fine arts, our
various industries. Therefore when
you came we were we'll prepared to
adopt and assimilate your civilization.
From the very beginning your nation
has been true, honest and straightfor-
ward with US. We have taken more
advisers, more officers, more engineers,
more teachers from your country than
from any other, and they have been
loyal and faithful Thirty years ago
one of your educators persuaded our
government to adopt the common
school system. We have 100000 chill
dren in the public schools. We have
high school, and government colleges.
The courses are longer in our schools
than yours, and our students must
work hard. But it is worth their while.
In Japan education means promotion.
Then too we should speak of the Jap
anese students in America. They get
your spirit and carry it back to our
countrv-the open door policy-free-
manifestation of worship.
"And see what this has done for US.
It has made Japan a free country. We
have a constitutional governm ent. We
are independent. It has made us feel
that we have to be the gO-between be-
tween the east and west. We recog-
nized that we had to inject the Ameri-
can spirit into Korea and other eastern
countries.
1--WE were compelled to fight Russia
for the sake of humanity. I think that
God led US. We won on land and on
sea. We had to fight and therefore
thought that it was right to fight.
want to say that I believe in Gods
presence and interference in history.
Cod has shown in many ways the Won
derf1l1 mower of a Christian character.
Our soldiers knew that they were fight
ing in the cause of humanity, they be-
neved in God, and they were not
afraid.
cat first the government was not
favorable to the plan Of sending Chris
han workers into the army in the field,
but after a little while we got permits
sion to take this step. The Y. NJ. c. A.
did an immense amount of good. The
association provided places at each
camp for the soldiers to meet, to read,
to plav4 games. and have religious gath
erings. It did an immense amount of
good It gave US a wonderful chance
for the spread of religion through
japan. God offered US a wonderful OPP
portunity. These soldiers returning
home Christians will do as much to
through Japan as any other agency.
-e---n.----
Lutes can get your photos out for
Xmas. 5l1 Kansas avenue.