The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-09
Christian Work Now In a
Critical State In JAPAN
Native Churches Want
To Co 1t Alone.
BY William T. Ellis.


tCopyrieht 1906. by Joseph 3. Bowies)
II OKIO. JAPAN.-That many or most
japanese Christians say no more
- foreign missionaries are wanted in
Japan, and that numbers OF the
strongest missionary leaders agree with
them. at least % the extent OF saying
that no new forces should be sent out
for the present. Is the rather sensatio-
nal conclusion 70 which have been
forced after sig weeks study OF the
missionary situation here.
A grave crisis confronts the missions
In Japan. How serious 1t IS the church
people in America have no con
copuon. That an open rupture between
the missions anu the japanese churches
has been narrowly averted. and is still
q dangerous possibility. r. freely admit
ted on ali sides. The gravity OF the
sltuation s. recognized by everybody con-
cerncd. II affects present RELIGIOUS con-
diuons In tie empire. but, more fmpor-
tant stii it has bearing upon the
future OF Christian missions IA almost
every country In the world. The uues-
lions that are up for settlement here and
now VIII constitute a precedent for all
other mission lands. The very rnagnitude
~ tho crisis has sobered all parties con-
ccrned. 20 that the bitterness and hos
tlues which marked the earlier stages
OF the controversy arc passing away. an.
on every side the extreme views arc be-
ing modified.
japanese Churches Assert Them
selves.
TIE present tense situation has its tap
root IA the spirit OF Japanese nationalism.
ihis people ~ exceedingly sensitive and
proud u rcsents with bitterness and
sarcs.sn being called "a heather" nation.
and thus being classed with the natives
or Africa and the South Sea islands
Equally rs q avcrse 20 remaining under
foreign control and tutciaEe ia it's reli-
gious life. The sentiment which caused
Ne abolition or extra-territoriaf polltl-
ch rights 90 foreigner. and which 20
this day leads the japanese prints to
speak Of the foreign communities as
former settlements" Is keonly alive 20
what ls felt 90 be an attitude Of su-
resiorty on tho part Of the mission
aries.
Within a week 7 have heard one Of
the most spiritual and earnest Of the
prominent japanese pastors speak Bit
lnfiy, 10 the presence az a large congre-
CATION of japanese. OF the day. when the
Japanese ministers We're called native
helpers by the foreigners. This sort OF
thing has touched Japan 10 the quick
Underlying the problem. also IS the
ingrained and ineradicable Anglo Saxon
sense ~ superiority 30 oth.r races. nv
self have seen enough % warrant the be-
lief that there is ground for the Japa-
nese sensitveness on this subject Not
at missionaries conduct themselves to-
ward the japanese preachers and Chris
tans a8 toward man. a brother and an
equal such men arc few. but thcv
should De- called home. Their usefulness
here is ended, n IL ever existed TO
this attitude on the part OF certain
foreigners may hc traced the ecciesiastl-
cal inconsiderateness. not 70 say hos
uity, 90 the japanese. Missionaries not
q Few know as wei as the native ministry
what it is 90 have their feelings hurt
Church Union Ahead of Home
land.
Tho upshot OF the matter has hocn
tae growth OF seif-goveruiug japanese de-