The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-25
Christianity@in Japan.

NTE HAVE not been accustomed to think of
Wv Japan as Christian nation. The fact that
great majority Of her people are followers of
Buddha or adherents Of Shintoism, that until COM
parativey recently they have known nothing of the
Bible or its teachings, has caused that country to
be regarded generally pagan. If the religious
beliefs Of majority Of the people are to be taken
indicating the character Of the nation with re-
spect to religion, Japan must be regarded pagan.
But what constitutes Christian nation?
Doubtless the degree Of enlightment and the atti-
tude Of that nation toward the principles Of Chris
tianity itself must have some bearing upon the
matter.
From this standpoint Mr.. V. W. Helm,
slate national secretary of the Young Mems Chris
tan association for Japan, says Japan is a Chris
tian nation He calls attention to the fact that Japan
is the only nation besides which provides
in it's constitution for absolute freedom of
science in matters Of religion. He does not mean
that other nations do not grant this freedom, but
none Of them guarantee it in their organic law
Not only does Japan do this, but has begun
to signify its sympathy with Christian missionary
effort and has contributed to its support. The
changed attitude Of Japan in this respect is very
remarkable, and the facts which Nh: Helm relates
are Of intense interest.
At the outbreak Of the war the Young Mems
Christian association asked for permission to &C
company divisions Of the army with supplies Of
reading matter in the form Of papers and pam
phlets, supplies Of stationery and little conven-
fences Of various kinds which might be Of service
to the soldiers In the field. This permission was
rather reluctantly granted, but the men sent out
by the association made themselves so useful to
the soldiers in great many ways to meet the
hearty approval Of the officers free trans
portation for supplies and men, evoke words Of
warmest commentator from captains in the field
and surgeons in the hospitals, and finally to call
for letters Of commendation and appreciation from
the emperor himself, accompanied by gift amount
ing to $4,000 for the benefit Of the Y. M. G.. A.
work among the soldiers 2#"~.... I. : =
Mr.. Bryan, in his letter to tt Q Journ al
today, speaks of the enjoyment of religious liberty
by the people Of Japan, and calls particular at
tention to the advanced sentiment in that country
with respect to freedom Of opinion. Japan is
constitutional monarchy, but the spirit Of democ-
racy pervades the entire kingdom and the accept
Of Christianity by men in leading positions,
both civil and military, is calculated to exert a
powerful influence upon the future Of that country
Japan will not be without religion. The ancient
faiths are rapidly losing their hold upon the people
With perfect freedom Of conscience freedom Of
speech and freedom Of press guaranteed, there can
be doubt to the ultimate and by no means
remote attitude Of that country toward religion
whose spirit Of benevolence has been SO signally
manifested in the camps and hospitals Of the Jap
anese during the last great war as to make deep
impression upon all classes Of the people.