The Washington herald., 1907-05-13
MOTT PRAISES TOKYO
Tells of Japan's Welcome to
Christian Delegations.
WASHINGTON MEN THERE
:. w. Woodward and John y. Sie-
man, jr., Among Men at Worlds
student COnference-Count Okuma
Gives Garden PRrty-Marquis Ito
Gives $4,000 TO Aid the Cause.

John r. Mott. secretary of the World
| Student Christian Federation, has just
returned from the far East, where he
| has visited important centers OF Chris
tian Association work, including the Phil
| ippines, Korea, and Japan. lie returned to
/ New York Saturday by way of the Siberian
railroad having been granted a special
pass, with his party. by the Car. Mr.. Mott
gives the following general statement
| concerning the recent World Student
| Conference. held in Tokyo, to which
Messrs. S ". Woodward and John B.
sleman. jr.. Of this city, were delegates;
THE World Student Conference, held
IN Tokyo several days ago, was the most
momentous gathering ever held in the in
terest of Christianity in Asia, and one of
the most significant in the annals OF
Christianity. This may be Judged, in the
first place, by the marked recognition
which it received from the japanese gov
/ eminent and eminent men Of that en-
pire The minister of foreign affairs,
Viscount Hayashi, not only gave an I'M
| pressive message Of greeting, but also
| accorded a special reception to the en-
tire conference In his palace. The min
ister of education, the most influential
leader in educational circles in Japan, also
recognized the conference by a greeting,
showing special discrimination and hearty
interest.
Count OIzuma Entertains.
Count Okuma. one OF the two leading
elder statesmen Of Japan, not only gave
a garden party to the entire conference,
but also delivered most remarkable ad-
dress. showing an appreciation Of the part
/ which Christianity has had In the making
| of the new Japan, and commenting on the
vital relation of the Christian Associa-
ton movement in its work among the ed
ucated classes. The mayor Of Tokyo and
the foremost financial men of the capital
| city also gave a brilliant reception 10 the
/ conference and delivered an address Of
1 welcome which has been favOrably COM
mented on throughout the entire far
| East Marquis Ito. the most influential
japanese statesman, contributed 1900
yen S50o0 toward the expenses Of the
conference, and sent a cable message
from Korea which made a profound i'm
preston Rulers Of other nations sent
/ special messages 10 the conference. None
were received with 50 much enthusiasm
as the one from President Roosevelt. not
excepting one from the King Of England
Buddhists Meet Also.
Another indication Of the mighty
power and influence Of the Tokyo con
ference was seen In the attitude and ac-
tion Of the non-Christian religion Of
Japan While this Christian conference
was in session there was also going on
in Toyko a Buddhist conference. attended
by 1900 delegates. representing all the
great sects. which have over 30.0000C0 ad-
herents. This conference sent "A message
Of congratulation and good will 10 the
Christian student convention This ac-
ton Is unprecedented and almost incredi-
bic. At the same time, the Shint0 priests
we're holding a great convention In Tokyo
They also took the Initiative and sent a
deputation with a most striking message
OF greeting and sympathy. This also is
Indicative Of a change. which five years
ago would have been simply incredible.
Another proof Of the unique influence
Of this worlds gathering was the fact
that Il unlocked the doors OF all the other
cities throughout the empire of Japan.
4 At the close Of the conference there went
forth from Tokyo nearly twenty deputa-
tions. of from two TO five workers each,
to proclaim the message of Christianity
to the educated classes OF Japan. They
touched every center Of Importance
throughout all the islands
Cordially Received.
Wherever they went they received q
reception characterized by marked cor
diality and heartiness. The highest mu-
nicipal and provincial officials, the cham
bers OF commerce. the educational lead
ers, and other prominent classes partici-
pated in this universal welcome. The at
titude of these classes naturally arrested
the attention and commanded the conf
dence of the students and other educated
people. so that the meetings addressed
by these Christian deputations were in
variably thronged with eager and recep-
tive listeners. Never before has Chris
tian gathering met with such a reception,
or exerted such a widespread influence
in so short a time.
''The conference was attended by 500
leading delegates from twenty-five ma
, tions It was pre-eminentiy Oriental.
While all the nations of Europe and North
America, South Africa. and Australasia
were represented. fully five-sixths Of the
delegates were Asiatics.
Delegates from Japan.
: There were strong delegations from
Japan, Korea, China, Manchuria, Siam,
India, Ceylon, and the Philippines. Any
one acquainted with the facts, looking
over this picturesque and representative
, body. would say that there were presented
! the very springs OF influence and power in
the entire Asatic church.
Some would say that the most con-
vincing evidence Of the marvellous power
of the Tokyo conference was the cam
paign of evangelism which accompanied
md followed It. Evangelistic meetings
were conducted daily Of such remarkable
influence that they made a deep impress
sion on the educational classes of Tokyo.
Not less than 10000 japanese, Chinese.
, and other students thrOnged these meet
ings. In connection with the visits of the
deputations following the conference, tens
OF thousands of students and other edu-
Gated men listened to the proclamation of
the claims of Christ. These constituted
the most fruitful series Of meetings of
2 this kind ever conducted among the stu
g dents of any nation"
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