Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-25
FIRST IN THE ORIENT
Worlds Gathering at Toxic a
Remarkable Event.
FEDERATION OF CHRISTIANS
Notable orientals Were Present and
Took Part.
SPIRIT OF GOOD FELLOWSHIP
Attitude Of the Press Of Japan Was
Very Encouraging-some Of the
Noted Men Present.
FEDERATION OF CHRISTIANS
SPIRIT OF GOOD FELLOWSHIP


OSAKA, April 0, 1907.
It will be very difficult in the space to
which this letter must be limited to convey
any adequate idea of the significance of the
first worlds gathering, religious or secular,
ever held in the orient" The conference Of
the Worlds Student Christian Federation in
Toxic during the past week marks the be-
ginning of new era, not only in the life Of
Japan, because for the first time in history
an Notwithstanding has been held in
her midst but also in the progress Of CHS
tianity In the world, and last, but by no
means least, 1t marks a distinct advance in
the great movement for a better understand
ing between the east and the west.
Baron Shimper Cato, the president of the
south Manchurian railway, in addressing
the foreign delegates at brilliant garden
party given in their honor yesterday, said:
1t has too often been repeated that the
east and west are distinct, forever sepa-
rated by impossible oceans, but thanks to
undauntedr explorers and daring sailors
there is now no league of the sea where
their craft is not piled. Well has Englands
representative poet declared:
But there Is no east nor west
Border, nor breed, NOR birth
w. re- two two strong men stand face to face.
Ino they come from the ends Of the earth.
fellowship been recognised, but also the
social and spiritual value Of Christianity
has been attested by men in high places.
Baron Shibusawa, one Of the foremost
bankers in the empire; Count Okufna, the
great statesman and educator; Viscount
Hayashi, the minister of foreign affairs;
Marquis Ito. Mayor Osaki of Toxic and
many others, in spoken or written mes
sages during the conference, have evidenced
the keenest appreciation Of the benefits of
Christianity.
Attitude OF Press.
The attitude Of the press has been most
remarkable-it has far exceeded the REQUIRE
ments of courteous consideration of an
international gathering and has openly and
frankly, In many cases, Endorsed the Chris
tan propaganda without reservation. The
papers, printed in both Japanese and Eng
iish. have given much space to reports Of
the proceedings, some of the addresses,
Ike that of Prof. Alexander Macalister Of
Attitude to Christianity" and that of Prof.
Edward I. Bosworth Of Oberlln, on
Prayer being printed almost in full The
editorial utterances have been most strik-
Ing. especially those of the Japan Times, the
only paper printed in English in Toxic
Though printed in English, this paper is
owned and edited entirely by Japanese.
Inc editorial of the opening day and that
OF the closing day Of the conference were
most noteworthy. After abiding to the
appreciation of the conference, entertained
by the writer. the first editorial commented
dt length upon the DenentS OF CHRISTIANITY
to Japan, and concluded with this state
ment: The Japan Times Is not an organ of
Christianity; nor of any other religion but
we are painfully aware of the general de-
cadence of the religious spirit In this coun-
try, and would gladly give cur support to
any spiritual movement that aims at social
reform and publication. No movement will
be more productive of lasting and far
reaching results than that which endeavors
to propagate new mode Of thinking and
furnish new objects of noble activity among
those who are destined to form the back
bone OF the country, namely, the student
class. We welcome the Worlds Student
Christian Federation conference"
Many Delegates.
The personnel of the conference was most
extraordinary. There were $50 delegates.
representing twenty-five different nations
Some of the delegates were professors,
but the vast majority were students or
student leaders. In addition, the National
Young Mems Christian Association move
ments OF number of nations were repre-
scented.
Sir Alexander Simpson of the University
of Edinburgh and Prof. Macalister of Cam
bridge were the most prominent of the Brit
Woman's College of Baltimore, Dean Bos-
worth OF Oberlin and Prof. Harlan p.
Beach Of Yale were the most distinguished
American delegates: Baron Paul Nicolay
Represented Lie NEWLY ORGANIZED protestant
student movement in Russia: DR.. Karl
Fries, the president of the conference, rep
resented the studentsS of Sweden, and
throughout the whole list of European
countries the representation was most note
worthy. The universities and colleges Of
the orient were especially well represented.
Japan, Of course had the largest delega-
ton, In which were numbered several col
lege presidents notably President Honda of
the great Methodist College In Toxic. who
was chairman of the committee of arrange
ments for the conference. China sent fifty
OF her brightest young men, some Of whom
coming from its far western provinces had
to travel two months to reach Toxic.
Profs. Au Flu and Chen of Picking were
prominent in this delegation. Among those
who came from Korea was Hon Yung Chi
dresses of the conference on the topic THE
Young Man Of the New Far East"
Meeting Place.
The meeting place of the conference was
the hall Of the Toxic Young Mems Chris
tian Association. The floor was reserved
for delegates and the gallery was crowded
with visitors at every session. Special
meetings for woman students were held in
a nearby church.
The utmost simplicity was observed in
the decorations. The arch over the plat
form was filled with a choice piece Of silk
words, "Unum in Christie" This motto,
with Maltese cross above it, was the
only establishment of the room. The Sig
ntficance Of the motto was most impressive
as one listened to the singing. The words
Of the hymns were printed In FIVE lam
guages, Japanese, Chinese, English, French
and German and these tongues blended in
splendid harmony in the rendering Of
some of the great hymns, such as ROCK
of Ages" abide With Me-" Elm feste
Burg" and many others: Each delegate
prayed in his own language, and this, too,
served to emphasize the appropriateness
and the significance Of the motto The
proceedings, other than the prayers and
hymns. were only in two languages. Eng
lish and japanese.
It is impossible to even mention the titles
of the various addresses, and 1t must suf-
fee to say that for five days the conference
listened to a series of remarkable contribu-
tons to Christian thought, made by men
eminent in all walks Of life and from many
nations