The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-04

might have entered the army, but his
conversion at the age of twenty-fou
largely influenced the course Of his
life. It is a remarkable fact that forty
preachers of the gospel In the Metho-;
dist, Presbyterian and other churches
have conle-tfe majority Of them with
in a single generation-from that little,
tawn. Humble missionaries, whose
names are little known, did some faith
full sowing In those early days, and
God gave the increase.
At one time, In early manhood, young
Honda proposed to throw himself into
political life. The people Of Hirosaki
and OF. that great district were devoted
to him, and pledged their loyal support,
desiring that he should become their
representative In the Imperial Diet.
He went, at their solicitation, to the
United States to study politics. One
day in 1883. in company with some j APP
anese friends. he attempted to cross the
Busquehanna River! on railroad bridge
near Campbell's Leap. Hearing the leg
end OF the famous rider, who, without
than be captured by the Indians, he
had walked out on the bridge to get
better view or the romantic spot.
At this junoture a warning cry from
his friends. who had not ventured7 so
far, made him aware OF the presence of
an express train, which, with almost
| lightning speed, was bearing down upon
him. It was toollate to retreat. There
was but q moment for decision. Honda
had to either leap into the surging tide
below. or risk instant death from the
train above. He chose the latter, and
threw himself upon the track, between
the rails. His Mortified friends were
transnxed upon the bank. They ex-
pected to find nothing but his mutilated
remains. Their amazement can well be
/ imagined when the would be politician
rose up and presented himself. pale and
with torn garment, but without a
scratch or a bruise. They were pro-
fuse in congratulations, and rallied
/ him upon his seriousness. He took the
almost miraculous preservation as 9
| special providence. and throwing away
his personal ambitions, he SURRENDERED
himself to God for Christian work II
Japan, entered the Drew Seminary, ane
/ prepared for the ministry
Dr. S. H. wainwright, in the Japan
Mail. speaks of Bishop Honda as FOL.
K lows: "He was elected president OF
Aoyama Gakuin CMethodist College
Aoyama, Tpkio.) In 1890. and besides
his duties in connection with the col
lege and with his own conference, ha!
served In official capacity in the Y
: M c. A. and other organizations. II,
has made a number Of visits to Amer
lea and Europe, either for the prose
cution Of his studies or as a represen
tative OF Christian interests. He Is ;
man OF unquestioned plety. gentle dis
; position. good executive ability AM
wide influence. AS a leader Of {
\ united organization, during it's frs
Z period of history, Bishop Honda. be
: cause OF his tactfulness and breadt
8 of spirit, will be likely to prove him
Z self admirably fitted for the difficult
: task entrusted to him by the confer
s ence." Elected to the episcopacy o
Saturday, June LIST, by a vote OF forty
two out of possible fifty, there wa
nc uncertainty in the mind of the dele
J, gates to the General Conference.
q The conservation service took plac
: at Aoyama Gakuih In the new chape
;. on Sunday afternoon, the Sd Of June.
\ "That the ceremonies were attende
J, with marked reverence and solemnit
and deep impressiveness. was nc
h strange when account is taken of tn
c large assembly Of persons In attenc
d ance; the presence on the platforl
OF many distinguished men. the create
! number of whom were veterans
It Christian service, whose locks wei
Il whitened with age and whose name
are widely known; the great sermo
preached by Bishop A. w. Wilson
senior bishop OF the Methodist Epil
/. copal Church, South. now in the SO,
n euty- third year OF his age and the II
: tleth of his ministry; the precise ar
n lsolemn performance of the conseors
I ton ceremonies and lastly. the PR
il sentation for ordination to the offit
i. OF a bishop of one, not only noted II
I his piety and ability, but who W,
= the first native In the history OF Pr
: featant foreign missions In Japan Il
n copal office"
Bishop Earl Cranston presided. III
! the first hymn. Come, Thou Almigh
u King. was announced by President
!. Yoshioka, of the kwansei Gakui
Z Kobe. Bishop M. G. Harris read Il
/. Collect; DR.. Y. Hiraiwa read the Epl
Lite. Acts AK. l7.a5. and pr. $, II, Val