Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-28

SODere0 by the war ana Dy the Fe:'ipisi-
bilities growing out of it. In the third
place prejudice against Christianity is rap
IDLY disappearing under the beneflcient IN
1ueGCe Of the various churches, schools
and other Christian propaganda, Among
these influences none has been more pro-
nounCed than the influence of the work OF
the Young Mems Christian Assoca ton
amc ng the nearly one million Japanese SOL
diers in Manchuria during and subsequent
to the war with Russia.
japanese Tribute to Y. M. c. A.
striking resume of th!s--influence was
made by Mai. Gen. kamio, formerly chief
of staff at Dalny. At the close of re-
malkable address. in which he described in
detail the work of the association in help
ing the Japanese soldiers at eleven differ
ent points in Manchuria and Korea, he
made this significant statement:
Let me remark that | can discover two
results from the successful work of the as
ISOLATION: First. hundreds of thousands of
soldiers. representing every class of Japa-
nese society, were made acquainted with
the gospel of Christ: secondly. when these
hun reds of thousands returned home they
told their parents. brothers and friends
about the kind ministry of the Young
Mems Christian Association, and thus
many millions more have been made some
what acquainted with the spirit of the
Christian religion
The truth of Gen. Kamos deductions Is
amply borne out by the testimony of many
missionaries and others with whom we
have talked Hundreds of additions to the
churches are directly traced to the intu-
enca of this work for the soldiers. while
every phase of Christian work is more cor
daily welcomed than ever.
The gift OF 5000 to the army work Of
the Young Mems Christian Association by
the emperor and empress marked new
era il Christian enterprises, and the eff
feet of this recognition of Christian work
by their rulers has made a deep impress
sion on the people Of Japan.
1t is interesting to note that while the
Buddhists spent probably ten times as
much the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation for their work in the army. and
initiated all the methods used by the asso-
citation. their tents and buildings were but
little patronized, while the men focked to
the association quarters. The Bud6hists
returned to Japan soon as peace was
declared. while the association ministered
to the soldiers during the six eight
months which elapsed before they embark
ed for home-a period fraught with great
peril to the men because of the leisure on
their hands and the fierce temptations of
the port cities.
AS a result of this service the way has
been opened for the association to continue
It's work for the soldiers during the time
of peace, as is done in the United States.
Independent of Foreigners.
1t is a most Interesting fact that Chris
tan work in Japan has become largely in
digenous. A considerable number of the
churches are entirely Independent Of for
eign aid and more are becoming so every
year. There will be need of the mission
airy for many years to come. but he will
be the guide, philosopher and friend
rather than the direct leader. All the
Young Mems Christian Associa tons have
boards of directors composed almost en-
tirely of Japanese, the foreign secretaries
acting as advisers
We spoke Sunday night to large au-
dience of Japanese in the principal church
in Yokohama and last night we were ten
dered a dinner by the directors of the
Yokohama Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation, and later in the evening spoke at a
meeting of the more than three hundred
members of that association.
We start today for trip through Japan,