The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-27

been changed. II has now been decided
that 1t is unnecessary for Japan to be-
conc n Christian nation. Tho next em-
peror Will not be IL Christian indepen-
dence and liberation in religious matters
VIII continue to be the national policy,
but THE same official whose views have
been Expressing declares II TO be his belief
that Japan will never become a Christian
nation. although there Will remain along
side of Buddhism and Shntoism, q jap
anese Christian Church.
An Elder Statesfnan's Keen Views
on tho same point let me quote Count
Okuma one of the elder statesmen and
tho most influential individual In Japan.
/ had n long Interview with him in his
beautiful home. upon many phases of the
japanese problem, including this one.
Japan has the most perfect religious lib
crty in the world. So great is the spirit
of liberation here that conference on
mutual relations was recently held In
Toxic by the Christians. Buddhists and
shintoists. Hut this very conference
showed lack Of zeal on the part of each
for rs own faith. This Same lack of an
cient zest. and tendency to surrender be-
llefs, is also noticeable, understand, in
America. AS to Christianity in Japan, /
would say that it has spread as moral
philosophy. rather than as u religion.
1t may continue TO grow. and be widely
accepted but it will never become n ma
tional religion. Had Christianity been our
ancient faith. the situation would have
been different. Moreover Christianity
would have been greater in Japan We're it
not for the UNCONVENTIONAL divisions and
strife. which have hindored Christian
growth here / am glad to notice II de-
crease of this. both in japan and America.
Mission boards should take into account
the Importance of this matter.
What of the missionaries themselves?
They have done only good and not evil.
Their educational work especially has
been great-too much cannot be said in
favor OF it. But not all missionaries have
been successful; there are some who arc
failures. My own opinion Ia that there is
still a place in Japan for the best type
of missionary. Especially do we want
able teachers and great thinkers"
How Ambassador Wright Sizes
Up Missionaries.
Count osuma's words have caused a
DEPRESSION from the first point of this
article. Before returning to it, and while
still on the subject of missionaries, let me
quote the opinion expressed to me by the
American ambassador to Japan, Hon.
Luke Il. Wright:
When came to the Orient was disap-
pointed in the ssionaries-agreeably dis
appointed. / expected to find them, as
in every other calling. all sorts of men,
with proportion of no-account ones who
had come out here because they could not
make living at home. But / must con-
fess that I have not met single mission
airy who could not pass anywhere. Both
in the Philippines and in Japan | have
met many missionaries, and a finer lot of
men have never seen anywhere. They
are first class as men. Some of them have
become my personal friends" Then the
ambassador Went on to speak in detail of
Individual missionaries. lie left upon my
mind the impression that he unequivocally
approves of the missionaries.
My own Investigations. while they have
OF necessity gone more intimately into the
work and qualifications of the missionary
body in Japan have led me to the same