The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1907-05-24

covers the entire empire. 1t has many
selfsupporting congregations, and
powerful leaders not a few. 1t is said
that in remote government schools
where there was not single Chris
tian, the students are nevertheless
divided into Uemura and Ebana camps
these latter being the names of the
preachers who are the leaders of two
parties in the churches, whose vigor-
oup newspaper controversies are IA
miliar to a wide constituency. The
Japanese church has an established
foreign mission work of its own in
| Formosa and Korea.
| l have been at pains to inquire as TO
the character of Japanese Christians.
On all sides l hear that the intelligent
devotion of Japanese Christians to
the central truths of Christianity is
unquestioned. Whatever the outcome
of the present controversy, the native
church will remain loyal to the teach
ings which it has had from the mis-
sionaries. l personally have seen con-
gregations of Christians here, of sew
eral UNCONVENTIONAL names, whose de-
votion and sincerity was apparent to
any observer. A ripper or more sanity
| character it would be hard to find
than one old blind man with whom l
| talked, who has been through long
persecution for the sake of his faith.
Undoubtedly, too, Christianity has
come to have a recognized place in
| the life of the nation. 1t is factor
| in the present thought and develop
ment of Japan which no Japanese
leader pretends to ignore. Broadly
Christianity; yet yesterday saw one
of the old edict boards which SO years
ago decorated the highways, threat
ening with death any one accepting
Christianity or harboring a Christian.
All of the many Japanese writer's and
teachers with whom have thus far
talked freely concede at least an i'm
portant place in Japan's future to
Christianity; while Christian authors,
like Matsumura, confidently declare
that it is bound to swallow up Budd-
hism and Shintoism. Japanese Chris
tians are beginning to have their own
schools and orphanages, supported by
themselves, as well as their own re-
ligious books and periodicals.
Why No More Missionaries.
The foregoing is an endeavor to
give a clear glimpse of situation
that seems to be understood very
Slightly in America. Back here one
hears echoes of fervid reports of
"Japan's Religious Awakening" and
"Japan's plea for missionaries" Over
these l have seen old missionaries
shake their heads. At the recent
meeting of the Council of Missions of
the Presbyterian and Reformed
churches which struggled with the
present burning issues it was declared
openly that no more new missionaries
should be sent here until the present
problematic situation has been ad.
justed. 1t may be that some men al.
ready here will have to return home.
To mere observer it appears reason
able that man who has been in
Japan many years without having
Japanese viewpoint, or attained SYM
pathetic and fraternal relations with
the native Christians, should consider
| himself called to some more congen1as
field of labor. A recent issue of mis-.
sion News" monthly published in
Kobe in the interests of the Ameri-
| can Board Mission, contained these
striking sentences: THE time for
'eXtra-territoriaP Christianity in Japan
is rapidly drawing to an end, If it is
not already passed. Missions and mis-
sionaries are being tested. They have
accomplished mighty work in the
past and it is in their power to do
| even greater work in the present and
| immediate future. Will they meet the
| test and rise to the opportunity that
is theirs?"
On this last point the Japanese are
quite insistent. They say the new day
| demands new kind of help from
| America. Instead of men to do preach
| ing and teaching-for which some as
| sert there are now sufficient qualified
Japanese-they want men of the char
| acter and calibre of President Charles
| Cuthbert Hall, of Union Seminary,
| New York, who made a pronounced
| impression during his recent visit to
| Japan. They want statesmanlike
leaders, men of large culture, great
learning and broad sympathies. The
best that America has in the way of
teachers and pastors may profitably
be sent to Japan to lead her native
leaders and inspire her native inspir-
ers.
In the meantime the majority OF
missionaries, as well as many Japan.
| csc, declare that Japan still needs the
missionaries. The native church is
not strong enough, either in men or
money, to go it alone Japanese
preachers from outlying parts of the
empire say frankly that this whole
uproar is Toxic product, and they
hint at the ambition of certain Toxic
leaders to control the Japanese church
An English missionary told me that
the control of funds could not be