Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-03
TO CONVERT H|NDUS
Christian Missionaries Sent
From Japan.
WELCOMED IN INDIA
Quite a Sensation Created by Their
Visit.
INTEREST IN THE LECTURES
Eyes Of the Natives Being Opened.
Work Of the 7. N. G. A. in
the Far East.
INTEREST IN THE LECTURES
BIZ WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

BIZ WILLIAM E. CURTIS.
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
One Of the most interesting events in the
religious world of recent years Is the
sending Of native missionaries from ia
pan to convert the Brahmins Of India to
Christianity. Two prominent Japanes
gentlemen who were themselves converted
from Buddhism several years ago-Mr.
Motoda. who Is president of a college at
Toxic, and Mr.. Harada. president # the
Congregational Union of Japan-made a
tour OF the principal cities of India last
year. delivering public addresses. at
tending smaller gatherings and confer
ences and meeting privately the leadi: )
natives of India who have shown a sym
pathy with Christianity. Their visit
created quite sensation. The educated
natives of India, like those of all other
countries, are enthusiastic in their ad-
miration of the Japanese conduct of the
war and the courage, ability and charac-
ter that was developed among them dur
ing that struggle, so that they were ready
to receive Messrs. Motoda and Harada
more favorably than if they had been
by the most thoughtful and influential
classes. On several occasions they were
introduced by Brahmins of high degree.
by prominent lawyers. merchants. bank
ers and other natives of influence, and
what they said concerning the influence
Of Christianity upon the transformation
of Japan and upon its commercial. social
and moral development was quite con-
vincing and opened the eyes of the Hin
dus.
The Y. M. c. A. in Japan.
The Y. NJ. c. A. in Japan is stronger
than in any other non-Christian country.
there being sixty-five associations In as
many cities with a large membership. In
Toxic, Yokohama, Kioto, Kobe, Osaka
Okayama, Nagoya and Nagasaki there
are club houses for the benefit of the
young men of the community. Students,
clerks, employees In business houses, and
the same class that is drawn ipto the as
sociations Of this country. Several of
these club houses cost SOS 600, which is
a very large sum In Japan, where build
ing is only about 10 per cent as expensive
both for residential and business purposes,
are built Of light materials and are only
one story in height. Connected with eacr
Of these association buildings are gym
nasiums. class rooms and other conven-
fences similar to those found in the Y. NJ.
C. A. buildings in this country, and
they are managed on the same plan.
There are six American secretaries in
Japan. -.
The largest native firms. commercial
nloyers Of young men contribute literally
to the support of the Y. M. C. A. move
ment. because they recognize its bene-
acial influence upon the young men in
heir employ.
The government Of Japan recognizas
Of the Y. NJ. G. A. to the same privileges
as are enjoyed by the young men who at
tend the Official schools It permits the
Y. NJ. c. A. to organize and conduct Its
lies. professional schools and other educa-
tional institutions in japan. There are
now fifty-seven student associations
among the official schools of japan, and
a large number have been organized
among the 1900 Chinese students who
are attending Japanese schools and uni
versities in Toxic and other cities. You
will remember that the japanese Y. NJ. c.
A. was the host of the worlds student
Christian convention last spring. which
was attended by several thousand dele
gates from nearly all the countries of the
world. The returning delegates from the
United States speak with enthusiasm Of
the manner in which they were received
and treated at Toxic.
During the war with Russia the gov
Nrnment Of Japan not only permitted the
Y. M. c. A. to carry on its regular work
among the soldiers and sailors, just as is
done in this country, but the highest Of
fcials called upon it's employment agency
in Toxic for interpreters, telegraph OPP
orators and other confidential agents for
service. Field Marshal Oyama, the COM
mander-in-chief of the Japanese armies,
whose wife is an active member of the
Congregational Church. told me in the
summer Of 1904 that he preferred Chris
tian natives for confidential missions be-
cause they were more reliable. and that
at least $50 men had been furnished him
by the employment department of the Y.
NJ. c. A. for the secret service and other
confidential duties.
The Mission to India.
Mr.. r. r. Galley. foot ball hero of
Princeton about ten years ago, best
known as Bob Galley. was one Of the
earliest Y. NJ C. A. workers in China, and
it now at the head Of the work at Tien-
tsin. He has an intimate knowledge of
what is going on in Japan and other parts
Of the east also, and in reply to my in
quiries he writes:
1.-THE idaa Of sending mission ry ropra-