The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-07-28
EVANGELICAL
LEADER HERE
The Beecher of Japan Is in
Hawaii to See His
C0untrymen.

Rev. t. Myakawa, the "Henry
Ward Beecher Of Japan" as he is
styled by the progressive evangelical
element of the Nipponese Empire. Is
visitor in Honolulu, arriving Sunday on.
the Siberia. He IS a preacher who IS
counted the ablest orator in the ORR
entail pulpit, and his arrival in Homo
Inlu is regarded by both japanese and
foreign Protestants as likely TO result
in a marked increase in the number
of converts to the faith OF the mis-
sionaries.
The distinguished preachers fame
does not rest entirely upon his elo-
quenee, but upon the fact, also, that
ne is one of the few remaining mem
hers of the first group Of Young men
who became converts TO the Protestant
faith in 1876. Upon that occasion Dir.
Miyakawa, then attending a Dalmyo
school, conducted under the auspices
Of the feudal lords, decided to embrace
Christianity, and, with about twenty
others. he assembled a hill in the town
OF Kumamoto and there dedicated his
life to the spreading of the gospel
among his eountrymen. That was a
heroic decision, for there was arrayed
against that band the opposition, al
most, of the entire Empire.
In this connection, that historic
event has its local connection in that
DR. Doremus Scudder, pastor of Central
Union church, is brother-in-laW Of
the teacher in that Daimyo school who
caused Rev. Mr.. Miyakawa to desert
Shintoism for Christianity. Captain
James. United States Army, retired,
was a resident of Baltimore in the.
early 70s, when he was invited TO teach
in the Daimyo school He accepted,
and taught not only English and the
ordinary curriculum, but also devoted
himself to impartIag q knowledge OF
the Scriptures. Tins the conversion
to Christianity Of Mr.. Miyakawa- Of
that baud the most held ont against
the fierce opposition Of family and peo-I
pie Among them is the president Of
the evangelical Doshisha University,
who also is a leading member of Par
lament Bat three of the little party
are vet living to preach the gospel.
The visitor has borne the brunt of
the attacks against Christianity since
he became a preacher and pastor in
Osaka. He has filed the pulpit of one
church for tweaty-six years and has 4
congregation Of over seven hundred
mem ers His is the second largest
church in Japan In appearance Mr..
Mivakawa compeIs q second look.
He has splendid oraforicai powers
In fact, his sermon delivered at the
japanese church on Pensacola street on
Sunday evening IS spoken of as a lit
erary gem, full Of study and deep
thought and poetic beauty. He has
been a close student Of japanese his
tory and religious progress in the En-
pire. He has made a study of the in
fiuenee OF Christian teaching on jap
anese thought Of the period long be-
fore the present missionary era began
there. There was formerly Catholic
era. but the priests were expelled and
the converts killed or made TO recant.
Then the Dutch books came IN and
We're surreptitiously read All these
factors he has traced carefully and has
shown what an influence they all have
been in japanese progress.
Last evening Mr.. Mivakawa smoke
of his early. experiences After becom-
ing a convert, against the opposition Of
his family and al IFS connections. he
gaid he decided to visit his father. He
went to his fathers house. where be
found his parent and elder brothers
IN a conference The father said he
weuld have to give mp Christianity.
Mr.. Miyakawa said that was matter
which was one OF his conscience and
he could not give up his new found re-
ligion- The father became angry and
he rose and left the room 10 get his
sword. Mr.. Miyakawa 5 mother spoke
to him and pleaded with him to leave
the house rather than bring on a fatal
alteration. He followed her advice.
In later days the father visited him at
his church and expressed himself well
pleased with his son s work.
No, I have never had any official
interference, said Mr. Miyakawa.
The government was very intelligent
about it and placed no obstacles IN the
way
Mr.. Miyakawa came to Honolulu at
the request and at the expense of the
japanese churches. He VIII remain in
the Islands about three weeks. return
ing then to Japan. He viii 90 TO Hllo
and to Maui towns and preach wher
ever possible and his time permits. A
large reception was given in his honor.
last evening at the Pensacola street
japanese church.