Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1909-05-28
STUDENT IMMORTALITY IN JAPAN.

WW ~18@1S
The size and scope of these institu-
tions-of which the Doshisha at Kio-
to, the Protestant Episcopal, Presby-
terrain and joint Methodist Episcopal
schools at Toxic, the German Re-
formed school at Sendai and the
Southern Methodist school at Kobe,
may be cited as conspicuous exam
ples-is beyond the knowledge of the
people of America. That one country
should contribute such tremendous
influences to the upbuilding of an
other is certainly an evidence of the
altruistic character of Christian mis-
sions. While it is true that by far
the larger proportion of the gradu-
ates become Christian it is also true
that a disinterested philanthropic
work is done by those schools in be-
half of the Japanese
At present there is need for all the
schools that can be established. The
demand for education is greater than
the facilities. But steadily the condi-
tons are changing and students will
soon cease to attend mission schools
merely for the reason that they can
find room elsewhere. What, then,
is to be the future of the mission
schools, nra7-Iained at so great cost?
The missionaries make prompt an
sWer that it is needed to provide the
nation with Christian leaders and
fn1rhnpC. Thr;C+ior q
necessity in America, they say, much
more so here.
But l find educational experts
drawing the deadly parallel. They
declare that, from an educational
standpoint, the mission schools are
now generally inferior to those main
tanned by the government. Even in
the study of English a government ex-
aminer assured me, the mission
schools, despite their high proportion
of foreign teachers, are below the
level of other schools. Mission work
ers themselves say that all persons
who come out to be teachers should
be required to possess a teachers GER
| tificate, as well as a college educa-
| ton. | am told that the Kobe college
for young Women, maintained by the
Congregational Woman's Board of
| Missions of the Interior, Chicago, and
the Presbyterian school for young
women, TOXIC, still rank among the
leading girls schools in Japan; but
even these feel the changed condi-
lions. On all sides l hear that the
Congregational kindergarten and
training school for kindergartners at
Kobe, conducted by Miss Howe, cas-
lily leads in this form of instruction,
and it would rank with the best insti-
tutiors of similar nature at home.
What Japan Wants from America.
In conference with a score of Japa-
nese leaders, only two white men be-
sides myself being present, l bluntly
asked what Japan thinks of the mis-
sionaries, and what form of mission
work now needs doing. By common
consent their spokesman was a man
whose conspicuous work has won him
a decoration from the emperor, and as
his judgment comedies with the views
! expressed to me by other candid Jap
anese, l quote his opinion:
Japan most needs help in educa-
ton and philanthropy. If mission
schools are to be maintained, let them
| be firstflass as schools. But if Amer
| lea really wants to help us most eff
| fectually she should send teachers,
! strong, able, Christian teachers, to
enter the various middle and higher
government schools throughout the
empire. Every one of these would
welcome such one to teach English.
Then by his influence and by person
al work, which after all is what
counts for most, he could do untold
good in shaping Christian character
among the students. Japanese re-
spect teachers, and especially foreign
| teachers; and such men would have
more weight than those whose bust
ness it is to come out and try to make
Christians"
This man had in mind something
/ even further advanced than the work
of the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton teachers. The latter are men Sc
lected by the international Y. M. C.
A, with headquarters in New York.
These men receive no mission aid
whatever; they have an absolutely
! independent relation with the govern
ment and are supported entirely by
/ their salaries. But by means of Bible
! classes, personal conversation, the in
| PRODUCTION of the students into their
homes to learn foreign ways and the
creation of foreign literature, they are
doing an immeasurable service for
Christianity. Japan is eager to in
crease the number of these men and,
as one of the teachers said to me.
There is no better place in the world
| for a qualified American who wants
| to do great educational work than
right here
Student immortality.
The whole student problem in Japan
must be viewed from a moral side
While morals and ethics have a place
in the curricula of all higher schools,
| they have not an equal place in the
conduct of the young people whom
they are supposed to affect The min.
lister of education and other national
! leaders are frankly alarmed over the
situation, and they have turned to the
Young Mems Christian association for
house! If you can afford it, bring