Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1909-06-11

FOlIle places OF worship, ana as clear
belief passed into dim tradition, no
body knew definitely to whom these
shrines were erected, or why. Some
OF the favorite Japanese deities have
since proved to be Christian personal
tiles! Only with the opening of
many shrines in recent years has
the real nature of their contents been
discovered.
This momentous chapter of reli
5ious history has several bearings,
but at the present critical period in
Japan's religious life it is an impor-
tant evidence to the fidelity of the
Japanese character Those who ques-
ton whether the native Christians
will hold out, should missionaries de-
part, have only to read this unparal-
lelled page of the church's annals to
learn a lesson in heroism and stead
fastness that is nothing less than
thrilling.
Persecution and Prosperity.
Lulled into a sense of security by
the coming of the missionaries, the
Christians openly avowed themselves
But in 1858 the present emperor re-
iterated the ancient nti-Christian
edicts, in the following proclama-
tons:
''The evil sect, called Christian, is
strictly prohibited Suspicious per
sons should be reported to the proper
ffipnrc and rawardc will ho oivo,,
With respect to the Christian sect,
the existing prohibition must be
strictly observed Evil sects are
strictly prohibited"
For several years the Christians
who refused to forswear their faith
were again called upon to pass
through the fires of persecution.
They were exiled and imprisoned and
tortured to the number of more than
100000 again paying 'the last
full measure of devotion" Full re-
ligious liberty was granted, however,
in 1873, and since then the Roman
Catholic church has made remarkable
!,rogress in Japan, especially among
the poor and lowly, to whom it has
particularly ministered.
There are 243 Roman Catholic mis-
sionaries in Japan, ali members of
the Society of Jesus, and practically
all French. Some antagonism was
shown to them during the late war,
because of Frances alliance with
Russia, but this was generally over
come by the tact or the missionaries
themselves. The self-Sacrifice and
zeal of these men is praised by every
body. A frequent subject of remark
is the manner in which they share
the poverty of the natives among
whom they live. One of the fathers
himself says on this point:
The mission requires that its
workers should live according to the
precepts of evangelical poverty, and
so, aside from lodging, it allows only
% yen ($11.50) a month to Euro
Dean missionaries. 1t is misery to
these who have no private means.
Nevertheless, there are several who
must content themselves with this pit
lance and live on such modest re-
sources. Strange to relate, it is just
these last who succeed best in evan
gelization. The Japanese people, be-
ing themselves poor, listen more read
lily to an apostle who lives a life of
privation than to one who has a
modest competence" Repeatedly ]
have heard the contrast made be-
hA cfx Of ixrinc cd bIr
the Roman Catholics, and that of the
Protestant missionaries, and always
in favor of the former.
Nuns came In 1872, and their first
postulant, as also the first nun to die,
was young woman named Kataoka,
known as Sister Margaret" who was
the sister and daughter of mar
tyrs," and whose death was has
tened by the ill-usage she had en-
dured as a child in Jail, where she
saw her father executed for his faith.
The Cistercian Trappists, whose or
der dates from the twelfth century.
have two colonies, one of monks and
one of nuns, in the northern island of
Yezo, not far from Hakodate. These
are all engaged in agriculture, and
their farms are regarded as models
by the Japanese government. Their
time is divided between prayer and
farm work. They arise at two a. m
During several hours daily they OBJ
serve the rule of silence.
Of Roman Catholic churches in
sing in
appearance than the Protestant
there are 145, with SS5 preaching sta
lions in addition. The membership is
now $4,000, ministered to by 243
missionaries, 119 of whom are priests
and 124 nuns. There are 80 Japan
csc priests and 269 native helpers.
While the church has no difficulty
with the problem of independence
which vexes the Protestant mis-
sions. this is probably due to the fact
that it has given little attention to
the subject of self-support. The Co.
600 Japanese Catholics contribute
only 1000 yen ($1,OO0) year for the
support of their churches, the funds
coming from Europe.
In a word, l may sum up the pres
ent situation with respect to Roman
Catholic missions by saying that
while from preference, they work
quietly and in obscurity, taking no va
cations, doing no Advertising, have
found substantial evidence of their
presence and labors in every part of
japan l have visited; and nowhere
have I heard aught said of them by
protesta1ts or by Japanese, in other
than in terms of praise.
(Conyrieht 1907 by Joseph B. BoWIes)