Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-05-24
CHRISTIAN ENOEAvOR
Prayer Mestine Topic For tine Wssh
BEGINNING May %, 1911.

p-svsr Meesinc Topic For the Week
Beginning May %, 1917.
ropic.-A missionary journey around the
worldly. Missions in Japan and Korea
Acts xvii. LILA Edited by Rev. Sherman
II. Doyle, D. D,
In our missionary journey around the
world we now leave the United states
and its island possessions and go on 10
the great mission fields of Asia, begin
ming with the island empire OF Japan
and Korea, which is now controlled
politically by Japan. 1t Is appropriate
to study these two mission fields to-
gether, for their future history Is des-
tined to be closely associated. and even
In the field of missions each VIII nave
some influence upon the other. what
the result viii be only the future can
determine, but we can earnestly hope
and pray that in the providence OF
God it will mean the advancement OF
Christianity in both lands.
1. Missions In Japan. The first mis-
sionaries to carry the gospel to Japan
were Roman Catholics. Under Francis
Xavier they reached Japan in 1549.
Though great difficulties were faced.
vet some success was at first achieved.
But Jesuitical political intrigues soon
aroused the opposition Of the natives.
Civil war resulted. Christians were
put to death and over their graves the
Inscription was placed, $50 long as the
sun shall warm the earth, let no Chris
tan be so bold as to come to Japan"
All foreigners were excluded, and the
Japanese were prohibited from leaving
their country. But Christianity was
not to be barred forever. In 1854,
through the efforts Of Commodore
Perry, a treaty Of friendship was ne
gotiated between Japan and the Unit
ed States and the period of seclusion
was over. The edlcts against Chris
tianity were not removed until 1873.
Meanwhile, however. missionary work
had begun without serious opposition.
The Christian church was deeply in
terested in the opening of Japan to
the civilized world. Mission work
was soon planned. the first Protestant
missionaries arriving in Japan In 1859.
They were sent out by the Episcopal,
Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian
churches. The year f90e was the
fftieth anniversary Of the beginning
Of Christian work In Japan. The tubi-
lee year was celebrated by the whole
missionary body In conjunction with
the Japanese churches. The gospel has
produced a tremendous eject in Japan.
Japan's position among the nations Of
the world today h largely due to the
direct and indirect influences Of Chris-
tan missionaries and their work.
2. Missions In Korea. The history
romance. Cathode missionaries be-
gan work in the peninsula in the
eighteenth century. Great success at
tended their efforts, with the result
that terrible prosecutions followed.
The work was finally abandoned, but
the seed brought forth some fruit. The
first Protestant missionary entered
Korea in 1884. Tracts containing trans
iations Of portions of the gospel OF
Luke had already been distributed
near the eastern Manchurian border
The first convert was baptized In 1886.
and the first church was organized in
1857. In 1909. including adherents and
catechumens waiting for admission
into the church. there were nearly
100000 men and women In Korea
who confessed Christ. People of all
classes have been reached. The Ko-
rean Christians themselves have been
sealous In spreading the gospel. They
60 throughout the land. telling Of the
blessings they have received and win
ming others for Christ. No missionary
f1eld IN the world today IS 30 full Of
promise ~ that Of Korea. God is
frequently sending times OF refresh
ing. The church should realize the
responsibility Of the great opportunity
presented and put forth every effort
to complete the Characterization Of
the land