Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-10-11
REV. YuTAkA MlNAkUCHI.
Japanese cIersymssl, Formerly Amer.
can Student, Now Prominent In
Church Movement

Yutaka Minakuchi, the Japanese
clergyman of Baltimore. who spoke
here at the big Men and Religion
banquet at Foot Guard Hall Tues
day evening. Sept. -. is n unique
character and his address on The
Rre-eminenee OF Jesus" Is an earnest
missionary message which has power
fully gripped the hearts OF the men of
Maryland. where Minakuchi has been
working recently in the interest OF
the Laymens Missionary Movement.
He Is a personal friend of David II.
Brown, formerly of Hartford. who now
is employed as executive secretary for
Maryland of the Men and Religion
Forward Movement. Following is an
extract from letter written by Yuta-
ka 10 his friend, Mr.. Brown. who had
asked him for some material about
himself which could be published:
Prior TO my conversion. l was en-
gagged in commercial enterprise. Hav-
ing spent a few years in Russia, ! was
about being sent to Odessa, Russia. in
the interest of Toyo klsen kwaisha
Oriental Steamship Company. Toxic.
Japan and this was in 1890. In the
meantime my grandfather died and he
was a devout Christian man in every
respect Then came to me a time for
reflection and only a few weeks later.
by the aid OF an American missionary,
! joined the church. Suddenly ! de-
cided To come to America. in order
that | might prepare myself for Gods
service. This / did with my uncle's
consent in 1897. 1 entered Kentucky
University, where l received training
in English. To this must be added
my study at University of North Car
dina and Yale.
Il served Christian Church in Ashe-
vile. y. G., for three years as its pas
tor, but, on account of my i'll health,
was compelled TO give it up, as
was compelled TO do when l was
student at Yale. For five years.
struggled for life, and at last, by Gods
providence. | was restored to health in
1909.
I'm Russia 1 held a cierkship in a
large German business house and held
it until my return home. These are
only few facts, but as they are promi-
nently connected with my own life
/ have here mentioned them"
The uncle Yutaka mentions was
prominent diplomat in Russia for
twenty-five years and was later man.
ager OF the steamship company
Yutaka wrote about. He died in Rus
STA In 1904. when Yutaka was in Yale
He took Yutaka to Russia with him.
He was the greatest authority on Rus
STA and Russian questions Japan ever
had He was not a professed Chris
tian, but was heartily in sympathy
with the teachings of Jesus. His name
was Kuchi Terami.
Minakuchi Is one of the most brill
liant Japanese orators on the Ameri-
can platform. He Is speaker of great
force. easy to follow and understand,
his enunciation being very distinct.
Minakuchi has thrilled large audi
ences during conventions held In FRED
erIck. Hagerstown, Cumberland, bar
timore, Washington. Berlin. Cambridge
and Easton. He has spoken at several
meetings which have been held Tor
the purpose of arousing interest among
the laymen in the community 10 at
tend the opening convention sessions
To be held at Baltimore. During re-
cent Y. NJ c. A. meeting held IN
Washington, u. c., at which MT. Nina
lucbi was on the same program With
Iron William Jennings Bryan. Mr..
Rrvan said in an address Following
| thot of Mr.. Minakuchi. that without
exception Mr.. Minakuchi was the most
brilliant and forceful japanese speak
or that he had ever listened TO- ana
that he had a great and important
,rorl before him in speaking 10 the
,y.or,can people.--Hartford Courant.
|