Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-01-13
that we bend every energy TO the out
working OF that resolution or will.
49,. . Eln..... k,nudasn

This choice doe necessarily mean
that all must iurn ~ about face and
90 in the OPPOSITE a.iection TO that IN
which we have been going am not
believer IN tie theory OF mans total
lcpraylty Wherever ! travel | per
ceivc marks of sin. dcpravity, human
impcrfectiou. weakness. but | also per-
ceive evidences Of good Intentions. good
endeavors. noble resolves.
Is II not because sin Mt the present
time Is profitable. advantageous. pleas
urabe. or seems TO be one or all OF
these, that Il Is sought after. desired
and given 30 large control In humnn
nnairsi Is not this true because we
are now und,r the domination OF the
Prince Of darkla&s. the Prince OF this
world. whom the Scriptures declare
shall he bound for n thousand years
and deceive the nations no more, by
putting light for darkness:
When the deception shall pass away
and mankind shall see clearly the joys
and rewards OF righteousness. will they
not prefer them? And II IN that glo-
rlous Epoch right doing brings bless
Ing and pleasure. and wrong doing
brings all the disadvantages and
stripes. may we not expect that the
majority of humanity will seek right
eousness. seek harmony with God, and
thus seek the joys and blessings OF
Divine favor and everlasting life?
My brief stay In Japan has given me
keen appreciation of what the Japa-
nese have already attained as n peo-
ple-entircly aside from Christianity.
perceive many things In Japan. close
~ connected with your religious Gus
toms. which put TO the blush certain
conditions prevalent in Europe and
America. where Christianity has been
dominant for centuries. We are to nc
knowledge the good wherever we see
II. and so now | freely acknowledge
that perceive amongst your people all
esthetic taste. gentleness Of demeanor
and loyalty of heart which fully
appreciate. even though these quail
ties came 10 the japanese. not through
Christianity. but through Shintoism
and Buddhism. Indeed. | must apollo
glze for much of the rudeness and
crudeness of the so-called Christian ma
tons. Of which you have heard through
your learned men and of which you
know something through contact with
the soldiers apd sailors Of these lands
who come 10 your ports.
would have you understand that
the teachings OF Christianity cover
every form of courtesy. gentleness,
brotherly kindness and hospitality.
The very keynote OF Christ's instruc-
ton to His followers is lore. out OF
pure heart-and that each should do
unto his neighbor as he would that his
neighbor should 10 to him. The fruits
and graces of the Holy Spirit OF
Christ are prominently set forth In the
Bible-mcekness. gentleness. patience.
long-sufferlng. faith. hope. Joy, love.
You should know, moreover, that,
while these qualities are very general
~ ignored amongst the representatives
OF Christendom. there are, neverthe-
less. faithful disciples OF Jesus who
study daily TO put into practice all
these qualities marked by Divine APP
prevail The difference seems TO be
that these eslhetic qualities or graces
IN your land have become national
trait with the japanese. while In
Christcndom. so-called. they are prac-
ticed only by proportionately small
number. the remainder rather boasting
of ana cultlvating qualities the reverse
OF these. Ms more helpful In the battle
for life and for money which Is mani
fest everywhere among them.
Disaarees With Missionaries.
| find myself unable to agree with
the teachings Of the missionaries
which have reached you. however hon
est some Of them may have been.
Knowing that an essential feature OF
Shlntoism Is reverence for deceased
ancestors. many missionaries. fear,
have done violence 10 your tenderest
feelings and most deeply seated con-
viciions when they told YOU that your
ancestors. instead of being objects OF
worship. are damned Of God and have
begun their experiences OF torture
which will Last TO all eternity. because
they did not know and therefore did
not accept Jesus Christ rs their Mes
sIah and Savior. and did not become
His followers.
| will not discuss the sincerity OF
these brethren in thus doing violence
10 your most sacred and tender senti-
ments: | will merely say that to my
understanding they have misinierpret-
ed our great Creators Plan and the
explanation thereof furnished us In our
sacred Scriptures. instead. ! give you
the Bible Message. that your forefa-
Tiers. whom you So deeply venerated,