The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-11
CIVILIZATION OF THE
WEST AND THE EAST

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir.
President Jinzo Naruse OF the Women's
College, Toxic. prime mover two years
ago In the organization of Japan's As
ISOLATION Concordia. telling recently OF
the aims OF this association. said:
Thoughtful citizens, scholars, religion
lists and business men. meeting together.
decided that something must be done TO
uphold the spiritual life OF the people
against the worldwide onslaught and ad-
vance Of materialism. They also recog-
nized the necessity OF cooperation among
the different religions and different ma
tions In the effort to attain the common
object
Where can we read the will OF God,
and how may we receivethe revelation to
discern the signs OF the times7 What
will be the changes In the new epoch OF
the spiritual world?
First must be the advent OF an in
ternational mind. The individual mind
and the national spirit we have known
for long time. These have controlled
and directed men and nations accord
ing to their own ideals. SO the earth
has been divided. and the sea and the
| land have been measured. The people
are eager to expand their powers and 10
extend their boundaries. But What doth
| II profit a man II he gain the Who'll.
world and lose his own SOUR
Indeed, men are tired OF savagery
| and the appropriateness OF war and con
nicts OF all kinds. The nineteenth
| century was the century OF science and
materialism. BY scientific discovery q
marvellous conquest OF time and space
! has been accomplished. Nc
one can trace the limit. But pure
| materialism has collapsed. II has al.
! ready 'warfed and robbed the life. tn.
| spirit and the Vital power of society
] and changed religion. literature. art, law
| politics education and almost every in.
stitution into mere forms and dead mech
| anisms. This Is the cause OF all socia
difficulties OF the present world. Mar
cannot be satisfied with cold. dry life
| less mechanical civilization. The cry from
all over the world for salvation out OF tn.
home OF want and out OF the bondage o
the msmmon OF unrighteousness' Is lout
| and urgent.
There must come harmony OF thu
| Eastern and Western civilizations.
| Now the Pacific is the place where tn,
| East meets the West politically and com
mercislly. The awakening OF China anC
the opening Of the Panama Canal ma,
be regarded as prelude to the grea
drama of the years to come, The worl,
Is wondering whether Il will he friendl!
reunion or hostile encounter. II I
OF the utmost Importance that we pre-
pare for such meeting with mutua
and friendly understanding OF thought
and ideals.
why is 1t 30 Difficult; 10 tolerate 9th
ers' opinions. to appreciate others ex
cellencies and to cooperate with other
In God, in the true sense OF the words
Why do We. the servants OF God. VIII
should be most warm hearted because O
the love OF God. let narrow Ideas an
hostile sentiments step in between Go
and ourselves? Let us humbly refeC
i and pray that the scales may fall fror
our eyes so that We may receive sigh
, to view the true conditions OF the world.
The Association Concorda in Japan IA
, more than 100 members among ther
. many Americans--Dr. Sidney l. Guile
being one OF the number-who are WORK
ing earnestly to foster a deeper sympa tn
and understanding between the civiizs
, tons of the West and the East.
a EpITH A. SAWYER
> WELLESLEY. Mass, September 30.