Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-14
MISSIONARIES
IN JAPAN DOING
WORK OF REFORM
Concerted Action Taken by
Federated Bodies Looking
to Betternent of Conditions
of Rural Communities,

Toxic, Jan. 1.-THE Federated Mis-
sions of Japan at their recent annual
conference decided upon launching 4
widespread movement for the evangel-
ization and social betterment of rural
communities in Japan. 1t was resolved
that every missionary should take il
upon himself to begin work in at least
one new village this year.
one of the reports to the confer
ence pointed out the progress being
made in industrial welfare in Japan.
There was an encouraging increase in
the number of wealthy native leaders,
who were interesting themselves in
such reforms. In osaka u public-spir-
tied man had given $500, 900 for a city
building for the benefit of the working
classes another man donated 81 500,
zoe for a hospital ANA laboratory for
the study and treatment of tuberculo-
sis, and some eighteen private sana-
forums, In addition to government In
sututions, We're now engaged in fight
ing the disease.
There was an increasing interest in
the establishment of public parks and
Fairgrounds. The Life Boat society,
whose 1900 members had saved -,
coo people from drowning and had
prevented the loss of millions of dol
lars in shipping, was commended.
Also there was a factory law, which
had several excellent features. but in
this matter there was still need of
further reform.
Referring to farm life, the report
expressed the belief that the Japanese
farms were altogether too small and
that they We're worked too fully by
nF1 10 lafs ~ Tot
six farmers had a horse The indebt-
edness of peasant proprietors aver
aged $50 per family. The system of
absentee landlordism was believed to
be undesirable, because it admitted
of pernicious practices among heart
less agents.
The Rev. Cooper Robinson, a mem
Der of the Canadian Episcopal mission
at Nagoya, discussed at the conference
the 'superhuman, if not divine claims
that were made much of in regard TO
the emperor at the recent coronation
services
THAT the congratulations of the
conference should have been present
ed to the emperor was but right and
fitting said DR.. Robinson. "but at the
same time is it not true that amid all
the pleasure and interest we may have
ielt in connection with the coronation
ceremonies was a certain amount of
disappointment and anxiety awakened
IN the hearts of many of Gods people,
both japanese and foreign?
Have we not felt that the claims to
something, if not divine, at least su
pefhuman, expressed in regard to his
imperial majesty and the nation have
been little clearer and stronger than
we hoped would have been put forth
IN this twentieth century; and are
there not grounds to fear that these |
claims and the attitude of mind that
seems widely to have accepted them !
constitute a hindrance to the eyangeli-
zation of Japan which hitherto many |
have not supposed to exist? ?"
DR. Robinson declared that rs re- !
suit of the war religion would be de- +
iivered from the bondage of German .
theology" He said that bondage was
both intellectual and theological and |
he asserted that both British and I
American scholars have for some time (
been gradually brought under it, He I
expressed the fear that many persons |
IN Japan have been brought into I
bondage to Germany in many depart
ments-mllitary, educational, theolog-
1cai- and declared that the time had
arrived to take a stand against this
bondage which seemed ITO pose rs the
very eodhead of liberty" He added.
And where should the needed revolt
against the bondage referred to COM
nence IL not with us missionaries,
VINO ought to be, and l believe are
stili. regarded by the lest japanese
as their leaders in spiritual matters.
Dr. a. Otmans of Toxic. a repre-
sentative Of the Dutch Reformed
church Of America, and one of the
veteran missionaries of Japan was
CHOSEN the leader of the conference
Tor l9l6. DR.. A. d. Perry. of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church Of America. was
elected vice president and DR. u. 4.
mckenzie. of the Methodist church of
canada, secretary.