Evening journal., 1919-02-21
WEEKLY TOPIC
and
SOCIETY ITEMS
Of tbe>
CITY AND STATE UNIONS
CITY AND STATE UNIONS

Topic Christianity and the Toileri
Of Japan."-AIatt. % d6-2O-written b,
Mrs. Horace S. Allen OF West Sunda.
School.
II may be said that much interest II
Japan Is felt throughout Christian Cir.
cles in America, yet one whose privl-
lege has been 10 come near the soul oil
Japan realizes how hard q IS 10 make
everything understood by western
minds.
The dis-establishment Of shrines
proves 10 US very forcibly the increas-
ing influence Of Christianity in Japan
II Is pleasant 10 note that the wom-
en- are recognizing, as never before
their own moral dignity. Some truly
noble mothers have risen above their
former religious BELIEF but the mass
has been in Ignorance. Now, girls as
well as boys are worthy OF being edu-
Gated.
The meaning OF Sin has been almost
unfelt. but those who have come near
the Christ 10 the land are quick 90
Gee what they could not see before,
that the com ng OF Christ to Japan has
given a new and ieep meaning 10 Sin.
They begin TO UNI Ners.and the need OF
the gospel messag Repent After all
Is not the deteoI, their ignorance Of
God. the Creator. I be Father, the sa-
viour?
How can men who know not God.
know their own destiny and know how
70 be saved from Sin? The greatest
difficulty In getting Christian tv be-
heved in Japan Is, that much Of West
ern Society Is yet so feebly Influenced
by It. In spite OF this there have been
many successes wan by faith in the
living God.
The respect shown by the ministers
Of the United States and Great Britain
FOR the rights OF japan has resulted in
good VIII toward these countries. and
it IL from there that by far the larger
number OF missionaries come. Tho
arst woman missionary on japanese
soil was Mss Kidder IN 1869. There
are now iorty-four boarding schools
for girls and this work Is as valuable
as Christians Of the west can do for this
receptive nation.
Medical missionaries have done good
and abiding work. Dr.. TAYLOR and Dr..
Whitney stand out prom 'nently among
this noble class. Many Japanese Chris
tion physicians have been infected with
this spirit Of loving sacrifice and
strive earnestly to bring patients to
knowledge Of Christ. Over the desk OF
a doctor n Tokyo. In Large type. are
these words God Is Love" and every
Sunday he has a Christian service IN
his hospital for the nurses and patients
It clearly proves TO US that he has
caught the spirit Of Him who ''went
about doing good"
It Is diflcuh 20 form any Idea Of the
future state Of Christianity In Japan.
That country ls<unstable and changing
IN its characteristics 70 IS undergoing
q peaceful. social and political -evolu-
ton. and st is hard to say what a day
may bring forth.
Victory is sure 70 come, The Word
OF the Almighty has gone forth 'sThe
kingdoms Of this world shall become
the kingdoms Of our Lord and His
Christ" With assured faith built upon
the firm promises OF God. we are look
ing forward to the time when the En-
pire Of Japan shall not longer be a mis-
sion field. but shall herself. send out
The light to the mil ons around her. ,
May God Hasten the Day.
Next Sundays topic viii be written
by John J. Hayes. superintendent OF
Central Presbyterian sunday School
. All missionary topics are direct ques-
tions to US. the question being Are
you doing your part? Are you holding
back when there Is someth 'ng you can
dor There are many things for US to
do at home even though some Of ns
are not able to 20 to the foreign lands.
Next 70 the call Of our home lands
comes the call OF China and Japan. Many
nations are crying out for Gods Cos
Del message. but China and Japan par
tlcularly need our help.
America has sent many missionaries
20 Japan but many more are needed
Japan Is full Of false religions and they
need TO be brought to a knowledge OF
Gods love for them. No doubt some
Of the followers Of these false Gods do
not like the idea Of the Christian re-
ligiol. but It is because they do not
realize what Christianity means. We
know as never before what it means to
be prepared to meet the difficulties Of
war and this applies TO Christianity as
well. Are we prepared TO meet the test
and set our friends across the sea
good example Of what IL means TO be
Christ'an2
As we prepare people in other lands
TO be better citizens and live better
lives we should see what we can do 10
better home conditions. AS Endeav-