After leaving the coast cities of China, our first port of call in Japan was Nagasaki, a city of considerable size and importance. As we came to anchorage, we could see the large docks and ship-building yards, and hear distinctly the busy hammers working in the building of ships. At this place some of Japan’s first-class war and merchant vessels have been built.
Here we came in sight of Japan for the first time. The harbor is excellent and the scenery beautiful. The country is mountainous, and the hillsides and valleys are well cultivated. In the city move the busy throngs, and we looked with interest at their odd ways and peculiar dress. We were also interested in the neat little houses and the well-kept little stores. There are many curio shops, especially of tortoise-shell-wrought articles. Many of these are very artistic and beautiful.
The people of the Sunrise Kingdom are small of stature, but sturdy, and are a very wide-awake people. They are exceedingly polite, and very cleanly in their dress and habits. The ordinary Japanese coolie may have old clothes, but they are clean; and he is often seen sitting in his jinrikisha during an idle hour, reading a book,—perhaps trying to study English.
Kobe was our next port of call, a most beautiful city. Here our work has made an entrance, and Pastor Hoffman is located at this place. In Kobe we have a small private sanitarium in charge of Dr. Noma, a Japanese lady physician. She is assisted by a staff of nurses, one of whom was trained at the St. Helena Sanitarium. This little institution is doing a good work. A branch sanitarium has been started in the large city of Osaka, twenty miles distant, so that the influence of the work is widening.
On arriving at Tokio we found the general meeting in progress. We were happy to meet our workers there, some of whom were old friends and schoolmates. The meeting was a good one, and the people showed appreciation of the word spoken. The counsel and instruction given the brethren by Pastor Daniells was of great value, and we feel sure its effects will be lasting. On the Sabbath a number of the workers were led to consecrate their lives more fully to God for the finishing of the work.
The message has moved slowly in Japan; but as our workers determined to go forward with more faith and activity, doubtless more results will be seen.
While greatly enlightened in the things of this world, the Japanese are in great darkness as regards the truth of God. Her people bow down to dumb idols, and but few have found the light.
While in Tokio, a number of us visited a leading temple in that city. Thousands were flocking to it, so that it was with difficulty that we approached it.
As we entered the temple, crowds were bowing at the shrines. A great receptacle in front of the leading idols received the offerings of the worshipers. Many who came to bow before these gods of wood and stone, and to mumble their prayers, could not get near, and so threw their offerings over the heads of the crowd that were before them. But the hopper of the huge offering box was made large enough so that no coin was lost. Great numbers of coins were cast in while we were there. Large sums must be thus collected in the course of a day.
Many sick and weakly persons turned to another shrine, where was a god of aged appearance. We were told that when the sick approach this god, they rub the part of the god’s body corresponding to that part of their own that is diseased; and so it appeared from what we saw. Many were rubbing the god with their hand and then passing the same hand over the body, here and there. The constant rubbing has greatly disfigured the god, parts being quite worn off by the tens of thousands who yearly worship there. Many others were worshiping still another god inclosed in a wire cage. Written prayers were tied to the cage. How one wishes to be able to teach the people a better way!
But while some of these nations of the Far East still grope in the darkness of superstition, they are making great advancement along some lines. Lands long shut up in their exclusiveness and conservatism, have opened their doors to Western thought and commerce, and are fast learning the ways of the enlightened nations of the world, so far as pertain to the things of this world. This is especially so with Japan. She has rapidly aped Western civilization. Only a generation ago Japan was little known to the world, being satisfied with the civilization of her ancestry, and caring nothing for what the Western nations were so ready to give her. But suddenly Japan awakened from her centuries of slumber, and has emerged from her aged conservatism. And awakening, how quickly she runs her race! Her ports are opened to the world, and rapidly has her trade grown. Japan, sitting for a while as a diligent student, has proved herself as apt as she is diligent. She received much, and now stands ready to give in return.
Today a wonderful civilization has grown up in Japan. She is no longer dependent on the foreigners as her educators; for now schools, colleges, and universities in Japan, conducted by Japanese, give to her youth an education in the things of this world, comparing favorably with the best. Great industries have been built up. Factories abound throughout the empire. Her mercantile fleet trades in all parts of the world. Some of her passenger steamers are floating palaces, and have been built in Japan by Japanese. She has built up one of the strongest navies in the world.
Japan has been figuring largely in the affairs of this world, and there is no doubt that the Sunrise Kingdom will have much more to say in the affairs of the Far East in future days. The Chinese are at present greatly depressed at the advantages Japan has taken over certain territory and rights in China. While peace reigns in the Far East at the present time, it is clearly to be seen from the ominous clouds now and then arising, that Christian workers must hasten on with God’s work.
While we are thankful for what has been gained for the message in Japan, let us pray that God may give us many more of these bright, progressive people.