MEETING THE DEMAND by B. O. Wade

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 13, 1900

MEETING THE DEMAND.

By B. O. Wade

THE demoralizing effect that the change from the old to the new has had upon Japan, as seen both in public and in private life, is awakening the national conscience to thought and action. Men in every walk of life think nothing of betraying their trust, if only the idols of their affection, the gods of gold, will bless them.

The leaders of thought are agreed that without some panacea the life of Japan is short. Realizing something of the gravity of the situation, they have set forth the question, “What is the remedy?” In this cry for help, they stated the nature of their need. It must be something that “appeals to the intellectual and emotional nature of man.” They seek a new departure in religion.

“The days of Buddhism,” they say, “are long since passed.” Shintoism is dismissed without consideration. Christianity is recognized as a religion that has a lofty morality. The elevating effect it has had upon the Occident draws forth some praise. “But,” they add, “it can never take hold of the educated Japanese. His science leads him away from it.”

They are too scientific for the “story of creation,” “Joshua and the sun,” the “resurrection,” etc. So they conclude that Japan as a nation is not likely to accept Christianity as an especially revealed religion. Materials are recognized in it that could be “extracted, for the completion of a moral edifice.” “Divested of its antiquated and supernatural incumbrances,” they see “no obstacle in its adoption by the nation.”

So much for the worldlings.

The following extracts from some of the Protestant and Catholic organs of Japan will show how their scientific men are meeting the demand made by the scientific men of Japan:—

It is our object to divest Christianity of its antiquated costume, and to present it to men’s minds arrayed in garments of modern cut; to substitute for the lifeless dogmas of antiquity truths that are replete with life and power, and to get rid of cumbersome ceremonies, rules, and usages of every kind. . . . We are content, though none of the Western forms of Christianity are perpetuated in this country.—Rev. E. Schiller.

Though bigoted Christians and bigoted Buddhists can never join hands, there seems to be no reason whatever why liberal-minded persons among both sects, who invariably hold that every person has the right to choose whatever faith he pleases, should not unite their forces for a common end.—Rikugo Zasshi.

In training Christians, our church attaches great stress to certain cardinal doctrines. Outside of these we deem it best to allow Christians to decide for themselves what they shall believe, and what reject. . . . The events of the past must be extracted from their ancient surroundings, and so explained as to suit the present age.—L’Abbé Legnuel.

These are by no means the only quotations of this kind that are accessible. They represent over sixty per cent of the professed Christians of Japan. This fabulous and “scientific” teaching is painfully common. “The line of distinction between these” writers is “hardly distinguishable.”

The prophecy that these things would come, once stirred the hearts of Seventh-day Adventists. Does the fact that they are here stir the hearts of Seventh-day Adventists now? “These passing moments that seem of so little value to us are weighty with eternal interests.” These movements in Japan may well be watched with interest. The “conflict” has been opened. Pray for us that our preparation may be complete. B. O. WADE.

Kobe, Japan.