CHRISTIANITY IN JAPAN

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 36.

CHRISTIANITY IN JAPAN.

Nations are not converted en masse. It is to him who knows the nature and working of true Christianity a sad picture to see a nation adopting Christianity, or any part of Christianity, in form thinking that it has the real. This Japan has done to a certain extent, and she has been hailed by some as a “Christian” nation, especially in her regard of Sunday, an institution that is no part of Biblical Christianity either in form or life. All of Christianity that is dear to Japan she sees in modern education, advancement in arts, sciences, mechanics, and what, generally speaking, contributes toward “national greatness.” This Japanese idea is expressed in an article, “What America Can Do for Japan,” in a Japanese monthly journal, the Far East (Tokyo), of June, 1897. The writer is a learned Japanese, who graduated from Meadville Theological Seminary and Alleghany College, and afterward spent three years in Metaphysics at Harvard University.

He states that the Japanese tendency is to look for the best in the world. As America opened Japan to the world, the Japanese at first copied everything from America, but later she saw superior things in other countries, as, for instance, the educational system of Germany and the European banking system. In religion America had done most for Japan. Her missionaries were more devoted, less selfish and grasping, than the Portuguese and Spaniards. The writer says:—

“But even in this, when we examine critically the work of Americans, we find it to be something like that of John the Baptist. They have been preparing the way for the coming of a national religion.”

“Japan could not always be a child, and soon the growing minds became tired of the emotional form of Christianity introduced by the Americans. Since the rhythmic law governs the universe, we can not say that Japan will not fall again from the intellectual and rational plain into the pit of mere sensationalism, but we can not help thinking at present that the American form of Christianity is gradually becoming unpopular among the intellectual men of Japan. Where, then, is she looking for the new religious dynamo? To the writer’s mind, she will for a while at least examine her own religious forms. Confucianism, Buddhism, and Shintoism, and by the aid of the philosophical systems and sciences of all nations, and specially the German rationalism, she will endeavor to establish a religion suitable to her own people. It is useless to spend money, time, and energy for the salvation of souls. Japanese are seeking higher morality and religion, for a higher end in view. America must not think she can supply Japan with everything; and Japan will be greatly disappointed if she tries to get everything from America.”

This reaction from Christianity might have been helped if the professed servants of Christ had preached, not the “Christianity” of America or England or Germany, but the Christianity of Christ; not simply a better religion than the heathen cults, but the life of God brought down to men. The Japanese, or any other people, will never find the religion they need till they look beyond all nations to God, the Creator and Redeemer.