p. 91 | RELIGION IN THE ORIENT by B. O. Wade

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 6, 1900

RELIGION IN THE ORIENT.

By B. O. Wade

JAPAN is a land of surprises. Its greatest surprise is soon to be sprung. Long ago Inspiration assured us that it would come. That it is almost upon us, all who will can see.

Through the liberality of sentiment in the Western powers, she has been allowed to enter the comity of civilized nations. The empty praise she is receiving because of this has almost made her dizzy.

Some of her great men trace her progress “step by step to her adoption of Western civilization,” and urge her “not to rest content until she has imported not only the material part of Western civilization, but its ideal also, and religion is included in that.”

This is backed up by one of her leading lieutenants who has traveled abroad. He says: “Those who are making such loud professions of their superior loyalty and patriotism . . . know nothing of the patriotism of other countries. The men who talk the loudest about their country’s greatness and dignity are doing nothing to promote her highest interests. What is of the most vital importance to us as a nation is the training of the rising generation in such a manner that they shall prove a credit to us when compared with foreigners. It can not be said that our soldiers are taught as carefully as are Western troops. The latter have chaplains always near them, and attend divine service periodically. It is my belief that there is more principle among them than among our men.”

And this agrees exactly with the sermon of the “hero of Santiago,” delivered before a large audience of young men at the Kobe church, January 18. He praised the achievements of the Japanese navy, and called especial attention to the responsibility resting upon the rising generation, and concluded by holding up the personality of Christ as their model.

A Christian chaplain has already been appointed in one of the prisons of Japan. How did the chaplain question work in the United States? Was it not the precedent that has been made the basis of the loud demand for a religious government altogether? See “Two Republics,” chap. 27, first edition.

Some legislation of this kind is expected from the coming “diet.” The organ of the liberal party asserts that religion will be discussed during the coming session of the diet, and says that it is “highly important” that the members “should post up,” “as it often happens that subjects are sprung upon the house, and the members pass bills without realizing what is their real import.” The imperialists think they “see an immediate necessity for the enactment of a law for the government of religious bodies in this country.”

For some time the press has been urging the various Buddhist sects (1) to invite high Christian scholars from the West to come to this country and lecture to them, and to follow their convictions wherever they may lead them; and (2) to choose some of their brightest students and send them to America to obtain an education, with the liberty of becoming Christians if so disposed. Their reason for this is that “the question of religion in Japan needs to be settled;” and as “most of the great questions are settled in Europe and America, it can not be otherwise with religion.” Then they say, “If Buddhism succeeds there, its success in Japan is a foregone conclusion.”

Now as this question of religion has been settled in America; and as “Protestants and papists and worldlings” are urging this nation to accept that decision; and as that Western decision is to be the world’s decision, is it not a foregone conclusion how this question of religion, which they say must be settled, will be settled? To the world this conclusion is “groundless and absurd.” Nevertheless “the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching.” Why should we doubt? Why should we be surprised? 2 Peter 1:19.

Kobe, Japan. B. O. WADE.