Christian Progress in Japan
By D. S. Spencer
Be assured that Christianity in Japan has come to stay. It has become well intrenched. In 1872, 20 church members were reported; in 1875, 538; in 1876, 1,004; in 1883, 2,500; and the figures representing the results of Protestant Christian effort up to 1892 are worth noting, namely, foreign missionaries, 422; native ministers, 233; unordained preachers and helpers, 460; organized churches, 365; boys' boarding schools, 18; students in same, 1,582; girls' boarding schools, 55; students in same, 2,553; theological schools, 16; students in same, 359; adults baptized in 1892, 3,731; present membership, 35,534; contributions of native churches for all purposes in 1892, 63,338 dollars. This probably means a Christian community of perhaps 175,000.—Rev. D. S. Spencer.