Seeking Emolument in Two Kingdoms.—
By Editor
According to the following paragraph in the Missionary Herald, it would appear that, as in the so-called “Christian nations,” the professed Christians of Japan are also seeking places in the world:— “It is a notable fact that ever since the establishment of the Imperial Diet of Japan the number of Christians who have been elected as members has been quite out of proportion to the Christian population of the empire. The president of the House of Representatives of the late Diet was Mr. Kataoka, an elder of the Presbyterian Church in Kochi, who has been a member of every Diet since a representative government began. Rev. Mr. Loomis, of the American Bible Society in Japan, reports that recently Mr. Kataoka called a meeting at his official residence for prayer and thanksgiving, which was attended by other Christian members of the government, with several personal and official friends. At this meeting Mr. Kataoka spoke with much feeling of the answers to his daily prayer for guidance in connection with his official duties. News has also come that a staunch Christian layman, Hon. Y. Nakamura, a well-known member of the Fourth Kumi-ai Church of Kyoto, was elected a member of Parliament in August last. It is noteworthy, also, that on the committee chosen to act for the newly-organized party which now controls the government, consisting of four members, the two who represent the liberal wing are both Christians, Mr. Kataoka and Mr. Ebara, the latter being connected with the Canadian Methodist school in Tokyo.” The foregoing was designed to show how Christianity is appreciated by the people of Japan, but it really emphasizes another fact, namely, that they have not yet been taught the Christianity of Christ. When they shall have been so taught, they will not be looking for its exemplification in the government officials. “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15. No worldly office-seeker can well say that he does not love the world.