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Dairyman and Gardener Wanted
WANTED.—At Loma Linda, a good dairyman; also a gardener who understands all about vegetable growing. Single man preferred. Correspondence invited. Loma Linda Sanitarium, Redlands, California.
Bank of Mountain View
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Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California
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V. THE RELIGIONS OF THE JAPANESE.
By F. W. Field
Confusion and Indefiniteness.
IN attempting to explain the religious situation in the Orient in a way that will be intelligible to Western minds, it is first necessary to make a number of preliminary observations. In the Occident, a person professes some definite faith to the exclusion of all others, or else makes no profession of religion. But in the Orient it is different. It is not at all inconsistent to the oriental mind that a person should be an adherent of several religions at the same time. For example, a Japanese might adhere to the moral teachings of Confucius, believe the Shinto myths concerning the origin of the Japanese nation and of the world, worship at the Shinto temples where the heroes of the past are enshrined, and at the same time be a devout Buddhist.
This condition of things is confusing to the Western observer, and makes it difficult to form definite ideas and conclusions concerning the religious conceptions of the people. But it explains the widely varying statistics claiming to give the number of adherents of these oriental religions. For example, while the great majority of Japanese might truthfully be counted as adherents of Shintoism, they might with equal truth be set down in the Buddhist and Confucian columns. But among the adherents of these religions, no attempt at statistics is made. Not only this, but no list of membership is kept. In fact, there is no ceremony or election by which members are initiated. People do not "join" these religions as Christians join a church. They are educated and trained in the way of their fathers and in the customs of the community. Superstition and custom are strong ties that hold the adherents of a heathen religion.
Different Modes of Worship.
And this brings us to consider the marked difference between Eastern and Western ways of worship. Christians have churches where they assemble at regular times for religious services. In the East there are temples; but these are very different from churches. Instead of being opened only occasionally, they are open every day; and the priests in charge are in constant attendance. Nor does the contrast end here; for the people, instead of assembling in congregations, worship privately. So the visitor to such a temple on any day and at any time of day, would see the people coming to pay their devotions. They seldom enter the temple, but stand at the entrance, throw a coin into the big money box, clap their hands or ring a bell to call the attention of the deity, bow the head a few moments in prayer, and then go about their other business. It might be added that some Buddhist priests gather the people together for instruction at their temples, but this is a modern practise, borrowed, some say, from Christians.
Of course there are festival days, when the people visit the temples in throngs. But even then they come and go, instead of assembling as a congregation. Besides this worship at the temples, nearly every house has one or more household shrines, where the family ancestors and favorite deities are worshiped.
Confucianism.
Turning our attention now to the principal religious systems of Japan, let us first consider the status of Confucianism. A well-known Japanese writer has this to say: "Confucianism is never looked upon in the far East, at all events not in Japan, as a religion. Confucius and his famous followers are no more regarded as the founders or promulgators of a religion than are Socrates, Plato, or Aristotle so esteemed in the West. Confucian precepts of morality pervade every branch of our culture, it is true. But Confucianism is with us cultivated as tending toward elevation of intelligence and of ethical notions, never as a religion. This being the case, both Shintoism and Buddhism are very good friends with Confucianism. As a matter of fact, both Buddhism and Shintoism rely upon Confucianism, to a great extent, so far as practical ethical teachings are concerned."
Shintoism—Ancestral Worship.
As to Shintoism, it also can hardly be regarded as a religion, and was not so regarded till within a few decades. It has been described as having no particular dogma, but vague notions of the future world, yet a firm belief in the immortality of the soul. To quote again from the author mentioned above: "Shintoism is essentially a creed founded upon reverence for ancestors, conjointly with a love of the fatherland, and likewise of the exalted personage, who mirrors the best traditions of our common ancestors and exercises the wisest control over our land; hence loyalty and patriotism are the most important features of the creed, as regards its outward manifestations." Shintoism is the primitive cult of the Japanese, and supplied the place of a religion till the introduction of Buddhism.
Buddhism.
It will be seen from what has already been said that Buddhism in Japan has been considerably modified by contact with Shintoism and Confucianism. There are numerous sects, each with its peculiar philosophical teachings. But with these theories the common people are little concerned. "In Buddhism, as reflected to them, there is an eternal soul in every individual. There are paradise and hell. All this is much in accord with the religions of the Occident." To be sure, the idea of a future life, with its rewards and punishments, lies at the foundation of all religion. But what a hollow mockery these man-made religions are to the sin-sick soul. Yet into this confusing mixture of philosophy, ancestor worship, polytheism, and demonology, the light of divine truth has shone.
Christian Missionaries and Persecution.
The first Christian missionaries to Japan were Portuguese Jesuit priests, who landed at Kagoshima, in the southern part of the country, in 1545. This was the beginning of a very successful propaganda, and the believers in the Roman Catholic faith were13soon numbered by thousands, and included some of the leading men of the times. Christianity seems to have been favored by Nobunaga. In 1585, certain Spanish Franciscan monks arrived in the country. Three years after this Hideyoshi issued his first decree against the missionaries, but it was not enforced. In 1595, by order of the same ruler, six Franciscans and three Jesuits were burned at Nagasaki. Tokugawa Ieyasu was as much opposed to Christianity as his predecessor. He issued a decree of expulsion against the missionaries in 1600, but this was not carried out till 1614. By this time the number of adherents is said to have been two millions, while the missionaries numbered two hundred. The persecution that attended the execution of the Shogun's decree continued for years, and reached its culmination in 1637, when thirty thousand Christians were massacred at Shimabara.
From this time the name of Christian was held in execration by the Japanese, and severe laws against Christianity existed till a few decades ago, even during the early years of the present emperor's reign. But through the influence of America and other foreign countries, these old laws were either repealed or not enforced, and the country became once more open to missionary effort.
The History of Christian Missions in Japan
since this time forms a story of thrilling interest, but can only be touched upon here. Roman Catholics, the Greek or Russian Church, and the various denominations of Protestants, are well represented. At present the foreign missionaries in the country number nearly eight hundred, and the number of native pastors is about twelve hundred. The total number of communicants of all creeds is probably upwards of one hundred thousand. This is but a small percentage of the population, but they exert an influence in the country far out of proportion to their numbers.
The efforts of Christian missionaries have extended throughout the length and breadth of the country, but have been made especially in the cities and larger towns. It is said that only thirty per cent. of the Japanese live in cities and towns, while the remaining seventy per cent. are reckoned as forming the rural population. Among these there is still a great work to be done in carrying the Gospel message.
Preparation for a Closing Work.
The Lord has prepared the nations of the earth to receive the last closing message of the Gospel. As an example of this, the history of Japan for the past fifty years is full of meaning. Half a century ago the country was fast closed to all missionary effort, as well as to all commercial intercourse. But what a change these few years have wrought! The country enjoys the freest intercourse with the rest of the world. Facilities for travel have been wonderfully increased. All restrictions to the preaching of the Gospel have been removed, and a great work has already been done toward the evangelization of the people. The Bible is being widely circulated throughout the country.
Contact with western ideas is shaking the faith of many in the old creeds. Educators are beginning to realize that intellectual training alone will not suffice, and are casting about for a system of moral training that will meet the needs of the rising generation. All these conditions furnish the grand opportunity for proclaiming the everlasting Gospel with a power that will send it ringing from chilly Hokkaido to the sun-lit islands of the Inland Sea, while its echoes are heard in lonely Karafuto, the scattered Loo Choos, and far Formosa. It is a great work; but the Lord has given His word to finish it in this generation. So, grasping His promise, and relying upon His power and guidance, we go forward.
F. W. FIELD.
An Image of Buddha.
Mendicant Buddhist Priests.
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
TWO PERSONS were baptized by Brother W. W. Stebbins at Plum City, Wis., November 17.
AS A RESULT of the labors of Brethren J. Biffel and L. R. Conradi, at Shaffer, Kan., two have been baptized.
A NEW church building has been dedicated near Hartford City, Ind. Brother U. S. Anderson conducted the service.
ELEVEN have begun to keep the Sabbath at Seymour, Ind., through the labors of Brethren A. L. Miller and Robert W. Leach.
AT Fargo, Texas, Brother C. M. Hoyhurst reports good success. Of a number who believe and acknowledge the truth, ten have taken their stand.
SIX or eight souls have accepted present truth at Brigham, Utah, through the labors of Brother H. G. Gjording, who has been laboring at that place for several months.
THE Northern Illinois Recorder says: "Four of Miss Hancock's readers were baptized at our South Side church (Chicago), Sabbath, November 10, by Elder Covert."
BRETHREN Locken and M. G. Huffman recently closed a series of meetings at Pana, southern Illinois, in which sixteen took their stand with the keepers of the commandments.
THE first Seventh-day Adventist church in British Central Africa was organized Sabbath, July 14, 1906, with twenty-one members, by Brother Thomas H. Branch, formerly of Colorado.
BROTHER S. W. Carr, in the Union Conference Record, Sydney, Australia, reports much interest in the school work in the Fiji Islands. Several natives have accepted the truth, also a Wesleyan teacher.
BROTHER W. W. Eastman, of Texas, reports more than 3,500 of our large bound books, valued at more than $10,000, placed in that state from January 1 to November 1. More workers are planning on entering the field the coming season.
ABOUT seventy-one thousand copies of the Special Thanksgiving Number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES have been sold. The church at Mountain View disposed of about one thousand copies in the cities and towns near by. A young lady and a young man sold 174 and 175 respectively.
PROFESSOR GEORGE W. CAVINESS, who has been laboring in Mexico for a number of years, has just finished translating "Coming King," "Christ Our Saviour," and "Gospel Primer" into the Spanish language. This work has been done at the Pacific Press, which is pushing the work on these books. Brother Caviness has just returned to his field of labor in Mexico.
A LETTER from Brother Luther J. Burgess informs us that a small station is now being opened at Almora, India, away up in the Himalaya Mountains among the Hindustani people. It is both pleasant and healthful, and seems to be a favorable place in every way to give the everlasting Gospel to that part of India. A number of government schools are held there, attended by an intelligent class of native men, many of whom read English. For this we are glad.
BROTHER W. S. Hyatt reports good progress in Somabula Mission, South Africa. The mission is prospering financially, educationally, and, more than all, spiritually. Recently he baptized eight young people who had been in training for the last four years. These will all probably make good workers to their own people.
A MAN in South Hartford, Ind., a non-professor, has become so interested in the truth that he has gone to the trouble to fix up a very good place in his yard, under the largest apple tree in the country, seated to accommodate about one hundred persons. He spread sawdust over the ground, built a nice rostrum and stand, bought canvas for a covering, and gives the use of his organ. Brother U. S. Anderson says, in the Indiana Reporter: "We have a beautiful place under the shade of the old apple tree to preach the Third Angel's Message."
THE NEBRASKA SANITARIUM AND BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.
By W. A. George
The next annual meeting of the constituency of the above association will be held in connection with the Nebraska Conference, at College View, Neb., December 25, 1906, at 2:30 P.M. This meeting is for the purpose of electing officers and members of the board of trustees, whose term of office expires, and such other business as may properly come before the meeting. The members of the association include the delegates to the Nebraska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the regular employees of the Nebraska Sanitarium, and all graduate physicians and nurses engaged in medical missionary work in Nebraska, under the supervision of, and in harmony with, this association.
W. A. GEORGE, President.
NEBRASKA CONFERENCE.
By A. T. Robinson
THE thirty-first annual session of the Nebraska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held at College View, Neb., December 24 to 30, inclusive. Brethren K. C. Russell, of Washington, D. C., Jas. Cochran, of Kansas City, and H. H. Hall, of Mountain View, Cal., are expected to attend this meeting. Full delegations from all our churches and representatives from unorganized companies are urged to be present at the opening meeting, Monday evening, December 24.
A. T. ROBINSON, President.
NEBRASKA CONFERENCE ASSOCIATION.
THE regular annual meeting of the Nebraska Conference Association of the Seventh-day Adventists will convene in the Seventh-day Adventist church at College View, Neb., on Thursday, December 27, at 2:30 P.M. This meeting will be held for the purpose of the election of a board of trustees, and such other business as may properly be transacted. All accredited delegates to the Conference are voters in the meetings of this association.
A. T. ROBINSON, President.
Missionary Periodicals Wanted
WANTED.—For missionary work, clean copies of the SIGNS, Good Health, Life Boat, Life and Health, Youth's Instructor, Little Friend, Sabbath School Worker. Newton Jenkins, R. F. D. No. 2, Blythewood, S. C.
THE Roswell Missionary Society will appreciate receiving copies of periodicals suitable for missionary work. Kindly mail same to John L. Nokes, 209 W. 4th St., Roswell, N. M.
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