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of ethical chaplain for the police force of the empire. He is prison inspector and lecturer at large, and for his personal by-play runs a private reformatory for wayward lads. He feels that a pressing need of the day is a school for ethical chaplains, in which promising candidates may be trained in accordance with the fundamental teachings of Christianity for this form of social regenerative work. He hopes soon to inaugurate such an enterprise.

Men in Government Service

We have designedly reserved for our last section what all Japanese and many foreign writers would probably place first-members of the nobility and government officials of all ranks, including those of the army and navy. For obvious reasons it is the most difficult and delicate section to deal with. That there are Christians in Cæsar's household is an open secret. That for thirty years past the government has in a multitude of ways, consistent with the best traditions of the nation, quietly encouraged Christian enterprises of the better sort, is an acknowledged fact, and that the time has almost, if not quite, come when men of the highest station might fearlessly acknowledge their beliefs and speak their minds is asserted by many writers. But until those involved authorize such use of their names, we can hardly claim the right to place them in this or that coiumr.

There, for example, is Prince Arisugawa, the cousin of the emperor, who has recently received both on his own account and that of the nation he so graciously represented, such distinguished attention in both Ger

many and England. Of his leadership, and along the very highest lines of usefulness, there is no question. Many Japanese assert positively that he is a Christian. He is known to be a daily student of the Bible, and to order his conduct according to the teachings of the world's Redeemer. It would be interesting to know how much of the English conception of religion was imbibed by the naval student Togo when he lived in a clergyman's family, and still remains with the now world-famed admiral, or just what this great naval captain means when he uses in his despatches the word Ten-yu (favor of heaven) when he credits his wonderful victories to a higher than human power.

Premier Katsura, whose first wife was a devout member of a Kumiai church, is another of the influential statesmen of the hour who will not allow himself to be put in any religious category, but whose words and deeds clearly show where he gets most, if not all, of his principles of actions.

Baron Kaneko, an LL.D. of Harvard, who, during the past four months, has been so much in evidence throughout America as a forceful pleader for international ethics of a Christian order, was baptized in his student days by Dr. George F. Pentecost, and, so far as we know, has never disavowed his firm belief in the teachings of Christ, altho he has found himself, during recent years, out of sympathy with existing Church organizations.

Another man concerning whose religious faith many interesting guesses have been made is Marquis Marshall Oyama, the highest field officer in the Japanese army. His treatment of neutrals, especially Christians, in con

quered territory, both in the China war and the present conflict, has won the appreciative praise of both the Pope at Rome and Protestant missionaries on the ground. He gives many signs of knowing the Christian standard of virtuous action, and ordering his conduct in accordance therewith. His wife, who was educated at Vassar, and who made her home for many years in the family of Dr. Leonard Bacon, of Connecticut, is a member of the Reinanzaka (Kumiai) church, Tokyo, whose pastor, Rev. H. Kozaki, has at times. held a weekly Bible class at her residence.

It is very significant that since the inauguration of constitutional government in Japan, the proportion of Christians elected to office has been from twenty to one hundred times greater than the relative proportion of Christians to the whole population. It is well known that the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the first diet was Mr. Nakajima, a Christian.

Another stanch Presbyterian, Hon. K. Kataoka, the man who said that if he must choose between the two he would elect to go to the kyokwai in preference to the kokkwai (church rather than congress), was five times elected to the Speaker's chair. The present (twentieth) diet contains at least seven Christians: Mr. Tamura (Baptist), Messrs. Hinata and Yokoi, a Yale man, who was president of Doshisha schools for several years (Cong.), and Messrs. Ebara, Shimada, Nemoto, and Tatsukawa (Methodists).

Mr. Ebara, who is also prominent in educational and Young Men's Christian Association circles, and is in constant demand for lectures and

addresses, was one of the three candidates for the Speakership whose names were presented to the emperor.

In the upper house of Parliament, Viscount Okabe, who was converted under D. L. Moody's preaching at Springfield, Mass., and still remains a loyal and outspoken Christian, is a democrat in high places. He was educated at Yale and Cambridge (England), and has held such high positions as Governor of Tokyo, Minister to Italy, and Assistant Secretary of State.

Judge T. Miyoshi, another "peer of the realm," studied in Germany and England, was baptized by Stopford Brooke, of London, and has been through the years a constant member of Bancho Congregational Church. Tho coming from one of the back districts of Japan, historic Hyuga, he won his way by sheer worth to the highest legal office in the empire, that of President of the Court of Cassation-the position most nearly corresponding to America's chief justiceship of the Supreme Court. Judge Miyoshi has been for years a constant reverential student of the choicest portions of the New Testament, especially the Sermon on the Mount and the Gospel of John, chapters xvi.-xvii.

His old-time Hyuga friend, Mr. Mori, who for many years held the office of Secretary of the Supreme Court is an equally earnest Christian believer.

Judge Watanabe, a Presbyterian and President of the Yokohama Young Men's Christian Association, is senior judge or judge president of the Kanagawa district court, and holds his office by direct appointment from the emperor, thus bringing him into the highest class of officials.

Since the lamented death, some

years ago, of Vice-Admiral Serata, who, as President of the Tokyo Young Men's Christian Association and elder in a Presbyterian church, was as useful in the religious world as he was eminent in naval circles, the highest officer in the navy who is an acknowledged Christian is Vice-Admiral Uriu, who leaped into fame a year ago last February by his decisive victory over the portion of the Russian fleet that lay in Chemulpo Harbor, Korea. Both the admiral and his estimable wife were educated in America, and he has served as elder in one of the churches of which for a time he was a valued member. They are now members of a Kumiai (Congregational) Church. Admiral Togo is not a Christian, but has a most estimable Christian wife, whose influence on her husband leads him to favor Christian work.

The last place in this honor list is purposely given to Hon. Taro Ando, whose life story reads like a novel, and who may be called the Fitz-Hugh Lee and John B. Gough of modern Japan. He is one of those patriots who chanced to be on the so-called

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rebel" side at the time of the Restoration. After lying for a year in prison he was pardoned, and put to work for the new government of Japan. He served his country well as consul at Shanghai, Hongkong, and especially for three and a half years as Consul-General of Hawaii. During this time he became convinced of the evils of intemperance, accepted Christianity, and ever since has led the Christian temperance hosts of Japan. When his old leader, Enamoto, entered the Cabinet as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he was placed next to the head of the Agricultural

Department, and did yeomen service in introducing foreign fruits and stock, and teaching the people their value. He is still a vigorous speaker, and has done more, both by precept and personal ministry, to break up habits of intemperance among officials and private citizens than any other Japanese in public life. He is a typical and zealous Methodist in his warm-hearted methods of reformatory work for society at large.

A Final Word

This list might be greatly extended, but enough names have been recorded to show that Christianity has entered into the head and heart and hand life of Japan. A brave beginning has been made. It is more than possible that if increasing emphasis can be placed in Christian work upon the great ethical and spiritual verities of Christ's Gospel, and diminishing stress laid upon matters of secondary worth, the near future may witness the coming over into the Christian camp of multitudes of Japan's best citizens, who are now intellectually convinced of the superiority of what until recently has been the despised "Yaso" cult, and who really long to make it the foundation-stone of their personal and national destiny. For this all who love our Lord in sincerity and in truth may well unite in praying, giving, serving, waiting.

That God who has through the ages so patiently built up this people in power of application and grace of workmanship will not withhold the capstone of His favor-Christliness of spirit. Then, indeed, will Japan become a truly great nation, redeemed for cathedral service.

SIR GEORGE WILLIAMS

FOUNDER OF THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

BY THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On November 7, 1905, Sir George Williams, one of the most beloved of Englishmen, passed away at Torquay, at the age of eighty-four. In 1844, when he was a clerk in a mercantile house in London (now known as

THE LATE SIR GEORGE WILLIAMS

Founder of the Young Men's Christian Association

Hitchcock, Williams & Co.), he was deeply impressed as to his duty to his fellow clerks. Having found Christ, he yearned to lead other young men to the same fountain of salvation and satisfaction; and began the great work of soul winning in the true waygathering souls, like hand-picked fruit, one by one. That first act of voluntary approach to another young man, seeking him to bring him to Christ, as Andrew sought Peter, and Philip, Nathaniel, was the inception of the

Young Men's Christian Association, now belting the globe.

When Mrs. Stowe wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin" she did not think of doing any great thing. Later she said: "I did not want to be famous; it came upon me, and I did as I mustwrite it out; but I was only a pen in the hands of God." Somewhat so this great achievement of George Williams. He had no thought of being or doing anything great. Passion for souls being kindled, the flame demanded vent; while he was musing the fire burned, and he spake with his tongue, and won a soul; one such effort led unconsciously to another; and so a little band of converted young men began to form in a London drygoods shop. This was in 1843, in his twenty-second year. And now, a second step: those young converts needed the help of mutual association. "A threefold cord is not easily broken," and a weaker strand gets strength by being interbraided with a stronger, or even with one as weak as itself; and so they naturally came together, at first for prayer.

All such association needs a nucleus, and Mr. Williams suggested Bible study for such nucleus; and so a Bible class was organized, and what was, at first, a little prayer-meeting of two or three, speedily grew into a large Bible class, where prayer and the study of the Word of God fed spiritual growth.

On June 6, 1844, twelve young men formed themselves into a society under the name of the "Young Men's Christian Association," with George Will

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iams as leader. Thus three factors combined in the genesis of the Young Men's Christian Association: 1. Personal contact; 2. United Prayer; 3. Bible Study. The principle of association interpenetrated the other three: the personal contact was association. begun; and mutual prayer and Scripture study were such association, continued and strengthened.

As this infant organization grew, it became apparent that some definite recognition of the bond of union and the purpose of such association should be embodied in a formal statement; and hence naturally came the first crude constitution, essentially the same as that which is the basis of the Young Men's Christian Association.

Thus far there was but a single society, and that was in Hitchcock's London House. The marked improvement in the moral and religious life of these young men called attention to the simple methods there in use, and other mercantile houses began to inquire whether it would not be well to imitate them; and so Mr. Williams was consulted as to the formation of other such associations, until there were in successful operation fourteen or fifteen.

Then came the next step: an association of associations. The young men in these separate mercantile houses came together and formed a common bond of fellowship and union, cooperating for a wider purpose and a farther reaching influence. Representatives of all existing associations met in Mr. Williams' dining-room, and conferred as to a basis of fellowship and common effort.

And now, after half a century, this Association has multiplied itself so many fold as to be found in every land,

like some huge banyan tree, rooted in British soil, reaching out branches to bend down and take root anew, span-· ning even the oceans, to lay hold on the extremities of the earth, until the very world is covered, and its boughs are like the goodly cedars. There were in 1894 over 5,000 Associations. and half a million members. The week between June 1st and 8th of that year will go down to history as the memorable Feast of Jubilee, marking the completion of the half century of the Young Men's Christian Association, i.e., of the parent organization in Great Britain; and the world-wide interest which gathered about that anniversary was such as no ordinary events or even anniversaries can claim.

The Queen of Great Britain honored her own seventy-fifth birthday by conferring upon George Williams the honor of knighthood, in acknowledgment of "distinguished service to the cause of humanity." No more deserved tribute has ever been paid to the merit and modesty of unconscious. greatness. Sir George, tho, like John the Baptist, "great in the eyes of the Lord," like him, esteemed himself unworthy to unloose the latchet of his Master's shoe. God chose him to give the original impulse to one of the grandest movements of modern history.

Sir George never, even in his new knighthood, forgot the claims of man as man. For half a century he had been already the Knight of Humanity, tho no star and garter decorated him. The lesson of personal contact he never unlearned. Day by day during office hours, tho his well-adjusted business requires little or no personal management, he sat at his desk that

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