YOjW\ South Japan Mission X REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA NEW YORK 1899 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Columbia University Libraries https://archive.org/details/sketchofsouthjapOOrefo REV GUIDO F. VERBECK. SKETCH OF THE South Japan Mission REVISED AND ENLARGED Board of Foreign Missions, R. C. A. 25 EAST 22D STREET, NEW YORK. 1899. THE SOUTH JAPAN MISSION OF THE REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA. Nagasaki may be called the birthplace of Protestant mis- sions in Japan. It was here that the idea of missions to the Japanese first assumed practical form; from here the call for missionaries was sent; and here the first missionaries came. The facts are these: Not long after the opening of the country by treaty, Dr. S. Wells Williams and the Rev. E. W. Syle, missionaries to China, the former of the The Way Prepared. American Board and the latter of the Board of the American Episcopal Church, came on a visit to Nagasaki. They made the acquaintance of the officers of the U. S. S. “Powhatan,” then in port, and were one day invited to join a party including the chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Wood, in making a call upon the governor of the city. In the conversation the governor took occasion to say that, as the country was now open to trade, the people would be glad of anything the foreigners had to bring them, except two things, opium and Christianity. This remark naturally became a subject of thought and discussion by these three Christian men. It was evident to them that the governor’s ideas of Christianity, which led him to consider it an evil on a par with opium, had been derived from the history of a false form of the faith in his own country in former times. They, therefore, decided to make an effort to have true Christianity introduced, and agreed to write letters to the Boards of the Episcopal, Presby- terian and Reformed Churches in America, urging the sending of missionaries to Japan. In response to these letters, mis- sions were established by these three churches. The Episcopal Church fias the honor of being the first to occupy the field. Two men were located at Nagasaki in the summer of 1859. The mission of the Reformed Church was established in the same place a few months later by the Rev. G. F Verbeck. 6 The SouTn Japan Mission. The history of this branch of the mission for the next ten years, is entirely that connected with the personal experiences of its founder. In a reply to a request for information con- cerning this period, he wrote as follows: “I left New York on the 5th of May, 1859, in lfS en the company of Dr. S. II. Brown and Dr. D. B. Years. Simmons, all of our mission, together with our families. I arrived at Nagasaki on the 7th of November, 1859, and my wife, whom I was obliged to leave for a time in Shanghai, on December 31st of the same year. “We found the natives not at all accessible touching reli- gious matters. When such a subject was mooted in the pres- ence of a native, his hand would almost involuntarily be applied edgewise to his throat, to indicate the extreme peril- ousness of such a discussion. If, on such an occasion, more than one native happened to be present, the natural shyness was, if possible, still more apparent, for there was little con- fidence between man and man, chiefly on account of the abom- inable secret spy system, which we found in full swing when we first arrived and for several years after. It was evident that before we could hope to accomplish anything in our ap- propriate work two things were essential; we had to gain the general confidence of the people and we had to master the native tongue. “ As to the first, by the most knowing and suspicious, we were regarded as people that had come to seduce the masses from their fealty to the ‘god country,’ and to corrupt their morals generally. These gross misconceptions we had to endeavor to dispel by invariable kindness and generosity, by showing that we had come to do good to them only and on all occasions of our intercourse, whether we met in friendship, on business, on duty or otherwise; a very simple Christian duty this ! “As to the other pre-requisite to successful work, we were in many respects not favorably situated, and our progress was correspondingly slow. We had none, or hardly any, of the helps for studying the language that have been so abundantly furnished to those who arrived at later dates. The discovery of a new part of speech, or of a new construction, seemed to us The South Japan Mission. 7 often like the discovery of a new land and often was the source of great joy. “As to myself, I may say that, as an auxiliary in my en- deavors to secure the above two requisites, I early commenced to give gratuitous instruction at my home in the English lan- guage, and various other useful branches. This course, under Providence, led to my being early identified with educational matters, and did much to give shape and color to my career in this country. “As to baptisms, a full account of them was first given in Mrs. Sangster’s ‘ Manual of the Missions of the Reformed Church in America,’ published by the Woman’s Board in 1887 This is an account of the first two baptisms. The only other case at Nagasaki, in my time, was that of the priest Shimidzu in 1868.” Remarkable y ear 1854 an English fleet of war came into the harbor of Nagasaki. This w T as before Conversion. an y treaty with England, and such an event created great excitement. A large force of troops was gathered to watch the vessels and prevent any trade or intercourse with the people. The commander-in-chief was named Wakasa, and he was accustomed to go out in a boat to see that all was right and that no secret communication was attempted. On one of these excursions he discovered in the water a small pocket Testament, which was quite unlike any book he had ever seen, and he was very anxious to know its contents. After considerable inquiry, he learned from some Dutch in- terpreter that it told about God and Jesus Christ. This only increased his curiosity to understand it all; and having heard there was a translation in China, he sent to Shanghai and pro- cured a copy. Having returned to his home at Saga he began the study of the Testament, and induced four others to join him. One of these was a brother named Ayabe, and another a relative named Molino. In the autumn of 1862 Ayabe came to Nagasaki for further instruction, and was taught by Rev. Dr. Yerbeck. During the following spring, this man came to Dr. Yerbeck at night and warned him of danger to himself and family if they did not leave at once. It is probable that this caution saved their The South Japan Mission. lives, as they fled to China and remained there until the serious troubles which followed were ended. When Dr. Yerbeck returned he found that Ayabe had re- ceived some government appointment which removed him from Nagasaki, and it seemed that all his labors and prayers were to be in vain. But not long after, Wakasa sent Molino (who had learned to read English) with instructions to read over and get explanations of such portions of the Scriptures as they could not understand, and he was also to procure any books that would be helpful in their efforts to know the word of God. In this manner the Bible class was carried on for nearly three years, the faithful messenger making the two days’ journey to Nagasaki and returning in due time with the desired knowledge. On the 14th of May, 1866, a messenger came to Dr. Yerbeck and announced that some high officials from the province of Hizen had arrived and desired him to appoint a day and hour for an interview. To his great joy and surprise these men proved to be Wakasa with his brother and Molino. At the time appointed Wakasa and his train appeared. He was then one of the ministers of state or governors of the pro- vince. In appearance lie was tall and dignified, with a most pleasing expression. He said to Dr. Yerbeck, “ I have long known you in my mind, and desired to converse with you, and I am very happy that, in God’s providence, I am at last per- mitted this privilege.” Two of his sons were with him. These men had evidently received the word with all readi- ness of mind, and now sought only for some additional light in reference to Christian character and customs. In the course of their conversation. Wakasa said: “Sir, I cannot tell you my feelings when for the first time I read the account of the character and work of Jesus Christ. I had never seen, or heard, or imagined such a person. I was filled with admira- tion, overwhelmed with emotion, and taken captive by the record of his nature and life.” He showed great familiarity with the Bible, made several pertinent quotations, and was prepared to believe all that Jesus said and to do whatever he required. Tiik South .Japan Mission. 9 After a long conversation on the power and love of Christ, Dr. Verbeck was taken quite by Baptisms. surprise by the request from Wakasa that he and his brother should be baptized. It was well known that such an act would be attended with great peril, as the law of the land strictly prohibited the Christian religion. Molino also wished for baptism. Dr. Verbeck warned them not to entertain any superstitious notions in regard to the efficacy and importance of baptism, and told them of the sacred obligations of those who received it. After explaining the form, they were asked to decide, as in the presence of God. Without hesitation the request was repeated, with the sinjple provision that it should not be made public, as it would not only endanger their own lives, but their families’ also. Further examination showed that their experience had been thorough. They felt their sins to be great and realized the need of a saviour. Recognizing the insufficiency of all other systems, they joyfully received Christ as their hope for time and for eternity. The following Sabbath evening was appointed for the cere- mony, and at the appointed hour the three men appeared. Their retainers had been dismissed with orders to return in an hour. The shutters were closed, and after some words of ex- hortation they were baptized and partook of the sacrament. “Now,” said Wakasa I have that which I have long been heartily wishing for.” He then told the story of the book found twelve years before in the harbor of Nagasaki, and all that it had led to. Wakasa returned home (like the eunuch who had met Philip) rejoicing in the love of God and presence of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Verbeck removed to Tokyo, and the account sent to America was carefully preserved and for a long time was known to but few. Mr. Verbeck taught for several years in a school established under the patronage of the governor of Nagasaki, primarily for training young men to become interpreters in government offices, and for a short time also in a school established for giving a more liberal education, by the daimyo of Hizen. Early in 1869, he was called to Tokyo to assist in organizing a school for the study of Western languages and the sciences, 10 Tiie South Japan Mission. 'which later grew into the Imperial University. For this purpose he left Nagasaki in March the same year. T 7 , T , The Rev. Henry Stout and wife arrived in Larly Labors „. , . , , „ , , Nagasaki ten days before the departure of Mr. o r. an Yerbeck and family. It was arranged that the Mrs. Stout. p] ace to be vacated in the schools be taken by the new missionary. The Hizen school was soon trans- ferred to Tokyo as had been previously planned. The ar- rangement with the city school continued for three years and a half. During this time opportunities were not entirely wanting to do some real mission work, es- pecially with pupils living in the house with their teacher, or even occasionally with others in the school who were his intimate friends and could be induced to come quietly on Sun- days for Bible study. But a great deal of the same sort of tim- idity which Mr. Ver- b e c k had found REV HENRY STOUT, D.D. among the people was still manifested. This was especially marked after the persecution of 1870, in which about four thousand Roman Catholic Christians, descendents of the converts of former times, living in villages near Nagasaki, were suddenly arrested and deported to different parts of the country. At the same time, also, two Protestants, one “the priest Shimidzu ” before referred to, were arrested and thrown into prison. Gradually, however, the reserve gave way in great measure, and in 1872 the time seemed favorable for be- ginning more direct and active mission work. The position in the school was, therefore, resigned. Tiie South Japan Mission. 11 Still, instruction in English appeared to be the means by which the beginning must be made. The first step taken was to gather an evening class of young men at the mission home, with the Bible as the principal text book. Soon as many as could be accommodated were in regular attendance. In connection with teaching, both in the government school and in the private class, opportunities frequently offered to present the subject of female education. And not long after the class for boys was well under way, some persons who had been friendly for a long time, came and asked that Mrs. Stout teach a class of girls, giving special attention to sewing, knit- ting, etc. This she undertook to do in the afternoon, also at the mission home. These classes were visited and met with such favor that, not long after their organization, a number of men united in a request for establishing a joint school in the city at their expense for rent and incidentals. The agreement was that, as the teachers’ time would be given gratuitously, the instruction should be entirely at their option. However, it was understood that for the time being the religious instruc- tion should be given at the teachers’ residence. In a short time a school of about fifty girls and thirty boys and young men was in successful operation. Early in 1873, the edicts against Christianity were removed, and the time seemed now ripe for more open Christian teaching. After a time the Bible wai introduced into the school, as a voluntary study. The result of this was, first, a remonstrance to the teachers, and then intimidation toward those of the pupils who had engaged in Bible study. When both were found to be ineffectual, the school was summarily closed. However, there is good reason to believe that those who had the school immediately in charge cared little about the study of the Bible. But the fact of its having been intro- duced into the school had been noised abroad, and there was great excitement over it. Such pressure was brought to bear upon these men, that there was nothing for them to do but yield to public clamor. A few days after the closing of the school, a number of those who had been in either department, came begging to be taught again as at the first. And so the classes went on as CHAPEL AT NAGASAKI, Tiie South Japan Mission. 13 formerly, with the best elements of what had constituted the school in the city. Urgent requests were sent to the Board for aid in carrying on the work thus opening up, especially that for women. The class for girls was continued, in hope that help would be sent, till the summer of the following year, when Mrs. Stout’s health became such that she was obliged to dismiss it. The class for boys, however, was carried on for many years. For this work, a school house was erected on the mission grounds, by funds kindly furnished by a friend. Of the young men first taught, three were baptized in the Autumn of 1873. The class was never large, the necessity soon arriving for giving much time to the instruction of young men looking forward to the ministry, which precluded the possibility of the teacher’s giving sufficient time to general instruction to encourage pupils to enter the class. In 1874, the Rev. C. H. H. Wolff and wife were transferred to the mission at Nagasaki. In addition to time given to the study of the language, Mr. Wolff gave assistance in teaching for about one year. He retired from the mission in 1876. In the summer of 1874, the way seemed to be fairly open for taking still another step in advance. A Sunday-school and preaching ser- vice had been carried on for some time in the Church Built and Organized. school-house, but all this was done rather in private. A lot was now secured and a chapel built in the foreign concession, just at the entrance to the native city. And here the first public proclamation of the Gospel was made in the southern part of Japan. Crowds were in attendance from the first, and for two years there was little sign of diminishing interest or curiosity. Whenever the doors were opened for services, the room would be filled. Frequently, in winter, services would be continued night after night for a week or more. A preaching place was opened in the centre of the city in 1875, with experiences similar to those at the chapel. But the abiding results of all these efforts were exceedingly small. The seed for the most part seems to have fallen by the way side. However, in December, 1876, a church was organized with ten adult members and two baptized children. 14 The Soeth Japan Mission. In 1878, Kagoshima was occupied as an out-station with Mr. A. Segawa, one of the three first baptized, in charge. He was well received, and from the first, as at Nagasaki, there was a remarkable eagerness to hear preaching. The apparent re- sults were in the beginning, great, many coming forward eagerly asking for baptism. But the early promises were not realized in the harvest. The history of the work there indi- cates that the soil is fruitful of thorns. The same year the Misses Farrington came out to establish the “Jonathan Sturges Seminary” for girls. A small class then being taught was passed over to them. These ladies, however, soon went to Yokohama by physician’s recommen- dation, and from there a little later returned to America Up to this time, the work of the missionaries of the Re- formed Church at Yokohama and Nagasaki had been carried on quite separately, but by direction of the Board a meeting was held in Yokohama in September, 1878, and “ The Japan Missiou ” was fully organized. From that time during eleven years, while this arrangement continued, the branch of the mission in the south was known as “ The Nagasaki Station.” In 1889, by action of the Board, the Nagasaki Station was made an independent mission. It is known as The South Japan Mission of the Organized. Reformed Church in America. Permission having been given by the Board for Mr. Stout and family to return to America, the}' left the field in the spring of 1879. The work of the station was left in the hands of native assistants. One man was in Nagasaki in charge of the church, in which there were twenty-three members, and one in charge of the newly established out-station at Kago- shima. A third man was sent to Tokyo to continue his theological studies. The third decade, beginning in 1879, was marked by the arrival of the Rev. E. S. Booth and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Stout returned a year later. Lines of work in education and evan- gelization were now taken up, which gave promise of great success. A school for boys was opened; a class of five theo- logical students was organized; Rev. A. Segawa, having been lately ordained, was appointed assistant tn theological in- The Mission The South Japan Mission. 15 struction; a church was organized in Kagoshima with twenty- four members, and Saga was occupied as an out-station. But at the end of 1881, Mr. and Mrs. Booth went to Yokohama, and were soon after appointed to Ferris Seminary. Urgent requests were now sent for reinforcements, and in the end, the subject was presented definitely to the effect that, for the success of the work, there must be schools for both boys and girls, and superintendence of the evangelistic work. This plan called for the appointment of two men and two single ladies, and appropriations for school buildings. It was further urged that, if this could not be done, the field in the south be passed over to others. The Board decided to do what was asked, and in 1883, the Rev. N. II. Demarest and wife arrived, it being understood that he prepare for the evangelistic work. In the fol'owing year, the Rev. II. Harris and wife, and Miss M. E. Brokaw and Miss C. B. Richards arrived under appointment for the educational work. Miss Richards left the mission a few months after her arrival to become the wife of Prof. J. M. Dixon, of the Imperial Uni- versity, and Mr. Harris asked to be transferred to Tokyo, to which place he moved after one year’s connection with the Nagasaki station. In 188G, the Rev. A. Oltmans was ap- pointed and with his wife, arrived in the autumn of the same year, to undertake the establishment of “Steele Memorial The buildings for the two schools were im- mediately commenced and completed the next summer. The funds for Sturges Seminary had been provided by an appropriation of $5,000 from the Woman’s Board. This sum had been collected by special gifts from various sources, among which was one of $3,000 from Mrs. Jonathan Sturges, president of the Woman's Board, whence the name of the institution. The buildings for Steele Memorial School were paid for by a gift of $5,000 from Dr. William II. Steele, President of the Synod’s Board, as a memorial to his late son. The two schools were formally opened in the autumn of 1887, Miss M. E, Brokaw in charge of Sturges Seminary and School.” School Buildings. STURGES SEMINARY. The South Japan Mission. 17 Rev. A. Oltmans of Steele Mem- orial School. Both had been teaching in rooms temporarily provided, Miss Brokaw having succeeded in gathering a small class of girls, and M'\ Oltmans in enlarging the classes being taught on his arrival. They thus had pupils with whom to make a beginning in the new buildings. A short time after the opening. Miss R. L. Irvine arrived under _ appointment to Stuiges Seminary. For the 8 first two years this institution received but Seminary. limited patronage. In the spring of 1890, Miss Brokaw asked to be transferred to Ferris Seminary. The Board consented to this, and soon after appointed Miss C. B. Lanterman to take the place she left. In 1891 it was considered desirable to put both schools under the direction of native principals, to make them conform more fully to a certain idea of schools suited to the Japanese, pecu- liarly prominent at that time, and Mr. M. Saito, who had long been identified with Sturges Seminary, was made its principal. Under this plan one of t lie ladies acts as vice-principal in charge of the home department, and the mission as a board of directors with ultimate control. The same year Miss A. B. Stout was employed as teicher of music. The next spring Miss Irvine went to America on leave of absence, during which her connection with the mission was terminated. At the close of the summer vacation, just as Miss Lanterman was making preparations for the opening of the fall term, she was taken sick, and died quite suddenly, after but a few days of suffering. Soon after this Miss S. M. Couch arrived, under appointment for Bible work among women, but on account of the vacancy, she spent a year in work in the Seminary. In the fall of the following year, 1893, Miss H. M. Lansing and Miss M. E. Duryea arrived on the field and relieved Miss REV. A. OLTMANS. 18 The South Japan Mission. Couch that she might continue her preparation for evangel- istic work. Miss Lansing was considerably hampered by ill health at the first, but this having been overcome, the school enjoyed steady prosperity under the continued management of these two ladies and the Japanese principal, Mr. Saito, till the summer of 1 89G, when Miss Duryea resigned to become the wife of Rev. R. B. Grinnan of the Southern Presbyterian Mission. Miss Stout’s connection with the school as music teacher terminated on her return to America with her parents in 1894. Since that time the musical instruction has been in the hands of Miss Asada, now Mrs. Suyehiro, a Chinese by birth, a Japanese by training, and a European by association. There was some friction at first, but after that subsided, she was able to give very satisfactory service. The experiment has taught us that, thanks to the very efficient instruction in music in its higher grades, given in certain mission schools contemplating that kind of work, we need no longer employ our foreign workers in these technical lines, but can leave them free to devote themselves more exclusively to religious and spiritual instruction. During 189G-7, Miss Lansing labored alone in the school, receiving, however, assistance in teaching from Mrs. Pieters and Mrs. Davis, and also from Miss Couch, who, while partly engaged in, and partly preparing for, evangelistic work, has made her home in the school since 1895. Miss Couch's assist- ance was mainly along the line of religious instruction in the vernacular, and has given much satisfaction. Her experience in this matter has confirmed us in the opinion that missionary workers in schools for girls should invariably be women who can use the native language, and that religious instruction should be mainly, if not entirely in the hands of such, rather than in the hands of Japanese. In the fall of 1897, Miss A. Iv. Stryker was appointed to the girls’ school, and was associated with Miss Lansing. A year later, Miss A. B. Stout returning as an assistant missionary, Miss Lansing was relieved from teaching in order to prepare for evangelistic work; so at present the Misses Stryker and Stout are the foreign force laboring with Mr. Saito. The condition of the school is not all that we should like. It The South Japan Mission. 19 would be a pity if it were, for it, would indicate inability on the part of those most interested to change their old ideals for better ones. The number of pupils runs at thirty odd boarders and about an equal number of day pupils. We could ac- commodate about ten more of each, but might perhaps do no better work We are greatly pleased that the religious and spiritual life of the school is on a better basis than formerly, though we are by no means satisfied with present attainments in this line. It is only fair to say that our plan of having a Japanese principal, while working very unsatisfactorily in the school for boys, has given, on the whole, good satisfaction in the seminary for girls. This is due, no doubt, largely to the character of the principal Mr. Saito. Steele Steele Memorial School was organized into two departments, theological and academic, the College. teachers giving instruction in both departments as necessity required. Mr. Oilmans conducted the school for the first three years after its formal opening in the new buildings. Then for a year Mr. H. Y. S. Peeke, who had been sent out as a teacher for a limited term, and had already taught in the school for two years, was placed in charge. In accordance with the plan for putting the schools under the direction of natives, upon the expiration of Mr. Peeke’s term in 1891, the Rev. M. Oligimi was made principal in 1891. The same year, the Rev. A. Pieters was appointed teacher, and with his wife arrived in time for the opening of the fall term. In the following year, the name of the institution was changed to that of “ Steele College.” The period of 1890-97 may quite properly be referred to as one of great reaction in missionary operations in Japan. This was felt in every line of work, but was no where more manifest than in the schools. Add to this the fact, that, even granting that the plan of a native principal was a good one, Mr. Oligimi was not so well adapted for his responsible position as we had hoped, and it will not seem so strange that our school dwindled in numbers and weakened in influence till in June, 1896, there were but thirty-five in the Academic Department. At this juncture Mr. Oligimi resigned, Mr. Pieters assumed the prin- cipalship, and Mr. A. A. Davis, who had come to Japan some STEELE COLLEGE. The South Japan Mission. 21 years before in connection with the International Com- mittee of Y. M. C. A.’s, and had had considerable experience in teaching Jap- anese youth was employed to assist, especially in teach- ing the English language. The school immediately felt the effect of these and other changes, and a year later there were eighty-seven pu- pils. There have been downs as well as ups, for though there seems to be a general interest in religion throughout the country, the attendance at the college has not been as large as we desired. There has been much improvement in the quality of the teachers, most of whom are now devoted Christians, and our religious instruction ii on a far better basis. It is true, too, that the Christians in the country begin to appreciate the difference between a purely secular education, and one based on God’s truth, though the unfair rulings of the Government make it possible to avail themselves of the advantages of our schools only at a considerable loss. So, on the whole, we feel encouraged to go on in our effort to hold up the banner of Christian education in this land. Mr. Davis resigned in June, 1898, and Mr. Pieters worked in the Academical Department till the close of the year. Since then he has enjoyed the assistance of Dr. Stout. In the sum- mer of i 899 Mr. Pieters was relieved from school duties to engage in evangelistic work, and Dr. Stout took charge of the school, assisted in English instruction by the Rev. C. M. Myers, who has been appointed by the Board for that purpose. Twenty-seven men have graduated since the school was e^ablished, about a third of whom continued their studies in the Theological Department. During 1898-9 an interesting experiment in the line of an Industrial Department was conducted by Mr. Pieters, mainly REV. A. PIETERS. 22 The South .Japan Mission. at his own expense. A good hand laundry was equipped, and a number of students de- frayed a part of their school expenses by their labor in connection therewith. Unex- pected competition has hin- dered this from becoming the financial success that had been hoped, but it demon- stated clearly that there are youths of Japan’s student class who have at least learned that manual labor is not a thing to be despised, and it seems probable that by judiciously using and fostering a plan of this kind, it will be compara- tively easy to avoid assisting unworthy men to an education. On July 17, 1899, Japan’s new treaties came into effect, and “ extraterritoriality ” was abolished. It is not expected that this change will greatly affect evangelistic work in Japan; but no one now (September, 1899), seems to feel competent to even guess what the effect will be on educational work, though the opinion prevails that it will be radical one way or the other . . . The work of the Theological Department can be best treated in a separate paragraph. The Department. j us tr uetion has been mainly in the hands of Rev. H. Stout, D.D., and Rev. A. Segawa. They enjoyed the assistance of Rev. II. Aoyama, commissioned by the Northern Presbyterian Mission, during a considerable period, and that of Rev. R. B. Grinnan, of the Southern Pres- byterian Mission, during Dr. Stout’s absence from the field in 1895-7. Students have been gathered from our own field, Ivyu Shu, and from the main island, as far north as Nagoya. For a number of years we enjoyed the sympathetic co-opera- tion of both the Northern and Southern Presbyterian Missions. The high-water mark of attendance was reached in 1894, when twenty -four students were enrolled. Some of these men are now our most trusted workers; others are working faith- REV Cli AS. M. MYERS. Tiie South Japan Mission. 23 fully in connection with other missions. Some, alas, having laid their hand to the plough, have looked back, others have back-slidden, and still others have given reason to suspect that they never had the root of the matter in them. Still, a good proportion of them are to-day co-workers of whom we may well be proud. During Dr. Stout’s absence from the field, great economic changes following the Japan-China war, and the rapid devel- opment of Japan’s railroad communications, have greatly affected this work, so that since June, 1897, practically no candidates for the ministry having presented themselves, the department has been in suspension. It is extremely difficult to say what the future has in store. It is the purpose of the Board, however, to reopen the department the moment cir- cumstances make it feasible. In connection with the earlier theological instruction, and that given as a department of Steele College, upwards of forty men have been trained for work in the Master’s vineyard. As to evangelization proper, it has been a constant cause for regret that this most im- portant branch of work was, of necessity, during the early years of the mission’s history, left almost entirely in the hands of native evangelists. Mr. Demarest was the first specially appointed to this work, joining the mission in 1883, and spending some years in language study, but soon after he was able to make a beginning on the field, he was obliged to go to America with his family, on account of Mrs. Demarest’s health. A few months after his return to Japan he was obliged to leave a second time, and finally, for the same reason. Mr. Oltmans thereupon resigned his position in the school, by special request of the mission, to take up the work thus left, but after two years, spent partly in study of the language and partly in the work, he went wutli his family to America on regular furlough. However, he returned in the fall of 1894, and having already acquired the language, has since been able to give himself exclusively to evangelistic work. Thus, in 1894, for the first time since the arrival of Dr. Verbeck in 1859, the mis- sion had a man, equipped in the language, devoted solely to Evangelistic Work. 24 Tiie South Japan Mission. going about over the island warn- ing sinners, teaching enquirers, instructing and comforting the saints, besides giving the native evangelists the encouragement and assistance they so much need Miss Couch was relieved from her school duties in the fall of 1893, and labored earnestly to gain facility in the use of the language. Since 1897 she has re- peatedly toured the Northern and Southern fields with increas- ing effectiveness. Mr. Peeke rejoined the work in 1893, this time married and a regularly appointed missionary. Since 1896 he, too, has been touring and preaching as well as his progress in the knowledge of the language at- the time would allow. In 1898 Miss Lansing was transferred to the evangelistic work, and began studying the language with a will. In 1899, Mr. Pieters also took up this branch of the work, and with the knowledge of the language already acquired while working along educational lines, will soon be laboring effectively. To be sure, at this writing, Mr. Peeke is home on health leave, and Miss Couch on regular furlough, but such experi- ences are, in a sense, normal, and we cannot but feel that the evangelistic branch of our work is gradually assuming en- couraging strength as far as the equipment of foreigners is concerned. In September, 1893, Mr. and Mrs. Peeke opened our first interior station, at Kagoshima. In 1895 Mr, and Mrs. Olt- mans took up their residence at Saga. Miss Couch spent a year, 1895-6, in Saga, and Miss Lansing began to reside in Kagoshima in 1898. It is not necessary to dwell upon the advantages accruing to the work from the residence of a mis- sionary away from the open port and in the midst of his field of labor. On July 17th, 1899, the last restriction to free residence and travel in the interior was removed. It is hoped REV. H. S. PEEKE. Tiip: South Japan Mission. that ere long we may also have a family residence in some portion of the north-eastern field, say at Hiji or Usa. In connection with evangelistic work Miss Couch has, since 1895, had a number of women, three or four, associated with her and receiving such Biblical instruction as will make them more useful women,- either simply as members of churches, or as assistants to foreign workers. Mr. Oilmans has made it a point to gather in his city once a year the evangelists in the employ of the mission, and has endeavored during about ten days, to increase their Biblical knowledge and raise their spiritual tone. Especial emphasis has been laid on this since the suspension of theological in- struction in 1897. Evangelists working in connection with other missions having also esteemed it a privilege to be present, the attendance has on some occasions risen to thirty or more. The last few years have seen considerable change in the force of native evangelists working with us. A number have died, some have resigned and gone into other business or the employ of other missionaries, some have been dismissed. As none have been graduated from our school in two years (since 1897). the number of our helpers has lessened considerably, but the men left are growing in experience, and a number of them are especially well instructed, well seasoned workers. The high prices obtaining after the Japan-China war, caused much real suffering amongst them, but there was little com- plaint, and much genuine consecration was shown. From 1893 to 1895 there was a strong anti-foreign feeling, and interest in spiritual matters declined to a very low ebb, but with the close of the Japan-China war, this antipathy sub- sided. Interest in religious matters once more began to assert itself. Before the war Christianity was everywhere known as that wicked religion, after the war those bold enough to call it bad were few. More and more of the people were ready to call it good, — though for others. Christian workers are uni- formly treated with courtesy, and boisterous interruption of meetings seems to have quite ceased. It has certainly been a great opportunity for the quiet spread of the Gospel. It is noteworthy that of late less stress has been laid by evangelists on the large public meetings, once so prominent, and more on quiet talks with individuals or small groups. EVANGELISTS’ BIBLE SCHOOL, SAGA. The South Japan Mission. Growth T oward During the last few years much discussion has ranged about the question of self-support and the relation of the missionaries to the native Self-support. c j lurc ] 1 organization. Without going into a special consideration of these questions, we may say that the native Christians have been gradually collecting more and more money, and while in our field we have no church that can be called really self-supporting, the Nagasaki church approximates it closely. Native Christians are beginning to realize that contribution to local expenses is a reasonable service and duty. The influence of the Synod, classes and church papers, too, is strongly this way. Within a few years a new church building has been erected at Sasebo, and the Kagoshima church has been moved and repaired. In the former case the native Christians raised over half of a total of about $200.00, and in the latter, two- thirds of a total of $75.00. Many expenses that it was for- merly assumed the mission would pay, are now never re- ferred to the mission at all. In earlier years, while the native church was still in swaddling clothes, the missions, of necessity, did all the thinking and planning for it. With the growth and develop- ment of the church, it has begun to assume its own responsi- bilities, and discharge its own proper functions. This is naturally a time when difficult questions arise, and friction often develops. In this field we have been singularly free from difficulties of this order. The mission cares for nothing more than an advisory relation, in matters purely ecclesias- tical, and this the native church freely accords, while in mat- ters pertaining to our educational work or evangelism pure and simple, we have constantly enjoyed the sympathetic co- operation of the brethren of the native church organization. A word in regard to our field. By consulting The Field. the map on next page, it will be seen that we are laboring for the large island of Kyu Shu and the adjacent smaller islands. These latter are the Goto group, Tsushima, Kojikijima, O-shima and still others. Their inhabitants number many tens of thousands, but no Protestant work is even attempted on them. The large The South Japan Mission. 29 island of Ivyu Sliu, with its 6,000,000 inhabitants, is readily divided by parallels of latitude and longitude into live fields, a north-east, a north-west, an east-central, a west-central and a southern. The natural divisions made by rivers and mountains correspond. There are a number of missionary societies laboring in the island, but the ground is far from covered. Our own work lies in the north-east and north-west, superintended mainly by Mr. Oltmans from Saga, and in the part lying south of parallel 32 degrees, superintended by Mr. Peeke, residing in Kago- shima. We have no work in the exceedingly populous section of which Kumamoto is the center, nor in the rather sparsely settled east-central section. In each of these parts there is upward of a million inhabitants, and the knowledge of the Gospel which the people have will correspond well with the knowledge of the nebular hypothesis possessed by the masses in America. While our hearts ache to think what an ignorance of God’s truth means for any people, only those conversant with the Japanese can estimate what difficulties are involved in their spiritual regeneration. And yet it is to forward no less a work than this that God lias called his people, and our possibilities of achievement are limited only by our purpose and ability to let God’s mighty power work through us. Following is a summary for September, 1899: MISSIONARIES. Rev. Henry Stout, D.D., and wife, Rev. A. Oltmans and wife, Rev. A. Pieters and wife, Miss S. M. Couch (in America), Rev. H. V. S. Peeke and wife (in America), Miss H. M. Lansing, Miss A. K. Stryker, Miss A. B. Stout, and Rev. C. M Myers. STUIIGES SEMINARY. Mr M. Saito, principal; Miss A. K. Stryker, vice-principal, in charge of home department; Miss A B. Stout, teacher of English branches; five native teachers engaged on full time, and three for special lessons; sixty pupils, thirty-three being MISSIONARY’S RESIDENCE, KAGOSHIMA The South Japan Mission. 31 boarders; ten pupils members of the church in full commu- nion, and two others baptized in infancy. STEELE COLLEGE. Rev. H. Stout, D.D., acting principal; Rev. G. M. Myers, and five native teachers engaged on full time, and three others for special lectures; ninety-three pupils on the roll, five in the academic department members of the church; about half of the pupils hoarders; twenty-seven graduates from the acade- mic department and twenty-five from the theological depart- ment. EVANGELISTIC WORK. Rev. A. Oltmans, Miss S. M. Couch (in America), Rev. H. V. S. Peeke (in America), Miss H. M. Lansing; seventeen evangelists, three ordained; beside Nagasaki, Kagoshima and Saga, fourteen out-stations with resident evangelists, about twenty other places where work is done regularly by the evangelists; four organized churches, three'hundred and two adult church members and one hundred and six baptized children; two hundred and sixty-one Sunday-school pupils; contributions for 1898, yen 723,02, the equivalent of 361.51 dollars United States gold. PUBLICATION. By Rev. H. Stout: “A Brief Statement of Christian Doc- trine/’ a translation and adaptation of Dr. S M. Woodhridge's “ Lectures on Sacred History,” 1 vol., and of his “Lectures on Church History,” 2 vols. By Rev. A. Segawa: “ A Commentary on the First Fifty Psalms,” a translation by Dr. S. M. Woodhridge's “ Analysis of Systematic Theology,” two editions; of Dr. W. G. T. Shedd's “Homiletics;” and of Dr. J. L. Hurlbut’s “Biblical Geography.” By Rev. A. Pieters; “ An Introduction to the Study of the English Language.” 32 Tiie South Japan Mission. LIST OF MISSIONARIES. Arrived. Retired Rev. G. F. Verbeck* and Mrs. Verbeck 1859 1869 Rev. Henry Stout and Mrs. Stout, 1869 Rev. C. H. II. Wolff and Mrs Wolff, 1874 la76 Miss E. F. Farrington, 1878 1879 Miss M. J. Farrington, “ “ Rev. E. S. Booth and Mrs. Booth, 1879 1881 Rev. N. H. Demarest and Mrs. Demarest, . 1883 1890 Rev II. Harris and Mrs. Harris, 1884 1885 Miss C. B. Richards, ...... “ “ Miss M. E. Brokaw, . , . . . “ 1890 Rev. A Oilmans and Mrs Oltmans, 1886 Mrs R. L. Irvine, 1887 1893 Miss C. B. Lanterman,* 1890 1892 Rev. A. Pieters and Mrs. Pieters, 1891 Miss S. M. Couch 1892 Rev. II. V. S. Peeke and Mrs. Peeke, 1893 Miss II. M. Lansing, Miss M. E. Duryea, •' 1897 Miss A. B Stout, . . . 1898 Rev. C. M. Myers. . .... 1899 TEACHERS EMPLOYED. Mr. H.V.S Peeke, 1888 1892 Miss A. B. Stour, ...... 1891 1895 Mr. A. A. Davis, 1896 1898 ♦Deceased. Insert above in proper place. Miss Anna K. 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