A BETTER 
 
 TO THE 
 
 JOlMI-AI CHURCHES 
 
 PREPARED IN ANTICIPATION OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY 
 OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE JAPAN MISSION OF THE 
 AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOR- 
 EIGN MISSIONS, NOVEMBER 30TH, 189A. 
 
 KYOTO, JAPAN 
 
At the Annual Meeting of the Japan Mission of the Amer- 
 ican Board, held in Kobe, July 5th — 12tli, 1804, the following action 
 was taken, viz : — - 
 
 Whereas, with the current year, the Mission will complete a 
 quarter of a century of missionary effort, therefore, 
 
 Resolved, that a committee of five be appointed to prepare a letter 
 to the Kumi-ai Churches, expressive of our deep sense of the divine 
 goodness as shown in these twenty five years of our common history 
 and our grateful appreciation of their earnest labors in behalf of our 
 Master’s Kingdom, together with such suggestions regarding future 
 plans of co-operation as said committee may deem fitting. 
 
 The committee appointed under this resolution was composed as 
 follows : — 
 
 D. C. Greene, J. L. Atkinson, Otis Cary, J. T. Gulick and 
 G. M\ Howland. 
 
To the Members oe the Kumi-af Churches 
 of Japan. 
 
 Dear Brethren in the Lord : — 
 
 The coming - November will mark the close of a quarter of a 
 century of service on the part of our hi ission. Our first representa- 
 tives landed in Yokohama, November 30th, 1869, so that the history 
 of the mission covers all but two years of the Meiji period with all its 
 deep-seated political and social chang'es. While we recognize the fact 
 that many of the most potent causes of what we may call the Japanese 
 renaissance were working long prior to the downfall of the shogunate, 
 yqt the gradual unfolding of the new life falls almost entirely within 
 this quarter centui-y of our history. We count it no small privilege 
 to have been permitted to observe close at hand, the effect of this 
 new life and to share in so large a degree the aspirations of our 
 Japanese associates. We use the term share advisedly, for we have 
 not been observers merely ; our deepest sympathy has been enlisted 
 in behalf of these high hopes. 
 
 We will not mention these changes in detail. They have been so 
 constantly in your minds as to render it superfluous to enumerate 
 them. We simply desire to emphasize our conviction that the Lord’s 
 hand has been in them all and to record our gratitude to Him for all 
 the good fruit which they have brought forth, as well as for that 
 providence which has placed our lives in such close relations to you 
 and to your beloved country in this momentous period. We devoutly 
 pray, that this same Lord will continue to guide your revered Emperor 
 and his counsellors in days to come and bless this nation, not merely 
 with material prosperity, but also with the richest of those intellectual 
 
and moral gifts to which your statesmen have looked forward and for 
 which they have spent their best strength. 
 
 While these thoughts of the past and hopes for the future take a 
 large place in our minds as we look back upon this period of Christian 
 labor, it is natural that we should lay especial stress upon the religious 
 aspects of these twenty-five years. We believe that the Lord whom 
 we serve and in whose hand our breath is, has been manifesting 
 Himself in every department of life — that His Spirit is working every 
 where and at all times, and yet, He has by His providence, put us into 
 the ministry of His Word and made us, unworthy though we feel our- 
 selves to lie, His ambassadors to proclaim the blessed Gospel of 
 reconciliation through faith in Jesus Christ. We may properly, 
 then, look to the acceptance of that Gospel and the manifestation of 
 the faith which brings men back to their true relations to God, as the 
 special goal of our prayers and our endeavors. 
 
 We claim no large place among the agencies of the divine pro- 
 vidence. We recognize the noble part borne by the many Christian 
 workers, both Japanese and foreign, who have stood with us as 
 preachers of the Word. We recognize, too, the numberless streams of 
 influence which, directly and indirectly, have served to open the 
 hearts of men and even to excite faith in the one God and Creator of 
 all. Realizing as we do, the vastness $ind variety of this volume of 
 influence, we have no inclination to speak of what we have done, but 
 rather of what we have witnessed of the progress of our Master’s 
 Kingdom. 
 
 When our first missionaries landed, there were in all Japan, 
 aside from the fruit of the seed sown by Xavier and his successors, 
 very few Japanese, probably less than half a score, who claimed the 
 Christian name. The public preaching of the Gospel was not then 
 possible and the work of our mission was begun in the face of many 
 obstacles ; but even in those first years, a few were led to accept 
 
Christianity, and the name of Ichikawa Yeinosuke who gave his life 
 for his faith, not to speak of others, will always claim an honored 
 place in the history of Christianity in Japan. In 1874 the Kobe and 
 Osaka churches were organized — the first of the Kumi-ai order. 
 From that year onward the number of believers and of churches 
 rapidly increased until to-day there are nearly a hundred congrega- 
 tions and more than 11,000 Christians connected with that organiza- 
 tion, while the total number of Christians in all Japan is nearly 
 100,000. 
 
 It is not, however, to this large number of Christians that we 
 would point as indicative of the position which Christianity has won, 
 but rather to the strong influence which its followers have gained in 
 nearly every department of life ; and of this influence, we believe the 
 Kumi-ai Churches may claim their full share. 
 
 "VVe have seen in your various churches, men who have manifested 
 a spirit so self-forgetful, so loyal to Christ, so zealous in behalf of the 
 interests of His Kingdom, so full of the best public spirit, as to win 
 our admiration. We have seen them endure hardness as good 
 soldiers of Jesus Christ ; in the midst of the severest discouragements, 
 we have seen them rejoice in their confidence in the final triumph of 
 that Kingdom which, while it cometh not with observation, embodies 
 the noblest ideals, both for this life and for that which is to come, 
 and moves onward with resistless force. We call to mind Neesima, 
 Sawayama and Yamazaki who after lives of incessant devotion entered 
 the dark valley only to find it lighted by the presence of Him who 
 brought life and immortality to light. These sainted men have left 
 the Church a legacy which will ever be a cherished possession. The 
 spirit which they exemplified has been the spirit of your churches — 
 the spirit which they have sought to represent in their relations to 
 the world and to cultivate in the hearts of those around them. We 
 believe, further, that this spirit has impressed itself to an important 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 degree upon the life of the nation ; that it has had much to do with 
 the political and legal reforms in which all rejoice ; that it has served 
 even to place before the leaders of Shinto and Buddhist thought 
 higher standards both in religion and morality. We see in this the 
 work of a divine providence among whose beneficent agencies the 
 Kumi-ai Churches have gained a recognized place — they have been in 
 the apostolic phrase, co-workers together with God. 
 
 We note, too, your interest in a broad and Christian education to 
 which the many schools, both for young men and young women, 
 established under your auspices, so clearly testify. These institutions 
 have not all been successful ; some of them have been abandoned. 
 Such apparent failures, however, have not, we believe, been owing to 
 any weakening in your desire to see all educational institutions con- 
 trolled by a Christian spirit, but rather to new and unforeseen con- 
 ditions which call for somewhat different methods. We dwell with 
 especial pleasure upon the Doshisba, which, while not in its inception, 
 or even in its later history, in any technical sense, the creation of the 
 Kumi-ai Churches, is yet the outgrowth of the same system of 
 influences and has been almost from the first dependent upon their 
 sympathy and support. In a very true sense, it gives evidence to the 
 world, in the face of much gainsaying, of your belief in the close 
 relation between religion and sound learning. 
 
 The progress of science creates many new problems and many 
 new trials to faith, but we believe, and that firmly, that religion and 
 science are mutually dependent ; that true religion, seeking as it does 
 for the fullest knowledge of the mind of God, may rightly demand of 
 science the best and freshest results of its investigation into those 
 laws which are nought but the revelation of the methods and, hence, 
 of the will, of an ever-present God. Because of this faith, we have 
 rejoiced with you in the success of the Doshisha and allied institu- 
 tions, though sometimes we have been anxious, perhaps unduly, lest 
 
there be, under the stress of the more exacting conditions of these 
 later years of special progress in scientific education, a letting down 
 of the Christian enthusiasm and evangelistic purpose which were the 
 main springs of Dr. Neesima’s activity and which he sought to 
 cultivate as the characteristic spirit of the Doshisha. We are assured 
 that his successor has assumed his great responsibilities in the same 
 spirit and with a like earnestness of purpose. 
 
 We note also the large participation of the Christians in the 
 varied forms of eleemosynary work which in an ever increasing degree 
 is occupying the minds of your countrymen. In this work, too, the 
 Kumi-ai Churches have taken a prominent part. Hospitals, a train- 
 ing school for nurses, dispensaries, orphan asylums, industrial schools 
 and other relief agencies testify to the consciousness of the churches 
 that they must not fail to represent Him who Himself bore our 
 infirmities and carried our sorrows. In all these things we rejoice, 
 because we believe that only the spirit of Christian love which they 
 express can overcome the selfishness which too often darkens the 
 civilization of this nineteeth century. We do not come to you from 
 a land where Christianity exhibits a finished work to offer its society 
 to you as a model for your own — far from it ! Even in those lands 
 where its hold is the strongest, the work of Christianity has but begun - 
 It is still struggling with many powerful forces which at times seem 
 fraught with the direst evils. We believe that Christianity, and 
 Christianity alone, can check these forces, or rather transform them 
 into messengers of blessing. In spite of its unfinished work, 
 Christianity has earned the right to be called the glad tidings of great 
 joy. As such we have proclaimed it to you that you might be 
 partakers with us of God’s rich grace. As such you have received it 
 and are transmitting it to your countrymen. 
 
 We have dwelt at length upon the past and its successes, because 
 our hearts are full of gratitude to the blessed Lord who has led us 
 
hitherto, and we call upon our souls to bless and magnify His most holy 
 name. If in recent years there has been a decline in Christian activity, 
 has it not been owing to a decline of faith in God as a God in close 
 relations to His people — even at their right hand— who has revealed 
 Himself in the face of Jesus Christ ? Such a faith must be the source 
 of the Christian life. Some echoes of recent controversies in Japan 
 have awakened, therefore, much anxiety on the part of many of her 
 friends abroad lest a cold philosophy should take the place, among 
 your churches, of a warm and hearty faith in the Son of God. 
 
 In an official letter to the Mission recently received, the Rev. X. 
 G. Clark, D. D., the venerable senior Secretary of the American Board, 
 and one of Dr. Neesima’s oldest and warmest friends, writes as 
 follows : — 
 
 “ While the contributors to our treasury would be very unwilling 
 to have their funds expended for the support of unsound views of 
 Christian doctrine, or for the support of men of doubtful moral and 
 Christian character, we are very far from insisting on any particular 
 form of doctrinal expression, and would allow the largest liberty in 
 formal statement of the essential truths of Christianity relating to 
 the Scriptures as a revelation of the mind and will of God to men, and 
 in regard to the person and work of Christ and of regeneration by the 
 Spirit of God, and of final reward according to character. These 
 points are regarded, I think, by all shades of theological opinion 
 among our constituency as essential truths to be maintained and 
 illustrated and made the ground of our hope of success through the 
 blessing of the Holy Spirit upon our preaching. If we preach any 
 other gospel we cannot look for the divine blessing upon it. * * * * 
 I accept the Scriptures, as intended in the providence of God for the 
 spiritual instruction of all men, of whatever race, or clime, or 
 character, and as so intended by the Holy Spirit in securing such 
 expression of these truths as could readily be apprehended by all men 
 — not for the learned, nor for the ignorant, nor for men of philosophi- 
 cal minds rather than common minds, but for all men — hence as 
 intended for all men. The natural and simple interpretation of the 
 language of Scripture is the true interpretation. * * ■* * You 
 
 are dealing with a people who have come out of an entirely different 
 culture, trained to look at moral and religious questions from an 
 
entirely different point of view and who are in need, therefore, of the 
 largest sympathy for every earnest purpose to know and do the will 
 of God— large sympathy with all earnest and honest inquiry, and yet, 
 fidelity to the truth.” 
 
 These words were not written for publication, nor with any 
 thought that they would meet your eyes ; but we insert them here 
 because they reveal the faith of one whose long life has been spent in 
 Christian service and his interpretation of the faith of those who 
 through us are co-operating with you in evangelistic labors. They 
 will also indicate to you his own great interest, and that of the 
 American Board, in you and in the future which is opening so invit- 
 ingly before yon. We believe that you hold to the same faith. 
 
 We have felt great sympathy with the spirit of independence 
 which has manifested itself so strongly among your churches in recent 
 years. In view of all that your people have gained in other fields and 
 your own experience in the administration of the weighty affairs of 
 your religions organizations, it seems every way fitting that you 
 should contemplate the speedy financial independence of the Japanese 
 churches. We would not in the least degree impede this most desir- 
 able movement. In our co-operation for many years with the 
 churches, both in local affairs and in the more general work of the 
 Home Missionary Society, which has been a source of great pleasure 
 to us, we have endeavored to stand in such an attitude to your repre- 
 sentatives as in no way to restrict the independence of the churches. 
 We believe that our efforts in this regard have met with cordial 
 recognition at your hands. Still, the question arises whether the time 
 has not come for a radical step in the direction of financial independ- 
 ence. We know that some of your number believe that the time has 
 come. While we have no desire to break up the present system for 
 our own sake, we would ask you to consider this matter carefully in 
 the interest of the Kumi-ai Churches. If such a step should be taken, 
 it would seem most appropriate to begin with the general work of the 
 
churches. There were according 1 to the last report upward of forty 
 self-supporting 1 churches of your order, and it would appear fitting 
 that these churches should combine together in a general work which 
 should be entirely their own. 
 
 The following thoughts have weight with us in this connection 
 
 (1) . It is probable that such a union in a work exclusively their 
 own would lead to a keener sense of responsibility on the part of the 
 churches and, hence, to a new enthusiasm and to more liberal con- 
 tributions. 
 
 (2) . Such financial independence in this general work would 
 lead to simplicity of administration in the Home Missionary Society. 
 The growth of that society has rendered co-operation difficult, because 
 of the distant relations which the representatives of the Mission must 
 sustain to its wide-spread work. In early years the ground covered 
 was relatively small and both Japanese and foreign committees were 
 personally acquainted with the whole field and with all of the evan- 
 gelists. Such knowledge of details is impossible now that the field 
 extends from Echigo to Hyiiga, a distance of nearly 1,000 miles by the 
 ordinary routes of travel. When misunderstanding arises, it is 
 extremely difficult for the members of the foreign committee to visit 
 the locality concerned. There is, therefore, at times a lack of that 
 fulness of information essential to successful co-operation. In the 
 local work, on the other hand, it is less difficult to secure equal infor- 
 mation as regards the co-operating parties. If necessary, joint visits 
 can be made to places where embarrassments occur and such personal 
 conferences with the evangelists and others can be secured as con- 
 stitute a guarantee against serious differences of opinion. The 
 difficulties which have occurred in the past have been chiefly found in 
 the general work and have arisen, as we believe, in large measure 
 because of the more indirect relations to that work winch are a neces- 
 sary result of its extended character. 
 
(3) . We believe that such financial independence would promote 
 unity of thought and purpose among - the constituents of the Home 
 Missionary Society. There is reason to fear that the continuance of 
 the present relations with the Mission may lead to a lessened interest 
 in the work of that society, on the part of some of the Japanese 
 brethren who have hitherto been among its most ardent supporters. 
 It is not that they feel less responsibility for the evangelistic work, or 
 love it less, but for various reasons they are convinced that the 
 exigencies of the time require singleness of control. 
 
 (4) . We believe that this step would prepare the way for a larger 
 influence upon your non-Christian countrymen, by helping them to 
 see that, whatever may have been its origin, Christianity has ceased 
 to be a hothouse plant, has become naturalized upon Japanese soil 
 and has sunk its roots deep into that soil. The fact, as Dr. Clark 
 has said, that you and we have grown up and received our education 
 under different systems of culture compels us to look at many ques- 
 tions from different points of view. While we believe firmly in 
 freedom of thought and have had no wish to place artificial barriers 
 in the way of your students, or scholars, as they seek to learn the will 
 of God, revealed in the Scriptures and in their own experience, yet 
 we know that sometimes the conditions which we have felt obliged, 
 explicitly or implicitly, to place upon our offers of aid have seemed to 
 some of you irksome and in some degree, at least, injurious to the life 
 and influence of the churches. Is it not better under such circum- 
 stances, that the general work which represents to your people the 
 life and thought of the whole body of Kumi-ai Christians should be so 
 conducted that the desire for financial aid could not appear to any in 
 your churches, or outside of them, to be hindering, or distorting, the 
 growth of your intellectual and spiritual life ? 
 
 We do not make this suggestion because of any lack of confidence 
 in the truth which we have taught ; but because we believe that your 
 
( 10 ) 
 
 religious life will develop in a more healthy manner if every appear- 
 ance of outside pressure be removed. We have profound faith in the 
 teaching we have sought to unfold, but we desire to see it accepted 
 not because it is ours, not because it is associated with a system which 
 we represent, nor because of any other adventitious reasons, but rather 
 because it is in harmony with your own study of the Scriptures and 
 with your own mature experience. Freed from the appearance of an 
 extraneous support, we are confident that, while the essential doctrines 
 of Christianity will remain, the form of expression will the sooner be 
 brought into conformity with your own habits of thought and thus be 
 more speedily recognized by your countrymen as the power of God 
 unto salvation to every one that believetli. 
 
 We address to you these words of congratulation and suggestion, 
 with a hearty and grateful appreciation of the cordial fellowship 
 which has been extended to us in the past and which we trust will be 
 ours in coming years. We recognize that the work which we began is 
 already yours rather than ours. It is our desire, as we enter upon 
 this new term of evangelistic service, to aid you, so far as we may, in 
 carrying out your plans, and in every way to do what lies in our power 
 for the upbuilding of the Kingdom of our Redeemer. The rapid 
 development of your national life foreshadows new social conditions. 
 How far these may be directly favorable to our common efforts we 
 cannot know ; but we believe that, if rightly apprehended, they will, 
 sooner or later, be seen to subserve the interests of the churches. May 
 God grant to us all, wisdom that we may rightly divide His truth and 
 thus meet the requirements of these ever varying conditions, and 
 grant to us also a faith so strong that, in the face of the possible 
 delays and discouragements of these untried scenes, we may endure 
 as seeing Him who is invisible ! The victory is sure. It is to be 
 gained, not in Japan, not in America, alone, but in the world. The 
 word has gone forth — the kingdoms of this world shall become the 
 
11 ) 
 
 v >\- I’)' 
 
 1 7 
 
 kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. By faith we already see the 
 glory of this victory. 
 
 Praying for the richest prosperity for yourselves and for your 
 churches, we remain in behalf of the Japan Mission of the American 
 Board, 
 
 Your brethren in Christ, 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 f D. C. Greene. 
 
 J. L. Atkinson. 
 
 . Otis Cary, 
 j J. T. Gulick. 
 
 I Geo. M. Rowland. 
 
 Kyoto, September 1st, 1894. 
 

 
 
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