CHRISTIANITY IN JAPAN.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1503, 27 July 1912, Page 9

CHRISTIANITY IN JAPAN.

A UNIQUE CONFERENCE. An interesting article on "Christianity in Japan" appears in tho Juno issire of the Church Missionary Review." Referring to tho conference of representatives of bhintoism, Buddhism, and Christianity with tho object of bringing about n rapprochement of tho vorioue religions bodies the follr/wing official • announcement was made:— "1. Tho primary intention in holding the conference is to direct attention to religion as a necessary means to the highest spiritual ami moral welfare of both the individual and the nation. For a number of years this matter has not been Riven Urn importance that properly belongs to it: and the primary pin-pose, of the eonieronce is to roas«rt that imporlnnce. "2. -\o attempt is intended to unite the adherents of Ilio several religions in one body, still less to establish a new religion, ■blnnto, Buddhism, and Christianity are nil religions; but in certain important jmi , - ■hculivrs each differs from tho others, and the religious convictions of tho adherents at each should bo respected without interioronce. It may, however, be confidently ■pipsunicd that Shintoists, Buddhists, anil Christians alike'will cordially recognise a responsibility to act as fellow labourers for tho advancement of tho spiritunl and moral interests of tho nation to the utmost of their ability. ,"3. Shinto and Buddhism have long had a Tecognised place as religions of tho Japanese people. Christianity should also be accorded a eimilor place." The conference took place, on February 20, 1912. Among those present wero tho Minister and Vice-Minister for Homo Affaire, the Ministers of Justice, ConvmunicKtions, and the Navy," and several other members of the Cabinet; while the Prime. Minister himself sent an expression of regret that he could not be present. Representing the different religions, there were present thirteen Shintoists, fifty-one Buddhists, and seven Christians, nanielv, Dr. m Ut i a ~( ? ,r c? V-v H r ian) ' B S? ll °P ' Houlla (Methodist) Mr Miyagawa fCongregationfilist) Dr..Clnba (Baptist), Dr. Motoda (Anglican), and Messrs. Henjo (Roman Catholic), and Islukawa (Gwwk Church). Ihe Higasho Hongwanji, one of tho largest ot the Buddhist sects, declined the invitation, objecting (o Christianity beinr put on a level with Shintoism nnd Buddhism this seems to have been the only sect which refused to attend. The Buddhists appeared in. the vestments in which they usually minister as priests, the Shintoists woro the ordinary formal Japanese dress, most or tho Christians were in frock coats. . ■

Ou tiro following day, the 26th, at (lie «U'KO.?tion of Hid Buddhists, the Shinto, Jiiulcllnsf, ,-md Christian members of (ho conference met at the Nobles , Club, wilh ! h <V °>i?«tv of .adopting if .possible- some joint .resolutions for publication. "Koh iWWy.,fe'l .Rrepaned-- a ro.=olutibn'-bcfoV«-jrnnjl, and a, committee ofitlu'ft, imb'ifb'm uMa patty (Bishop Honda being the ChiKuini), reined for an hour and returned, jointly recommending the following, which was passed unanimously:— r "K is oni , Timlerctamlinirtliatthe purpose, of the Government, in conveniii" a. conference of representatives of (lie three religions is co-operation—each within its own proper sphere-of government, religion, ami education, for the npholdiii" of morality and the betterment of social conditions; that this purpose has due regard to tho respect that properly belongs to religion; and that so, guarding awl maintaining the, prosperity of the Imperial y hronc, the progress of the nation will ba advanced. Tims understood, the purpose ot tho Government; is at ono with our own position; and with this understanding—the adherents of each religion holding- fast to tlieir own convictions—we will-strive- to accomplish the great task of elevating the nation. Uc shall also expect the Government on its part to endeavour to accomplish' this purpose. We shall all endeavour, the adherents of each religion practising their own doctrines and guarding and maintaining tho prosperity of tho Imperial 1 In-one, to elevate the-morality of- tho nation. 1 hose in authority, on" tlieir part, should promote government, religion- and education, and bring about harmony among them." ■ Mr. Tokonami (Vice-Minister for Home A flairs) expressed his satisfaction and pleasure with the terms of the resolutions adopted, which ho said exprejwil his own views, and ho hoped'a simihr conference might be held every year Ho disagreed with tlioso who said that there is no connection between religion and education, and with others who said that religion hud only to do with the other world Once again, on the 27th, tho representatives of the three religions met a number ot university professors and other schol-rs and educationists at dinner at the »i loken (hotel) in Nyeno Park. Over "Ofl lytic present. Professor Anazaki, of llio Imperial Lniversity, presided. As a cln«s he»e leader.* of education may bo said to nave imbibed the agnostic views of Jluxle.V, Spencer, etc., and have strongly supported the recent anfi-reliijioiis attitude if the Education Department. Mr. Tokr.utaii wished to .meet them, and for six hou-.? from 3 to !l p.m.. he discussed the subject of education with them, and Dr. .liuhric says that, while hvo of the professors strongly opposed and others were .silont|ie general result wns favourable to Air' l< Kouanii s views.

lhat th« above events arc notablo and .pregnant with conjec|iiei.ces is the gem™ oninion in Japan. The acknowledgment ef t.'ie necessity of, religion- a<= the ba«is of national morals and education is .α-ston of immense importance; m>, too, is tho revasal of the policy which gavo exclusive' imtronago of Shintoism; and so, perhaps most of all, is Uio officer recognition-of .Christianity as ranking on krms of oqualify 'with the ancient religions of the country.. It is noticeable. moreover, how mentally competent the leading Japanese Christians oro to meet face to face tho chief.exponents of other faiths, and liour their influence, uotwithstandingsmailness of'numbers, is allowed to prevail. Humanly speaking, it seeilis probable that tho effect of this sudden reU'rsal of conditions will be lorsc necessioiis to tho Christian. Churches of Japan Popular favour, as is its wont, will promptly reflect official smiles. This will douhtlew bo a danger, a groatpr and moro subtle trial to tho Churoh tlian tho frowns and. suspicion of the past. Nor ceil wo affect not to see other dangers threateniiil? even; more vitally the Church's witness The.s-0 new ami amicable relations willi the representatives of rival cults ate calculated to foster a spirit of aceoinmodntion. and we are far from sure thai- as a whole the Christian cotninnnif.v in Japan is strongly grounded enough in'tho fundamentals of the faitli to withstand tho temptation. Then witli regard to the Governmenl's altitude, it has to bo realign! and kop_t in view, as Mr. Walton savs in an admirable article in "The Bast and the West" that it is not merely as an ethfcal reformer and a healer of social ills that (.hrist wills to bo served, nor can the Divine Society take its place merelv .- s ,i department for the prevention of'social o:>ovd»r. If Christianity at Inrgo is rlue.-ii-rued, os Dean Tngc assured tho Christiim Evidence Society Ihe other day, with the danger of neglecting the olonia.l bael<- . ground and being absorbed in the. mero humanitarian interest of improving j],e material condition of sociotv, (lie circumstances under which the Government is socking their co-operation rendersthis danger iron;, acute for. Japanese' Hum l'.-r other Christians. The new departure gives cirasion for i.nxioly and prayer as wel! jk for. hope and lli.inksgiving.