A MIXED BLESSING.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 115, 17 May 1916, Page 2

A MIXED BLESSING.

The thirst for knowledge which exists among the Japanese was referred to in Auckland this week by the Ven. Archdeacon Batchelor, who is on furlough, after a residence of 40 years in Northern Japan. Ho said that they were such keen fenders that it was quite common to see children sealed on doonsteps poring over newspapers The Japanese would take any literature upon which they could lay their hands and eagerly levour it, in order that they might learn as much as possible about any and every subject. One of the unfortunate aspects of this national trait was that much, literature bearing on rationalistic theology, agnosticism, etc., dndiii;.; its way about the country. -‘Some of the rationalistic literature comes from normally.” lie' said, “and you know what it has done fort’ the German people.” He added that sadly enough some came from England and some also from America. The effect upon religious beliefs had been si marked that numbers of Japanese —more particularly students- -'iad climbed to the edge of thie active volcano Fusijame, and east themselves to destruction until it had been necessary for the authorities to guard the crater. They thirsted for, spiritual comfort, which only Christianity and not rationalism) could give.