JAPAN’S SINS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 July 1938, Page 7

JAPAN’S SINS

DR. KAGAWA ASKS PARDON OF CHINESE. “LOVE, THE LAW OF LIFE.” “Though a million times I should ask pardon, it would not be enough to cover the sins of Japan.” These are the words of Dr Toyohiko Kagawa, the Japanese Christian leader, in the preface to the Chinese edition of a book he has written. Dr Kagawa visited New Zealand a few years ago. “I have been asked to write a preface for the Chinese edition of ‘Love, the Law of Life,’ ’’says the author. “It has made me very sad, for my nation is constantly breaking the law of love toward the Middle Kingdom. I myself love China as I love Japan. And for a long time I ’have been -praying for the speedy coming of peace in China. “It causes me intolerable shame to reflect upon the violence that Japanese militarism has done and is doing in China, in spite of all my prayers. And I am suprised at the leniency of my Chinese brother who has translated my book in spite of Japan’s immoral acts. “Though a million times' I should ask pardon it would not be enough to cover the sins of Japan. I am ashamed because I am too impotent to influence the militarism of Japan. Chinese leaders may well accuse me of impotence. I deserve the charge. “If only Japan will repent, and establish and keep permanent friendship with China. There is no other way than by the law of love, Nay, not only in the relations between China and Japan—if we hope for a progressive uniting of all the cultures of the nations and races of the whole world, there is no other way than through the principle of redemptive love. “Since the Japanese nation was unable to taste that great redemptive love, I suffer the sorrows of the prophet Jeremiah. Forgive us! You sons of Confucius and Bok Su, forgive us in the name of your great peace-loving sages! Some day the Japanese will cast away sword and gun and awaken to the love of the Cross. Just now 1 can think of nothing but to beseech your pardon. And there are an uncounted number of young souls in Japan who, like myself, are asking for pardon.”