Show A NEW FIELD OPENED NOT long ago the promulgation of christianity in the empire of japan was forbidden under penalty of death now the bars bare are let do down wil and the religions of the west y be freely proclaimed through out att the dominions of the mikado the change has been wrought very suddenly it is astonishing how quickly the japanese advance in the line of modern civilization they are a very practical people and d are bright enough to perceive the he inconsistencies and incongruities of modern modem so called christianity S SO while there is now no legal hu pediment in the way of the seo see ian missionary there are intellectual obstacles which may prove insurmountable in the majority of instances ne japanese appear to be more ao anxious ous to establish christian elvill civili artion than to imbibe christian theology they want european in but care little for european ion the ideas of herbert Pel benoer keer and similar thinkers and writers seem to suit the japanese hlin A cultured skepticism is rao ore likely to prevail among this people than a devotional ath th yet it is possible that genuine christianity with all the pow ers and influences that belong to it when it shall be introduced bog them break down the glac leiv of agnosticism and make way ay for the brightness and beauty if athe the glorious gospel of peace the latest movement in the devel jaent of this oriental nation is the Nish ment of a constitutional fota orda of government A new constitution n has aa been een pg from the th ae throne house of y creating a farl lind and a house of commons the he litter is an elective body the forrler partly elective partly hered wry bad and partly nominated by the to own the e 1 l power is given a 11 males MAIM of the age of twenty n 8 18 and ana upwards who pay as as asb U in taxes annually annu aUy the rights of free speech of public meetings and of religious liberty are proclaimed and bestowed this is one of the signs of the times it is suggestive of a new field for missionary enterprise the gospel is to go to every nation kindred tongue and people to zion are to come persons out of every nation under the sun it will not be long in our opinion before the elders of israel will find openings among the forty millions of the japanese empire and the gathering will include converts from that far off region who will swell the chorus of the songs of zion in the congregations of israel in the tops of the mountains |