Appeal on Behalf of a higher Christian education in Japan

TO THE PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS

original appeal

Dear Sirs,--Allow me to submit to you the following statements to invite your attention to my humble scheme for the speedy evangelization of Japan. Before I dwell upon the subject just mentioned, I first beg your attention to the past and present condition of the country.

Japan, as you well know, was once opened to foreign intercourse, and also to Jesuit enterprise, in the sixteenth century. But for certain reasons the ports were closed to all western nations except the Dutch, and Roman Catholicism was checked by inhumanly persecuting and exterminating the devotees of the Cross, numbering probably more than 600,000. Japan thus became a hermit nation, so isolated and so exclusive. She would have nothing to do with the outside world. From that time it remained a rigid law of the country to fire upon every black vessel (as foreign vessels were then called by us) seen approaching our coasts, until we were compelled by your diplomatists to make a treaty with the United States. This was the day dawn of our history. The people were suddenly awakened from their profound morning dreams. Party spirit at once displayed itself. The commotion of the country was fearful. Bloodshed and assassination occurred here and there. Soon the late Revolution burst forth, the result of which was most marvellous even to our eyes. The despotic government of the Shogun was crushed, and the reigning power of the Mikado was restored in the sacred person of the present emperor. Those proud minds which had fought for the cause of the Mikado and had also determined to shut out foreigners from the coast, suddenly changed their views and turned out to be the most zealous advocates of western civilization. The anti-foreign spirit. which might have been a great barrier to progress, was crushed out by those strong hands. The affairs of the country began to be conducted on quite a different basis. Zealous, talented, and far-sighted patriots were appointed by the emperor to administer the nation's affairs. A cabinet was formed, and eight ministers appointed. All the feudal daimio gave up their possessions to the government for the common good of the nation. Their retainers, the proud samurai, were ordered to lay aside their swords. The etta, the outcast of society, were permitted to be numbered among the people. The military system of European nations was at once introduced. War vessels were built and purchased, dockyards were constructed. An active competition arose between native and foreign steamship companies. Post-offices were everywhere established, and telegraph wires were stretched throughout the country. The public schools were constantly improved. Tunnels were cut and railways were built to connect important commercial centres. The streets of Tokyo began to be lighted by gas lamps, and foreign carriages ran in its thoroughfares. An American tramway was laid out in the capital. Many banks were organized on the European model. Chambers of commerce and houses of exchange were also started in several important cities. A police system was carefully wrought out and is well managed. Courts of justice were erected in the large towns, and the rights of person and property became far better protected. The common and high school systems were first started in the year 1872, and so far as outward form is concerned, are now very successful. About the same time the Tokyo University was founded by the emperor. There are now more than 2,000 students in its care. The printing press began active operations, and newspapers and magazines were issued with triple speed. Common intelligence is spreading quite fast. Materialistic science is getting to have a mighty sway to crush out the old superstitions. The pagan religions are losing the support both of the government and the people. Public lecturers are diligent in advancing their own political and scientific opinions or theories. Self- government is becoming the topic of discussion among inquiring minds.

All these material and social changes have sprung up like magic within less than twenty years, and this very fact has induced us to believe that the evangelistic work in Japan might as well be done in the same way. Yea, the present changing condition of the country has prompted us to desire that the gospel be now introduced there with zeal and energy, else the anti-Christian elements of materialism and socialism will soon become the greatest barrier to its healthy progress. Buddhism and Confucianism will not be much in our way. But these modern unbelieving elements from abroad will certainly be our future foes. The government has lately recognized the tendency to lawlessness, discontent, and disorder. Some cry out for liberty without morality, and eagerly run after civilization without religion. Crimes of all descriptions are more frequent than ever before. The increase of the police force is accompanied by an increase in the number of criminals. The introduction of moral instruction in the schools is unavailing if the teachers themselves are without morality. Failing thus in every attempt to improve her subjects, the government has begun unconsciously to seek for something better than the mere product of human minds.

On the other hand, the Christian education carried out by your Mission in Kyoto has lately begun to show forth its great importance and its bright prospects. Though the institution is yet young it has already sent out forty-six graduates from the English, and twenty-eight from the theological course. These graduates, though they may be inferior to those who have studied at the government university of Tokyo, yet in their high moral tone and zealous Christian character command the great respect of the people. The governor of a province remarked, after an interview with one of our graduates: "There is no young man like him within our province. What a pure aim and high moral tone that young fellow has!" The editor-in-chief of the Tokyo "Weekly" is also one of our graduates. A few years ago he started that Christian paper in our capital with the feeble support of our young churches, and he was obliged to put in all his own private means. But he works on bravely for the sake of its utmost necessity, and not for gain; ready to confront any opponents who assail the Christian religion.

The moral victory manifested among the young students in our training-school is a great marvel in the eyes of our Kyoto citizens. It is truly an unprecedented fact in our national life. This Christian institution, so recently started there, has already shown forth its healthy fruit. We have never tried to make ourselves known much. But somehow we are known among the leading men of Japan. They begin to speak well of our school. Some of them have already sent their sons and friends to be educated under Christian influences, and they would the more gladly do so if we could raise higher the standard of our school. They urge us very strongly to found chairs for different professional studies on their account. They further tell us that if we will do so, we can save many, many youth from falling into bad company, youthful vices, and, finally, utmost ruin. It is a great disappointment to them to have to send their sons away to other schools to be further educated after finishing the five year's course with us. In Japan schools are generally most dangerous places for young men if there be no teaching of Christianity. Materialistic influence is inseparably combined with licentious practice. A rich merchant, who lives some way from us and who is quite unknown to us, visited Kyoto some years ago, and at the very first interview with a trustee of our school promised to furnish us at least 5,000 yen, if we would found a law school in connection with the Doshisha. He has been friendly to us ever since, and his two daughters are now being educated at the Kyoto Home sustained by your Mission. The cry for professional studies comes to us not only from outsiders but also from our churches. They wish us to start a medical school in Kyoto. It was about three years ago, when Christian workers sent three delegates to Dr. J. C. Berry at Arima, his summer retreat, to request him to ask the American Board to found a medical school in connection with the training-school in Kyoto. They had found out that Christian physicians would be a great help to the cause. When we held the meeting of our Home Missionary Society at Kyoto last year, all the delegates of the churches connected with your Mission talked upon the subject again, and sent another united appeal to the doctor for the medical school. They all agreed that if he could obtain an appropriation from the American Board to start it in Kyoto, they would do something towards buying grounds and building edifices. Each expressed the necessity for such a school in the present stage of our Christian work. I am sure that if such an institution be founded on a Christian basis, as is the case with our school, it will greatly promote not only the work of evangelization but the general welfare of poor humanity. As Dr. Berry has already appealed to your public for this cause, I hope and pray he will be successful in raising a fund sufficient to carry out his noble purpose.

Just a few days before I left Japan for this country, about seventy eminent citizens of Kyoto held two meetings for the purpose of hearing us on the subject of Christian education. Dr. J. D. Davis and others were invited to address them on that subject. Accordingly we did so and won their hearty approval. They agreed to raise funds sufficient for the endowment of several professional chairs in our school in the year 1890, when our emperor will carry out his pledges relative to the formation of our Constitution. Their idea is to commemorate that important event in our political history. We expressed our gratitude for this noble gift, but refused accept it unless we were given full liberty to dispose of it on a Christian basis. To this bold statement they made no objection. They requested us to take the matter into our own hands and to carry it out for them. We never dreamed of such a thing, even two years ago. It is a great wonder to us that the world begins to run after us with such confidence. However, we are not too sanguine. We will calmly wait and see what they will do for us.

A recent interview between some of our leading statesmen and missionaries indicates clearly that the former are anxious to know something of Christianity. I believe some of them feel keenly their treatment by foreign powers as a heathen nation. Recent news from home informs me that some political leaders and editors are beginning to cry out for religious liberty and have published very bold articles in favor of Christianity. The bold action recently taken by the government in severing its connection with existing pagan religions has induced me to say with a profound awe that God fighting for us.

With regard to our young churches, I think that are worthy of your notice. As everywhere else, they have been thus far despised and rejected. But within a year or two they have stepped forward to a front rank in society. The last report informs me that besides helping themselves they have raised nearly one thousand dollars for purely mission work, and some of them devoted more than a quarter of their income to this purpose. When we, the delegates from all the churches of the empire, met last year in Tokyo at the third national conference, we participated in a most blessed revival then taking place in the bosom of those churches which welcomed us there. The spirit of the conference, kindled by this revival, toned us up and prompted us to hope that the 36,000, OOO of our fellow-creatures might largely be reached within this century. Other revivals followed here and there: especially one which burst forth like fire within the walls of our training-school and gave us fresh courage and conviction that the whole kingdom of the Rising Sun would become the kingdom of the Son of Righteousness and Peace. Ten years ago we prayed that doors might be opened, but now we pray that efficient laborers may enter doors so widely open. It is most painful to deny the Macedonian cry coming from all quarters. When we Christian laborers come together either accidentally or designedly we have no topic of discussion but the direct Christian work at hand. "What shall we do?" is the common phrase among us; and after long observation and careful consideration, we have come to the conclusion: Educate and raise up efficient native preachers.

I beg your pardon for dwelling so long upon the historical facts before presenting a plan for your consideration, but I felt it necessary to do so in order that you should see our present imperative need. I now beg your attention to the following scheme:--

First, the highest possible education should be given to the Christian ministry.

Second, the thorough education of Christian physicians would be of great auxiliary assistance.

Third, the foundation of chairs in Jurisprudence, Political Science, Political Economy, Philosophy, History, Literature, etc., would be a strong attraction to bring the choicest students under Christian influence.

I regard the first as a direct Christian work and expect to dwell upon it hereafter, and would also call the second of scarcely less importance; and the third I might call an indirect work, but it is a process silently leavening, influential and powerful. To direct preaching we may meet much opposition, but to this indirect effort none will object. It will be like a mother's gentle influence over her children, too dear to be refused and too impressive to be forgotten. However, it is not our aim simply to make them friends of Christianity, but also to win them to Christ so that they may have life. Why can we not endeavor to reach our future leaders? Why can we not be fishers for men of all grades? As the guns of our enemy are of modern improvement, we ought also to have the best possible guns to discharge the power given from on high. Who can subdue God's elect? We must fight under his banner; we must win the whole Japanese empire for Christ. At present the matter seems to us but a vague dream, but we look to God to help us to realize this dream. I know too well that you cannot undertake the second and third schemes without some special donation for those purposes, because your chief aim is the spread of the gospel. So, laying those aside for the moment, I beg permission to dwell upon the first scheme. This is the dearest to us and is not new to you. You have already carried out the plan at Kyoto and have successfully sent out a number of efficient native workers; and we gratefully acknowledge the boldness of the step you have taken. The establishment of theological schools by our Presbyterian, Methodist, and English brethren makes the education of the native ministry a prevalent topic among missionaries in Japan. The success your missionaries have had is largely due to their readiness to accept our participation in the work. Though they are Americans in citizenship, they are Japanese in heart. They stand affectionately by us and with us, and most of us appreciate this more and more. ¥ ¥ ¥ Some of you may feel that we incline too far towards the intellectual side. But how, without Christian education, can a handful of missionaries reach so many swarming millions? You will surely find it a slow and discouraging process. They are not even allowed to live in the interior of the country. Let them cast their net where they can catch the best fish,--I mean the class of students belonging to the so-called samurai, the privileged bearers of two swords. ¥ ¥ ¥ The success your Mission has thus far had in Japan is chiefly owing to the training-school which your missionaries so early established in the very heart of the empire, the ancient capital of the sacred Mikado. Without a single exception, the Christian laborers educated there and now so nobly engaged in the work belong to the samurai class. Surely you do not regret that bold enterprise. We do not ask you to sustain our primary schools, as is the case in Turkey and China, for our people take care of the primary education of their children. Neither do we ask you to help our churches, because most of them support themselves. It is also a shame to the red-blood Japanese to beg for money. But I willingly offer myself to bear it for the sake of giving the blessings of the gospel to my fellow-countrymen. But we are constrained to ask you for this special provision both on account of the mighty pressure upon us and the brighter prospect near at hand. We are now in a revolutionary and transition period. Never was there such an occasion in our past history, and doubtless never will there be such in the future. This may be the very appointed time of God to save our nation. If we lose this fairest opportunity we fear it will never come back to us again. If we do not discharge our duty now, what will they say to us in that awful day before the throne of judgment? When I think of it my blood boils within my veins and my heart aches. I admire your motto: "Strike while the iron is hot." Do intensify your force; do try to finish your chief work with a quarter of a century. Then you can apply the same force elsewhere. In the long run it will be more economical.

Dear Sirs: I fear I have detained you too long. If any of my remarks offend you, I earnestly beg your pardon. But as a humble missionary of the cross and a sincere lover of my native land I cannot keep silence within me; and if I do, I fear I will cry out even in my midnight dreams. Allow me to add further that I have poured out my heart and my prayers, as well as my tears upon these pages. I found it a risk to my impaired health. But it was my fixed determination to win your favor at whatever cost. So I sincerely and prayerfully request your attention upon these plans. May God show you his own way.

Your unworthy friend and fellow-laborer,

JOSEPH H. NEESIMA.