“SAVIOUR OF SLUMS”

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19586, 27 May 1935, Page 10

“SAVIOUR OF SLUMS”

bad come to Japan 10 years ago many young men had welcomed the new ideas and had drifted from the church, but the new doctrine had fallen into disfavour as the result of its revolutionary aims, and many were now coming back to embrace Christianity. “ The Kingdom of God ” movement had been launched to put Christian principles Into action and all creeds of the church that were operating were induced to wield their endeavour into one. A widespread campaign was carried out, thousands of men and women had professed their belief and a system of co-operative institutions controlling hospitals, charitable homes and marketing concerns, been established. Some 5.000,000 farmers had joined the 14,450 co-operative schemes. In conclusion. Dr. Kagawa urged his listeners to have no qualms about the progress of the Gospel in Japan. Ho instanced the steadfast faith of girl converts in the strong Communistic centres of the north-west who had braved cruel punishment in their love for Christ. He urged New Zealanders who, in their equable climate and with their abundant food, might Ijc inclined to look up life 100 easily, to stand firm in the Christian faith.

•Proposing a vole of thanks to Dr. Kagawa for his illuminating address', Hie Rev. G. Rudd, of Auckland, considered that lie bad a mastery not only of the English language, but. also of English thoughl. His observations were backed lip by a lifetime of service for Christ. Seconding (lie motion, Mr F. Findlay observed Hint Dr. Kagawa’s address had bean a challenge to all Christians lo be doers rattier than Ulkers of the Word only.

DR. TOYOHIKO KAGAWA.

ADDRESS IN HAMILTON. CHRISTIANITY IN JAPAN. Perhaps the most remarkable figure in contemporary Christian thought, Dr. Toyohiko Kagawa, the Japanese author and social reformer, enthralled a large audience in the State Theatre this afternoon when he recounted something of the religious life of his country. Touching lightly upon many problems and speaking with dramatic gesture of the reformation in social life which the Christian faith was accomplishing, Dr. Kagawa stamped his remarks with the sincerity, the breadth and the enthusiasm of his own experience.

“ When we recall the number of notable visitors who have come to the Dominion, 1935 has for us been a truly

momentous year,” commented the Rev. S. .T. Atkins, in welcoming Dr. Kagawa. “ There has been a mobilisation of the nation’s enthusiasm on behalf of the throne,'assisted by the visit of a Royal Prince in the person of the Duke of Gloucester; there has been the privilege uf welcoming General Evangeline Booth, the leader of the Salvation Army, and now another great figure in Christian outlook, Dr. Kagawa comes to us.”

Dr. Kagawa,, Mr Atkins said, was the representative of a great nation—great not only in a national sense, but also from the standpoint of Christian outlook reflected in the manner in which the Kingdom of God had made such rapid headway in its life. It was a matter , for rejoicing that Dr. Kagawa had endeavoured to instil into the life of the nation the thought of the Fatherhood of God.

“ Next to Heaven.” “ Before I 'came to New Zealand I had-been'reading a book written by a Japanese professor, who described the Dominion, as he saw it on a visit nine years ago, as being next to heaven. I am glad to come so near ic paradise,” observed Dr. Kagawa in fluent English. “ The three islands of Japan are of similar size to New Zealand, hut the population is vastly different—there arc 68,000,000 people in my country. You know that wc love the British Empire very much. Wc remember her kindness io us and look lo her for much which we must learn in order to progress. From New Zealand. particularly in regard to social legislation, Japan can obtain much valuable knowledge.” " Japan had three faiths—-Buddhism, Shintoism and Confusanism —and it had been asked whether Japan needed Christianity. Before the advent of Christian teaching there had been a sorry moral code in vogue and polygamy and license had everywhere been rife.- About-40 years ago 32 per cent, ■of every 100 marriages resulted in •divorce, but Ho-day this figure had shrunk to about It per cent., comparing very favourably with sucli countries as the United Slates and Russia.

“ Thirty years ago the husband was the lord of the home t aiul the wives and the daughters had no rights and no privileges,’ ’explained Dr. Kagawa. “ This superiority was reflected in the fact that the men of the house received their food on large plates while the women and children ate from small platters. To-day tills old servility lias been swept away and women and children have the right lo eat more. The benefits of the reformation have never been better illustrated than in the fact that since these changes came about an average of two inches has been added to the height of Japanese girls, while japan has gained pre-eminence in swimming at Hie Olympic Games.”

Anti-Christian Propaganda. Dr. Kagawa recalled the early history of Christian penetration in Japan, mentioning the adverse effects ,t,hat had followed the Roman Catholic missions three centuries ago. It was interesting to recall that when two and a-half centuries later religious freedom was again enacted Roman Catholic believers, who had through these years preserved their faith secretly, rc-appeared. Dr. Kagawa considered the greatest hindrance to the growth of Christianity in Japan to be the anti-Christian propaganda circulated among the •student classes. There were 400 missionaries drawn chiefly from Britain and America, working, and although progress might appear to bo slow it was becoming increasingly evident that Cod was doing wonderful things in the country. Christianity was altogether different from other faiths. Shintoism stressed purity and Buddhism was a deep philosophy, laying emphasis on seclusion from social life, but they were divorced from reality and lacked the love of Cod to men, which in iiself brought purity, peace and personal piety in society. Unlike Christianity these faiths lacked the coordination of both positive and negative sides and were merely undefined shadows.

The necessity for Christianity in Japan to 'be of the essentially practical type was stressed by the speaker.

" No consistent believer in my country will smoke or play cards. To do so is to be laughed at—l feel sorry for you," said Dr. Kagawa. amid laughter. “ Christianity is serving the Japanese nation.”

“ Kingdom of God ” Movement When Hie Comiminislic movement [Continued in Previous Column.)