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Les cartaa, planchea, tableaux, etc., peuvent etre film^s A dee taux de reduction diffArents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre raproduit en un seul clichA, il est filmA A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche d droite et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombra d'images nAcessaira. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m4thoda. 2 3 5 6 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHAF.T NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS .TANDARD REFERENCE MATERIAL 1010a (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2) t, Kepoti of an Official Uisit o "oc "C\J CO to tbe inisiioNi of tbe •««« mcttooaiit eftNrcl) iM lapat =5 By a Sttberland, D.D., 6ewral Secretary J Toronto: methoiOst &Hssion l^ooms, 1902. t-r,.* fl -■•j REPORT OF AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO THi: MISSIONS OF TIIK METHODIST CHURCH IN" JAPAN. By a. SUTHERLAND, D.I)., General Secretary. PREFATORY. T iiE following extracts from official records will explain the occasion of the General Secretary's visit to the Japan work : From the Minutes of the Japan Annual Conference, Session of igoi : " It was moved by the Rev. G. Sogi, seconded by the Rev. M. Takagi, and " Resolved — That in view of the near approach of the General Conference and the many questions bearing upon our work at this time which require very careful consideration, we as a Conference express our desire that the Rev. A. .Sutlierl.'.nd, D.l)., General Secretary of the Missionary Society, should pay a visit to this country in time for the next .session of this Conference." — Carried. From the Minutes of the Jaf>an Mission Council, May, njoi : " Moved by Rev. Dr. Meacham, seconded by Kev. H. H. Coates, "Inat in accordance with i resolution adopted by the Japan Conference of the A'ethodist Ciiurch at its recent .session, requesting an official visit, we earnestly hope that in view of the important questions requiring 1 •N n>. R.R. ■V consideration, the General Board of Missions will not fail to comply with the request, and send the Rev. A. Sutherland, U.D., Secretary of the Board, as a dele- gate, in time for the ne t annua! meeting of the Mission Council and the Conference." — Carried unanimously. From the Minutes of the General Board of Missions, October, igoi : " We recommend that the Hoard grant the prayer of the Japan Conference and the Mission Council, and ask the General Secretary to visit the work and the workers in the Japan Mission during a period cover- ing the sessions of the Conference and Council"— From Report of Committee on the Fc^reign Work.— Adopted. "The Committee appointed to draft a resolution defining the authority and uowers of our delegate to the next Annual Confer .. e in Japan, submitted the following, which was adop ed : " Whereas many matters of importance connected with the work in Japan will be under consideration during the visit of the General Secretary as delegate to the Japan Conference, some of which may require prompt action, " Resolved— That this Board hereby gives authority to the General Secretary, as such delegate, to deal fully and finally, when necessary, with all matters which, in his judgment, do not admit of delay ; pro- vided that anything involving increased expenditure shall be first referred to the Executive Committee for final action ; such delegate to report to this Board or to the Executive." APR25^^ iMfKiTwzaa. REPORT To the Executive Committee of the General Board of Missions of the Methodist Church : AS the next session of the General Board of Mis- sions will not be held till after the adjourinnent of the General Conference of 1902, and as mat- ters affecting the Mission work of the Church, espe- cially in the foreign field, will be considered by the latter body, it is right and proper that the rej)ort of my official visit to Japan sliould first be laid before the Executive Committee, so that anything requiring action by the General Conference or the Hoard may be sent forward with such recommendations as the Executive may deem advisable. As my report will necessarily cover much ground, and deal with a great many separate questions, 1 liave concluded to give some account of my visit and methods of pro- cedure in the rm of a connected narrative, and after- ward to group under appropriate headings the vari- ous points that may equirc action, with such con- clusions and recommi;ndations as a personal inspec- tion of the work and a careful study of the whole situation have enabled me to reach. At the session of the Japan Annual C^onference in 1901, a rssolution was unanimously adopted, ask- ing the Board of Mi-rsions to send the General Secre- tary on an otticial visit to Japan at such time as would enable him to meet the Annual Conference of 1902. It was urged that many questions affecting the work required careful consideraliMi, and if these could be discussed on the spot with a representative from the Board, it would facilitate a mutual understanding, and the Japanese brethren would feel that their views and wishes would be fully laid before the Board of Missions and the General Conference. The request of the Japan Conference was heartily seconded by the Mission Council, and f being laid before the Missionary Board was cheerfully granted, and the General Secretary was instructed to proceed to Japan at such time as would best suit the convenience and interests of all concerned. Foreseeing that a return to Canada immediately after the meeting of the Japan Conference would be necessary, I deemed it advisable to go out in time to secure some six weeks in the country before the Conference as ambled, so that I might not only meet the Mission Council and the Conference, but also visit the outlying districts and personally inspect the work. This judgment was confirmed by letters re- ceived from the Superinte: lent of the Mission, who urged me to time my movements so as to reach Japan, if possiole, not later than the first of -April. Accord- ingly, I left Toronto on the 7th of March, and sailed from San Francisco on the 13th of the same month. This route was selected partly to avoid the colder northern route, with the possibility of detention by snow blockade on the railway, but chiefly because the date of sailing would enable me to reach Japan at the very liin-. my presence was desired, and a full week earlier than via Vancouver. The voyage was almost without incident, if I except a stop-over of 24 hours at Honolulu, affording one a passing glimpse of those " Summer Isles of Eden lying in dark purple spheres of sea," and bringing up stirring memories of some of the most romantic and tragic scenes in modern mission- ary annals. The run from San l-Vancisco occu- pied less than five days, and after a further run of something over eleven days, we made the entrance of the Bay of Yeddo in the teeth of the only strong gale experienced during the entire passage. At half-past six o'clock on Sunday evening, March 30, we cast anchor within the breakwater at Yokohama, and awaited inspection by the health officers on the fol- lowing morning. On landing, I was met by Dr. Meacham and ]Mr. Norman, whose presence greatly militated my movements, and on the afternoon of ..londay I was pleasantly domiciled in Tokyo with the Rev. Dr Scott, the Superintendent of the Japan Mission. 5 shore was not unwelcome after ,'e, but time was precious, and Mission lys, in- A few day?' ' "st o* the long ocean pas- „ , on Thursday I met the Kxccutive of the Council. We continued in session for two . quiring into many matters affecting ou; Mission property, the tenure )n which it is held, and other questions of kindred import. The meeting was full of interest, but no decisions were formulated, as I desired first to consuU. the full Council, and a'so to ascertain the views of the Aimual Conference before coming to any conclusions. On Sunday, April 6th, I preached in the Azabu Church to a good congrega- tion, and in the evening at . ^ Central ' Sciacle to an audience of perhaps 600, the grea. part of whom were students from the- Hi;, her S«. ...ols and the Imperial University. The im;«.rt...ice of reach- ing this class can hardly be over - -^ti mated, as they come from all parts of ' ■ Kmpirc, .^ J in the future will '-e the educated ; ' ruling ciass among the peopie. The forenoon of the next day was spent mspectmg our property at Hongo, including the Central Taber- nacle and the residence of the Foreign Missionary, and in the afternoon I met the pastors and evangel- ists of the Tokyo District, with such laymen as could be got together. My plan was to hold a similar meeting in each district, and to encourage the native brethren to say all that was in their hearts respecting the work and the workers, and to give free expres- ■ "on to their views and wishes, p jmising that these would be fully laid before the Board and the General Conference, where, 1 had no doubt, they would re- ceive careful and sympathetic consideration. To this part of my mission I attached great importance. If the work in Japan or any foreign country is to succeed, we must take the native workers i.'.to our confidence, let them see and feel that they are un- derstood, that their work is appreciated, and that any representations they desire n make will always re- ceive careful consideration and such response as they are fairly entitled to. Our native .vorkers in Japan and the converts under their care are neither children nor barbarians; they are men of int.'Hgence, many of them men of deep piety, with a good grasp of Scripture truth, and they are loyal to the Church and its doctrines. Men of this class cannot always be kept in leading-strings, nor is it desirable that they should be, even if it were possible. While foreign missionaries of exceptional gifts may leave the im- press of a strong personality upon the native Church, yet the future of that ( hurch will be largely what the native pastors make it, and their counsel should be sought and their co-operation invoked in every im- portant step that is taken. In like manner no import- ant step sliould ever be taken by the native pastors or the Annual Conference, involving any extension of the work or any changes in discipline or methods, without the knowledge and concurrence of the Gen- eral Board and the Superintendent of the Mission. The importance of establishing and maintaining the fullest confidence between the Hoard, the Japan Con- ference and the Mission Council can hardly be over- stated, and whatever has a tendency to bring about this result should be welcomed and utilized. At the end of ten days from the date of my arrival preparations were completed for visiting the out- stations, and on Wednesday, April 9th, I set out, accompanied by Dr. Scott, our first objective point being the City of Kofu, the head of the Yamanashi district. Some 50 miles by rail and 14 more by horse cars brought us to the village of Voshida. On the way we were met by the Rev. Mr. Hiraiwa, president of the Conference and chairman of the Yamanashi district, who accompanied us during the remainder of the tour, and by his genial companionship and splen- did interpreting contributed largely to the success of my mission. Yoshida is an appointment on the Yamura Circuit, in charge of Mr. ^'oncyama, one of our devoted evangelists. A service was held in the evening, which was well attended, and gave me a good idea of the character of an ordinary country charge. On the following morning we resumed our journey. The first five miles was by jinrikshaw after which we proceeded on foot a distance of 11 '2 miles over a steep mountain pass. Then came 7 '< miles on horse- back, 14 miles by basha — a primitive type of stage- coach, without springs — over a very rough road, and finally 7 miles more by horse-car, which brought us late at night to the city of Kofu. where we found com- fortable quufterr, and a kindly welcome at the Eiwa Jo Gakko— the Girls' School of our W. M. S. 'i^nd^ m'^' On the following morning the pastors and evangel- ists on the district^ogether with a number of laymen, assembled in the Kofu church, and the greater part of the day was spent in a free conversation on a variety of subjects. The native brethren availed themselves of the invitation which I gave to express their views and wishes, and to asU (Uiestions on points they did not fully understand, [n the evening there was a social gathering at the luwa Jo Gakko, which gave opportunity for further conversation, all the more valuable, perhaps, because it was entirely infor- mal and spontaneous. On Saturday afternoon there was a lecture meeting in a theatre, where I spoke to a crowded audience, nearly all of whom were non- Christians. My address was ably interpreted by Mr. Hiraiwa who subseciueiitly delivered an earnest and telling address of his own. These lecture meetings afford excellent opportunities of reaching the people, as large numbers attend who would not go to a Christian place of worship, and they will listen with the closest attention to one who has anything to say. Moreover, whatever be the subject of discourse, it can alwa\s be utilized at some point to expound and en- force some great truth of the Christian religion. On Sunday morning I preached in our church to a good audience, and in the evening sjjoke briefly, after an excellent address by Rev. Dr. Scott. On Monday a number of calls were ma- and courage. The mission property is well situated and consists of a large lot on which there is a house that was built for the foreign missionary — now used in part for preaching services — a house for the native pastor, aiul some small buildings for variou. pfirposcs. .\bout the time 1 reached Japan a de- structive fire swept over I'ukui, destroying a large section of the city, but did not reach our mission compound. Fukui is the stronghold of Buddhis' 1 on the west coast, and if once this stronghold ere captured the spread of CMiristianity would be very lO :: ^jid ; but to make an abiding impression, much less capture the place, is impossible with present methods. There should be a moderate expenditure on the mission property to put it in proper shape ; then a foreign missionary should be sent without delay and several evangelists should be added as quickly as suitable men can be found, and from Fukui as a centre a well-planned evangelistic campaign should be carried on 'hroughout the entire ken. In this case — and the same is true of all the districts — a con- centration of forces, for a month at a time, would be a wise policy, but for this purpose more men and more money is indispensable. In the evening I lectured to a smai' audience, and on the next day we proceeded to Kanazawa,some 75 miles farther up the line, and were met by Rev. D. R. McKenzie, the chairman of the district. This district embraces the three kens of Ichizen, Kaga and Echu, though but few points are yet occupied. In some respects the ground is not the most promising, but I am persuaded that with an adequate force of evangelists, wisely and efficiently led, splendid work might be done, and in the not distant future we might have three well organized districts on the west coast, with Fukui, Kanazawa and Toyama as centres. In the evening, after our arrival, a service was held by Dr. Scot and Mr. Hiraiwa, while I rested in prepara- tion for the toils of the morrow. On the Sunday morning I discoursed to an audience that filled our principal preaching place to its utmost capacity, and afterwards had the pleasure of administering the rite of baptism to ten persons — .seven men, one woman and two lads. In the evening the service took the form of a lecture, and the audience was as large as in the morning. The influence of this church is steadily growing, and under Mr. McKcnzie's energetic guid- ance evangelistic work is being pushed in such out- lying villages as can be reached. The method is to make periodical visits, accompanied by one or more pastors or cvai'gclists, and by means of street preaclv ing, singing, tract distribution, bible selling, etc .,)r several days in succession, .,y to awaken interest and lead the people to enquire concerning the new doc- trine. Ahead)' this method has borne gcxxl fruit, iiie missiuM propcity in Kanazawa consi:its of the II foreign mission house, the principal preaching place, and a second r ;hii 4 place in anC r part ' f the city, where a . -cive church has been ^anized. The mission house occupies a beautiful site overlooking part of the city, with a large open space in front used as a military parade ground. The land— three- quarters of an acre or thrreabouts— was purchased and the house bnilt in Mr. Saunby's time, when land, materials and 'vork were cheap, and the cost to the society was comparatively sma^i. The principal preaching place is in a good location. There is a good sized lot, on which there is a substantial build- ing of native construction, part being used for preach- ing -ervices and part for a school ; also a house for the native pastor. There is another location at the intersection of two important thoroughfares, where Mr. McKenzie very much desires to open a new preaching place. This is at a considerable distance from our other appointments and is the centre of a thi'-kly populated district, which should be occupied if possible. " I had prrposed going on some 50 miles further to visit the City of Toyama, the chief town in Kchu ken, and then proceed across country to Nagano ; but I found that this latter project would involve a journey ofsome 80 miles over a very difficult and even dan.jerous road, and that much of the distance would have' to be traversed on foot. It was decided, there- fore, to return by rail to Tokyo, ?nd go out to Nagano over anot'.ier line. A night's rest in Tokyo was a pleasant interlude after two weeks' of incessant work and travel. On the following morning our joi'.rney was resumed, and the same e.-ening we .cached Nagano, the chief town of Nagano ken. N?.gano is a city of peiinps 30,000 inhabitants, and the wl "e place seems to be dominated by a Buddhist temple to which many thousands of pcoi;le annually resort. The busi- ness of the town depends largely upon these throngs of pilgrims and visito.s, and the shop and hotel keep- ers are glad to contriliute to the temple in return for the advantages they derive from it. To reach and in- fluep 1 a people so circumstanced is no easy task, and 'crything that has been accmplishcd has been in the face of bitter prejudice and resolute opposition. These difti'^nUie'; hav^.' been .aggravated by somclocal 12 occurrences which caused estrangement between the foreign missionary and the native pastor and mem- bers and greatly hindered the work , but these are now things of the past and need not be further re- ferred to. On tne day following my arrival a conference nas held with the native pastors and evangelists and a few laymen, when the same subjects were discussed as on the other districts. The impression I received of the work on this district was not as favorable as in the other places I had visited. There was a different spirit among the workers — less heartiness, less dis- position to co-operate, especially with a foreign missionary. This may have been caused in part by the local occuirences to which allusion has already been made ; but I trust a better spirit now prevails, and that the Nagano district will share in the spiritual uplift that has been experienced in other places. In the evening an address was given, but as there had been little done in the way of announcing the service the attend, nee was limited. After returning to Tokyo I preached in the Union Church at Tsukiji and in our own church at Azabu, met the officials of the Shitaya church respecting their property, and on Wednesday, May 7th, met the Mission Council. The greater part of two days was spent in consultation, and on the Saturday there was a joint meeting of our Council and the Council of the \V. M. S. The proceedings were of the most har- monious character, and there is a hopeful spirit in both councils that augurs well for the future. On Sunday evening a lecture in the Central Tabernacle was attended by a large audience. On the following Wednesday the Conference assembled, and by a prac- tically unanimous vote Mr. Iliraiwa was re-elected President, Revs. Takagi and Coates being chosen secretaries. In the afternoon I was introduced to the Conference, and, with Mr. Iliraiwa for interpreter, addressed the brethren at considerable length, touch- ing upf>n such questions as Methodist union, the foreign missionaries and their work, the stipends of native pastors and evangelists, provision for the more effective training of native workers, the present regu- lations touching our foreign missions, and whether, pending the discussion of the union question, it would ;.^:^. wmmm^ be desirable to adopt any pa^t of the propssed basis for the carrying on of our own work ; the appointment of delegates to the General Conference, etc., etc. I emphasized the importance of keeping in sympathetic touch with the General Board, which might be affected favorably or unfavorably by the attitude of the native brethren on such questions as the relation of the foreign missicnary to the Conference and the work generally, the ownership and control jf mis-ion pro- perty, the control of funds supplied by the I -ard, ex- tension of the work and employment of additional men, also the course ^aken in stationing men with a view to economy, efiic ency. and the best interests of the work. . , It will be seen that my observations covered a wide range of topics, some of which required firm yet de'i- cate handling. I subsequently learned that my ad- dress had been looked forward to with no small anxiety by the foreign missionaries, and also by some of the native brethren, for conditions were such that an injudicious treatment of certain questions, or ignoring them altogether, might intensify latent feel- ings of doubt and uncertainty and leave the minds of the brethren quite unsettled in egard to matters upon which they desired clear light and authoritative state- ments On some of the questions I endeavored to present clearly what i . ;ieved to be the views and wishes of the General hoard, while on others I gave expression to my personal opinions and advice. Throughout the whole address I spoke with the utmost frankness, telling the brethren all that was in my heart, and all that I hoped or feared concerning them, pointing out real or possible dangers, suggest- ing courses of action, while running through the whole was the constantly recurring thought of the supreme importance of confidence and co-operation between the foreign mis iionaries and the native pas- tors and between both and the General Board. 1 he effect of all this can be attributed only to divine r^uid- ance. At the conclusion of my address there was a sense not only of relief, but of profound satisfaction. All seemed to feel, and subsequently some were good enough to say, that every point of importance had been cin eicd, that the right things had been •>nia, ob- scure points made plain and misapprehensions re- 14 moved, and now the way was clear for a full under- standipg and the heartiest cooperation. It should not be inferred from this that there were antagonisms among the workers or any lack of loyalty to the Board and its policy, but there were symptoms of a condition of affairs which, if unchecked, might lead to misunderstandings and estrangements and greatly retard the work. For these conditions no one in particular was responsible ; they were the out- come of circumstances which no one could foresee or control. In the earlier days of the mission, when those who planted it v/ere still living, and were in closest touch with the converts and native workers, there was no room for misunderstandings. In the very nature of the case the whole direction of affairs was in the hands of the foreign missionaries, and wisely did they fulfil their trust ; but as years went on and the native pastors gathered experience.becom- ing familiar with the doctrines, polity and usages of Methodism ; as new men came into the work who were unacquainted with its early history ; especially when an annual conference was formed, with all the rights and privileges pertaining to such a body, it was inevitable that changed relations would come. In the legislation of the General Conference touching the Japan work the powers and duties of the foreign missionaries and the Mission Council on the one hand, and of the native pastors and the Annual Con- ference on the other, were not clearly icfined, and beyond a few general principles they could not be ; hence it was difficult to tell in some cases where the authority of the one ended and that of the other began. Such conditions involved at least the possibilit_ of friction, and in some instances it had actually occurred. I endeavored to impress upon the Con- ference the view of the Board that in the present state of the work foreign missionaries were needed in Japan as much as ever and would be needed, perhaps, for many years to come ; that these mis- sionaries were not sent by us as lords over God's heritage, but as fellow-helpers in the work, and that we expected for them a cordial reception and the utmost freedom in working out their plans ; that, while the work of the foreign missionary and that of the 15 native pastor were in a sense distinct, it vyas imprac- ticable to define in detail the duties and authority of each, and I did not regard it as advisable even if it could be done. Far more would be accom- plished by cultivating the spirit of genuine brother- hood, and by hearty co-operation in extending the work of God, than by any attempt to construct minute rules defining the position and duties ot the two classes of workers. ,11 On -some part of each day, sometimes the whole day I was present in the Conference, and was accorded the utmost freedom in calling attention to points of importance, advising and suggesting as occasion seemed to require. Often questions were asl-.ed by members c,f the Conference and answers civen that helped to a still clearer understanding of the situation. When the time came to elect repre- sentatives to the General Conference, Dr. Scott and Mr Hiraiwa were promptly chosen. Two laymen were also elected to the General Conference, one of whom may possibly attend. As the days passed by the utmost harmony prevailed, the s-irit of kindness and brotherly love was deepened, d towards the close of the Conference the following resolution was •manimously adopted, and I was informed by Mr. Coates, by whom it was translated, that his transla- tion was, if anything, much weaker than the °"u was moved by the Rev. M. Takagi, B.D., seconded by the Rev. G. Sogi, and unanimously Jiesohrd,-Th3ii we, as a Conference, hereby express our sincere thanks to the General F.oard of Missions of the Methodist Church in Canada, that so kindly acceeded to our request of last year to send the Rev. A. Sutherland. U. I), General Secretary of Missions, on a visit to Japan. He has come to us. has visited all the districts :n the Confer- ence, carefully looked into the conditions of the work, ex- plained to us the policy and principles of the Mission Board, given expression to the kindly feelings of the brethren and sisters in Canada toward us, and hrown much hj^htupon mat^ ters affecting the future progress of our Church. Ue rejoice that we have been permitted to associate so intimately with him tell him of our hopes and desires, and discuss many questions bearing upon our welfare as a Church in the years to come. We firmly believe his coming has given a i6 new impulse to our work, and we wish, with all our hearts, to thank Dr. Sutherland himself and the Board of Missions that sent him to us. We wish, also, to request Dr. Suther- land, on his return to Canada, to convey to our brethren and sisters there, and to the Board of Missions, the grati- tude we ever feel for all they have done and still continue to do for us and our work, and to express the confidence we have in the sincerity of their love to us, together with our desire that they may not cease to render us the help wfc need. YosHivAS HiRAiwA, President. MlZUTARO TaKAGI, I „ . . Harper H. Coates, } ^'"'t^"'"- Tokyo, Japan, May 20th, 1902. On the 22nd of May there was a meeting of the Mission Council, all the members present, when the brethren expressed themselves, in regard to the Sec- retary's visit, in the following terms : — That we wish to place on record our high appreciation of the service rendered by Rev. A. Sutherland, D.D., General Secretary of Missions, who, by appointment of the Board of Missions, has visited the Japan work. Since his arrival he has been " instant in season out of season " in speak- ing at the various meetings that have been held in all parts of the work, and in consultation with the workers, both native and foreign. We have been encouraged and helped, having received an inspiration to greater diligence, patience and faith. Wo have been pleased with the care the Secretary of Missions has taksn to understand the vari- ous phases of the work, and with the grasp he has mani- fested of its problems. We believe that lasting good will result from his visit, and we commend to the Board the wisdom of sending such delegations at regular intervals to counsel and exhort the workers, to keep us in touch with the feelings and desires of our brethren in the home land, to get a clear and impartial view of the work here, so that the Board and Church at home may be kept in touch with its foreign work, and to move with inspired and eloquent words the crowds that can be gathered into our Churches to hear one who comes from afar on a visit to this land. We pray that Dr. Sutherland mav have a safe and pleasant return voyage, and be long spared to serve in the Master's cause here below. On the day following th's meeting of the Council, the hour came when I must begin my homeward wm 17 voyage. At the railway station in Tokyo I found practically the whole Conference assembled to say good-bye and wish me Godspeed. Some eight or ten accompanied me all the way to Yokohama, and Dr. Scott, Mr. Haraiwa, and Mr. Norman went out on the steam launch and i^aw me safely on board the ship. In a little while the Empress of Japan steamed out of the Bay of Yeddo, and as I stood on the deck, watching the fast receding shores, I ' thanked God and took courage," for mj' way had been prospered beyond my expectations, and by the blessing of God and the help of the brethren, both native and foreign, I had been enabled to render service of real value to our Mission in Japan. Perhaps the secret was re- vealed in the words of one of our missior.aries, spoken after the close of the Conference : " From the time it was announced that you were coming to Japan I have made your visit a subject of daily prayer that God Wv Id guide you in all things ; now I feel that my praj'ers have been abundantly answered." In leaving Japan I felt that I was leaving behind me a devoted band of missionaries, native pastors and evangelists, who were looking, with eager expecta- tion, for times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and were all prepared to spend and be spent in His service. Out of this zeal and devotion — and it is shared by the missionaries of other churches — good will come to Japan. There have been dark days, but they are passing away, and soon a time will come when we shall say, " It is morning tve- As the ship settled to her c .^ by the Great Circle for Vancouver, I sent a parting glance shoreward, if that, peradventurc, I might catch a glimpse of the snow-crowned peak of Fujiyama, thi most beautiful natural object in Japan. The whole sky was covered with dense clouds, and Fuji was in- visible, but I knew it was there. In like manner there have been times when the outlook for Japan's religious future has been dark and uninspiring, yet we know that *' behind the dim unknown, Standeth God, among the shadows, keeping watch above his own." -^^ i8 Resting upon His unfailing promise we turn to face the problem of finding the needed reinforcements for the great battle that has yet to be fought in the " Sunrise Kingdom." Having given a general account of my visit to Japan and the methods employed to learn the state of the work and the views of the brethren, I now sub- mit in detail a report of the various subjects discussed, with such suggestions and recommendations as in my judgment will best meet existing conditions and insure the futuic prosperity of the work. I. METHODIST UNION. At intervals during the past fifteen or twenty years the desirability of union has been a subject of dis- cussion among the missionaries of the various Metho- dist bodies in Japan. Interest in the subject was quickened by a union of the various branches of the Presbyterian Church, and in 1888 a committee repre- senting the Methodist Missions met to formulate, if possible, a basis upon which union might take place. A number of meetings were held and various phases of the question were discussed, but a point was reached where the representatives of the Methodist Church in Canada felt that they could go no further in the matter of concessions, and the committee dissolved without formulating a basis. Shortly after our repre- sentatives received letters from missionaries of other Methodist bodies to the effect that they had not been fairly represented in the Union Committee, and they wou.d be glad if our representatives would outline a basis and submit it for the consideration of the other missionaries. The request was acceded to, and when I reached Japan in 1889 I found a basis had been drafted and was ready to be submitted. An informal gathering of missionaries was sum- moned and met in Tokyo, when the prepared outline was read, clause by clause, and carefully considered. In regard to the principle of union there seemed to be but one opinion, and the plan that had been out- lined by our m.issionaries was generally approved. It was also endorsed by the Board of Missions of our own church, but for reasons which I never learned no action was taken by the boards or conferences of ^ •'.; 19 the other Methodist bodies, at least we were never in- formed of any, and no further negotiations were had. The question remained in abeyance till 1901, when it was again revived in Japan. A joint committee repre- senting the various Methodist missions was formed, and after a numbe- of meetings had been held a basis of union was fori^ulated which is printed as Appendix A of this report. I understand this basis was approved by the Japan Annual Cl iference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and by one of the two Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the other conference taking no action. In our own Mission the foreign missionaries \ re a unit in favor of the principle, but would prefer some modifications in matters of detail. In the Annual Conference there was almost equal unanimity as to the principle, but several objected to the basis as at pres- ent framed. Ultimately the sense of the conference was expressed in a resoluti^.i heartily endorsing the principle of union, and recommending that the basis be finally revised by a joint commission representing f.xe General Conferences of the Home Churches. In regard to the basis as it now stands, it is a virtual adoption of Episcopal Methodism. I ex- press no opinion as to whether or not this is the best system for Japan, but deem it right to call attention to the fact. It is true the principle of life episcopacy iL- eliminated ; but the basis provides for a General Superintendent with powers equal to those of any bishop, save that he is to hold office for only eight years and is not to be eligible for re-election. The importance of this whole question can hardly be over- stated. To-day Methodism in Japan is relatively weak because of its divisions ; united it would be one of the dominant religious forces in the empire, and second to none as an evangelizing power. To ac- complish so desirable an end concessions must be made by all the uniting bodies, but as these conces- sions touch chiefly methods of administration and not vital principles, no great sacrifice will be involved. I would suggest, therefore, that this^ Executive Com- mittee memorialize the General Conference to the following effect : 20 To THE General Conference of the Methodist Church. This Memorial from the Executive Committee of the General Board of Missions respectfully showeth : ' That for a number of years past there has been a grow- ing conviction among the missionaries of the Methodist churches having missions in Japan that a union of the vari- ous missions in one church would be of great and lasting benefit to the cause of Christianity in that country. In harmony with that conviction a tentative basis of ui^ )n has beeii prepared by a committee composed of representatives, both native and foreign, of the different Methodist Missions in Japan, and the same has been forwarded for considera- tion and action by the home authorities. It is evident that a proposal so important in itself and so far-reaching in its results demands very careful treatment, but inasmuch as the (leneral Conferences or other govern- ing bodies of the churches concerned hold their sessions at diflferent times and in places widely separated, it will be practically impossible for these Conferences, acting separ- ately, to frame a basis of union that will be acceptable to all. It has been suggested, therefore, that each Cleneral Conference or other governing body shall, if they approve of the principle of union, appoint five members of a joint commission, which shall have authority to revise the exist- ing Basis ot Union or frame a new one, as shall seem most expedient, and to take whatever steps may be necessary to carry the same into effect. Therefore, your memorialists pray the General Confer- ence of the Methodist Church to consider carefully this whole question, and to take such action as in its godly judgment may seem advisable. On behalf of the Kxecutive Committee of the General Board of Missions. A. C.VRMAN, Chairman. A, SUTHKRi.ANii, den. Secretary: II. EDUCATION.'XL WORK. Aadbu, Tokyo. — Provision for the trainini>crt"i- "•■-=• h.ive anjuired. To their credit, be it said, not one has been imfaitful to his trust. 26 There is another phase of this question which claims some attention, namely, To whom does mission property in Japan belong— to the Board or to the native congregations ? In many instances the Board has aided in the erection of churches and the purchase of mission houses by small grants from the fund ; in some cases— such as the church and mission house in Shidzuoka and the churches and mission houses at Azabu, Tsukiji and Shitaya, in the City of Tokyo,— large grants have been made ; while in other cases, such as the Central Tabernacle, the Azabu school property, and the dwellings of the foreign missionaries, the whole cost has been provided from the mission fund. In speaking of this matter in the Japan Conference I took the position that in cases where only compara- tively small amounts had been donated by the Board, or where the chief part of the cost had been met by the Japanese themselves, control mir^ht properly be 1 ;ft with the native congregation, w 'h the proviso t lat the property or its proceeds be not diverted from the purpose for which it was obtained. In regard to Church and Mission House properties for which the board had supplied all, or nearly all, of the cost, it seemed reasonable that the board should retain effective some control. At the time of my visit there were two cases in point. At Shidzuoka a site had been procured and a commodious church built chiefly by grant from the Mission Board and considerable sums donated by Dr. Macdonald from the income of his med.cal practice. In the course of time the government desired to purchase the site that it might be included in the grounds of a villa that was being built for the Crown Prince. A price was i)aid that enabled the trustees to procure an cqualh- desirable site, remove and rebuild both church and parsonage, and' leave a considerable surplus besides. This sur- plus the trustees proposed to invest aiid use the proceeds in imying the native pastor's salary. I took the ground that this was not a legitimate use of the money ; that whi'e the Board made grants to aid in building churches it did not make grants to endow them, and althouirh F did not think the Boan' "ould expect the trustees to return the 'surplus to the general treasury, it would expect them to use it in ^J^f^^^M: -I aiding other church enterprises as they themselvc had been aided. The conference seemed to regard this view as reasonable. The other case is the Azabu Church. The first church was erected by Mr. Hiraiwa, chiefly froni con- tributions which he obtained in Canada. Siibse- quently the building was so seriously damaged b/ an e?'t:hquake that it had to be taken down and rebuilt, the funds for this purpose being supjilied by the Mis- sionary Board. There were two small buildings, which were bought or built by the Missionary Society at an early day, one serving as a dwelling, the other as a chapel. These being now rented, the Quarterly Board of the Azabu Church claims the right to use the proceeds in aid of their pastor's salary. Mr. Borden desired the use of the old chapel for evangel- istic work, but in order to obtain it had to pay rent. That is to say, a building built or bought by mis- sionary funds is now rented to the Board for the use of one of its missionaries. .-\s it is quite possible other cases of a kind similar to those of Shidzuoka and Azabu may occur in the development of the mission, it seems desirable that some regulation should be adopted that will prevent disputes. The Tsiikiji Property. — In the Mission Council the advisableness of disposing of our Tsukiji property in Tokyo was suggested by one of the missionaries. The proposition was to sell the property and apply the proceeds towards the purchase of a site a. id the erection of dormitories for students in connection with the Central Tabernacle at Hongo. The Tsukiji property consists of three lots, No. 4, No. 5a and No. 5b, covering an area of 994 tsubo, ccjuivalent to 35,784 square feet. On this land tiiere are four good houses, three facing the river which in summer is always :rowded with shipping), and one in the rear of No. 4, to which access is had by a side lane. Dr.Scott occupies one house, two others are rented to good foreign tenants and the fourth is occupied by Dr. Macdonald. The question is, should this whole pro- perty be sold and the proceeds pr.t into other enter- j)rises ? I am of the opinion that one house will still he needed for the Superintendent of the Mission, another may be needed for one of the toreign mis- sionaries, and so long as the others are well rented it 4£..I >-. 28 may be best to let them remain as they are. In case it should be decided to sell any part of this property, the first charge upon the proceeds should be the reduction or entire recouping of the large sum expended in the purchase of a site and buildmgs for the use of the Tsukiji congregation. On the whole, however, I think the time to sell this property has not yet come. The Shitaya Property.— Xc^lxs ago a site was ob- tained and a small chapel erected in the Shitaya dis- trict of Tokyo. The site was a very small one in an undesirable locality, and the building—a cheap affair —is crowded between other buildings, to the almost entire exclusion of light and air, and covers almost every foot of the site. I ascertained that in carrying out plans for the improvement of the city the street on which the Shitaya Church is located will be widened, and the probability is that some 18 feet will be taken from our lot, leaving insufficient room for the present building, much less for extension. -All this made it clear that another site must be obtained. I requested the officials to find several other sites if possible, and we would look them over and see what could be done. In a few days they reported, and I went to examine the ground. Out of four or five possible sites there was one well suited for our pur- pose, fronting on a broad, well-kept street in a popu- lous neighborhood, and containing an area of perhaps 75x120 feet. Fronting on the street are three small shops, bringing in a moderate rental. In the rear there is a native building, which, with a little repair- ing, would serve as a pastor's residence, with a large room for preaching services. The price for the whole was stated at \cn 7,000, or $3,500 gold, of which the Shitaya people will raise yen 2,000 if the society can grant the balance. As this was a case of extreme necessity, I authorized the purchase at the price stated. Since returning home I have learned that the owner demands yen H.ooo. Even at this figure the price is rea.sonable compared with land values in the .same neighborhood. At present we are paying about veil 100 per annum as rent of a house for the Shitaya pastor, which wouid be saved if the new pro- perty is bought. Add to this the rent of the three shops, and we have a sum representing more than the gfci f 29 interest on the money to be advanced by the society. By this plan, moreover, we unite two congregations, and prepare the way for a strong cause in that part of the city. The Central Tabernacle.— TWia property is admir- ably situated, and is well adapted for its purpose. It affords accommodation for the general evangelistic work inaugurated by Dr. l-:by, and now carried for- ward by Mr. Coates, and also for the native congrega- tion, of which the Rev. M. Takagi, B.D., is pastor. The site was procured and the building erected when land and building i.aterials were comparatively cheap, and the property could not be duplicated now for double what it cost. So large a building (it will accommodate :ibout i,ooo), and constantly in use, is sure to •« would purchase ten years ago. Another circumstance that has affected the cost of living, is the revision of treat- ies with foreign nations. Formerly import duties were very low, perhaps not more than five per cent.; but since treaty revision custom duties have been greatly increased, causing a corresponding increas^e in the price of all foreign commodities. Moreover, there are local imposts, such as the income tax, that were unknown in former days, but all affecting the cost of '"lif the conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held this year in Japan, this .question was under consideration, and it was the opinion of the foreign missionaries, as well as the native pastors, that a time had come when there should be a read- justment ot the allowances to native workers. 1 understand that a recommendation will go forward to their Mission Hoard to grant an increase of ten per cent., and even this amount, if granted, will afford some slight relief: but before final action is taken in regard to the stipends of our own native workers, I think it desirable that the question be considered in all its bearings, and a plan submitted that will not merelv afford a little temporary reli.-f, but provide for such a permanent scale of stipends as will give assurance to our native pastors and evangelists that thev will be lifted at least above absolute want In talking this matter wver with our Mission Council 1 -.uggested that a mixed committee of foreign missionaries and native pastors mignt examine care- fully the whole .lucslion and draw up a scale ot al ow- ancesfor the consideration of the (,eiu-ral Hoard, which, if adopted, would be regarded as satisfactory, and be a settlement of the .luestion for many yeats to come, l-.ven if it be decided to grant a mo.lerate increase, the stipends of our nat-ve pastors and cvan-'clists will MiUbea minimum ciuantity. and, it fixecfat a uniform rate, woulil not provi Ic for excep- i.;.!. -r rr »-> "■riir I'crhaps the lionai case.-, whii-i: .iv^ -»'' -_i-i- - t J3 better way would be to formulate a sliding scale for each class of native workers, taking into account the circumstances of individuals as affected by the num- ber in family, length of service, and similar consider- ations ; providing also for a gradual increase up to a recognized limit, and the plan should bo suffi- ciently elastic to peiniit of dealing with exceptional cases, several of which are already on the list. I regard this question as one of the most important affecting the Japan work to be dealt with by the General Board. It is, in many respects, the problem of the hour, and upon its solution (lcpenils,in no small degree, the future of our work in Japan. It is signifi- cant that for years past no candidates for the minis- try have come forward, and many attribute this state of affairs to the impossibility of living on the stipends now paid. Our Japanese brethren make no exhorbitant demands ; having food and raiment and a little to spend for necessary books, they will therewith be content ; but on the present scale food and raiment have to be sparingly provided, while books are a luxury beyond their reach. VI. TRAINING OF I'ROB.ATIOXKRS EVANGELISTS. AND Of e(iual importance with the support of the native ministry is the (]ucstion of suitable training for pro- bationers and evangelists. The need of additional native workers is keenlx- felt. 1-or some time, as already stated, no candidates for the ministr>- have been forthcoming, and it has been ver\- difficult to find the right material for evangelists. The latter are a class of workers peculiar to Japan. They have not the status of ministers, and most of thein inay never have, but as pioneers thc\' can do useful work in ])reparing the way for the pastor. Beyond a per- sonal Christian exi)ericnce. nost of them have had little training, and are poorly (pialifieii to meet the (juestionings of ordinary unbelievers, much less the cavils i)f the half-educateti student cl.iss. This edu- cational defect is keenly felt by the evangelists them- selves, and they earnestly desire provision that will 3^^ compensate, to some extent, for the lack of early op- portunities, and help them to become workmen that need not be ashamed, " rightly dividui- the word of truth " Better training for candidates for the muustry is still more important. There was a time when a creneral knowledge of the Scriptures and the outlmes SfChristian doctrine sufficed for the class of people among whom the>- were called chiefly to labor, but such imperfect pijeparation does not meet present day conditions, or enable the pastor to grapple with the vagaries of religi.-us thought in modern Japan. The need of b ler training and how to secure it were topics earnestly discussed in the mectmgs ot pastors and evangelists uhich I attended, and also in the Annual Conference. There were some who advo- cated sending at least some of the j.astors abroad to be trained in foreign colleges but 1 felt con-^tramed to say that this polic>- was not favored by the H.^ard. pointed out that a probatioUL-r or pastor trained abroad would be likely to return home with f.^reign ideas, especially in regard to a scale of living that could not be maintained on the stipend of a Japanese pastor, and even if it culd it would only create a .Vulf between him and his people, and to that extent alienate their sympathies. It was certainly .lesirable that provision should be ma.le for the belter training of native workers, but it sh-.ul.l be in the country and amf)ng the surroundings where their future work is to be done. Anything that would have a tendency to put the native minister ..ut of touch with hiscoimtry- men should be studi..u-,ly avoided. There might be exceptional cases, such as preparation for purely edu- cational work, that w.Hil.l justify sending a pastor (,r probationer abr-.ad, but su.h cases would occur very rarely ; the great majority should get their training at h.mie. 'fhere is another objection to the "scn'mg abroad-i/,an which I feel bound to state. \\ hile, undoubtodlv. the prospect of a thon.ugh colu-e tram- iniK.ct of a better salary This much at least, seems certain, the pistor who ,s tr.uned abroaear or two at college. The course of study need not be very elab- orate. A knowledge of the Scriptures and how to expound them should be the prime con^ide.ation, and this should be sui)plemented by studies in Hiblical Theo' Tomiletics, Church I listory, Christian I-\i- dencc In many instances sucli a course could be carr. under tlie supervision of the foreign missionaries. At present there is a foreign mission- ary on almost every district, and in most instances it would be practicable to have the evangelists assem- ble, .say once a month, for examination in the studies they have been pursuing, and to receive lurther instruc- tion in methods of study and kindred topics. A practi- cal difficulty might be the fact that the necessary books for such a course — the Hihle (■>vceptetl— are not to be found in the vernacul ir, and few, if an\-, of the evan- gelists have any knowledge of English. It would seem to be necessary, therefore, either that the evangel- ists should begin in good earnest tlie stud}- of Knglish, or that the missionary, as soon as lie acquires the language, should try to m.ike up foi tiielack of books by lectures on some subject of the course, bringing the e\angeli-.ts together for the purp > ,e several liays at a time. This method might in\. ivc a little ex- pense, but it would pa\- in tiic end. Candidates for the ministry would require a more elaborate c; '-se of study, and for the < there should be prt)vision lor several years of college training. At present we have no school of our own, but doubtless arrangements could be made with the authorities of tiie Methodist l'q)iscop.il .School at .\oyama, Tokyo, to admit our probationers to their classc . and if the numbe*- increased to any considerable extent, the ijuestion of reorgani/.ing our own school could be con- sidered. If Methodist I'nion should bi-come an ac- complished fact, of course a separate school would be unnecessary; but in the meantime ail possi Ic con- 38 tingencies must be taken in'cO account. I have dwelt at some length upon this question because conditions are such that I think that we may count, with some degree of probability, upon having not a few young men offer themselves as candidates for the ministry in the near future, as well as a considerable number who may be found suitable for evangelists. VII. POSSIBLE CILAXGES I\ DISCIPLINE. No definite opini')ns were expressed in Conference in regard to to the existing regulations of the discip- line Governing the foreign work, but in the Mission Council some minor changes v.ere suggested. It was also thought b^ members of the Council that as union could not be consummated for several years to come it mi'dit be advisable to incorporate one or t.v'o sec- tions'of the Basis of Union in our own discipline, adapting them to the needs of our own work W hen the proposal came up in the Annual Conference it gave -ise t( con>iderable discussion, and when a vote was taken there was a small majority against it. 1 api)end herewith the two sections referred to so that the Executive may judge if they contain any- thin- the adoption of which would be of advantage to the work in Japan or an\- other foreign field. Article VI.— Church P'in.vnces. I.'-Classijiiiition of Funds. The funds connected with t!ij Kirisutc Hosei Kyokwai shall be classified under three heads : 1 Funds appropriated by the foreign Missionary So- cieties, for the foreign missionaries and their work : these shall he under the control of the foreign missionaries. - Funds raised by the Kirisuto Hosei Kyokwai for the work of said Church ; these shall be under the control of the Jappnese. . Funds collected by the Japanese Church for Missions, and funds appropriated by the foreign Missionary Sonet.es to ..irl the said lapanese Chur.h ; these shall be under the control of mixed committees composed of Japanese ana foreign missionaries in equal numbers. 39 2 — Classification of Societies. The Societies shall be divided into three classes : 1. Self-Supporting Churches (Jikyu Kyokwai). 2. Aided Churches (Hojo Kyokwai). Aided Churches are those organized Churches which receive aid from out- side sources, and in addition [)ay all their current expenses and at least one-fourth of their pastors' salaries. 3. Missions (Dendochi) : Missions are tliose .Stations of Societies of believers which have not yet reached the finan- cial status of Aided Churches. No Mission shall be organ- ized into a Church with a Quarterly Conference until its menbership numbers at least twenty adult full members, ana it is able to bear all its currei.i expenses, and to pay at least one-fourth of its pastor's salary. Article VII.— Missionaries and Mission Funos. /.- -Ris^hts of Missionaries. The Foreign Male Missionaries shall have ex officio all the rights and privileges of membership in an .Vnnual Con- ference in Japan which they have in the Annual Confer- ence to which they belonj;, and be amenable to said Japan Annual Conference for conduct : and by arrangement with the proper authorities of their respective Missions, the a|> pointing power of an Annual (Conference may appoint foreign missionaries to its own work. 2. — Missions Supported /n' Foreipi Missionary Societies. The Missions (Dtndochi) sui)ported by P'oreign Mission- ary Societies, shall be controlled by their respective Missions (Mission Councils) under the general direction of the Annual (Conferences. Such Missions (Dendochi) shall be eligible t>> become Aided Churches (Hojo Kyokwai) when they are a' e to comply with the refjuirements of Article VI., Sect. on 2. I am of the . 40 .. , The societies cornposing the native Church shall be divided into three classes, as follows : .,.) Seir.suppo.in.cl.rches(^^^^^^^^ ..(^) Aided Churches (Hop Kyokwa^)^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ is one which has at leas ^^J^J^ ^^^^^^^ expenses, organised Q^^^^yKl'ts^pa tor's salary, and at least one-fourth of its P^ "^ \t^„,e societies of ..(,) Missions (DendochiMissions^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ as defined above. -.v, the Church in any foreign "!^:^"r Applied by tl^Oer^B^--^^^ for the foreign -"i^t'^"''!? orooe ty and the erection of grantsforthe purchase of Propeny^^,^^ ^^^ ^ ,j,,^.,„ buildings. These shaUD ^^^ ^^^^^^ Council under the direction ot tne ^^^^^ .(,) Funds raised l^^^.^f^rA^al Conference. These shall be controlled by the Ann ^^.^^.^^^^ "^'■) ^■■""'^^7"r;;v the iener^Bo^rd toward the sup- and funds supplied by the ife^ej^ jj ^^ ^nder the control tdgn missionaries in equal numbe.^ ^ ^^^ ^^^ .(,) Funds supPPhed by^ -nera^ ^, ,,, ^sts, support or'"'^^'°"'fJSin„s These shall be under the rents, repairs and furnisnings __ control of the Mission Counc.l. FKRKNCK AND lO IHK NATIVE PASTORS. that the duties and l-^^-;,;:'^,,^u„ the native pastors, ^nd his relation to the work -^y^'J" \ ,i;.,-inlinc. In Should be more clcarb;^^;;;"^- ^i', ...^part of the ■ 41 general ret^ulalions whicli, if coiistanti)' kept in view and acted upon, out,dit to be sufficient for the purpose. Any attempt to define minutely the exact duties and powers of the foreign missionary and the native pas- tor, and to show in all supposable cases just where the authority of the one ends and that of the other begins, would be a hopeless task, and more sug- gestive of points of dispute than of heart}- co-opera- tion. The general regulations referred to alx-xe arc comprised in the following sulj-sections of the discip- line referring to foreign Missions. The Mission Council has authorit)' — " I. To consult, when deemed necessary or advisable, on matters of common interest, with native pastors who may be appointed by the Annual Conference for the pur^jose, and with the view of maintaining the fullest confidence and harmony between the native and ferei^n workers. —J'ar 376, sub. -sec. (e). "2. To plan for the evangel istic work of the foreign mis- sionaries, assigning to each a definite centre of o[)eration, with freedom, within limits prescribed by the Council, to plan and develop his work, yet not so as to interfere with the disciplinary duties and powers of native pastors or chairmen of districts ; provided always that the Council or missionaries shall not multiply fields or agents, involving increased expenditure, without the consent of the (ieneral Hoard or P'xecutive Committee. The missionary shall have an advisory relation to all the native workers under the Annual Confcrenee in his field, and shall direct all the laborers raised up under his own care till the fields can be brought under the care of the Annual Conference. — Par. 376, sub. .-^ec. (i). " 3. In case of any difference of judgment or conflict of authority arising between a foreign missionary and a native pastor, regarding the arrangement of the work, which they cannot adjust, the matter shall be referred to the superin- tendent fi.r his decision."- -Par. 376, sub-sec. (j). Then in defining the powers and duties of Mission Conferences in the foreign field it is provided — "That it shall be the duty of the native chairmen of dis tricts, pastors and Annual Conferences to co-operate in all possible ways with the missionaries and the superintend- ent of the nnssion."--Par. 37c^, subsec. (e). 42 I am persuaded that a hearty reco-iv'tion and wise appHcation of the foregoing,- regulations are all that is needed to promote the most cordial relations between the foreign! missionaries and the native pastors. There is another matter of considerable importance touchin- the relations of the forci-n missionaries to the work in Japan, which calls for consideration At the present time several of our missionaries have never been formally transferred, and consequently thev are not members (^f the Japan Conference I his strikes me as vcrv undesirable. To stand aloof from the native brethren as thout^di the foreign missionaries constituted a separate caste, is not the best way to promote mutual confidence and s')'"' ^^i''- l" '^^X fud-ment it would be better for all interests con- cerned if the foreign missionaries identified them- selves, from the ver>- beginning, with the Annual Con- ference and the native pastcjrs. No doubt the brethren who have declined a trans- fer have done so f)r reasons satisfactory to them- selves, and i)erhap> the most weighty reason is one that I should franklv state. It is held that when any one is accused of a serious fault or misdemeanor, the temper of the Jai)anese mind leads them at once to the conclusion that he must be guilty, and he is forthwith condemned without ordering an investiga- tion or waiting f-.r proof As a matter of fact two cases which give groun'- knt. I.- General Suprrinttnu.,us. (it) There shall bj on; or m)re (Ijneral Superintendents (Sori). {/') The General Superintendent shall be elected by the General Conference, by ballot, without debate, and shall be inducted into office by appropriate relii^ious ceremonies ; the term of office shafl not exceed ei,i;ht years, and the General Superintendent shall not be eligible for re-election. If two be elected at the first General Conference, one of them shall be chosen for a term of four years only, so that there shall be a recurring election every four years. ((-) The General Superintendent shall preside at the General and Annual Conferences, and as far as possible over all permanent committees of the (General and Annual Conferences, and, when present, over the District Confer- ences. (d) Tiie General Superintendent shall !>■.; left without appointment, and shall visit and exercise supervision in all parts of the work. (f) Ttie General S'Dirintendent, after consultation with the Presiding LJders assLMubled, shall appoint all Ministers and Probationers to their charges, but any Presiding Elder shall have the right of appeal against any proposed appoint- ment, and if his appeal be sustained by a three-fourths vote of the Presiding IClders it shall prevail. (/■) The General Superintendent, assisted by Elders, shall ordain all Deaons and Elders elected by an .Vnnual Conference. 48 2. — The General Conference. (a) The General Conference (Sokwai) shall be a dele- gated body, composed of Ministers and Laymen in the proportion of one each for every five ministers in full con- nection : provided, nevertheless, that a fraction of three- fifths of the above proportion shall entitle an Annual Con- ference to an additional delegate of each order ; and pro- vided further, that each annual Conferen-^ shall be entitled to at least one ministerial and one lay delegate. (i^) The General Conference shall have full power to make rules and regulations for the Church under the fol- lowing limitations and restrictions : — 1. It shall not do away with the privileges of our minis- try or probationers for the ministry of trial by a committee and of an appeal, neither shall it do away with the privi leges of our members of trial before the Society or by a committee and of an appeal. 2. It shall not change nor alter any part or rule of our government so as to do away with the office of General Superintendent, nor destroy the plan of our itinerant sys- tem or of our itinerant General Superintendency. (c) One of the General Superintendents shall preside in the General Conference : but in case no General Sui)erin- tendent l)e present the General Conference shall choose a President /) The District Conference (Hukwai) shall be composed of Travelling and Local Preachers within the District, and such Lay Re|)resentation as may hereafter be determined upon by the Oeneral Conference, and be held annually for the purpose of hearing appeals, licensing local preachers, recommendmg candidates for the travelling connection to the Annual Conference, and for promoting religious life and work within the bounds of the District. (c) The Chief ( )fficer of a District shall be called Presid- ing Elder (i'icho). The Presiding Elders shall be ap- pointed annually by the (leneral Superintendent on the nomination of an ,\nnua! Oinfcrence by ballot, without debate : the ruiiiiber of persons nominated shall be one half more than the number of Presiding Elders re(iuireii. (./) The Presiding Elder, in the n/'Sfnce ot the ijeneral Su/'erintendenl, shall preside in llie Distiici Conferen< e, and sliall exercise general supervision in iiis District. (f) If neither the Ceneral Superintendent nor the Presid- ing iilder be present, the District Conferenre shall choose its own President i)y ballot, without detjal' , from among the Elders. 5. Qiutrterlv I 'onfcrenee'i. (1%) \'m\\ Self .supporting ("imrch and each Aided Churci) may have a (Ju.irlerly Conference (Shikikwai), composed of the Travclimg and Local Preachers, the Exhorters, the Stewards, the Hible Women working under the direction of the I'astor, and the Class Leaders ; to- 'Wl 50 aether with the first Superintendents of the Sunday Schools, and the Presidents of the Young People's Soc.et.es, -the same being members of the Church,-and the Trustees who are members of the Church within the pastoral c.arge. U>) The < )uarterly Conference shall have charge of the Finances and the general work of the Church w.th.n its bounds. U) The Presiding Elder shall preside in the Quarterly Confere--^; but in the absence of the Presidini^ Klder the Pastor ^Bokushi) shall preside. U) T'k I ay Uekgales to the .\nnual Conference shall be elected by ballot at the fourth (Quarterly Conference. 6.—rerman(nt Committees. Permanent Committees appointed by any of the above Conferences shall continue in their appointments uiil.l the close of the succeeding session of the respective Lonler- ences. Article V.— Church Pkopekty. All Church and Parsonage Property of the Kirisuto Hosei Kyokwai shall be legally held in trust for the sole use and betiefit of the Ministry and Membership of the Kirisuto Hosei Kyokwai, subject to the Discipline bsage, and Ministerial appointments of said Church, and if so.d, the proceeds shall l>e disposed of and used in accordance with llie provisions of said 1 )iscipline. Ariici.f. VI.- Church I'inancks. i.--Claisification of Fundi. The Funds connected with the Kirisuto Hosei Kyokwai shall be clasMlied under three heads •.— (1) Funds appropriated by the I oreign Missionary Societies, for the loreign missionaries and their work ; these shall be under tlie .onlrol ot the foreign missionaries, or a committee of the same. (2) Funds raised by the Kirisuto llosei Kyokwai for the work of said Church; these shall be under the control of the Japanese. (1) Funds rolkcted by tlu' lapanese Church for Mis- sions, and Funds appropriated by the foreign Missionary Societies to aid the said Japanese Church ; these shall be under the control of mixed committees composed of Japan- ese and foreign missionaries in equal numberi. 51 2. — Classification of Societies. The Societies shall be divided into three classes : — (i) Self-Supporting Churches (Jikyu Kyokwai). (2) Aided Churches (Hojo Kyokwai); Aided Churches are those organized Churches which receive aid from out- side sources, and in addition pay all their currei: expenses and at least one-fourth of their pastors' salaries. (3) Missions (Dendochi) : Missions are those Mission Stations or Societies of believers which have not yet reached the financial status of Aided Churches. No Mission shall be organized into a Church with a (Quarterly Conference until its membership numbers at least twenty adult full members, and it is able to bear ml its current expenses, and to pay at least one-fourth of its pastor's salary. Akiicle VII. — Missionaries and Mission Funds. /. — Rights of Missionanies. The Foreign Male Missionarit shall have, ex olJicio,^ all the rights and privileges of membership in an Annual Con- ference in Japan which they have in the Annual ( onference to which they belonjj, and be amenable to said Japan An- nual Conference for conduct ; and by arrangement with the proper authorities of their respective Missions, the appoint- ing power of an .Annual Conference may appoint foreign missionaries to its own work. 2.— Missions Supported h Foreign Missionary Societies. The Missions (Dendochi) supported by the Foreign Mis- sionary Societies, shall be controlled by their respective Missions (Mission Councils) under the general direction of the Annual Conferences. Such Missions (Dendochi) shall be eligible to become Aided Churches (Hojo Kyokwai) when they are able to comply with the requirements of Article \I, Section j. Articlk VIII.— Ami.ndments. No amendment to this Basis of Union shall be made ex- cept by a two-thirds vote of the (ieneral Conference, after wards concurred in by two thirds of all the members of the several Annual Conferences present and voting at their respective annual sessions. ' ^AM^)i^ri. ADDENDA. When the above Basis of Union shall have been approved by the respective General Conferences of the negotiating bodies, it shall be competent for the respective Annual Conferences to elect delegates to the first General Confer- ence of the united Church, according to the Basis of Un- ion. Article IV, Section 2 ; and for each of the uniting bodies to elect its lay delegates according to its present system ; and these delegates of both orders shall compose tne first General Conference of the said united Church, with power to perform such acts as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of the Basis of Union, and all other acts which come within the province of a General Conference. It is understood that in the event of tne Basis of Union being approved by two or more only of the negotiating bodies, it shall be competent for the bodies to proceed to the formation of a union, according to the provisions of the above basis. The first General Conference shall be held in the City of Tokyo, at such *-'ne and place, and with such arrange- ments fur defraying expenses, as shall be determined upon by a committee' comi)osed of one Japanese and one foreign missionary chosen by the respective Annual Conferences of the uniting bodies. 53 APPENDIX B. PROPOSED PLAN OF UNION IN THEOLOGICAL EDUCATIONAL WORK. We, the members of tli^ Japan Mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of the Methodist Church in Canada, of the Evangelical Association, of the Methodist Protestant Church, and of the Church of the United Brethren m Christ, believing that united effort in the mstruction of candidates for the Christian ministry will economize the expenditure of time, strength and money, and also yield larger results than are possible under our present method, hereby agree, subject to the approval of the Boards of Managers of our respective Missionary Societies, to unite in conducting a Union Theological School, on the following conditions. Akticle I. This Institution shall L • located at Aoyania, Tokyo, and shall be known as "The Philander Smith Biblical Institute. It is understood, that, inasmuch as the building of the Institution together with the grounds on which it stands, as well as the library, is wholly and exclusively the property of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Ki)iscopal Church, this Union is not to be construed as giving the other co- operating Missions any claim to ownership in the property. .\Rrici.K IL There shall be a " Hoard of control," to be composed of hro reprentatives elected by each Mission represented in this Union, with the proviso, that Missions having more than six male missionaries be entitled to one extra repre- sentative for every additional thra- or fraction thereof, whose duties shall be to elect the Dean and 'I'reasurer, to arrange the work of the Profe' 'YKE,Methodist Protestant. A. T. Howard, United Brethren in Christ. The above plan is hereby respectfully submitted to the several Missions interested for consideration and action. Those Missions approving of such a Union as proposed in the above plan, after securing the sanction of their respec- tive Missionary Societies, are requested to appoint repre- sentatives to the "Board of Control" in accordance with the provisions of Art. II. Alfred T. Howard, Secretary. •yS' n i 7 >■■■ V'.^Vl-J'i