Southern Methodist Review Volume . 56, 4 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ...was about twenty-four years in length. From the opening of Methodist mission work in Japan to the Tokyo Conference was a period of thirty-four years. The statistics given are as follows: American Methodism. Japanese Methodism. Itinerant preachers 83 90 Organized Societies 64 122 Members in Society 14,988 11,000 It would be impossible to estimate, at the present time, the significance of the changes effected at Tokyo for the future of the Methodist Church, or of Methodist missions, in Japan; or what influence these events will have upon the mother Churches and upon other mission fields. The setting up of an independent Church in Japan was the occasion of the first break in the external unity of our Church and that of the other bodies entering into the union. That other mission fields will follow the course adopted in Japan, is certain. When all of the dependent communities shall have dropped away, Methodism in the United States will perhaps be ready for organic union at home and for greater enterprise and effectiveness in dealing with our city and national problems. That the growth toward maturity has been 'more rapid in Japan than in other mission fields, and the spirit of independence characterized by greater aggressiveness, is perhaps due to the intense mental activity in that country, stimulated by a universal system of education; and by the further fact that Japan, unlike India or China, for example, has never known what it is to be under the rule of aliens-. Missionary work in that empire has reached its point of culmination; but, under changed forms, it has prospect of continued achievement and effective service for years to come. THE BROADER VIEW OF THE WORK OF MISSIONS. BY GROSS ALEXANDER. "The influence of Christianity in Japan is...