AND Y S ^ SOO'K-

JAPAN CONFERENCE

T h & x M 4 - 5 V

V . S ? Bishop Eakl Cranston, D. D., L L. D.

OS’ THE

J a p a n Co n fe r e n c e

OF TH E Ifethodist Episcopal Churclj,

SFHBTHISOTM SSSSE@KTs

H E L D A T

YOKOHAMA, JULY, i3~3H

i§9§.

■»

EDITED b y t h e ENGLISH SECRETARY.

THE METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE. SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE.

This certifies that this volume is a complete and correct liecord of the Japan Annual Conference for 1898 and that it ivas adopted by the Conference as its Official liecord. H. B. Johnson, Secretary.

A o y a m a Industrml Press § Ä of (fontenk

Page. CONFERENCE OFFICERS ...... v CONFERENCE R O LL ...... vi COMMITTEES: STANDING ...... IX SPECIAL : IX TO REPORT THIS YEAR ..... X WITH POWER TO ACT ..... X TO REPORT NEXT YEAR . . . . . XI SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS: CONFERENCE REPORTERS ..... XI FRATERNAL DELEGATES ..... XI TO PREACH MISSIONARY SERMONS .... XII

TRIERS OF APPEALS • • • • . . xii BOARDS: xit CONFERENCE EXAMINERS I • • - -XII JAPAN CONFERENCE ...... XII SOUTH JAPAN MISSION CONFERENCE .... XII MANAGERS OF AOYAMA GAKUIN XII MANAGERS OF CHINZEI GAKKWAN • • • . XIII ' PUBLICATIONS ...... XIII STEWARDS XIII SUMMARY OF STATISTICS...... x iv JOURNAL ...... 1 DISCIPLINARY Q U E S T IO N S ...... 26 APPOINTMENTS ...... 30 OUR HONORED DEAD .... 36 SESSIONS OF CONFERENCE .... . 3 7 DELEGATES TO GENERAL CONFERENCE .... 37 ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM ...... 38 REPORTS: PRESIDING ELDERS : HAKODATE DISTRICT ...... 4 J KAGOSHIMA „ . 4 3 NAGASAKI ...... 4 4

NAGOYA ji ...... 47 SAPPORO 49 SENDAI ...... 52 SHINANO 55 TOKYO „ ...... 57 YOKOHA3IA „ . . . 60 EDUCATION : COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION . 63 AOYAMA GAKUIif: Philander Smith Biblical Institute 63 College and Academy 64 Industrial Department . 66 CHINZEI GAKKWAN . 67 GOSPEL SOCIETIES : Hirosaki .... 68 Tokyo .... 69 Yokohama 69 PUBLICATIONS : ACTING AGENT 71 UNION S. S. PUBLICATIONS . 73 THE <30KY0 BOARD . 76 FINANCES : CONFERENCE EXPFXSES 77 JAPANESE MINUTES . 77 PLAN OP DISTRIBUTION 78 STEWARDS .... 79 TREASURERS: .... 79 Conference Claimants’ Funds, 1897-8 79 Collections, 1898 . 81 MISCELLANEOUS : BIBLE CAUSE . 82 CHARGES: C. NAGANO 82 CHURCH EXTENSION . 83 DISTRICT CONFERENCE RECORDS 83 DIVISION OF CONFERENCE . 84 EFWORTH LEAGUE 84 KAGOSHIMA PROPERTY 84 PETITIONS .... 85 PRIZES .... 86 SABBATH OBSERVANCE 86 SAPPORO INSURANCE . 86 SELF-SUPPORT .... 87 SUNDAY SCHOOLS 88 TEMPERANCE . 88 TRACTS .... 89 RESOLUTIONS...... 90 COUBSES OF STUDY: CONFERENCE COURSE 93 COURSE FOR MISSIONARIES • 95 LOCAL PREACHER^ COURSE • 97 LIST OF MISSIONARIES .... 99 STATISTICS. © f r m .

Bishop E arl Cranston, D. D., LL. D. President.

H e r b e r t B . J o h n s o n , English•, Secretary.

Harutoshi Kawasumi, Japanese Secretary.

R . P . A l e x a n d e r a n d 31. Y a u a k a , Assistant Secretaries.

E. R. Fulkerson and W. I s h ik a w a , Statistical Secretaries.

J u l iu s S o p e r , Treasurer.

S. Kurus a wa, A ssistani Treasurer.

S. O g a t a , E . T a k a s u g i a n d T . U k a i Interpreters. MEMBERS OF CONFERENCE.

¡nt¿ree nnecti•svelin Name. Bank. Address. 1879 Aibara Eiken P. E Matsumoto 1>S 98 Alexander E. P. E Hirosaki 1892 Besslio Umenosuke E Shibuya, Tokyo 2 1S79 Bishop, Charles P .E Fapporo 2 1881 Cleveland, J. G. P. E Y okohama 6 1873 Correli, I. H. E In U. S. A. 2 1874 Chappell, Benjamin E Aoyama, Tokyo 1 1873 Davison, J. C. P.E Nagasaki 2 1879 Draper, G. F. P. E Hakodate 4 1896 Fujiwara Toshio ID Aoyama, Tokyo 3 1882 Fulkerson, E. R. E Nagasaki 5 1897 Fukagaya Kiyohito ID Komaki 4 1893 Furutawa Shigejiro E Tsnkiji, Tokyo 4 1890 Hasegawa Tomokichi E Nishio 1 1893 Hirakawa Motoi E Odate 1 1892 Hirano Eilaro E Amaha, Kazusa 3 1882 Hirata Heizo E Nagoya 4 1886 Honda Itsuki E Okubo, Tokyo 2 1876 Honda Yoitsu E Aoyama, Tokyo 9 1S95 Huett, Charles W. E Sendai 1 1886 Ichiku Keitaro E Toyohashi 1 1890 Iida Kenzo E Matsumoto 5 1896 Iikubo Teiji ID Morioka 1 1891 linuina Masami E Goshogavvara 5 1891 Ishy^awa Wasuke E Honjo, Saitama 8 1886 Ishizaka Kameji P.E Sendai i 1883 Johnson, li. B. P. E Fukuoka i 1893 Kambe Jinshiro E Iida 5 1893 Kasahara Tamijiro E Yokohama 3 1892 Kato Sliinichi E Karrri-ina 4 1891 Kawa-je Kotaro E Nagasaki 2 1889 Kavvasutni Haruloshi E Tobe 4 1878 Kikuchi I'akuhei E Noshiro 1 1892 Kitazawa Tetsuji E Matsushiro 4 1K97 Kojima Yufii 2D Yotsuya, Tokyo 1 METHODIST EPISOOrAL CHURCH.

Kokita Sanshiro E Sawara, Chiba lölv Kosaka Keinosuke E Fukuoka 1897 Kudo Kwansuke 2D Kabato 1878 Kurimura Saeliachi E Kagoshima 1895 Matsukuma Shigeo ID Kumamoto 1880 Matsumoto Sogn E Nagoya 1894 Miura Taiichiro E Nagoya 188G Miyama Kanichi E Kamakura Morgan, A. It. E Tn U. S. A. 18S5 Naga.no Chiujo E Okinawa (Loo Clioo) 1882 Nakada Kyukichl E Hirosaki 1897 Nakagawa Kunisaburo E Ivudanzaka, Tokyo 1HS2 Xakayama Chiujo E Saga 181.7 Naruse Kaizo 2D Kokubu 18SÖ Ogata Sennosuke P. E Tokyo 1883 Onuki Bunshichi E Utsunomiya 1886 Otake Tsunenavi E Sendai, Ivynshu 1898 Sasamori Uichiro E Nagasaki 188G Sawai Konosuke E Akila 1898 Sekizawa Yoshinomike E Mita, Tokyo 1896 Shiratori Kashi zn ID Fujisaki IS?:; Soper, Julius E Aoyama, Tokyo 1882 Spencer, D. S. P. E Nagoya 1892 Sugiliara Shigejiro E Tendo 1897 Sugo Taketaro ID Azumi 1888 Suzuki Giichi 2D Shirakawa 1884 Swartz, H. W. E Aoyama, Tokyo 1896 Takahashi Shosaku ID Gifu 1890 Takami Tsunezo E Otaru 1898 Takasugi Eijiro E Aoyama, Tokyo 1892 Tanaka Gisaburo E Kawagoe 1892 Tsuda Yoshito E Kumamoto 1895 Ukai Eachijiro ID Takato 1897 Ukai Takeshi 2D Ginza, Tokyo 1879 Yail, M. S. E Nagasaki 1879 Wadman, J. W . E U. S. A. 1886 Worden, W. S. E Tsukiji, Tokyo 1882 Yamada Toranosuke E Aoyama, Tokyo 1882 Yamaka Hatanoshin E Yokohama 1889 Yarnaka Motqjiro E Hakodate VIII JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

SUMMARY.

Number o f Members, 1897, ...... 76 Admitted into Full Membership ...... 7 8,‘> Transferred to other Conferences ...... ;! Located at their own request...... 4 Withdrawn ...... 1 8 Present Membership ...... 75

PROBATIONERS.

Entered Traveling1 Nams. Ranlc. Address. Connection. 1897 Brooks, Alton M. ] Yr. Yokohama 1898 Kaneko Ukichi 1 Yr. Kokura 1897 Kawano Zenichi 2 Yr. Aomori 1898 Kawasaki Noboru 1 Yr. Kurume 1897 Kimura Shigee 1 Yr. Kumagae 1897 Mitani Masanobu 1 Yr. Sapporo 1897 Nagasaki Katsusaburo 2 Yr. At school 1897 Nakamura (Ono) Masachika 2 Yr. Shimamura 1897 Namae Takayuki 1 Yr. At school 1897 Sakamoto Torniva 2 Yr. Iwanai 1896 Sato Torasuke 2 Yr. Yatsushiro 1897 Yoshioka Kosaku 2 Yr. Wakamatsu

Number o f Probationers 1897 ...... 16 Received by Transfer...... :» Received on Trial ...... 2 21 Discontinued ...... Admitted into Full Membership _9 Present Num ber...... 12 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

STANDING.

BIBLE CAUSE---- K. Nakagawa, A . M. Broofe.

CHURCH EXTENSION---- S. Ogata, J. Kambe, T. Takami, T. Otake.

CONFERENCE RELATIONS---- K. Nakada, Gr. F. Draper, S. Matsumoto.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE RECORDS — K. Naruse, J. Soper.

EDUCATION — M. S. Yail, E. Takasugi, M. Yamaka.

EPWORTH LEAGUE ---- S. Furusawa, H. Hirata, J. G. Cleveland.

FRATERNAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MEMORIALS — J. C. Davison, K. Ishizaka.

MISSIONS---- The Presiding Elder«.

SABBATH OBSERVANCE — C. Nakagawa, Takeshi Ukai, H. W. Swartz.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS---- T. Fujiwara, C. W. ETuett.

TEMPERANCE---- Takeshi Ukai, S. lvolcita, Clias. Bishop.

TRACTS — K. Iida, T. Hasegawa. X JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

SPECIAL.

To Report this Year.

AUDIT ---- C. Bishop, K. Kawase. CHARGES: C. N A G A N O ---- G. F. Draper, K. Nakada, S. Matsumoto. CONFERENCE EXPENSES---- W. S. Worden, Y. Sekizawa.

FRATERNAL COMMUNICATIONS---- M. S. Vail, C. Bishop, K. Nakada. INVESTIGATION : KAGOSHIMA PROPERTY ---- S. Ogata, J. Soper, S. Furusawa. CASE OF C. NAGANO---- G. F. Draper, D. S. Spencer, Iv. Nakada, W. Ishikawa, E. Aibara. NOMINATIONS : FRATERNAL DELEGATES — G. F. Draper, S. Kurimura. PUBLISHING COMMITTEE AND GOKYO BOARD — Y. Honda, J. G. Cleveland, J. Soper. PETITIONS— C. Bishop, K. Ishizaka, T. Takami.

To Report Xext Year.

CONFERENCE ENTERTAIN ME.NT AND PROGRAM — S. Ogata, Y. Honda, and Missionaries and Pastors at Aoyama. MEMORIAL VOLUME---- H. Hirata, D. S. Spencer, J. Soper. PUBLICATION OF MINUTES : ENGLISH---- The Secretary, J. G. Cleveland, H. \V\ Swartz. JAPANESE---- The Secretary, The Pastors at Aoyama. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH X

With Power to Act.

BLANKS FOR ANNUAL AND QUARTERLY CONFERENCE«— The Publishing Committee. CONFERENCE ADDRESSES---- T. Hasegawa, U. Bessho. DISTRIBUTION OF LUMP SUM AND ESTIMATES---- The Presiding Elders ; Pastors, K. Nakada, K. Kawasei C. Nakayama, S. Matsumoto, T. Takami, S. Sugihara, K. lida, S. Furasawa, H. Yamaka; Laymen, Y. Ninomiyai N. Bito. FAREWELL MEETING— H. Kawasumi, T. Fujiwara, K. Kawase.

SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS.

CONFERENCE REPORTERS.

JAPAN TIMES AND YOKOHAMA ENGLISH PAPERS— C. W. Huett. JAPANESE PAPERS---- U. Bessho, K. Shiratori, Z. Kawano.

FRATERNAL DELEGATES.

TO CHURCH OF CHRIST IN JAPAN— J. Soper, K. Ishizaka, K. Miyama. METHODIST CHURCH IN JAPAN— S. Ogata, J. Soper. METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH---- H. Hirata, H. W. Swartz. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH’, SOUTH---- J. G. Cleveland, S. Kurimura. EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION— D. S. Spencer, S. Furusawu. XII JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

TO PREACH MISSIONARY SRMONS. S. Kurimura, K. Kosaka.

TRIERS OF APPEALS. S. Ogata, H. Yamaka, J. Soper, D. S. Spencer, Y. Honda, J. G. Cleveland, E. Takastigi.

BOARDS.

CONFERENCE EXAMINERS.

JAPAN CONFERENCE— H. Yamaka, Charman ; D. S. Spencer, Registrar; E. Aibara, M. Yamaka, K. Ishizaka, J. Soper, H. Hirata, S. Ogata, G. F. Draper, J. G. Cleveland, S. Kurimura.

SOUTH JAPAN MISSION CONFERENCE— H. B. Johnson, E. R. Fulkerson, K. Ivawase, U. Sasamori, M. S. Yail, C. Nakayama.

MANAGERS OF AOYAMA GAKUIN. Ex-officio. The Board of Trustees and The President. 1899. B. Chappell, J. O. Spencer, D. S. Spencer. 1900. 11. P. Alexander, J. G. Cleveland, H. \Y. Swartz, H. Hirata, E. Aibara. 1901. C. Bishop, G. F. Draper, J. Soper, Takeshi Ukai, K. Nakagawa. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. XIII

MANAGERS OF CHINZEI GAKKWAN. 1899. G. Suganuma, S. Kurimura (or successor) E. R. Fulkerson, H. B. Johnson. 1901. F. Okamura, U. Sasamori, M. S. Vail, J. C. Davison.

PUBLICATIONS.

PUBLISHING HOUSE H. W. Swartz, S. Ogata, J. 0. Spencer, Y. Honda, Takeshi ITkai, J. Soper, H. Yamaka, J. G. Cleveland.

GOKYO BOARD E. Takasugi, J. G. Cleveland.

STEWARDS. E. Aibara, C. Bishop, S. Kurimura, J. Soper, S. Matsumoto, H. Kawasumi, Iv. Ishizaka, J. C. Davison, G. F. Draper. SUMMARY OF STATISTICS. \ 1897. 1898. Probationers...... 1198 1558 Full Members...... 3524 3619 Sunday Schools...... 129 142 Scholars...... 8055 8195 Paid For Pastoral Support...... yen 3096. 3417. Current Expenses...... „ 2111. 2630. Benevolent Collections...... „ 1027. 1233. Ch’.u-jii Building and Indebtedness...... „ 9528. 5818. Other Collections...... „1101. 1285. j o U ^ N S l t .

f i r s t D ^ y .

Wednesday, July 13th, -ZS.9S.

The Japan Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church met for its fifteenth session in the new though unfinished church, Horaicho, Yokohama, July 13th, 1898, at nine o’clock, A. M., Bishop Earl Cranston, D. D., LL. D., presiding, the twenty-fifth anniversary exercises in commemoration of the establishment of the Mission in 1873 having begun the Saturday evening previous. Dr. M. C. Harris of San Francisco, one of the charter members of the Mission, announced the 280th hymn which was sung, and then led the Conference in prayer. Bishop Cranston read and expounded portions of the thirty second and forty second chapters of Isaiah, S. Ogata interpreting who also read a part of the nineteenth chapter of the Gospel of John. Assisted by the Presiding Elders and the Fraternal Delegates to our Anniversary, the Bishop administered the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. He then briefly addressed the Confer­ ence expressing his great pleasure at being present. R. P. Alexander, Assistant Secretary of the last Conference, called the roll. Organization :— The following officers were elected by acclama­ tion,— H. B. Johnson, Secretary; H. Kawasumi, Japanese Secretary ; E. R. Fulkerson aud W. Ishikawa, Statistical Secretaries; J. Soper, Treasurer; R. P. Alexander and M. Yamaka, Assistant Secretaries; S. Furusawa, Assistant Treasurer: S. Ogata, E. Takasugi aud Takeshi Ukai, Interpreters. Upon motion of J. C. Davison, Mrs. Worden was requested to act as organist. Conference Bar :—G. F. Draper moved that the bar of the Con- o J a p a n c o n f e r e n c e o f t iie

ference include the center and side seats as far back as the posts. Car­ ried. Conference lleporters :— The following were appointed to report the proceedings of the Conference for the local press, — C. W . Huett, Japan Times and English papers in Yokohama; and U. Bessho and Shiratori, the Japanese papers. Hours :— Upon motion of J. G. Cleveland, the hours of meeting and adjournment were fixed as follows,— Conference prayer meeting 8.50 A. M., conference session 9 to 11.45 A. M. Publication of Minutes :— At the request of the Secretaries, the following committees were appointed to co-operate with them in the publication of the Minutes,—English, J. Gr. Cleveland and H. W. Swartz ; Japanese, the two pastors at Aoyama. Booh Concern Dividend :— Bishop Cranston reported a draft on the Methodist Book Concern for$397.00 in aid of Conference Claim­ ants, and the President and Secretary of the Conference were author­ ized to sign the same. jEpiscopal Fund :— The Bishop also reported a communication from the Book Committee containing an apportionment of §38.00 for the Episcopal Fund which A v a s referred to the Presiding Elders for ap­ portionment among the Districts. Audit :— Upon motion of J. Soper, C. Bishop and K. Ivawase were appointed a committee to audit the account of the former Trea­ surer. Excused : — C. Nagano was excused on account of illness. Thirteenth Question :— The Hakodate District was called, the character of G. F. Draper, P. E., was passed, and he read his report. S. Kurimura the Presiding Elder of the Kagoshima District was called, his character passed, and he read his report. Adjournment :— D. S. Spencer moved that when we adjourn it be to meet at 2 o’clock. Carried. Excuse :— K. Fukagaya having presented a request in writing was excused from attendance on account of illness in his family. Division of the Conference :— K. Kosaka moved that ten A. M. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

on Friday be fixed as the time for hearing the report of the committee on the division of the Conference. Carried. Introductions :— Dr M. C. Harris, Superintendent of the Japanese Missions on the Pacific Coast, U. S. A., and Dr. C. F. Kupfer, Superintendent of the Central China Mission, were introduced to the Conference, as was also Rev. M. Mitani of the California Conference. Fraternal Communications :— J. Soper moved that a commitee of three be appointed to respond to letters received in connection with our Jubilee Anniversary. Introductions :— Revs. C. W. Huett and A. M. Brooks, mis­ sionaries who have arrived during the year, were introduced to the Conference. Adjournment :— Announcements were made, the doxology was sung and Bishop Cranston pronounced the benediction.

AFTERNOON SESSION,

The Bishop took the chair at 2 o’clock. Takeshi Ukai conducted the devotional exercises. Statistical Reports :— The Secretary called the charges by dis­ tricts, and the pastors reported to the Statistical Secretary and the Treasurer, eleven only being absent. Introductions :— Dr. J. H. Worley and Rev. Huong Pau Seng of Foochow and Revs. S. Shimizu and A. Nito of the Evangelical As­ sociation were introduced. The last two addressed the Conference, the Bishop responding. Thirteenth Question ;— J. C. Davison, Presiding Elder of the Nagasaki District, was called, his character was passed, and he read his report. The character of D. S. Spencer, Presiding Elder, of the Nagoya District was passed and he read his report. After the singing of a hymn C. Bishop, Presiding Elder of the Sapporo District was called, his character passed, and his report was read by the Japanese Secretary. 4 J a p a n c o n f e r e n c e o f t h e

Transfers :— The Bishop announced the transfer to this Con­ ference of Revs. C. W. Huett, a local elder and a probationer of the second year of the Idaho Conference, and Alton M. Brooks, a proba­ tioner of the first year in the Atlanta Conference. Standing Committees :— The Presiding Elders reported the fol­ lowing nominations for standing committees wnich were confirmed, — Bible Cause: K. Nakagawa, A. M. Brooks; Church Extension : S. Ogata, J. Kambe, T. Takami, T. Otake; Conference Relations: K. Nakada, Gr. F. Draper, S. Matsumoto; District Conference Re­ cords : K. Naruse, J. Soper; Education ; M. S. Vail, E. Takasugi, M. Yamaka; Epworth League : S. Furusawa, H. Hirata, J. Gr. Cleve­ land ; Fraternal Communications and Memorials : J. C. Davison, K. Ishizaka ; Missions : The Presiding Elders; Sabbath Observance : C. Nakayama, Takeshi Ukai, H. W. Swartz; Sunday Schools: T. Fujiwara, C. W. Huett; Temperance : Takeshi Ukai, S. Kokita, Chas. Bishop; Tracts : K. Iida, T. Hasegawa. Fraternal Communications :— The Bishop appointed the fol­ lowing committee on fraternal communications ordered at the morning session, — M. S. Vail, C. Bishop, F. Nakada. Adjournment :— K. Nakada moved to adjourn. Carried. An­ nouncements were made and Bishop Cranston pronounced the benedic­ tion.

SECOND D/*y.

Thursday, July 14th, 18.98.

The devotional exercises were conducted by Y. Honda. The Bishop took the chair at nine o’clock. The Minutes of yesterday morning’s session were read in English and in Japanese, and approved ; also those of the afternoon session. Introduction:— Dr. Gr. M. Meacham, pastor of the Union Church, was introduced and invited to a seat on the platform. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Conference Expenses:— J. Soper moved that W. S. Worden and Y. Sekizawa be a committee on conference expenses. Stewards :— K. Kosaka moved the appointment of a Board of Stewards, and upon motion of Gr. F. Draper the nomination was referred to the Presiding Elders to be reported later. Petitions :— M. Yamaka moved the appointment of a committee on petitions, and the nomination of this committee was also referred to the Presiding Elders. Thirteenth Question:— The thirteenth question was taken up and upon motion of K. Nakada the pastors were instructed, in report­ ing, to state the amount of the missionary collection, the number of adult baptisms, and the number of subscribers to the Golcyo. The character of the following Elders of the Hakodate District was passed, and they made their reports:— T. Kikuchi, M. Iinuma, M. Yamaka and lv. Nakada. The character of Tetsuji Hasegawa was also passed. Kagoshima District; S. Kurimura, Presiding Elder of the Kago­ shima District, reported as pastor at Kagoshima, and requested a committee of investigation in the case of C. Nagano. The following were appointed,— G. F. Draper, D. S. Spencer, K. Nakada, W. Ishikawa, and Y. Aibara. Introductions :— The following visiting brethren were introduced to the conference,— Iv. Uchimura, Editor of The Independent Maga­ zine,, and Revs. K. Tomeoka, and T. Hori. of the Congregational Church. All addressed the Conference, T. Ukai responding briefly. Thirteenth Question:— The thirteenth question was resumed, the following Elders of the Nagasaki District called, their character passed, and those in charge of churches reported their work; —K. Kosaka, Iv. Ivawase, T. Otake, C. Nakayama, E. R. Fulkerson, M. S. Vail and U. Sasamori. R. Ushijima was reported as absent. Nago3ra District; The character of the following Elders of the Nagoya District was passed, and they made their reports,—S. Matsu- moto, K. Ichiku, and Tomokichi Hasegawa. The character of H. Hirata, absent on account of sickness, and A. R. Morgan, at present in the United States, was also passed. 6 J a p a n c o n f e r e n c e o f t h e

Sapporo District; The Sapporo District was taken up, the charac­ ter of T. Takami, Y. Sekizawa and M. Hirakawa passed, and they made their reports. H. W. Swartz, Presiding Elder of the Sendai District, was called, his character passed, and his report read by K. Ishizaka. The character of S. Sugihara and Iv. Ishizaka was passed and they reported their work. Shinano District; The character of E. Aibara, Presiding Elder of the Shinano District, was passed and he read his report. The character of J. Ivambe, S. Kato, K. lida, and T. Kitazawa was passed and they reported their work. Tokyo District; The Tokyo District was called, the character of S. Ogata, Presiding Elder, was passed, and he read his report. The character of the following Elders was passed, and those in charge of churches reported their work,— E. Hirano, S. Kokita, E. Takasugi, Iv. Nakagawa, H. B. Johnson, I. Honda, S. JFurusawa, Y. Honda, J. Soper, T. Yamada and U. Bessho. J. W . Wadman, H. B. Schwartz, and J. Wier were reported absent in the United States. Yokohama District; The character of J. G. Cleveland, Presiding Elder, was passed and his report was read by the Japanese Secretary. The character of the following Elders was passed. W. Ishikawa, W. S. Worden, B. Onuki, H. Kawasumi, H. l7amaka, G. Tanaka, K. Miyama and D. A. Banker. They all reported their work except G. Tanaka and H. Yamaka who were sick, Iv. Miyama, evangelist, and D. A. Bunder, a missionary in Korea. Introductions:— Rev. M. Kobayashi of the Japan Methodist Church was introduced and addressed the conference, J. Soper respond­ ing. Extension of Time:— Upon motion the time was extended. Fraternal Delegates : — Upon motion of Y. Aibara, J. Soper and Iv. Ishizaka were appointed fraternal delegates to the Synod of the Church of Christ in Japan, now in session in this city. Stewards:— The following were appointed as Conference Stew­ ards,— Y. Aibara, C. Bishop, S. Kurimura, J. Soper, S. Matsumoto, METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUItCII. 7

H. Kawasumi, Iv. Ishizaka, J. C. Davison and G. F. Draper. Petitions:— The Presiding Elders presented the following nomi­ nations for the committee on petitions,— 0. Bishop, K. Ishizaka, and T. Takami. These were confirmed. Constitutional Question : —The proposition of the Bock River Con­ ference concerning Equal Lay Representation in the General Conference was presented by the Secretary, and upon motion of J. Soper its consideration was made the order of the day for ten o’clock Monday morning. Adjournment:— Announcements were made, and upon motion the Conference adjourned. J. C. Davison pronounced the benediction.

TfilRD D^y.

jFriday, July loth, 1898.

Teiji Iikubo led the devotional services. Bishop Cranston took the chair at nine o’clock and called the conference to order. The Minutes of yesterday were read in English and in Japanese and approved. Excused :— The committee of investigation in the ease of C. Nagano was excused. Introductions :— The following visiting brethren were introduc­ ed to the conference,—Rev. H. Loomis, Agent of the American Bible Society, Dr. George C. Needham, an evangelist from America recently arrived for work in Japan, Dr. T. T. Alexander, Rev. Y. Ishiwara and Mr. U. Kumauo, representing the Synod of the Church of Christ in Japan, and Mr. B. Kida, an evangelist to policemen and prison of­ ficials. All briefly addressed the Conference, the Bishop responding. Fraternal Delegate :— Upon motion of T. Ukai, Iv. Miyaina was added to the committee appointed yesterday to convey the greet­ ings of this Conference to the Synod of the Church of Christ in Japan. Roll Call :— The roll of absentees was called and T. Sugo, G. 8 J a p a n c o n f e r e n c e o f t h e

Suzuki, and G. Tanaka were excused on account of family illness. Division of the Conference :— J. Soper moved that we postpone the consideration of the question of dividing the Conference until ten o’clock tomorrow morning, on account of the pressure of minute busi­ ness. E. Takasugi moved as a substitute that we take up the order of the day. Carried. The committee 011 division made its report, recogniz­ ing the desirability of division but recommending postponement for another year. Upon motion of H. B. Johnson, J. C. Davison, Presid­ ing Elder of the Nagasaki District, was requested to address the Confer­ ence on the subject. A full discussion followed. Upon motion of G. F. Draper, the previous question was taken, thirteen voting for and twen­ ty seven aginst the committee’s report. E. li. Eulkerson then pres­ ented the following resolutions which were adopted by a vote of thirty to fourteen. Whereas the General Conference of the M. E. Church, at its session in May, 1896, granted the following Enabling Act, to wit: u The Japan Conference may, during the next four years, by a majority vote of its members, present and voting, and with the approval of the Bishop presiding, set apart Kyushiu and the other islands belonging to the Empire of Japan south and west of the main island, the new organization to be called the South Japan Mission Conference, ” and Whereas, the question has been under consideration for three years in this Conference, so that all have had sufficient time to form an opinion on the subject, and Whereas, all our workers in Kyushiu, including the ladies of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, are in favour of division, there­ fore, Resolved, that the Japan Animal Conference hereby approves of the proposed division, the same to become operative at the close of this Conference session. Memorial Volume :— 13. Kawasuini moved that this being the year of our Twenty Fifth Anniversary, a special memorial volume be published. Carried. The folloing committee was appointed to have charge of the publication,— H. Hirata, D. S. Spencer, J. Soper. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 9

Adjournment: Announcements were made and Dr. M. C. Harris pronounced the benedection.

FOURTft Dfly.

Saturday, July 16th, 1898.

The devotional exercises were conducted by M. Hirakawa. Bishop Cranston called the Conference to order at nine o’clock, and the Minutes of yesterday were read in English and in Japanese and approved. Pastor&■’ Reports :— The Treasurer of the Conference stated that the reports this year were very satisfactory, there being very few errors. Introduction :— Mr. T. Hongo of the Gryosei Orphanage was intro­ duced and briefly addressed the Conference. Excused :— H. Hirata was excused on account of illness. Conference Membership :— Bishop Cranston addressed the Confer­ ence on the importance of caution in receiving members into the Con­ ference on probation and especially into full connection. Memorial Volume :— E. Takasugi moved to reconsider the motion of yesterday by which it was decided to publish a memorial volume. Carried. The original motion was discussed and lost. Seventh Question :— The class for admission into full connection was called, the members reported their work, they were addressed by the Bishop, the committee on examination reported, and upon motion the following were admitted into full connection and elected to Deacon’s Orders,-Kichijiro Ukai, Kashizo Shiratori, Teiji Iikubo, Shosaku Taka- hashi, Toshio Fujiwara, and Shigeo Matsukuma : C. W. Huett, having completed the Local Preacher’s Course and been ordained an Elder in the United States, J. Gr. Cleveland moved that in his case said course be accepted in lieu of the regular Conference course in order that he may have more time for the study of Japanese. Carried. By vote of the Con­ ference he was admitted into full connection. Dr. M. C. Harris ;— Dr. M, C. Harris being about tc return to 1 0 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

San Francisco by way of Hawaii, the committee on Fraternal Relations and some of the Japanese brethren presented a number of complimen­ tary resolutions which were adopted by the Conference by a rising vote (See Resolutions). Dr. Harris responded briefly, after which upon invita­ tion of the Bishop the memders of-the Conference shook hands with him while “ Blest be the tie that binds” was being sung. Tenth Question :— The tenth question was taken up, the commit­ tee of examination reported favourably, and the following were passed in their studies and elected to Elder’s Orders,— Robert P. Alexander (ordained previously under the Missionary Rule), Tamijiro Kasahaivi, Taiichiro Miura, and Yoshito Tsuda. H. W. Swartz, Presiding Elder7 explained the absence of Giichi Suzuki, and moved that he be continu­ ed another year in the same class with the understanding that if he does not bring up his stqdies he shall locate. After some discussion, E. Aibara moved that further consideration be deferred until Monday. Time Extended :— Upon motion of G. F. Draper the time was extended. Twelfth Question :— Yasuji Ninomiya, being recommended by the Yokohama District Conference, was elected to Local Elder’s orders on motion of J. G. Cleveland. Consecration Service :— E. Aibara moved that a consecration ser­ vice be held this evening under the auspices of the Conference. Car­ ried. The mover was appointed to lead it. Dr. Worley :— Upon motion of E. Aibara, Dr. Worley was in­ vited to address the meeting this afternoon on Self-support. Adjournment:— Announcements were made, the Doxology was sung, and Bishop Cranston pronounced the benediction.

pipTfiDpiy.

Monday, July 18th, 1898.

M. Ono led the devotional exercises. By appointment of the Bishop, J. Soper took the chair at nine o’clock and called the Conference METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 11 to order. The Minutes of Saturday’s session were read in both English and Japanese and approved. G. Suzuki:— The motion of H. W. Swartz in the case of Griichi Suzuki was taken from the table. E. Aibara moved as a substitute that he be requested to locate. Carried. Introduction: — Eev. H. Harano of the Methodist Church in Japan (Canadian) was introduced. The u Tolciwa ” :— PI. Yamaka addressed the Conference in be­ half of the u Tokiwa” , a Woman’s Magazine published by Miss Baucus. The u Gokyo ’’ :— E. Takasugi presented the report of the Joint Board of Management of the “ Gokyo ” which upon motion of E. Aibara was adopted. (See Report). U. Bessho, the Editor, ad­ dressed the Conference in the interest of the “ Gokyo ” . The Bishop took the chair at ten o’clock. Equal Lay Representation :— J. G. Cleveland moved that we take up the order of the day. The proposition of the Rock River Conference concerning epual lay representation in the General Confer­ ence was read by the Secretaries in English and in Japanese. After a full discussion the vote was taken, resulting as follows,— Affirmative 58, Negative 0. Distribution Expenses :— H. Yamaka moved that the committee on distribution be requested to provide for the expenses of those mem­ bers who have to remain after the close of Conference to attend to Conference business. Carried. Introduction:— Rev. H. Kozaki, Vice President of the Japan Evangelical Alliance, was introduced and addressed the Conference. J. Soper moved that we have listened to Mr. Kozaki with great pleasure, and that we pledge him co-operation in the work which he represents. Carried. G. Nagano :— G. F. Draper read the report of the committee of investigation in the case of C. Nagano. After several motions had been debated, H. B. Johnson moved as a substitute for all before the house that, the committee having failed to discover sufficient proof to justify specific charges, his character be passed. This failing, 12 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

D. S. Spencer moved that a committee be appointed to formulate charges looking toward a trial. Carried. Time Extended :— Upon motion of Gr. F. Draper the time was extended. The Committee :— The Bishop appointed Gr. F. Draper, K. Nakada, and S. Matsumoto a committee to formulate the charges, and instructed them to report tomorrow morning. Adjournment:— Announcements were made, and S. Ogata pro­ nounced the benediction.

SIXTfi DJiy.

Tuesday, July 19th, 1898.

The Bishop took the chair at nine o’clock, and asked M. Yamaka to lead the devotions. The Minutes of yesterday were read in English and in Japanese and approved. Treasurer’ s Report:— M. S. Vail, Conference Treasurer for last year, reported through the Japanese Secretary, the report being duly audited'. Upon motion of M. Yamaka, it was adopted. Epworth League:— S. Furusawa read the report of the committee on Epworth League which was adopted. Sixteenth Question,:— J. Gr. Cleveland presented the request of D. A. Bunker, a missionary in Korea, to be located. A letter being at hand from Dr. Scranton, Superintendent of the Korean Mission, stating that there was nothing against him, the request was granted. Bequests were also presented from Tetsuji Hasegawa and Rintaro Ushijima which were granted. H. W. Swartz presented a similar request from M'asakichi Nakarai which was granted. Fifth Question:— Torasuke Sato, having failed to meet the conditions for promotion, was. continued in the studies of the second year. Upon motion of Y. Honda, he was called before the Conference and addressed by the Bishop. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 13

Sixth Question:— Sanji Mizuhira, having left his work, was discontinued. Report:— H. Hirata moved that as the blanks for annual and quarterly conference reports are not in harmony with the new Discipline nor with each other, we request the Publishing Committee to prepare new blanks as quickly as possible. Carried. Bishop Cranston :— Bishop Cranston, having important business, called D. S. Spencer to the chair at 11.30. Time Extended :— The time was extended.» Distributing Committee :— E. Aibara moved that we now select the members of the distributing committee to act with the Presiding Elders,— one from each district and two laymen at large. The roll of the districts was called and the following were chosen,— K. Nakada, K. Ivawase, C. Nakayama, S. Matsumoto, T. Takami, S. Sugihara, Iv. Iida, S. Furusawa and H. Yamaka: laymen, Y. JSTinomiya and N. Bito. The Conference adjourned at twelve thirty. Announcements were made, and after singing the doxology the benediction was pronounced by J. C. Davison.

DW.

Wednesday July 20th, 1898.

Y. Honda conducted the devotional exercises. Bishop Cranston took the chair at nine o’clock. The Minutes were read in both languges and approved. Cei'tijieate .— The Bishop presented the following certificate of ordinations, — 14 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

This certifies that on Sunday, July 17th, 1898, in the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Yokohama, Japan, I ordained as Deacons in the Methodist Episcopal Church the following per­ sons, to wit :— Kichijiro Ukai, Kashizo Shiratori, Teiji Iikubo, Shosaku Takahashi, Toshio Fujiwara, and Shigeo Matsukuma ; and the same day, in the same place, assisted by Elders, I or­ dained as Elders in the Methodist Episcopal Church the fol­ lowing persons, to wit :— Tamijiro Kasahara, Taiichiro Miura, Yoshito Tsuda, and Yasuji Ninomiya. Signed, Yokohama, Japan. Earl Cranston. July 20th, 1898. I______C. Nagano :— G. F. Draper in behalf of the committee ap­ pointed to forulate charges against C. Nagano reported. E. Takasugi moved that the case be tried in open Conference, no one being allowed to discuss the evidence or make pleas except the counsel. Carried. Y. Honda was chosen counsel by the accused, and duly recognized. He then requested that the case be postponed till to-morrow morning after the reading of the Journal, and the request was granted. K. Nakada was appointed counsel for the Church. Excused :— H. Hirata was excused from attendance today, on account of illness. Fifth Question :— Shigee Kimura, upon motion of J. G. Cleve­ land, was continued in the studies of the first year. The following were advanced to the studies of the second year, — Tomiya Sakamoto, Kosaku Yoshioka, Masachika Ono, Zenichi Kawano, and ¡Katsusaburo Nagasaki. The last was left without appointment to attend school. Takayuki Namae was also continued in the studies of the first year and left without an appointment to attend school. Sixth Question ;— Upon motion of J. C. Davison, Teikichi Sunamoto was discontiuned, and his Presiding Elder recommended to employ him as supply. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 15

Eighth Question :— Kiyohito Fukagaya and Talritaro Sugo, admitted into full membership previously, were continued in the studies of the third year. Ninth Question :— The following were advanced to the studies of the fourth year, — Takeshi Ukai, Yubi Kojirna, Kaizo Naruse, and Kwansuke Kudo. Shigeo Matsukuma, a Deacon of the first year, was also advanced to the fourth year. First Question :— Masanosuke Mitani, a probationer of the first year in the California Conference, was announced as transferred to this Conference. Fourth Question :— Ukichi Kaneko, recommended by the Tokyo District Conference, and Noboru Kawasaki, by the Nagasaki District Conference, were admitted on trial. Fourteenth Question :— The following transfers from this Confer­ ence were announced, — Geo. F. Shepherd to Northern New York, Henry. B. Schwartz to New England, and John Wier to East Ohio. Eighteenth Question : — Kageyoshi Kato presented his parch­ ments through his Presiding Elder, J. C. Davison, and requested to withdraw from the Conference. The request was granted. Kagoshima Property :— S. Ogata offered the following resolu­ tion which was adopted, — Whereas, it is rumored that our church property at Kagoshima has been bonded for the benefit of a private individual, Resolved, that a committee of three be appointed to investigate the facts. The following were appointed,— S. Ogata, J. Soper and S. Furusawa. Excused :— C. Bishop moved that K. Nagasaki be excused from further attendance upon the Conference. Carried. Conference Expenses :— Y. Sekizawa moved that the Conference expenses be divided between the Japanese and the foreign brethren as follows,— thirty per cent to the former and seventy per cent to the latter. Carried. Japanese Minutes ;— T. Miura read the report of the committee 16 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

on publication of the Japanese Minutes of last year. S. Ogata moved that the deficit be assessed to the subscribers. Carried. Excused :— K. Shiratori was excused from further attendance, and Z. Kawano was elected Conference correspondent in his place. Self Support :— Bishop Cranston presented a paper by the Mis­ sionaries, containing a declaration of principles concerning Self-support. Upon motion of D. S. Spencer, it was ordered that it be published;in the English Minutes. The Nagano Trial :— D. S. Spencer moved that the com­ mittee of investigation in the case of C. Nagano be excused from sitting as members of the Court. Carried. Publishing Committee :— The report of the publishing com­ mittee was read in Japanese by T. Ukai. J. G. Cleveland read in English the proposed plan of co-operation with the Presbyterian Bodies in Sunday School publications referred to in the report. T. Ukai read the same in Japanese. Time extended :— The time was extended to complete this item of business. Upon motion of J. Soper the report, including the plan of co-operation, was adopted. Introduction :— Rev. K. Banno of the Presbyterian Church was introduced. Adjournment :— E. Takasugi moved to adjourn to meet to­ morrow morning at eight thirty. K. Ishizaka was appointed to con­ duct the devotional exercises. Notices were given, and the benediction was pronounced by J. C. Davison.

EIQKTht D^y.

Thurday, July 21st, 1898.

The devotional exercises were conducted by K. Ishizaka. Bishop Cranston called the Conference to order at eight forty five. The Journal was read in English and in Japanese and approved. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 17

Change of Place :— H. B. Johnson moved that we adjourn to meet immediately at the hall of the Gospel Society on account of the noise of the workmen. The Conference reassembled as above at nine o’clock. Bill of Charges :— G. F. Draper moved to amend Charge 3 against C. Nagano, by inserting the word a partisan ” so that it shall read u partisan maladministration. ” Carried. J. Soper moved that no member of the Conference be allowed to vote on the case who is not present and who does not hear the evidence and the pleas. Carried. E. Aibara was appointed Usher. Trial :— J. Soper moved that the Conference now sit as a court for the trial of C. Nagano. Carried. The Court continued in session till forty five minutes past twelve when the Conference resumed its session. The Secretary read the result of the trial as follows,— Charge 1. Conduct Unbecoming a Minister. Specifications 1 and 3 not sustained; specification 2 sustained, but does not sustain the charge. Charge II. Misappropriation of Funds. Both specifications sustained, but the charge not sustained. Charge III. Partisan Maladministration. The specification sustained, but the charge not sustaiued. Though the Court found the above specifications to be true, yet in view of the explanations of the accused and letters from parties supposed to be aggrieved corroborating his explanations, the Court did not deem any of the several charges sustained, and therefore rendered a verdict of acquittal with an admonition that he be more careful in the future in his business relations and in his administration of the Discipline. Adjournment :— Upon motion of K. Kosaka, the Conference ad­ journed to meet in the new church at half-past seven this evening. Announcements were made, and Bishop Cranston pronounced the benediction. 1 8 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

EVENING SESSION,

Thursday, July 2 1st, 1898.

The Conference convened at seven thirtv, P. M. C. Nagano led the devotions. The Bishop opened the business session at seven forty five. G. Nagano :— Upon motion of J. C. Davison, the character of C. Nagano was passed, and he read his report. Kagoshima Property :— J. Soper reported for the committee appointed to investigate the rumors concerning the mortgage on the church property at Kagoshima. J. C. Davison moved to adopt the report and spread it upon the minutes, and that the conference record its disapprobation of the conduct of S. Kurimura, Pastor and Pre­ siding Elder, and of the Quarterly Conference, and, further, its deter­ mination to hereafter prosecute all such violations of the Discipline. H. B. Johnson moved to amend that, in addition, brother Kurimura be called before the Conference and reprimanded. J. Soper moved as a substitute for all before the house that we receive the report and spread it upon the minutes, and that the Bishop in behalf of the Con­ ference publicly reprimand S. Kurimura for his part in the matter. The substitute was carried, and S. Kurimura was called and addressed by Bishop Cranston. Holding of Property :— M. Yamaka offered the following resolu­ tion which was adopted. Whereas, the new Codes of Law have been promulgated, which permit the holding of Church property by a Board of Trustees, therefore, Resolved, that all our Church property now held by individuals shall be made over to regularly appointed trustees, and that no Church property in the future shall be held by individuals. Treasurer’s Report :— J. Soper, Conference Treasurer, presented the report of the Conference collections, amounting to Yen 1233.04. This included items for Bishops Presiding Elders, and Conference METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUIiCH. 19

Claimants. The report was adopted. Statistics :— B. R. Fulkerson, Statistical Secretary, read his re­ port which was adopted (See Statistics). Temperance :■—■ The committee on Temperance reported through T. Ukai, the report being adopted by a rising vote. Upon motion of •J. Soper, the Bishop was requested to re-appoint K. Miyama Tem­ perance Evangelist. Article Twenty Three :— The following resolution concerning registration, etc., was adopted,— Resolved, that in accordance with article twenty three of our Articles of Religion, our ministers instruct their members and urge them not to neglect their duties to the government, nor to treat as trifles the regulations concerning the registration of marriages, change of residence, paying of taxes, etc., E. Aibara. S. Furusawa. H. Yamaka. U. Bessho. Anniversary Communications :— M. S. Vail, for the special committee on communications in connection with our twenty fifth an- niversary, presented the following report, which was adopted ,— Your committee would respectfully report 1 . That the}7 have answered and written six communications, viz.,— from R. S. Maclav, D. D., I. H. Correll, D. D., Benjamin Chappell, A. M., and W. B. Scranton, M. P., and to the Korean Mission and to Dr. and Mrs. John F. Goucher. 2. They have drawn up resolutions with reference to M. C. Harris, D. D., J. H. Worley, Ph. D., Huong Pang Seng, and Mrs. Elean Trafton. We recommend that all these letters be approved by the Conference, and that the resolutions be printed in the minutes. M. S. Vail Chas. Bishop K. Nakada. Farewell Address :— C. F. Ivupfer, Ph. D., Superintendent of the Central China Mission, who has been in attendance at the Anni­ versary and the Conference, addressed the Conference stating that 20 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

during the year there had been a thousand conversions in the Central China Mission, after which u All Hail the Power of Jesus Name ” was sung. Education :— M. S. Vail read the report of the committee 011 education which was adopted. Gospel Societies :— The report of the Tokyo Gospel Society was read by T. Ukai, and that of the Yokohama Society by N. Bito, and both were adopted. Petitions :— The report of the committee on petitions was read by T. Takami and adopted. Steiaards :— J. C. Davison presented the report of the Board of Stewards which was adopted. Prizes :— The committee appointed to award prizes for tracts reported through the Japanese Secretary and the report was adopted. Sunday Schools :— T. Fujiwara presented the report of the committee on SuDday Schools, which was adopted. Bible Gause :— The committee’s report on Bible Cause was read by K. Nakagawa, and adopted. Triers of Appeals : — D. S. Spencer, for the Presiding Elders, nominated the following for triers of appeals,— S. Ogata, H. Yamaka, J. Soper, D. S. Spencer, Y. Honda, J. G. Cleveland, and E. Takasugi, and the nominations were confirmed. Gonference Expenses :— Y. Sekizawa read the report of the com­ mittee on Conference expenses, which was adopted. Japanese Minutes ;— The committee on publication of the Japan­ ese Minutas of last year reported through T. Miura, and the report was adopted. H. Kawasumi moved that we request a subsidy of twenty Yen from the Methodist Publishing House toward the publication of this year’s Minutes. Carried. Sabbath Observance :— C. Nakayama, for the committee on Sabbath Observance, reported, and the report was adopted. Adjournment:— D. S. Spencer moved to adjourn to meet in the METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 21

Hall of the Gospel Society tomorrow morning at ten o’clock, the first half hour after the devotional exercises to be spent in hearing memoirs of Mrs. Ukai and Mrs. Kawase. Carried. K. Kosaka was appointed to conduct the morning prayer service. Announcements were made and Bishop Cranston pronounced the benediction.

Friday, July 22nd, 1898.

Conference convened at 10 o’clock in the Hall of the Gospel Society, K. Kosaka conducting the devotional exercises. Memorial Services :— Mrs. Takeshi Ukai and Mrs. Kotaro Kawase having died during the year, suitable Memorial Services were held. Addresses were delivered by K. Miyama in memory of Mrs. Ukai, and by M. Kawasaki in memory of Mrs. Kawase. After the first address Hymn No. 381 was sung. The following Resolution, offered by Y. Honda and J. C. Davison, was adopted,— Whereas, this Conference has learned with profound sorrow of the great loss sustained by our brothel’s, T. Ukai and K. Kawase, in the death of their wives, therefore, Resolved, tljat we hereby express our deepest sympathy with our brethen in their affliction, praying that the Divine consolations may be theirs in richest measure in the time of this visitation. Farewell:— Rev. Huong© Pau Sens; O and Dr. J. H. Worlevv of the Foochow Conference, who have been in attendance at our Anniversary and Conference, being about to leave, were introduced and delivered brief addresses. Bishop Cranston responded. Journal:— The Minutes of yesterday morning were read in both languages and approved ; also those of the evening session. District Conference, liecord*:— K. Naruse read the report of the committee on District Conference Records, which was adopted. 22 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

Y. Ohara :— J. Soper and S. Matsumoto offered the following Resolution, which was adopted,— Whereas, brother Y. Ohara, our first and one of our most efficient workers, while we were still a Mission, is now in a helpless condition because of total blindness and other afflictions, therefore, Resolved, that we now take up a collection to help brother Ohara. (The amount realized was 22 Yen). Hirosahi Gospel Society :— The report of the Hirosaki Gospel Society was read by Iv. Nakada and approved. Official Minutes. R. P. Alexander moved that the English Minutes be adopted as the Official Minutes of the Conference. Carried. Tracts : — T. Hasegawa read the report of the Committee 011 Tracts, which was adopted. Course o f Study :— R. P. Alexander moved that the Course of Study in Japanese adopted for the Foreign Missionaries be printed in the English Minutes. Carried. Constitution o f Aoyama Gakuin :— J. G. Cleveland announced that he had given due notice of his intention to move to amend the Constitution of Aoyama Gakuin, looking towards the reduction of the Quorum, and he moved that the Constitution be so changed that nine shall be a Quorum instead of eleven. Carried. (This amendment failed to secure the approval of the Missionaries as provided in the Constitution. Ed.). Upon motion of J. G. Cleveland the time was extended. Conference Fund ;— J. C. Davison moved that the Conference order a draft on the Conference Fund of twenty Yen in aid of brother C. Nakavama in a surgical operation which should soon be performed, the understanding being that the money is to be deposited with his Presiding Elder until the time of the operation. Carried. Division of the Conference :— Bishop Cranston announced that he had given formal approval to the division of the Conference and the organization of the South Japan Mission Conference. Thirtieth Question:— Hakodate, Aoyama, Sendai, and Hirosaki were nominated as the seat of the next Conference. Aoyama was METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 23

chosen. Nominations:— J. Soper moved the appointment of a com­ mittee to nominate the members of the Publishing© Committee and the Gokyo Board. Y. Honda, J. G. Cleveland and J. Soper were appointed. Upon motion of Iv. Nakada, Gr. F . Draper and S. Kurimura were appointed to nominate Fraternal Delegates. Chinzei Gakhwcin :— J. C. Davison moved that the Missionary appointed to Fukuoka and the pastor at Kagoshima be chosen to fill vacancies in the Board of Managers of Chinzei Gakkwan. Carried. Conference Program and Entertainment :— K. Nakada moved to appoint the Presiding Elder of Tokyo District, President Y. Honda, and the pastors and missionaries at Aoyama as the Committee on Conference Program and Entertainment. Carried. T. Miura :— Upon motion of D. S. Spencer, Bishop Cranston was requested to appoint T. Miura a teacher in Seiryu Jo-gakko. Publishing Committee ;— J. Soper reported the following nominations,— H. W. Swartz, S. Ogata, J. 0. Spencer, Y. Honda, T. Ukai, J. Soper, H. Yamxka and J. Gr. Cleveland, and they were confirmed. Gokyo Board :— Tne following were also nominated as members of the Gokyo(Advocate)Board,— E. Takasugi and J. G. Cleveland. These nominations were confirmed. Aoyama Galcuin :— Y. Honda nominated Takeshi Ukai and K. Nakagawa to fill the vacancies in the Board of Managers of Aoyama Gakuin, and they were elected. Farewell Meeting ;— H. Yamaka moved to appoint the fol­ lowing as a committee to prepare for a Social Meeting to be held at the close of the Conference in view of the division this year,— H. Kawasumi, T. Fujiwara and K. lvawase. Bishop CraJiston :— The following resolutions were adopted by standing vote,— Whereas, our beloved Bishop, E irl Cranston, LL. D., has come across the broad ocean, in this hot season, to hold the Confer­ ences in Eastern Asia, and has now been presiding over our Conference with great satisfaction to all, therefore, 24 (.«JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

Resolved, that although we have had much and sometimes very trying business vet, as the Bishop has kindly and successfully con­ ducted the affairs of the Conference, we express to him our thanks by a standing vote. Resolved, that we pray our Heavenly Father to care for our Bishop and his family during their sojourn in Eastern Asia, and that we will give them all a hearty welcome on their return to our next Annual Conference. K. Ishizaka, M. S. Yail, H. Yamaka. Vote of Thanks :— J. Soper moved that we return our hearty thanks to the pastor and members of the Yokohama Church, and the missionaries and friends resident in Yokohama, who have so kindly entertained the Conference during its session ; also a vote of thanks to the Daily Papers that have printed reports of our proceedings. Church .Extension :— S. Ogata presented the report of the Com­ mittee on Church Extension, which was adopted. Missionary Sermons :— Bishop Cranston appointed S. Kuriraura and K. Kosaka to preach the Missionary sermons next year. Conference Fund — E. Aibara moved to authorize the Com­ mittee on Distribution to use such amounts from the Conference Claimants Fund as may be necessary in support of the work. Carried. Fraternal Delegates :— The following nominations were con­ firmed,— Methodist Church in Japan, S. Ogata and J. Soper; Metho­ dist Protestant Church, H. Hirata and H. W. Swartz; Methodist Episcopal Church, South, J. G. Cleveland and S. Kurinmra ; Evan­ gelical Association, D. S. Spencer and S. Furusawa. Y. Honda moved that the matter of providing, in part, for the expenses of the delegates to the M. E. Church, South, be referred to the Committee on Estimates with power. Carried. Conference Addresses :— T. Hasegawa and U. Bessho were ap- pinted a Committee on Conference Addresses. Vote o f Thanks :—S. Furusawa m ovedthe thanks of the Con­ ference to the Secretaries, the Interpreters, and the Organist, The motion was adopted by a standing vote. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 2.5

Board of Exominers:— The Bishop announced the following Board of Examiners,— H. Yamaka, Chairman ; D. S. Spencer, Re­ gistrar ; E. Aibara, M. Yamaka, K. Ishizaka, J. Soper, H. Hirata, S. Ogata, G. F. Draper, J. G. Cleveland, S. Kurimura. The Bishop also announced the following as Examiners in the South Japan Mission Conference,— H. B. Johnson, E. R Fulkerson, K. Kawase, U. Sasamori, M. S. Vail, C. Nakayama. Adjournment:—J. Soper moved that after the reading of the Journal and the Appointments the Conference stand adjourned sine die. Carried. The Journal was read in English and approved, and it was order­ ed that the Japanese Minutes be made to conform to it. J. C. Davison, who has been identified with the work from the organization of the Mission, twenty five years ago, and who by the di- vison of the Conference now transfers to the South Japan Mission Conference, led the Conference in prayer. Bishop Cranston then addressed the Conference, drawing a par­ allel between the soldiers in the armies of this world and the soldiers of Christ, and exhorted all to trust in God and do their best. He then read the Appointments, first of the Japan Conference and then of thé South Japan Mission Conference. Hymn No. 294 was sung and the Conference was dismissed bv the Bishop at 2 P. M. Earl Cranston, President. H. B. Johnson, Secretary. 26 JAPA1C CONFERENCE OF THE

The Japan Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Held in Yokohama, July 13-22, 1898, Bishop Earl Cranston Presid­ ing, H. B. Johnson, Secretary. Post office of Secretary, Fukuoka, Japan. 1. Who have been Received by Transfer, and from what Conferences ? Charles TV. Huett, an Elder (Local), and Probationer of the second year, Idaho Conference, Alton M. Brooks, a Probationer of the second year, Atlanta Conference, Masanosuhe Mitani, a Probationer of the first year, California Conference. 2. Who have been Readmitted P None. 3. Who have been Received on Credentials, and from what Churches ? None. 4. Who have been Received on Trial ? (a) In Studies of First Year. Ukichi Kaneko, Noboru Kaivasaki. (b) In Studies of Third Year. (Dis., *[ 165, § 2.) None. 5. Who have been Continued on Trial ? (a) In Studies o f First Year. Shigee Kimura, Takayuhi Namae, Alton M. BrooJcs, Masano- suke Mitani. (b) In Studies o f Second Year. Torasuke Sato, Tomiya Sakamoto, Kosaku YoshioJca, Masachika Olio, (Nakamura) Zenichi Kawano, Katsusaburo Nagasaki. (c) In Studies o f Third Year. None. (d) In Studies o f Fourth Year. None, METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 27

6. Who have been Discontinued ? Sanji Mizuhira, Teihichi Simamoto. 7. Who have been Admitted into Full Membership ? (a) Elected and Ordained Deacons this year. Kicldjiro Ulzai, Kashizo Shiratori, Teiji Iihubo, Shosaku Talza- liashi, Toshio Fujiwara, Shigeo Matsukuma. (b) Elected and Ordained Deacon previously. IF. Huett. 8. What Members are in Studies of Third Year ? (a) Admitted into Full Membership this year. Kicldjiro TJTcai, KasMzo Shiratori, Teiji Iihubo, Shosaku Taha- hashi, Toshio Fujiwara. (b) Admitted into Full Membership previously. Kiyohito Fuhagaya, Tahitaro Sugo. 9. What Members are in Studies of Fourth Year ? Takeshi Uicai, Yw&i Kojima, Giichi Suzuki, Kaizo Narusc, Kwansuke Kudo, Shigeo Mat&ukuma {1st Deacon). 10. What Members have Completed the Conference Course of Study ? (a) Elected and Ordained Elders this year. Tamijiro Kasahara, Taiichiro Miura, Yoshito Tsuda. (b) Elected and Ordained Elders previously. Robert P. Alexander, Charles W. Huett. 11. What others have been Elected and Ordained Deacons ? (a) As Local Preachers. None. (b) Under Missionary Eule. None. 12. What others have been Elected and Ordained Elders ? (a) As Local Deacons. Yasuji Ninomiya. (b) Under Missionaly Eule. None. 13. Was the Character of each Preacher examined ? This was strictly done as each preacher’s name was called in open Conference. 14. Who have been Transferred, and to what Conferences ? •28 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

George F- Shepherd to Northern New York, Henry B. Schwartz to New England, John Wier to East Ohio. 15. Who have Died ? None. 16. Who have been Located at their own Request ? D. A. Bunker, Tetsuji Hasegaiva, Rintaro Ushijimay Masakichi Ncikarai. 17. Who have been Located ? None 18. Who have Withdrawn ? Kageyoshi Kato. 19. Who have been permitted to Withdraw under Charges or Com­ plaints ? None. 20. Who have been Expelled ? None. 21. What other personal Notation should be made ? Not any. 22. Who are the Supernumerary Preachers P None. 23. Who are the Superannuated preachers ? None. 24. Who are the Triers of Appeals ? S. Ogata, II. Yamaha, J. Soper, D. S. Spencer, Y. Honda, J. G. Cleveland, E. Talcasugi. 25. What is the Statistical Rej>ort for this year ? See Statistics. 26. What is the Aggregate of the Benevolent Collections ordered by the General Conference, as reported by the Conference Treasurer ? Yen 1146.11. 27. What are the Claims on the Conference Fund ? Yen 196.00. 28. What has been Received on these Claims, and how has it been Applied ? METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 29

Paid in full, including Book Concern Dividend. 29. Where are the Preachers Stationed ? See Appointments. 30. Where shall the Next Conference be held ? Aoyama, Tokyo. 30 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

FUKUOKA DISTRICT.

H. B. Johnson, P. E., P. 0. Fukuoka. Fukuoka...... Keinosuke Ivosaka. Kokura and Wakaraatsu . . . Kosaku Yoshioka and Ukichi Ka- neko. Omuta and Kurume .... Noboru Kawasaki. Saga and Yanagawa .... Chiujo Nakayama.

W. F. M. S. WORK. Ei-wa Jo Gakko .... Miss Lida B. Smith and one to be supplied. Evangelistic Work . . . Miss Jennie M. Gheer, Supt. of Bible Women.

HAKODATE DISTRICT.

Gideon F. Draper, P. E., P. 0. Hakodate. Akita Ct...... Konosuke Sawai. Aomori and Hachinohe . . . Zenichi Kawano. Fujisaki...... Ivashizo Shiratori. Fukuyama Ct...... To be supplied. Goshogawara Ct...... Masami Iinuma. H a k o d a te ...... Motojiro Yamaka. Ilirosaki...... Kyukichi Kakada. lvuroishi Ct...... To be supplied. M orioka...... Teiji. Iikubo. Noshiro Ct...... Takuhei Kikuclii. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 31

Odate ...... Motoi Hirakawa. Yakumo Ot...... To be supplied. Hirosaki Gospel Society . . . R. P. Alexander. W. F. M. S. WORK. Hakodate, I-ai Jo Gakko Mias Augusta Dickerson, Principal, Miss Mary S. Hampton, Miss Florence E. Singer, Music. Evangelistic Work . Miss M. S. Hampton, Mrs. G. F. Draper, Mrs. 0. P. Draper. Hirosaki Jo Gakko . . . Miss E. J. Hewett, Principal. Evangelistic Work . Miss Alice M. .Otto, Supt. of Bible Women.

NAGASAKI DISTRICT.

J. C. Davison, P. E., P. 0. Nagasaki. Kagoshima...... Saehachi Kurimura. . To be supplied. Kumamoto and Kutami . Yoshito Tsuda and Shigeo Matsu- kuma. Miyazaki . To be supplied. Nagasaki: Deshima Ct. . Ivotaro Kawase and one to be sup­ plied. Kojiyamaclu . To be supplied. Okinawa(Loo Choo Islands) . Chiujo Nagano. S e n d a i...... Tsunenari Otake. Yatsushiro...... Torasuke Sato. Chinzei Gakkwan E. R. Fulkerson, Principal, M. S. Yail and Uichiro Sasamori, Professors, Members of Deshima Quarterly Conference. W. F. M. S. WORK. Kwassui Jo Gakko . . . Miss M. Young, Principal, Miss Lola M. Kidwell, Miss Irene Lee, 32 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

Miss Anna Y. Bing, Music, Miss M. E. Melton, Biblical Dept. Home on leave . Miss E. Bussell.

NAGOYA DISTRICT.

David S. Spencer, P. E., P. 0. Nagoya. Gifu Ct...... Shosaku Takabashi. Komaki Ct...... Kiyohito Fukagaya. Koshiozu Ct...... To be supplied. Nagoya: Dekimachi . . To be supplied. First Church . . Heizo Hirata. Second Church . Sogo Matsumoto. Nishio Ct...... Tomokichi Hasegawa. Toyohashi and Shinshiro Ct. . Keitaro Ichiku. Taiichiro Miura, Instructor in Seiryu Jo Gakko, Member of First Church Quarterly Conference.

W. F. M. S. WORK. Seiryu Jo Gakko . . . Miss E. R. Bender, Principal, Miss C. A. Heaton, and one to be supplied. Evangelistic Work . . . Miss Carrie A. Heaton, Supt. of Bible Women, Mrs. D. S. Spencer.

SAPPORO DISTRICT.

C. Bishop, P. E., P. 0. Sapporo. Ivvanai Ct...... Tomiya Sakamoto. Kabato Ct...... Ivwansuke Kudo. Mashike Ct...... To be supplied. Otaru...... Tsunezo Takami. Sapporo...... Masanosuke Mitani. Yoichi Ct...... To be supplied. YV. F. M. S. WORK . . To be supplied. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 33

SENDAI DISTRICT.

Kameji Ishizaka, P. E., P. 0. Sendai. S e n d a i...... Kameji Ishizaka and C. W. Huett. Shirakawa...... Giichi Suzuki. Tendo and Yamagata .... Shigeyoshi Sugihara. Utsunomiya and Sakuyama . . Bunshichi Onuki. Y on ezaw a...... To be supplied. W. F. M. S. WORK. Evangelistic Work . . . Miss Francis E. Phelps, Supt. of Bible Women, Mrs. C. W. Huett. Industrial School . . . Miss L. M. Imhof.

SHINANO DISTRICT.

Eiken Aibara, P. E., P. 0. Matsumoto. A z u m i ...... Takitaro Sugo. I i d a ...... Jinshiro Kambe. K a m i-in a ...... Sniniclii Kato. Matsumoto...... Eiken Aibara and Kenzo Iida. Matsushiro...... Tetsuji Kitazawa. T a k a t o ...... '. Kichijiro Ukai. W. F. M. S. WORK. Evangelical W ork...... Miss Belle J. Allen, Supt. of Bible Women.

TOKYO DISTRICT.

Sennosuke Ogata, P. E., P. 0. Tokyo. A m a h a ...... Eitaro Hirano. A jik i...... To be supplied. H ishida...... To be supplied. Mizukaido and Kawamata To be supplied. S aw ara ...... Sanshiro Kokita. 34 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

Tokyo : Aoyama First Church Toshio Fujiwara. „ Second Church Eijiro Takasugi. Asakusa...... W. S. Worden and one to be sup­ plied. Ginza Takeshi Ukai. Kudan . Kunisaburo Nakagawa. Mita . . Yoshinosuke Sekizawa. Okubo . Itsuki Honda. Tsukiji . Shigejiro Furusawa. Yotsuya . Yubi Kojima. Gospel Society . W. S. Worden. Aoyama Gakuin Yoitsu Honda, Pres., Member Kudan Qt. Conf., J. Soper, Dean P. S. B. I., Member Mita Qt. Conf., Toranosuke Yamada, Prof., Member First Ch. Qt. Conf., B. Chappell, Dean of College, Member Second Ch. Qt. Conf., J. 0. Spencer, Vice Dean and Prof., Member Kudan Qt. Conf., H. W. Swartz, Prof., Member Ginza Qt. Conf., Eijiro Takasugi, Professor. TJmenosuke Bessho, Editor Gohyo, Member Ginza Qt. Conference. Takayuki Namae and Katsusaburo Nagasaki left without appointment to attend school. Absent on leave . . . I. H. Correll, J. W. Wadman, Miss J. S. Vail. Publishing Agent . . . H. W. Swartz. W. F. M. S. WOEK. Tsukiji Day Schools. Miss Clarissa H. Spencer. Aoyama Jo Gakuin . Miss R. J. Watson, Principal, Miss Fannie Wilson, Miss Harriet S. Ailing, Miss N. M. Daniel. Harrison Memorial Home Miss E. Blackstock. Evangelistic Work . . Miss Fannie Wilson, Supt. of Bible Women, Mrs. J. 0. Spencer, Mrs. B. Chappell, Mrs. H. W. Swartz. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 3 5

YOKOHAMA DISTRICT.

J. G. Cleveland, P. E., P. 0. *222 Bluff, Yokohama. Honjo...... Wasuke Ishikawa. I r u m a ...... To be supplied. K am akura...... To be supplied. K anagaw a...... To be supplied. Kawagoe...... Gisaburo Tanaka. Ivokubu...... Kaizo Naruse. Kumagae...... Shigee Kimura. Odawara...... To be supplied. Shimamura...... Masachika Nakamura. Tobe and Fujisawa .... Harutoshi Kawasumi. Yokoham a...... Hatanoshin Yamaka. Gospel Society...... A. M. Brooks. Tamijiro Ivasahara, Instructor in Bible Training School for Women, Member Kanagawa Qt. Conference. Kanichi Miyama, Temperance Evangelist, Member Tobe Qt’ Con­ ference. W. F. M. S. WORK. Seikei Jo Gakko .... Mrs C. W. Van Petten, Principal and Supt. of Bible Women. Day Schools...... Miss A. G. Lewis. Literary Work .... Miss Georgiana Baucus, Editor of Toikiwa. Home on leave .... Miss M. A. Spencer, Miss M. B. Griffiths, Miss M. E. Simons, Miss M. H. Russell. 36 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

OUR J-iOftORED DE^D.

Fnlered Name Age. Ministry. Died Doi Tokutaro, 24. 1883. Dec. 1883. Iwai Ohukichi, 32. 1884. Sept. 1887. Asuga Kenjiro, 40. 1880. Jan. 1889. Aojragi Seitaro, 26. 1889. Nov. 1889. Carrol >S. Long, 40. 1875. Sept. 1890. Morijasu Nobushiro, 43. 1888. Jan. 1892. Saotorne Grensaku, 27. 1891. Sept. 1892. Frank T. Beckwith, 32. 1885. June. 1892. Kimura Shichijuro, 35. 1883. Aug. 1893. Tanaka Shinichi. 25. 1891. Apr. 1894. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 37

SESSIONS op CONFERENCE.

Year. Time. Place. Bishop. Secretary. 1884. Aug. 28-Sept. 3. Tsuldji, Tokyo,. I. W. Wiley. J. C. Davison.

1885. Sept. 2-9. n n R. S. Maclay, Pres. „

1886. n Aoyama, il i i i i

1887. Aug. 12-18. n l i H. W. Warren. n 1888. 22-29. l i n C. H. Fowler. n

1889. 14-22. Tsuldji, 17 E. G-. Andrews. 1890. July 10-18. Aoyama, h J. P. Newman. ■n

1891. n 8-15. i l n D. A. Groodsell. I,. H. Correll.

1892. ■n 14-21. n l i W. F. Mallalieu. n

1893. l i 6-13. V) n R. S. Foster. H. B. Johnson.

1894. n 4-14. 11 n W. X. Ninde. i i

1895. i l 11-20. n i l J. M. Walden. ii

1896. ni 15-23. il n I. W. Joyce. J. Wr. Wadman.

1897. 11 8-17. li 11 I. W. Joyce. i i

1898. 11 13-22. Yokohama. Earl Cranston. H. B. Johnson.

DEbSQFTES TO QENEF^b CONFERENCE.

1888—NEW YORK, N. Y. Clerical,—R. S. Maclay, Reserve,—I. H. Correll. La}r,—J. 0. Spencer, Reserve,—Y. Honda. 1892-OMAHA, NEB. Clerical,—J. Soper, Reserve,— S. Ogata. Lay, —Y. Ninomiya, Reserve,—T. Tamura.

1896—CLEVELAND, 0. •Clerical,—Y. Honda, Ressrve,—J. Soper. Lay,— Taro Ando, Reserve,—E. Asada. 38 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

FNNlVSRSflRy PROCrFtfW.

SATURDAY, JULY 9th. 8.00 P.M. ... Consecration M eeting H . Kawasumi, Leader.

SUNDAY, JULY 10th.

9.00 A.M. ... Experience Meeting...... M. Yamaha, Leader. 10.30 ,, ... Anniversary Sermon...... Julius Soper, D. D. 2.30 P.M. ... World-wide 31ethodism E. Takasugi, Chairman.

MONDAY, JULY nth.

8.30 A.M. ... Devotional Exercises...... C. Nagano, Leader. Japan Twenty-five Years Ago. Material and Political Conditions. Sen Tsuda, S. Matsmnoto. Religious Situaton ...... J. C. Davison, B. D. Foundation Laying (paper)...... R. S. Maclay, D. D. Early Experiences (paper)...... I. H. Correll, D. D. Historical Review...... D. S. Spencer. 2.00 P.M. ... Educational Work...... T. Yumada, Chairman. Beginnings ...... M. S. Vail. Development...... J. 0. Spencer. Female Education Miss E. Russell, Miss Watson. Opportunities ...... Prof. M. Tahagi. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 39

8.00 P.M. ... p reception of Fraternal Delegates. K. Ishizaka, Presiding. Rev. M. Mitani of San Francisco, Dr. J-. H. Worley, Fnochow Conference, Dr. M. C. Harris, San Francisco and Hawaii, Rev. Huong Pan Seng, Foochow Conference, Speakers, Rev. J. T. Smith, Methodist Protestant Church, Dr. C. F- Kupfer, Central China Mission, Mr. S. Hayashiy Yokohama Temperance Society, Rev. K. Hoshino, Presbyterian Church. ~ ... ( Misses Cranston. Spencer, and Music : Quartette, < .,, , , , • I * I Allen, and Mrs. Alexander. Response, ...... Revs. E. Aibara and J. C. Davison.

TUESDAY, JULY 12th. 8.30 A.M. ... Devotional Services ...... B. Ounki, Leader. g.oo ,, ... Conferene Examinations. 2.00 P.M. ... Conference Examinations. 8.00 „ ... Evangelistic Worle ...... S. Ogata, Chairman. Growth and Expansion G. F. Draper. E. Aibara. Woman’s Work. Mrs. Van Pctten, Miss Phelps, Miss Gh&er.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13th. g.oo A.M. ... The Lord’s Supper...... Bishop Earl Cranston. Organization of Conference. 2.00 P.M. ... Statistical Session. 3.00 „ ... Anniversary of The Home Missionary Society. K. Miyama, Chairman. Missionary Sermon...... T. Ukai.

THURSDAY, JULY 14th. 5.30 A.M. ... Prayer Meeting...... Y. Honda, Leader. g.oo ,, ... Conference Session. 2.00 P.M. ... Committee Meetings. 40 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

8.00 P.M. ... Church Extension Anniversary. E. Aibara, Chairman. g.oo P.M. ... Gospel Societies...... T. Bito, Chairman. Speakers...... W. S. Worden, Y. Ninomiya, T. Ukai.

FRIDAY, JULY 15th. 8.30 A.M. ... Prayer Meeting...... T. Iikubo, Leader. g.oo Conference Session. 2.00 P.M. ... Committee Meetings. 8.00 „ ... Publishing W ork...... S. Ogata, Chairman. The Work Accomplished...... H. B. Johnson. The Prospects...... K. Nakada, T. Hotta. SATURDAY, JULY 16th. 2.00 P.M. ... Layman’s Meeting: Self Support. Prof. M. Ishizaka, Chairman. Speaker (upon invitation) J-. H. Worley, Ph. D., Fraternal Delegate from Foochow Conference. Followed by General Discussion.

SUNDAY, JULY 17th. g.oo A.M. ... Love Feast ...... K. Ishizaka, Presiding. 10.00 ,, Conference Sermon. Bishop Earl Cranston-, D. D. LL D. 3.00 P.M. ... Ordination Service. 8.00 ,, ... Temperance Anniversary .... S. Furusawa, Chairman. Speakers, K. Miyama, Miss Clara Parrish, J. Soper.

MONDAY, JULY 18th. 8.30 A.M. ... Prayer Meeting...... S. Ono, Leader. g.oo ,, ... Conference Session. 8.00 P.M. ... Evangelistic Services. METHODIST «EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 41

PRESIDING ElaDEF^S.

HAKODATE DISTRICT.

Gideon F. Draper1 Presiding Elder.

By last year’s rearrangement the Hakodate District, which has changed its boundaries many times, absorbed the Aomori District and lost most of the work in the Hokkaido, the name being continued on account of the presiding elder’s residence in Hakodate. The change is not acceptable to the Aomori District, which had had a separate existence for the past seven years, but it seemed unavoidable. Ten years ago my first report as presiding elder was made for the Aomori District. Sickness in the family prevented my return to the District a second year, and a decade of work has elapsed ere I was appointed to take charge of this field once more. There are more churches and a larger membership now, but the growth has not been as great as the conditions at that time led us to expect: nevertheless there has been an advance, and the faithful work of these years has made its impression, not only on this region but, through those who have gone out from it, on the work of our church in other parts of the Empire. The past year has been one of spiritual blessing. As no remarkable change has occured anywhere it is not necessary to speak of the churches severally; but we must note ths special awakening and refreshing that were vouchsafed to the churches at Hakodate, Hirosaki, and Fujisaki. There is a general increase of interest and activity at almost every point. The Sunday School work is flourishing in all but two places. Epworth Leagues have been organized in the churches at Hakodate and Hirosaki. The amount promised for pastoral support for the comiug year is 72 yen in advance of what was promised for the year just ended: a gain considerably larger proportionately than the gain in membership, and an indication of some growth toward selfsupport. All the pastors have been abundant and earnest in their labors, and as one of the results the net increase in membership is 19. 42 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

The pastor at Odate felt obliged to resign this spring and engage In business. He hopes to continue, in the capacity of a local preacher, to labor as opportunity may offer. This is the second year that Odate has had this experience, not a little to the hindrance of the work. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander came to H irosaki last fall and have been diligently studyiug the language and working faithfully and efficiently for the church. Mr. Alexander also teaches five hours a week in the To-o-gijiku, and two evenings in the night school. Miss Otto has added interest to her work for the women by a free use of the stereopticon throughout Aomori and Akita kens. We were happy to welcome Miss Hewitt back to Japan last year, and to have her in charge of the girls’ school in Hirosaki. The year has been a successful one in every way, and they have been enabled to add a kindergarten department under the special care of Miss Southard, who, though not a missionary, was willing to take up this work. The Caroline Wright School in Hakodate has continued its thorough and successful work. During the year Mr. Hasegawa felt that he ought to retire from his post in H irosaki, He left for Tokyo in the spring and was greatly missed. The Gospel Society night school was continued, however, and has been well attended, drawing an interesting class of young men. The church earnestly desires the continuance of this school. Among the numerous needs of this part of the field I may mention the call for a foreign worker in the extensive Akita ken. This is the reiteration of the unheeded plea of my predecessor. We ought to enter this open door at once. A pastor for Hachino/te is another necessity: Mr. Kawano has done the best he could to fill the two places, but Aomori is too far from Hachinohe for such an arrangement to be effective or permanent. The Hakodate church makes a strong plea for the establishment of a Gospel Society. With a night school for the young men that abound in the city a grand work might be accomplished, and the church materially strengthened. In April the District Conference was held in Hirosaki. The attendance was larger than usual, and every one felt the uplift and spiritual helpfulness of the occasion. At the closing meeting eight persons came forward for prayer. Personally I have traveled over the main part of the District three times, visiting the points in the Hokkaido twice. Including my trip to the Foochow Jubilee it has been necessary for me to be absent from homs 202 nights during the year ending the 30th of June. I have endeavored to make a wise use of the talent the Master has entrusted to my care, and am thankful for the privilege of co-laboring with His faithful servants in this portion of His vineyard. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 4 3

KAGOSHIMA DISTRICT.

S. Kurimura, Presiding Elder.

By the grace of God we have passed another year in peace and now we present the report of the work in southern Kiushiu. It seems as if we were repeating over and over the same report every year, but when we look carefully into the work we can discern some degree of the internal growth of the church as well as the external influence of the Gospel among the people at large. In the midst of the rapid progress our country is making in all things we are obliged to say that the vital power of all human progress, the moral element, is not working even among the circles of politics, education and native religion. We, Christians, must wake up and make a bold effort to introduce the Gospel power as the motive force of all true progress. Kajiki Circuit; T. Sato, Pastor, has done very faithful work during the year. There are two other preaching places on this circuit, Kamo and Kokubu where brother Sato used to go and preach several times during each month but as the traveling expenses were not given this year these places were of necessity to be neglected. R iu k iu ; C. Nagano, Missionary, has incessantly worked here for the last six years. The last year the prospect of this work was very bright and it seemed as though all the natives of the island would become converted in a very short time. But since then many members have left the church and have gone to other parts of the Empire. Moreover it is to be greatly lamented that there have risen many troubles in the church during the year and its growth was sadly stopped just as the growth of a yonng plant is injured by poisonous insects. Sendai Circuit; K. Murai, supply. Brother Murai has worked very earnestly and faithfully during the yeas. In Kagoshima prefecture, Sendai ranks second in size but ranks first in the corruption and dissipation of its inhabitants. Bro' ther Murai has a strong faith in that passage of the Scripture which says, “ Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, ” and he has done good personal work so that several were converted and joined the Church. There are three other places on this circuit, Kushigino, Iriku and Miyashiro. The last of these places has a bright prospect for the future, there being many proba­ tioners. Brother Murai used to go to these places quite frequently but for the want of traveling expenses they have been neglected lately. Kagoshima Church ; This is the place that I am especially responsible for. With a sense of guilt I humbly confess that there has not been any result of work this year. The clanish (distinction which has existed on the part of cer 44 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

tain people of Kagoshima is now dying fast, but there is an organization here called, Ken Ji Sha,—Society of Healthy Boys. This organization serves to maintain the ideas of localism among the young men and prevents them from having new ideas and broad views. It is injurious to the development of the individuality of each young man ; his mind is fettered by narrow local ideas so that he can not venture out to study the Scripture or to investigate Christianity. All young men who do not join this society are despised by its members. The young persons here have a high regard for the old people so that the former always restrain themselves from expressing their thought on any subject before the latter. This custom is a hindrance to Gospel preaching. The Episcopal Church has one male and two lady missioneries, and two native workers. The Presbyterian Church has one missionery with his wife and three native workers. Among these I alone represent our church; but none of these has any result worthy of notice. The distinction between the different classes of people that has strongly existed is now wearing off gradually and the people are beginning to wake from their dreams and some young men are now see­ ing the necessity of satisfying their religious nature. When the means of travel­ ing to this section of the Empire is facilitated and the people of Kagoshima mingle with the people of other parts of the country, their views will be broad­ ened and they will then readily accept the truth of the Gospel. M iyazaki;— After the last Conference I weRt and preached at this place several times. There is a secular organization of about eighty young men, the most of whom are very favorably disposed toward Christianity and so there is hope of success. One promising business man of this town was converted but owing to the want of traveling expense this place has been neglected lately. In conclusion I pray that God may pour out His richest blessing upon the whole Empire of Japan and I most earnestly pray that God may pour out espe­ cially His Divine Spirit upon Southern Kiushiu, endowing the preachers with His mighty power, opening the way freely for the Gospel truth that we may win a great victory.

NAGASAKI DISTRICT.

J. C. Davison, Presiding Elder.

Having been reappointed to the Nagasaki District after an absence of six years I found, on my return in Sept. last, that the Evangelistic work then con­ sisted of eight circuits under the pastoral care of seven Elders, and four Con­ ference probationers, three of whom are junior preachers on the District. There were also three Conf. Members in connection with the Chinzei Gakkwan while the schools of the W- F. M. S. at Nagasaki and Fukuoka were served by six METHODIST EPISCOPAL, GliURCII. 45

ladies to whose number, two more—Miss Young and Miss Melton-were added early in the Conf. year. The Rev. A.M. and Mrs. Brooks for Fukuoka also reached their field in the middle of February, having been sent out in place of the Rev. and Mrs. Shepherd whose retirement on account of sickness was mentioned by my predecessor in his report last year. These timely additions were warmly welcomed but other parts of our work stand in sore need of further similar help. Two vacancies in the pastorate will require to be sup­ plied at this session— the one by reason of the location of Bro. Ushijima Rintaro» our pastor at Saga, and the other because of the withdrawal of Bro. Kato Kageyoshi, of Kokura, on account of a change in his theological views. Bro. Kato at once united with the Baptist church and continued his work as preacher in the adjoining town of Bakan. I am fully aware that the period of my absence, referred to above, coinci­ des with the years of greatest discouragement to our work everywhere in Japan, and hence I am not here today to complain that no greater results ap­ pear to the labors of all who toiled faithfully during those years, and am only too sorry to have to admit that the improvement during the year just clos­ ed has not been all I had hoped to see. Yatsushiro and Saga have been the least promising, yet the prospect is brightening, and there are a number of inquirers at both points. Kurume on the Miike Circuit is an old field, and very Conserva­ tive, yet there are a number of inquirers and two adults have been baptized. Saga is a newer field but confessedly one of the hardest on the District. It cannot really be said to have had a good chance, having been unfortunate in its first pastor, and lost much by the ill health of the brother now retiring. The withdrawal of Bro. Kato from K okura entailed very heavy work on his colleague Bro. Yoshioka whom I was obliged to put in full charge of the work for the rest of the year. His work especially at Wakamatsu has been fruitful, and his people are now bending every effort to provide a church and parsonage in this rapidly growing place. Five adults have been baptized, and fourteen probationers are enrolled. Bro. Kosaka at Fukuoka has kindly assisted in opening up a new work at Orio, Rail Road junction near Waka­ matsu, to which charge the place will eventually fall. His own work at Fuku­ oka has been steady. Eight adults have been baptized and thirteen probationers are now enrolled. The Church will pay eight Yen per month towards the salary of the pastor for the coming year. Kumamoto Circuit will pay four and a half yen for pastoral support. Seven adults have been baptized and seventeen probationers enrolled, notwith­ standing an extended illness of Bro. Tsuda the pastor in charge. There is a growing interest in the city in favor of Christianity. The churches generally are encouraged over the engagement of a resident Missionary as teacher of English in the Higher Middle School, where our own Church has several earn­ est Christian students. This is looked upon as very encouraging, in view of the 46 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

past strong opposition from the schools and officials of the city generally. At K iitam i on this circuit, Bro. Matsukuma has done good work. Nine of the pro­ bationers above named belong to his field, and of these several were reported, as ready for baptism. At the time of holding the Fourth Quarterly Conference I was very sorry not to be able on account of feeble health at the lime, to respond to his request to go and perform this rite. Ya/iagawa and Omuta, on the Miike Circuit, have been greatly encouraged under the pastorate of Bro. Nakayama, who I am sorry to say has suffered not a little from sickness during the year. Five persons have been baptized and nine adults are enrolled as probationers. The circuit will pay three and a half Yen per month on pastor's salary. Kojiyamachi, Nagasaki, under the care of Bro. Sunamoto will pay tw elve Yen per month towards pastoral support, as against ten Yen last year. Three adults have been baptized and twenty nine probationers enrolled. A new appointment, designated the “ College Hill Church” was created at our last session, to be composed of the students of the two mission schools in Nagasaki together with such other members of the Deshima church as might wish to join it, but owing to local opposition, it was at the suggestion of Bishop Joyce, united with the Deshima Circuit under the title of the Deshima and Cotkgc H ill Charge, and placed under the pastoral care of Bro. Kawase Kotaro whose labors have been signally blessed in the conversion and qui­ ckening of many souls. Forty adults have been baptized and sixty eight more enrolled as probationers, while seventeen Yen per month are promise'd as pastoral support. The sympathy of this church for Bro. Kawase, was very marked during his sore affliction in the death of his wife who leaves ^a ltttle daughter to mourn with him their loss. The church at OmiUat on the Deshima, Circuit has been supplied by Bro. Kawasaki, one of our Theological graduates who now applies for admission into this Conference. Bro. Nishida also of the same class has preached regularly at Fukahori, while others in the vernacular course have done regular work in the city. Bros. Fulkerson, Vail, and Sasamori have had their hands quite full with the w ork in Chivzei Gakkivant which has been increasingly prosperous since the war with China. Dr. Sasamori was, however, prostrated for several months after the opening of the school year, but God graciously spared his life and restored him again to his. work. The addition of Prof. Toyama, a recent gra­ duate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, to the faculty has been of signal ser­ vice to this school which is indeed one of the most ponounced Christian edu­ cational institutions in Japan. T h e KwassuiJo Gakko (Girl’s school) has been full to over flowing. Miss E. Russell, whose distinguished services from the beginning have shaped the course of this institution, now retires temporarily from its head, for a much needed furlough at home. During the past year she has in addition to her METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 47

other work, built an Orphanage at Koga, about ten miles from Fukuoka, when a small farm has been donated for the purpose, by an elect lady—a former member of our church at Fukuoka. Children have already been housed, and the first crops for their support are now growing. Misses Smith and Gheer at Fukuoka, have both labored at considerable disadvantage owing to delicate health. Our District Conference held at Fukuoka, —Mar. 31— Apr. 3—was a highly gratifying occasion. The sessions were most harmonious, and the preaching, very spirited and evangelical in tone. Three Candidates were recommended for admission to this annual Conference, one of whom, however, is not able, 011 account of recent severe illness, to be present at this session. The question of the division of this Conference was canvassed, every preacher voting in the ‘affirmative. Immediately after the close of the Dist. Conf.. I was myself laid up for six weeks, practically my only illness for the twenty five years of my mis­ sionary life. My fourth round of the Dist. was somewhat abridged for this rea­ son, and my work of preaching was confined to those appointments on the line of the railroad. My relation with all the pastors has been very cordial during the year, and I am grateful to God for the opportunity of laboring with them in the work of the Master, my earnest prayer being that the Holy Sprit may use us all more and more to His glory as the years go flitting by.

NAGOYA DISTRICT.

David S. Spencer, Presiding Elder.

W e have been given a fairly prosperous year on the Nagoya District. Ill­ ness within my own family has interfered seriously with my work, but God has been preciously near. Two Church buildings have been completed and dedicat­ ed since last Conference, making four such in two years without asking a sen from the Missionary Treasury. Toyohashi Church was dedicated Nov. 20th at a cost for lot and buildings of Yen 1550., and the Koshiozu Church, costing for lot and building Yen 350. was dedicated Dec. 19th, 1S97. At the latter place some ten applicants now await baptism. The Nagoya Second Church has been supplied with new seats and pulpit furniture, making a great improvement in the place. The total money raised by the native Church for all purposes this year is Y en 2546. For direct self-support we hAve raised Yen 643 as against Yen 432 last year, and the promise for the next year is still better. We have made a 48 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

slight gain in membership on the District as a whole, but our very small prog­ ress in this direction is cause for the deepest humiliation. Better Gospel preach­ ing in general or more faithful pastoral service we have never had in our work. The spiritual and temporal condition of every charge is improved, and at Deki Machi, First Church, and Second Churches, Nagoya, and at Tcyohashi there are very hopeful conditions. Our work is becoming better organized, and the influence of our Church is more and more felt. But our present working force cannot meet the demands of the work, and for two or three years we have tried to hold our own, instead of being able to move out on aggressive lines of con­ quest. We have neither the money nor the mer. to enable us to meet our re­ sponsibility. The Nagoya Epworth League is a great success, and demonstrates thnt the League can be worked to advantage in Japan. t Sunday School work has improved, though by no means as much as it ought. Willingness on the part of the laity to teach in the Schools, a determination to have the best Sunday School literature, aud consecration to this great work must exist before any signal progress can be made. Another element of weakness among us is the failure of Christians to keep the Sabbath. In this age of worldliness, this mad rage for temporal gain, the Sabbath question is becoming a serious one, and calls for the best thought, the firmest loyalty, the vigorous action, of our pastors and presiding elders. Our District Conference, held at Gifu, April 17—21st, was a blessed occa ­ sion. The Lord was with us in saving power. T h e Seiryu Jo Gakkc has passed through a storm of difficulties during the year, but it is now in excellent condition. A number of the students have recent" ly given their hearts to Jesus, and the religious condition of the institution is excellent. The delay in constructing the buildings was a serious mistake, and every effort should be made to secure their immediate erection. I cannot close this report without emphasizing our need of reinforcements on the Nagoya District. Every worker is doing as much as he can, but it is not possible to meet the demands. To have to strive for years together simply to ho d our own becomes discouraging. We are not as a Church doing our duty toward the 3,500,000 people of that great valley. W e should have two missiona­ ry families and three single ladies stationed in the Nagoya District, and we need at least two more experienced Japanese workers. No largely increased appropriations from the Missionary treasury are looked for, but no cry of *' hard times ” can exonerate our Church from meeting its God-given responsi­ bility toward those waiting millions. The whole country is open to us „and this is our opportunity. The native Church is doing its best on the line of self- support and cannot now meet the call. Where are the men, where the money to secure this golden opportunity ? Right here the question of lay workers assumes great impt>rtance. To METHODIST EriSCOPAL CHURCH. 49

reach the masses around our Churches we must make use of local preachers and exhorters in the old fashioned Methodist way. The church must be trained to attack the masses. The pastor who can lead in this reform in Japan will do an invaluable work for Methodism in these isles. At present the pastor is often servant of the Church in an improper sense. He should not do the laymen’s work ; he must be the leader, the or­ ganizer, to marshall the forces and lead them to victory.

SAPPORO DISTRICT.

Charles Bishop, Presiding Elder.

For a number of years it had been urged by those most intimately con­ nected with the work in Hokkaido that a new district be formed with Sapporo as a centre; and accordingly a year ago Bishop Joyce made the requested division, and I was appointed to take charge of the new district, although it was understood that my supervision for the first year could only be a partial one owing to other duties. I spent the month of September in my first round of visitation, and then was not able to get back and settled until the end of the year. My ministration began in September in Sapporo by going with the pastor to visit a sick man who was destined to die within the week. But although poor in this world’s goods he was enjoying great peace of mind, having committed his all to God, and was awaiting joyfully whatever the future might bring. A day or two later, on reaching Yoichi the p-istor requested me to baptize his infant son, who was sick unto death and died the same evening. The bereaved parents were comforted in the hope of meeting their first-born son in Heaven, surely, a religion that contains such peace and joy for the dying, and comfort for the bereaved it is well worth our most earnest efforts to propagate. In addition to the quarterly visitations which were made regularly the first, and third, and fourth quarters, except Mashike which was not reached the third quarter, a four days’ preachers’ meeting attended by all the preachers of the district was held at Otaru in February, which developed into what seemed at one time a sweeping revival, for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit were manifest in larga measure. I fondly hoped we might have a general revival in Otaru, and then pass on to the other churches of the district in succession until all had been quickened into new life and activity. But my hopes were doomed in large degree to endoj in disappointment, for 50 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

within a few days the members except a handful, ceased to attend, apparent­ ly feeling little concern for the souls of others ; and although the congregations kept up, and inquirers continued to increase until the number reached fifty or sixty, yet at the end of seventeen days the preachers all voted to close the effort and not open elsewhere. In March thé District Conference was held at Iwanai, and in connection with it the preachers continued revival meetings for a week. There were a few inquirers, but I fear there was little permanent effect. On our return the pas­ tors of the Mashike and Kabato churches tarried at Yoichi and we held meet­ ings there for four days, but made little or no impression. Every charge, I am sorry to report, shows a loss in the total of members and probationers, which may be accounted for variously,-chiefly (i) by remo­ vals, and (2) by reason of the cutting down of the church records to those whose whereabouts are actually known. At Iwanai there has been a church trial with the usual effect, which to­ gether with other sources of trouble has rendered advance impossible. There are a faithful few however, and when once the troubles can be dispesed of it is to be hoped the church will once more enter upon a career of prosperity. Iwanai is a goodsized and thriving city with villages near by, in one at least we have influential members ; and we are the only Protestant church there. The church in Kabato went into a £' general decline ” some years ago and has not improved during the year. There are several members and inquirers at Utashinai, a mining town some thirty or forty miles away by rail where the pastor goes occasionally. There seems to be a general feeling that we should give up Kabato as a Centre, and work it as an outstation. Buddhism seems so strongly intrenched that we do not seem likely to be able to make much of an impression for years to come. Besides a small church building we have a parsonage, but the latter is in a portion of the town that is flooded in the spring when the snow melts. The church in Mashike while not being able to show an increase has kept up in good working trim, and this with Rumoi ten miles farther up the coast which is visited every month by the pastor forms the circuit. At a recent meet­ ing at the latter place which was well attended and orderly, an old Christian said that every year persecution and opposition became less and less. Otaru is one of the most thriving cities of the Empire, and should be well sustained. I doubt whether a Gospel Society could be opened anywhere in Japan with better results. O that some “ man of means ” would offer to come and impress himself upon the young men of Otaru as he might ! Here is a grand opportunity we ought in some way to improve. Sapporo through removals and friction in the church, has not met with the success during the year that one would have been led to expect from the demonstration when Bishop Joyce dedicated the new church last August. If the METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 51

hearty cooperation of the members and workers can be secured, and the appointment of a superintendent of Bible-woinen for the district to live here this church ought to maintain a position of influence among the other churches of the capital of Hokkaido. The preaching place at Yoichi was sold a year ago, as the repairs required to make it suitable for longer service would have gone far toward the erection of a new building. And a few days after it was sold it burned down. No other place could be secured in the vicinity, and a house was rented in another part of the long town, more than a mile away. But little if any impres­ sion has been made there however, except to gather a small Sunday School on Sunday. The most of the members live a r i away, while several others were ten miles away at the silver m ines; but recently the company reduced their force from one thousand men to five hundred, and this scattered all our Christians except one family of three. The pastor has visited a village a few miles away each month, that can only be reached by crossing the passes in three high ranges of hills where in the winter the snow is simply frightful; the path on the steep hillsides being abandoned travellers flounder through the tree tops and every winter some unfortunate one loses his life in the perilous journey. Very few of our seventeen thousand Methodist preachers have to undergo such hardship as this trip entails. It is a serious question whether we should not give up Yoichi as a centre, and make it part of a larger circuit. Immigration to Hokkaido averages about 50,000 a year, a part o f these lo­ cate at once upon arrival; but a large portion constitute a floating population trying many places before they finally settle down permanently. This state of things causes more or less fluctuation in church work. There is abundant opportunity for improvement in Sunday School work. And it seems to have become a universal custom to dismiss the children as soon as the Sunday School closes, instead of trying to keep them in the con­ gregation. How the need of a Sabbath and its proper observance is to be taught is a serious problem. For some reason the preachers refuse to make any special effort to secure subscribers for the Gokyo, claiming it is not worthy of support. This is a matter that needs serious consideration. To the hard work of the pastors, and the great interest they take in it unstinted praise should be borne. And for their courtesy and their labors of love their presiding-elder wishes to express sincere gratitude.. And for the visitation of Miss Dickerson who spent her last summer’s holiday season in a trip over a portion of the district, and wherever she went her praises were in the mouths of the churches ; also for the privilege of working on this frontier of civilization; and for having such a faithful lot of fellow missionaries as associates ; and for health of self and family ; and the great joy in the work ; and for any success attained I render hearty and sincere praise to God. JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

SENDAI DISTRICT.

H. W. Swartz, Presiding Elder.

From Shimodate, the southern point on the TJtsunomiya circuit northward in a straight line to Morioka, two liundred and fifty miles is tlie length of the Sendai district, and its width is about half its length, for I suppose that it extends from the Pacific Ocean on the east to the Japan Sea on the west, tho our most western churches are at Tendo, Yamagata, and Yonezawa, about midway from shore to shore. There are about thirty thousand square miles in the district, and about four million souls within its boundaries. For the last fifteen years or more the Gospel has been preached and Christian literature scattered over- the field, until now we can almost say that all the people know something of the teachings of Christ and many, very many will admit that they believe it to be the true religion, while a goodly number have experienced the power o f Christ to forgive sin. Buddhism is rapidly being n:ade to abdicate and Christianity is succeeding to the vacant inheritance. Just now time is worth more than money, more than the health or even the lives o f the workers, for now is the day of salvation for Japan. That God’s cause should lack ; that this great work should be in such straits at this critical time is most lamentable. But the sin, if there be sin, will not be laid at our door if we do all we can, and every worker has faithfully done his or her best. Thanks to their faithfulness, the district as a whole seems to be in a good spiritual condition. During the first half o f the Conference year I was able to do but little touring, and brother Isliizaka met some and brother Suzuki others of my appointments for me, but since March I have been touring quite constantly, and have visited all the points on the district, some of them several times. Brothers Huett and Miyama accompanied me on one trip, visiting nearly all the churches. It was brother Huett’s first experience and he found some things rather harder than he had anticipated, still he enjoyed it and was always ready to do all he could to help. He was indeed a great help in many ways. Brother Miyama was the hero of the campaign. He is a most earnest worker, in fact one of the most indefatigable workers that I have ever known. Discreet and tactful he is eminently successful as an evangelist. May the Lord give him health and strength for many years o f usefulness. I visited Tateoka and have added it to the Tendo circuit. It is a perfectly new field for no church has any work there and there is only one Christian in the place. Brother Ebina, recently from America, is teaching in a public school and is doing all he can to spread the Gospel. Through his efforts a Temperance Society with over one hundred and fifty members has been formed. I hope that we may do a good work at Tateoka. At Tendo the condition o f the work is very encouraging. The pastor has had his field greatly enlarged by the addition o f Tateoka, nine miles to the north, and also the church at Yamagata, seven miles to the south o f Tendo has been under 14s METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHültCH. 5 3

care for the last few months. Brother Ono has done good work and is greatly beloved by his people. The old building at Yamagata, injured by fire some five or six years ago and unused till now, has been repaired, and now we have a neat and comfortable church home in a splendid location, on the main street of the city. We have here some very earnest and faithful members, and o f late the church has appeared to be growing in spirituality, but the pastor, brother Nakarai, in whom I had great hopes, became discouraged and last April left his post and is now teaching at Morioka. May the Lord preserve his soul from evil and keep his feet from falling. At Yonezawa brother Kitahara has worked faithfully. The church building lias been extensively repaired, and there are some encouraging features about the work, but we need and are praying for a revival within the church, and until then we can not hope for any great ingathering. A t Morioka the work is progressing. Brother Sugihara is an energetic worker. He has our sympathy, for during the year lie has had much illness in his family. The church members are gradually advancing along the line of self support and this tends to increase their spirituality. Utsunomiva, a Ken town, is looked upon as a difficult field. W e are the only Protestant Church there, as four have withdrawn, some after several years of work. Brother Seya, a Local Preacher, has worked faithfully, yet we can report no advance. Sakuvama is an interesting circuit, nearly forty miles long, with five appoint­ ments. Here during the pro-foreign movement of a dozen years ago many heard the word with joy but having no root endured for a while and when tribulation came were offended. Still we have a few faithful ones who received the seed in good ground and are bringing forth fruit. Brother Nakazawa has labored here most earnestly. He has also endured much and suffered much. His wife, formerly an earnest worker with him, has been an invalid for many years, and a great sufferer. A few months ago their daughter, a young lady o f beautiful C hristian character and the main depend­ ence of the home, fell asleep. Through all his trials brother Nakazawa has never wavered, supported by the arm of the Almighty. The church at Sendai under the efficient care of Brother Ishizaka is growing in patience, in experience, in spiritual and numerical strength. The Sunday-schools and preaching places have been miintained, special services were held for several weeks during the spring which resulted in great good to the members and was the cause of several admissions to membership. During the year the church at Sendai has been favored by visits of several noted people. Bishop Joyce pre:iched there and after his sermon twelve joined the church on probation. Dr. and Mrs. Baldwin made us a short though delightful visit. Dr. Harris and Brother Fujivvara made us glad by their coming. Dr. Harris was the Presiding Elder when the work in Sendai was begun thirteen years ago. It was he who organized the church and baptized the first be­ lievers, many of when) ware present at the services a few weeks ago to hear him preach and “ look into his face”. Brother Ishizaka, besides his duties as pastor is the Ed- 54 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

itor in cl lief of the Michi no Shiwori. This little magazine was born nearly four years ago from the desire to reach out and speak to pastors and laymen, and especially to those isolated Christians who do not frequently have the privilege o f hearing the preaching o f the word, thus to try to build them up in the faith and to deepen and strengthen their spirituality. We are grateful for the kind words of commendation and appreciation which we receive from time to time from our readers for thus it is proven to us that the magazine is helpful to those o f you who are preaching the Gospel. If you do feel it a help will you not frequently send us notes, contributions or sermons on the higher life, and will you not also bring our Magazine to the atten­ tion o f others ? Tlio the rates of postage to subscribers abroad have been increased and tho cost of printing has advanced, we have not advanced the subscription price which now does not cover the cost because we desire that it shall be within the reach o f all. Altho there are many periodicals in Japan there is surely a necessity for our continuing because the Michi no Shiwori is the only magazine devoted to Scriptural holiness in this country. Pray for us that God’s blessing may be upon us; upon those who write, upon those who read. Our District Conference was held at Shirakawa and was a season o f refreshment. While the business of the Conference was not slighted our whole energy was exerted in the endeavor to awaken the people of the town. Our public meetings were well attended. Presiding Elder Ogata, President Honda, Dean Soper and Professor Yamada lent us their aid and Shirakawa was stirred as it has not been for many years. Since then there has been an increased attendance upon the churcli services and an increas­ ed interest among the people of the town. Brother Suzuki is working faithfully. Owing to the serious illness of his father he may not be able to attend Conference. He has our prayers and sympathy. Miss Phelps and Miss Im hof have worked with that loving earnestness that wins the hearts o f the people. They have visited the churches and conducted Bible classes, Sunday-schools, and meetings for women. The Bible women, Mrs. Hirabayashi, Miss Kato, and Miss Namaye have done most faithful work. We greatly appreciate their efforts and would be glad to see their number increstsed so that we might have one or two at every point on the District. Mrs. Kitaliara, Mrs. Suzuki, Mrs. Sugihara, and Mrs. Ono, wives of our pastors have all been centers o f influence, giving object lessons upon the sacredness and happiness of a Christian home. Great was my disappointment last December when I was ordered to leave Sendai on account o f ill health. Just at this time when God has set before us an open door it is hard to learn the lesson, “ They also serve who only stand and wait.” Still, I have endeavored and I trust not without some measure of success, to keep in touch with all the workers and all phases of the work. The most perfect good will and brotherly feeling prevails among all the workers. W e are not discouraged in the face of great difficulties, for the Lord of hosts is with us, “ and there is no restraint to save with many or with few.” We are confident that the victory will be ours. There is an eagerness on the part o f the people to hear. At all our public lecture meetings METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

we have good attendance, generally several hundred and frequently seven or eight hundred and once between fifteen and eighteen hundred. The people always give respectful attention for they come to learn. The preachers preach not science or phi­ losophy, but the Gospel, and our workers and members show by their lives that Christianity makes people better. “ The morning light Ls breaking.” Baptisms 39. Full members 425. Collections Y 809. 48.

SHINANO DISTRICT.

E. Aibara. Presiding Elder.

This district was newly formed by the action of the last annual Conference and is a small one composed of six stations and circuits, namely, Matsumoto, Matsushiro, Adzumi, Ina, Takato and lida. Since I was appointed Presiding Elder of the district and assumed my responsibility, one year has gone. I come together with the fellow workers of my district to tell of the blessings which have come noon the churches during the year. I rejoice to be able to make this my first report of the Shinano District. This I regard as the answer to my continual prayer. I removed to Matsumoto the latter part of last August, and have been blessed with good health. I have visited all the churches and preaching places of the District four times, as I planned, holding quarterly Cnferences and sacramental services. I have preached and lectured wherever I have gone. Many of the pastors of the District have travelled with me and helped me in my work, such as brother Kitasawa at Matsumoto and Adzumi; brother Kato at Takato and lida ; brother Ukai at Ina, lida and Matsushiro ; brother lida at Matsushiro and brother Sugo at Matsumoto. Every place has been blessed with encouraging success. Miss B. J. Allen has also helped the churches of the District greatly, coming from Tokyo twice, in the Autumn and Spring. She took with her a stereopticon and gave exhibitions in churches and theatres. In this way she reached many people, giving her a grand opportunity of preaching the truths of Christianity. I have gone with her often on her trips and helped her by explaining these stereopticon views. During the year the Womans’ Foreign Missionary Society sent four Missionaries to the District and they have rendered very valuable help to Matsumoto, Matsushiro, Ina and lida churches. I disire to make a brief report of the present condition of the churches. Matsumoto Church;— The town of Matsumoto is centrally located in Shinano Province. Here the work began some twenty years ago, the first JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

place of missionary effort in Shinano. This church has been the head-quarters of the work, which has gradually spread in all directions. I was appointed to this church as pastor by the last Conference with brother Kenso Iida ; but as I was absent, travelling in discharge of my duties as Presiding Elder, for more than one hundred aud twenty days, brother Iida took the whole charge of the work as pastor. The members of the church consisted mostly of people above the middle class, and brother Iida was working larg ely in that direction ; but since the revival of last Autumn, this feature of the work has changed, and the work is now carried on ammong the lower classes of society. Matsushiro Circuit;— This circuit consists of Matsushiro, Tokuma, and Hoshina. These three places are growing rapidly. Brother Kitasawa has found a good help mate and now the parsonage is an ideal Christian home, ever ready to extend a warm welcome to strangers. We anticipate a prosperous work on this circuit. Adzumi Circuit ;— There is no special report to make ; but brother Sugo has done good, faithful, hard work this year. Ina Circuit;— Ina Church suffered greatly from an unfortunate event of the past, and for a while lost the confidence of the community in reference to Christian work. Now through the faithful labors of brother Kato the past four years, the confidence of the community has been restored, although much aggressive work could not be done. By the earnest labors of Mrs. Kato, the Sunday School has reached the best condition of any on the District. Takato Church;— This church has suffered the loss of membership by withdrawal and expulsion, from different causes, which have continued for several years past. Out of twenty members, only five were left, but now the number has increased to eight by accessions from other places. Brother Ukai and wife with the members are taking an aggressive step in the work. The Church was about to suffer some loss of church property from c irelessness, but by the effort of the pastor and official members, the trouble has been removed. Iida Circuit;— This is a large circuit, consisting of Iida, Ogawa, Ashima, Tokimata and Chiku. Brother Jinshiro Kambe has spent four years here. As the result of his earnest and faithful labors, the work is prospering. During this year, twenty one have been baptized, and there are thirty-four proba­ tioners and sixty seekers. Plans have been made for building a church and more than four hundred yen have been subscribed toward this enterprise. We hope to have a suitable church building soon. The most prosperous work done this year on the district has been on this circuit. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 57

TOKYO DISTRICT.

8 .Ogata, Presiding Elder.

At the session of the last annual Conference, two districts, the Tokyo East and the Tokyo West, with the exception of Utsunomiya and Sakuyama cir­ cuits, were united and formed into the Tokyo District. Until the last year there were only nine churches on the District of which I had charge, but since the uinon of the two Districts they have increased to thirteen. There has been no astonishing progress in the work on this district during the year, but I am very happy to report that every church on the district has made progress in the spiritual welfare of its members. As I do not wish to take much of the valuable time of the Conference, I give only a short report of each charge. Aoyama First Church ;— This is brother T. Fujiwara’s second year in the pastorate here. Early last winter brother Fujiwara married an excellent wife and both have worked very earnestly and faithfully ; so that the church has been strengthened both in membership and money-giving power. Fifteen persons have been added by conversion. Aoyama Second Church; — Dr. E. Takasugi has discharged his duty very faithfully as pastor, besides his regular work as professor in the College, Nearly all the members here are students and they have received careful in­ struction, both intellectual and spiritual, from Dr. Takasugi. Thirty one students were baptised as the result of the good work here. Asakusa Church This is Brother Y. Kojima’s last year here. He has worked very faithfully all these years, but the soil is poor and unproductive. Recently, however, a number of pupils is the Asakusa Methodist School have been converted, and the Temperance work has been carried on among the pupils with enthusiasjm. A few weeks ago the preaching place was moved to a more popular and conspicuous quarter in this section of the city, and so the future of the church look? bright and hopeful. Ten persons have been baptized this year. Gmza Church has prospered under the earnest and diligent work ot Brother T. Ukai. The series of protracted meetings held in this church during last May brought out over sixty persons, who expressed a desire to know and believe Jesus Christ. From among these and others thirty two persons were baptized during the year. Mrs Ukai Nobu. the beloved wife of the pastor, departed this life last December, after a long illness. The faith she expressed during her illness, as well as the spirit of resignation she manifested at her death, assured us all that faith in God gives the true victory. Kudan Church ;— After a multiplicity of trials and tribulations of ten years, the members succeeded in erecting a beautiful house of worship upon 58 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

the Kudan Hill, one of the most prominent points in Tokyo. This building was completed last February, just at the time of Dr. and Mrs. Baldwin’s visit to the city. Dr. Baldwin assisted in dedicating the Church to the service ol God. There was held, following the dedication, special services for one week, which helped greatly in making known Gospel truth. Brother K. Nakagawa was appointed to this important charge last conference, and he has worked with great zeal and ability. The members are more closely united now than ever before. Sixteen persons have been baptized this year, and there are many inquirers. Mita Church ;— No regular Japanese pastor was appointed to this church last year. Brother Tohnson, in addition to his regular work as Mission Trea­ surer, has acted as pastor, and brother Soper besides teaching in the school at Aoyama, has kindly assisted in the work at Mita. Brothers Komuro and Namae, theological students, also have greatly helped in the work. The spe" cial services held in the church last April led a number of students in Keio* gijiku, (Mr Fakuzawa’s University) situated in the neighborhood and one of the most famous private schools in Japan, to search the Scriptures. A Bible class of young men was organized and a good work has been done. W e need a good strong pastor here this year. Okubo Church ;— This is situated in the western suburbs of Tokyo and has not make any progress for several years. Brother I. Honda was appointed to this charge last year, and he has done all he could, thinking and planning during the year, but there has not appeared any marked result. The member?, however, though a few in number, are very faithful and closely united in Christian brotherhood. Tsukiji Church;— Brother S. Furusawa has finished his third year, faith, ful and active as ever. The members are more closely united by the grace of God than ever before. The special meetings, held during the month of March last, resulted in several conversions. The entire number of persons baptized during the year is twenty-one. Mrs. Furusawa was struck down with paralysis last summer and she has since been a helpless invalid; yet her faith in God has grown stronger during her illness. Her patience and cheerfulness in suffer­ ing are a manifestation of her strong faith in God to all who visit her. The active discharge of pastoral duty and the unceasing care for the sick wife finally overcame Brother Furusawa’s physical strength, and he was obliged to seek rest and recuperation for a while during the month of June ; but now he has recovered and has resumed his labors. Yotsuya Church ;— This is the last on the list of City churches. Brother T. Miura has very faithfully finished his third year. This church was in a very prosperous condition four years ago, but it has lately been languish­ ing. The charity school in the neighborhood of the church, carried on under the auspices of the ladies of the W. F. M. S., is doing a good work. Mrs. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 59

Miura has been sick for several months past and unable to help her husband in church work. We hope for her speedy recovery. The special services held in the church during last May were productive of some good. Ajiki Circuit;— Brother K. Masuda is the supply. This being one of the oldest of our churches in Japan, most of the members are old and experienced, and they faithfully discharge their duties to the7church. There are five other preaching places on this circuit within fifteen miles of Ajiki of which Hishida is the most hopeful. Last April the brethren of this place invited five preachers from Tokyo and held two special preaching services there. This gave a chance for a large number to hear the Gospel for the first time. Ten persons were baptized during the }rear. Amaha Church ;— Brother. Y. Hirano, pastor, has finished his second year successfully. The members here are not many, but they are the prominent persons of the village, and they have a good influence over the people. Three persons were baptized during the year. Mizukaido and Kawamata Church ;— Brother. S. Kusama, supply, has served his fourth year faithfully. The members are in closer bond of Christian love than ever before. A good work has been done in each place. Seven persons were baptized during the year. Sawara Church ;— Rrother. S. Kokita was appointed to this charge last year. He has worked faithfully during the year and has made many acquain­ tances, thus securing an opportunity to preach the Gospel to unbelievers. We are in hopes of a harvest in the near future. The District Gonference held in this place last April pro ved productive of good both to believers and unbeliev­ ers At Aoyama Gakuin our Conference appointees are ;— President Y. Honda, Prof. T. Yamada, Dr. Y. Tkaasugi, Dr. T- Soper, Dr. J. O. Spencer. Each of these brethren has discharged his duty faithfully and well. The school is in a good condition, and ii soon to close for the summer vacation, with the largest attendance the school has had for a number of years. Rev. H. B. Schwartz was appointed to Aoyama Gakuin by Bisbop Joyce, but unfortunately, on ac­ count of Mrs. Schwartz’ ill health, he and his family had to return to the Uni' ted States at the end of November. We are very glad to receive this year Brother and Sister Huett among us, and also glad to learn that brother B. Chappell and family are coming back to us soon. Brother 1. W. Wadman, who has been very successful in all that he has undertaken, especially in his last work, that of the Publishing Agent, went home with his family last April for a well earned furlough. We pray that he and family may come back to us as soon as possible. At Aoyama Jo-Gakuin are Miss R. J. Watson, Miss F. G. Wilson, Miss H. S. Ailing, and in the Industrial Department Miss E. I. Blackstock. Each has done a splendid work and their school is enjoying great prosperity. 60 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

The Gospel Society evening School under the superintendency of brother T. Ukai has prospered greatly this year, and there have been ten converts among its students. We need a missionary appointed to this work. Miss M. A. Spencer, who for many years past worked faithfully and success­ fully on this District, went home last December on account of her father’s illness. Fortunately Miss Clarissa H. Spencer and Miss Belle J. Allen have fill­ ed the.place and have discharged their duty in superintending the five day schools in the city and the evangelistic work among the women on the District. There are five Bible women on the District. Each has done a very commend­ able work. Last spring we were greatly favored by visits from our distinguished friends, Dr. and Mrs. Baldwin, Bishop Foss and Dr. Goucher. Their presence was an inspiration to us, and their sermons and addresses gave us both know­ ledge and encouragement. The Methodist Episcopal Church has been abundantly blessed here in Japan from the very beginning of her work, a quarter of a century ago. This year in this Conference we have nine districts, seventy five Japanese preachers, more than 3500 members and we aré very grateful to God that we celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of our Church in Japan at this Conference. There are many things that we wish to do on this happy occasion. Since the twenty-fifth anniversary is the “Silver Wedding,” let all our people bring offerings of silver» or its equivalent gladly and freely to our beloved mother church. In honor of this silver celebration, let us freely distribute these offerings among her poor children, — especially the preachers, who have been suffering severely during the past year on account of the lessening of the purchasing value of the yen and the rise in prices of food and clothing. Their suffering will become unbearable for the next five months, for the fund now on hand to be distributed among them as their salaries, is so small that after this Conference each will get nearly twentyfive per cent less than at present, unless something is done to relieve them. I urge therefore all our brethren and sisters, all who can, to give something to the church for this purpose, for I believe this to be the most beautiful duty we can perform on this occasion. Finally I most heartily thank God and all my brothers and sisters in Christ for their kind help during the year in this enlarged field of labor. May God be with us and help us always to do our duty fully and well.

YOKOHAMA DISTRICT.

J. G. Cleveland, Presiding Elder.

The year just closing has been one of divided energy which necessitates a-division o f the results; but I trust that when the parts are brought together so as to make METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHU11CII. 61

one undivided whole the results will foot np a year of earnest, aud not entirely unproductive work for the Master. Teaching at Aoyama and more recently superin­ tending the publishing work having interfered with my work on the district. We held a Preacher’s meeting in the early autumn which proved a most Pro­ fitable time to all, and an incentive to redoubled effort in our work. No preacher went from that meetiug without feeling that the Lord was expecting something from him, and when the reports are all in it will be in evidence that the Lord has honored our faith by giving us souls for our hire and a healthy growth in all departments of church work. While we have not the large number of baptisms to report that we have hud the previous two years, we are glad to say that there has been a most healthful growth on nearly every charge, an encouraging sign of which will be seen in the fact that four advance in self-support, and still further that the people are manifest­ ing an increasing interest in this and all other branches of church work Some are not doing all they might nor all they will when they come to feel the importance of taking care of their own preachers, but the nongiving is not so much the fault of the people as the lack of education in the art of systematic giving. While on other charges we cannot expect much more advance till we have more members, as the people are doing all they can. Self-support will grow as the church grows. One charge has ’ been handicapped during the year from the fact that one brother who has been giving five yen per month has on account of adverse circumstances been compelled to cut down his subscription to one yen per month. The other members have done their best to make up the dificiency, but have found it difficult to get through the year. Odawara, which has been so discouraging for the past four or five years is lie- coming much more hopeful and the nucleus of a Society has been gathered together there, which bids fair to grow and become an honor to our faith. Kanagawa, which we were pleased to call an “ unsolved problem ” a year ago, has been most fortunate in the accession of two or three strong men, and the church has decided on more aggressive measures to increase the interest in Christianity in the town. Indeed the Lord is not slack concerning his promises if our faith waver not. Another evidence that the Lord is not slack concerning his promises is shown in the fact that our prayers are being answered and an open door placed before us at Fukaya, a large town of 5,000 or more inhaditants, on which we have been turning longing eyes for several years. During a recent trip in that region I visited and prayed at four homes where they were glad to hear o f the Gospel and have two men asking for baptism. W e expect to hold regular meetings there from now on, as we can carry on the work for a year at least without asking any special help from the Conference. This work has been largely due to the efforts of the pastor al Shimamura who has most nobly seconded our efforts to gain a foothold here. \ 62 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

A year ago we invited the Conference to hold its next session in the new church we saw by faith in this city. While circumstances have so combined as to make the completion of the church impossible we rejoice in having it so far completed as to hold our Conference here, and before this year of grace shall liUve closed Metho­ dism in this city will be housed In a church worthy the work o f the past twenty- five years. It is but proper that the Conference and the twenty-fifth anniversary should be held here, for it was here that twenty-five years ago Methodism planted her banners in this Island Empire. W e are confident that the results will more than justify our having met in an unfinished church. The Gospel Society lias had its best year since I came to the district, justifying the prediction that if the efibrts o f the missionary working here were seconded by the proper Japanese helper good results would follow. The brother has been untiring in his devotion to the work and several young men have been brought into the church. This still continues to be a most interesting and profitable work. When the church moves to its new home we will be able to accomplish greater things as we will have the entire building for the work of the Gospel Society and Night School. And what shall I say o f the Elect Ladies who labor among us. Miss Griffiths has left us for a much needed year of rest, and Miss Simons is soon to take her vacation. They have both done valuable service in the work that has been entrusted to them, and we shall be glad to welcome them back to the work they love after the vacation is past. Miss Lewis is a valuable addition and we feel assured that the work laid down by Miss Simons will not sufler under her direction. The Train­ ing »School has sent forth another class to labor in the Vineyard, and would that their number was larger as the supply is never equal to the demand. As Mi’s. Van Petten’s time is so completely taken up in the Training School there should I« some one to take charge of the work among the women on the district. This district has been unfortunate for several years in not having some one devoted to this work. It gives me pleasure to call attention to the work that is being done by Misses Baucus and Dickenson for the women by their magazine “ The Tokiwa” . The field which they have entered is a large and promising one and they should have the hearty support o f all our workers. The work on the district as a whole was never in a more hopeful condition than now, and the workers never more devoted to the work o f saving souls and the building up of the churches, and we look for increased manifestations of the Spirit’s power during the coming year. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 63

EDUCptTIOlNf.

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

W e note with great satisfaction a gradual increase in the attendance o f stu­ dents both at Aoyama and Nagasaki, and throughout year harmony has prevailed in all departments. There has been a manifest spiritual influence for great good, and during the year there have been many conversions in the various schools. These schools have been and still are very important factors in adding to the church those who are being saved. We do not urge any special increase in our educational facilities yet we feel that every tiling should be done to keep up to the highest point of efficiency the work we now have in hand; for we believe that there is no other department of Christian work more fruitful of immediate results. The Gospel Societies or Night Schools in Tokyo, Nagasaki, Yokohama, and Hirosaki have had a very succesful year. W e request the prayers of the Conference for all these schools, and especially for the schools of the prophets, that God may make them a power for good in tha conversion of Japan to Christ. f Milton S. Vail, j Y . Takasugi. t-M. Yamaka.

AOYAMA GAIOJIN :

PHILANDER SMITH BIBLICAL INSTITUTE.

Julius Soper, Dean.

At the opening of the Fall term I assumed the office o f Dean, to which I had been appointed at Conference(1897). The professors have been faithful, a id the stu­ dents, as a rule, have done good work. We have had two classes during the year — First and Third — in the Verna­ cular the enrollment has been eleven. One student was discontinued at the end of the Fall term, and one left during the Winter term. At present there are four students in the first year, one in the second (but taking the studies of the third.) and three in the ihird year, besides one special student, taking the studies o f the year. The following have taught in the school :— JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

Prof. T. Yamada — Systematic Theology, Psychology, Homiletics, Life o f Christ and Ethics. Prof. E. Asada— (special teacher), O. T. Exegesis. Rev. Y. Honda — Pastoral Theology. Prof. E. Takasugi — (special teacher) Bowne’s Theism. Rev. J ulius Soper — N. T. Exegesis and History o f Doctrine. In November the Hon. T. Ando gave an address on “ The Pulpit from the Standpoint of the Pew In December the late Dr. Verbeck gave an address on “ Some of the Requirements of the Minister in Japan at the Present D a y ” . Both o f these were admirable addresses and gave great satisfaction. Dr. and Mrs. Baldwin and Bishop Foss and Dr. Goucher visited Japan in the the spring of this year. They spent several days at Aoyama, and made special in­ quiries into our Educational work. They seemed pleased with all they saw, and were especially interested in Biblical and Theological training going on at Aoyama. Rev. -H. Yamaka, l'astor of our Yokohama church, gave four excellend lectures lo the students on Pastoral Work during the spring term. The Closing Exercises of the Schooi took place June 28. Rev. H. Kozaki, of the Congregational Church, and Rev. Dr. Harris, of San Francisco, delivered very interesting and instructive addresses on the occasion. There were three graduates ; U. Kaneko, T. Komuro, and K . Miura. Brother Kaneko will enter the Conference this year, and brothers Komuro and Miura will take special studies in English for one. year, and enter Conference next year.

COLLEGE AND ACADEMY,

J. 0. Spencer, Dean and Principal,

The time has arrived for the presentation of another annual report. Today we come to the task with something of a sense of loneliness as we recall that this marks the fifteenth year of service at Aoyam a; loneliness as we count the charges that these few years have wrought. Of all who labored with us fifteen years ago no foreigners and but two Japanese remain on the Hill. As this is the twenty-fifth anniversary of our Mission work we are all in a reminiscent mood. But there are other reasons why our eyes turn toward the past. The contrast between the conditions pre­ sented then and now is most striking. Tnen three private houses and the old dormitories whose dining room served for chapel, church, lecture hall, and all public services No roads or paths, a wilderness of weeds. Today well housed and the property in good condition save the earthquake damages to Goucher Hall, and that we hope soon to see in good shape. Now the entire property worth 200,000. yen. Then our first work was the METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 65

examination of a class of two young men one of whom became our first graduate and now after a successful course to study abroad comes back as Dr. Takagi and takes a place as special teacher in the school. There are others too who were with us as students who now are here as teachers. During this period of fifteen years over fifteen hundred students have received instruction in these Departments and over two hundred have graduated in one or more courses. During these years ties have been formed that we find it very hard to sever Here we have spent happy years. Here our children were born. Near here sleep some of our loved ones. We can only hope that some good has been done, some one given a higher ideal of life, some given a broader and brighter outlook, some one cheered on' in the struggle for existence. Just here I wish to pay glad tribute to the faithfulness of a good wife who has helped in all the toils of the day and vigils of the night. During the past year over two hundred young men have been enrolled and the enrollment for the spring term is 170, The new class in the Aca­ demy numbers sixty the largest ever enrolled. At last Conference the writer was read off in the appointments as the only foreign teacher in the College and Academy. Subsequently brother H. B. Schwartz was associated with these departments. Unfortunately the health of Mrs. Schwartz failed and by the end of November the whole family was on its way to the United States. We were sorry to see them g o . Dr. Cleveland and Dr. Soper had given and continued to give most valuable assistance in the school. At the opening of the winter term Dr. Swartz coming from Sendai on account of health also assisted in the school* In January Rev. C. W. Huett newly arriving in Japan took work two periods per day at teaching while his time was largely given to the study of the Japanese language. In the autumn K. Matsushima resigned as teacher in the school. This resignation was received with regrets both official and personal for Mr. Matsushima had been a zealous educator. Near the end of February after a severe attack of influenza, pneumonia set in and I was unable to resume my work till the beginning of June and then only partially. During all this time brothers Johnson, Soper, Ishizaka, and Wada gave great assistance in the work of the school and I owe them all a debt of gratitude that words cannot express. None the less I wish to publicly acknowledge the special kindnesses which have been so uninformly extended to me by all from President to janitor. The religious work of the school has prospered during the year and thirty two have been baptized. May the time be-far distant when we shall 66 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

take any less exalted position on this subject of moral and religious instruc­ tion ! I cannot even indirectly approve any movement to compromise in the slightest degree our position as religious teachers. Though primarily a teacher and not a preacher I cannot see any good to our school work as such from a course of compromise or from a dubious equivocal attitude before the government on this subject. A little stalwart common sense and perpendicular honesty is now very much needed. All the teachers have done their duty with noble fidelity. No "one could ask for a more devoted band of teachers ? And now the time has come to say an official good-by. It is needful that my family go to the United States and it will be for the good of the school if I lay down the office of Dean and Principal with which you have so long honored me. In doing so I would thank all who have so generously co-operated with me and thus made the tasks much lighter than they otherwise would have been. With your permission I should like to have the school buildings cleaned and put in repair at once on the close of school before turning them over formally to my successor. The fact that the school is and has been occupied has prevented the completion of that work. One cannot take fifteen years out of the middle of his life without its having some effect upon himself. For better or worse the results are with Him who knows all. No matter where I may roam on this earth Aoyama will still be dear to to me. May God grant Aoyama Gakuin increasing: success and usefulness.

INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT.

T. Sadakata, Superintendent.

About the end of December, 1896, Mr. J. O. Spencer, then Acting Super­ intendent, asked me to take his place and become Superintendent of this Department. But I declined without hesitation because I believed that I was unqualified for the office, having neither training nor experience in such business. At last, however, by .Mr. Spencer’s kind and earnest advice, as well as my special interest toward the idea of self-help, I, after a couple of weeks’ prayerful consideration, decided to try anyway. And from that time until the end of March, 1897, I worked as Mr. Spencer’s assistant, and from April I took the charge of the Department. The following figures will show the general condition of the work during the past calendar year. Number of students aided 26 ,, „ special scholarships 4 „ „ workmen employed 48 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 67

R e c i e p t s . E x p e n d i t u r e . From the Mission ¥ 611566.37 Cash Bal. from 1897 Yen 117.91 „ special sources „ 120.99 Scholarships „ 566.37 Receipts for work done „ 4976.66 Special scholarships „ 120.99 Cash Bal. to 1898 „ 98.89 W ages „ 2124.05 T ype and engravings „ 367-37 Paper „ 1586 67 Binding „ 254.63 Work done outside „ X0X.09 Sundries „ 523.84 Yen 5762.92 Yen 5762.92

Note: There were bills collectible at the end of 1896, Yen 68.30, so the real deficit at the end of 1896 was Y en 49.6 1 ; and there were bills collectible at the end of 1897, Yen 326.72, and a bill payable, Yen 55.71, so the net gain at the end of 1897 was Y en 162.11. The chief reasons why we could not have greater success are, in the first place, my inability, in the second place, lack of a helper, in cousequence of which I had to handle from the greatest and most important matters to the minutest and most trifling, so that I could not give much general supervison for the furtherance of the work ; and in the third place, our present building being very imperfect as a workshop we could not manage the business properly. So, if we secure a competent helper and a suitable building, I believe that we can develop the work better and have greater success even with my inability. Moreover, to build a new workshop is the urgent need of to-day, because under the roof of the present building we can not do the'work very well, for when it rains it leaks almost everywhere and should it be shaken by strong wind or earthquake it is pretty sure to be damaged beyond hope of repair. And further it is too old and weak for extensive repairs. For these reasons we must have a new building ere long. For this 3nd for all the interests of the Department I earnestly beg your sympathy and co-operation.

CHENZEI GAKKWAN.

E. R. Fulkerson, Principal.

I am happy to report continued prosperity in our Nagasaki School. The year has been one of solid growth in every department. The teaching force was strengthened at the beginning of the year by the addition of Prof. Saburo^Toyama, a^graduate of^Ohio 'Wesleyan University. Being a gra­ duate of the school, before going to America, he has taken hold of the 6 8 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

work with a determination to make it succeed. Early in the year Prof. T. Fuji was secured for the Chinese department. He has done good work and has greatly strengthened that difficult de­ partment. After a lingering sickness, Dr. Sasamori took up his work about the middle of the fall term. He is in hearty sympathy with our work, and is a great power among the students. With one exception, our teachers are all Christians. A strong revival spirit prevailed through the entire year. A large number of our best stu­ dents were converted and joined the church. A systematic study of the Bible is required of every student connected with the school. The Y. M. C. A. numbers nearly one hundred, and is perhaps the larg­ est in Japan. It is certainly one of the most active. Nearly twenty of our young men have dedicated their lives to active Christian work. The Board of Managers voted to change the closing of the school year from June to some time in the Spring. This will bring us into harmony with the government schools in the matter of closing the school year. The enrollment for the fall term was 135, for the winter term 115, and for the spring term 120. The total enrollment for the year was more than 175-

GOSPEL SOCIETY.

HIROSAKI.

R. P. Alexander, Principal.

Owing to the great difficulty experienced in getting a place to meet, the year has not been so successful as we had hoped. The only place we were able to secure was not suitably located, consequently our numbers were not large. This place it should be said, was owing to the kindness of the Ladies of the W. F. M. S. in placing at our disposal the rooms used by them as a poor-school in the daytime. Our thanks are also due them for their help in teaching extended to us through the whole year. During the past three months we have had rooms in a more central place and the attendance has been over thirty, so that this place has become altogether too small. The most satisfactory feature of the work has been the number of young men who have through the night school been intro­ duced to our Sunday School and the Church. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 69

TOKYO. Takeshi TJkai, Principal.

The Tokyo Gospel Society has enjoyed another prosperous year for which we are devoutfully grateful to our Heavenly Father. The total enroll­ ment of students during the year has been 296, and the average monthly attendance 90 which means an encouraging increase both in the former and in the latter. Most of these students are officers in the government, clerks in leading firms of the city, and others who are engaged in some kind of employment during the day. Yet their work has been, in general, most gratifying, and at the end of last June we graduated six bright, promising young men who were converted during the past two school years. The chapel exercises of fifteen minutes every evening, twelve nights of revival meetings in March and April, and various sermons and addresses of Drs. S. L. Baldwin, G. F. Goucher and M. C. Harris have resulted in the conversion of several young men and also in the up lifting of many Chris­ tians. r Drs. Soper, J. O. Spencer, and M. Takagi, and Revs. H. B. Johnson, J. W. Wadman, and C. W. Huet, and Miss. C. H. Spencer have rendered very valuable services to our work for which we desire to express our hearty thanks. Our success speaks well for the wisdom of our church in establishing and maintaining the Gospel society for young men. We do not think that there is any one branch of our church work which accomplishes so much permanent good with comparatively so little expenses an our Gospel society. May we not expect then much more hearty support of and far greater help from our Conference ? We must have one good foreign teacher who comes regularly five nights or at least three nights in a week, for he will draw more students and put them under Christian instructions than can be done in any other way. If we save young men to-day, we will save Japan to-morrow. Our best efforts in this work are, therefore, of incal­ culable service to our country both in its advancement and also in its Christianization.

YOKOHAMA. Tindting 8. Worden, Principal.

By the blessing of God the past year has been, in some respects, the most successful year in the history of the Gospel society. 70 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

The active members of the society number fifty three. The number of students in the Night School reached the highest in February when there were one hundred and nine in attendance. The number of students enrolled during the year has been two hundred and six, with an average monthly attendance of seventy. The Library and Reading Room has been opened one hundred and seventy one days. The visitors to the Library have numbered 3,265, and 65 persons have borrowed books. Thirty five free lectures have been given by noted foreigners and Japanese, and ten literary meetings have been given in English by the students. Three temperance meetings have been held and 45 have joined the Temperance Society. At number of sociables, and farewell meetings for those who have gone to America and other countries have been given. The average number of Boarders in the Boarding House has been seven­ teen. The class of young men reached by this society consists largely of young businese men, officials in the government offices and clerks. * The direct Christian work is found in the fifteen minute service every school night, when a hymn is sung, the Bible read and explained, and public prayer offered. Earnest invitations are given to the students to attend our church services, and a special class for the students of the Night School has been organized in the Sunday school, Twelve young men have received baptism, nine have united with the church in full membership, and there are twenty three seekers. With the assistance of less than «; 200, gold, from the Missionary Society, this work has been carried on during the past year. (The Salary of the foreign missionary not being counted). The Boarding House and Night School are self supporting and furnish some income towards the Salary of the Japanese General Secretary. If the Gospel Society owned the land upon which its building is situated, it would soon becane independent of financial help from the Mission. Mr. Y. Bito, to whose faithful and wise efforts the success of the past year is largely due, is the General Secretary of this society. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 71

PUBLICATIONS.

J. G. Cleveland, Acting Agent.

It is impossible for one who has been in charge of this work for only two months and who has had no previous experience to write an elaborate report or one that shows clean-cut ideas of the business. It was most unfortunate that the brother who has had the work in charge was compelled to leave the field at a time when it was almost impossible to provide for it. The present supervision is only a makeshift till the Committee can fill the place perma­ nently after consultation with the Bishop. Even two months however, to one who is at all observant, is sufficient to show the importance of this work in the evangelization of this country. For if there is one thing that is needed above another it is a Christian literature. A literature for the home, the school, the study. To build up such a literature is the aim of our Methodist Publishing House, and it is to be hoped that those in charge of our Publishing interests in America will regard it as a part of their legitimate duty to help us in this matter and not leave the work to the small amount of assistance we can hope to receive from the Missionary Society. Were it not for the aid given us by the Sunday School Union and Tract Society we would be compelled to close out our business. Our people at home talk of a World-wide Methodism, but when it comes to certain very important branches of the work it is confined to the limits of the homeland. If it is necessary to establish Depositories which do not pay expenses at large centers at home much more is there a need of a Depository here. A comparatively small sum expended here each year would bring large returns in the assistance it would give to our general evangelistic work. With the means at our disposal much has been accomplished, but there is much more that sho'uld be done during the next few years if we would influence this people for God and righteousness. A plan is now being perfected by which we hope to bring the work of publishing Sunday School Literature into the hands of a Committee repre­ senting all the principal denominations. Our publishing Committee have met with representatives of the United Presbyterian Churches in Japan and a plan of united work has been arranged which I hope will receive the approval of this Conference. In examining the work of the year I find a gratifying increase in the sales of English books and general merchandise. These should be looked after most carefully as what is made in the business comes largely form these sources. There is a marked falling off in the number of books and tracts published as compared with last year. This may be attributed to smaller editions and 72 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

more care in the editing of manuscripts. The totals show a slight advance in the amount of sales as compared with last year. One of the felt needs of the time is a distinctively Armenian Commentary, and arrangements should be made by which some one competent to under take the work might give his time to its preparation. Commending our Publish­ ing House to the hearty support of all our workers I append a list of publi­ cations during the past year as also a financial statement.

PUBLICATIONS DURING THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30th, 1898.

B o o k s . Issue Page 1,000 Spiritfilled Life 162 500 Promises of Scripture, 484 1,000 U pper R oom 118 1,000 N ew Life 530 500 Japanese Diary 190 750 Wesley's Notes 820 1.000 Supplementary Catalogue 24 500 Christian Directory 298 fco Kxplanatory Notes for Photo Album 258 500 Poim enics 219 500 Fifine 277

T R ACTS. 5,000 Lamb of God, 2nd Ed. 7 5,000 Alcohol and Morals, 2nd Ed. 6 3,000 Light of Salvation. 29 5,000 Guide to Christianity, 2nd Ed. 2 10,000 Post Man, 2nd Ed. 3 10,000 Deserter Forgiven, 2nd Ed. 3 5,000 Jesus Christ, Son of God. 43 5,000 Meat Eating. 18 10,000 Jesus Christ. 4 10,000 Life Boat. 4 10,000 Fruit of Sin. 4 5)000 Daily Fellowship with God, 2nd Ed. 8 5,000 My C onversion in Hawaii, 5th Ed 28 5.000 An Answer to Objections to Christianity in Japan, 3rd Ed. 28 5,000 Boy's Catechism on Tobacco. 40 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 73

5.000 Alcoholic Heredity. 28 5)000 Domeikwai Enzetsu Shu No. i 35 5.000 „ „ n n 2 26 5.000 » „ „ 3 32 5.000 „ „ „ M 4 5.000 Hawaian Murderer’s Conversion. 18

Ja p a n e s e S u n d a y S c h o o l L i t e r a t u r e . 4>r5° Quarterlies Pages 104 431,600 6,000 Monthlies „ 2r 126,000 167,000 Child’s Leaflet „ 2 334,000 r,ooo Story of Creation „ 22 22,000 500 Golden Text Books „ 34 17,000

E n g l i s h B o o k l e t s . 200 English Conference Minutes 95 500 Cycle of Prayer 20 500 English Catalogue 26 460 Calendars 12

S a l e s . Japanese Books ...... Yin 2,228.91 English Books ...... 5,275.05 Tracts ...... M 37-78 Japanese Sunday School Literature ...... 476.57 English Sunday School Literature...... 538.48 English Periodicals ...... 383 36 Merchandise(Including all Commission Books) ...... 1,620.72 Conference Minutes ...... 39-25 Total Sales Yen 12,000.12 Increase over last year Yen 300.63

UNION SUNDAY SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS.

P r o p o s e d P l a n o f C o -o p e r a t i o n i n S u n d a y S c h o o l P ublications b e ­ t w e e n t h e P u b l i s h i n g C o m m i t t e e s o f t h e M e t h o d i s t E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h i n Ja p a n a n d t h e N i h o n K i r i s u t o K y o -k w a i ( P resbyterian B o d i e s ).

A . T h e G e n e r a l S c h e m e o f C o - o p e r a t i o n . I. There shall be a Joint Board of Management which shall also act as an Editorial Staff. 74 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

II. This Board or2Staflf shall be composed of three members from the Missionary body of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and three members from the Missionary bodies co-operating with the Nihon Kirisuto Kyo-kwai. III. These Sections shall be known respectively as the Methodist and Presbyterian Groups. V. The^members of each Group of the Board shall be elected by the Committee of Publications of each Church. The term of membership shall be two years. The election shall take place at least six months before the date for which the Sunday School work is to be prepared. In default of the election of either Group, the old Group shall continue to serve until such election. The Board shall hold stated Quarterly meetings at the beginning of each Quarter. Called meetings shall be held at the request of any two m em bers. VI. The International Sunday School Lessons, with the International date, are to be used.

B. T h e W o r k . I. The Scheme of Lesson Helps. I. There shall be three grades of Lesson Helps,— a. A Teachers Jourmil for teachers and helpers generally,to be issued monthly, something on the plan of the '* Seikei Kwatei ” hitherto published by Mr. Miller for the Nihon Kirisuto Kyokwai. This shall be divided into departments with Editors assigned by the Board from its own members, each of whom is to be responsible for his own department,— the Departments to be as follows : — (a) Lesson Context and Critical Notes. (b) Topical Subjects, as Persons, Places, Customs, etc. ( c ) Personal Applications and Illustrations. (d) Teaching Hints, with Questions and Answers. b. A Quarterly for Advanced and Inotrmediate pupils, similar to the present Methodist Quarterly, but somewhat simplified. This to contain — (a) Pictures, Maps, etc. (b) A Simple Exposition of the Lesson, with practical applications. (c) Suggestive Question hints to aid in the study of the lesson. (d) Daily Scripture Readings. c. A L eaflet for the Primary Department, like the Leaflet of the Metho­ dist Episcopal Church, or the “ Seikei Kagami ” published by Mr. Miller, to be issued monthly or quarterly, in leaves detached weekly. This is to contain the Golden Text, the Subject of the Lesson, the Lesson Story in sim ple w ords in Kana, with an easy application at the end, and a ew simple questions all of which can be answered from the Lesson itself. II. The Apportionment of the Work. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 75

i. The work shall be assigned to the Denominational Groups, on the following basis, subject to amendment from time to time by a two-thirds vote of the] Board. Group I. G roup II. a. Journal. a. Journal. (a) Context and (b) Exposition and Critical Notes Application (d) Teaching Hints and Illustrations. (c) Question Hints, etc. b. Lesson Quarterly. 2. The work under the Groups shall alternate year by year, but with the unanimous consent of the Board such alternation may remain in abeyance for one year only. III. Peloubet’s or Hurlbut’s Notes, either or both, shall be accepted as a basis for all exposition, freedom being given to Editors to vary by addi­ tion or omission as may seem best. IV. All discussion of denominational differences is to be avoided. C. B u s i n e s s D e t a i l s . I. Publication and Translation. 1. The Methodist Publishing House shall be the publishers o the above Helps, provided that this Article shall be subject to amendment as provided below. 2. All business matters connected with the publication, including the employment of a translator, shall be in charge of the above Publishing House, the translator to be approved by the Joint Board of Management. II. Finances. 1. The prices of thePublications shall be as follows : — (a) Teachers, Journal...... 40 Sen per year. (b) Quarterly ...... 20 Sen per year. (c) Leaflet...... 10 Sen per year. 2. Subsidy. All deficits are to be distributed among the co-operating Missions on the basis of the number of male. Missionaries.

D . M iscelaneous M a t t e r s . I. Overtures are to be made to the other Methodist Bodies. II. If the above plan is approved, work shall commence so that we may begin to co-operate, at least in part, immediately and regularly by October first, next. (1898). III. The first two years shall be considered as a Trial, and any time thereafter either party shall have the privilege of withdrawal, six months notice in writing being given to the Joint Board of Management.

E. A m e n d m e n t s . The above Articles may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Publishing Committees of the respective co-operting Missions. 76 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

THE “ GOKYO” BOARD.

We beg leave to lay before you the Seventh Annual Report of the work connected with the publication of our Methodist paper. The report of last year was not without error. The real status then was: — Number of copies printed weekly...... 500. No. of copies Sent out regularly. ••...... 419. No. of regular subscribers...... 371* The rest were either sent to stores or given away, but since last July the list of subscribers has been growing and we are greatly encouraged financially. The following is the general statement,— No. of regular issues...... 52 No. of copies printed weekly...... 515 No. of copies sent out every week ...... 515 No. of regular subscribers...... 442 No. of new subscribers...... 179 No. who have ordered the paper stopped ...... 79 No. dropped for non-payment...... 29 This shows an increase of seventy-one subscribers and an increase of ninety-six in the number of copies sent out weekly. The financial statement is as follows,— Receipts ■' Cash received from subscribers,...... 404.684 „ „ from advertizers...... 99*535 ,, „ from miscellaneous sources...... 820 Subsidy from four Methodist churches...... •• 775*28o T ota l...... 1280.319 Expenditures •Cost o f printing...... 594.430 „ „ postage...... 177.890 Traveling expenses...... 53*785 Cost of business management...... 46.014 advertizement...... 1.500 „ of house rent...... 50.667 Cost of editorial work...... 320.235 „ „ interest on loan...... 2.500 Excess of receipts over expenditures...... 33.298

Total...... j 280.319 This shows an increase of 59.804 from subscriptions and an increase of 89.535 from advertizements, the total increase being 149.334. Tokyo, July 18, 1898. Respectfully submitted, E. Takasugi, Secretary. METHODIST ' EPISCOPAL CHUKCH

P I N A N 0 S 5 .

CONFERENCE EXPENSES.

200 Programs ...... 7.20 Postage ...... 100 200 Anniversary Slips ...... 1.00 Distributing Committee’s Report ...... 1.62 300 English and Japanese Programs of 25th Anniversary and 50 Postal Card Invitations to Laymen...... 5.30 Postage, Stationery ...... 2.23 Paper for Examinations ...... 30 2 Janitors...... 14.00 Postage to Mr. S h ira tori...... 12 Paper for English and Japanese Secretaries ...... 1.00 ISotice in Gokyo of Examinations...... 1.84 >, „ » „ Anniversary ...... 1.12 36.78 W . S. Worden, Committee.

JAPANESE MINUTES.

Eeport on Conference Minutes printing expenses, for the Fourteenth Session of the Japan Aunual Conference. Money received Subsidy . . . , ...... 11.10 Subscriptions ...... 39.835 Total ... •...... 50.935

Money Expended Printing Expenses ...... 46.00 Postage ...... 4.80 Balance on hand ...... ' ...... 135 Total ...... 50.935

Respectfully Submitted, T. Miura, Committee. 78 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION.—For 1899.

I.—Standing of Man.— 1.00 Yen per month for each 5 years of Full Member­ ship in the Annual Conference. II.— Fam ily.— 3 Yen for wife, and 1 Yen for each child up to 16 Years. III.—Church.—A Church paying up to 20 Yen salary ffe r m onth, 5th class. 1» >» » 21 ,, 23 ,, ,, ,, ,, 4th 0 )» J! »1 24 JJ 27 ,, ), if „ 3*"d „ J> >» »» 28 ,, 30 J, >> ,1 JJ 2nd ,, » » ¡t 31 33 jj >j 1» 3j *st ,, Notes.—The salary of a native Presiding Elder was fixed at 33 Y en, and is not subject to cut. The Minimum Salary of a single man was fixed at 12 Y en, and that of a married man at 15 Yen per month. With regard to the money raised by churches, the following scale was established:— Among Mission, or aided churches, any church paying annually in Rent, Taxes, Insurance, Current Expenses Home Missions, and Pastor’s Salary up to 40. Y en, 5th class, „ „ 80. „ 4th „ „ „ 120. „ 3rd „ „ „ 160. „ 2nd „ A b o v e 160. „ 1st „

FINANCIAL STATEMENT— Aug. to Dec.— 1898.

Needed to meet Expenses. Conference Claims as reported, Yen 672.80 Rents for 5 m o n th s,...... 1085.00 Circuit Travel for 5 m on th s,...... 570.00 Salaries, 5 months, (6850. less 13%) 5959-50 8387.30 Resources. Balance on hand for 5 m on th s,...5866.15 Balance Conference Eund,...... 34I-I4 Book concern Dividend,...... 802.02 Collections, including for P. E., ...... 42.84 Committee hopes to raise,...... 1235.15 8287.30 As any further cut of the salaries of the preachers will greatly interfere with their work or prevent their continuance in the work, the Committee of three to whom all matters were referred for adjustment decided to appeal METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 79

to the churches, to wealthy laymen, and to the missionaries for special contributions, to be paid into the hands of the Rev. S. Ogata by the 15th o f November. It is hoped in this way to raise a special fund of over 1200. Yen. No more worthy cause has been presented to the Churches. David S. Spencer, Secretary of Committee.

BOARD OF STEWARDS.

Your Committee would respectfully report that they have carefully con­ sidered the Twenty-four applications for special aid with following result. (See bebw) In view of the extended session on account of our 25th anniversary and also in view of the great rise in the price of living by reason of which all the preachers have been seriously embarrassed during the year, it was resolved to grant to each the sum of Six Yen except to those preachers not in attend­ ance upon our present session.

G r a n t s .

Mrs. Moriyasu...... 24. Bro. Kambe ...... 5- JJ Komoriya ...... 24. „ N akayam a...... 15. » I w a i ...... 18. » JJ ...... 20. Bro. Nakada ...... 5- „ T s u d a ...... 5- „ K osaka ...... 5- „ Fukagaya ...... 10. Sugihara ...... 10. „ K ojim a ...... 5. }» Miura ...... T5- „ K a w a s e ...... 20. » Furusawa ...... 15- T o t a l...... 196 J. c. D avison.

TREASURERS’ REPORTS.

CONFERENCE CLAIMANT’S FUND. 1897— 8.

Dr.

July 1897. To Balance from 1897 ...... Ten 2172.25 „ 1718 97. Interest on Deposit to July 17 ... — ...... 83.72 „ „ Conference Collections ...... 28.82 „ 1897. Book Concern Dividend ...... 905.60 Jan. 5 1898. Interest on Deposit ...... 24.31 R eceived for Presiding E ld e r s ...... 6.30 Ten 3221.00 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

Cr.

July 1897. Paid on account of 13 % cut on Salaries yen 1117.21 » v » >j j> » » » >1 x7-29 „ To Nagano Chujo Missionary in Liukyu ...... 150.00 „ „ Nagano Chujo on account of sickness ...... 30.00 „ „ Matsumoto Sogo ...... 15.00 „ „ Kojima Yubi ...... 6.00 „ „ Honda Itsuki ...... 20.00 „ To S. Ogata for Mrs. Komoriya $ 24: Moriyasu $ 12 : \ „ Mrs. Iwai $ 1 2 : Mrs. Saotome $ 1 2 ...... ) „ Mr. Mizoye ...... 30.00 „ Mr. M. Y am aka ...... 7.00 D ec. 1897. Mrs. K om oriya Jan.— June ...... 24.00 „ Mrs. Moriyasu ...... 12.00 „ H. B. Johnson to make up cuts on Salaries ...... 1391.36 Total paid out ...... yen 2879.86 Balance on Hand ...... 341.14 Yen 3221.00 Respectfully submitted, Milton S. Vail, Treasurer. Audited and found correct Charles Bishop, Kotaro Kawase. Yokohama July 14, 1898.

CONFERENCE COLLECTIONS, 1898. over. CONFERENCE COLLECTIONS,

1898.

Missions i !

Districts vnojj ^ .9 S S Schools Simday Tract Churches Society Church Extension Education Totals Claimants Conference Bible Society Presiding Elders Bishops

Hakodate 33.81 2.00 35.81 2.26 2.64 85.03 19.27 20.71 2.43 6.81 3.20 3.17 181.33 Kagoshima 4.30 4.30 .30 .70 123.45 5.00 1.50 .55 .90 .50 1.00 138.20 Nagasaki 23.66 8.65 32.31 3.80 111.05 17.10 14.35 3.40 7.65 2.00 3.80 195.46 Nagoya 5.81 3.00 8.81 .52 .57 19.73 7.62 9.47 .64 1.81 2.25 51.42 Sapporo 11.40 11.40 1.42 1.72 36.52 7.70 6.65 1.60 3.38 1.48 2.25 74.12 Sendai 10.62 2.10 12.72 .96 1.06 21.91 9.80 3.37 .96 1.72 .30 1.66 54.46 Shi nano 9.27 .25 9.52 .70 .60 20.92 8.80 3.02 .35 3.00 .80 .98 48.69 Tokyo 64.35 8.24 72.60 23.35 7.45 155.72 40.44 45.63 6.40 11.97 8.25 8.77 380.58 Yokohama 23.37 5.09 28.46 .90 2.41 41.07 11.99 12,92 1.75 6.85 .59 1.84 108.78

Yen 186.60 29.33 215.93 30.41 20.95 615.40 127.72 117.62 18.08 44.09 17.12 25.72 1233.04 J. Soper, Conference Treasurer. 82 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

lYtISCEbbH]\[)50US.

BIBLE CAUSE.

Whereas the truths and facts of the Bible are the foundation of the religious life o f the individual, and of our common Christianity as well as o f the highest civilization, we recommend that each individual pastor o f the Japan Conference urge upon every member o f his charge, both publicly and privately, the duty o f reading the Holy Scriptures daily; and also the necessity of systematic Bible study in order to grow Spiritually and enjoy the continual presence o f God in Christ, our Lord, through the Holy Spirit, and further, so present this cause to our congre­ gations that the collections, which, in various parts o f the world, have seriously fallen off, shall be largely increased. K. Nakagawa. A. M. Brooks.

CHARGES.

Your committee appointed to formulate charges against Chiujo Nagano report as follows,— Charge i. Conduct Unbecoming a Minister. Specification i. — In the year 1896 the said Chiujo Nagano entered into business relations with Giichi Nimi, a member of the Okinawa church, for the purchase of goods in Okinawa and the sale o f the same in Tokyo. Specification 2. — In 1897 the said Chiujo Nagano borrowed one hundred yen from Dr. Okubo, a member o f the Okinawa church, and has failed to repay it. Specificatim 3. —. Merchandise was bought by the said Chiujo Nagano from Mr. Asazo Ozawa, a merchant in Okinawa, amounting to twentv two yen ; and the said account has not been settled though frequently presented. Charge II. Misappropriation of Funds. Specification 1. — The said Chiujo Nagano received, last autumn, the sum of sixty yen in trust from Dr. Okubo for the purchase of a microscope for the said Dr. Okubo, which amount he used for his own purposes, and has failed to return it or purchase the instrument. Specificatim 2. — Last year the said Chiujo Nagano received fifty yen from Mr. Ogushiku of Okinawa for the purchase of stirrups, on behalf o f the said Mr Ogushiku. Ten yen worth of goods were sent by the said Chiujo Nagano, but the balance, amounting to forty yen, has not been returned to the said Mr. Ogushiku METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 8 3

Charge III. Partisan Maiadministration. Specification i. — That in February of this year(1898J the said Chiüjo Nagano announced as expelled from the church Asazo Ozawa^and Saki Sliirahama without due form of trial. Gideon F. Draper. Eiken Aibara. Kyukichi Nakada. (JhVr verdict see page 17. E d .).

CHURCH EXTENSION.

The need of a chapel and parsonage is felt by the people in many places and the Society has received many applications for aid this year, but it is to be deeply regretted that more than half of these applications were refused owing to the lack of funds. In order to increase the Society’s Capital and multiply its usefulness we re­ commend the following : — 1 . That every preacher of our Church, either traveling or local, perform his duty and meet his obligation as a member of this Society of the Japan Annual Conference. 2. That every pastor request his people, as far as practicable, to become members o f this Society. 3. That the churches that have borrowed money from this Society be required to pay special attention to the conditions of said Loans and discharge their obligation to this Society. J. Kambe. T. Otake. S. Ogata. T. Takami.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE RECORDS.

Your Committee has examined the records of all the District Conferences, and find that they are in harmony with the regulations o f the Discipline. Those o f the Nagasaki District show that great care has been taken in their pre­ paration, and their published form is a credit to all parties concerned. Those of Sapporo, Sendai, Yokahama, Nagoya, and Kagoshima Districts come next in order o f excellence. Those of Hakodate are written on poor paper and are not so clear as they might be. K. Naruse. J. Soper. 84 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

DIVISION OF THE CONFERENCE.

Your Committee, while admitting that the proposed division of Conference might be desirable under favorable circumstances, yet owing to the financial conditions in America, and the effect division under these conditions might have upon our work, we deem the present an inopportune time, and therefore recommend that the question be postponed another year. Y. Honda, Chairman. S. Ogata, Secretary.

EPWORTH LEAGUE.

In order to bring about a healthy growth and development in church work it is necessary that every department should receive proper attention, so that one part of the work may not be abnormally developed at the expense o f other parts. Unless due care is exercised there may be apparent spiritual development while there is no real growth. Among the elements that are necessary to such growth the Epwortli League is and will continue to be more and more prominent, and because of this your committee recommends the following:— 1st. That each church in order to have the largest usefulness should as speedily as possible organize an Epworth League. 2nd. That, as many of our churches are small and it may be impossible to take up all the work mapped out for Epworth Leaguers, those departments be organized that are most important and others as the work may develop. 3rd. That, as the Evangelistic Department is most necessary in all church work, it be organized first; and, as the Literary Department affords the best opportunities for social intercourse between believers and those whom we hope to reach it be orga­ nized next. With these two it will be found that much good work can be accomp­ lished. H . Hirata. S. Fnrusawa. J. G. Cleveland.

KAGOSHIMA PROPERTY.

Your Committee appointed to investigate the rumors concerning the mortgage of the Church property of Kagoshima as security for Mr. S. Nakajima, when appointed Postmaster o f Kagoshima, beg leave to report the following :— That the Leaders and Stewards’ meeting o f the Kagoshima Church, with the METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUIICII 85

approval of Rev. S. Kurimura, pastor of the Church and Presiding Elder o f the District, did allow said property to be mortgaged as security for Mr. Nakajima,—all o f which was in violation of the letter and spirit of tlie Discipline. W e further find, from a letter in brother Knrimura’s hands from Mr. Nakajima, that measures are now being taken to have this mortgage on the Kagoshima Church property removed and placed on property owned by Mr. Nakajima on the island of Oshima. Julius Soper. S. Furusawa. S. Ogata. (For further action seepage 18. E d .).

PETITIONS.

The following memorials have been received ; and we recommend that they be referred as indicated 1. From the Sapporo Church for the appointment,— a. Of a lady missionary. To the Women’s Conference and the Bishop. b. O f an assistant pastor. To the Bishop and Cabinet. 2. From the Otaru church for the return of the present pastor. To the Bishop and Cabinet. 3. Brother Kikuchi requests an increase of salary on account of a daughter who was supported by the I-ai Jo Gakko, but has now returned home. To the Redistribution Committee. 4. From the Sapporo District Conference.— a. For an assistant pastor for the Otaru Church. To the Bishop and Cabinet. b. The Otaru Church asks for aid to carry on a new chapel. To the Distribution Committee. c. For a Bible woman for the Iwanai church. To the Women’s Conference. d. For a missionary for Otaru to work especially among young men, and to carry on a Gospel Society. To the Bishop and Cabinet. 5. From the Sendai District Conference. a. For a reduction of preachers* salaries. To the Redistribution Committee. b. In regard to Conference Claimants. To the Board of Stewards’ 6. From the Nagasaki District Conference for the transfer of Dr. M. C. Harris to Kyushiu. To the Bishop. 86 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

7. From the Hakodate Church for a grant o f money for a Gospel Society. To the Mission. 8 From Loo Choo for the return of brother Nagano. To the Bishop.

PRIZES.

Your Commettee on award of prizes offered by Bishop Mallalien for the best original hymns written by preachers of the Conference and by laymen in the Church, would re­ spectfully report as follows : — To Preachers,— Hiraoka Kiku, Prizes Nos. I. III. and the “ best o f all Hiraoka Komajiro, Prize No. II. To Laymen, —• Yabuuchi Keinosuke, Prize No. I. Murase —■ Prize No. II. Narita Yasuhide, Prize No. IH . The money for these prizes has been sent to the Rev. I. H. Correll now in Phila­ delphia and may be expected by any mail steamer in the near future, when it will be forwarded to the proper persons or their legal representatives. Y. Honda. J. C. Davison.

SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

The observance of the Sabbath is obligatory upon us as Christians, in harmony with the law of »God; but it is also necessary for our physical and spiritual welfare. The present condition of society, however, is such as to greatly tempt believers and even preachers to become careless in keeping the day holy as unto the Lord. We therefore recommend 1. That preachers and their families should’ most strictly observe the Sabbath and therefore set a good example before the people. 2. That sermons be frequenty preached upon the subject. 3. That preachers urge the people to be more regular in their attendence upon divine service on the Sabbath day. C. Nakagawa. T. Ukai. H. W. Swartz.

SAPPORO INSURANCE.

To the Conference of M. E. Church: — We, the under-signed, beg leave to present the following report for insurance on our church building,— METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 87

In hopes of securing insurance on the church building, we have negotiated with agents of the Meiji Fire Insurance Company and of the Teikoku Fire Insurance Com­ pany. W e have been refused on the ground that the church building is now surrounded with houses which are already insured. For this reason, we can not expect to have insurance on our building, at present, here in Sapporo. Respectfully, Shosuke Sato, Takeo Seto, Seikichi Dan, Matsumi Ito, Toyoji Niliei, Trustees of Sapporo M. E. Church.

SELF-SUPPORT.

D eclaration o f Principles by the M issionaries o p t i i e M ethodist Episcopal Church in Japan.

W e desire to set forth the following principles, as a basis for promoting self- support : — 1.— In our judgment, appropriations of Mission money to a given church should be reduced or discontinued after the Cabinet, having heard a full representation of the case, shall so decide. W e are convinced that the practical attainment of self-support depends upon educating the people in systematic giving, and requires the patient and constant attention o f both pastor and preiidin^ elder. As a means to its attainment, we recommend the instruction of the people in the Tithing System, and require of each church receiving Mission aid to use the Steward’s Book now in use on the Nagoya District. 2. — While recognizing the sacrifises that many of our pastors are called upon to make, and the valuable services rendered, we feel that in the interests o f the Church some of our older brethren should seek a superannuated relation ; and further, we record our disapproval of the use of Mission funds in the support of men, who, after a fair trial, have demonstrated their inefficiency. 3.— We recommend the keeping separate of the amount lappropriated for pastors’ salaries and rents from other evangelistic funds, the whole to be administered by the Disciplinary method. 4.— We are profoundly impressed with the fact that curtailment in the appro­ priations for evangelistic work, (including pastoral support, chapel rents, and the opening of new work,) in the near future, will result in irretrievable loss to the Church. Opportu­ nities are now upon us for which we have prayed and labored for years. We are convinced that in view of the rise in the cost of living and of rentals, the appropritions for the present should be increased rather than decreased, unless it be the wish o f the Church that the work should be curtailed instead of extended. 88 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Believing no work of the church to be of more importance than that of the Sunday School, your committee begs leave to make the following report;— We notice, with satisfaction, the marked progress that has been made in this department of our work and heartily commend the efforts that have been made by the Methodist Publishing House to supply our Sunday Schools with good literature at small cost. W e learn, with pleasure, of the progress already made in securing a Sunday School Hymnal, and heartily commend the effort now being made to establish a unity of interest and responsibility in the publication by the different evangelical Churches in Japan, of a variety o Sunday School helps to Bible study. Therefore, be it Resolved 1. That we earnestly commend the policy of establishing at least one Sunday School in connection with each preaching appointment and urge upon our Sunday School teachers the importance of visiting the homes of Sunday School children and also of interesting public school teachers in the Sunday School, so that the number of Sunday School children may be largely increas­ ed . 2. That we earnestly recommend the thorough organization of the Sunday School Board, in order that better teaching may be secured, pledging our hearty support in all efforts made to maintain good literature for the Sunday S ch ool. 3. That we urge upon our people the great importance of Christian in­ struction for the young, and the proper observance of Children’s Day, Christmas and Easter, thus enthusing and inspiring the children under our care with lofty ideals and noble ambitions. Toshio Fujiwara. C. W. Huett.

TEMPERANCE

Intemperance of all kinds prevailing in society at present, such as drinking, smoking, and the like, is a great enemy to God and His church, and also a great curse to our country. It is, therefore, our duty and our principle, as a Christian Church and as ministers, to put forth much effort in all reforms. In declaration of our purpose on these lines, we recommend the adoption of the following by a rising vote :— 1. That every Church observe the fourth Sunday in November as Temperance Sunday, and the Pastor or some speaker deliver a temperance sermon or address. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. S9

2. That special temperance instruction, especially in regard to drinking and smoking, be given on that day to the Sunday school children. 3. That a collection be taken on that day for the purpose of distribut­ ing good temperance literature or assisting the work of the Central Temper­ ance Committee of Japan. 4. That every pastor organize a Temperance Society in his own church as soon as practicable, and try to have all church members identify them­ selves with one of the Temperance Societies in the country. 5. That every pastor organize a Children’s Temperance Legion, wherever practicable among Sunday school children. 6. Preachers and Church members should make most strenuous efforts for the abolishing of breweries in Japan. T. Ukai, Chairman.

TRACTS.

From year to year reports have been made to this conference as to the value of tracts and as to the method of their distribution so that it is not necessary to present these points. Your committee therefore desires simply to urge the following: 1. The thanks of the Conference are due to the Publishing Committee for the satisfactory tracts that have been recently published; but in view of the unsatisfactory character of many of the tracts previously published we urge the Publishing Committee to use their best endeavors to have suitable and easily understood tracts prepared and published in large numbers. 2. That rewards be offered for the preparation of excellent tracts. 3. That we earnestly urge all who are in educational work, or otherwise fitted for it, to take an active interest in the preparation of such tracts. Iida Kanezo, Hasegawa Tomokichi. 90 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

RESObUTIGJNfS.

BISHOP CRANSTON.

Whereas, our beloved Bishop, Earl Cranston, LL. D., has come across the broad ocean, in this hot season, to hold the Conferences in Eastern Asia, and has now been presiding over our Conference with great satisfaction to all, therefore, Resolved, that although we have had much and sometimes very trying business yet, as the Bishop has kindly and successfully conducted the affairs of the Conference, we express to him our thanks by a standing vote. Resolved, that we pray our Heavenly Father to care for our Bishop and his family during their sojourn in Eastern Asia, and that we will give them all a hearty welcome on their return to our next Annual Conference. K. Ishizaka, M. S. Vail, H . Y am aka.

DR. KUPFER.

Whereas, the Rev. C. F. Kupfer, Ph. D., Superintendant of the Central China Mission of our church, is providentially with us at this Annual Confer­ ence and the 25th Anniversary of our Mission work in Japan, therefore Resolved, that we extend to him a hearty w elcome, and we bespeak for him and his work our Father’s richest blessings.

FOOCHOW DELEGATES.

Whereas, the Foochow Conference has sent as delegates to our 25th Anniversary the Rev. James H. Worley, Ph. D.,Presiding Elder of the Foochow District, and the Rev. Huong Pau Seng, Presiding Elder of the Hokching District, therefore Resolved, (1 ) that it has given the Japan Conference great pleasure to have these brethren with us on this occasion, and especially as last year their Conference celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Mission work in that part of China, and because the Japan Conference may be regarded a child of the Foochow Conference, since Dr. R. S. Maclay (in a sense) was the father of both Missions. (2) That we request these brethren to take to their fellow workers our hearty greetings and best wishes for their success in building up the Kingdom o f G o d in China. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 91

MBS. ELEANOR TRAFTON.

Whereas, Mrs. Eleanor Trafton of Boston U. S. A. was the first person to make a direct contribution to our Mission Seminary in Japan, and Whereas, Mrs. Trafton donated the Library and an organ to our school, therefore Resolved (i) that we desire to put on record on this our 25th Anniversary of Mission work in Japan that we hold in grateful remembrance this saint of G od. (2) That in permitting Mrs. Trafton to live to be now nearly ninety years of age we belive Our Heavenly Father is fulfilling unto her His promise that “ with long life will I satisfy her and shew her my Salvation.” (3) We pray God’s richest blessings upon Mrs. Trafton ; daily joy in the Holy Ghost; and at the close of so successful a life an abundant entrance in­ to that rest which belongs to the people of God.

DR. HARRIS.

Whereas, the Rev. M. C. Harris, D. D., Superintendant of Japanese Mission work on the Pacific coast of the U. S. A. and in Hawaii, has come to celebrate with us the 25th Anniversary of our Mission work in Japan and Whereas, Bro. Harris wrought successfully for about 13 years in Japan, winning the hearts of the young men to Christ as few have been able to do, and Whereas, the work he has been carrying on in America has produced abundant fruit, and has been of great value to our work in Japan in its direct as well as in its reflex influence, Resolved ( 1) T hat his presence am ong us at this time has been a jo y and an inspi­ ration and our heart-felt prayers will go with him for our Heavenly Father’s continued blessing upon his work. (2) That if in G od’s providence he should be permitted to return to work among us we will extend to him a most hearty welcome. (3) That we regret that on account of her state of health Mrs. Harris who'has also endeared herself to Japan was not permitted to accompany him, but we request Bro. Harris to say to our sister in the Lord that she is still greatly beloved by the members of the Japan conference and that they remember her at the throne of grace that the blessed presence of the Saviour, the great physician, may be constantly with her. Com mittee M. S. Vail S. Ogata Cha’s Bishop. 92 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

SUPPLEMENTARY.

On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Japan, Rev. M. C. Harris D. D., Presiding Elder of the Japanese District of the California Conference, has come to us to take part in the celebration. He is almost like a loving father to us, whom we have not seen for a long time. His coming to us, we believe, is from his sincere desire to participate in our celebration, but Mrs. Harris also had much to do with his plan regardless of her long sickness. Still more than these, many brothers and sisters in the Lord both on the Pacific Coast and in the Hawaiian Islands encouraged him in coming. As soon as his coming was known, all who had formed his acquaintance in America and Japan extended a most cordial welcome. Many newspaper of Tokio had various articles concerning his great work for our young men who have gone to the United States. His Majesty our beloved Emperor, recogniz­ ing his service for our countrymen in the U. S., has recently shown his respect for him by decorating him with the Fourth Class Order of the Precious Treasure. We, the members of the Japan Conference, desire to place on record our appreciation of his valuable services and his love for us and the work in visiting us at this time, therefore Be it resolved that his sermons, addresses and exhortations have inspired and strengthened us and many of our people. W e pray to our Father for blessing upon him and his work both on the Pacific Coast and in the Hawaiian Islands, and we fervently bow before the throne of grace supplicating our Heavenly Father to bless and comfort his dear companion in her sick chamber. We desire Dr. and Mrs Harris to return to Japan at some future time and work as messengers of the Gospel and jve will gladly extend a most cordial welcome to them. We confidently believe that through the efforts of Dr. Harris much more cordial relations between the United States and Japan will exist hereafter. W e order that a copy of these resolutions be sent to Dr. Harris and also to The California Christian Advocate and to The Glad Tidings of the Japanese District in California for publication. K. Ishizaka K. Miyama M. Yamaka H. Hirata T. Ukai Y. Honda H. Yamaka Y. Aibara. C. Nakayama METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 93

COURSES Op STUDV.

CONFERENCE COURSE.

ADMISSION TO CONFERENCE.'

1 . Chinese Literature—Nihon Seiki, Hachidaika. 2. Composition—Essay in Chinese or Japanese. 3. Mathematics—Arithmetic and Algebra. 4. History—Hagivvara’s History of Nihon and Swinton\s Outlines of the World, translated. 5. Geography. 6*. Physics—Elementary. 7. A general Examination on the Bible—Matthew, Romans, and I. and II. Kings. 8. Theology—Positive Theology— .... Lowrv. 9. Discipline—Parts I.—II.

FIRST YEAR.

1. Ethics—Elements of Ethics— Janet. 2. Evidences of Christianity— Davis. 3. Tongue of Fire— Arthur. 4. New Testament Theology— J. Wier. 5. Systematic Theology— Vol. I. . Raymond. 6. Exegesis—Genesis and Exodus. 7. Bible History— (for the present year.) . Russell. 8. Discipline—Parts III—Y. 9. Written Sermon.

SECOND YEAR. 1. Logic— ...... Jevon. 2. Evidences of Christianity— Hopkins 94 JAPAN CONFERENCE OP THE

3. Life of Christ—. . Imbrie. 4. Introduction to the Old Testament- H. B. Johnson. 5. Systematic Theology—Vol. II. Raymond. 6. History of Methodism— Daniels. 7. Exegesis—Joshua, Isaiah and Acts. 8. Discipline—Parts VII—IX. 9. Written Sermon.'

THIRD YEAR.

1. Psychology—Vol. I. Sully. 2. History of Doctrine— Sheldon. 3. Systematic Theology—Vol. III. Raymond. 4. Homiletics— . Maclay. 5. Introduction to the New Testament— D. S. Spencer. 6. Exegesis—Psalms and Romans. rt. Church History—To the Modern Church. Learned. 8. Life of Wesley— . C. Bishop. 9. Introduction to Political Economy. 10. Written Sermon.

FOURTH YEAR.

1. Psychology—Vol. II...... Sully. 2. History of Doctrine— .... . Sheldon. 3. Theology—Theism Bowne. — The Atonement. . . Miley. 4. Church Polity—Comparative Church Polity . D. S. Spencer, 5. Exegesis—The Minor Prophets, Hebrews, I. and II. Timothy and James. 6. Church History—From Reformation to Present. Sheldon. 7. Written Sermon.

* Those who take Miley’s Systematic Theology are excused from Miley’s Atonement. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 95

COURSE FOR MISSIONARIES.

FIRST YEAR. 1. Chinese Characters...... Shintai Toku-hon, Vols. I—III. 2. Reading ...... Hymnal and Gospels (in Kana). 3. Translation...... Colloquial Mark, into English. 4. Conversation...... With a person unacquainted with English. 5. Grammar ...... Aston on the Spoken Language ; Chamberlain’s Handbook, to the Verb. 6. Reciting from Memory Lord’s Prayer and Apostles’ Creed.

SECOND YEAR. 1. Chinese Characters...... Shintai Toku-hon, Vols. IV-V. 2. Translation ...... Benkyoka no Tomo, Part I ; Acts and Epistle of James, into English and Colloquial Japanese. 3. Conversation...... With a person unacquainted with English. 4. Original Composition Subject assigned by the Exaiminer. 5. Prayer...... The Forms in the Ritual, *[[ 442-448 (memorize). 6. Grammar ...... Chamberlain’s Handbook, from the Verb. 6. Reciting from Memory Ten Commandments and Beatitudes. 8. Writing the Katakana.

THIRD YEAR 1. Chinese Characters...... Shintai Toku-hon, Vols. VI-VII. 2. Translation ...... Benkyoka no Tomo, Part II. Chamberlain’s Romanized Readers, to Lesson X X X III; Kyu-o Dovva, Lectures I and I I ; Genesis and Ephesians. 3. Conversation...... With a person unacquainted with English. 4. Original Composition Subject assigned by the Examiner. 5. Written Prayer...... In presence of the Examiner. 6. Exposition of Scripture ...... Extempore (Selection given). 7. Grammar ...... Imbrie’s Etymology. 8. Reciting from Memory...... John XIV and I Cor. XIII. 9. Writing Hira-gana. 96 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

FOURTH YEAR. 1. Chinese Characters ...... Shintai Toku-hon, Vol. VIII. 2. Translation Chamberlain’s Romanized Readers, from Lesson X X X IV ; Psalms I-L X X II; Isaiah XL-XLVI. 3. Conversation...... With a person unacquainted with English. 4. Original Composition...... Written Sermon. 5. Prayer (extempore) ...... In presence of the Examiner. G. Exposition of Scripture ...... Extempore (Selection given'. 7. Grammar ...... Chamberlain’s Written Language ; Verbeck’s Conjugations (for reference).

HONOR COURSE.

FIRST YEAR. 1. Writing Chinese Radicals. 2. Shintai Toku-hon (Koto Shogakko), Vols. I-III. 3. Bukkyo no Kwanken ...... Tanaka. 4. Reading Newspapers (at sight).

SECOND YEAR. 1. Kokyo...... Confucianism. 2. Shintai Toku-hon (Koto Shógakò), Vols. IV-VII. 3. Religious Periodicals (reading at sight). 4. Japanese Poetry (reading and translating) Kokinshu. Note. By joint action of the Mission and the Ladies’ Conference, the following was adopted : — 1. That a Central Committee of five, three ladies and two gentlemen, be appointed to prepare questions on the Course of Study for Missionaries, and designate examiners for the different localities. 2. That the examinations take place the latter part of November (not later than Christmas) and of May. The following are the Committee,— Mrs. C. W. Van Petten, Georgianna Baucus, Belle J. Allen, J. G. Cleveland, and Julius Soper. [Ed.] METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 97

LOCAL PREACHER'S COURSE OF STUDY.

PREPARATORY.

1. Japanese History. 2. Outlines of Physics. 3. Discipline, Part I. 4. Evidences of Christianity .... Davis. 5. Methodist Catechism, No. II. 6. I. and II. Kings and Matthew.

FIRST YEAR.

1. Discipline, Part II. 2. Old Testament History. 3. Positive Theology ..... Lowry. 4. Ethics ...... Janet. 5. Genesis and Romans.

SECOND YEAR.

1. Discipline, Part III. 2. Old Testament History. 3. Systematic Theology, Yol I. Raymond. 4. Life of Christ, First Half .... Imbrie. 5. Homiletics ...... Maclay. 6. Exodus and Hebrews. 7. Written Sermon.

THIRD YEAR. 1. Discipline, Part IV. 2. Church History ...... Learned. 3. Introduction to the New Testament D. S. Spencer. 4. Systematic Theology, Vol. II. Raymond. 5. Old Testament Theology .... Oehler. C. Life of Christ, Second Half Imbrie. 98 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

7. Isaiah. 8. Corinthians. 9. Written Sermon.

FOURTH YEAR.

1. Discipline, Part IV. 2. Church History, Second Half. Learned. 3. Systematic Theology, Vol. III. . Raymond. 4. Introduction to the Old Testament. H. B. Johnson. 5. Psalms and I. and II. Timothy. 6. Written Sermon.

LOCAL e l d e r ’ s ORDERS.

Review of the following:— Raymond’s Theology. Bible History. Church History. . Learned. Discipline. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUKCH 99

MISSIONARIES

IN SERVICE.

Length of On Field Arrived Service to to July 1, Name. Appointed. Yokohama July 1.1898. 1898. Mo. Day. Yr. Mo. Dny. Yr. Yr. Mo.Diiy. Yr.M o.D a

John Carroll Davison, 13. D. Dec. 25, ’72. Aug. 8, ?73. 24-10-23. 21-11-23.. Julius Soper, D. D., Dec. *25, ’72. Aug. 8, ’73. 24-10-23. +19-10-29. Irvin Henry Correll, D. D. ( x ) July 22, ’73. July 22, ’73. 24-11- 9. 20- 3- 9. Charles Bishop, Feb. 15, ’79. Sept. 13, ’79. 18- 9-18. 17- 7-16. Milton Smith Vail, A. B. ’79. Sept. 13, ’79. 18- 9-18. 16- 0-18. Gideon Prank Draper, A. B. Fall ’79. Mar. 20, ’80. 18- 3-11. +12- 3-26. Jennie Stevenson Vail, B. S. 79. May 25, ’80. 18- 1- 6. 15- 6-16. David Smith Spencer, B. D. Sept. 18, ’82 Sept. 23, ’83. 14- 9- 8. 13- 7-23. John Oakley Spencer, Ph. D. June 6, ’83. Sept. 23. ’83. 14- 9- 8. 13- 7-13. Herbert Woodworth Swartz, M.D. Spring ’84. Oct. 29, ’84. 13- 8- 2. 12- 7-14. Sennosuke Ogata, A. M. Apr. 29, ’8 5 , Nov. ’ 85. 12- 7- 8. 12- 7- S. Whiting Sweeting Worden, M.D. Sept. ", ’86. Oct. 29, ’86. 11- 8- 2. 9 - 2 -2 2 . Joseph Gilbert Cleveland, Ph. D. Oct. ’86. Apr. 13, ’87. 11- 2-18. 11- 2-18. Epperson Robert Fulkerson, D. D. ’87. Mar. 28, ’87. 11- 3 - 3. 10- 2 - 3. Herbert Buell Johnson, B. D. Nov. 21, ’87. Dec. 21, ’87. 1 0 - 6- 10. 9- 2-13. John Webster Wadman, A. M. Mav 1, ’89. Aug. 11, ’89. 8- 10- 20. 8- 8-19. Benjamin Chappell, A. M. ( x ) July 13, ’90. July 13, ’90. 7-11-18. 6- 11- 0. Robert Percival Alexander, A. M. ’93. July 31, ’93. 4-11- 0. 4-11- 0. Charles Wesley Huett, A. B. ’1)7. Jan. 10, ’97. 0 - 5-15. 0 - 5-15. Alton Matthew Brooks, A. B. Dec. 8, ’97. Feb. ’98. 0 - 4-23. 0 - 4-2S.

x. On the field at date of appointment to this Mission, t Not connected with the Missionary Society for two years. J Not connected with the Missionary Society for three and a half years. 1 0 0 JAPAN CONFERENCE OF THE

NO LONGER MEMBERS OF MISSION.

Time of Arrived Left the Service Name. Appointed. Yokohama. Field. Furlough Excluded. Mo. Day. Yr. Mo. Day. Yr. Mo. Day. Yr. Yr.Mo.Duy. Robert Samuel Maclay, D. D. Nov. 16, ’72. June 11, ’73. Dec. 31, ’87. 13-11-11. Merriman Colbert Harris, D. D. Mar. 10, ’73. Dec. 14, ’73. May 25, ’86. 10- 8-11. John Ing, (x) Nov. 10, ’76. Nov. 10, ’76. Mar. 10, ’7S. 1 - 4 - 0. William C. Davidson, A. M. Aug. 28, ’77. Nov. 8, ’77. Dec. 10, ’87. 6- 5-21. Lee W. Squier, A. B. Apr. ’81. Sept. 25, ’81. Mar. 5, ’87. 5 - 5-10. Charles Wesley Green, Mar. 31, ’82. Aug. 20, ’82. July 17, ’90. 8- 3-16. James Blackledge, A. M. ’82. Oct. 13, ’82. ’86. 4 - Win. C. Kitchin, Ph. D. May ’82. Sept. 20, ’82. Mar. ’88. 5 - 6- Harriet S. Ailing, Mar. ’87. Sept. 24, ’87. Jan. 10, ’93. 5 - 3-1 6. David N. Mac InturffJ D. D. ’87. Dec. 1, ’87. July 31, ’90. 2- 7-30. Milton Newberry Frantz, A. M., Mar. 20, ’88. May 16, ’88. July 17, ’90. 2 - 3-27. Geo. B. Norton^ D. D. ’89. Aug. 11, ’ 89. Apr. 29, ’93. 3 - 8-18. John Franklin Belknap, S. T. B. ’89. Aug. 11, ’89. July 17, ’94. 4-11- 6. John Wier, D. D. Mar. ’88. June 15, ’88. Nov. 1, ’ 96. 8- 4-16. Henry Butler Schwartz A. M. ’93. Mar. 4, ’93. Nov. 30, ’97. 4 - 8-26. Geo. Fletcher Shepherd, A. B. Mar. ’96. Sept. 7, ’96. Feb. 25, ’97. 0 - 5-18.

DECEASED. Carrol Summerfield Long, D. D. Oct. ’79. Mar. 20, ’80. July 37, '90. 7 - 8-16. Frank T. Beckwith, B. D. ’91. Sept, 1, ’91. Mar. 30, ’93. 1 - 7-29. (x) On the field when appointed. STATISTICS, 1398.

E . K . F u l k e r s o n , S t a t is t ic a l S e c r e t a r y ,

N a g a s a k i . Statistics No. 1. JAPAN CONFERENCE FOR 1898. Church Names Membership# Baptisms. Sunday Schools. (■It if rch Pi'opevty. a «W TO

Charges. No. of No. No. of Adults Officers a No.fof III Present Present Paid Paid on Children Members. Baptized. Eaptized. imp’g & imp’g | Church Preachers. Teachers.

* 6 For bJ’dg j

H on edness Property. Property. indebtness indebtness on on Church old old indebt­ Hakodate District &; Churches Parsonages. Akita and Noshiro 16 24 1 2 1 2 1 1 22 200 1 130 1 Aomori 0 24 47 1 1 12 5 83 600 8 Fujisaki 26 29 1 9 2 5 100 i 350 . 1 150 100 Fukuyama 7 3 1 1 5 Goshopwara .1 16 • )•> 1 1 2 6 85 1 Hakodate 18 105 11 7 17 395 5000 1 450 96 Hirosaki 37 74 2 1 6 24 7 14 450 2600 1 500 34 70 Kuroishi 23 24 1 2 2 3 108 i Odate 12 20 1 1 2 2 3 55 40 3 24 Yakumo 50 10 1 22 1 1 229 445 5 8 8 78 1151 Kagoshima District 27 56 5 8750 4 1280 280 73 24 Kagoshima 21 22 1 3 3 85 1 800 35 150 Ka.jiki 6 7 Okinawa 16 34 1 3 2 Sennai I? 20 1 3 t 1 2 17 60 83 2 0 Nagasaki District 8 0 8 52 1 800 35 150 Fukuoka 21 137 1 8 9 835 1 800 1 395 170 Kokura and Wakamatsu 18 24 4 1 ~2 22 23 400 Kumamoto 08 87 1 4 10 154 1 8180 1 700 189 5 38 JSIiikc 29 02 1 8 I0I »> 5 100 1 800 3 21 Nagasaki, Deshima (58 180 3 1 41 2 88 064 1 2500 1 450 31 ,, Kojiinachi 85 02 1 1 2 4 i 7 00 1 000 1 200 22 Saga 0 i 1 14 Yatsnsliiro 4 0 i 17 29 213 570 5 20 Nagoya District 72 23 91 1300 5 7910 4 1745 464 8 459 Gifu 10 12 8 2 49 1 250 Komaki 1 8 6 14 1 1 1 2 45 1 850 1 15 Koshiozu 18 10 2 2 2 1 1 48 1 350 1 Nagoya, Dekimachi 310 40 5 5 1 2 1 1 8 85 1 1000 4 „ 41 1st. Church 49 132 4 20 1 9 185 1 10000 800 54 „ nd. „ 12 1 2 36 1 3 1 5 40 75 Nishio 12 13 2 2 74 1 1800 2 000 055 Shinshiro 118 284 20 27 1 3 1 2 4 9;1> 4 Toyohashi ' 24 32 2 04 1 9 1 )> 1 1750 1 250 323 8 127 1 02 281 5 7 10 40 10 84 083 7| 15500 7 1150 1448 120 801 T0k'. S t a t i s t i c s ñ o . 4. JAPAN CONFERENCE FOR 1898. MUSSIONS. Names á T- of for

Bible .a 1 Other Home Claim. (a) Tracts. (b) Elders. Pastor School Society. Church Sunday Pastor’s m Claimants Presiding Eeceived Expense Charges. Missions. and and Taxes. Conference Extensio Education. Totals. Collections. House House Rent Sunday Schools. W. W. F. M. S. Churches 1 j j I Current Expenses Hakodate District Akita and Nosluro 1.40 1.40 2.40 1.00 17.50 17.50 .29 .20 5 .36 .20 3.10 1.00 23.41 .00: 7.50 Aomori 2.50 2.50 .50 12.00 12.00 .50 .25 .25 .50 11.50 12.00 19.00 .25 2.70 Fujisaki 2.00 2.00 20.00 216.00 216.00 .83 .50 .50 20.00 2.00 10.01 Fukuyama LOO 1.00 1.20 0.00 .15 .15 .15 .20 .15 1.05 1.2.72 .15 20.00 .15 1.20 Goshogawani 1.45 1.45 1.32 5.00 29.00 29.00 .47 .24 .28 .20 .76 9.96 .52 16.02 4.43 Hakodate 21.00 21.00 8.40 6.50 84.00 84.00 15.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 3.00 22.08 1.00 214.17 45.00 Hirosaki 3.00 2.00 5.00 3.00 21.42 97.73 97.73 2.50 .50 .50 .50 1.00 20.00 .50 103.89 8.24 Kuroishi .40 .40 .20 2.10 .47 .10 .10 .25 2.90 .20 19.77 2.20 O date .50 .50 1.40 3.00 15.00 15.00 .20 .10 .10 .20 29.10 .20 9.82 .20 3.25 Yaku'mo .50 .50 .25 .30 .10 .25 .10 00.00 .50 33.81 2!ôo 35.81 19.27 "59.02 471.23 477.23 20.71 2.04 2.43 2.20 0.81 TÖÖ95 25.72 3.17 0OO.O8 “ 3.20 85^03 Kagoshima District Kagoshima .50 .50 1.20 21.95 19.00 .55 .25 .50 0.00 .20 10.19 .20 8.15 Kajiki 1.20 5.00 .10 .15 .10 .20 .30 1.00 .20 .20 .10 .10 o CO Okinawa 3.50 3.50 1.20 .50 .30 .30 0.00 .50 35.00 114.00 Sendai .30 .30 1.40 8.00 8.00 .35 .15 .20 8.00 .10 0.34 .20 1.20 4.30 4.30 5.00 29.95 32.00 1.50 .70 .55 .30 .90 20.90 1.00 1.00 58.33 .50 123.45 Nagasaki District Fukuoka 4.00 4.00 1.20 0.73 90.00 90.00 2.00 .25 .25 1.10 06.80 4.80 .50 53-26 12.00 Kokura and Wakamatsu 1.00 1.00 .00 .85 24.00 20.00 .50 .20 .20 .50 63.03 .20 8.42 1.00 Kumamoto 2.35 2.35 3.10 0.78 54.00 00.00 1.31 .70 .40 1.15 8,50 .05 45.84 5.20 Mi ike 2.or 2.00 3.20 4.09 74.92 39.00 .50 .30 .20 1.00 .20 11.22 6.30 Nagasaki, Deshlma 12.20 8.05 20.85 0.00 45.00 180.00 201.51 8.38 1.75 1.75 3.00 30.00 1.50 115.32 2.00 75.87 ,, Kojiyamachi 1.41 1.41 1.20 9.73 110.00 1.16 .55 .55 .70 45.75 .65 36.89 0.00 Saga .20 •20 .20 5 5 1.G5 .10 8.54 1.80 Yatsushiro ,5( .50 1.20 6.97 5.20 .30 .20 8.93 1.61 2.22 “ 23.01 8.05 ~32.31 17.10 '80.15 428.02 543.71 14.35 3.80 3.40 7.65 223.61 0.45 3.80 281.10 2.00 TTLÖ5 Nagoya District Gifu .00 •2( .80 1.20 2.55 11.50 11.50 .33 .10 .10 .10 5.11 .30 2.61 1.50 Komaki ,2( .10 .30 1.20 .71 24.00 2 I.0( .5 5 4.15 .10 4.67 2.70 Koshiozu .uufin Nagoya, Dokimachi .20 .20 in.or 1.00 2.60 „ i st. Church 3.01 i •r)( 3.51 1.20 40.80 210.00 210.00 4.24 .10 .10 .50 1.00 128.86 3.29 2nd. „ 1,5( 1 1.80 3.30 1.2( 0.00 30.00 39.00 2.43 .10 .10 .10 .50 71.25 24.00 .50 6.04 3.00 Nishio .20 .50 1.32 1.43 10.94 .45 .12 .24 .12 .25 1.34 .20 17.94 1.64 S h in sh iro 1.08 24.00 11.75 1.51 .1.57 1.36 Toyohashi .20 .20 1.50 7.37 24.00 24.00 .97 .10 .10 .20 .50 8.68 14.00 .15 7.90 6.24 5.81 3.00 8.81 7.62 79.8Ü 335.50 337.1 Í 9.47 .57 .64 .52 1.81 92.04 38.60 2.25 172.19 19.73 umircn Baptisms. Sunday Schools. Names Membership. Church Property. p 't a S 5 .3 of '*-.2O’-S a 'tì'V O QJ ° i-*» 0^2 tì 3 I o '| oqqÓSS 3 ^ .0 D - Charges. 6 2 g IS* Ph 8 Oh o A 6 0 'S fi P-i Sapporo District. Iwanai 24 1 2 2o 250 100 78 Kabato 15 2 3 HO 200 60 Mashike 8 si 3 35 2 Otaru 27 4 40 600 200 55 Sapporo 59 1 6 92 3163 193 10 90 Yoiclii 5 3 .20 138 247 14 19 242 4213 360 333 90 Sendai District Morioka 10 65 8 2 40 765 195 Sakuyatna 28 49 4 3 50 300 I Sendai 18 89 10 12 320 800 800 37 70 Shirakawa 11 43 2 3 35 250 40 Tendo 8 41 ] 2 40 100 4 24 Utsunomiya and Shimodate 5 54 10 3 Yamagata 10 51 4 45 700 51 Yonezawa 11 33 4 57 1000 195 200 101 425 12 597 3150 J oliò "337 26 489 Shinano District Azumi 4 39 Iida 34 35 147 Kami-ina 17 35 49 200 50 15 Matsumoto 10 31 60 500 250 50 87 Matsnshiro 17 39 40 Taka to 1 200 100 167 17 304 900 400 25 87 Tokyo District Amalia 24 20 300 50 71 Ajiki 100 67 37 6 6 200 Miz ikaido and Kawamata 48 34 60 Sawara 23 34 400 100 7 63 Tokyo Aoyama 1st. 120 155 800 70 25 2nd. 192 372 Asakusa 31 232 75 50 Ginza 115 74 7500 400 66 Kadan 92 262 12519 1250 2012 Mita 48 249 2000 Okubo 29 48 Tsukiji 108 16 577 2000 500 30 Yotsuya 58 48 486 368 988 18 21 125 23 99 2172 11 26441 4 2250 2304 53 409 00¡

S t a t i s t i c s N o . 4. JAPAN CONFERENCE FOR 1898. MIS8I01VS. Names 02 S

of for 3 fe Other Home (a) Elders. Tracts. School Claim. Pastor. Pastor’s Sunday Church Bishops. Current Expenses. Presiding £ Expenses. Eeceived Missions. Charges. and Taxes. Claimants Extention. Collections. Conference Education. Home Home Eent Sunday

Schools. £ Bible Bible Society. Churches. Sapporo District Iwanai 1.00 1.00 1.20 48.00 .50 .20 .20 .10 .30 16.50 61.40 8.04 Kabato 2.00 2.00 1.40 12 00 15.94 .20 .20 .20 .20 .20 .20 3.40 .10 2.50 Mash ike .20 .20 1.20 .60 24-00 24.00 .27 .22 .20 .30 .58 2.66 6.00 .45 2.85 .28 5.10 Otaru 5.20 5.20 1.50 99.00 99.00 1-50 .50 ,50 .50 1.50 3.50 .60 174.87 .50 8.40 Sapporo 2.00 2.00 1.20 9.83 126.00 126.00 3.98 .50 .50 .32 .60 .30 .80! 143.81 .30 8.52 Yoichi 1.00 1.00 1.20 2.00 24.00 24.00 .20 .10 .20 6.75 .20 19.17 .30 3.96 11.40 1140 7.70 12.43 285.00 330.94 6.65 1.72 1.60 1.42 3.38 13.21 22.50 2.25 405.50 1.48 36.52 Sendai District Morioka 1.50 1.00 1.20 36.00 34.44 .20 .20 .10 18.33 7.77 3.76 Saknyama 2.00 .25 2.25 1.20 .40 30.00 30.00 .95 .20 .20 .20 .40 15.90 .75 1.00 3.60 Sendai 4.00 1.00 5.00 1.20 19.20 121.00 121.00 1.00 .30 36.85 42.00 70.06 1.30 Shirakawa 1.00 1.00 1.20 1,50 5.00 3.60 Tendo .42 .25 .67 1.20 .80 6.00 6.00 .27 .11 .11 .16 .27 8.59 2.60 .11 10.99 Utsunomiya and Shimodate .20 .10 .30 1.30 1.50 24.00 .20 .20 .20 .20 .20 10.00 .20 4.40 .10 2.90 Yamagata .70 .30 1.00 1.30 3.30 13.50 ,50 .20 .20 .15 .20 3.89 .15 15.27 3.85 Yonezawa .80 .20 1.00 1.20 1.20 13.20 .25 .15 .15 .25 .35 75.34 16.00 .45 34.2S .20 2.90 ‘10.62 2’10 12.72 9.80 27.90 193.00 242.14 3.37 1.06 .96 .96 1.72 165.01 64.49 1.66 148.77 .30 21.91 Shinano District Aznmi .30 .30 1.20 6.00 5.13 .10 .80 .70 12.27 .30 3.25 Iida .42 .25 .67 1.40 5.60 .50 .20 .20 .50 .50 12.00 .20 29.22 .20 1.26 Kami-ina „ .85 .85 1.30 2.56 7.20 7.20 1.02 .10 5 .18 16.41 8.00 .10 2.74 3.15 Matsnmoto LOO 1.00 2.40 4.21 24.00 24.00 .50 .20 .10 .20 .62 18.42 .18 24.72 .20 7.26 Matsu shiro 6.20 6.20 1.20 5.72 24.00 21.40 .80 .80 24.88 .40 8.25 4.80 Takato .50 .50; 1.30 6.00 6.36 .10 .10 .10 .10 6.16 .10 1.20 9727 .25 9.52 8.80 18.09 67.20! 64.09 3.02 .60 .35 .70 3.00 41.99 38.42 .98 83.36 .80 20.92 Tokyo District A m a lia 2.00 2.00 ] .20 3.00; 30.00 30.00 .20 .10 .10 .48 .15 5.00 .20 .60 Ajiki .75 .75 1.20 3,52 12.00 ,50 .25 .25 .25 55.50 .25 4.39 .25 1.20 Mijukaido and Kawamata .65 .65! 1.20 .92 12.00 12.00 .45 .10 .10 .94 25.30 .10 2.00 .10 2.30 Savvara 1.30 1.30 1.50 1.09 28.30, 28.50 1.00 .30 .30 .30 11.25 .30 5.54 .20 6.56 Tokyo, Aovama 1st 4.00; 4.00 1.50 10.00:118.20 113.00 4.00 1.00! .25 .25 1.00 3.00 75 85.00 1.00 7.00 „ J, 2nd 13.701 3.30 17.00 2.05 35.00! 9.65 1.00 1.00 1.00 25.00 1.72 .50 9.16 „ Asakusa 1.00 1.00 1.20 2.30! 36.00 36.00 2.25 •30 .30 .30' .50 .20 2.00 85 16.26 .50 1.20 ,, Ginza 13.00 2.00 15.00 8.39 10.00 134.00.134.00 10.00 1-50 1.50 8.90! 1,50! 117.85 1.50 131.61 2.00 29.59 ,, Kudan. 6.00 1.10 7.10 8.40 12.03 96.00 96.00 3.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 106.54 36.55 „ Mita 13.00 13.00 4.80 2.70 5.00 .50 .30 1.00 75 148.01 1-00 10.00 „ Okubo .80 .80 1.80 5.58 12.00 12.00 1.00 .10 .10 .20 16.31 .20 2.60 „ Tsnkiji 4.16 1.84 6.00 6.00 16.30 165.00 165.00 6.00 1.00 1.00 13.90 3.00 135.58 1.00 119.46 2.00 45.00 v Yotsuya 4.00 4.00 1.20 9.03 18.00 18.00 2.53 .30 .20 .80 5.19 42.00 .40 74.31 .30 3.96 64.36 8.24 72.60 40.441111.47 649.701656.50 45.63 7.45 6.40 23.35 11.97 378.87 44.00 8.77 714.43 8.25 155.72 S t a t i s t i c s N o . 1. JAPAN CONFERENCE FOR 1898. Church B a p tis m . Sunday Schools. Names Membership. Church Property.

"3 2 i « (y Ia of 'n.S ..S - g -b o J ■sS i 2 '-d ° 1 | £ | I O «-Ö o S a, D, O 43 é ë S § Charges. f t p r=J CS 6 «5 * œ ÖR 6 £ & § Pm > 1 a. s Ph s ¿ 1 a ¥ È * ’ ! ! ^ ■ soè £ | Ä Yokohama District Honjo 42 34 40 300 Iruma 10 39 100 300 200 24 54 Kanagawa 9 19 9 75 800 Kawagoe 28 35 2 150 Kokubu 9 25 100 Kumagae 13 17 3 40 500 Odawara 5 5 1 20 600 Shimainura 28 38 2 20 50( 150 Tobe and Fujisawa 30 56 17 353 Yokohama, 1st Church _3° 145 16 980 22000 ! 1000 204 413 70 21 1778 25100 135Ó 222 24 54 Church Baptisms. Membership. Sunday Schools. Church Property. Recapitulation P ffi bt) ¿3 Sfi ti *oS 8 'S •§ 2 J *«6 !=b -?n ® & i s * 2 *-0 . a-r* » 1 Totale. l l OTÎ q, ö S o o o -3 ,fi cS ö f-i ® liJO S.1 1 Ü M. o' ¡5 fc-s s > g1 Ph Ä 8 l CQ * 6 PH ^ s j Hakodate District 229 445 78 27 1151 8750 1230 280 73 24 Kagoshima „ 60 83 8 6 52 800 35 150 Nagasaki „ 213 570 72 23 1366 7940 1745 464 8 459 Nagoya 162 281 40 16 633 15150 1150 1448 126 361 Sapporo ,, 138 247 14 8 242 4213 360 333 10 90 Sendai „ 101 425 39 12 597 3150 1,565 337 26 489 Shinano „ 83 167 3! 6; 304 900 400 25 50 87 Tokyo „ 368 988 125 23 2172 26441 2250 2304 53 409 Yokohama __204 413 70 21 1778 25100 1350 222 24 54 Total. 1898. Yen 1558 3619 101 483 142| 408 8195 92794 10050 5413 405 212i „ 1897. 1198 3524 _82 518 129 428 8055 48297 8082 8840 688 1053 Gain or Loss. 360 95 19 35 131 '20 140 44497 1968 3427 283 1070 S t a t is t ic s N o . 4 . JAPAN CONFERENCE FOR 1898. HISSIONS. Names m 8 -Î2 to -c .2 bc3 - n 1 s i O 8 B 1 H3Ü O m (2 h 0) C3 .S ¡n a I of S .s H a> *5 g 9.2 S'S S. g sä g H «S.S K ¿ 0 pq PR S Qi Charges. W w M « c5 3 Yokohama District Honjo 2.01 2.01 1.39 .52 84.00 73.50 1.47 .26 .20 .70 80.45 .19 Inima 26.38 7.11 2.96 2.96 1.20 9.79 24.00 24.00 .40 .10 .10 .10 .44 4.11 .10 Kanagawa 3.19 4.80 2.00 1.50 3.50 2.40 3.16 .25 .35 .30 .25 10.00 .25 Kawagoe 30.00 2.40 1.50 .54 2.04 1.20 25-91 24.00 24.00 .20 .10 .66 17.03 Kokubu 2.16 1.50 1.501 1.20 42.00 42.00 .40 .20 .20 .30 .70 14.40 .10 .60 Kumagae Al ll 6.25 .40 .40 1.20 .80 .10 .10 5.00 Odawara 2.75 .10 8.10 .50 .50 .50 .20 .10 .20 Shimarmira .50 .50 1.00 1.20 72.00 72.00 .20 .20 .30 .20 .30 .50 32.00 30 6.36 Tobe and Fujisawa 1.00 .55 1.55 1.20 20.63 96.00 96.00 3.00 .10 .10 1.10 62.67 .10 00.89 4.80 Yokohama, 1st Church 11.00 13.00 2.00 1.00 5.00,396.00 396.00 3.79 1.00 .50 2.50 70.00 78.00 .50 108.34 6.69 23.37 5.09 28.46 11.99 62.65 738.00 727.50 12.92 2.41 1.7 o .90 6.85 249.26 95.15 1.84 259.50 .59 41.07

MISSIONS. Recapitulation & fc* § 3 a>. I* a iï' * .y eins o .a;

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\MUAoI. EXPLANATION 0F TOKYO, CLOSSARV

K dji-m aeh i K Jfortffo Kam» Oaiva - River. KikntüX' L ShUz*yd‘ Wionôashï/ M A j a k a s a - Kyohashi Giruup N Honjo S/i+ba- }{Ua 0 fohvgatcCl L00CH0Q ISLANDS. j4fatMi/ca- Aoyama- P Ueno A i a b u , q Sh-i-nbaahc BOHIN ISIAK 0S. Scale i:«cteaooo ÎbCsUÿa O/alJbo R Ttiduji U îh ig cm e S Impl- \Paloc* Yorrut S on Zan, Mown/aitv Koishifcanva■ T SusaJri