s head-quarters are at
Kyoto. Starting in 1869--several years after the Presbyterians, their
relations with whom are of a cordial character,--the Congregationalists
very closely approach them in numerical strength. The Mission is worked by
twenty-six missionary and twenty-eight native ministers; with fifty-seven
female missionaries and 100 lay agents. Of ninety-two organized churches
one half are self-supporting; a large proportion of the converts belonging
to the middle and upper classes. 1,096 adults were baptized in 1892 and
sixty-six children. Total adherents 10,700, with upwards of 6,000 children
in Sunday Schools. In connexion with this Mission is a large college, in
which the greater number of the students are Christians, and many of these
candidates for the ministry; and mention must also be made of two
hospitals under the care of missionary physicians. The above figures,
without doubt, bear witness to great energy on the part of the
Congregationalist body; and it is with regret that we find ourselves
compelled to regard them with somewhat modified satisfaction.

"Speaking generally, it cannot be too clearly felt that systems which do
not definitely teach the truths contained in the Apostolic and Nicene
Creeds, whatever benefits may accrue to individuals from the moral
teaching which they impart, are not merely negative in tendency and
results, but retard the progress of the Kingdom of Christ in Eastern
lands." Such are the weighty words of Bishop Bickersteth,(33) the occasion
which drew them forth being the adoption by the Congregationalists of
Japan of the following Declaration of Belief:--"We believe (i) in the One
God, (ii) in Jesus Christ who came on earth to save sinners, (iii) in the
Holy Spirit from Whom we receive new life, (iv) in the Bible which shews
us the way of salvation, and (v) in Baptism and the Holy Supper, in
punishments and rewards given by God according to our merits, in
everlasting life if we are righteous, and in the Resurrection of the
Dead." Several of the clauses in this statement are open to grave
objection; but the fact that the second clause was deliberately adopted in
place of the words, "in Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, Who
suffered and died to atone for the sins of the world"--an alteration which
was heartily welcomed by the Unitarians of Japan--is full of painful
significance. The Bishop, while expressing his thankfulness that there are
large numbers in the Congrega