rs some account of the various
Missions at work in Japan. I am enabled to do this the better from having
obtained, in the course of my visit, a useful table, compiled by the Rev.
H. Loomis, of the American Bible Society, Yokohama, giving statistics of
the different organizations up to the beginning of the year 1893. The plan
adopted by Mr. Loomis is to arrange his statistics into three classes: (1)
"Protestant Missions," (2) "Catholic Missions," and (3) "The Greek Church
in Japan." Under the head of "Protestant Missions," are included the
Church of England, the Episcopal Church of America, a large number of
other American denominations, the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the
Swiss Evangelical Protestant Mission, the Society of Friends, U.S.A.,
Universalists, Unitarians and others; while under the head of "Catholic
Missions" we find particulars of only one branch of the Holy Catholic
Church--the Church of Rome. This is not the arrangement I should have made
myself; but, as a matter of convenience, we will follow it more or less
closely.(29) It is right to add that of the thirty "Protestant Missions"
seven are grouped together under the title of the "Church of Christ in
Japan," and work, it would appear, in general harmony on Presbyterian
principles. In the same way, the American Episcopal Church, the Church of
England--represented by both the Church Missionary Society and the Society
for the Propagation of the Gospel--and the Mission of Wyckliffe College,
Canada, are associated together; leaving some twenty sects working
independently.(30)

Before, however, proceeding to an examination of Mr. Loomis' table, we
must briefly observe the past history of Christianity in Japan. This dates
from the arrival of St. Francis Xavier in 1549, seven years after the
country was discovered by the Portuguese. For some while the missionaries
were permitted to prosecute their work without molestation, and
considerable progress was being effected. A deputation of native priests
appealed to the Tycoon, but their remonstrances were unheeded. With
thirty-five religious sects already represented in Japan, the country, he
answered, might very well find room for a thirty-sixth religion, viz.
Christianity. Presently, however, the Jesuits being followed by the
Dominicans and Franciscans, mutual factions broke out; while, elated by
their success, some of the missionaries began to adopt an attitude of
high-handed intolerance and interference. For t