tionalist body, who have no share in the
prevailing scepticism, points out that in dealing with others, with whom
this is not the case, nothing can be gained by any attempt at
co-operation. "At such times a severe exclusiveness may be the truest
exhibition of a heartfelt sympathy."

To the remaining Missions at work in Japan we can only very briefly refer.
The American Methodist Episcopal Church has eighteen missionaries and
twenty-nine native ministers; fifty-eight churches; and a total following
of nearly 4,000, exclusive of children in Sunday Schools. The Canadian
Methodists number over 1,800 adults; and the Baptist Missionary Union
(U.S.A.) about 1,300. Two other American sects place their total at 500
each. The German Swiss Protestants number 240; the "Universalists"
seventy-eight; and the Society of Friends (U.S.A.) forty-three. The
Scandinavian Church, whose mission has only recently commenced its work,
has seven clergy engaged; and the Unitarians are represented by two
ministers--my only reason for mentioning these last-named bodies together
being that no further particulars of either are to hand.

But it is time to be bringing these remarks to a conclusion. We may, then,
declare the total number in Japan of those professing Christianity in any
form--[I should, by the way, have mentioned that the number of male
converts would appear to exceed by about one-third the number of
women,]--to be not more than 100,000; while the entire population of the
country is estimated at from thirty-eight to forty millions. In other
words, not more than one person in every 400 can be said to be, in any
sense, a Christian. I emphasize this fact, not because I think it
discouraging, but because it seems becoming the fashion for the cause of
Christianity in Japan to be spoken of as already won. That Japan has still
great changes and developments to undergo in the near future scarcely
admits of question. "The nation is working out its spiritual redemption;"
and, as Mr. Loomis well says in his letter to _The Christian_ before
referred to, "As Japanese society advances, there will be all the more a
place for Christian influence. _The social problems of the people can only
find solution through religion._" We may well believe and hope that, as
time goes on, the true faith of Jesus Christ and of His Church will more
and more prevail. So, too, we may rejoice that the foundations have been
laid, and that some real and steady progress has b