SCHOOLS IN JAPAN.

BY MASATAKA YAMANAKA.

[The following article was written, at our request, by Mr. Yamanaka, a Japanese student in Franklin & Marshall College. We have left it unchanged, so that our readers may be able to judge of the progress which the writer has made in the acquisition of the English language. There are still, of course, imperfections; but we think there few persons who, under the circumstances, would have done so well.-ED. GUARDIAN.]

are

culiar tenets. Among these were The the German pioneers did so little for Song of the Solitary Turtle Dove," literature, but that, in their poverty and "The Pleasant Odor of Roses and Lil- isolation, they succeeded in accomplishies in the Valley of Humility," and ing so much. "Miraculous Melodies of Paradise titles which were, no doubt, intended to be exceedingly attractive, but whose sweetness is cloying to our modern taste. More important than these were translations of the "Pilgrim's Progress," printed in 1754, a huge folio on "Baptist Martyrology," and a history of the order called "Chronicon Ephratense." Unwilling to suffer the German booktrade to pass entirely out of his hands, Franklin, in 1749, formed a partnership with John Boehm, a German printer, and soon afterwarde published several German books, among which was a fine edition of Arndt's "Wahres Christenthum," a work which has been a favorite with pious Germans all the world There were many other German pub-houses, and are almost in every other lishers, besides those we have mentioned; square. so that the whole number of German books, issued in Pennsylvania during the last century, may be safely stated at more than five hundred. Nor should it be forgotten, that some of the best German writers sent their manuscript to the Fatherland, to be published there. This was especially the case with the Lutheran, Reformed, and Moravian missionaries, whose Reports, as published in Europe, were voluminous and valuable. The greater portion of the publication of this early period consisted, as we have seen, of sermons, or of moral and relig

over.

ious essays:

"Dull, doubtless, but with here and there a flash."

We must not, however, neglect to notice the very creditable poetical compositions of Helmuth and Kunze, and the scientific labors, at a somewhat later period, of Muhlenberg, the botanist, and of Melsheimer, the entomologist.

There has been a very general impression that German Pennsylvania, in its earlier days, at least, was a sort of Bootia, given over to hopeless ignorance, and despising literature and art, as proper works of the devil. The facts of the case, we think, will hardly justify such an impression. The wonder is not that

ducted usually in private dwellingCommon schools in Japan are conhouses rather than in suitable school

When the children become six or seven years old, although it is not compulsory, they commence to go to school where they learn to write and read Iroha, the alphabet or Phonetic syllabarium, from which the words are composed, is the first lesson. It is of more recent invention than the ideographic system of Chinese hieroglyphic symbols which came into use in the 2nd centuries A. D. Prior to these it is supposed that the Japanese possessed an ancient form of writing to the time of the inten language. It has certainly not been troduction of the study of Chinese writused for many centuries and there are no books now remaining written in this character. This alphabet is said to have been invented by Kibi-Daishi, a man of high rank in the time of the emperor Kojin Tenno in the 7th centuries A. D. is known as the Hirakana, consisting 47 letters. time, these characters were rendered more complex by the addition of variations; and then another alphabet or simpler form was introduced which is known as the Katakana or side-letters. Some schools are open to both sexes, the others only to the male sex. Each scholar own his own desk a yard long, a foot wide, and a foot and half in height, and also a box for keeping

In the course of

books, papers, writing implement in, which are generally varnished or painted in red. The teacher comes behind scholars and take hold of their hands, instruct them how to make and read these characters individually once in the morning, they continually study the same lesson a duration of three

Public schools including the high schools, colleges or universities are now established in cities and towns throughout the empire. They are founded precisely the same as the school system in the United States.

SIONARY.

BY REV. J. MAX HARK.

About a century and a quarter ago, the little Moravian town of Nazareth was a centre of misssonary influence and activity among the Indians of Pennsylvania. From here the brethren went forth in every direction through the primeval forest to preach the giad tidings of a crucified Saviour to the fierce and untamed natives. And God so graciously blessed their efforts, that entire Indian villages throughout the State were converted into true Christian congregations. The history of those times is like a thrilling romance. Incidents like the following may be found on many a page the records of that heroic period.

days. Then they write their lessons THE INDIAN BRAVE AND THE MISfor finishing in neat papers which are made from the bark of mulberry trees, but write on one side only on account of their thin papers; the teacher gives them marks accordingly, and at the end of school year he gives a banquet to the scholars and also gifts according to their grade such as Indian ink, writing brushes, papers, and fans so on. Schools take in at 8 o'clock in the morning and continue until at the noon, but those who misbehaved during the session are kept in as long as they do not obey the orders of teachers, sometimes are kept in the whole afternoon without having a dinner. Teachers in Japan are very highly respected, not only by their scholars but also by all who are generally the best scholars among all the classes of people. Children are taught especially morality, the duty of a man, and obedience to their parents such as are the principle branches of instruction in schools. But those of wealthy parents have also a private tutor, whose duty it is to watch over them when out of school and is always with them wherever they go. He is rather a guardian than a teacher.

Those who wish to continue the studies, go to high schools where they are taught the Confucian literature, philosophy, logic, history, political economy and poetry, etc. The education is not neglected, although there are comparatively a few who receive a high education and the majority of children, as soon as they become 14 or 15 years old learn a trade so that they can assist their parents in making a living.

There are also gymnasiums or schools for exercise as well as the intellectual training of youth. The exercises consist of horse racing, targeting, wrestling and boxing, using the spear and sword, shooting the bow and arrow so as to cultivate physical strength and thus to make the youth able-bodies soldiera when their military services are needed.

of

Along the ledge that skirts the southern border of the Long Meadow, which stretches its velvety expanse of green eastward from Nazareth, there wound in those days a little path worn by the feet of the Indian hunter. It led through forest and glen to the banks of the Bushkill or Lehieton creek, where, some two miles from the town, stands an old stone grist-mill, which then belonged to the brethren. Here Indians and white settlers would often assemble to listen to the words of life from the mouth of some missionary brother from the town.

One evening in the perilous times of the French and Indian War, about the year 1757, as the sun was just sinking to its rest in the western hills, and flooding the landscape with a purple, hazy light, a painted warrior might have been seen stealthily creeping along this secluded path. Every now and then he stopped and bent his ear to the ground. No sound was heard but the distant barking of the gray squirrel or the twang of the nighthawk's wing as he circled swiftly over the meadow.

Again and again the young brave

OUR CABINET.

WORDS OF CHEER.

We feel very grateful for the kind words which our exchanges have so freely bestowed upon THE GUARDIAN and its new editor. These cordial greetings encourage us to persevere in a work which is, in every sense, a labor of love. It is very evident that THE GUARDIAN has made many friends, and we sincerely hope that it may be our privilege to retain them, and to increase their number.

faithful service it must not be allowed to suffer for want of adequate support. At present its prospects are bright and cheering, but by a little labor its influence might be greatly extended.

OUR BOOK SHELVES.

We have recently read "The Artist and His Mission; A Study in Aesthetics, by Rev. William M. Reily, Ph. D., Professor of Ancient Languages in Palatinate College." It is a book of the utmost value to all who desire to study Aesthetics, in the proper sense of that much abused word. If the tastes of our people were properly cultivated, according to the principles laid down in this volume, they would be less ready to be led astray by pretended "apostles of the beautiful." We hope that Prof. Reily's book may enjoy an extensive circulation.

From D. Lothrop & Co., Boston, we have received "The Might of Right, from the writings of William Ewart Gladstone, selected by E. E. Brown.” This book is one of the "Spare Minute

There is, indeed, no reason why THE GUARDIAN should not be a welcome guest in every Sunday-school and in every Christian household. It has never been engaged in religious controversy, and its highest endeavor has been to be faithful to its beautiful motto. Though published under the auspices of the Reformed Church, many of its friends and subscribers belong to other Christian churches, and we have every reason to believe that the latter have always been satisfied with the manner in which it has been conducted. We call upon the friends of THE GUARDIAN to aid in increasing its cir-Series." It is not intended for conculation. Many Sunday-schools sub scribe for a copy for each teacher, paying the subscription out of the general treasury. The expense is not great, and the effect is found to be excellent. The teachers are bound to the school by an additional tie, and are greatly aided in their work. Many of them preserve the numbers, and subsequently The same firm has sent us "So as by have them bound into volumes, as me- Fire," by Margaret Sidney; a story mentoes of their labors in the Sunday- which bas been read with pleasure by school cause. There are many addi- several members of our family. As tional schools in which this plan might this book has already been approved be successfully introduced. To the by the Sunday-school Bureau, it is not young, especially, and to every Chris- necessary that we should say anything tian family, THE GUARDIAN seeks to further in its praise. be a faithful friend. After its long and

secutive reading; but, as its title indicates, is made up of selections from the writings of England's greatest statesman. "Spare minutes" could hardly be better employed than by opening the book almost anywhere, and reading the excellent sentiments which it contains..

We are also indebted to Dr. J. Z. Gerhard for