Missionary Workers and their Work. 195 
Vigorous medical missions are carried on in other towns ; 
and it is a well-accredited fact, that a medical missionary 
can gain access and attention in all quarters from which 
a non-medical one would be excluded. Thus, medical 
science becomes a handmaid to the Gospel. 
From statistics recently published, we find that there are 
in Japan, 176 missionaries of all societies, or 123, excluding 
their wives. About sixteen societies are at work, and three 
Bible Societies, representing Great Britain, and America. 
Resident missionaries are in all the open cities, or " treaty 
ports," and Bible colporteurs carry the Word of God into 
every quarter of the land, with much acceptance. These 
items cannot but be cheering to the heart of the Christian 
reader. On the other hand, it must be noted that there are 
eight hundred students in the National University of Japan, 
all tinted with modern atheism. With the flood of modern 
science and thought, there have come to them the sceptical 
opinions of modern thinkers, who preach up a godless 
culture. It is a solemn reflection ; but it will doubtless stir 
up the Church of the living God to renewed exertions. 
The present opportunity is unrivalled in the history of 
missions. In Japan, is to be found a vast nation, eagerly 
awaking from the feudal sleep of centuries, adopting all the 
customs, modes, and arts of civilization, but destitute of all 
religious veneration. Their belief is gone ; and in its place 
is to be found a set of childish, unmeaning superstitious 
observances. Yet this people crave eagerly for Western 
learning, and Western institutions, but scorn the Christian- 
ity which is the glory and the mainspring of all true civiliza- 
tion. At least this is so as it regards Young Japan," — 
that portion of the nation which prides itself on its new 
acquirements. Still, among the common people, the news 
of a Saviour is welcomed gladly. They feel the benign 
