We have already given some account, of the work done by the ¥. M. C.A. among the Japanese at the Front, and. the following additional nows service has now, been placed at our dispose 1 Tokio, 5th April.
Thoro has been no more striking evidence of the popularity of the Army Department of the Japanese Y. M. 0. A. than. the brilliant success of the benefit concert given, by the Tokio Association for the Army Fund. An audience of over 1,200 crowded the spacious hall of the Imperial Conservatory of Music. It was not only " large but a notable audience. The occasion was especially honoured by the presence of H. I. H. Princess Kanin. Among others pri Sir Claude MacDonald, the British Minister, Count alloy, the German Minister, Count the Italian Min WAnethan, wife of the Belgia: and Mrs. Lloyd C. Griscom, w American Minister. Among the pstronesees of the concert were Marchioness Oyama, wifoof the Field Marshal, March-iones "Naboshima, Baroness Sanomiys, Countess Toda and Miss Kagawa, Lady in Waiting to Hor Majesty the Empress. 'The Association has also been' honoured by contributions for Army Work from HLH. Prince Fushimi, Princess Kanin, Princess Nashimoto. and Princess Higashi-Fushimi. Baron "Mitsui, the head of one the largest'firms inthe Empire, recently contributed $1,226.
The Association in Tairen (Dilny) opened with striking success. There were 1500 visitors the first day and although soon after-many of the troops moved towards the-front, there-has been an average of 900 mon @ day ever since. The yames -and reading-room are always in use but the} meet popaler. attractions are the tion, and the.graphaphone. The "men couoars. In the barber, shop, Gat often break out in applause during the
clippers, and, razors age constant}y.in use. The" scarcity of mater seven, for drinking, purpoeee), makes it impossible ta saup)y water for washing the face after a shave and, of course, water for baths is out of the question. "There are places in town, however, where this luxury may be had, Water for tes can be obtained and the Association freely supplies this refreshment though the men cannot be allowed to fill their canteens, ax they.often with to do.
Religious meetings are held daily.for bslf an hour. The hymns are a great attraction. Many men ask to keep the hymns after the meetings. The attendance at these mostings averages from 160 to.180, Literature is given to those who ask for it and many men are dealt with personally after the meetings. Within two woaks thirty-one men have made written applications for instruction in Bible study. The military governor of Tairen has made the following statement to the Association secretaries "We acknowledge the great benefit offered to our soldiers through your work in this station since Febuary second of this year. Your work has been conducted with care end with thoroughness in every arrangement."
Mr. Gleason sends in the following report from Yingkou "Tu the reading-room was a cavalryman playing the little folding organ as if he were charging a Cossack band, and stound him was s group of admirers some of whom occasionally burst into the weird strains of the Japanese national anthem. After playing ping-pong a while {with some of the fellows who, in their thick, hobnail boots, rough goatskin vests and heavy coats, find this game a lith too lively, I was interrupted by a frien ly voice, 'Gleason, won't you teach to play "Stand Up for Jesus" on the organ?' As I would rather teach hymns than ping-pong, I sat down to the organ and taught him to play the hymn which is ea popular among the mon here. The lotter-paper, envelopes and postal cards are disappearing by the thousand and the stereopticon and graph-phone are greatly appreciated."
Through the courtesy of the military authorities Port Arthur has been opened. to the Association for Army Work. Plans are made for sending secretaries and. equipment to that place at once. With the hearty endorsement also of Pro Count Katsura, General: Terauchi, the. Minister of War, and General Murata, Chief of the General Staif at Tokio, Association has sent Dr. J. H. Do Forest to Manchuria to visit the Army Associstions and.other points for the purpose of delivering Christian addresses to men and officers. These high officials kindly placed in Dr. De Forest's hands special letters to the commanders of the various armies in Manchuria, Before leaving for the front Dr. De Forest made.the follawing statement of his impression of the Department of the Assoaiation "The most conspicuous piece of Christian work in Japan atthe time when the war with Russia is. absorbing the whole national heart. is the Army Depart-'Association.. What renders. it ment of the Young Men's Christian
conspicuous is the hearty endorsement of the movement by the War Department with the full sympathy of H. E. Count Katsura, the Premier. Of.course, the young men, the foreign and Japanese Secretaries, are in-with the enthusiasm, and sacrifice of, young men but.it remains to be said: that the beauty and strength of the movement lie-in.the rare tact that has won the confidence of the Army, authorities without any friction oF, suspicion such as too often mars the, initiation of, Christian movements in.non-Christian environments. 4
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.