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The Japanese seem to be showing an inclination toward Orthodoxy. They dislike, and such a sophisticated and inquisitive people cannot dislike, the oppression of Catholicism, which, while preaching Christianity, does not allow the teachings of Christ to be read in the original, thereby arousing mistrust and doubt about the authenticity of what is preached. The Japanese attitude toward Catholicism is quite characteristically expressed by the following circumstance: Catholic missionaries, try as they might, were unable to establish their own seminary in Japan. No sooner had they gathered students, surrounded them with strict rules, and seemingly the most reliable barriers to contact with the outside world, than a ray of light would quickly penetrate the school, and the students would scatter. So, finally, the missionaries conceived the idea of founding a Japanese seminary in China, in Fuchau, where they send their young proselytes as soon as possible after winning them, and from which, undoubtedly, escape is impossible.
The Japanese also dislike Protestantism. They are exhausted by their own religious confusion and emptiness, and Protestantism, which places only the Bible in their hands but allows everyone to interpret it as they please—that is, the same as paganism—leaving people in matters of religion to be guided by human views, without clearly and definitely pointing out Divine truth, naturally cannot satisfy or reassure them. Characteristic of Protestantism in Japan is that the best of the Protestant proselytes, who for many years were devoted Protestants and preachers of Protestantism, even suffering persecution for it, without any outside influence, voluntarily abandon it and become bitter enemies and vilifiers of it and, in their ignorance, of all Christianity. This means that they have passed through a narrow and meager teaching and once again found themselves in emptiness, with a religious thirst as unsatisfied as before.
What a difference all this makes with Orthodoxy , which is all light and depth, which, giving the word of God into everyone’s hands, itself commands in the words of Scripture to “test the Scriptures,” and to those who test and question, in Holy Tradition, it allows them to hear the living voice of the universal Mother Church, clarifying everything and reliably guiding them in everything!
It is also characteristic of Orthodoxy in Japan that the Orthodox mission, which has existed for only 8 years, with two permanent missionaries during this time, without any specific material resources, is already twice as strong in number of Christians as the Catholic and all Protestant missions taken together, despite the fact that the Catholic and Protestant missions have been founded in Japan for more than 20 years, that they have hundreds of missionaries, both men and women, and inexhaustible material resources.
Apparently, the time is not far off when the question of which religion will be dominant in Japan will be resolved. In Russia, Prince Vladimir, in view of the extraordinary importance of this issue for Russia, once took every measure to ensure its best resolution—he personally listened to all missionaries of different faiths, consulted with nobles, and sent a special embassy abroad to study the faiths and select the best of all. May God grant that the Japanese government, with all prudence and wisdom, resolve this question for Japan, both in the interests of truth itself and in view of the spiritual and material benefits of its people! This question is of immeasurable importance. The enlightenment of other Mongolian peoples will depend greatly on the enlightenment of Japan with Christianity.
Source: https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Nikolaj_Japonskij/izbrannye-uchenye-trudy-svjatitelja-nikolaja-arhiepiskopa-japonskogo/#0_5