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to adopt it at once by the unanimous determination of all who are interested in the spread of Christianity among the vivacious people of these lovely islands.
The importation of new words, however, will not be enough. The native grammar requires to be expanded and the syntax remodelled. This can only be accomplished by the resolute and enlightened handling of those who, whether natives or foreigners, have charge of the new system of education. I mention here several particulars which appear to be important.
1.—The introduction of English prepositions to be used interchangeably with the Japanese post positions; such are, in, up, from, to, by with, above, below, etc. Such words should keep their own position before the noun while the corresponding Japanese words retain their place after the noun.
2.—The directive adverbs up, down, in, out, above, below, should be introduced as appendages to verbs. It is found very convenient by Chinese, Polynesians and Englishmen to be able to indicate the direction of a verb’s action by these and similar words e. g. press up, press down, press through.
3.—The article should be introduced. It has been found of great use in English, French, Greek and other of the most perfect languages spoken by man.
4.—The relative pronoun should be introduced. The Japanese interrogative dare would form a good base for it, but perhaps the English who, which, that, would in the circumstances of the country be better.
5.—The English syntax in regard to verbs should be carefully followed. There could be no better guide than the Bible because of its Hebraistic cast of expression. For example: “In those days came John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea.” To accustom the Japanese youth to place the verb “came” before “John” and “preaching” before the words “in the wilderness,”
deified. The Buddhists and Romanists have both avoided the term kami. The Protestant Missionaries would do well to imitate their caution. Christian theology seems to require a better word for the Divine Being.
