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Show the three R's with a little history and geography thrown in; a regular course in Japanese for three years, and one of four years in English. There was also regular instruction in "the important and necessary things for girls, such as sewing, cooking, etiquette, drawing and singing." Miss H. F. Parmalee had joined the faculty and also three Japanese teachers. The traditional national idea was that the only education necessary for a woman was that which would make her a good wife and wise mother; the women of Japan with all their fine qualities had been denied the means of developing their minds, and of acquiring knowledge, as some of their own leaders are saying, "One almost feels that the Japanese women were shut out from the blessings of civilization." It is true, however, that "The four factors operating all over the world to rouse women-education, religion, economic pressure, social organizations-have brought the Japanese woman out of her limitations into boundless possibilities." To those who recognize these things, it seems wonderful that our Board could be in at the very beginning and have a part in the founding of two such splendid schools as Kobe College and the Doshisha Girls' College. We do not half realize, even now, the high privilege to which our pioneers introduced us, and that this legacy is ours to care for as wise stewards, for in this new world of boundless possibilities, woman must still be guided and inspired, if the new Japan is to be Christian. When Miss Starkweather withdrew. Miss Frances Hooper took the school for five years, and then we sent out Miss Florence Denton who remains at her post after thirty-five years of service. This is a long record, and makes Miss Denton our senior missionary whom we are indeed happy to honor. There have been times when almost every member of the Kyoto Station has assisted in some way in the work of the school. To no one do we owe more than to Mrs. Ellen Emerson Gary who from the first has given a helping hand and down through the years has taught the Bible and English to the girls. Miss Grace Learned gave twelve years of faithful service; she was a missionary daughter and especially dear to the students. Miss Anna [ 54 ] |