David Stow (1793-1864)
Abstract: This paper considers how Scottish Evangelicals’ ideas in morality and moral education were influential in late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries Japan in relationship with the areas of social welfare and education. It focuses on the influence of ideas by Thomas Chalmers and David Stow, two leading members of Scottish Evangelicals in the mid-nineteenth century. The analysis of their ideas shows how moral education and welfare system were closely related in their thinking. Their influence in Japan reflects this feature.
This paper considers Stow’s influence in Japanese ideas of moral education. Although overt Christian aspects of his ideas were not introduced, his core ideas of moral education became influential from the 1880s. However, only after the 1890s when Japan started facing social unrest Chalmers’ emphasis on education and family visitation system started to get an attention. This paper considers Britain’s moral influence in Japanese governmental policies hitherto neglected.