Letters and Journals, with the Narrative of His Escape

Elsingen, Germany, August 6, 1873. I finished the second course of mineral baths at Wiesbaden two weeks ago and took my departure from that fashionable city for Friedrichsdorf, a small town not far from Homberg, to pay a visit to my old Berlin acquaintances. Most of the inhabitants are descendants of Huguenots and are still speaking their mother tongue. They read the French Bible and sing the French hymns. To my great surprise some of them could not speak German at all. Through my friends I was introduced to several Huguenot families, and was invited by them to dinner or supper every day of my stay. I was so pleased to see some of them clinging to the old faith, and keeping the Sabbath as their poor suffering fathers did, while the large part of

Germany is taking the Sabbath as holiday instead of holy-day. I could not help shedding out my tears when I heard three little girls of the family where I stopped offering sweet French prayers in their morning devotion. I attended the French service with them in the morning and went to a Methodist chapel in the evening. Most of the Huguenots go there in the evening, although they are still Calvinists. I visited two famous institutions in the town, one for boys' and another for girls' education. They were much pleased to see a converted Japanese, and the girls brought me 5 thalers 13 groschen for the Japan mission, expressing their best wishes. Each one gave about 8 cents, which I consider a great sacrifice for these young girls. I came to this place to find out the management and regulations of the teachers' seminary. I have been here just one week, visiting the seminary and elementary schools attached to it every day. I will not write you my observations, because it will require a considerable time; but suffice me to say that German system is excellent, slow but sure. I am intending to leave Germany next week and go to my beloved America by the way of Paris and London. My friends and physician in Wiesbaden advised me to return to Japan on account of rheumatism. But I feel a plow is on my hands. On the other hand I fear my health would not allow me to work enough to satisfy my craving appetite for knowledge. I am now entirely free from rheumatic pain, and also from headache from which I have been suffering for nearly five months, but my nervous system is not quite strong yet. I get tired easily when I try to use my brains. I have saved money enough to carry on my study one year longer.

London, August 27, 1873. I found your letter at Barings' yesterday. I had some thought to go home before next winter, fearing to spend it on that windy hill of Andover. But your kind advice gives me a new courage to take up again the plow in my hand. Then I shall go home. The Lord has preserved me thus far so wonderfully, though I have been often troubled by my body, that I will put my confidence boldly into his hand and try to do my best to prepare myself for my future labor among my countrymen. Pray for me that I may give bold and faithful service in his ever-conquering battle-field.

Andoveb, April 30, 1874. Deai7 Sirs, — Allow me to state to you a brief history of my early education, my later Christian experience, and especially my motive in offering myself to the missionary work in Japan.

I was brought up in the faith of Buddhism, and was also instructed in the moral precepts of Confucius. Afterwards the former became offensive to me and the latter were unsatisfactory. Under these influences I became somewhat. skeptical, notwithstanding at times I had some desire for something higher and better.

In that state of mind I came across a Chinese translation of the Bible history by an American missionary in China. Its expressive view of God led me to inquire still further after Him. With this purpose I was led to leave my home, and took passage for America. The Providence which ordered my way so far provided friends at Boston who have thus far supported me in my education. I date my conversion some time after my arrival in this country, but I was seeking God and his light from the hour I read his word.

With my new experience was born a desire to preach the gospel among my people. The motive in offering myself to this work is my sympathy with the need of my country, and love for perishing souls and above all the love of Christ has constrained me to this work. I expect to complete my study this summer. I am not in debt at all. My health was quite good while in Japan, but since my arrival in this country it has been somewhat poor; still it is improving now. I expect to remain unmarried some time. Eespectfully yours,

"In my view the leading doctrines of the Scriptures are: the existence of one true God, inspiration of the Scriptures; the Trinity; the decrees of God; the freedom of the will; the total depravity of man; the atonement; regeneration; justification by faith; the resurrection of the dead; the final judgment. I have not the least doubts respecting any of the doctrines commonly held by the churches sustaining the missions under the care of the Board. My confidence in the reality of my conversion is in my growing trust in Christ and increasing sympathy with truth. My views of ministerial duty are to preach the gospel to the salvation of men. My desire to enter the ministerial work is due to the need of it in Japan, and my hope that I may be of some service in supplying that need. I expect to meet with some difficulties and trials; yet I shall count all joy, not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for his name. It is my purpose to give my life to this work. ' '

"Though the feudal system was abolished by the late revolution, still the men of that (samurai) class are leading the nation. Their young generation, catching the chivalrous spirit from their fathers, will also be our leaders in the immediate future.

"It is a curious class. Perhaps you could nowhere else find such in the whole Asiatic continent. It is neither like the exclusive Brahmins of India nor the warrior robbers of Arabia. So far as my own observation is concerned, they are the most haughty and ambitious race you could possibly find in the country. They have been trained to be faithful to their feudal masters even unto death. The spirit of patriotism has been handed down among them from generation to generation. To them honor is everything; life and property are of no account. Ilarakiri, an act of self-destruction, was only practiced among this class because they deemed it a shame to be killed by others. They are indeed the oriental knights, the spirit of Japan and flower of the nation. Though their rank seemed rather servile, in truth they have been ruling the nation from behind the screen of nominal potentates these past six centuries. It was truly they who started the late revolution. It was they who crushed the Shogun's despotic government and restored the reigning power to the sacred personage of the longsecluded Mikado. It was they who cast off the old worn-out Asiatic system and adopted the vigorous form of European civilization. It was they who started schools, pushed the press, cried out for personal rights, and are now working out the way for a free constitution. I am happy to affirm here that they^dso are destined to carry the glad tidings of human salvation to their fellow-countrymen. They are far better educated than any other class. They are no longer ignorant, or worshipers of dumb idols. Modern science is a whetstone to their intellect. Eu- ropean politics are but juicy beefsteak to their desperate appetites. If we let them take their own course, what will be the future destiny of Japan? If they fall down Japan will go down with them. And if tliey rise they will certainly raise up the whole nation. If you take them away from the people, nothing but old-fashioned plodders will be left behind. National prosperity or misery hangs upon the pivot of this particular class. I believe it is just the time to reach, rescue, and win them to Christ. If we let them swim away from the gospel net, they will certainly be caught by the Devil's hand. Remember that he is far wiser than the children of light. If we fail to reach them now, we fear we shall find the process of evangelization an uphill work. But if we win them we shall certainly win the whole Sunrise Empire. Being far better educated than any other class, they are more susceptible to Christian truth. Being strictly trained to f aithfulness to their feudal masters, they will be more faithful to the Master of masters, if He is made clearly known to them. Being middle in rank, they can reach both the higher and the lower. This may be the very class where you may expect to find a Saul of Tarsus. Yea, this may be the people whom God has chosen from the beginning to be the foremost cross-bearers, to lead their fellow-countrymen to the Eternal City.

"Your question will naturally arise: how to reach this class? to which my reply will be very simple. Provide f or us the highest and best ])0ssible downright Christian institution. It is the only way to both satisfy and win them. My ten years' experience in Japan has induced me to affirm that the highest possible Christian education will be sl power to save the nation."

Green River, Wyoming, October 25, 1874. I must explain to you why I am stopping here to spend the Sabbath on this lonely mountain top. When I left Chicago I made a miscalculation about spending the Sabbath. I thought I could reach Salt Lake City Saturday evening. But it was not so. Then I thought I must not travel on the Sabbath. I might have stopped at Cheyenne or Laramie, but I found it not best to lose time, so I traveled last night and got out from the train at this breakfast station. Soon after breakfast I engaged a room in a small and miserable inn, — a pretty rough -looking one. The people in this place are rough-looking workmen. I found a half-dozen Chinese in the dining-room of the station. I talked with them through my pen and found most of them agreeable and polite. One of them wrote good Chinese, asking me why I stopped in this place. My reply was, to spend the Sabbath. I asked him whether he does believe in Jesus Christ, and his reply was, "I belong to." It was indeed a pleasant answer. I told him when he was through his work I should like a few minutes in conversation with him and his countrymen. Here is no church, but many drinking houses, and I do not know what kind of Sabbath I shall have in this lonely mountain town. If I could not wisely reach these rough settlers I will try to talk with the Chinese on the subject of religion. I told a few fellow-travelers on the train of my view of stopping in these wild regions, but none did encourage me, because it may not be safe or pleasant. Some told me there is no Sabbath west of Mississippi River. I did not listen to them at all. I must mind my own business. My keeping the Sabbath does not depend on anybody else.

San Francisco, October 29, 1874. I am just arrived in this city where our missionary party is (five for Japan and two for China). I spent last Sabbath quietly at Green River, Wyoming. It is a strange place. I called on the Chinese and had pleasant conversation with them. I found two out of sixteen somewhat acquainted with the Christian truth. The rest of them are unable to talk English, and are low, ignorant, and degraded. They keep their gods in their house. They live together like pigs. It is a pretty rough place. More than a half of the settlers are young and unmarried men. I tried to reach them by some way but found it almost impossible. They are bound to be wicked. I went to Salt Lake City- Monday evening and tried to see Brigham Young, but was unsuccessful on account of his illness. I saw his secretary, and through him I was introduced to Orson Pratt, the ablest preacher and writer among them and also one of their twelve apostles. He was very gentlemanly, and answered very patiently all my questions about Mormonism. He desired me to preach the gospel which he preaches, but I thanked him and answered him I should preach the gospel which I find in the New Testament and nothing else. He was not offended by my reply, and willingly assisted me in visiting objects of interest, — the Tabernacle, City Hall, Mormon University, etc.

I enjoyed the trip exceedingly, especially the scenery on this side of Green River. My bag is almost filled with geological specimens. Snow at the summit was nearly eight inches deep, but within a few hours we found the climate mild and nature looking quite genial and inviting. I am invited to Oakland to speak to friends of missions.

October 30.

Your coming to New Haven to see me off made my leaving Boston easier than I expected. You seemed to know exactly what I felt about leaving your home. It was a great treat to me that both of you came, and gave me the opportunity of bidding you farewell the second time. I am also greatly indebted to you for your parting present. My father is in debt now, and this will help me to pay off his debt and also get a few things for my parents and sisters. I trust you know how grateful I am to you, although I utterly lack in words to express it.