Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-08-13
hung hamlet, and in many watered vale Ia thai
land which enjoys many blessings, but wants the
greatest
FORMER RELIGIOUS EFFORTS IN JAPAN.

land which enjoys SO many blessings but wants The
greatest
FORMER RELIGIOUS EFFORTS IN JAPAN.
There is much to inspire the Christian world
with ardor in the prospect of sending the Gospel to
Japan. This was the field Of Francis Xaviers no
blest eonquests, and warmest hopes. The Apostle
OF JesHtism landed On its shores in the middle Of
August, l549 The facile inhabitants yielded in
crowds to his arguments, and became Christians so
far as cold water and baptismal formulas could
make them So In two months he reported five
hundred persons, mostly of rank and station, as
having forsaken heathenism; no doubt some of them
with some conception of the change Though
my hair begins already to be hoary (he wrote,l I
am more vigorous and robust than ever l was; for
the pains which are taken to cultivate reasonable
nation, which loves the truth, and which covets to
be saved, health to the soul, and to the frame
have not, in the course of my Iife received a
greater satisfaction than at Amanguchi, where l
saw the pride of their bOnzas overthrown, aud be-
held the transports of joy in these new Christians,
who, after having vanquished their priests in dis
pute, returned in triumph
The latest important act Of Xavier life, in 1852,
was to send to Japan his disciples Alcaceva, Bal
thazar and dc Silva. Romansm spread with such
rapidity that in about thirty years, Malignant from
that time claimed hundred and fifty thousand
Christians, two hundred churches and fifty-nine
religious houses of his order.
One of the most interesting events in The eccle-
siastcal history of the East, was the embassy of
three princes, sent by the kings Of Bungo, 0mura
and Arima, to pay their respects to Pope Gregory
| MIL, in 1882 These with two other mobiles,
reached Lisbon in l584. Their journey themes to
Rome was continued ovation, in whose joy all
papal Europe sympathized. A thousand Roman
gentlemen, with vast multitude beside, escorted
| them into the city. They were knghte,l by the
Popes hands; and in every city where they appear
ed, were loaded with honors and presents. In the
midst of the rejoicings Gregory died; and his sue
cessor, Sixtus V, appointed them to bear the
opy at his pontiical coronation. 1t will be inter
estng to you TO see one of three letters carried by
the embassy to Rome. The other two resemble it
in style.
LETTER OF THE PRINCE or oNUEA.
with hands raised toward heaven, and senti-
ments of profound admiration, | adore the most
holy Pope, who holds the place of God on earth
and humbly present him this letter.
81 take great liberty, holy father. in writing to
you, but do so with confidence, assisted by tie
King of heaven, although my style is rude and un-
polished. Since l know that you hold on earth
the place of God himself, and that all Christians
receive from your holiness those salutary lessons
which are necessaryao regulate faith and conduit
it was my desire to the in order to
der my homage in person, to put the sacred feet
on my head, after having respectfully kissed them
but am unhappiy deprived of this pleasure by
important affairs which will not allow me to leave
my estates. 1t is not long since the fathervistor
of the JesuitS came into these kingdoms of Japan,
and now having regulated all things for the good
of this church, he returns towards you. / have
thought this favorable occasion, and have sent
with him Michel de Cingira, my nephew, who is
ordered to render in my name the submission which
is my duty A commission of this Importance is
much beyond his age and strength, but hope you
will do the favor, most holy father, to receive
him indugently, and permit him to kiss the feet for
me and for himself. desire also, most earnestly,
that yonr holiness would remember me and this lit
tie portion of the flock which the great Shepherd
has entrusted to you. The visitor and my ambas
sador will inform your holiness of all that concerns
my estates and person. close with offering 10 you
my alterations with fear and respect
Barthelemi PROSTATE at the feet of your ho-
ness.
January 20, 1852
The letter of Barthelemi has been selected be-
cause he was the first Japanese prince who recey-
ed Christian baptism; he was one distinguished by
his genius, his courage and his fidelity to his pro-
fession; and at his death, which occurred soon af-
ter, at a good age he solemnly exhorted his heir
Sanchez, to "adyse with the fathers of the Society
in all his concerns aud to procure rest for his soul
by aims prayers, and the sacrifices of the church"
1t was but three years FROM the time of the tri- /
umphs at Rome, aud before the three ambassadors
had yet reached home, that the tide turned. The !
suspicious aud tickle Japanese flung away Roman
ism almost as suddenly as they had embraced it
The numerous and Intoxicated priesthood were
struck with panic by sudden mandate which re-
quired their expulsion from the empire within six
months and forbade the exercise Of their functions
cn pain of death. Their most hourishing colleges /
were scattered; hundred aud thirtyScvcn church
es torn down. and the blood of Europeans and of /
native converts poured around the ctackliug stake
From Japanese junk wrecked last summer in !
the Pacific Ocean, was obtained book, now in /
my possession. 1t is Buddhist tract, filled with /
prayers, and wild supersttiOns in regard to thou
sands of false gods. 1t is black soed, and worn
out. All but one of its readers persisted. 1t is I
the symbol of decaying faith. From the Eng |
lish colony of Singapore, have another book
Among the words on its first page are these, And /
the light shiueth in darkness and the darkness com
pretended it not;' and again, "But as many re-
ceived Him. to them gave He power to become /
the sons OF God" In these stenographielike char
acters are contained the knowledge of eternal life.
This mysterious book is the pledge and the agent |