The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-16
Letter from Japan--ChristIanity Re-
stored.
the Boston Traveller.
SIMopA. JAPAN, Aug. Is, SO


General for Japan, after long continued and
iDjudlcious efforts, q short tine since sue.
ceeded in negotiating q treaty with the
government OF Japan, opening ports to
American commerce, and securing new pri.
vi!eges to Americans visiting Japan or per-
manently settled there. More than all, and
better than all, the treaty provides that
Americans may practice their religion, and
promulgate it throughout the empire, and
erect churches wherever they please, the
two imperial cities, Mako and. Jeddo, not
excepted. II was to bring the negotiations to
q close by the off ial signature Of the treaty
which occasioned our trip up Jeddo Bay, Of
which l have informed you.
1t was desired by Mr.. Harris himself, a
highly exemplary christian gentleman, and
cordially approved by our Commodore, that,
npon the signing of the treaty, and our re.
turn to Simoda, this great and unexpected
event should be religiously celebrated by
holding public worship in bis house on the
following Sabt ath. As the frigate Missis-
sippi was in port as well as the Powhattan,
the number of men on board both ships was
nearly nine hundred men-enough to make
q very considerable congregation-most Of
whom we're desiriOus TO attend the services,
though in private dwelling, and that q
one story Japanese home, small part only
could be accommodated.
Sunday, Aug. LIST, 1853, Commodore
Tatnall and Capt. Pearson and Capt, Mich.
olson leading the way, the boats put of,
aud soon the party, marching through the
streets amidst crowds Of wondering but
respectful and quiet natives, reached the
Consuls house, in which some were seated
on chairs, some on sofas, some on boxes and
benches, but the most on the floor covered
with soft mats.
1t added great interest to the occasion to
remember that Christianity had been expel.
led from the island for nearly two centuries
and half, the fatal edct against it having
been promulgated in the year 1920, the very
year the, Pilgrims carried it to the newlworld,
when they and it were expelled from the
old and now their descendants we're bring.
ing it back, and replanting it in these
islands, 30 far from their own home.
Besides this, it was the first celebration of
Protestant worship since the empire Of Japan
was known to the civilized world. In con-
sideration Of these facts, it may beagreeable
to your readers to have an outline of the
services on this memorable occasion, which,
like the rude stones piled up in the river,
mark the passage of the Christian and pro.
tcstant faith into the promised land
Exclusive of the devotional portion, the
services were as follows:
Ia the first place, the reading OF the first
chapter Of Romans, descriptive of the cha
racter OF that heathenism which by idols
literally stared us in the face as VIC engaged
in Christian worship.
The familiar aud charming hymn followed,
beginning
welcome, sweet day of rest"
which awoke not only the spirit OF devotion,
but all the sweet memories Of home, the fam.
lily, the Sabbath, and the church, though,
unhappily for the depth of the impression, it
was midnight there while mid day here and
thus we could not, in Imagination even, be
going up to the house of God in company"
AS have remarked before, the services OF
the band were dispensed with, to be rid OF
martial air on the OCCASION while the living
voice, sweeter and better than all instru.
ments, alone was used by our small extern
ported choir, and in tune familiar to all
from childhood, in which the congregation
we're invited to join.
From Greenland's icy mountain"
very naturally followed, and with great
effect, while the services were concluded with
the grand and prophetic doxology in grand
Old Hundred
From ell who dwell below the skies"
sung by the entire congregation standing.
The sermon, from |. Ihessalonans, i, 30,
was designed to illustrate by historical facts
the power Of the gospel in the first ages Of
christianity.
There were Catholic missionaries in ia
pan in l545. A quarrel among themselves
led to their expulsion in 1920. Among the
first was the celebrated Francis Xavier. In
1887 there were 300 Catholic missionaries
in Japan, 250 churches and 350,0OO nomi-
nal christians In 1920 the persecution be-
gan, and many thousands were put TO death.
This was in 1920, when the pilgrims reach.
ed the new world. Since then, until now,
no Christian sermon has been preached here.
Ii added strong interest TO the occasion
to look around and remember that the very
place in which We we're worshipping the
true Tod, and teaching the way OF salvation,
through the cross, and singing those sweet
hymns to tunes as sweet, was but lately Q
heather temple, from which our worthy Con-
sui General had expelled the monster idols,
q row Of which, cut 10 stone, and hideous
and disgu sting in form, was planted along
the walls in front and at one end OF the house,
which grinned horribly upon US for trenching
on their ground. and casting out the old
devils mos. discourteously as well as irrever.
entity.
Still before them were yoiiye offerings
and twigs OF green myrtle, and flowers,
placed in urus filed with water. ard thus
kept fresh and fourishDg.
In such place was the first Protestant
worship celebrated in the empire Of Japan
under such circumstances was Christianity
brought back to these shores after an exile
Of two centuries and halt.
Such was the day--the most interesting
and Impressive 10 many of ma 10 our liyes