The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-05-11

ship OF the fathers) or bear this seardalous
name, shall be Imprisoned IN the Ombra, or
common jail of the town. The whole race
OF the Portuguese, with. their mothers. nurses.
OF whoever belongs to them. shall be ban'sl'-
ed to Macao. Whoever presumes to bring
letter from abroad. or to return after ne mas
been banished, shall die, with all his family.
ALSO whoever presumes to intercede Tor him
shall be put to death. No nobleman, nor
any soldier. shall be permitted to purchase
anything from foreigner"
But sweeping as this decree was, and ter
rible as had been the prosecutions which pre-
coded il. the Jesuits were not disposed to
give up the field. A short time after, mis-
sionary company Of seventy persons were
fitted out at Macao to resume the work. All
Of these were put to death Immediately on
their arrival, except twelve OF the most Oh
scure members of It, who were spared to take
the defiant and blasphemops message from the
emperor, /" that should the king OF Portugal,
nay, the very God Of the Christians. presume
10 enter his dominions. he would serve them
in the same manner"
II is we'll known that this persecution and
subsequent isolation originated IN political.
and MT religious motives. Il is probable
that If the Jesuits had confined themselves
exclusively to propagating their religion
they would have been saved all this persecu-
ton, and the Empire Of Japan would proba-
bly, never have been shut up against the rest
Of the world. But the Jesuits, IN this in
stance, were unfortunately but too true to
their own principles. and they re.enacted
here what they have done in every other
country where they have obtained footing.
They aimed to lay the empire Of Japan at
the feet Of Rome, but effected the destruction
Of all they had previously achieved aud thus
paid roundly for their temerity.
THE DUTCH OCCUPATION or THE COUNTRY.
The Dutch found their way 10 Japan about
the beginning Of the seventeenth century.
They were permitted to continue trade on .
Limited scale after the expulsion Of the Por-
tuguese. in consideration Of having informed
against them when they we've plotting the
overthrow Of the government. They have
continued TO enjoy this privilege, however,
at the expense Of their religion and personal
liberty. Those who have remained IN the
country have been shut up as prisoners on
the lutte island Of Dezilna. near Nagasa.
XII, which is scarcely larger than one OF our
city squares. and i, surrounded BY a stone
wall with spikes. Their trade, tho, has been
restricted 10 single ship, which visits the
place once year. The ceremony Of tramp
ling the cross was instituted At the time o.
the expulsion o. the Portuguese. and has heen
continued ever since, but confined 70 Maya
saki and two adjoining provinces.
RECENT kvgsTs.
The Christian public are acquainted with
the recent events that have taken place ~
Japan. The treaty made BY Commodore
Perry in 1859, aud renewed and enlarged in
its privileges during the past year BY the
skillful efforts of eunsul Harris. brings the
country once more into intercourse with the
Christian world. and prepares the way for
the propagation Of the pure gospel. where
only gross counterfeit has hern known. IL
Is not known how their minds will be effect
ed By distinct proposition TO rc,establish
the Christian faith aiming them. II may be-
repulsiys a. first. but they will not BE- long 70
discerning the difference between Protestant
ism and Romanism. and the people 81 G"d
h We every encouragement to hnpe for great
results. The quiet. harmless character uf
the people. their inquis,tise turn Of mini,
aud love of knowlrdge. and the almost uni.
,ersal habit 1T reading aud writing AIMING
them, are all iayufable circumstances Tor the
spread Of christianity there. But that mark.
ed providence which has unlocked the c0un-
try, the lively interest manifested by all
branches OF the Christian church in eonnec
tlon with il, and especially the readiness with
which Christian mrn aud women are Offrr.
ing themselves 10 carry the gospel 10 that
iar-off land, are the higher sources 81 encour.
sgemrnt, and the evident fnrrrunners ~ that
great blessing which God j. preparing Tor the
Japanese. We earnestly commend the ms.
sion abnut to be established there BY the
Board. to the prayerlul remembrance Of all
Gods people.