The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-04-13
The Persecution the Christians I'm
Japan.

In 1851, before the Treaties with Japan had been
concluded, a number Of japanese belonging to the
village of Urskami were arrested and put into prison.
because the japanese Government had discovered,
that they still believed In Christianity; their suffer
ings were indeseribable, and most of them died in
the prison, whilst their children were allowed to
stArye a few years sfter, those who bad survived
the cruel treatment they bad received, set at
liberty by the governor of Nagasaki, with warning,
again TO attempt TO follow the Christian reli
giou; but their previous sufferngs only made them
more courageous, and as soon as they returned TO
their native villages they continued in the Faith,
and moreover tried TO convert their friends and
neighbors- In 1861 before any Roman Catholic
Priests came 10 reside in Nsgasaki, were told by
some well informed japanese, that Christians were
still in existence at Urakam and that DOtwithstand
ing the cruel treatment they had received from the
japanese Government, many families throughout
the country and especially in the village Of Uraka-
mi. still remained in their Faith and followed the
teachings of the Catholic Church In March 1865,
few days after the Roman Catholic Church was
opened, number Of japanese, belonging to the vii
lage of Urskami, came to the Church and declared
to the Priests that they Christians and begged
them to 10 the village OF Urakami which place
the Priests eventually visited.-This was however
only done in 1867, after repeated requests and the
Priests found, that nearly the whole villagers
were Christians, and most anxious to be instructed
in the Christian Faith. In 1867 when the BOBzOs Of
Urskami found that they could derive no more rev.
enue from the villagers, not being required to bury
their dead, and pray for the souls of the departed,
they made complaints to the Government; the Gov
erBOr OF NagasAki at once issued orders for the
rest of Is men; some Of these had been imprisoned
in 1857 and were known to be the principal leaders
Of Christianity hut Of these only nine were arrest
ed, the Others having managed to escape. The feel
ing of the Jspsrese in favor Of Christianity and
all that spoke about the arrest expressed great in
dgnati0n at the Governors conduct; even some of
the Officers and Soldiers employed in srresting the
Christians against the proceedings, and did not
display much good will IN carrying out the orders
they bad received These pOoresptises remained IN
prison for some or months, and through the in
reference of the q. s Minister, van YaIkeuburgh,
who happened TO be in Ssgssaki at the time, and
also of the Treaty Power ConsuIs, they were sgain
liberty and the then Governor of Nagasski de
elared that since the people Of Urakami became
Christians the Emperor of Japan has bad no better
behaved subjects in the country; DO cases Of theft
gambling or lighting had been brought 70 The notice
of the Police; the taxes to the Government had ell
ways been paid regularly, and the~eountry round
about Urzkami had never been in better state of
cultivation. rtsir ft
Soon after the present Government came into |
power, the persecution Of the Christians eomneneed
again and on the 18th July 1858 some hundreds Of
men, women and children arrested and impris-
oDed because they professed Christianity; aBd not
the iHteFfeFenee and protests, made BY
the Treaty Power ConsuIs they were shipped OF on
board the japanese Steamer Sir Harry Hhrkes, be-
longing to- the Prince Of Kaga (Which vessel Was |
wrecked short tfne.aftera and taken to different 1
parts OF the country; bHf their fts has been
beard Of Those that escaped being arrested, were /
len in peace and enafisped in the Fai'h and many
others who until that time we're ignoraHt Of Chris
tianfy seeing their countryuen ready to suffer all
sorts Of crzeRy and even Death sooner than recsut
the Christian Faith, we're determined 10 become
also Every time persecution Of The /
took place their number Increased con
sider1bIy; and since he persecution Of 1859 this
fact vas most noticeable o0iy in the village Of
Urskami but all sroand Ssgssski and also in differ
snt parts Of the country
Within fke last Two years. We constantly heasd Of
the most cruel treatment Christians in the differ
ent parts Of the country especially at Gotto,
Hfrzfo, zf.d O1nuras IN Ssgzsski however these
poor people were ieft in pace since 1893, NOT be
cause The japanese GoteTument was unwilling to /
earry nfhe persecafions, bat becarEs this beinga /
Treaty port, believe they were afraid Of foreign
Interference ~
Sir Harry Parkes. Her NaiesSys Envoy Extraor-
diusry for japan, who vss here visiting tour,
ilforued the Governor o. his iatentio1 70 Fsit the
Island ofGotto and to enquire into the persecution
Of the Christians At That port; and Il Is almost IN
credi6Ie. that the Governor OF Sagasad should on
the very same mornjpg that bis ExeelIsncy Ieft 4
,y.nnsry istJhare surbrsosed the chrsfizsa ofBr
kami, (sbouf 10 ii nunserJ 20 sppe.r before him
tod, tbaf Il vas the intention of ne 6o<ernor %
dSpon Eaeu. salies fheJ renowned christtAulty,