The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-02-23

men-of-war $500 in ally. He was received
with great honors as o civil Prince, and
remained as guest in that capacity for
| several weeks. Having, by his amiable
manners, his keen knowledge of human
nature, and his profound intellect, OBJ
tanned a complete command over the rea-
son and affections of his entertainers, he
announced himself as a Prince of the
| Church as well as Noble. Subsequent
ly he visited Nagato and preached the
Gospel of Christ to the Prince of Choshin,
his retainers and people, who were pres
| ent in large numbers daily. His addresses
were in the japanese language, which he
| spoke fuently, and thousands professed
| Christianity. The Prince, hewever, and
his family remained aloof and silent.
Complete Japanese records still exist
among the archives of the Prince of
Choshin of Xavier's sermons, conversions
and memorable acts in Nagato Chinese
name Chusin) now called Yamaguchi
Ken.
From this province 400 men, women
and children, some of whom are descend
ants of the early Christians, compose
portion of the present immigration. OF
these over a hundred profess the Christian
religion, and young Presbyterian con-
vert, educated for the ministry, and to be
ordained in Honolulu, accompanies them
as a religious teacher. He is the nephew
by marriage of the Rev. Mr.. Toda, the
grandson of a Damio, known throughout
Japan as an able and eloquent divine
highly educated and speaking the Eng
lish language .fuently. He has one of
the largest churches in Toxic, self-sup
porting, and having a permanent congre-
CATION of over 100 of the upper and mid
die classes.
The descendants of the early Christians
now living in the Empire are estimated at
about 10000, and modern Protestant
converts at some 5000, there being some
) So native Protestant churches in Toxic
alone.
Some remarkable papers have lately
appeared in the native journals upon re-
} ligious topics, in which the superiority OF
the Christian faith and practises are ably
presented; and, but short time since, an
editorial in one of the leading papers ad-
vocated the adoption of the Christian re-
l ligion by the Empire in lieu of all others.
> This was done from a political point OF
view entirely, the writer insisting that, to
constitute Christian nation, it was not
by any means necessary that the majority
4 of the people, or, indeed, any large num-
l Der should believe in Christianity. His
f object was stated to have Japan recognized
as within the pale of Chris tan nations,
I and thus secure those rights which be
i claims are withheld because Japan is con-
f sidered a heather empire. He writes
f partially in jest and yet very much in
b. earnest, and perhaps on looking around
US We are reluctantly compelled to admit
: he has much to warrant his positions
! | positions not at all complimentary to pro
| fessedly Christian countries.
4 have thus sketched, perhaps at toe
great length, some of the general features
f of Japan and her people.
# Whether she is happier than before
Perry unsealed her gates is a religio-meta
| pASSlCdL 4uCoIAOh3 AAbO VAACh 11Ao II
9 neither the time nor occasion to enter.
q Much depends upon whose happiness
q we refer to. Happiness is also a relative
, term, and depends upon capacity. A saC
p truth it is that hand in hand with modern
civilization go nameless and horrible
,, vices. Presenting the grand morality o
-, the Christian religion to those sitting il
. the shadow of darkness, we also introduc
upon their shores drunkenness, profigacy
blasphemy, disease and suffering.
You soldiers of the cross have found i
: so in this fair land. The sword of pro
gress finds everywhere rising before
4. demons of sin and crime with which t
cope, and so probably it will be until tn
final triumph.
y u On steaming into the bay of Honolulu
:. 4 few days since and gazing for the frs
) time upon this peaceful city, l though
what fair sight it was to look upon, bu
d. coming, as have, from an atm ospher
= full of the rumors of war, the reflection
suddenly seized me. how utterly defence
- less it is. A sloop of war lying Outsid
Tie DISdhSIo OE 10 ln0 luu6I III
chorage could reduce the place to ashe
81 in few short hours. A moments though
however, dissipated all apprehension
= upon that score. A few days sail fror
10 here is a great nation, who keeps war
IL and watch over these islands. 1 am nc
u speaking as an official. 1 have no RICH
lie whatever to refer to the intent or desig
of my Government, but as an individus
g 1 express the belief that the United State
- will never permit this nation to be dis
IL turbed. May no occasion ever arrive t
y. test that question.
IL May His Majesty's reign be long an
u prosperous. The other day gazed d.
- lighted upon the glowing colors of tn
. bow, which, it is said, almost perpetual
= spans with its radiance the entrance t
n the lovely valley of Manoa. May. the
L bow of promise, which should be one
S. the emblems of Hawaii, prove the harbir
10 ger of its future prosperity. May good
10 sound, wise Government continue in thes
lands. and may improvement mark il
progress until it reaches the limits c