The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-01
SUFFERED FOR THE LORD
,<rurrIc sroRY or rHB TRIALS OF
YOUNG J/P/NssA'
Mr. sb,ro Kirsdo, row . stodsnf OF An
herst College. Speaks Mt AsseciA"'"
u.l-How lie Pays His Tuition.

eff
ION from Japan, who has come 10 inns
a.., 10 study the word OF God at
Sroherst College, Mass. In order 10 pre-
nare himself for the preaching OF ,ne
| cosnel upon his return to his ha'ise
oo,,ntrv All those who had an oppor
tunity TO listen to the thriliins storS -,
tho Young mans life. which was toiu
In n main. straightforward manner, were
deeply moved by the numerous triais ne
had to go through, In view OF the iae'
that this young man renounced the rem
gion of his forefathers his luxurious
home and every tie that bound him 10
his country was lost.
Mr.. Kirado spoke for nearly two hours
His English was almost perfect, and the
audience very soon became familiar win
his pronunciation, which differed only
slightly from that Of Americans. Ihe
numerous incidents of his lie ana the
numerous references to the reilgion OF
the japanese, were highly interesting, and
the manner in which the young man
lost confidence in the religion OF his
people, and was induced to worship Co.,
was very touching.
Mr. Kirado who has been invited by
the Young Mems Christian Associations
Of the various colleges in this country
TO visit their institutions of learning
and give his experience, told his hearers
that only four years ago he had been
heather. He alluded to the various casts
I'm which the population Of Japan Is
divided, and said he was glad that ne
belonged to the highest class, because
on his return he would have so much
more power to bring his countrymen TO
Christ. His father occupied very high
position, he said. as governor OF one
of the districts of the Empire, and his
Arm hpl ifIGHah h.
Everything there goes by genealogy, and
il does not therefore, require brains 70
come into power. l would have become
governor myself one day, had not my
father some time ago been compelled on
account of a revolution, to return most
of his power to the Emperor, but still
he is very wealthy, and some years ago
he sent me, his oldest son, TO a Buddhist
school, in order that l might become a
priest. There / remained for three years
and worshipped idols, which consisted Of
sticks of wood, stone, or gold or silver
Had they been diamonds, they would not
have been able to save my people and
bring them TO Christ, as l should soon
find out l do not know why l was select
ed from the many. but / thank God that
/ have been converted.
Could Nj Keep Their Bodies Together.
service my attention was called to the
fact that some Of the idols had lost their
heads or arms by old age, and / could
not understand how il was that, IL they
had power TO save men, they should have
no power TO keep their bodies together.
Then again | know that we offered sacri-
fees TO them twice day, and / wonder
cd how they could eat especially those
idols that had lost their heads. / saw
that the rice disappeared regularly from
the bowls in which IL was set before
them and / determined to find out the
reason. So l watched, and one day l
saw a great rat near the idols, and then
/ knew that not the latter ate the rice
but the rats. stopped Offering sacri-
fees, thinking that it did not pay TO
feed rats.
When l had been at the school for
about three years the Government issued
a decree that every young man who
wanted 10 become public officer should
know something of foreign countries, and
shonld have more than "A priests educa-
ton. l was glad TO see that my father
thought l should become a military Of
ncer, and took me TO another school. for
although had always been taught Budd-
ism, l did not believe IL myself | was
at that time bad boy, that is to say. 1
loved 10 make mischief, to quarrel and
Nif"tc uiSptttSf lOF L Ndi 100 good
father, who never scolded me- and |
experienced in myself what Mr.. Moody
cited last evening, that q boy IL left TO
himself and permitted TO always carry
out his own will, soon becomes a bad
boy. But / also learned that God some
times turns bad man into a good man.
l used to enjoy disputes with the pro-
fessors. On one occasion l thought |
had good chance TO create a dispute
and thereby create a row with a pro-
fessor who taught us history. When he
spoke Of our various gods, l told him
that | did not believe in them, but he
replied like Mr. Moody did last night.
Argument never cOnvinces anybody. 4"
and l would have to ask God 10 send
the Holy Spirit TO convince me- lie add
ed that he believed In our God. who
created Heaven and EARTH and every
thing between them. / found out after
wards that he was a Christian. He in
vited me 10 call on him. not expecting
that | would DO 80, but / went; / visited
him at his home, thinking that il he
should say anything against me | would
tell my father. who had control over the
school, and that he would remove the
teacher so that we would not have 10
study history. He received me kindly
and prayed for me. When / left him he
gave me New Testament, the first one
l had ever seen. read ii. but could not
understand it, .
ONE Down From the sky.
L read in our family geneology that
Twelve hundred years ago god had
come down from the sky and rested on
rock about three miles from where
my ancestors lived He had becom.
what was called our family god. and
made my foreiathers powerful and pros
porous. My grandfather. who possessed
great power and wealth, wanted TO make
his acknowledgment and built a splendid
temple seven miles from our home. When
IL was completed a great feast was given
Tor the gods and the people, and the
FAMILY god was transferred from his
altar at my home to the temple The
morning after the feast we discovered
that the god had returned the distance
OF seven miles and again occupied his
place on the altar In our home. We
thought he did not like his new sur
roundings and marveled over his great
power. However. l was distrustful and
waited TO test the family gods power.
80 one evening after our family wor
snip / hid myself in the room. and after
everything else had gone / took him
from The altar and placed him on the
moor OF the room. j bowed before him
lhree times before / touched him, and
excused myself before removing him. by
SAYING that desired TO test his power.
l toiu MN TO 20 back during the night
20 ms oid place, and If | did not find
nm again on the altar the next morn
ing would no longer believe in him
The next morning he had nor ,noved ,'' -,
inch. My father and all my neonle 49,
amazed ba