Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-01-16
aAyn up hls noM y roR nnLIaIun.
Sacrifice Of High Caste Japanese Lad TO
| Become n Christian.


Sacrifice of High Caste Japanese Lad TO
Become n Christian.
Before leaving here for his home, on
business trip, Shire Kuroda. an in
telligent Japanese, strong effort was
made by Mr.. and Mrs. S. p. Wilcox
OF No. 10 Hoyole street, with whom
he has been living, to have him adopted
as their own son, but owing to tho law,
which foribds the naturalization Of
Japanese and Chinese, Judge Grant Of
the probate court, was unable to grant
the petition, which might confer rights
of citizenship, although the matter is
still held under consideration, and may
be decided in favor of the applicants,
who are most eager to legally strengthen
the tie tnat already binds them in
love TO the young man.
His story, rs given in the Boston
Globe, is AN interesting one. He was
born of high caste and wealthy parents,
and all his childhood was spent in
home In which luxury and abundance
predominated.
His grandfather could ride 10 miles
through his own land, and the build
ings of his own home covered an acre
OF ground. There were y servants in
his father's house. and he always had
his own personal attendant TO wait
upon him.
Shiro was the eldest son and the heir
to mis- father's wealth. At IL years of
age he was sent to Buddhist school
and taught the doctrines and ceremon-
ials to fit him for the priesthood. But
the lad was Of an inquiring turn of
mind, and called upon his idols for
proof of their divinity, which they
could not give.
Meanwhile his father had provided
him with English teachers in order to
givo him a broader culture, and from
one Of these he learned of the God of
the Christmas and believed in him. In
vain mis- father threatened and entreated
his son to abjure the religion of Christ.
5hlro only adhered the more closely,
and was finally driven from his home.
The teuderly nurtur boy went forth
clad in his dainty silken garments to
face the world, which seemed to be all
against him. After walking 200 miles
he came to the house of a missionary,
wlich he entered as a servant.
Soon afterward he made his way to
America, undergoing the greatest pri-
vations and hardships, both on his
steerage passage over and after he land
cd in this country. But his will and
ambition never failed him, and by dint
of persistent effort and industry he
learned the language and made his way
through college, graduating with dis
tinction at Amherst last June.
He says touchingly: when the
other men received their diplomas their
parents and friends crowded about
them TO congratulate them, but | had
| nobody, so | took mine into my room,
and, laying it before the Lord, asked
Him to bless and direct me. y
After leaving college Mr.. Kuroda
came to Boston and entered one of the
largest retail houses as the head OF the
Japanese department, and he remained
there until about two weeks ago, when
he won't to the Wholesale firm which
has now sent him abroad with full
power to purchase for them.
The Wilcoxes met Kuroda for the first
time only few months ago, but from
the start they have felt a keen interest
ard warm affection for him.
Personally this Christian Japanese is
a most attractive young man. He is q
years of age, ) feet 7 inches high,
straight and rather slightly built. His
face has winning sweetness and in
| telligence OF expression, he speaks
| tluently and well on many sub jects, and
| his courtesy aid amiability are so pro
| nounced that one cannot wonder that
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilcox wants him fol
! their own son.