The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-24

was an eminent Christian also. Inc
romantic story of his life IS suml1ar-
lied thus in the Sunday School I1lnes
by the well-known missionary autnoF-
ity. Robert E. Speer:
Joseph Hardy Neesirna was born IN
Tokyo, or Yedo, as it was called on
February u, 1913. He belonged to
Samurai family, and was a retainer OF
the Prince Itakura. He early became
dissatisfied with conditions in Japan,
and from a historical geography OF the
United States in Chinese, written by
DR.. Bridgman one of the early mis-
siOnaries in China, and from a Chinese
Bible History which a friend possessed,
he conceived the idea Of coming to
America and learning there more per-
fecuy the Christian principles which
he believed were the great need of his
land i thought mere material
progress will prove itself useless, he
wrote, so long as their morals are in
such a deplOrable state. Japan needs
a moral reformation more than mere
material progress, and my purpose was
more strengthened to visit foreign
land" Japanese subjects, however,
were not allowed to go abroad then,
and the boy ran away securing pas
sage in an American ship from Hako-
date to Shanghai. At Shanghai happi-
ly he was transferred to one of the
ships of Alpheus Hardy, the Christian
merchant Of Boston, and reached Bos-
ton in 1865.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hardy. after some
hesitation decided to educate him, and
put him in Phillips Academy, An
dover From Andover he went to Am
herst college, and then to Andover,
Theological seminary, and was there
when the Iwakura embassy, as 1t was
called, came to America from Japan.
This was the great EN- bassy sent by
the emperor to study western institu-
tons. It's report marked new era In
Japan. When the embassy heard Of
Neesima It summoned him and invited
him to accompany It. He feared first
{ that this might make him a servant
of the MikadO rather than of Christ,
but Mr. Hardy encouraged him to &C
cept, and his work with the embassy
enabled him to show these men what
real Christianity is, and to make
friendships which were of the greatest
value TO him. He was invited to re-
turn to serve the government but de-
clined, and in 1874 went back as mis-
sionary evangelist under the American
board.
In Japan he founded the Doshisha
college. Tor fifteen years ne worked,
and then, in 1890, the earnest life end
ed. The outburst of sorrow showed
how deep was the impress he had made
as simple. fearless, faithful Christian
man upon the nation and its life. From
every class and rank tribute came to
his work and character. Four thou
sand people thrOnged to the funeral.
touch him. They prepared the grave,
and bore the body. The little boy who
had run away from Japan twenty -four
years before, had become one of the
remakers of his country.
On setting forth as a missionary to
Japan, Neesina said. ''I expect to meet
some difficulties and trials. yet shall
count it all joy. not only to believe in
Christ, but also to suffer for his name"
A few years ago. when the writer
was standing by Neesima's grave upon
the heights above the great city of
kyOtO, a Well-dressed Japanese, not
d Christian, stopped before the sim
pie stone which marks the resting
after the manner of worship in the
Shinto temples, bowed himself low and
appeared to be muttering a prayer. We
stood in silence, and when the prayer
was ended. missionary stepped to the
worshipper and asked him if he had
ever known Mr.. Neesima- No" was
the reply, but ne did so much for ia
pan, and especially for my son, who
was once his pupil, that I come here
whenever I can, and pray to his spirit
Rev. James L. Barton D. D.
Revenge and mo quarter were the
doctrines of old Japan: but new Japan.
aroused by the example of Christian
. LdtiOiios ana MS DlFGQ DIV the Teachings
of the Bible. now heartily supports the
Red Cross society a Christian institu-
ton with a distinctively Christian ban
ner.-Ernest W. Clement
The prime minister of Japan. Count
Kasura. recently spoke as follows CON
corning Christianitv IN that country:
/ THE Japanese Christians are not con-
/ fined to any one rank or class They
ere to be found among the National
/ Diet. the judTes in the courts. the nro-
fesSOrS in the universities. the editors
of the leading secular raDers. and the
officers of the army and navy. Chris
/ tian literature has entrance into the
military and naval hospitals and re-
/ latively large number of the trained
nurses employed in them are Christian
women. Recently arrangements have
/ been made by which six American and
/ British missionaries and six japanese
/ Christian ministers are to accom- pany
the armies in Manchuria, in the capac-
/ ity of spiritual advisers to the Chris
tan soldiers"
The 100000 Christians of japan have
/ in hand about one-fourth of all the
regularly organized benevolent instltu-
| lions of the land
SEVEN SENTENCE SERMONS.
Don't give another "a piece of your
mind" unless it is a mind of peace
! The Friend.
The crime which bankrupts men and
nations Is that of turning aside from
ones purpose to serve a job here and
there.-David Starr Jordan.
When God beckons you forward. He
is always responsible for the trans
port.=F. B. Meyer.
! @ Neptune. you may save me if you
I will; You sink me If you will; but
I e@&@ 90 80 NA@N@NN -
Is Victorex 5