Year: 1868

we are permitted to publish the follow
ing letter from Rev. David Thompson,


Missionary to Japap, written to his grand
father, Mr.. David Thompson, of Cadiz
Township. Rev Thompson was formerly
citizen of Cadiz township, and his many
friends viii be pleased to learn that he is
still with undated zeal, teaching the way
of salvation to the heather:


YOKOHAMA, Japan, Jan. %, 1868


Mr.. DAVID THOMPsoN-4Uy dear Grand


,tdtber'


Some time ago | received a letter from
my brother John, in Pittsburgh, He said
he had just returned from visit to Cadiz,
and 10 the friends around there. He told
me that You aud uncle's family were all
well--that you were more than ninety-four
years of age and still able 10 be about.
was glad indeed to h ar such news as John
wrote me, for it is very seldom hear from
my old native place. The winter here has
been very pleasant thus far. 1t is always
pleasant and healthful here in winter, as it
hardly ever rains and the suV shines bright
ly almost every day; and in the afternoons
it is so warm that one hardly ever needs a
fire on the Snnth or sunny side of a house
till night 1t is a delightful climate |
prefer it TO the climate of Ohio or Ken
lucky. We are j5~t now having some troue
bic in the land. II IS said that war has
broke out amongst the japanese. The
North Of Japan goes to war with the South
but neither party will hurt US foreigners. -
The merchants and farmers of japan will
suffer much in case of civil war. Supplies
of rice and other food will be cut off, and
the poor people will have to pay such taxes
that do not know how they will get along.
] suppose you think you are taxed heavily
enough at home, but your taxes are nothing
like war taxe>in Japan. have heard of
one man whose property was worth about
&400 and Government came on him for
about 3300 at one grab. | have heard of
some who talked Of giving up their lands
and houses to the government. IF a war
then breaks out here The people will suffer.
Some think that war will and must come
uron the land as Just punishment upon
the reignjng iaulily for its old prosecutions
of Christianity. This is a sin Of which the
was commenced more than 200 years ago.
And they do not show any signs Of repent>
ance yet bat are as bitter against the
gosple as ever. We have tried to get liber
ty to teach and preach publicly since we
came here, but have not b3en heard. Per
hapG God will now take some more effectuaI
means Of opnaing the country. The Ja
panese common people are very kind and
very ready to listen to the gospel, but their
rulers keep them in fear had a pupil
who was imprisoned 400 days on the charge
and suspicion Of being Christian" At
last he was set at liberty and still continues
to study the Bible in English, more dill
gently than any man have ever known in
America or here. And besides him
know several more who are seeking after
the True God-"t turning to God from
idols with great deal more sincerity than
you see often in nominaIly Christian lands.
The Bible Is not yet translated into Japan.
ese; we are ut work now translaling every
dav, but it will take long time before the
work is done, God shows us many tokens
for good here. When the Japanese once
have the Bible aud once begin to turn to
the Lnrd we will see more conversions here
than in any other part of the earth. They
are tender hearted and to me are like peo
pie prepared for the Lord. When in a
place like this when you can teach such
real ailigent Bible students, you may see
that man Is not throwing himsell away
to come and teach them. Tho japanese
are not savages They are as sharp mer-
chants and as good farmers as are in the
world They have all that they need to
eat and wear. and have good manners and
treat one another politely. All that they
want to make them just as good as any
PEOPLE in the world i, the gospel of Christ,
and tbs many OF them feel they need.
Remember me kindly to uncle and aunt
Margaret, and the children. hope that
this letter will tiud you we'll Since the
steamers began to run last year [ do not
feel so far away. could now 90 home in
forty days, and two or three years from
now when the Railroad is completed will
be able to 60 home in 80 days When |
came out it took $40 days. Hoping that
Sod may yet preserve your lite many days
and bless you, am yours atfoctiauafeIy.


D. THOMPSON.