You express a hope that the new government will not revert to obsolete practices at a time when the highest authorities have declared their adhesion to progress, and this gives us great pleasure. It shall be the earnest endeavor of the new government to avoid any retrograde step, but as we wish to maintain our laws, it is impossible to be remiss, or in case of persons who have disregarded when strict prohibitions contained in them, and the delay hitherto accorded has been from motives of humanity only.

In the last paragraph of your dispatch you ask whether the reports you have heard were true or not. We hope you will clearly understand our answer from what has been

said above.

We have the, &c.

By order of the governor general of Kinshui:

MACHIDA MIMBU.

SASAKI SANSHIO.
SOUNNA SOSHICHI.

NAGASAKI, June 4, 1868. SIR: The undersigned, consuls of the treaty powers in Nagasaki, have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your excellency's dispatch of the 10th of the 4th month, (the 21st of May,) in reply to our communication of the 12th ultimo.

We are very glad to see your excellency has understood the friendly meaning of our letter of the 12th ultimo, and as we have forwarded a copy of it to our respective ministers, we will also send them a copy of your excellency's reply, and we will feel obliged if your excellency will defer taking any immediate measures against those Japanese subjects who have embraced the Christian religion, in order that the minis ters may have the opportunity of conferring with the high authorities in Kioto on the subject, and interceding on this behalf.

We have the honor to be, with compliments,

His Excellency the GOVERNOR GENERAL of Kinshin.

[Signed by all the Consuls.]

JULY 11, 1868.

SIR: We, the undersigned consuls of the treaty powers, resident at Nagasaki, have the honor to communicate to your excellency that we have been informed a large number of Christians have been arrested and sent away from Nagasaki on board of a Japanese steamer. From our previous communication addressed to your excellency, dated the 12th of May and 4th of June, you will have observed that we take a lively interest in the fate of these poor Christians; we would therefore feel obliged by your informing us the place of their destination, and what may be the intention of the Japanese government respecting them; likewise those that are still remaining at Urakami. Our motive in making these inquiries is not, as we have stated before, to interfere in the internal affairs of the country, but merely to point in the most friendly way that any outrage against humanity committed against innocent persons only because they profess the Christian faith cannot but injure the reputation of the Japanese government in the eyes of the civilized world.

We therefore venture to hope that you will give due consideration to the measures that you may deem fit to adopt regarding these native Christians.

We have, &c., with respect and consideration.

His Excellency the GOVERNOR GENERAL of Kinshin.

[Signed by the treaty consuls.]

Particulars about the religion of Jesus.

The ancient philosopher Kumazawa Banzan, in discoursing upon the injurious tendency of the evil religion of western countries, says that this religion, by taking advantage of peoples' poverty, and the tendency of the human mind to go astray, may do harm to the state; besides this, Aizawa Tsunezo, a retainer of Mito, afterwards affirmed that the origin of the evil doctrine of western countries sprung from the uncivilized customs of the barbarians; it is a narrow-minded, foolish and false doctrine. Well, then, Spain, Portugal, France, Russia, and England, as also various other countries where people profess this religion, having during the past two hundred years gradually increased in size, conquered various countries, and braving the fury of the waves, entered into commercial relations with the countries of the foreign seas. After having maturely considered the weak and the strong side of the political condition of those countries, they adopted a suitable line of policy.

Odako and Toyatomi, fully aware of the falseness of their hearts, prohibited this

evil set of men and drove them out of the country. Toshogu made still stricter laws, and the remnants of the sect were entirely destroyed during the time of Daiyuko. Let us, however, proceed to facts.

During the past summer the population of Urakami in the neighborhood of Nagasaki, availing themselves of the opportunity (the weakness of the late Bak-fu) presented, were not only beguiled by that doctrine and led astray by the magic arts practiced, but were also infected by it through gifts of large sums of money. It gradually spread to neighboring villages, until upwards of four thousand men and women were deceived and beguiled. At length some were seized by the governor of Nagasaki and put into prison until this year. His Majesty having been graciously pleased to consult several Daimios as to the course to be pursued in pursuance of his merciful intention of guarding the interests and happiness of the whole nation, decreed that they should be distributed throughout the various provinces. Ah! who, calling himself a Japanese, and knowing this, will not repent and reform his conduct, as also give proofs of a changed heart. By making such a return for the graciousness of a very merciful government, the happiness of not only Japan as a country, but of its inhabitants individually, will be increased.

The questions put to the Daimios by his Majesty and the names of the Daimios intrusted with the men are now recorded in detail and publicly made known, and we earnestly pray that henceforth there be none who do not understand it and guide themselves accordingly.

NOTES.-Odako is another name of Nobernaza; Toyotomi is the surname of Taiko Sama; Toshugu, the first Shogoon of the Tokugawa dynasty, he overthrew Toyotomi, and is better known as Iyeyasu Daiyuko, third Shogoon after Toshogu, also called Jyemitsu.

PARTICULARS ABOUT NAGASAKI CHRISTIANS.

Extract from the particulars relating to the seizure of the Christian sect at Yamazato and Urakami, on the 23d day of the sixth month of last year.

As at present all the inhabitants of Urakami have been instructed in the Roman Catholic (lit. the French Christian) religion, and the attendance of the converts at the "Teushikwan," (Roman Catholic church,) is daily increasing to an enormous extent; the converts have become very numerous, and their influence is strong enough to break a rock. They neglected their personal affairs and thought of nothing but this sect day and night, and naturally forgot their means of subsistence. Report said that there were already more than a hundred of them. It was no longer possible to pass it over with impunity.

During the rainy and windy night of the 13th of the sixth month, the government officials, Ando Rinnoski, Yatsu Ranshiro and Ongishi Kelsugoro, their subordinate officials, and all the chiefs of the wards, also officers with a detachment of soldiers, armed with swords, lances, and firearms, numbering in all one hundred and seventy men, set off for the place, but as the storm had increased and broken the large bridge, the riflemen passing along the back road branching off at Magomi, entered the place from behind; the others plunged into the river and crossed it without injury, and being divided into parties of ten or twenty men, received orders to cut down anybody opposing them. They all drew their swords and uncovered their lances, then surrounding the village some rushed into the houses and seized a large number of people; others broke open doors, and shouting loudly, bound the people with ropes; some were also drawn from under the floors and seized.

The police behaved in a splendid manner, and the prisoners consisted of seventythree men and twelve women, making in all eighty-five persons. Just about this time. a band of forty-eight, armed, some with bamboo poles, others with hatchets, and whatever they could lay their hands on, appeared at the upper end of the village and came on the scene; the other troops which had come around from Magomi, advanced upon them in flank, and the crowd, apparently finding themselves taken at a disadvantage, fled in disorder on all sides; four of them were seized. During the confusion, however, two of the governor's employés had disappeared, and although a strict search was made they were no where to be found. The next day the report being that they had been killed in front of the mayor's house, men were sent to make inquiries; one was found with his head split open to the car and his clothes covered with blood; the other, though unable to move, was not mortally wounded. Great praise is due to the employés of the governor for their conduct in this affair.

Leaving half the riflemen and a similar number of spearmen as a guard, the rest returned; Ando Rinnoski, Yatsu Ranshiro and Ongishi Kelsugoro preceding and followed by the eighty-five prisoners, surrounded by the employés of the governor, the spear and swordsmen, and other troops, the jôyokus and chiefs of wards also accompanied them. The men and women were placed in the Tokura street prison and the

troops left to guard the place. Last night, having been withdrawn, presents as per subjoined list were distributed:

Echigo Chijmi-three pieces to Ando Rinnoski.

Two boos to Ando Rinnoski.

Two proceeding items to Yatsu Ranshiro.

Two proceeding items to Ongi Kelsugoro.

Summer dress with crest and five boos to four Joyagus.

Summer dress with crest and five boos to chief of the employés of the governor. Five boos to the other employé of the governor.

The riflemen were instructed to be on duty at the western government house. Well, then, having returned, the Shirabiyakus and the rest all proceeded to Urakami On proceeding to make inquiries three men appeared and said that, professing the same religion as the prisoners seized last night, they requested that they might be dealt with in a similar manner as the rest. They plainly expressed a desire to be immediately imprisoned; and having furthermore prayed that if they were not seized the lives of the others, taken last night, might be granted, the judge replied that, although it was perfectly right for them, as votaries of the same religion, to request the same punishment, their language was reprehensible. The fate of those seized last night had not yet been decided, and besides, their language was very reprehensible; but as the various inquiries made before the seizure had not tended to criminate them, he instructed them to depart. Hearing this they all left.

This having been reported to the governor by Ando and the Joyakus, it was considered that, although everything was at present quiet, it was impossible to say what might occur, and that strict watch should therefore be kept, which was accordingly done. While this discussion was going on another report arrived mentioning that one of the prisoners taken last night had fled.

Furthermore, at 10 o'clock a report was sent in that the inhabitants of Urakami having planned a horrible plot, the guard had been unable to resist them and had fled; the rabble had advanced from Kamimachi to Okuyamchi; it was impossible to find out the number of men engaged, but the tumult was very great, as the report stated that old and young of both sexes had hastened to the various temples and thence to the Sakuro street prison, which they had fired, and also that they were advancing upon the gov ernor's official residence. A force was immediately sent against them, headed by Ando, the riflemen, sword, and spearmen, with their weapons ready for action, and clothed with leather coats and with guns given out to them, forming in all a strong force well drawn out.

No information, however, arrived, and there was only a report that the rabble were advancing.

About 10 o'clock all the guards left and tranquillity was restored. The Sakuramachi prison was found to be too small, and an order was given to increase its size before morning. All the carpenters from the various villages were therefore summoned, a fire was lighted for them to work by; the noise of the chisel and spade was very great, the earth re-echoed the noise in a manner wonderful to relate. About six next morning it was completed; the size of the prison was forty-eight feet by thirty-six feet.

Copy of a proclamation from the Daijokwan to all the Daimios.

It has been reported that in Urakami, near Nagasaki, the people have for some years professed the doctrine of Jesus; that having gradually increased in number, the whole place at present believes in this religion; and that this sect now numbers more than three thousand persons. As this is a terrible state of things, the authorities (Saibansho) of Nagasaki have reasoned with them in a friendly manner, but they expressed no contrition.

At present, the supreme government having undergone a change and been renewed, a great misfortune would be caused to the state if this was allowed to increase. As it is impossible to pass this over with impunity for a moment, let the chiefs of this sect be summoned and earnestly entreated. If they at once repent, let them destroy all books and images used by the sect, as a proof of their contrition, and abjure their religion in front of the altars of the gods, (Kamis.) If they do not express penitence, it will be necessary that the chief men be unfailingly executed, and their heads exhibited; furthermore, the others shall be sent to the different provinces to be employed in different ways. Thus the roots will be speedily extracted.

Should in after years convincing proofs of repentance be given, they may be pardoned and permitted to return to their various homes. There is no other way of settling this matter.

As this, however, is a matter which cannot be trifled with, it is ordered that all openly report their opinions upon the subject to the government.

4TH MONTII, 12TH DAY.

[Translation from No. 44 of the Tshugaisinbun-Yedo Home and Foreign News-July 25, 1868.] New essay on the protection of the country, in one volume, by the Reverend Folly Pitier.

We do not know to what province the reverend gentleman belongs. The new essay has lately made its appearance, which we find, on perusal, to be an exposure of the evil religious sects called Protestantism and Roman Catholicism.

We have had many works entitled "Destruction of Evil," or "Expulsion of Evil," but they have been the result of a partial or shallow view of the question, and have only attacked one or two points. It would seem that few persons have mastered the fundamental principles of European doctrine. This pamphlet contains little more than fifteen or sixteen pages; yet the author, who is evidently a learned man, has seized upon all the important points. It is a pamphlet well worthy perusal by every earnest

man.

RHODES

[Translation.]

New essay on the protection of the country, by the Rev. Folly Pitier.

*OXFORDA

LIBRARY

There are two volumes-called the Old Testament, in thirty-nine books, and the New Testament, in twenty-seven books-which are venerated in the Protestant religion or sacred writings. Its contents are declared to be the utterances of Shang-ti, (the Lord of Heaven is called Shang-ti, and also the true God,) and not even a single word can be taken from or added to it. In addition to these there are several hundred other volumes, which treat of the scope and design of the Protestant religion; but they are all the offspring of these two; and, although bullock-loads and housefulls of books should be hereafter written on these subjects, they could not develop any doctrines but those contained in the Old and New Testaments.

I have read the whole book-from Genesis, in the Old Testament, to the Revelations by John, in the New Testament. The doctrines of honoring the Lord of Heaven and believing in Jesus, appear to be the foundation of the Protestant religion; but nothing is taught of cultivating one's .person, regulating one's family, ordering the state, and tranquillizing the empire.

The fifth of the Ten Commandments of the Lord of Heaven is, "Honor thy father and thy mother." Some tracts have lately been published, entitled "Elements of the five virtues in the Holy Scriptures," and "Elements of the five social relations in the Holy Scriptures," which are made up of texts picked out of different parts of the two Testaments, and twisted so as to bear out the meaning of the title; but they do not contain the correct principles of the human relations. They are merely got up to stave off troublesome opponents, and also, at the same time, to take people in; but they do not represent the real spirit of the Protestant religion.

Some people are led by these books into believing that the Protestant religion is the right way, and many not only go astray themselves, but lead others astray also. I will proceed to show, briefly, the evil and wicked nature of this doctrine.

It is quite true that one of the Ten Commandments directs that honor be given to parents, but as no care is taken to give effect to this injunction by teaching it to the people, we do not find either Abraham, Moses, or Jesus, who are venerated as holy and sage men by the Protestant religion, were celebrated for their filial piety. When Jesus was on the cross, his mother, Maria, and a disciple stood by his side. Jesus, seeing his mother, said to her, "Woman, behold thy son;" and to the disciple, "Behold thy mother." This is quoted in the Yakiaku-bun-nan-ki (record of a rustic guest asking explanations) as an instance of the exceeding filial piety of Jesus; but, after all, it was nothing more than handing his mother over to his disciple, when he himself was about to die, and there was nothing particularly filial about the action. Besides, the doings of Jesus are all contained in the four Gospels; but there is not an atom of filial piety to be found in one of them.

Seeing that the great principle of filial piety, which is the root of all good actions, is thus neglected, we cannot expect to find any traces of loyalty either. There is not one of these so-called wise and holy men who has acted with loyalty towards his lord and master. Besides, there is not a single word about loyalty in the whole of these numerous books and thousands of words of which the two Testaments are composed. The Ten Commandments enjoin honor to parents, but do not enjoin honor to prince and

master.

The Protestant religion looks upon princes and parents as merely temporary, and considers the Lord of Heaven to be the real Lord and relation.

He is styled the Emperor of Emperors, (Shang-ti;) the great Noble; the great Prince; Heavenly Father; great Father. We thus see what their ideas of loyalty to prince and of filial piety towards parents are.

The Ten Commandments are comprised in two laws: Honor and love the Lord of Heaven; this contains the first four; and love thy neighbor as thyself; this contains the six last-vide Matthew, c. 22; and the true doctrine for youthful learners, page 6. This sentence, "honor and love the Lord of Heaven," carries within it the inference that one's father and prince are not to be loved and honored.

The "record of a rustic guest asking explanations," therefore, in discussing the Chinese method of salutation by bending the knees, objects to showing honor, to prince and parents by bending the knee and bowing the head, and declares that the rules of good manners are satisfied by speaking to prince or father on one knee-for one must not bend both knees or bow the head to one's prince or one's father. Then it objects to ancestral sacrifices, because the remains in the tomb are rotten, and it is a waste of time to bow the knee to them, as they have no knowledge of what goes on about them. Such reverence is profitless, and it laughs at such practices as being the height of folly. This "love thy neighbor as thyself," is the same as Mih-peih's "universal love," and does not require any more respect or love to be shown towards one's prince or one's father than to any other person. Such being the case, supposing a man to ignore his father or prince; or to put the extreme case-if a man murders his prince or his father and believes in the Lord of Heaven and in Jesus, he will go to heaven; while even though a man perform his duty towards his prince and his father, if he do not believe in Jesus, he must go to hell.

Therefore, Wen-Wang and Chou-Kung (of the Chou dynasty) and Confucius must have gone to hell, according to (name of book or author.)

This is because the Lord of Heaven is made out to be our real father, who begot us, and our real prince, who rules us; because all the men in the world are brothers, and our princes and our fathers are our brethren. Jesus said: "But be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your master, even Jesus Christ; and ye are all brethren, and call no man your father, for one is your father, which is the Lord of Heaven."

Thus the Ten Commandments consist of two laws, "Honor and love the Lord of Heaven," and "Love thy neighbor as thyself." Respect to parents comes under that universal love which is meant by "love thy neighbor as thyself."

Therefore, although the expression "honor thy father and thy mother" exists, it does not urge the practice of filial piety. Jesus said: "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." In discussing this question in the dialogue on the Christian religion Jesus is made first and of greater importance, and parents last and of less importance. When the great principles of loyalty and filial piety are thus neglected and the five virtues thus destroyed, how can one expect perfection in the social relations? In the "Mirror of the way to heaven" the five social relations are said to be insufficient, and another relation, that of heaven and man, is set up as the chief of all the others, as being of the highest importance. The object is to destroy the five relations and to substitute that of heaven and man for them all.

The Lord of Heaven is the Lord of all countries and the Father of all men; he is, therefore, the Great Prince and Great Father. All difference between high and low among men is done away with, and this is because the single relation of heaven and man is made to take the place of the five relations. Under these circumstances little love and honor are shown towards prince and father, and when they are despised it is impossible that there should be any loyalty or filial piety.

It is no wonder that there should be no loyal or filial men among the Protestant fellows. In discussing the question of filial piety, which they rarely do, they say that the child's duty is fulfilled by his supporting his parents as long as they are alive and burying them when they die. The father of one of Jesus' disciples having died he asked permission to go home and bury him. Jesus would not permit it. The "dialogue' makes the father to be of less importance than Jesus. Not only do they declare sacrifices to the dead to be useless, but they declare it to be a serious crime in the sight of the Lord of Heaven. The "Refutation of the practice of sacrificing to the dead." and the "Record of a rustic guest asking explanations," speak in this way of the Chinese sacrifices to those gone on a long journey. “As far as I have seen, the professors of Protestantism have very little feeling of loyalty or filial piety; even when the anniversary of their death arrives they never think of him."

The Protestant religion, in this way, completely does away with the rites of sacrifice to the gods, and the filial piety, which sacrifices to one's ancestors who have gone on the long journey.

Thus propriety and goodness are destroyed, and the virtue of the people does not resume its proper excellence; the gods become of no account; ancestors become objects of contempt, princes are disregarded, and wise and holy men are treated like fools. Not only is this religion useless for the cultivation of the person, the regulation of the family, the ordering of the state, and the tranquilization of the empire, but it destroys the social relations and injures the state. How can a word of it be allowed to enter a country where propriety and virtue and a well-ordered government exist! It objects strongly to the worship of graven images. The second commandment says: "Thou shalt not worship any graven images." There are two books called