What One Woman Did for Japan.
In 1880 the prisons of Kioto held an unusual number of political prisoners, taken during the rebellion on the island of Kiushiu. Many of them were high in rank and honor among their countrymen. A few had been pardoned, many had been executed, while a large number were held as prisoners for a term of years. Much of the public work of the city then was, and is still, accomplished by gangs of prisoners under overseers. In a remote part of Kioto, an earnest, gifted woman had gathered a girls' school at home. Eager of heart, alert, wise but wary, her noble presence had won its way with the men and women of Japan in quarters that were inaccessible to others. "More work for Jesus," was her watchword; and this is what happened to her. One day at morning worship a gang of prisoners filed into the yard, and began cutting the grass in the inclosure. The girls were just singing their sweet hymns, "Jesus, I my cross have taken," and "I'm glad I'm in the army;" and the unusual words and tone arrested the prisoners' ears, all unaccustomed to such sounds in their own language. Cautiously they crept nearer and nearer to the piazza, till the teacher stepped forward, and asked them all to enter. Eagerly they climbed the steps, and were soon within the walls. It was a strange sight for a girls' school—the overseer with the lash and sword, and these sad-faced men with their clanking chains. But the songs ring out their glad welcome, and the organ peals forth its sweet tones; then the old, old story is read from the Gospel of Mark. "That is strange talk. We would like to hear more of it," they say, slowly filing out. "Come again! come again! You are welcome," responds the teacher, with a silent prayer. So, as the men were brought for two or three days in the same vicinity, the scene was repeated with increasing interest. After a few weeks a request was sent from the prison for a Christian teacher, and this strong, brave woman went forth fearlessly, under guard of an officer of the law, if not to preach, at least to speak, to those souls in prison. Once only, but mark the result. Months after, when some of these men were released and returned to their homes in Kiushiu, they carried the precious seeds dropped into their hearts in the girls' school; and by and by there came a pleading call for a missionary to be sent; one responding to their call, found a church in all but name,—a waiting company of believers hungering to be taught of the Lord.—Leaflet.