p. 62 | An Inquiring Japanese

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 14, 1859

An Inquiring Japanese.

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SUPPOSE an intelligent Japanese, after acquiring the English language, and acquainting himself with the doctrines of the Christian religion as set forth in the Bible, should feel a desire to observe the practical effect of such sublime truths upon a nation who held them, and for this purpose should visit the United States. His first impression, of course, would be at the highest degree unfavorable. As he moved among promiscuous crowds in places of public resort, so far from seeing reverence to God and obedience to his express commands, his ears would be constantly greeted with the most wanton blasphemies, and his eyes pained with the continual spectacle of flagrant transgressions of God's holy laws. But suppose that, on expressing to some friend his astonishment at such a state of things, he should be informed that these men, although indignantly repelling the name either of heathen or infidel, yet by no means adopted that of Christian; that those who profess to belong to this latter class composed only a small part of the population, and that he must look among these to see the effects of the Christian religion. His first step would be to visit some church where Christians were assembled for public worship. Here he would witness, perhaps, what was, entirely agreeable to his expectations. He would hear the congregation express their solemn belief in the realities of eternity, he would hear them address their earnest prayers and offer their devout thanksgivings to their Heavenly Father, and he would hear the warnings, and exhortations, and promises of the Scriptures proclaimed with more or less fervor and unction by the officiating minister. At last he has found those for whom he is seeking, and after the services are over, he eagerly throws himself into their society. But alas! he here meets with new perplexities and amazements.

First he is greatly astonished to observe the easy airs and light smiles of the entire assembly, as they press down the aisles and through the doors of the church. "Can these be the persons," he says to himself, "whom I heard a few moments ago, while humbly bowed upon their knees, confessing their manifold transgressions of God's holy laws, and declaring their hearty sorrow and true repentance for the same"? And this astonishment is only increased when he joins himself to their company and listens to their conversation. Common-place civilities, stale observations on the weather, remarks on the latest news of trade or of crime, local gossip, uncharitable reflections on individuals, or at best "strifes of words," and "foolish and unlearned questions," such themes form the staple of conversation, as these Christians walk together toward their several homes. "What," exclaims the inquiring Japanese, "are these the persons whom I just heard declare their belief in the 'resurrection of the body and the life everlasting,' on an impending judgment and 'a heaven and hell'?" While he walks along silently pondering these strange phenomena, he is recognized by some Christian gentleman and invited to take a Sunday dinner with his family. On entering the parlor he finds several friends of his hospitable host engaged in the same strain of conversation as had so much disturbed his mind.

At last dinner is announced and the company are seated at the table. The hurried "grace" scarcely requires a pause in the conversation, and the heathen is at leisure to observe the "Sunday dinner." He sees before him cooked meats, and a variety of made dishes, together with expensive luxuries from distant climes. "Can these be the persons," again reflects the heathen, "who this very morning prayed that their hearts might be inclined to observe such commandments as 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, in it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou nor thy servant'? Is this the man who has just professed to consider himself but a steward answerable to his Lord for the expenditure of his means, and called to a life of self-denial? And yet I am told that this gentleman is a wealthy vestry-man, and a leading man in the church," continues the disturbed and doubting visitor. What wonder if the poor Japanese, discouraged and heart-sick at the result of this half day's inquiries, should cease to pursue the subject further, and return by the first opportunity to his heathen home, to inform his friends and countrymen that the boasted Christian religion is, after all, but a splendid illusion? —Epis. Rec.