CHAPTER XI

ROMAN CHRISTIANITY IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY, PAGE 323

The many-sided story of Japanese Christianity.—­One hundred years of intercourse between Japan and Europe.—­State of Japan at the introduction of Portuguese Christianity.—­Xavier and Anjiro.—­Xavier at Ki[=o]to and in Bungo.—­Nobunaga and the Buddhists.—­High-water mark of Christianity.—­Hideyoshi and the invasion of Korea.—­Kato and Konishi.—­Persecutions.—­Arrival of the Spanish friars.—­Their violation of good faith.—­Spirit of the Jesuits and Franciscans.—­Crucifixion on the bamboo cross.—­Hideyori.—­Kato Kiyomasa.—­The Dutch in the Eastern seas.—­Will Adams.—­Iyeyas[)u] suspects designs against the sovereignty of Japan.—­The Christian religion outlawed.—­Hidetada follows up the policy of Iyeyas[)u], excludes aliens, and shuts up the country.—­The uprising of the Christians at Shimabara in 1637.—­Christianity buried from sight.—­Character of the missionaries and the form of the faith introduced by them.—­Noble lives and ideals.—­The spirit of the Inquisition in Japan.—­Political animus and complexion.

CHAPTER XII

TWO CENTURIES OF SILENCE, PAGE 351

Policy of the Japanese government after the suppression of Christianity.—­Insulation of Japan.—­The Hollanders at Deshima.—­Withdrawal of the English.—­Relations with Korea.—­Policy of inclusion.—­“A society impervious to foreign ideas.”—­Life within stunted limits.—­Canons of art and literature.—­Philosophy made an engine of government.—­Esoteric law.—­Social waste of humanity.—­Attempts to break down the wall—­External and internal.—­Seekers after God.—­The goal of the pilgrims.—­The Deshima Dutchman as pictured by enemies and rivals, versus reality and truth.—­Eager spirits groping after God.—­Morning stars of the Japanese reformation.—­Yokoi Heishiro.—­The anti-Christian edicts.—­The Buddhist Inquisitors.—­The Shin-gaku or New Learning movement.—­The story of nineteenth century Christianity, subterranean and interior before being phenomenal.—­Sabbath-day service on the U.S.S.  Mississippi.—­The first missionaries.—­Dr. J.C.  Hepburn—­Healing and the Bible.—­Yedo becomes T[=o]ki[=o].—­Despatch of the Embassy round the world.—­Eyes opened.—­The Acts of the Apostles in Japan.

NOTES, AUTHORITIES AND ILLUSTRATIONS, PAGE 375

INDEX, PAGE 451

CHAPTER I — PRIMITIVE FAITH:  RELIGION BEFORE BOOKS

    “The investigation of the beginnings of a religion is never the
    work of infidels, but of the most reverent and conscientious
    minds.”