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HONDA JlfiO A CHRISTIAN. 375
planting of a seed is worth the notice, was the sending
of a complete revised copy of the Gospels in
Japanese to Professor Koba, then at Kumamoto.
The Scriptures could not yet be published, for
none of the block-cutters or book-sellers could be
got to touch the work, fearing imprisonment or
death. Years were yet to pass before anything but
manuscript could be circulated among inquiring
men who were seekers after God. At this time
there were many Neesimas of whom the outside
world never heard, but of whom the Watcher of the
falling sparrow knew. Not every Neesima met his
Hardy.
How all this came to pass, the change of mind and
of heart in himself, and the brave stand for Christ,
even amid the risks of prison, exile, and death, is
told in a letter written by Honda some years afterward.
This is the way he gives his experience and
relates the story of his turning to God. The document
was written about the time of the formation of
the first Christian church in Japan, at Yokohama,
April 10, 1872, which took place after a month of
daily prayer and study of the Book of Acts the,
inspired text-book of church history.
" I was born in Japan when it was almost wholly a
heathen land. I was brought up in the midst of
idolatry and superstitions of various kinds, and I
had not any knowledge of God and his salvation. I
cared nothing for the Buddhist religion, but went to
school where 1 was taught the doctrines of Confucius.
The consequence was that I firmly believed