LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOSEPH HARDY NEESIMA

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CONVERSATION WITH MR. TANAKA. 1~9 The1·e is truth in the Christian rt>ligion. We ought to take truth because it is truth, and not as a mere instrumentaii ty. Then the commissioner told me that what I said concerning the education and religion agrees with his view very much except one point. He said he knew something of Christianity, and has begun to appre­ciate its goodness and value more and more since he came to this country, seeing so plainly what the Chris­tian people are doing here. He is almost awe-struck with the schools, churches, and some charitable insti­tutions supported by the Christian people or societies. Then he thought Christianity one of the best instru~ mentalities to govern a people or elevate a nation; but he said, " I do not know enough to say that we ought to love truth because it is truth, and not use it as a mere instrumentality." As he said, he does not know truth eno11gh. He is anxious to know of it to a fuller extent. He sa:;rs the government has no right to interfere in any form of religion, for belief in any religion is in the heart and not in outward deeds. The duty of the govern­ment is to keep the people in good order, and it ought to let the religion be free to the people. Let them worship true God or heathen gods according to their consciences. If there is truth or goodness in one religion more than the others it will prevail after all. I was exceedingly pleased with broad view on this subject, and felt so thankful for this new opening way to speak so freely. The commissioner is going to visit a deaf and dumb school to-morrow, but he gave me leave to rest myself, because he has one more .T apanese interpreter beside me. He is very anxious to know whether you will permit me to go to Europe

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