LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOSEPH HARDY NEESIMA
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172 FIRST VISIT TO EUROPE. On the evening of the day previous to the farewell meeting Mr. Neesima consulted Mr. Hardy upon the advisability o£ laying this plan before the Board. Referring to this incident in a letter written in 1889, he says: "Mr. Hardy was doubtful about my attaining any success; however, I was rather insisting to do it because it was my last chance to bring out such a subject to such a gTand Christian audience. Then he spoke to me half-smiling, and in a most tender fa. therly manner said, 'Joseph, the matter looks rather dubious, but you might try it.' Receiving that consent, I went back to the place where I was entertained and tried to make a preparation for the speech. I found my heart throbbing, and found myself utterly unable to make a careful preparation. I was then like that poor Jacob, wrestling with God in my prayers. On the following day, when I appeared on the stage, I could hardly remember my prepared piece -a poor untried speaker; but after a minute I re· covered myself, and my trembling knees became firm and strong; a new thought flashed into my mind, and I spoke something quite different from my prepared speech. My whole speech must have lasted less than fifteen minutes. While I was speaking I was moved with the most intense feeling over my fellow-countrymen, and I shed much tears instead of speaking in their behalf. But before I closed my poor speech about five thousand dollars were subscribed on the spot to found a Christian college in Japan." No record of Mr. Neesima's address has been preserved. The movement was unpremeditated and unexpected, and the action which followed was not that of the Board as such and consequently found no place in the secretary's minutes. But all present felt the
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