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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