LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOSEPH HARDY NEESIMA

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PREACHES IN A BUDDHIST TEMPLE. 191 religion, and also the whole body of the magistrates of Takasaki, a neighboring city of 15,000 inhabitants. Day before yesterday I was invited by an official in the next village to spend the night with him. After the supper he gathered the whole family in the parlor and requested me to tell them about Jesus Christ. I began to talk at 8 o'clock and continued till half past ten that night. Thirty men in this town and a few men from outside took up a collection for purchasing some Christian books for themselves. They are hun­gry and thirsty for the Christian truth. I wrote Rev. D. C. Greene a week ago for permission to remain here still longer, but he persuaded me to go to Osaka next Sabbath. I find here everything ready for the gos­pel. If I continued to labor here two or three months I have no doubt that most of the above will become followers of Christ. It is very painful to leave this hungry flock. This community is entirely free from bad foreign influences, and it may be a more desirable place for me to establish a Christian society than Kobe or Osaka. TO MR. AND MRS. HARDY FROM MR. NEESIMA'S FATHER. ANNAKA, December 24, 1874. Dear Friends, -Yours of the 20th of last October was received through my son. I congratulate you for your good health and prosperity. When my son went to your country as a helpless wanderer, you did save him from falling into misery, treated him as your own son, and gave him all neces­sary wants. I am greatly indebted to you for your kind letter with which you have sent my son back to me once more, acquainted with the knowledge of God. 'Vhen I saw him after a long separation my heart was

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