LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOSEPH HARDY NEESIMA

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APPEAL TO THE BOARD. 223 flict and unhappy misunderstanding. Many young Japanese educated abroad have returned so convinced of their superiority that all cooperation with them has been impossible. Mr Neesima occupied a position of peculiar difficulty and temptation, and was subject to a cross-fire which tried his tact and patience to the utmost; yet he retained throughout the confidence of all in the singleness and sincerity of his purpose, and the simplicity of his Christian character. In February, 1879, he was again in Tokoy inter­ceding with Mr. Mori, then vice-minister of foreign affairs, for the renewal of Dr. Learned's passport. His success in this instance is but an example of his general success in accomplishing what was regarded as hopeless by his associates. Although in this case the special object of his mission was secured, his interview with Mr. Mori convinced him that the safety of the school depended upon the creation of a permanent en­dowment, and he therefore wrote at once the following strong appeal to the Prudential Committee of the Board:-" When I returned from my missionary tour to Kyushu I was mostly used up by exposure to intense heat there. When I fairly commenced my labor there numbers of telegrams came informing me that I must return home as soon as possible to attend to grave matters. To my great regret I was obliged to give up my work and return homeward. Now I must inform you of the difficulty just hanging upon my shoulders, but I trust you will never be discouraged. I am fully convinced the Lord has designed me to bear all sorts of trials for extending his kingdom in my beloved country. No matter how heavy the cross may be, I am ready to bear, but what I fear is that I

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