LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOSEPH HARDY NEESIMA

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FINANCIAL RELIEF. 301 In the spring of 1887 Mr. Neesima went to Tokyo to secure the exemption of the Doshisha from the conscription law. Under the provisions of this law all students except those connected with the govern­ment schools were liable to military service, and many had left the Doshisha in order to escape the draft. The law was subsequently modified so as to include among the exempted schools such as should fulfill cer­tain prescribed conditions. To meet these conditions an additional endowment fund of $50,000 was neces­sary. By a vote of the Prudential Committee, May 17, 1887, an income of not less than $2,500 pe!' an­num, the interest on the above sum, was assured to the Doshisha. Mr. Neesima re~eived the news of the vote, together with that of Mr. Hardy's last illness, at Sapporo, the new capital of Y ezo, whither he had gone in accordance with a resolution of the Kyoto mission relieving him from his duties and advising rest. From Sapporo he writes to Mrs. Hardy : -"July 30, 1887. Mr. Hardy's letter informing me of the action of the Prudential Committee was re­ceived here with a grateful heart. Alas! the intoxi­cation of this joy was soon dampened by the telegram telling me of his serious illness. I had some fear of it since receiving your last favor. How greatly I am troubled I can scarcely state here. I wish we could have some sort of medium to convey our messages every hour. Oh, how anxiously I feel about him. He has sown with us, and I earnestly wish he could reap much more fruit here in Japan with us before he departs in peace. Besides, I do own a real affection for him, and think I love both of you more than my own parents. I am begotten of you by your love. Pure love kindles love of the same kind. Noble

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