LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOSEPH HARDY NEESIMA
358/372

340 LAST YEARS AND DEATH. strength, for if this were so the future would be hope~ less. But I do say that for the young, Mr. Neesim.a is in this respect a great example. Not only those who follow him in his religious faith, but all, -mer­chants, statesmen, scholars,-should strive to acquire his spirit. It is well to understand in this age of the survival of the fittest the necessity for this capacity to endure, and I earnestly desire that more men of his temper may be raised up among us. "In this audience there are Confucianists and Bud~ dhists as well as Christians ; but I think the latter are in the majority, and I would therefore take this op~ portunity to make another suggestion in respect to which also Mr. Neesima is an example .•.. A be~ lief in Christianity seems to weaken patriotism and loyalty to the emperor (some applause, with cries of 'No, no,' from the audience). This is the opinion of some, and I think it is confirmed by the conduct of some Christians. I hear a great many 'Noes,' and I am glad if this charge is not true. There is no rea~ son why belief in Christianity should decrease loyalty to country, but as Christianity is of foreign origin men of other faiths naturally bring this charge even if it be only in defense of their own creeds. During the Tokugawa dynasty, when Confucianism was in its prime, a great scholar asked his disciples what they would do if Confucius and Mencius should lead a hos~ tile army into Japan, and they made no answer; fail~ ing to perceive the simple truth that whether it be Confucius or Jesus who comes to invade the empire, it is our duty to defend it. . . . Whether there be any such feeling to-day or not, Christians will be open to this accusation and should be careful to give their opponents no ground for attack at this point. No~

元のページ 

10秒後に元のページに移動します

※このページを正しく表示するにはFlashPlayer10.2以上が必要です