EELIGION OF THE JAPANESE. 475 



regarding Americans with inimical feelings? Even when they see their own officers, with the 

 persons of whom they are not familiar, they also run aside, and, as from fear, seek to escape us, 

 This is the custom of our country that officers should accompany visitors ahout — a custom not 

 to be so soon changed. Still, the disposition of the men htre is ingenuous, brave, upright, and 

 good, and that of the women retiring and modest, not gazing at men as if without bashfulness. 

 Such characteristics and such usages must be considered as estimable, and we think that you 

 also will not dislike them. 



" In general, when upright, cordial propriety marks intercourse, then peace, good feeling, 

 and harmony are real between the parties ; but if harshness, violence, and grasping characterize 

 it, then hate and distrust with collision arise, and love will not be found to bring the hearts of 

 the people together. This is a rule of heaven, concerning which no one can have any doubt." 



The authorities of Hakodadi had set apart and fenced off, for the interment of the American 

 dead, a portion of a small, neglected burial ground, situated in an easterly direction, beyond 

 the town and near the forts. The spot is exceedingly picturesr[ue, and commands a fine view 

 of the harbor, the Straits of Sangar, and the adjacent coasts. It was the melancholy duty of 

 our countrymen to deposit there the remains of two of their shipmates, who, after a long illness, 

 died during the stay of the squadron in that port. The funerals were conducted with the usual 

 naval and religious ceremonies. After a short preliminary service on board ship, the escort, 

 consisting of several officers, a number of seamen and marines, in four boats, conducted the 

 bodies ashore, the boats and all the ships with flags at half-mast. On reaching the land, the 

 procession was formed, and as it marched with slow step and muffled drums to the burial place, 

 a large concourse of Japanese collected and followed it to the grave. The chaplain, the Kev. 

 Mr. Jones, read the burial service of the Protestant Episcopal church, and, after the services 

 had terminated, many of the natives gathered around him, and, although they evinced much 

 curiosity, they never forgot the respect which they seemed to think due to his religious office. 

 This was the fourth funeral among the Americans in Japan, and knowing the very strong 

 prejudice against Christianity, and, indeed, the very violent opposition to it manifested by the 

 Japanese, Mr. Jones had felt uncertain, when his duty required him to officiate at the first 

 interment, how far he would be permitted to proceed unmolested. He accordingly a.sked the 

 Commodore for directions, and was told, " Do exactly as you always do on such occasions, no 

 more, nor no less ;" and in answer to his inquiry how he should act if interrupted, the answer 

 was, "still go on and have your usual service." No oj^position, however, was made, and the 

 chaplain felt that it was a day to be remembered, that, after the lapse of centuries, a minister 

 of Christ stood, in his person, upon the soil of Japan, and, unmolested, performed one of the 

 rites of his faith. He could not but remember, that, more than two hundred years before, it 

 had been written in Japan, " so long as the sun shall warm the earth, let no Christian be so 

 bold as to come to Japan ; and let all know that the king of Spain himself, or the Christian's 

 God, or the great God of all, if he violate this command, shall pay for it with his head." The 

 first funeral was at Yoku-hama, the second at Simoda, and the last two at Hakodadi. Respect 

 for the ceremonies was shown by the Japanese at all ; and at the latter place the natives often 

 alluded, in their intercourse with Mr. Jones, to his officiating at the grave, and called him, in 

 their language, "the praying man;" and instead of losing standing among them from his 

 office, as he expected to do, he found himself treated with increased friendliness and attention. 



