1 62 Japan and the Japanese, 
fore we may say that believers in the Christian reh'gion, are 
those who, spending time and labour, import their morals 
from a foreign country. If the time and trouble waste4 oil 
improving our morality, which is not deficient in us, were 
directed toward gaining intellectual knowledge, which is 
deficient in us, the benefit accruing to our country, would 
not be little." In this extract, peeps out that conceit of 
goodness, and self-righteousness, so characteristic of edu- 
cated and bigoted Japanese. 
Nevertheless, in spite of national conceit, idolatry, ignor- 
ance, and indifference, some entrance has been found for 
the Gospel of Christ. It is singular, too, that, diplomatic 
restrictions notwithstanding, great and effectual doors have 
been opened for missionaries into the island kingdom. The 
old superstition, and darkness, are contesting the ground, 
with the new doctrine of eternal life through a crucified 
Saviour. It is not difficult to foresee which will win. Where- 
ever missionaries have been allowed to reside, they have 
secured attentive hearing and respectful toleration. These 
have, in their turn, been followed by the adherence of 
numbers to the religion of Jesus. To the Japanese, whether 
educated or uneducated, the news of eternal life, by Christ 
Jesus, comes like a cheerful gleam of sunshine across a black 
starless night ; and if not prejudiced by sceptical teachings, 
this news is eagerly welcomed by the natives. But it is 
among the poorer classes of the people that Christianity has 
won its greatest triumphs. With little to hope for in this 
life, and all to dread in the next, fearing futurity, and 
burdened with a present existence which is full of pain and 
(hardship, they grasp at the good news proclaimed by the 
foreign preachers, and teachers.. As of old, " the common 
people hear of Christ 'gladly/ " 
