Introduction of Christianity, 171 
introduce shipbuilding into the country, in order, not only 
to obtain a navy, but to secure, in time, skilled native work- 
men. While in Tokio, the youth met with some Christian 
tracts in Chinese, and studied them with avidity. From 
these, he learned that a Creator existed, whom he was 
bound to serve and reverence. This conviction grew on 
him, and seeing his duty to be plain, he left Tokio, and 
going to Yezo, managed to get on board a ship bound 
for Shanghai. He supposed that Americans were all Chris- 
tians, but after sailing, found to his disappointment that 
neither captain nor sailors knew anything practically of 
religion. They, however, taught him to read, for, on landing 
in Shanghai, he sold his two swords, and bought a New 
Testament in English, and applied himself so diligently, 
during the voyage from* China to America, that he obtained 
considerable acquaintance with the Gospels. As he read 
on, he came to that verse in the third of John, which 
preaches a full and free gospel, God so loved the world 
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever be- 
lieveth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life," 
and the Holy Spirit revealed to him its meaning. The 
young runaway lad became converted to God, and learnt 
to pray in earnest before the ship arrived at Boston. On 
reaching port, the captain reported the ship to its owner, at 
the same time recounting the story of the Japanese lad. 
Said the owner, "Send him up to me ; I will talk to him." 
As the result of that talk, the shipowner sent the lad to a 
theological training college, for by this time he had aban- 
doned all idea of serving his country by shipbuilding, 
deciding instead to preach to his countrymen the everlasting 
Gospel. He spent five years studying theology under this 
fostering care, and three years in a scientific course. During 
the period of his theological study, the Japanese Minister of 
