Japan and the Japanese, 
audiences, who buy his books in large numbers. He 
delivers these lectures in temples, theatres, or other public 
rooms, and the officials make his errand known to the people. 
Japanese magistrates would always attend these gatherings, 
and frequently after the meeting was over, would take occa- 
sion to thank Mr. Goble publicly, for his efforts on the 
behalf of the people. Not only does Mr. Goble sell Testa- 
ments, but he opens up trade with booksellers, in the towns 
through which he passes, and leaves stocks of books behind 
for sale. In eleven days, about 3,000 copies were sold to 
the public. In Kioto, he sold 500 portions, in one day 
alone. It is singular that although the Government imposes 
a tax upon all other books, no tax or license is required in 
order to sell the Scripture. Indeed, the chiefs of police, in 
every town, aid the colporteurs in getting the best positions 
for the hand-carts, and in preserving order at the services. 
The agents of the Bible Societies thus work under the 
sanction of the authorities. Indeed, nothing can at this day 
be so freely circulated in Japan, as the Holy Scriptures. 
Buddhist, and the Shinto books, as well as school-books, are 
alike taxed, so that this freedom from taxation is a remark- 
able privilege. These facts would seem to contradict the 
somewhat saddening conclusions of various travellers, in 
regard to the preparedness of the people for Christianity. 
Mr. Goble tells us that a year or two since, the governor 
of a place about 75 miles to the north-east of Tokio, 
allowed the Shinto priests to ill-treat, and expel the mis- 
sionaries of the American Methodist Episcopal Church. 
This circumstance coming to the ears of the Government, 
he was ignominiously removed, and a Christian governor 
appointed in his place. It is all the more pleasing, because 
no formal complaint was made by the missionaries, the 
Government acting entirely of its own accord in the matter. 
