Christianity and Humanity

remains that Japanese students as a mass, and Japanese teachers, with rare exceptions, are in the position of ignorance, indifference, or positive hostility towards Christianity. And thus it comes to pass that the educated classes are growing up into dreary atheism, or in one way or another still hang out the sign-" Wanted! a religion, not for me, but for the Japanese government, as a means to rule the people!" A short time ago the cry was "No Religion!" The tide has turned, and now the voice cries "Give us some Religion," echo answers "What Religion?" And this book attempts a response.

The idea of a course of lectures which should appeal directly to the educated ripened in the mind of the writer into a determination to make the effort to reach those who might be open to conviction, or have an interest in hearing Christianity popularly discussed from the standpoint of advanced thought. A small committee kindly volunteered their assistance, a suitable hall was secured for the course, and a representative from each of the two great colleges in Tokio kindly promised to contribute a lecture. The foreign community of Tokio liberally responded to the appeal of the committee, and necessary funds were provided.

The delivery of the lectures in both English and Japanese on alternate Saturdays, extending from January 6 to April 14, awakened considerable interest, the Japanese version especially being very largely attended, and listened to with remarkable attention. Evidences of good fruits were not long in appearing; naturally, criticisms and questions were forthcoming which must yet be faced and fully answered. The English version of the lectures appears in this volume substantially as they were delivered. The author embraced the opportunity while putting them through the press to make a few alterations, notably in the Review of Spencer's "First Principles," and to add occasionally a little supplementary matter, particularly in Lecture V.

With regard to the subject matter of the lectures, it would

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savour of the pedantic to say that the treatment of the themes was not exhaustive. We have really only sketched an imperfect outline map of a course of Christian Apologetics. We have tried to some extent to obey the counsel: "Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof: mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it" to the people of this land. Each lecture opens up a new field, and contains rather suggestions and incentives to thought than a final and conclusive course of argumentation. The aim has been to awaken an interest and excite thoughtful enquiry into the subjects here treated of, which should then naturally elicit fuller proofs in further discussions. If the course, whether as delivered or in published form, serves to awaken an earnest spirit of enquiry, our work will not have been in vain.

I must acknowledge my indebtedness to the various works of Dr. Hermann Ulrici, and the volumes of Ebrard's Apologetik, as well as to many other authors, whose works have helped to arouse and mould independent thought, have served to give shape to incipient conceptions, as well as furnish much serviceable material.

I wish to record my personal thanks to the two gentlemen who came to my aid with literary work; to the committee whose unselfish help relieved my hands and made the undertaking so signal a success; to the gentlemen who presided as chairmen on the different occasions, giving the whole scheme a cosmopolitan character; to the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, through whose kindness the Hall was continued at our disposal after it had become Government property, and lastly to the kind friends whose contributions not only solved the financial problem but linked to the enterprise the sympathy and encouragement of many hearts, more precious than silver and gold.

Tokio, Japan, June, 1883.

CHAS. S. EBY.