内村鑑三全集36書簡一､岩波書店､578頁､4700円､1983.8.24
書簡一
目次
凡例
一八八〇年（明治一三年）………………………三
一八八一年（明治一四年）………………………八
一八八二年（明治一五年）………………………二四
一八八三年（明治一六年）………………………四九
一八八四年（明治一七年）………………………九三
一八八五年（明治一八年）………………………一二三
一八八六年（明治一九年）………………………二二四
一八八七年（明治二〇年）………………………二五五
一八八八年（明治二一年）………………………二七二
一八八九年（明治二二年）………………………三一〇
一八九〇年（明治二三年）………………………三二〇
一八九一年（明治二四年）………………………三二九
一八九二年（明治二五年）………………………三四七
一八九三年（明治二六年）………………………三六六
一八九四年（明治二七年）………………………三八九
一八九五年（明治二八年）………………………四一一
一八九六年（明治二九年）………………………四三一
一八九七年（明治三〇年）………………………四六二
一八九八年（明治三一年）………………………四六七
一八九九年（明治三二年）………………………四六九
一九〇〇年（明治三三年）………………………四七二
一九〇一年（明治三四年）………………………四八八
一九〇二年（明治三五年）………………………五一一
一九〇三年（明治三六年）………………………五四四
書簡一【一八八〇年（明治一三年）より一九〇三年（明治三六年）まで】
(3) 一八八〇年（明治一三年） 二〇歳
7月28日【太田稲造殿 陸中盛岡 札幌農黌 内村鑑三】
July 28th，Sapporo．
To Paul I．O． Dearly Beloved Brother：
Most heartily we have received your letter from Hakodate，and are greatly rejoiced for your safe journey，prosperous on land and not very unpleasant on sea．We expect that your further trip was also a safe and agreeable one．When yourletter reached the College，we seven（except Frederick）were absent on Jozankei．We spent about four days there，and though suffered much from heavy package which we had to carry．and the attack of all-jaws，yet the excursion was a pleasant and quite a successful one．Being attracted by ambition，Charles made two excursions to the source of the Toyobira，and though unable to arrive at his long-Craving bed of dear arsenic he found a large block on the bank．What I suffered the most is to prepare our daily food．My（and our also）bitterest enemy was therefore our Great Eater，Who，lazy as he was，was the greatest and awfuI consumer of others' energy，if I may use an expression from Physics．Thanks be to you that you were not one of our companions．
I know that you are now an only Christian star among the dark abyss of heathenism．“Only (4)in the rigor of winter，we can distinguish the ever-green pines”are the words of ancient Chinese．When we are among Christian brethren where love，peace，and good will are the things ardently desired for，where rose and primrose，camellia and geranium，furze and cyclamen，are all blooming upon a common bed，and constantly exposed before our eyes，we，from our weakness，are prone to become tired of their beauties，to neglect to water them，and encourage their growth with diligence， EFFORT and sincerity，－nay，far from this，－we treat them with harshness，and not infrequently，even with austerity．But imagine a tiny primrose blushing among the choking weeds，where chickweed and mugwort，sedges and rushes are the predominating vegetation．Then we admire its relenting beauty，remove the obstruction to its growth，soften the ground，give Supports，and encourage its development．I believe，brother Paul，（as I had experienced last summer）that the more you think about your Christian brethren in Sapporo，the dearer you become of them；and so we，the more we think of you，and of our want in love and kindness toward you when you were with us，the more regret we feel，the stronger becomes our attachment toward you，and be it a comfort to you，the more fervent becomes our prayer for your sake．Blessed be His name，who has thus furnished us with unfeigned love among us．The chain which joins our hearts should be ever incorruptible，“being much more precious than of gold that perishes”．Great is the distance，and wide is the sea which separate us from you，but stronger becomes our attachment and feeling as the gap increases．Blessed be His name．
We are now all in peace and ordinary health．Surveying is not very successful on account of my feeble health，and therefore，be not too anxious for my hoarding treasure．Fujita however is very hardy，and will be enormously wealthy at the time you will get to Sapporo．The Botanist (5)debilitated a little．The Chemist，a little headache，the Engineer（ambitious）reduced to great poverty．The Pig-ologist，reading novels.The Gymnasium and Kahoe，all right.
Good-By till next opportunity.
Your old brother and friend，
JONATHAN．
P．S．Give my best and sincere regard to your mother，and to your father also if he is now in Morioka．Do not forget to pray for us，we also pray for you constantly．
8月3日【太田稲造愛兄 陸中盛岡 新渡戸様方ニテ 大至急要書 八月三日発ス 札幌農黌 内村鑑三】
Aug．3rd，1880．
Sapporo．
Dear Brother Paul．
Your letter from Morioka arrived at us yesterday evening，and it gave us a great shock，－a shock which inhibited our sense of taste，and relaxed the opening of the moisture of sorrow．General silence prevaiied through our ever-merry companions．We placed ourselves in your situation，－and Oh！ what a grief，an unbearable trial！ Your sole hope in visiting your native town was undoubtedly to meet your mother，but ah！ ah！ She had already gone before you reached your destination．Brother，I know not how to console you．“Weep with them that do weep，and rejoIce with them that do rejoice”were the words of an apostle．I shall not here endeavor to tell you what was and still is，my feeling and strong sympathy for you，but shall give you accounts of grief of (6)my Christian brethren in Sapporo．Edwin refuses to eat since last evening．He is still weeping．So is Frederick who since a week ago is suffering from pain in head．Francis laid himself prostrate on beds in full grief．Hugh，imagining himself what he will do when his old parents shall fall into same fate as your beloved mother did，dared not to go a surveying this morning，in which work he has been enthusiastically engaging．Charles tried with his manly character not to show his grief and sympathy in his face，but he is quiet and contemplating，manifestly showing his intolerable feeling for you．Brother，the above statements may not suffice to do anything to succour your sorrow，but as I truly approve that they are not out of hypocrisy or for the sake of outward appearance，accept them as signs of true friendship and brothership which God，our gracious Father，made to dwell in our hearts．
Brother，God's ways are no our ways．Thou knowest about the patience of Job，how he endured under continued sufferings．Thou rememberest about Moses and Elijah how they oftentimes were compelled to do many things contrary to their desire，but were ultimately crowned with happiness，hope，and prosperity．Are we not a chosen generation，a peculiar people endowed with privilege to have our eternal hope in God，the Creator of Universe，in vastness，greatness and power，but also friend to orphan，and afflicted in his mercifulness？ Might it not have been His arrangement that if your mother died after hearing gospel from you and yet did not believe，and then sleep forever，she must meet greater and fiercer punishment than if she go，as she did，Without being flashed with a gleam of gospel？
Let your trial，O！ dear brother Paul in Christ，be“found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”．It is a great，yea，the greatest trial for you，but the“trial of your (7)faith is much more precious than tbat of gold that perishes”．
Be not，brother，overwhelmed with grief，because it is a great injury for your health，for the recovering of which you visited your native land．Your deceased mother cares for your health than she did for her own body．Be courageous and try to become a strong and healthy man，and endeavor to please your departed parents by good and serviceable works for your country，for God，for the name of your dear family，for your own sake．（身ヲ立 道ヲ行ヒ 父母ノ名ヲ後世ニ挙ルハ孝ノ至リナリ）．We never neglect to pray for you．Brother，dear brother，I sincerely expect，and pray you，that I may meet you again，healthy in body，vigorous in faith，abundant in hope，and full of grace．
Your most beloved brother and friend，
JONATHAN K．UCHIMURA．
Give my best regards to all of your relatives.
(8) 一八八一年（明治一四年） 二一歳
9月30日 【宮部金吾殿行 下谷徒士町 小石川上富坂町 内村鑑三ヨリ】
Sept．30，1881．
Tokio．
Dear Frank：
Gladly received your short note respecting your great probability to stay in Tokio．I do rejoice with you．God，who has been our constant guide of our Lives，has allowed you to fulfill your hope．I thanked Him，and you ought to do sol also．Let our bodies and souls be intrusted in His hand，and there shall be no failure．Let us not try to obtain honor or wealth，or prosperity by ourselves，but trust them all to the hand of our God，for“in due season we shall reap，if we faint not”．We have already experienced great failure in some of our friends，trying to obtain honor by themselves．“Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted：but the rich in that he is made low”，teaches St．James．Oh！ what a joy to you，to your parents，to your family members，to me，and to all your true friends，that God has so abundantly blessed you．I do and ought rejoice with you when you rejoice．
But brother，you must not only rejoice，but weep with me when I weep．My family trouble is (9)growing greater day after dav．Oh！ what an awful scene to me to see my uncle and his children all coming to my little cottage，there to enjoy the freedom from hard labor，because I can feed and clothe them．Approaching of my departure，failure in business of my father，intrusion of strangers to the already filled-up cottage，all make my home dreary，awful，＆ cheerless．Food tastes bad，brain almost deranged，and for the sake of avoiding the bad scene，I have to leave my dear home and rumble in streets during this rainy weather．For me it is all right；but how can my mother avoid the scene．Can tears，regret，meditation？ i twill be easier to conceive the scene than for me to describe．My heart strives me to hasten toward Hokkaido，but the affairs of the home obscure my peace，as I leave behind me such a great obstacle．
But i trust in God both while rejoicing and weeping．I trust that God’s ways are not our ways．He who gave me abundant blessing will never leave me alone and comfortless．All will work for my good．Pray for me，brother，as I pray for you．May I be strengthened to endure through this trial，and may count it all joy when I meet with diverse temptations．
I am yours，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
P．S．Departure will beon the 3rd October by Kokonoye-Maru．
10月14日 【宮部金吾様 東京下谷徒士町 札幌 内村鑑三】
Sapporo，
Oct．14，1881．
(10)Dear Kingo：
Much thanks for your prayer．I have arrived yesterdav after a long journey of ten days．The sea in general was calm and pleasant，and though accompanied by some danger，I and my brother are now here safely．The voyage from Yokohama to Hakodate was a very pleasant one．The weather exceedingly fine，the moon very bright，the sea calm，the ship large，passengers few，and not a meal was lost during 3-days voyage，I had also enjoyed the society of Mr．and Mrs．Squire，and also an American whale-fisherman from whom I obtained much knowledge．At Hakodate I found all Christian brotbers and sisters welcome me with great kindness，and 5-days' sojourn there，not a day was spent without joy and pleasure．On the 8th I was happy enough to attend the first 親睦会 Of Hakodate Christians in which my short speech was received with great pleasure by all．I found Mr．＆ Mrs．桜井 very active in Christian work and I entered into great intimacy with them．I found Mr．成田 very active as usual．Happy for me，just when I arrived at Hakodate I met a great storm，and though I was not able to start for Otaru as soon as I expected，yet how much was I benefited，you can easily imaglne．
On the morning of 12th I was on board the little Yoshino．At first the sea seemed to be calm，and for about 4hrs．I was perfectly strong．But gradually the waves commenced to become higher and higher．松前 came to sight，and the ship commenced to roll about as a little strip of wood．Eleven times I vomited，and O！ what an awful scene was it to me．Not a grain have I tasted，and when I was on land I and my brother were like ghosts．Severe gale from west however hastened our boat，and we were in the harbor of 手宮 after 22hrs．of rolling and pitching．
On the same morning we got on railway car and arrived safely at our journey's end on 13th．(11)At the station I was welcomed by brothers Ota and Watase，and was led by the former to his residence，in which a special room was provided for me．Kindness，friendship，congratulation，O！ what a great joy to me．Thank God for his abundant mercy．He who taught us“to care for nothing”has provided for all my wants．“Come！ whatever may come！”My strength will be in God．
Am rather busy now．Will write you soon．Best complements to your mother，brothers，and sisters．About your destination Mr．Nakashima must have told you．It is a success．Mr．Oshima says he ought have telegraphed to you，but he is not very certain．Mr．Mori says，you can stay，of which Mr．Nakashima must have told you．
The Residence of Mr．Oshima's family is 厚木在中新田，and I wish you would take the trouble to visit them at your opportunity．I found that I was rather very unkind to my beloved brother，and he wa smuch disappointed to hear，that I did not visit his family．I shall pay the expense if you would be kind enough to make special visit．
I found that my department is 漁猟科；hence it includes not only Fishery，but also about birds and animals，and I found that my present business is the overseeing of the Economic Zoology of Hokkaido．Hence all books about birds，mammals，reptiles，and fishes will be welcomed．I have now in hand about 10yen which I can spend in books，and if you had an opportunity of meeting second-hand books of such nature，be kind enough to keep them．I will send the money to you presently，and must ask your kindness in taking trouble in book-buying．The following books I want to have；
Spencer's Biology，2voIs．
(12) Figuer's Birds ＆ Reptiles．
Mivart's Genesis of Species．
Treasury of Natural History，
etc．，etc．
Of course small sum of 10 yen cannot buy all these，but I will try to send the money as soon as possible．
Just now（evening 7 o'clock）three of us went to Mr．Machimura for the special purpose of seeing his new wife．Ota made two bows，and burst into laughter，then Hiroi commenced to laugh and probably struck his body．Mrs．M．was much ashamed and immediately retired．O！ bui-ki-bui-ki．
We ate feeding upon squashes every day．Fuita and Hiroi made measurement of the capacities of each of our cups，and amount of rice eaten was determined as follows：
No．Ⅰ．Adachi，（Largest cup）
Ⅱ．Hiroi
Ⅲ．Fujita
Myself and my brother
Ⅳ．Ota
We struck カナダライ at every meal and we have very jolly time at meal-time．
11月10日 【宮部金吾宛 東京】
(13) Nov．10，1881．
Sapporo．
Dear Frank：
More than 40days have passed away，and I have not received a letter from you．You have already broken your promise．O！ Kingo，Kaboten，Dekomaru，be prompt in letter writing to your brother in Sapporo．（失敬）
Since my arrival in Sapporo，there are many-things which I want to write to you．As to myself，I am going on in my business very pleasantly．The work with which I am intrusted，――Fishery of Hokkaido――is too big for me alone．The production of a country worthing more than 3,000,000 yen is in my hand．BIess me I am an officer of 30 yen，whose business is to oversee such a grand work．On the 26th of last month，I left Sapporo to observe the fishery up and down the Ishikari R．I stayed in Tsuishikari for 2 days，and went down the riverin an Aino canoe，touching at every points where fishery is going on．At Bannaguro I stayed for two days，and then went down to Ishikari on foot．While staying there I visited many of the eminent fishermen and learned as much as I can about salmon fishery．I also took an Aino canoe up and down the river．After staying there 4 days，I started for Atsuta，and examined pretty minutely all the fishing grounds along the coast．Everything was very pleasant，and I felt as if I am getting the most valuable part of my knowledge．I returned to Sapporo after 12 days' journey．richly stocked with valuable information．I have already finished my report to thegovernment and I am now preparing to start to Tokachi and all along the Eastern coast。Is it not very pleasant？ The Sapporo Youngmen's Christian Association which has long been anticipated is now instituted。The first meeting is going (14)to take place on the 12th inst．The Christian work is going on now very vigorously．The greatest difficulty is in its financial condition，and many sources from which we received the request for donation，make it rather difficult for the aggrandizement of our own church．This is however rather a secret matter，you know．
I cannot say nothing definitely about Mr．S――．In fact，I am rather doubtful whether he can serve Christ witb much fidelity，if he cares so much about society．I have already experienced the fact that flattery and bribery are the predominating elements in the official life．“Conform to the society，and you can have the popularity of all”is the maxim of the society in which I am now livjng．But“ムenceforth I know no man after flesh”taught the Apostle Paul，and the only way to combat with this generation of vlpers is by“armour of righteousness on the right hand and the left”．
Thanks be to God that I have received two letters from my father，stating that he is attending Mr．Hiraiwa's church every Sunday．I am now greatly encouraged and I feel I am nearing to God day after day。God who wrought this selfsame thing must be aliving God，and able to lead me through my life。Visit on my bouse frequently，I pray you，brother．Let your brotberin Sapporo soon hear of the most joyful news that his father is accepted by the Church as a good soldier of Christ．Imagine me，I am in ecstasy of joy．Come，whatever may come！ God who has so frequently heard my prayer will always be on my side．
Mr．A．is already drownedin Miss M・He is said to be the present 深草少将，because he is almost always visiting his Love，and return home very late at night。He will probably be buried up in snow this winter．Long-nostril-gentleman，he must be．Many interesting facts about him．
(15) Messrs．Iwasaki and Machimura have brought their“Sources of Sorrowing”．30 yen not sufficient．Very sorry，yet was very merry during marrying．
Exceedingly sorry to tell you that Brotber Ota's eyes are very bad now．He is now almost a blindman，and is staying at home．He will probably be in Tokio soon．His Christian views are exceedingly confusing，and all my consolation to him was in vain．Pray for him．
Best regards to Your mother，brother，sisters，and nieces．
Yours most beloved brother in Christ，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
12月15日 【宮部金吾殿行 東京下谷徒士町 札幌北四条東一丁目壱番地 内村鑑三】
Sapporo，
Dec．15th，1881．
Brother Deko，
Mr．Miyabe：
Dear Sir，
Health，wealth and prosperity to you．
Many interesting things to be written．Where is your letter to any one of your Sapporo friends？
Your forgotten friend，
(16) J．S．K．U．
The above is the form of the postal card which I was on the point of sending to you as a substitute for December letter．To say the truth，Miyabe，we were rather enraged for your negligence，and almost determined to cut up any communication with you．To ask apology by your temperament is unexcusable．But，NOW，you are a good boy，a faithful brother，as ever．Your good letter arrived yesterday，and I am now in ease by feeling that I am not your forgotten friend．I feel as if I am now with you．I feel now that same earnest love and brothership for you，which we have experienced during 4 years as peaceful chums．I must say here，that，though your temperament is such as to neglect letter writing，my temperament（as you Well know）is such as to feel very gloomy and anxious when an expected communication from a loving friend does not arrive．He must be wicked who knowing this to be true，has neglected the great duty of friendly communication for about 60 days．But NOW“I am to live and die”with you．――Ⅱ．Cor．
You are now having good companion in Brother Ota．I went as far as Tomakomai with him，and we had a very gloomy time there，when he went south，and good-bye．A day and half of our society on horseback was a hard time for me．His gloomy and I went north，bidding a kind reflecting habits made him exceedingly sorrowful，and I was unable to console him with all my might．His hope obscure，his future undecided，and with confusing idea about Life and Salvation，I left him．His sight was dim，and so was his hope．I intended to go with him as far as Mororan，but thinking that this will make him still more sorrowful，I made up my determination to leave him at Tomakomai．Brother，I have already used up all my might in consoling and strengthening him，though without any decided result．It is now your turn to try your best，and though by the (17)will of God，his bodily sight is gone，may his sight of faith in Eternity，remain strong and unchangeable．
Leaving Tomakomai，I travelled north，alone on horseback．By the sea-side，among the mountains，I had to pursue my lonely journey．None to console me，save that same Consolator of the “cast-down”．Rolling waves，hissing winds；echoing forests，thundering cataract；kingly salmon and beautiful shells；though nonsense to men of without God，were，thanks be to God，vivid scenes of might and beauty，love and grace to me．Thus I went on as far as Porobetsu，about 3ri，east of 浦川．I ascended the river of the same name，and it was a pleasant time for me，as I was able to see the true condition of the Hokkaido salmon fishery．A net，rudein construction，and few kens in length worked by 3 men，can catch salmon as many as 50-100．The river is literally filled with fish．Can you imaglne me in such a position？ But more joyful was I when by ascending the river still further，I met a Christian brother，Who with ecstasy of joy，Welcomed me，and received me as his warmest and most truthful friend．Among the mountains，far from human habitations of the coast，and among the“generations of vipers”，I found a repose．Oh！ what a joy to me．I shall not try to explain the scene by pen and ink，for they are in vain．He is Mr・Kato of Seki-shin-Sba．Porobetsu was the farthest end of my journey，for the season of salmon fishery east of it，had almost gone．After lonely journey of 18 days，I was again received to the arms of brotbers and sisters in Sapporo．
The Sapporo Y．M．C．A．is in very promising condition．About its first meeting，Mr．Ota must have told you sufficiently．Its second meeting was no less interesting．The speakers were as follows：Adachi，On prostitution；Oshima，on Christian Love；Myself，On the use of AIcoholic Liquors(18)（physiological）；and 永井碌 on 時事小言．Many unbelievers are much interested in this work，and already there are 4 applicants for admission，anunbelievers．
But the most encouraging of all is our church work．The regular attendants on Sunday is about 50，and we see every time new comers．All are much intereste din the matter．Some（良吉 and my brother）are interested in selling Bibles．They sold books，wOrth of 2.50 yen，a day．Mr．角谷 will start for village preaching，the next Sunday．Mr．大島 is very earnest in church-matters．My chief business at present is not so much official as in church-management．The works among women seem very hopeful，on account of the recent arrival of a good Christian lady from Tokio．The works among children are being now undertaken．I assure you that when you will come to Sapporo the next year，you Will find our church entirely different．Pray for us，and also for me，who with his deficient ability，and yonth，is intrusted with duty，which is the noblest of all．
Of the abundant blessing shown to my home at Tokio，I have received frequent informations from many of my Tokio brethren．What shall I say here？ Can you imagine my joy at present？ It was about 2 years ago，when you received an information about the conversion of your brother．At that time I was entirely hopeless of the conversion of any one of my relations．To confess the truth I coveted your positio nat that time，and an earnest prayer which I offered to God at that same occasion I very well remember．I also am now a strong man．I feel my prayer has been accepted and answered by God．The spirit of propagating religion is now increased．“Freely ye have
received freely give”says the Master．When disappointment come，I call to my mind the mercy of God．When wealth and prosperity tempt me，I do the same．Oh！ if I were to express all feeling at present，I had better meet you and talk with you，heart to beart，as we had often done so．(19)Visit him at your leisure，I pray you．Speak to him what I now write to you．Pray for him at your opportunity．
of Mr．Adachi，I sent words to you by Mr．Ota．Please to tell to Takatsuka and Adachi's parents that I can do nothing except to communicate to him their opinions about his marriage．I shall have no relation hereafter with that matter．
“For Love's secret pleasure，let no counsel take”，should be my motto，I think．Pity me，――brotber，I am in a position between affirmative and negative．To please one，I must displease the other．I am afraid that I must enter into bad terms with Mr．Adachi．But for me，“Whether I be outside of myself，I am to God”．
Hiroi is now in Poronai．Mr．Arakawa married Miss Dzusho．Tanouchi and Uchida not yet returned．
I am in leisure now．I have to start for the western coasts on about 10th of Jan．for observing cod-fishery．I am 当直 to-morrow，and also on Christmas．
May Merry Christmas and happy New Year come to you all．
Your most beloved Brother，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
Best regards to your witty motber．good brotber，kind sisters，and to others．Also to Mr．Uyemura．Tell him I will write him soon．
Thanks for the book you have bought for me．I am now in financial crisis，caused by the last journey，and will not be able to send you money till February．If you can find any othe rbooks which cost 5 yen〔原文不明〕two zeros，please to get them at any time．
(20) 12月□日 太田稲造宛 東京
Dear Paul：
That sorrowful scene which we experienced at Tomakomai，some one month ago，is now fresh to me as it was then．You go east，I go west；you in illness，I in strength（by the mercy of God）；you wept and I also wept．There are something in this world which we cannot express by language；and that feeling which I had in leaving you in the hotel and in going to 郡役所 was of such nature．You have often said that such a scene is very pleasant，but，ah！ brother，though it may be so with you，to me it was a hard time．You might have thought that I had but little sympathy with your misfortune；but，to me I had to waste my whole energy to console you．The night at Chitose was a hard night；I asked you questions，and you answered me but little．You know all about me．You know my temperament．You know how anxious I am，when others seem to be not pleasant with me．If I were to be asked of the hardest and most sorrowful time I had experienced during long brothership with you，I would answer that it was during our lodging at Chitose．
Of my lonely journey along the eastern coasts，I have already wrote to Miyabe．We are now waiting for information about your journey on land，and voyage on sea．
The disposal of your December salary has been done as proposed by you，and in addition to that，sum of 64 sen was paid to Gonbei to close your account with our Central Treasury Department，and 6.5 sen to the college for interest to be paid last month．Now，taking of these sums from 12.86 yen，the remainder，we have
(21) 12.86－（.64＋.065）＝12.155.
Paying 15 sen for postage I hereby send you 12 yen as the total sum．
How is your illness since your arrival in Tokyo？ I am constantly praying for you．Be strong，brother．If I was not successful to console and satisfy you by my weak logic，let my earnest request be received．Be free from all vain thinking．John St．Mill，you often put belief on；but remember，even he himself was not at all satisfied with his established opinion．Rev．Judson was a man who was tormented by his conscience as to what would make him satisfied．At first his philosophy seemed to be well-grounded，but a death-bed scene of his friend soon brought him to Christianity．Men without future，and without savior must be an unsatisfied men．If you try to satisfy yourself by any other means than by the Gospel of Christ，you goi nto confusion more and more．You have once been called to the grace of God，and we pray that that calling be not in vain．Rise up，brother；have your bope higher，deeper，and wider．Open your eyes upward；have your sight clear，and do not mar it with“false science”as it has been called．
We are going on pretty happy．I have now no business to be done in the office，and I therefore applied to Mr．Hosokawa to send me to the college museum to study fishes there．My request was granted，and I am now daily going to the college again．Dr．Cutter will assist me in Microscopy．I shall probably attend the College museum till about the middle of January when I must go to the western coasts again to observe cod-fishery．
The yearis ending and our finances are not good．Fuel becomes dearer，and so does rice．“Mochi”must be tsuked，debt must be paid back．Shoes must be bought and clothes must be mended．Hiroi puts his boots upon his head，Fujita cares his lamp with all possible care．Only (22)Adachi is active in his daily visit to his temple at Motomura．Winds and snows he cares not，but his conjugal love impels him to untiring pilgrimage．Nine bundred and ninety-nine nights he must go，and at the lOOOth night probably，he will be glad to be buried up in snow like that old ハナタラシ，深草少将．
I wrote to Miyabe about a week ago．Tell him that a letter addressed to 札幌諸君 is not sufficient to release him from his obligation to write frequently to us．Tell him also that in case he neglect to write me once a month，I shakk drive a nail into a piece of paper with his name written in Italics．Tell him that to ask excuse because of his temperament is too ヲーチヤク．
I wish that you would give my special regard to your father．I intended several times to write to him directly about you，but I am still in negligence．I will try to do so soon．Tell him that I greatly sympathize with him for the illness of his son．When I consider how much my father feel anxious in care of my illness，I can easily appreciate his care．All consideration seems it advisable for you to be a “perfect”man．I say this not from joke，but in truth，this I think should be done with proper precaution，however．Be not ashamed；it is for the sake of your body and soul．
The Christmas is at hand，and new year is drawing nigh．Wish you have pleasant time in warm winter．Let Dekokin be your constant companion．I wrote to him about you．The church and S．Y．C．A．very good prospect．We have determined to have a great 親睦会 on the 29th inst．and the opening service of the New Church on the 8th of Jan．I was appointed as a committee as usual，and am very busy now．Will write you soon，again．
Your ever obliged brother，
(23) in soul，body，and spirit，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
IF WRITINGS BE TOO MINVTE，LET DEXOKIN READ IT TO YOU．I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY MUCH FOR POSTAGE STAMPS．
(24) 一八八二年（明治一五年） 二二歳
1月1日【宮部金吾殿 東京下谷徒士町 明治十五年一月一日 於札幌 内村鑑三】
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you．Abundant in grace，unfeigned in hope；strong in body，as well as in Soul，the year 1882 finds me in vigor．May the Love and Brothership between us be as deep and faitllful this year as ever．This day is not only a joyous day because of its usual merriness，but to me because of many recollections of past year during which un fathomable mercies were shown to me from our God．
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
1月20日【太田稲造・宮部金吾宛 東京】
Sapporo，
20th Jan．1881［sic］．
Dear Monk and Deko：
I have many things to write to you，but I shall first commence with church matters．
From the very first day of the year，we received announcement from Mr．Davison，stating that (25)if it be possible we should return any portion of the church fund to him by telegraph．His cool and full-of-meaning letter was closed by a short statement of his disagreement with regard to our church procedure．You know，it is not very pleasant to receive such in-gi-no-waru-i letter from the very first of the year．We were all excited，and a cry“return the money as soon as possible”came from every one of the church members．We had at that time 178 yen from Pres．Clark，and this sum together with 35 yen for the price Of books which some of us obtained from him，we immediately dispatched to him by telegraph．But that letter made us a great good．The members of the two churches have been more firmly united，and all conjoined to pay back the money as soon as possible．Even“unproductive”members determined to give up their widow's mite．Already Fujita and R．Nakamura paid up their portion and all are striving to imitate him within the shortest possible time．I must here urge you to join with us in this work．You，Miyabe！ do not think I am richer than you，because my salary is twice that of yours．We are everyday crying for poverty，but still we must work for the sake of the Lord．I want to buy books as you do：but which shall Ibuy first，books or United Sapporo Church．You，Ota！ we sympathize you for your misfortune，and we shall not urge you to spend as much as we do．Still if 中村良吉 who has no income，if 藤村 and my brother，who are“professors”of district schooIs are going to join with us，may I not also ask you to do the best you can？ We have to look with great earnestness upon the union of the two churches in Sapporo．We had long been expecting for it，but without any possible hope．But now unexpecting，the union has been affected，and the only step for the complete union is the paying back of our debts．If you have money to spend for idle books from the shelf of old book store，spare it for the sake of Sapporo Church．Our church is now in great financial distress．Beside (26)our common church expenses，we have often been called to contribute for the sake of other purposes，as for Mr．Hosokawa of Shubetzu，and for the sake of one sister from Tokio，who is now suffering from Uteritis，and whom，this day，we sent to the hospital．Do not think that we 10 productive members can contribute so much．Am I a fool to announce you about our sufferings？ Brothers，be kind enough to consider our positions．Put yourselves in my place，and consider．But God who can raise dead，can also raise our poor spirit．Pray for our church brotbers．Pray for me，who being younger than most of the members，and also“a prophet in his own country”have to forbear pretty severely．When I try to please one，another came to change our procedure．Oftentimes I have been thrown into total disappointment．Some said that if we follow the system which I have urged upon，the church will go to pieces，and himself will separate from the church．Shall I，brother，resign my office？ But then who will manage the matter so as to please all the members．Come，Whatever may come；I have to work for the sake of the Religion and work according to my conscience．May God bless and comfort me．
On the 29th of December last，we had a great Shinbokukai of the Sapporo church-members．The meeting was of very great interest to all，and especially to me，inasmuch as it was a meetiug which we have never experienced before．The members of the two churches uniting into one，together with brothers and sisters from other parts of the Emplre，and long expected 田内 and 内田，who recently returned from their intrepid expedition，――ali joining in“Praise God from whom all blessings flow”．We had a pleasant play on that night．The actors were John，Adachi，Dzuku，Watase，and myself．What it was it is too long to describe．The personages were one druggist for selling Buddhism．Sintoism，and Confucianism，two for selling Christianity；one was a common (27)puffed-up materialist，believing in Mill and Spencer，and one was a deeply affected patient．You can tell from this what the play was．Tanouchi described and practised an Aino-dance，Uchida told many fanciful stories about his expeditions．O！ it was a very pleasant time for us，and I regret that you two had not been there．
On the 8th inst．we dedicated our new church to God，and invited many to hear our speeches．The audience，about 50．The speeches were as follows：1．Watase，On Religion；2．Oshima，The Existence of God；3．Myself，On the Relation of 帆立貝（pecten yessoensis）to Christianity（a queer subject）；4．I to，French Revolution，Or the fruit of Atheism；5．Kadoya，The power of the Gospel．Glad to tell you that these speeches had good effects on hearers．Since that time，audience in Sunday and in S．Y．M．C，A．is increasing．
After informing you，thus much about the church，I will proceed to another subject；that is，the mode of our living．We know in animal physiology that when an animal comes to heat，it becomes very irritable，and constantly seeks after its mate and rejects others．If this is so in low animals，why nOt in man？ Who is Hiroi？ A very large buttocked fellow，not very nicely built．Who is Fujita？ A very large eared 入道，not a beantiful young man．Who is I？ Why，a black slender gentleman，an ugly fellow．Who is that beautiful gOddess at Motomura，every way lovely，gentle，buttock Kamakuraishi，body well proportioned，face cherry-like？ O！ who is that beautiful nymph who is to be adored as the best and the most beautiful lady in the world？ Forsake ugly fellows，and cleave to this imaginary woman．Do not want live with them，talk with them，play with them．Every night repeat the pilgrimage to the temple lest she will forsake――，Cardinai Bimbo，Large-eared Nu※［uの上に長音符号］，Black Longshan，are only outward friends．My true heart-to-heart friend is but (28)one in the work，a“Sumotori”，“a little school maam”．Bachelors form one society，the married the other．
One night，at about 12 o'clock，while I was studying．different forms of theistic evolution，a faint sound came to me．It was somebody ordering our servant to do something for him．With stealthy step，I approached the place，（being careful to hide myself from their view，）I found a poor Hiroi ordering the servant to boil potatoes for him．I immediately returned to my room，and at about the time the boiling was completed，I quietly went to the room；and after waiting a little，Hiroi，a pretended Kwazoku，came in，and hastily took hold of ナベ，and tried to run back to his room．“Dorobo”I cried out．“What are you carrying？ What is in your ナベ？”The Pretender stopped，and asking me to pardon him because he was very hungry．I asked him why he would not buy cakes，and not to use our common property．He implored me to be silent，promising me to let me partake of the potato dish．He confessed his financial condition，which he said，consists of only 30 sen，which is to continue for about 15 days more until the next salary．I pardoned him，but went to his room with him to have a nice potato-lunch．But now，I commenced to be イジキタナイ，and we two were careful not to disturb the sleep of the Greedy Fujita．We opened the cover，and commenced our lunch．“Nanda”cried the sleeping 入道，in the neighboring room．“Shimatta”cried Hiroi，and immediately 藤田大入道 made his appearance，whose empty stomach can only be filled by a bushel．But considering it our fate to meet such a great misfortune，we all made peace and proceeded in our night dinner．“ナニガデキタ”，Was another cry from our“Pilgrim”．I answered honestly，“potatoes”．“マダアルカ”was anotber question．“Yes！ but all rottened”，I answered．Meanwhile Hiroi，being anxious that another intruder will come，hastened to swallow in (29)as much as he can of recently-boiled potatoes，and on that account he severely burnt his tongue，from which he suffered for many days after．“塩ガアルカ”was still another question；but Fujita putting all the salt there immediately to his mouth，cried out“No！”Thus closes the scene，and the whole was caused by a great poverty of the Cardinal Bimbo．Have mercy on us，brothers．
Thirdly，my official duty。――I commenced to be a little busy，on account of the exhibitions to be kept the next year．I shall probably be out the whole of this year for collection．
Fourthly，My study．――I am now very much interested in evolution．I want to have many books if my finances allow．I shall be very much obligedt o Miyabe if he can dispose his Descent and Darwinism to me at liberal prlces．If you pick up from book-stores，cheap books on evolution，Miyabe，be kind enough to keep them for me．I think，the Bible can be beautifully explained by Evolution．May I be able to show that Evolution is not atheistic，but a grand theme of the Almighty God，whose plan extends for eternity，and remains the same through all ages．
Hand is now tired，and I must stop here．Can you Miyabe write such a long letter tome？ I gave you FOUR letters last year，and you gave me but one．You，Busho！ Temperament is not good excuse．Busy？ So amI．You，Dekomaru，though you are near-sighted，your eyes are as usual．Answer me to this letter，and greatly oblige and comfort．
Your beloved Brotherin body and soul，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
Do not forget，
Ota，to present my best regards to your father．How is your eyes now？ I am daily praying for your recovery．Be strong，serve the Lord，look to heaven！
(30) Miyabe，to present my special regards to your mother，brotber，two sisters，and Mr．Uemura．Mr．Utzumi coxcomb，presents his regard to you．How is Nakajima？
To Ota，
I herewith send you 25 yen，from which I wish you would pay to 青年会 for the subscription of 六合雑誌 this year．Order it to be forwarded to Yamashita，Ay．College．The paper is for church purpose．
6.50 To college．
.30 Rent．
.20 Postage．
30－7.00＝23 remainder．
Of 85 sen which I owe you，I paid 40 sen to a college servant to whom you owe on account of washing your cIothes．AIso 40 sen more for transportation of a small baggage forwarded to you from your native province，5 sen remaining which I will pay in Devils' fat，afterward．
1月30日 【宮部金吾宛 東京】
Jan．30th，1882．
Sapporo．
Dear Frank：
Only a few days ago I wrote to Ota and you a very long letter．If I were to write you all about Sapporo and myself，a volume will not be sufficient．But our authorities on letter writing (31)recommend us to be short in business letters，one of which kind is the present communication to you．
I sent a promissory note to Mr．Hiraiwa to pay to him till the 1st of February，the sum of 13 yen for the sake of improving 六合雑誌．I used all my energy to persuade our brethren in Sapporo to contribute as much as they can，and in doing this，I must confess，I had a pretty hard time．And this not without reasons．You know the present financial pressure of ALL the members of the church；you know，We had to contribute regularly 1－2 yen a month for our church-purposes．Besides these，about 40 yen were used for the sake of our brethren and a sister who have been in needy！ About the same time，came contribution for the monument of Mr．Ideta．Mr．Tsujimoto does not pay his debt to the church，and our expenses are unexpectedly great．To tell the truth，we are in great financialdistress．I herewith send you 12 yen，wishing you to hand this sum to the Treasury of T．Y．C．A．Tell them about our condition，and though it may seem to them the addition of only one yen will fulfil our promise．Yet at present，I cannot do so．We have done all what we could，and I wish you be kind enough to communicate the depth of my heart to the Association．Tell them that we want to assist our sister-society with all our power，and if the members of that dear Association forgive us of our too trifle a contribution，we shall be under very great obligation to them．
Our association is growing in importance gradually．At present there are many new attendants and I think，we can do much good by this means．This day（30th inst．）it is reported that the opening ceremony of a New Society caued 北海講学会 is kept．The nominal project of this society is to teach Hokkaido people in sciences；but their true motives seem to be to propagate arbitrary (32)views on government affairs and，also to speak against Christianity．Its principal members are the most anti-Christian students of the college，and some graduates（all unbelievers！）and many prominent officers and citizens．Christians are not allowed for its membership．Mr．S．S．――however is its member．I cannot see the reason，because the society keeps its meetings on Sundays．His attendance in church on Sundays are very irregular．The society seems to stand in direct opposition to our Y．M．C．A．Daniel Defoe is right in saying．
“Wherever God erects a house of prayer，
The Devil always builds a chapel there；
And it will be found upon examination，
The latter has the largest congregation．”
Come，you little Mills，embryo Spencer，inconspicuous Buckle．You intend to disprove Christianity by Science．What？ By Science？ By what Science？ By Botany？ We have your counterpart in Tokio，who will soon return to unite with us．By Astronomy？ We have your match．If you come in the name of Vogt，and Moleschott，we will answer in Herschel，Young，and Brown．By history？ We have one to answer you，who though now in illness of sight，will soon return to combat with you．By evolution and materialism？ Though ignorant，there are few who can answer your common-sense objections．By Chemistry，by Mathematics，by Philosophy？ Come，COme，from our S．Y．C．A．stage，we will give our return discharges．Let us all hail for the establishment of this materialist's（too big word）society．“He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves，and sharpens our skill．Our antagonists are our helpers”says Ed．Burke．You，Frank，sharpen your armor of※［この※［］は不要です，こうでもしないと，ofがどうしてもoffになり，faithがaithになります］ faith，and aid us in our interesting battles．Watch the end，and see where the victory falls．
(33) Books，Books，Books！ Ye are our essential weapons in our present warfare．I Jonathan，wish you Francis，to buy for me either Mivart's Genesis of Species or Lubbock's Origin of Civilization，preferably the former．I am now very poor，and cannot forward you the money till the time of my next salary．Can you dispose of your Schmidt and if you can，by how much？
Here I must end my business letter．I shall not say this time about your negligence in letter writing．But allow me to add，Mr．Miyabe，that I have forwarded you already SIX letters（this inclusive），and received only ONE，and but ONE for return．Keep in mind，I am in earnest when writing this．Mr．Katayama has not favored me in any letter since about 3 months ago．I cannot think of the reason．Am I a forlorn this year？ A very comfortless year，it is true．We have driven away our servant，and Fujita and myself are cooking our own food．Poor in money，poor in letters，and poor in favor．God grant that I am poor in spirit also．Just returned from journey yesterday；wll start very soon again．
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
The remainder till the next time．
―――――――――――――
（After writing the other）．
Jan．30th，1882．
Dear Kaboten：
To-day is a holiday，and the post office is closed．
Your letter of only two pages arrived this afternoon，and with great joy and thankfulness，I read it over and over again．It gave me a very great comfort，to remember that I am in your (34)bosom as usual，and to be informed of your healthy spirit and body．Your account of my father has impressed me with fervent hope and gratitude，and what shall I say but this，that I am growing more and more in faith in God and his Son，Jesus Christ？ Please to visit him，if you had opportunity．Tell him my feeling．Tell him that my constant prayer is that he will no more return to the rigid Confucianism．
This day，I went to hear the speeches of 北海講学会．The audience was about 200，but the speeches，I judge，were not of first class．丸山，a preacher once in Hakodate is its principal manager．He does not come to the church，and is entirely inclined to unbelief．Is not Sapporo wanting in Judas Ischariot？ A few hints were given against religion but not much at present．
I am going to Shikudzushi（2 ries from Otaru）to-morrow for observing cod-fishery．It is very interesting．Specimens abundant，dissections free，and many interesting facts are to be learned from practical fishermen．Intend to stay there about a week．
I am now cooking my own food with Fujita．We found that it requlres at present about 8 yen a month when we hire a servant．Hiroi was the first to put forward the opinion of self-cooking，and next day，he removed to our church building，and is there cooking a dirty meal．His method of boiling rice is said to be as follows：First take a donabe，put a handful or two of raw rice（without washing）into it，and push in a heap of snow upon it，because it is too troublesome to use water．Then place a mass of miso upon the snow，put the whole upon the fire，and all is ready．Busho，――Busho！ Adachi is wide in society．He is now eating with the 中村 family．
Imagine brother，Nu※［uに長音記号］and myself，standing before our little stove，With a pan upon it，whose contents are bony tekkui，――with no benches，but standing，cold rice，dirty utensils，promised to (35)wash them only once in four days．Too low condition for officers o 30 yen，you may say 銭取ル病ト死ヌ病－to have money，We must work hard．Tell Ota that though we have driven away our servant，we will give him no inconvenience when he will return to us．
Much thanks for your constant endeavor to assist me by getting good books for my sake．I know not how to express my gratitude to you，but by my deepest feeling for your usual love for such an unworthy one as myself．Brother，if I can see you now face to face，at least 3 days will be sufficient to talk to you about my present condition．Among the joys and comforts，I am not wanting in troubles．Looked upon as an adulterer by the public on account of my intervention in marrlage matters of Mr．A．and as an envying friend of the conjugal mates，I had to struggle pretty hard for the obliteration of such public opinion．I have determined not to speak any thing about that matrimony，――for it has been inconveniences both to him and myself．But God knows my hearts，and I know that I was working with pure conscience．Church matters are very perplexing．I am in condition not to separate myself from its official affairs．I must not murmur，but to you，my dear brother，I confess that at present about the hardest of all church business comes upon myself．I am eating the hardest kernel．The same may be said of S．Y．M．C．A．I know that I am working for the sake of God；but dear Francis，you know me better than any other．You know the amount of my ability，Of my knowledge，and of my age．To these，is added another trouble with regard to the matters of Fishery Exhibition of the next year．It may be that I shall withdraw myself entirely from that matter，for which I have long been anticipating．God made men of different characters，and though all are His children，it is better，if possible，that only those who have the same character will work together．I have already tasted the same in the con(36)structions of the Horse-Skeleton．Looking on one side，everything is dark and misty．I know not what will be my future．Whether I be afisherman of Hokkaido，or a fisherman of Galilee，I cannot tell．The will of God be done．Ah！ brotber，I am now alone，sitting before my lamp（10 1/2 P．M．），thinking of preparation for to-morrow's journey．Your image is now vivid before my eyes．Let your ever brightening countenances cheer my heart．Ever remember that I am always open to you．May God help you in the execution of your task，and take you safely to me，healthyln body，and in splrit，full of hope，unfeigned in love．I lose no opportunity to pray for you．Do the same，for my sake．Write me frequently at your leisure，and let me know of you and your family more．
Your ever beloved brotherin Christ，
JON．K．UCHIMVRA．
Best regards to your good brother，two sisters，and your beloved mother and all your family．――Tell Mr．Katayama and Mr．Ito that when I went this mornlng to my office，I found their kind letters in my chests．Tell them that I were filled with joy by them．Will write to them after returned home．
3月21日 【宮部金吾殿 東京下谷徒士町 札幌南二条西六丁目十二番地 耶蘇教講義所ニテ 内村鑑三】
Mch．21st，1882，
Sapporo．
Dear Brother Miyabe：
Some days ago I wrote to Ota that I have determined not to write you any more until you (37)give yours regularly．Brotber，forgive me．I was wrong in that respect．“Do to another as you would have another do to you”is the fundamental doctrine of our dear Religion，and since inexpressible joy and consolation come to my heart when I receive your kind letters，I am certain that you feel the same on the same occasion．I will continue to write you at least once a month，though you do not favor me with your letter．O，how impatient am I to receive one from you！ Every announcement of the arrival of the mail brings hope to my mind，and I hurry to the post-office to see your letter．But，alas！ I must always return in disappointment．Have you not，dear chum，promised me while I was with you in Tokio，that you will write me at least once a month？ But where is your promise？ It may be that you are very busy，and you have no time．If that be the case，simply a postal card will be sufficient．But simply let me know whether you have received my letters or not．Some of my previous letters are of great importance not only to myself，but to the church at large，and I being responsible for the same，am very much troubled on account of your silence．I do not care whether you will write me long letters or not，but brother，have mercy enough to answer me as soon as possible in the following matters．
1．Have you received a telegram from me about money to buy a present to Mr．Harris？
2．How that was done？
3．Have you received a draft of 12 yen to be donated to the T．Y．M．C．A．？
4．Have you received a postal card from me，in which I requested you to subscribe some medical paper（Japanese）for Dr．Cutter for this year？
5．Mr．Oshima also wants to know whether you have received another draft from him or not．
If you are busy enough to inform me about these，I shall be very much obliged to you if you
(38)be kind enough to ask your brother to do the same for me．May long friendsbip between us prompt you to favor your brotber in Hokkaido with a short answer to this letter．I am sure that I am still remembered by you，though you do not seem to grant my frequent requests to you．I remember you frequently in my prayer，and this letter，though not very agreeable for you to read，is intended to be a token of my unceasing love and remembrance of you．O！ how happy I shall be if I can receive answers to my letters promptly and punctually！ You may laugh at my impatience，but I am writing now with sincere regret and disappointment．
Some time ago I wrote to you and Bro．Ota about the money to be returned to Mr．Davison．I received an answer from Ota，but not from you．Now all of us except Mr．Takagi agreed to pay，each 14 yen，till the 20th of October．We are all very poor，but on account of necessity，we are compelled to do our best．I hereby request you，brother，in the name of Sapporo Christian Church，to unite with us in contributing the said amount to the church treasury，during 7 months，――April to October，――paying regularly 2 yen a month，or at once．If it be convenient，you may pay the sum of 14 y．for some biologlcal works which you think profitable for me to obtain，and then I shall pay that amount to the Treasury here from my pocket．If there be no inconvenience on your part，I will be very much obliged to you if you would be kind enough to take the latter course．
I heard that you bought some books from Mr．Harris，and I am very sorry that I could not obtain some．The books I mostly want to have are of Religio-Scientific kind，and if you can find some bearing similar topics，be kind enough to get some for me．Money I can send you at any time．
How is my father getting on？ Is he still faithful in his church-attendance？ I wrote to him (39)that whenever he has any difficulty about cburch-matters or those pertaining to religious instruction，he may go to you，and consul twith you as with his son．Be kind enough to look for him，and though it may be very troublesome for you，I wish you to treat him according to his need and circumstance．
Mr．Ito got a son one week ago．The name of the babe is 信一．He is a strong child，and Ito and his family are very glad to have a male child．When and who will be the next child-bearer？ Adachi？ He may，but my physiologlcal hypothesis is that he will have a female child．Ask Ota about his opinion．The want of a good Christian lady is strongly felt now in Sapporo．The work is very hopeful．Sunday-schooIs are attended by large members of boys and girls，and though we can easily manage the former，it is very difficult with regard to the latter．To make bellies distended is not the only duty of women，and then what do you think of marrying“will be”wife or indolent，in active worker？ Very much more to be written，but these till the next time．
Your beloved in Christ，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
4月12日 宮部金吾宛 東京 〔もと英文〕
一八八二年四月十二日，札幌にて
愛する兄弟
太田に托してくれた親切な手紙多謝。すぐ返事を書きたかつたが，明日また東部海岸ぞいの旅行に出かけるため用事に追われているので，たゞ簡単に君の親切を感謝するだけに止めなければならない。君の事は太田からたくさんに聞いた。(40)僕の旅行は室蘭から十勝まで二十五日ほどの予定である。
僕の父の信仰は引きつづき進歩しているだろうか。ドーカ君の｜親戚〔付ごま圏点〕として世話してやつてくれ給え。今は感想をのべていられない。たゞ君の想像にまかせる。
医学雑誌の購入手続ありがとう。しかし残念ながらまだ一冊もつかない。ドーカ事情をしらべてくれ給え。代金は君あて弟から直ぐに送る。
君の友なる
ヨナタン・ケー・内村
4月12日 宮部金吾宛 東京下谷徒士町 〔もと英文〕
一八八二年四月十二日，札幌南二条十二番地にて
愛する宮部君
ハガキをしたゝめている間に事情が変つて，僕の出発を十四日に延ばす事になつた。それ故《医事新報》の予約購読料の領収証に対し三円七十五銭を同封で送る。カッター博士は，僕と共に，君の親切に対し心から感謝している。しかし残念ながら同誌はまだ着かない。それ故君に為替と一しょに領収証を返送して，定期的に送られて来ない原因を君に調べてもらいたいと思う。そして原因が分つたら，モー一度受取り証を送り返えしてくれ給え。そうすればカッター博士から代金を受け取れるから。
兄弟太田に托して送つてくれた書籍有りがとう。一円二十八銭は直ちに君の名で教会の会計係へ渡す。札幌キリスト教青年会の会員は君に心からよろしくと僕に言づてし，教会の図書室への君の犠牲的寄付に対し非常な喜びを示している。
旅行から帰つたら暇を見て手紙を書く。
キリストにあつて君の友なる
ヨナタン・ケー・内村
(41) 君のお母さん，姉さんがた，兄さんがた及び御家族一同にくれぐれもよろしく。
6月15日 【宮部金吾殿行 東京下谷徒士町 札幌 内村鑑三】
Sapporo，15th，June，'82．
Sap．Holiday
Dear Brother Miyabe：
It has been along time since I wrote to you．As you know I made a very long journey along the eastern coasts for the collection of articles to be exhibited to our Fishery Exhibition next year．The trip was one of unusual interest inasmuch as it gave me much experience with official matters，and also ample opportunity to study the human Nature．The physical nature was also endlessly beautiful．When I started Sapporo，I had to go over about 2-3 ft．depth of snow．I left the basin of the Ishikari valley，and at once I had the virgin Spring．Galloplng on poor Hokkaido steeds，I soon found myself in the peninsula of Mororan．There I got the first sight of flowers and blossoms，and more than all，was greatly pleased with the melodies of nightingales abundant in these regions．It would be too long to give a full description of my travel．Snow-white Magnolia contrasted with crimson-red buds of Cercidiphyllum，two species of Primula（which I now send to you，as I consider them to be different from that common in Sapporo）adorning the stillsterile passages of mountains，dark-green hills in Samani and Horoidzumi thickly covered with Yesso-pines，are among those fresh enchantments which I can derive from my study in Botany．Roarlng snipes，melodious thrashes，tiny muscicapa（2 species），blue-birds，and red-breast were my charms in Ornithology．Sea abounded (42)with flowery Coelenterata，Actinizoa and Echinodermata was endlessly beautiful． but，while the physical Nature was thus emphatically splendid，full，and complete，that most exalted part of Nature called human nature，was in my sight，corrupt，degraded，and I can say positively，brutal．Buddhism and Prostitution are two inseparable associates found everywhere in my journey．Deception was common in hotels，駅逓，and even in village offices．We can see the corruptions everywhere in our country，but to feel and have experience with its most degraded forms，there is，I think，no place so favorable as Hokkaido．
The journey ended favorably，thougb after much difficulties．Exposure to one of the strongest storms ever occurred in Hokkaido（5th，May）did me much injury．With exaltation I reached my dear home，and scarcely had I time to eat my supper when my left lung got in strong congestion．I thought at first to be simply a result of too-much exertion on riding，but at about 12 o'clock at night，it became so acute that I could breathe with great difficulty．But through the kindness of my friends and Dr．Cutter，I was able to pass the night，though with much pain．Dr．Cutter seemed to consider my disease to be rather dangerous at first，for he thought that it would pass to acute pneumonia．His care for me was ceaseless and punctual．But next day，on his evening visit he was glad to see that the result was simply a localized pneumonia．Still I had to endure acute pain for 5 successive days，but thanks to God，I am now perfectly well．I stayed in bed for 23 days．Think brother what would have been my fate had I returned Sapporo half day later！ Suppose disease struck me at Simamatzu，and with no physician，no friend to see me，you can easily conceive my case．But God's way is wonderful．My prayer，and these of my relations and friends were not in vain，and I was saved．Thanks be to God！
(43) My present official position is loatbsome，oppressive，unsatisfactory and corruptive．I have almost nothing to do at present．Our head officers do not know the utility of science．They consider those men useful who can use their tongues and pens skillfully．We the Christian officers in Sapporo-Ken are great stumbling-blocks to the oppressive and arbitrary administration of 県．Men with pure conscience，high aspiration after truth and honesty，cannot endure sucb．Do not consider me mad or lover of novelty and cbange，for I can tell you the facts afterward．I must go to Tokio this autumn to consider about my future．――Wish to study honest Science？ Away with SapporoKen！ Wish to propagate Christianity？ Away with officialdom！ 30 yenis too much for doingnothing officers．
I regret much that I was not able to hear Joseph Cook．I have been very much interested in his Biology which I bought in Hakodate．I heard Mr．Ishikawa is golng to speak against him．I am very much oblied to you if you send me Mr．Ishikawa's opinion if you can．My principal study since I came here last autumn was the relation of Biology to Christianity．My favorite authors are Lionel Beale，Dr．Carpenter，Winchell，Dana，and Mivart on Scientific side，and Cook on the otber．“Truth like torches，the more 'tis touched，it glows．”Non-existence of souls，human-life merely complex organs，What a hopeless，base idea！ If“thought is phosphorus，the soul the complex nerves，and our moral sense a secretion of sugar”，and if such be the result of Biological study，let Biologyv be ont of wrorld：it is too destructive to society．
I am now very poor，because I must send to my home regularly since this month．So，if you have already bought any books for me，please not to buy any more for I can not perhaps pay you．Please to send your cash directly to our church-treasury．
(44) Shall I continue more？ About our church，and its members，very interesting．
Y our beloved brotherin Christ，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
Best regards to your mother，brother，sisters，and all――to-day is Sap．Holiday．Very noisy．2 dancing vehicles．I spoke last night rather forcibly against idol-worship at our regular church meeting．
Is my father still faithful？ Please to look after him as after your father．Write me if you have time．
11月23日 【宮部金吾殿 東京下谷徒士町 札幌 内村鑑三】
Nov．23rd，'82．
Sapporo．
Dear Chum of Four Years：
Much thanks for your letter sent by Mr．Wada．Very interesting，invigorating，and touching．Glad that you are ever faithful in your work．Am praying for you regularly．Sundays and Wednesdays are my special prayer days for your sake．
The year 1882 has been a travelling year for me．I travelled till this day about 300 ri along the coasts，and the rivers．Had I not been troubled with disease this sprlng，I would have been able to travel more than600 ri，I think．The day-before-yeSterday I returned from Ishikari，the last trip，I think，for this year．And what a charm to be out for more than a quarter of a year！ (45)I have been thus far impressed with the idea that Hokkaido is wanting in good sceneries．But，you，whose hours of recreations will pass under the dark shades of pines on the beautiful hills of Uyeno，or on the flowery banks of Sumida；you，whose ideas are hightened under the civilized influence of learned men and societies，and whose spirit is invigorated with the preachings of eloquent speakers，and consoled with the loving voice of mother；I say，you under such conditions，can have but little idea about my hours of recreation，my intellectual and spiritual schooIs under which I have been trained during this year．Sometimes on a top of a hill，casting my eyes southward，over a range of undulating hills uniformly mantled with a green sheet of bamboo variegated with crimson Cercidiphyllum；sometimes，as when plying upon the placid water of the VoIcano Bay，uplifting my eyes upon the snowy peak of Shiri-Beshi-Dake；on the ruggy rocks of Takashima，peeping into crevices to notice the movements of tiny marine creatures；on the summit of Inao-Toge to take a bird-eye view of the autumnal scene of the Yoichi Valley，――my limbs were strengthened，my intellect broadened，my spirit purified，and my soul invigorated，and repeating as I went，that famous words of John Gay，which he put into the mouth of a philosopher talking to a“farm-Sage”：
Pride often guides the author's pen；
Books as affected are as men；
But he who studies Nature's laws，
From certain truth his maxims draws；
And those，without our schooIs，suffice
To make man moral，good，and wise．
The year 1882 is almost near its end．
(46) The most interesting work upon which I engaged myself，this year，is an experiment upon the reproduction of Haliotis Japonicus（アハビ）．You know this is a very important question both scientifically，and practically．I learned many things new to me，（and I believe new to the world）．I have in my disposal a microscope，and other necessary apparatus．The Government furnishes me with sufficient pecuniary means，and Mr．Dzusho agreed to continue experiments at least for 3 years．May He，whose works we are seeking with earnest prayers，may reveal to me His secrets，which He has kept unexplained until this day．Many of difficult questions with regard to salmon and other fisheries have been carefully attended to，and I have now many facts on hands，which I can report to the Fishery Society，this winter．
Fishing on the sea has been a success so far．But“Fishing of Men”，that grand privilege which I have enjoyed during little time I had left out of my official hours，has been blessed with due fruit．Last night，committees have met together for the consultation of our future work，and has estimated that in the coming Christmas，at least 15 new meals must be provided in addition to the number present last year．15 new comers，already to join our community！ A small number you may say．It is．But，brother，consider what kind of men we are，and how helpless and solitary have we been！ Thanks be to Him who has ever been on our side to assist us！ The Church debt is now to be paid back．The contribution this year，probably not much below 400 yen．
You wrote me about your noble plan to stand up in defence of the Cross in the name of Science．Bravo！ Brother！ The same has been my object．Let us now in our youth，put on the whole armour of God，girt about our loins with truth，shod our feet with gospels of peace，and when the time come，let us stand up with vigor and spirit，and carry onward the unconquerable (47)“Way of Christ”，Whose holy hand uplifts in its center its characteristic sign of CROSS；and you，（and may I be also，）guarding this holy sign with the ramparts of knife，scalpel，and microscope，can keep at distance those barking“children of man”，who under a weak and friable guidance of such names as Hackel，Buchner，Tyndal，Spencer，etc.,（themselves mortal，）are trying to disgrace the“Holy of Holies”．My leisure hours are spent by studying works on Biology，and I intend to buy some more books this year，when I go to Tokio．
Now to turn to our friend affairs．Adachi，swallowed by his wife，most say，－always in home with his new bride．Uchida，secretly marrying，is waiting for the arrival of his bride．
For the remainder，wait till I see you，which will be about the Christmas this winter．
Your most beloved，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
To your witty mother，kind sisters，gentle brother，my hearty regard．
Do not laugh at the awkward English of a Hokkaido fiserman．Please to ask Sakuma，whether he has sreceived a telegram from me or not．If not，please to tell him that I want to have papers with his stamps on，for I lost those he left me，as soon as possible．
12月20日 足立・藤田・大島・内田宛
Hakodate，
Dec．20th，1882．
Messrs．Adachi，Fujita，Oshima，and Uchida：
(48)Dear Brothers：
Leaving Otaru at 1 P．M．on the 14th，we reached here after very hard voyage of 32 hrs．I vomited 5 times while John was perfectly healthy．But everything was all right．Soon after our arrival here，we visited our Christian friends．We first met Mr．and Mrs．Green，two green workers from America．He commenced to yawn before us，with very little talk，about their“all-right”system of evangelization；sO We left him at once，and went to Mr．Squier．The latter treated us little better，but not with Christian brothership；so we left him also at once．Then went to Mr．Andrews．He was more interested with us than either of the above gentlemen．He talked much，gave us tracts and a book and promised us to call on him agaln．Mr．Narita is as active as usual，and Mr．Ogawa is aiways very eccentric．They were very glad to hear of our proposal．
The Hakodate Methodists are soundly sleeping，and dreaming many strange dreams．The interior js full of disturbances，petty strifes，and general coolness．The girl-school is working very badly，and its teachers are extremely cold and insulting toward us．I was disappointed to observe such brothers．Six splendid buildings belonging to M．E．Chuurch，in which are residing drones，separated from the congregations，and proud，and delicate！ We two went into tears when we carried our thoughts to our dear church in Sapporo！ Our finances，how poor！ Our Church building，how dirty and small！ But let us not envy them．Their church buildings indeed are more beautiful，commodious，and convenient，but the “church” is small，cold，and disagreeable．
I called on Squier on the afternoon of 19th，and
〔以下欠〕
(49) 一八八三年（明治一六年） 二三歳
1月6日 太田稲造宛 札幌農学校
Tokio，Jan．6th，'83．
Brother Ota：
Happy new year to you．How are you going on？ Do not use your eyes too much during the vacation．Met your father，all very well．He is active as usual．I entered into very close conversation with him about Sap．Ag．College and Hokkaido．He was much excited，and promised me to make anohler meeting to consult about the same subject．As to the salmon which I was ordered to present your father，I am very sorry to say that I was able to bring only one to your home．During voyage rats made great injury to the salmon bags，and thus decreased the number of those which can be utilized as presents；and on this account I had to distribute them rather differently from what I expected to do．Please to excuse me．The fish was unexpectedly large ones，and all are very glad to receive them，especially because they were caught in the ground to which I have great relation．The same has been the condition with regard to Mr．Fujita's present，and I wish you to tell him my same apology．
Is my brother obedient to you？ Be kind enough，brother，to look after him，notwithstanding (50)his craziness and general want of intellect．
Many things I have already to tell you；but wait till my return．How is your spiritual welfare？ We are always longing to hear from you about tbat matter．May God clear away your doubts，and bring you to the light and satisfaction in Jesus Christ，Our Lord．
Your beloved friend，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
長足拝ス
謹賀年之新
在札幌 問苦先生
2月19日 【藤田九三郎殿行 北海道札幌 東京小石川上富坂町 内村鑑三】
Tokio，Feb．19，1883．
My Dear Friend，Mr．Fujita：
Before describing anything which I have seen and l heard in Tokio，I must express my sincere gratitude to you for your kindness in looking after my brother．His usual slowness together with his little ability to conform with others，must be of great trouble to you，and must tax your patience considerably．But believing in your kindness and love for me，I do not care much for my brother；and for future all what I can do for him is to ask the supervision of you and other brethren upon him．My parents join with me in sending our best thanks to you．
You all are very happy in Sapporo we think．Here in Tokio，we Sapporo Christians are received kindly by many of the best Christians．We are pretty active，visiting all the different (51)churches in Sundays to study their conditions and the forms of their government．The Sapporo church is very well spoken of，and many are expecting for the future prospect in the labors of the Sapporo Youngmen．You，being the treasurer of our cburch，will be much interested in the financial condition of different churches．The Asakusa Church having the congregation of 200，contribute about 18 yen a month；that under the care of Mr．Uemura contribute about 10 yen on average from about 30，which is the best contribution of all the Tokio churches．Methodists ＆ Episcopalians seem to be very low in this respect．Many admire the procedure of the Sapporo Church and our frequent“preaching on Sapporo Union Church”did not a little to stir the zeal of Tokio Christians in the direction of Independence．
How are you all going on？ Console Oshima not to disappoint in his work；urge Adachi to take up the pulpit work；and persuade Uchida to use his talent and eloquence freely．Let us all work，for our responsibility is grand．
Hiroi came recently to Tokio，and is as usual grappling to strike some gold-vein，and daily and nightly building up many air-castles．I cannot understand his procedure very well．Some brethren are very busy in hunting up something（inverted m）．Zealous，adventurous，exceedingly bold in this affair．Frequent failures do not disappolnt them，but urge them the more to accomplish their object．
Recently，we brought the matter of our promise made to Kaitakushi，before the best lawyers，who gave us his opinion as to our responsibility in this matter．His 鑑定 is that lawfully we are inexcusable，and must fulfill our promise under any department to which the old Kaitakushi disposed us．Please to inform this to others．
(52) I called on your home twice and had much interesting talk upon Religion with your father．He is a fine and earnest Christian．
Being very busy，please to excuse me for this very short letter．
Yours in Christ，
JON．K．UCHIMRA．
Please to tell Mr．Hasebe：－His prospect with regard to 水産博覧会 is failure，because our 出品 is too little，and we require no special men to guard them．－I am very sorry for him，but I cannot help．Much thanks for his care for the Church，for my brother．
3月20日 【太田稲造殿行 北海道札幌農学校ニテ 三月二十日夜十時発ス】
About Keisei-sha I report as follows．About 200 shares have alreadv been raised in Tokio，and about 100 in 神戸 and its vicinity．When the number reach 600，the work will be commenced．Messrs Kozaki，Uemura，and Takemura will be the chief writers．－The reason why I deferred the writing about the Society to Sapporo，is because I wanted to know more about the spirit and internal affairs of the same．You see that all the advocators and supporters of the society（except myself）are churchmen wbo are mostly poor，and we had but little prospect for the successful procedure of the work．Indeed I was appointed to take all the matters with regard to the Sapporo Brethren，and I take great pleasure to hear that you are now so much excited with this noble plan．I now send you several copies of 仮規則 which I wish you to distribute among the Christian brothers．I must ask the sincere pardon of you all in deferring to write you about this important (53)matter．I am much enjoyed not so much in public business as in my own affair which consists“in due consideration how，when， and WHERE will I be most useful both for Christ and for country”．As soon as shares are collected，please to forward the same to me．－Called on your home last Thursday；all well．
Yours，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
4月22日 太田稲造宛 札幌
Tokio，Apr．22nd，83．
Brotber Paul：
To-day is Sunday，and I must be short．Two days ago Fujita came to us and we were all much comforted to meet him and to hear about the welfare of you and your fellows in Sapporo．Thanks be to God，I am all well here．I have heard something of your present position，and am exceedingly sorry for your case．But“there is Divinity which shapes our end，rough hew it how we may”．My position is as much confused as that of yours，and though every thing is dark and hopeless，I take joy and peace in Him who taught me that even every one of myh airs is counted．After much consideration I came to the conclusion that I had better remain in Tokio sometime at least，and a little improve myself．What I fear most is not the poverty which will come upon me inevitably，nor the ill-health which will be my great obstacle in attaining my deserved end，but a business which I believe，was intrusted upon me；i.e. the church-work in Sapporo．The corruptions (54)of the officers in KEN，little partiality，and want of opportunity of studyin Sapporo，repel me；but that hearty friendship firmly nit together after the mutual contact of more than 5 yrs，together with the little tabernacle from which I poured my faithless sermons，attract me exceedingly．Hatred and love，enemy and friend，－which is stronger，repulsion or attraction？ For more than 100 days I have been tormented with this momentous question，and though the solution in not yet fully finished，the proposition seems to bear a little weight upon the side of repulsion，not because I love the Sapporo Brotbers，less，but because I love Sapporo more．To-day，I am golng to present my resignation to Mr．Sato，who is now in Tokio．He has already accepted my request，and Mr．Hosokawa also．
Thousand thanks for your great kindness in teaching my brother．My parents join with me in presenting their gratitude to you．
Carlyle's Misc．Essays I will give them up to you，and will send them to you with Mr．Tanouchi．I should have given them to you，but my present circumstances compel me to ask you 2 yen for them．The orlglnal price was 2.50 yen．I read them but little．Please to give the money to Mr．Oshima as my two montbs' contribution to the Church．
Tanouchi married the day before yesterday．He will go to you by the next ship with his wife．
Yours in God，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
4月22日 札幌友人諸氏宛 札幌
(55) Tokio，April 22nd，1883
Dear Brethren of Sapporo：
Greeting！ I Jonathan K．U．hereby inform you that one of our well-beloved brethren has done something which I think you hear with surprise．“Vacant vessels sound the most”said Shakespeare．You have heard something about little rumours which rage around most of our friends when they are going to hunt out wife；but a well-filled vessel seems to be exceedingly quiet in such a serious matter．When all attention was directed toward the secret movements of others，when every thing was peace and scientific in his behaviour，when his usual calm temperament was absorbed in roots，leaves and flowers，－ay，when he seemed to be perfectly innocent in W matters，a well-decided information came from him that he has already made an espousal with good Christian lady，strong in character，versed in Literature and competent in spiritual work．He was，and has been since，perfectly honest and used no privacy in this matter，and he candidly requested me to write about it to our Sapporo brethren．I heartily rejoice with him for his good future in finding out such an unprocurable mate，and should we not，brothers，all pray for the unbroken nuptial union，which he proposes，however，to postpone till about 4 yrs．later．But who is he？ you may ask．He is a fat gentleman，specialist in weeds and logs，and well known under various nicknames，such as Shaboten，Dekomaru，etc．
By the special request of him，
I remain，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
(56) 4月□日 【広井勇宛 東京より〔もと英文〕】
……………、
友よ、余は近来余の宗教に就て新らしき観念を得、以前に此して一層の歓喜を感じつゝあり、余が基督教に関する従来の見解は変ぜられて、更に新たなる光明の余が上に輝けるなり、余は深く従来の信仰の条理と行為との誤れるを悔ゐ、今は只わが信の増さんことをのみ神に祈りつゝあり、オヽ、余は速に君と相見えて、此霊の祝福を頒たんことを切に望む。宗教は理屈にあらず、又哲学にもあらず、吾人が脆弱なる人間の推論を以て之を説かんと試むる時は、必ず失望と無益なる神学論とに陥らざることなし、余は信ず、聖書は吾等自身に依つては解し得べからざることを、実に吾等が聖書の真の意味を解し得るは、専ら神の聖霊に依るものなることを。
5月5日 宮部金吾宛〔もと英文〕
一八八三年五月五日、東京小石川にて
大親陸会の講演準備をほゞ終つたので、明日午後君に会いたいと思う。君の家で二時ごろ会えるだろうか。その時植村君に会えれば非常に好都合である。というのは、札幌県をやめてからの僕の職業の件が、ある思いがけない「事件」（物質的にではなく）によつてウマクはこんでいるので、その事を君と同君に告げたいのである。
ヨナタン・ケー・内村
5月24日 【宮部金吾宛 下谷区徒士町 小石川上富坂町 内村鑑三】
(57) May 24，1883．
Dear Bro．in Christ，
Since last Sunday，I feel myself a new born man．God's love，I can now truly appreciate．Christ's cross and blood are reasonable and precious．As for me，that night was a climax of joy since I came to this world．Very，very much thanks for your consolation and exhortation．But，my body is very weak．I intend to go to Atami soon．
Coming Saturday at 2 P.M. we youngmen of Faith（工部大学生徒，etc.）are going to hold a prayer meeting at 新栄会堂，and we must have you in the same．Can you not sacrifice your Botanical meeting for this sake？ Come and see me in your leisure，and I will tell you some precious truth．
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
5月28日 【太田稲造子行】 四ツ谷タンス町 五、廿八 小石川上富坂町 内村大君】
Dear fellow from the Land of Amos：
Thank God for His Mercy upon thee．I intended to start for Atami to-day；but circumstances compelled me to postpone till Thursday．I must see thee as soon as possible．I will go to thee tomorrow morning at nine，and thou shouldst stay in thy home at the time．
Is it thy intention to surprise us by thy sudden visit on me？ Fu！ Before thy feet was in the Sapporo Station，I knew thy proposal．For what purpose hast thou come？ For hunting something？ Games are almost exhausted if it be thy purpose．Thou art now my only bachelor friend，and if thou wouldst become my enemy，I am disappointed．
(58) At any rate，Wait for me to-morrow at 9A.M.
Yours sincerely，
JONATHAN K．U．
5月31日 【宮部金吾殿行 下谷徒士町 親々殿 小石川上富坂 内村鑑三】
Tokio，
May 31st，'83．
Dear Brotherin Cllrist：
How bis thy health？ Take best care of it．In thee put I my trust．If thou art unwell，I am unwell．We are one，in Christ，in Spirit，in object，and in heart；and if any portion of thine is unwell，the impulse is transmitted to meimmediately．We want to be strong，not because we can thereby enjoy health and prosperity in this world，but because we wish to work for the Glory of Christ．Our education is above the average in the Christian Society．Our responsibility is immense．A part of my daily prayers is as fokkows：
My Lord，My God，My heavenly Father：If it be Thy will，restore my health．My present illness is the result of my manifold sins，and I have no right to ask Thee for recovery．But Thou art the Merciful Father，and to Thy Mercy alone，I look for help．My body is now Thine，and whether it will grow strong or crumble to dust is in Thy will，and I will not murmur．But Father，consider my heart．Heretofore，I have been workihg，mainly，if not wholly，for my own glory and honor，and as such my works worth nothing．I want to serve Thee more，to promote thy Glory (59)hereafter．I have works pressing upon me，and“though my spirit wills”to do，“my flesh is”exceedingly“weak”．Thou hast power to change little stones to sons of Abraham，and hast also promised to give whatsoever Thy children ask Thee．My flesh is now far from being curable by the hand of physicians，and now the only way left for me is to go to Thee，the great Physician of both soul and body．Have mercy upon me Father．Etc．
I need not proceed more，for I believe you can look to my heart by the above short prayers．May I ask thee to pray for me also？ When I see thee again，may my body be better prepared for works pressing upon me！
One thing more I must say to thee before my departure；and that is about jokes on your connubial relation．I know that though I sin against thee，thou forgivest me，however great that sin may be．I speak jokes，you know，believing in myself that it will not harm you．But if jokes of“W”matters are loathsome to you，I will stop them at once．I do not want to harm you，to an extent however small it may be，by my useless bubblings，and you must not be shy to refrain from reproving me in such occasion；for such is friendsbip，brothership，Christianship．
God will be with thee and Ota，the dearest mates upon the earth．
Yours in Christ，
JON．K．U．
6月8日 【宮部金吾宛 東京下谷徒士町 テヅカラ開クベシ 豆州熱海富士屋方 汝愛友ヨリ】
Atami，
(60) Jun．8th，1883．
Dear Love：
Away from friends，I am now alone．No consolation，many useless vaticinations．Darwin and Winchel are my only comrades．Scenery very beautiful，fish abundant，air fresh，climate delightful．And how art thou，－thy illness？ Well already？ Am praying for you daily．And how is Bro．Ota？ The day before my departure，I entered into close conversation about his spiritual matters，and he expressed his earnest wish to be a Christian．Let us both pray for him．
Being alone，it is natural that a train of thoughts comes upon my mind continually．Repentance follows joy，the former usually exceeding thel atter．But amidst all my sorrows and pains in this world，I have an overpowering joy that I have friends which are closer than brothers，－ye，sometimes than my father and mother，－friends who weep with me and joy with me，－friends who know me better than myself．To me，this world is nothing save these friends and my close relatives．A weak crumbling body，a little nervous intellect，cannnot have any further hope in this“sensible”world．The hope and joy of Spirit are liable to be tempted and lost．Oh！ I may cry with St.Paul and say that I have a“desire to depart and to be with Christ，which is far better”．Thanks be to God，however，that my heart is not so weak and hopeless as my body．It is still warm with friendship and desires to seek Christ and His salvation．Yea！ I am taught that man's ages are not to be counted with numbers of years，but that he lives most who thinks the noblest and acts the most．Every throb of the heart adds more to the age of man than a ringing bell of one additional year．God's will，not my will，be done．
Considering about my dark future，I am lost in sorrow and disappointment，save in that coming (61)world，where
From sorrow，toil，and pain，
From sin we shall be free；
And perfect love and friendship reign，
Through all eternity．
I consider the coming of Ota to Tokio，at this very time，a special blessing of God upon me．If thou goest to Sapporo this summer，and I am left alone with none to cheer my down-cast heart，it would have been a fatal blow upon me．At present，there is none in this world so dear to me as thee．My father and mother，even，are not so well acquainted with me as thyself．I need no wife，so long as thou art with me．Thy prayers，thy advice，thy consolation worth more than all I can get in this world．It may be very hard，for thy mother and thy“dear one”to have thee sent to Sapporo at this very time；but for me it is harder still．May God keep thee till Ota be a Christian，for then he will be not only my dearest earthly friend，but a consoling angel to me．His return to Christianity is my daily prayer．May it be yours also！ Let us make ourselves a Christian triplet．Consider meek John，careless Peter，and once-doubting but bold determinate Paul．Uniformity is not God's will，and the above three each having his individual defects and advantage，－were they not the tripods of the apostles？ Can we not three act as they？ Can we not as the comrades of Sir John Herchel did put our shoulders to the wheel of the world，and leave it in a condition better than we find it？ But，stop！ We，ourselves，cannot do this，and as for me，I have but very little hope to act Peter's part．But if God will allow，let it be our ambition．Miyabe，be steadfast in thy course of study；Ota，let thy heart be opened to Christ；and My Self，－care for thy weak (62)flesh；and ALL，quench not the spirit，despise not prophesyings；prove all things．
Now TO JOKES，I mean innocent jokes．I travelled with Mr．Tsuda．He is you know a very queer gentleman．He is very excited at present．Now，at the time of his departure，he was in so much hurry that he left his“fundoshi”at home．Thus we went on．He brought TEND※［Oに長音記号］SOGEN with him saying tbat he must study something while travelling in Jinrikisha．My Jinriki went in head of his，and I went on hearing Mr．Tsuda reading his book with a loud voice．But I noticed that every passenger we meet with broke into laughter by coming near to us．At first I could not understand the reason；but being very curious，I looked behind，and lo！ I discovered the cause．Something which should be kept hidden，was exposed．Then，I broke into laughter also！ but he was senseless，reading his book as before．Thus you see a fat gentleman showed his“something”for many ries．I intended several times to speak to him；but what and how could I address him？ This is a pretty good joke，and will assist little of your digestion．But be it remembered，that Ota and thyself only can share of this pleasure．Neither thy relatives nor any one else are permitted to hear this story．
I intend to return as soon as possible，I am little better，and I hope that by staying about two weeks more，I will improve very much．Being too much in leisure I wrote such a long letter to you．You need not answer me this time．
Yours in Christ，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
(63) 6月28日 宮部金吾殿 下谷、徒士町 〔もと英文〕
一八八三年六月二十八日、麻布学農社にて
兄弟
熱海から帰つて以来、君に会い、いつものようにわれわれの心について君と語り合いたいと願つている。僕の心は今、愛と慰めに「みち足り」、僕の今の喜びは余りに大きくて食事さえ満足にとれないほどである。僕は今、実に、｜実に〔付ごま圏点〕愛にみち、特に君が、恐らく間もなく、札幌へ行くと聞いて一しお、そう感じる
7〔左に＊あり〕月｜25〔左に＊あり〕日 【太田稲造殿 四ツ谷タンス町 アザブ 学農社内 内村】
My Pseudo-CarIyle：
Come，but not to-morrow，because I am exceedingly busy about my school matters．Mr．Tsuda starts for Corea at 12 o'cl．and in some cases，I must go to Yokohama with him．AIso，I received an invitation from the Methodist girl School!!!!!! A fair chance for hunting．
Since I met thee on last Saturday，my heart longs after thee exceedingly．Be then sure to be in my Azabu mansion on Thursday forenoon，and we will have something to consult with each other．
LON．
(64) 7月31日 太田稲造宛
Ozaki，
July 31st，'83．
Monk：
For thy pleasant society last night，much thanks．Stopped here last night，－a petty obligation though it be．
Now as for Ikawo going．I thought it over about it，and the following is my judgement：
1．Shall I wait till about 20th of coming month？ The benefit of this lies in thy society，which will perhaps outweigh all the disadvantages that will be brought for七b．But here are some losses；viz．that we shall probably and necessarily be absent on days of the departure of Kabo；and that as my schooI commence on the first of Sept.，I shall be able to remain in Ikawo only a few days．
2．Then must I go in the early part of August？ The want of friends is too heavy to balance all the benefits which are connected with this plan．But I am afraid that I will lose the opportunity to visit my dear J※［oに長音記号］sh※［uに長音記号］by waiting till thy convenience allows．Moreover，I know not how to spend the coming 3 weeks；and in addition，to clear myself from all“petty obligations”，I thought it expedient to start at once，and be absent from Tokio about 2 weeks．Allow me，Monk，to pursue this plan．I think we shall be better able to consider about our cherished subject of“Peeps into the condition of the Poor”，by being placed asunder．
(65) There are many difficulties on my part to start at this very time．I have to leave in home，my sick mother，who，however，out of her love，wishes to have her son be strengthened than to have her eye-sight clear．Brothers and a sister（in Christ）express their thoughts that they do not wish to have me apart even temporarily．Returning to myself，and considering about my characters and condition，I always fall into tears of gratitude that God has given me such worthy friends to such a one as myself．Being bodily weak，and intellectually poor，I am unable to return such inexpressible friendship in worldly honor or wisdom，I will try to do my best with my weak“heart”．
“Throb，thob，my little heart”，
yes，throb in tune with my friends' hearts．
Will see thee at least once before my departure．Perhaps，the Sap．triumvirate will take place to-morrow if possible．
Your
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
Very best regards to your parents，BECAUSE they gave me a supper on my last visit to thee．
8月19日 太田稲造殿 東京四ツ谷タンス町
ヲトヽヒ コヽヱキタ ナンヂハ イツクルカ クルナラ キツトタヅネロ ナカ／＼ヲモシロイ カボハイツタツカ（？）
上州伊香保 永井喜八郎方
内村鑑三
(66) 8月21日 宮部金吾宛
Ikawo，
Aug．21st，1883．
Chum：
Ever since I left you，I have been perfectly happy．I have been received with cordial and Christian kindness everywhere，－all greeting me with hearty welcome．I have been acquainted with many Christian brotbers and sisters．I preached twice in Annaka and once here on last Sunday evenlng．I came here on 18th，and to my joy and astonishment I found Monk here．There are about 15 Christians staying here，and we are enjoying both in bodily and spiritual recreation．The Annaka Church is very different from those of Tokio．They are warm，affectionate，brotherly；and above all active．I was reminded of the Sapporo Church．Pleasant was it for me to enjoy a society among warm，lovely Christian community after long exposure to the coldness and indifference of the Metropolitan so-Called“brothers”．
I think I can scarcely expect to see you before your departure．I have now no special business to talk with you．You now go home，to our Jerusalem．I envy you for your lot．I have to remain here with but few friends，though these few be the dearest among all friends，SAVE THEE．Now in parting，I can say to thee with St．Paul，“God is my witness how I love thee”．Oft in solitudes of Ishikari valley，upon the top of the Ishiyama，in the jungles of Toyohira，I remember，I kneeled down before our God for the special purpose of imploring His blessing upon thee．Joy which I (67)enJoyed when I received thy letters，no one but myself knows．Ah！ Sometimes thou wert my only being，my universe．My imagination，heart，intellect，whole-self were absorbed in thee．When I wrote letters to thee late in night with joy and tears，and prayers and supplication，my bystanders doubted whether I was an insane，As thou knowest very well，I have not left anything hid from thee．Thou knowest my whole-self－my body，soul，and spirit．If，as some has done very mercilessly，I be blamed for my excessive love，because my temperament is such and is inclined to insanity，I can say this much to thee tha this is my love and no more．I have not loved anyone more than thee．Brother，brother：this is my heart and my faith that though thou killest me，I will forgive thy fault and still love thee．Though all will forsake thee I will love thee．Please ever remember，brother，that there is one whose heart is always pouring unfaltering prayers to Almighty God and Creator for thy sake；who always mourns for thee at thy misfortune，and rejoice for thy success．Now，in going north，take with thee everything thou wantest；but one thing I want you to leave in Tokio：and that is，the fault of Jon．K．Uchimura．Among the multitudes of my faults，one is most conspicuous；and that is，（thou knowest very well）my MOUTH．I take into it too much，and cause my stomach complaint．I take out of※［この※［］は不要です，こうでもしないと，ofがどうしてもoffになり，itがtになります］it too much，and offend my friends．“Out of the abundance of heart the mouth speaketh；So when I offend my friend with my mouth，it is an outpouring of my heart”some may say．But with me，this is not the case；and I think I need not give any apology for this；because I believe thou hast granted me this my error．If brother，anything remains in thy ear from my mouth，which still lingers and does not depart from thee，please remember that the same offender is he who loves thee exceedingly，and prays for thee daily．O！ take nothing which pertains to me save my little throbbing heart to Sapporo．My weak，struggling body，thou (68)needest not love，nor put much value upon it；my ever changeable intellect and faltering spirit，please ever pity and pray for；but brother，take my little heart with thee，and this is my only present to thee．A poor useless gift，thou mayest call it．A friend who can give no assistance in matters of domestic life and comfort；a friend who can give no advice or idea about scientific or philosophical matters；a friend therefore，useless for common worldly men；for what benefit is it to have a friend who can only say he go loves，and cannot show it by action？ Ah！ greatly mistaken am I，when from the coldness and unfriendliness of many whom I sought for my friends，I fell into disappointment ＆ blamed at their faults，without considering my own self，－what am I，how much do I worth．Nay，rise up my soul，and be exceedingly thankful that God has given thee such heartknitten brothers as Francis Miyabe and Paul Ota and such tender and loving sister as Mrs．Ozaki！ I am to be contented；nay，more，－I vshould throw myself in the presence of the Heavenly Father and say“What am I that thou art mindful of me．Thou hast given me something more than mere friendship”．Where shall I seek for brothers and sister such as I have？
“Come thou fonnt of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace．”
Poor in treasures，poor in intellect；poor in health，poor in faith；but rich in friends though little in number．I AM FULL，I WANT NO MORE．What benefit it if I gain the whole universe and lose thee？ Yea！ I can say more“I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers and sister”－Rom．Ⅸ．3．My endeavor after intellectual attainment may fail；but solong as I can love them，I take joy
“Forlove must need be more than knowledge，
(69) What matters it if Inever know
Why Aldebaran's star in ruddy，
Or colder Sirius white as snow．”
With this，good-bye，dear！ Go north，take care of thyself．Show thyself as a man of pure Christian type．I pray for thy success in Science；not in preaching or any gay work before the public．Let thy peaceful life continue．Press toward the mark，leaving all things behind．
But，dear，while continuing in thy work，please ever remember of thy weak struggling brother，without any future special hope；whose life is like a voyage in very boisterous sea，struggling hard in dark，only trusting in our skillful Captain for his safe arrival in the haven．It may seem to thee that I am very careless，and fool in not caring to select any special course of study．Indeed，I do not feel easy to spend my precious time，groping hopelessly without any special aim．Now，to expose my whole self to you，I now write to you ratherin detail．
1st.－Shall I take Biology？－I like this branch most，and happy will I be if I can know something about it．Indeed，I will study it more，and though I would be unable to pursue it as my special branch，I will ever cherish it，and will be its most interested virtuoso．Still there are many disadvantages on my part to pursue it as my life-course．Now，in selecting an occupation，I believe it should be our duty to ask ourselves，“How can I be most serviceable for the 5ake of God and mankind？”And to solve this question，we must know THOROUGHLY of ourselves．Our characters，abilities，physical and spiritual health must be carefully considered，which are I believe prime-factors whose careful solutions we call the voice of God．And now you know me better than any other，and I believe if you think of me as if you were I，then you would surely say，as you said some time (70)ago，that Scientific Biology is NOT the study which God has ordained me to study．The same mayb be said of Physiology，Zoology，and Geology，which are nothing but different brancbes of Biology．
2nd.－Fishery，－This is very interesting and to feed myself，this will be my only resource．I intend to study it more and practice it more if possible．If I can，I will again unite with Government to improve my fishing knowledge．But the question comes，Is fishery my ordained work；i.e.my aim of life to do my service for the society？ My poor health steps in，and says No！“Thy health is too weak to sound，and fish，and work on the waves；and unless thou wilt take a peaceful habitation on land，thou wilt surely kill thy body”．Then what shall I do？
3rd.－Ministry？－No，I think．My too great nervousness，rough character，deficient eloquence，as well as weak sensibility forbid me to take this work as my life-service to the society．Moreover，my large family to be supported with my weak struggling health is a grand obstacle to this work．Indeed，I am interested in soul-matters，and I will try with all possible means to bring souls to ligllt．
Then what shall I do？ Of course I have to overstride many mountains of difficulty in accomplishing any great work．Have pity upon me brother，and pray for me in your opportunity．When I consider of my future，I always go into tears．I weep in time of sickness，not because of my bodily pain，for I can endure them，but because my sin is manifested in my weak health，which prevents me from working as much as I wish to work．But I believe in God who can raise pebbles to the sons of Abraham，and if it be His will，I wili be useful to the society．If not，and I die without doing any thing，I will serve at least as a specimen，first to the Christian community to show that though a man preach frequently and seems to work much for the sake of (71)church and Christ，if he has no true faith，he is an outcast of God and men；and secondly to society to show the evil effect of sin as manifested in weak body and intellect，and foolishness of studying too much to be honored as a valedictorian in colleges．God's will be done．Whether my life be taken for the purpose of fertilizing farms to yield crops to be masticated，digested and deflated；or my body be utilized as a sacrifice for the sake of mankind to save them from sin and trouble，to be an honor for country and mankind，I do not，cannot know．I would rather choose the latter，and not the former；but what matters it if I cannot do according to my wish．Accordingly，I now follow Longfellow's advice
“Learn to labor，and to wait．”
At present，I will do whatever I am commanded to do．This autumn I will commence study on Fishery，and if possible in Physiology．Preaching I will stop till I go to Sapporo．My religious studies will be the teaching of my parents and few relatives，and of Sister Ozaki．I will learn more of society．
Now in parting，Chum，I wish you to ever remember Ota and myself．We are to enter again into student life with no money and no home．We trust only in God for our success．Kabo，good-bye，I will always pray for you．Today，I can again sing very emphatically our favorite hymn，and I wish to reflect upon every line of the same，for nothing explains more fully our feeling．and our friendship．
Blessed be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love，
The fellowship of kindred mind，
(72) Is like to that above．
（Scene of 1st April on the Bank of Mukojima．）
Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent prayers，
And often for each other flow
The sympathizing tears．
（Scene of 5th May，in Dokanyama．）
We bear our mutual woes，
Our mutual burdens bear，
Our hopes，our ends，our aims are one，
Our comforts and our tears．
（Scene of Mch．24th，in my home．）
When we asunder part，
It gives us inward pain，
But we shall still be joined in heart，
And hope to meet again．
（Our feelings of to-day．）
(73) From sorrow，toil，and pain
From sin we shall be free；
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity．
（Our expectation．）
Remember me brotherly to your Dear One．Let her visit me if she wish．I have now 3 female friends．I can talk with her very freely．
Your most loving friend and Bro.,
JON．K，UCHIMURA．
9月12日 【太田稲造君行 四ツ谷タンス町 九月十二日 小石川上富坂町 内村】
I was little ill to-day，and was at home all the day through．Mr．Kato's position is not fixed yet，and Mr．Kozaki told me that when it is fixed，he will inform me about it as soon as possible．I have been waiting to-day for the information；but seeing that it is not yet arrived，I want thee to see Mr．Kozaki by thyself at the office of the Keisei-sha to-morrow．I am sorry I have delayed to inform thee soon；but I wish thee to pardon me，for my negligence was not to put the matter aside，but to save one postal-card，which is a pretty considerable sum at present．
J．K．
(74) 9月14日 【太田稲造君 四ツ谷タンス町 九月十四日 小石川上富坂 内村】
Dear Brother：
I am sorry that our object to“feed”thee has failed．I am astonished at the heartlessness of one so-called Christian；but brother，let us bear，for the Lord will not leave us hungry．
The moon is getting rounder and rounder and I want to enjoy it to-morrow evening with thee．I have Biological Society to-morrow afternoon，and will be at home at 6P.M.Wilt thou not come to me at that time，and go to Ueno with some“dango”to let our
“Friendship as the moon's bright light remain，
To cheer our hearts oft and oft again．”
Yours beloved
JON．K．U．
To be sure，weather must be clear．
9月21日 太田稲造宛
Night of Sept．21st，'83．
Brother Ota：
Much thanks for thy consolation to-day．When I returned，just as I expected，I was sharply reproved by my father and mother of my conduct，to an extent which was almost unbearable (75)without tears．But thy last advice greatly strengthened me，and though I feel very heavy to-night，I will not be crushed．It is a great consolation to think over that thou，who hast been my heart and most intimate companion for these last six years，is now sailing in the same boisterous sea as myself．Both of us are now without special means to support ourselves，and are suffering from various circumstances，which，－blessed be our friendship，－we only sympathize with each other．Let us ever be firm，brother，for our future work is one which requires much of our drills in this school of experience，and we should always count that opportunity as precious which gave us a lesson with regard to humanity．Brotber Paul，I love thee，and trust thee as my only old friend at present．To thee only，I can fly for strength and hearty advice，and in thee only，I can find good and safest refuge．
I herein request thee to visit Ozaki family to-morrow，and tell them about my condition at present．I will not be able to visit them on Sunday，neither can I write letters frequently，especially Sister Ozaki．Tell them I will never forget them and am always praying for their sake．Tell them I greatly sympathize with all the tribulation which they are suffering．Tell them that as long as my parents live，I cannot commune much with female friends．These I wish thee to tell tbem to-morrow，if not on Sunday morning．
Brotber，was it my fault to have sought friends and consolators in female circles？ If I wish to be a Shaka，shall I be like him on my relation to female sex？ What a fool am I？ Led my passions，I have fallen into many useless troubles and anxieties！ Ah！ me！ have I played a novel？ Ah！ these are pettinesses；they are not which we have been called to consider much．More important business is left for me and you．
(76) Come，Whatever may come．I will estrong．I will work hard，and wait for the time appointed by the Lord，Bro．God will be with thee．
Yours ever trul1y，
JON．K．UCHIMURA．
10月5日 宮部金吾宛 札幌〔もと英文〕
一八八三年十月五日、東京小石川にて
愛する兄弟フランク
君が去つてから、われわれ二人は忙しいが、非常に幸福である。二人が会うごとに、君の名前が必ず出る。われわれは孤独だが、お互いに非常に朗かである。パウロは僕の唯一人の相談相手また慰め手である。すでにポケットがさみしくなつたので、二人のポケットを共通にしている。われわれは今、非常に似通つた道を歩いている――お互いの家庭内の仕事でも、お互いの勉強の方法でも、またお互いの将来の志望のあらましでも。フランクよ、僕らの状態と君の現在とを比較すれば、君は幸福である！ 大家族が僕によりかゝり、多くの親戚が僕の助けを求めるので、僕は外面的にはかなり重荷を負うている。僕自身、例の如く肉体は弱く、感情はそこなわれ、知的には小人で、暗黒と濃霧の中に苦しみ、ハッキリした将来の希望もない。たゞあるものは全能者の救いの力だけである。しかし神は僕を一人ボッチにはすておき給わない。伊香保から帰京して以来、僕の精神は日に日に成長するように思われる。神のみ手が益々僕の上にある事が分る。今、僕はキリストの栄光が弱きうちに完成された事を知る。
「耐えしのぺ、これらのきびしき悩みは
大地よりはえ出でしものにあらず」
神は僕を将来のために準備し給うであろう。現在の肉体の弱さは、僕のこの世的の野心を喰いとめる為のものと考える。そしてこの世的の名誉や富貴に対する凡ての誘いが取り除かれる時、神はこの「我をうつサタンの使い」を取り去り給う(77)であろう。「神は強き者を辱かしめんとて弱き者をえらび」、み心ならば僕をもそのように使い得給うのである。或は、もし僕が一生涯この地上でこうした事に苦しまねばならぬなら、僕は自分の生涯はほゞ三十年を出でないだろうと考えて自分を慰める。
「われら互いによぎるべき
流れの岸にたどりつく時
汝われをば安らかに導き渡し
この世のけがれより洗いきよめ給わん」
故にフランクよ、僕が失望していると思わないでくれ給え。暗黒の中を帆走りつゝ、僕の目は上なる或る者の導きを見る事が出来る。神が何の目的で、今、こうしたこの世的の欠乏や苦難を以て僕を試み給うのかを、かすかながら解する事が出来る。僕は強い。前より強くなつた。｜働きつゝ待て〔付ごま圏点〕。これが僕のモットーであつて、今、すこぶる幸福である。
津田君の学校は閉鎖の運命にある。札幌を去つて以来の僕の第一の《失策》である。これが人生である。次にはどこへ行くべきか、僕は知らない。多分《水産会》へ行つて会誌の編集者になるだろう。どこかで喰える。
君の教授ぶりはどうか。
札幌は今、若い妻と夫とで一パイの事と思う。今から三年後に札幌へ行く時の光景をハッキリえがく事が出来る。若い氏《ミスター》と夫人《ミセス》が教会にみち溢れることだろう。僕は藤田を一番気の毒に思い同情している。彼以外の者は皆僕の敵である。彼だけが信頼するに足る。他は皆反逆者（君もその一人）である。
君に僕の弟の世話を頼みたい。彼は、君の知る通り、物を理解する事が非常にのろくておそく、牛のように頑くなながら、正直者である。君を僕のように思え、と手紙で言つてやつた。彼は、君が僕の唯一人の友であり、僕にとり一番親しい兄弟である事を充分よく承知しているので、最善をつくして君に待つようにすると返事をよこした。兄弟よ、親切にして、必要に応じて話すなり叱るなりしてくれ給え。もし不平を言つたら、君がするように僕もする、と彼に告げてくれ給え。
も一つして貰いたい事がある。君の知る通り、僕は札幌教会に関するあらゆる事に強い関心をいだいており、その為に祈る事を怠るような事はなく、その繁栄に関する何かのニュースが来る毎に、僕は神のみ前に感謝に溢れる。しかし昨今(78)はそれに関する特別のしらせが少しも貰えないのに尾崎氏のところへは絶えず連絡があるらしい。もちろん、この事についてつぶやいてはならないのだが、しかし、もし、教会――その為に度々泣き、怒り、その為に絶えず祈つて居り、その為に僕の将来をさゝげようと願つている教会の新しい動きは、何でも、出来るだけ早く知る事が出来たら、実に幸いである。愛する兄弟よ、君のひまの折に、度々、教会について、君の好意で、知らせて貰えないだろうか。そのため長い手紙を書いてくれとは頼まない。たゞハガキに簡単に書いて貰えば充分だ。
大島兄弟と大島姉妹とはどうしているか。大島君は僕について怒つてはいないだろうか。同君は二月二日以来少しも手紙をくれない。僕が同君と、僕の弟に対する同君の大きな親切とをいつもおぼえている事を、同君に告げてくれ給え。渡瀬、伊藤、足立に特によろしく。人の善い、愛すべき藤田に僕の心と同情とを伝えてくれ給え。田内はいつ父親になるか。
この次は君の手紙を貰つた｜後で〔付ごま圏点〕書く。それまで、兄弟よ、サヨウナラ。
君に最も愛される友にして兄弟なる
ヨナタン・ケー・内村
二伸 この手紙をしたゝめているところへ、ハリス氏から手紙がついた。氏と夫人とから札幌の兄弟へよろしくとの事。
10月30日 太田稲造宛
Oct．30th，1883．
Dearest Friend：
How can I express my gratitude to thee for thy depth of love and kindness shown to me recently？ I am at a loss how to return my sincere thanks to thee．Please，ever remember，brother，that thy present kindness will ever remain indelibly upon my mind．
Now，yesterday evening，I had a talk with my parents about the matter．The father was calm and meditative，and quite contrary to my expectation，I was able to talk with him calmly and un(79)derstandingly．But the mother was not so．But her grumblings are so childish and groundless，that I do not think worth to be used as to cause a disappointment on the part of sister Asada．Such murmurings as，“She is too wise，too learned，too intelligent”，etc．are very unreasonable．These ought to be used as favorable grounds for giving me affirmative answer．I think she will understand soon．But I have determined to send a“cutting”letter to Yokohama，and already wrote a large part of it，when my father stopped me，saying that I ought to consider more，and to talk once more calmly to my mother．I am waiting for a letter from Yokohama to-morrow morning，which will be an answer for my rather harsh cold letter，representing all of my black sides．If she send me a lettetr，in which I can find her reluctance even to a slight extent，I will use that as my“argumentum versum”，and will cut up all the source of future trouble.* As it now is，I will remain silent．
Brotber，am I not a complete fool？ Ridiculing till yesterday for the blindness of others in wife matters，I myself am finally fallen to the pit．Very，very membokunai！ But I know that all things which are beneficial to me will come to pass．For these long years，I have been praying that I may be useful in the Lord's field，and ∴ I do not think He will disappoint me by such a petty matter as one at present．I am calm and peaceful．The Children of God are the happiest set of people．To them only the benefits come，no injury．Only let me work，and all will be right，I believe．
To-day I commenced to write essays on the topics of life，Which I want to compose in form of letters to be addressed to thee，Miyabe，and perbaps to sister Asada，because I can thus express my ideas more perfectly．Perhaps letters to thee will occupy the largest part．Went to Ueno to-day，(80)and returned with much spiritual benefits．
Yours coworker and fellow-soldier，
LON．
* Do not think that I am too cold toward her．I still love her，admire her，and because I love her，I want to cut the source of her future troubles also．AIso it may be God's will，if that be the case．O！ what a wicked world is this？
10月31日 【宮部金吾殿 北海道札幌農黌 植物学先生 小石川上富坂町 内村鑑三】
Tokio，
Oct．31st，'83．
Dear Chum：
Without much wonder，I received your short（as usual）but deeply affectionate letter through your convenient living letter，Bro．Fujita．Ota told me that I ought not expect answers from thee to our letters，and that we had better to write“Charity letters”on the very top of the page，hoping no answers from such a meagre letter-writer as thyself．
Glad to hear that thou art fat as usual workiug upon weeds with thy calmness．Call no work“mean”．Whittier sings：
“The truth the English poet saw
Two centuries back is thine－
Who sweeps a room as by God's law，
(81) Makes room and action fine．
And in thy quiet ministry
To wants and needs of ours I see
Howg race and toil may well agree．”
As for ourselves，we are improving in everything daily．We meet only once in about 10 days；but we feel very near，and I thank God that He has left one great consolator and counsellor with me．His cold intellect，my reckless spirit，are well arranged to compensate with each other's actions．We learned great deal about the“real life”．'Tis nearly a year before when I left my dear Sapporo，and I look with regret for the time wasted since I came here，when I consider how much intellectual progress I have made．But intellect and spirit do not always go together．Do not think that“spiritual progress”is simply a non-ethical emotional excitements．Emotions are not the heart．The heart with which Huss and Luther pushed their tremendous work，the heart with which apostles followed Christ，leaving everything that was dear to them，－they were not mere illusory emotions，but strong wills，deliberately directed against the evils of the world．So called enthusiasms which frequently flash upon us to pursue reckless course of“dying for the world”，though noble，but are weak and unreliable．Religion requlres strong wills．Let the sea of emotions rage；but the converted Will will move his sceptre to soothe the excited self．So I learned，recently．and I think，thou agreest with me in this respect．Loving and be loved，do not constitute the life．It is indeed sweet to be“petted”by“spiritual sisters”；but to be absorbed in it is not Christian manhood．
“'Tis a vile life that，like a garden pool，
Lies stagnant in the round of personal loves．”