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HONDA JIRO A CHRISTIAN. 377
as part of my personal belief, but I had a strong de-
sire to read the Bible just to know what was written
in it. In Fukui I was further helped by studying
with Professor Koba who was full of admiration for
the teachings of Jesus and his sympathy for even the
lowest kind of humanity.
"Afterward, in the political turmoil and bloody
scenes which I witnessed in Kyoto and Yedo, I was
impressed with the need of our samurai of a higher
moral principle than merely that of the 'five rela-
tions '
as taught by Confucius. Our samurai seemed
as brave and determined, as willing to suffer and
endure as foreigners ; but when I read in Dutch
books the history of Europe and America,
I was
persuaded that our country needed a moral power
equal to that of Christian nations. Supposing our
feudal system were to break down, where should we
samurai find sufficient motive for right living and for
elevating our country
to the level of the United
States of America ? For I reflected on the great age
of our country and civilization, and compared our
attainments with those of England or America. In
fact, my reflections while in prison, and as secretary
of my lord Echizen, took much of my old pride
away, and my narrow fanatical patriotism changed to
a love for my country and all her people. And this,
as Professor Koba first pointed out, was the sure
result of studying the life of Christ who loved the
lepers and outcast men and women as much as he
loved rich men and learned scholars.
" I found also in my reading that many excellent