Isaac Ferris to William H. Seward, August 4, 1867

[Untitled]

Dear Sir: Several months since the Evangelical Alliance of this country, composed of various evangelical bodies, appointed a committee to solicit the influence of our government to secure a melioration, and, if possible, the abrogation of the law of Japan on the subject of the adoption and profession of the Christian religion. Your absence and health at the time, and the want of documents (which have now been obtained,) caused a postponement of our letter. In the mean time the subject has become more important and urgent, as the schools, or rather classes, taught by our missionaries are making their impression, and their young men are coming to our country and will, in their education, imbibe, and, we hope, be moulded by our views of the Christian religion. Just in proportion as these results follow, even though the youth come for our arts, they are placed in jeopardy. The enclosed documents will show how the rule stands in Japan. Our missionary, Dr. Brown, has prepared the larger one, and the shorter is furnished by the Presbyterian missionary.

It has been said that Mr. Van Valkenburgh has been instructed to act in union with the representatives of other powers on the subject. It is so momentous that our anxiety is that it may not be allowed to sleep. Already some remarkable conversions to Christianity have occurred, and some of them in high place. It is at once apparent that some shield should be thrown around these first fruits of a true Christianity. I would be greatly obliged by learning if any progress has been made, and what may be the present state of the matter, and what hope there may be for the future. The Evangelical Alliance will meet this fall, and will expect a report from their committee. This committee I give on the next page.

With great respect and pleasant remembrances of former years, I am yours, &c.,