Chapter XII: Two Centuries of Silence

"The frog in the well knows not the great ocean"
--Sanskrit and Japanese Proverb.

"When the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch."
--Japanese Proverb.

"The little island of Déshima, well and prophetically signifying
Fore-Island, was Japan's window, through which she looked at the
whole Occident ... We are under obligation to Holland for the
arts of engineering, mining, pharmacy, astronomy, and medicine
... 'Rangaku' (i.e., Dutch learning) passed almost as a synonym
for medicine," [1615-1868].--Inazo Nitobé.

"The great peace, of which we are so proud, was more like the
stillness of stagnant pools than the calm surface of a clear
lake."--Mitsukuri.

"The ancestral policy of self-contentment must be done away
with. If it was adopted by your forefathers, because it was wise
in their time, why not adopt a new policy if it in sure to prove
wise in your time."--Sakuma Shozan, wrote in 1841, assassinated
1864.

"And slowly floating onward go
Those Black Ships, wave-tossed to and fro."
--Japanese Ballad of the Black Ship, 1845.

"The next day was Sunday (July 10th), and, as usual, divine
service was held on board the ships, and, in accordance with
proper reverence for the day, no communication was held with the
Japanese authorities."
--Perry's Narrative.

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."
--Sung on U.S.S.S. Mississippi, in Yedo Bay, July 10, 1853.

"I refuse to see anyone on Sunday, I am resolved to set an
example of a proper observance of the Sabbath ... I will try to
make it what I believe it was intended to be--a day of
rest."--Townsend Harris's Diary, Sunday, August 31, 1856.

"I have called thee by thy name. I have surnamed thee, though
thou hast not known me. I am the LORD, and there is none else;
besides me there is no God."--Isaiah.

"I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been
slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they
held."--John.

"That they should seek God, If haply they might feel after him,
though he is not far from each one of us."--Paul.

"Other sheep have I which are not of this fold: them also I must
bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one
flock, one shepherd"--Jesus.