combat
(for the Japanese are very brave) the victory was on the part of the
Christians, and, with the exception of a few who saved themselves in the
boats, the army of the emperor was cut to pieces.

"This victory was the occasion of making more converts, and our army was
soon increased to upwards of 50,000 men. On the other hand, the
emperor, perceiving that his troops had been destroyed, ordered new
levies and raised a force of 150,000 men, giving directions to his
generals to give no quarter to the Christians, with the exception of the
two young lords who commanded them, whom he wished to secure alive, that
he might put them to death by slow torture. All offers of accommodation
were refused, and the emperor took the field in person. The armies
again met, and on the first day's battle the victory was on the part of
the Christians; still they had to lament the loss of one of their
generals, who was wounded and taken prisoner, and, no quarter having
been given, their loss was severe.

"The second day's combat was fatal to the Christians. Their general was
killed; they were overpowered by numbers, and fell to a man. The
emperor then attacked the camp in the rear, and put to the sword every
old man, woman, and child. On the field of battle, in the camp, and by
subsequent torture, more than 60,000 Christians perished. But this was
not all; a rigorous search for Christians was made throughout the
Islands for many years; and they were, when found, put to death by the
most cruel torture. It was not until fifteen years ago, that
Christianity was entirely rooted out of the Japanese empire, and during
a persecution of somewhat more than sixteen years, it is supposed that
upwards of 400,000 Christians were destroyed; and all this slaughter, my
son, was occasioned by the falsehood and avarice of that man who met his
just punishment but a few days ago. The Dutch Company, pleased with his
conduct, which procured for them such advantages, continued him for many
years as the president of their factory in Japan. He was a young man
when he first went there, but his hair was grey when he thought of
returning to his own country. He had amassed immense wealth--immense,
indeed, must it have been to have satisfied avarice such as his! All
has now perished with him, and he has been summoned to his account.
Reflect a little, my son. Is it not better to follow up our path of
duty; to eschew the riches and pleasures of this world,