to go forward, and halted to spend the Sabbath according to his custom. "Ever since I have been in this country," he records in his journal, "I have refused to transact any business on that day. … They now fully understand my motives, and they respect me for them." It was the first Sunday in Advent. He says, "I read the whole service for the day with Mr. Heusken [his secretary] as my clerk and congregation." Later he describes similar observances of the day in the capital, and says he not only read the service in a loud voice so that the Japanese might hear it, but also told his official attendants that it was the Christian service. "I shall be both proud and happy if I can be the humble means of once more opening Japan to the blessed rule of Christianity." He was soon to have his prayer answered.
The entrance of the American representative into Yedo, following the flag of his country, was a memorable event in Japanese history. It was effected with considerable pomp, and was witnessed by hundreds of thousands of people in perfect silence and good order. After the customary preliminary visits to the chief minister of state and others, the audience of the Shogun and delivery of the President's letter took place. The details of this ceremony had been in the main agreed upon before the departure from Shimoda. When it was suggested to Mr. Harris that he should perform the usual prostrations in the presence of the Shogun, he peremptorily refused and said he would consider it an insult if the subject was ever again mentioned to him. It was arranged that he would be received with
