The Golden Country Read Online Free PDF

We're already in the fields each morning before the moon has hidden itself from view, and we're still at work after the sun has set. We plant the rice knee-deep in cold water, and when it ripens and is harvested we must give it away to pay our tax. We're called out on public duty and must go even if we are sick. In the pain of daily living we've fixed our hearts on the joys of Paradise. And if after all this we are unable to reach Paradise, but giving up our faith must face the tortures of hell, then we are worse off than animals. I can't bear to think of it.
The other farmers listen intently to Hatsu's words.
    TOMONAGA: Well, at least tonight there's no fumi-e to worry about. Think it over carefully and decide what stand you will take. But I have something else to tell you. Inoue intends to plant a dog in your midst.
    KASUKE: A dog?
    TOMONAGA: Pretending to be a Christian, he'll walk among you and report everything he sees and hears to the bureau.
All are disturbed.
    TOMONAGA: No, he's not here yet. But be on your guard.... Who wants to confess his sins and his doubts to Father and receive the grace of the sacrament? I'll go first. Wait outside, but take good care that you're not seen.
The farmers open the door and go out into the rain.
    TOMONAGA (keeping his eyes fixed on the door, says to Yuki): You too had better go out and prepare for confession.
She exits.
    TOMONAGA: Why is God silent? Why doesn't he help us? Even if he doesn't help me, why does he allow these poor farmers to be cornered like this? These five years Christians everywhere have been captured and tortured, and a tremendous amount of blood has been spilt. Why does he remain silent through all this? In Hirado, in Omura, in Isahaya, in Nagasaki, so much blood has flowed!
    FERREIRA (as if to reassure himself as well): Do you think these trials are meaningless? Do you think that God would send us suffering just for its own sake? Lord Tomonaga—
He shakes his head vigorously
    FERREIRA: The Lord would never send us such meaningless tribulations.
    TOMONAGA: Then what is it? Why does he send them, Father? You know these Japanese farmers. In their ignorance they have followed along like children. Plunged into the boiling waters of Unzen, they held on, believing that this was the way to Paradise. Even when they had huge rocks tied to them and were dropped into the middle of the sea, with their last breath they sang out their prayers. . . . This is true fealty. Even as a samurai, I have never to this day seen so great a fealty.
    FERREIRA: And the Lord rewards such fealty with great glory.
    TOMONAGA: I also try to explain it this way. For these five years I have believed this. Even now I still believe it in my heart. But occasionally when I am disheartened, I am attacked by doubt. I wonder if these are not just words to keep our eyes from the truth.
    FERREIRA: What do you doubt?
    TOMONAGA: What need is there for such a vast stream of blood to continue to flow? When I see the farmers stricken with such fear and lamentation, I wonder if God has not deserted us.
    FERREIRA: Whatever God does is good.
Ferreira walks to the other side of the room, picks up a bundle in a corner, and draws out of it a painting of Christ.
    FERREIRA: Lord Tomonaga, look at this face of Christ. It is probably the Christ of the Sermon on the Mount. Have you ever wondered what Christ looked like? No one knows what his face was really like. Nowhere in the Scriptures is a description of it. But this face ... it is a face that men through the centuries have formed in their prayer born of suffering and trials. Take a good look at it. Can this beautiful face be indifferent to our cries? Can it pretend not to see our suffering?
    TOMONAGA: Don't try to put me off with beautiful words. Tell me the truth, Father. Isn't God keeping a cold silence? Isn't he silent in spite of the suffering of these farmers?
    FERREIRA (weakly): In these trials God is trying to tell us something.
    TOMONAGA: What?
    FERREIRA