The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-13
BISHOP BOWMAN IN MEXICO
Some Things the Venerable Churchman
Saw in Our Sister Republic.
Defeating Church Under Extraordinary
Dificulties-The Temple of Guadaloupe
An Encouraging Mission Field.

Episcopal Church who has been in Mexico for
the past four weeks, has returned, and yester-
day spoke freely of his experience and observa-
tions while in that republic. The Bishop is not
In the best of health, having taken severe cold
before his departure, which has been somewhat
aggravated by the high attitudes OF Mexico II
have seen great DEAL" he began, s'since left
my home, and there are many curious things in
Mexico which even cannot understand. will
state. first, that went to attend the fourth an
nual conference of church. which was
held In the City of Mexico. About fifteen
years ago, DR.. Butler, who had been .
missionary in India for several years. es-
tablished missionary conferences for us
in the republic Of Mexico and about
four years ago. think it was. Bishop Harris or
ganized the frat regular Methodist conference.
met at this conference sixteen regularly or
dained ministers, and several licentiates and
others who have received deacon's orders and in
tend to devote themselves to the ministry 1t
was gratifying 70 me to note that half Of the
ministers. both of our conferences and of those
who expected to be ministers, are native Next
cans or Indians, several of whom were formerly
Catholic priests, but who have come to our
church and are now preaching its doctrines.
Our American ministers there are Revs.
, Messrs. Butler, Seiberts, Greenmap, Craver.
Smith, Green, Ferguson and Hyer making
just half the conference Ono OF the Catholic
priests, known as Father Pallacios, is
quite character, and since he became
Protestant has attacked the superstitions
of the Mexican religion and the wonderful
temple of Guadalupe, in which are images and
many curious things. This temple to
the most wonderful thing / saw. 1t was built
and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. 1t is about
three miles from the City of Mexico. and it's
origin is said to be this: Once Indian stood
on this hill, and the Virgin Mary appeared to him
and said: Build me here q magnificent temple
Go tell the bishop The Indian went to the
bishop and stated what had occurred to him, but
the bishop only laughed On another occasion
the same Indian stood the same hill, and
the vision OF the blessed Virgin, who again
he had done as he was hidden, and that he had
not succeeded, the bishop not believing his
report Then, replied the Virgin, pluck some
of these flowers The Indian inquired,
What howersP as there was nothing
but bare rocks around him. Forthwith
there sprang beautiful flowers, and he gath
cred them. Now said the Virgin, take these
to the bishop proof that have spoken, and
order the temple dedicated TO me- The second
visit of the Indian was more successful. The
flowers were taken a sign of the truthfulness
OF his report and the temple was planned and
erected. There is a spring by where,
superstition has it, the Virgin put her foot, and
thus the water has been flowing ever since.
Now. this temple is beyond my power of de-
scription. 1t il built a hill, a command
ing eminence and is of magnificent proportions
and the most gaudy aud artistic decorations
adorn the interior Silver and gold are used in
profusion. Statues Of the blessed Virgin and
presentations of superstitious ideas are to be
found in numbers AS | stated, It is three miles
from the City of Mexico, and this distance
is studded with large square stone pill
lars at short intervals. They mark the
way of the pilgrim on his journey to do pen.
I. snce. The Mexicans go up from the City OF
Mexico to the shrine of the Virgin certain
feast days during the whole year. and it is .
There is srreet-car line from the City of Mex
leo to the Temple of Guadaloupe, and some of
the more enlightened Catholics go the street
car; Others ride on donkeys, while those who
have done great crimes consider themselves
great sinners make the whole journey their
hands and knees, and they go the stony
way after, this fashion, thinking that the PEN
ance thus done will insure greater blessing when
the shrine is reached. They stop at each of
these pillars and offer up prayer which en-
courages them on their way. When they reach
the temple they pray TO the Virgin Mary and
return much relieved. They encouraged in
all of these rites by the priests. 1 neglected to
say that there are thirteen of these pillars be-
tween Guadalupe and the City of Mexico
1.-THE houses in the City of Mexico never front
the street, but are built behind walls, Though
which enters by a doorway, and goes some
distance to find himself surrounded by num-
Der of houses in court, upon which may open
ten dozen dwellings Many of them are
without window, the door being the only
means of ventilation. In some Of these courts,
the second and the third floor, when they
have third floor. after going up winding
back stairways, one fnde their stores which
never could be found by an American without a
guide. The impression. when one first enters
the city, is that il is great prison house. and
there is a heavy gloom which seems to pervade
everything. / never saw anything like it, ex-
cent. perhaps, in Hong Kong China
There is one beautiful spot in this city of gloom
which cannot fail to mention, and that is the
Alameda Park, which, 1 think, must contain
twenty or twenty-five acres and to which there
is nothing In America to compare. 1t is laid
out in exqisite shape. 1t is stocked with all
kinds of tropical plants, peculiarly beautiful
flowers that one finds there. and there are run
ming waters, springing fountains. singing birds,
and gravel walks. the sight of which would al
most justify trip to the city.
1.-THE morality OF the republic Is at a'low ebb.
the idea prevailing that penance atones for all
crimes This idea has been carried so far that
1t is beyond comprehension. As stood the
street corner at Guanajuata. in the State of
Guanajuata, saw gayly dressed women enter
ing the cathedral, and was told by the citizens
who accompanied me that these were licensed
prostitutes who, after making their regular con-
fession, would go back to ply their same vocation.
II saw and bad talk with President Diaz,
and found him to be most courteous gentle
man and a ruler extremely friendly to religious
movements. He has openly proclaimed that all
relieiouf the Mexican republic shall be pro-
tected. Ny talk with him was brief. on account
of his yagement, but his assured me that our
church work met with his hearty sympathy and
would be protected. Some time ago there was a
disturbance down in one of the Indian countries,
and the enmity of the priests aroused
that they endeavored to organize mob to de-
moish the Indians, who resisted what they
CANNED TO De their authority A message was
sent to the President, and he dispatched officers
of the law. with full power to execute it impair
italy and equitably. The trouble adj
justed.
after our church conference there was a
general evangelical meeting in .he City of Mex
leo OF all the Protestant denominations who
have missions there, which composed of the
Methodists, the Southern Methodists the Pres
byterians. the Cumberland Presbyterians, the
Northern and Southern Baptists. the Congrega
tionalists. Episcopalians and the Quakers. At
ms Itu and az
pressions Of the most fraternal feelings. The
object of the meeting was to bring the denomina-
tions in a more friendly relation to each other,
10 advise rs to the best methods Of work so as
not 10 conflict and to establish union college
for the education Of children and missionaries
who have now to be sent away for their educa-
tion. The reports from all these branches of
Professionalism were extremely encouraging, and
the meeting success and will not be do
void of happy results
....on my return / rtopped over at city three