The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-15

interior, with its ancient villages and
simple people, every inch Of It interesting
and historic.
CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINES
New York. June 1s.-Joseph Earle
Stephens in the New York Evening Post
J wrtse:
The power Of the church in the Philip
pines almost exceeds that of the state, and
the Archbishop Of Manila once walked
over the Spanish flag on Sundays. But
| although this act seemed to go too far
and was finally abolished. the influence of
the church is still as great as ever, ana
the islands have in no wise ceased to be
a sort Of colonial storeroom which Spain
has all along been stocking with the ex-
! cess Of her friars, whose morals, as dis
played at home, needed toning up by a
long sea voyage from the Peninsula.
so the Philippines. Manila, and the
promenade along the Malecon have long
been overrun with Jesuit and Dominican
monks, whose features have hardly cor
responded with the sanity garbs that in
and billiard-tables have found their way
into the luxurious 'conventos' connected
with many a big cathedral in districts
both rich and poor. Substance has all
given way to form, which serves to play
the leading role in religious life, and fire
works, iestas, and flaming candles have
done their share in drawing the natives
within the influence of the church. To
see the peculiar demonstrations which
take place weekly in first one parish and
then the next is to wonder whether or not
such circuses can fairly come under the
name of religious observances.
Each suburb of the capital has for its
center the big church of buttressed walls
and lofty transepts, whose cool interior
could well contain the homes Of the entire
district, and each edifice has its certain
special feast days to be celebrated indie
pendently of any other parish. Indeed.
so numerous are the churches that each
week in the calendar seems to be a spe-
ciaI one for some one, and when night
comes a distant dome, glowing with its
mass of lighted candle-cups, will usually
stand out against the sky 70 show where
the fiesta" is in progress.
Walking through the narrow streets TO-
sort of count yfair that attracts an audi
ence from all quarters. A multitude Of
toy and drinking booths, hastily put to-
gether from heavy mating, huddles to-
gether for mutual support on the plaza
or the outyard of the church. and for
the days that the show continues forms a
center of amusement for the scores Of Wis
itors who daily come TO do their penance
or see their friends. The native girls who
preside behind the counters of the drink
ing-booths Of toy bazaars. where tin whis-
ties and conar buttons made in Ger
many" are sold. seem chosen for their
charms and affablity rather than for their
spirituality, and each week finds them
reaping their harvest Of pesos and pc
setas" by treating with familiarity the
gallant youths. who show no interest in
getting nearer to the altar Of the sane
tuary.
In the early evenings. closely after sun
set. the religious professions start from
the church, composed Of many Of the
women and children of the parish and
wind through the chief highways Of the
suburb until they finally return 20 the
containing fife-size figures Of saints and
apostles dressed in garments Of gold and
purple, are borne along BY sweating COO
lies. who stagger underneath an outer
draping that shields from view all save
their lower limbs and naked feet. II front
and behind come the women and children.
clothed n black and carrying candles,
wearing the black mantillas, which fan
gracefully from their heads: their faces
bear a look OF sain.liks grace. except AZ
such times as the evening breeze makes
the candle grease refractory, ana one
could easily imagine himself spectator
ct celebration in Seville or Madr43.
The huge floats with their weight Of
wood and metal cause their bearers 20
stop for breath a. every turn, and bring
or the hats q the spectators vno line
the sidewalks or the roadways- IN fact
50 particular IS ne SpanIard n this Snow
OF respect. thar Il he sees i neglected .
he takes - personal hand n correct
ing the cUlpri; that I have known q
serious co1fic: occurring oS a tram car
because AZ EzgIlshnan failed % If Els
nat 70 a passing funeral
n ne balconies q houses that Inc The
route TIE smiling crowds q iookers-o1. T
and Roman candles OF beagolz liE1ts sed .
lmo-eszveacss - re scene ard drop
their sparks OF the garments q those
para5l-< below. Il due succession pass .
the EaobtaE images q apostles. ira DE-
seen: from ire cross. and ;he Ylrgll Aa-v
weeping tears q pu-e=t glass g1tl t1@
long El-G.-E Ire e uEh-s has Teacse3 .
the Church ard disaau6e1- T1t7 tae car I
ris-s drop saei- burdens % seek refresh .
-nent. ard = fe~ snail 'gi2ssfuis VII
starr them 4uArrellns IS . re 1ers-s - .
,helr respective G3zts. ore 80 cla.rl era, .
,hs!r descent from ths cross ~as Ia-s
.lseiske thA1 thai carried ~ tsssir rsTa1s-
and they a-noSt cone 20 blows cvsr EAscA !!