The herald., 1898-12-14
GOSPEL WORK NEEDED
AMONG INHABITANTS OF THE
PHILIPPINES
In the Opinion of General Otis Mission
ary Work Cannot Begin
Too Soon

| NEW YORK, Dec. l3-The American
Bible Society has received special report
from the Rev. John R. Hykes, whom it di.
rected in September last TO proceed from
Shanghai China, to Manila, and investigate
concerning the Philippines as field for
| Bible work. He reports concerning the is
lands, the people, the views of Admiral
Dewey and American officers. The first part
| OF the report is devoted to describing the
racial and tribal characteristics of the in
haDltants, and to a statement of the di-
verslty OF the languages spoken in the island
Further on, Mr.. Hykes says:
Not more than one-third of the arabic
land in the valley OF the Luzon has been
brought under cultivation. The mountains
are rich IN the most valuable timber to be
found anywhere in the world. While some
OF the valleys have been denuded of the for
eSts, spanish official obstruction has etfectu-
ally spared the valuable tree in the interior.
1t Is not bad thing that it required about
TWO years effort and large fee in order to
get license to fell single tree and heavy
duty before it could be exported The
climate Is continual summer, and it is not
unhealthtul for Europeans. The cold or dry
season is from November TO February in.
elusive; the hot season from March to June.
and the wet season from July to October
ne average temperature for the wear is
about 81 degrees Fahrenheit. The most
common diseases among Europeans are ma
larial feyer, dlarrhoea and dysentery."
MI. Hykes devotes some space to a re-
cital OF instances of what he terms "sacer-
dotal despotism and official rapacity" under
the spanish regime, and says regarding the
former: Il am sure that the Roman Cath
oics. of the United States would be as much
shocked as anybody at the immortality of
the fr1ars. l am aware that this is not
koman Catholicism as it is to be found in
England and the United States today, and
II Is necessary that this should be empha-
sized IN order to comprehend the religious
condition OF the people and to adequately
realize their spiritual needs.
1T Is astonishing that lower standard
of, morality does not exist among the people
when we consider the character Of their
spiritual teachers. 1t is generally conceded
that the he fillipl9o M priests are vastly. more
moral than the Spanish friars, and it is, per-
haps this fact and their inherent supersti.
tions that have prevented the people from
abandoning religion. With the native re.
ligion is mere form and not spiritual life.
The symbols of the faith and the observance
of religious rites are about all he knows of
religion. The friars have long been losing
much longer be heldin mental ant spiritual
thralldom."
In concluding his report, Mr.. Hykes says
General E. S. Otis, the military and civil
Governor, said there can be no doubt of the
great need Of our work. The Spanish
priests are thoroughly hated by the Fill
pinos and their hold upon the people is
gone"
''He would welcome the American Bible
Society and any other missionary organiza-
ton, and he would have much pleasure in
giving us any help in his power He thought
that our work would probably be discourag
ing at the start but there could be no diff
ference of opinion as to this being the
church's greatest opportunity in the Phil
ippines.
Admiral Dewey received me most cor
daily and spoke very freely and enthusias-
tically about opening mission work. He said
he was anxious for the churches and the
Bible Society to come in and begin work at
once. We could not come too soon