The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-30
CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINES


Iinrn.slns Religious ilsStrlctloHa on
Commsrer-nhv az American Yacht
Left without cls4rlnE-Pinin Reasons
for the RrvoiHtiom.
New York Post: The power OF the
church in the Philippines almost exceeds
tbat OF the state, and the archbishop of
Manila once walked over the Spanish
nag on sundays. But although this act
seemed TO go too far. and was finally
abolished, the influence OF the church
"a still as great as ever, and the Islands
have in no wise ceased toebe a sort OF
colonial s;ore-room which Spain has all
along been stocking with the excess OF
her friars, whose morals.s as displayed
a. home, needed toning up by long sea
voyage from the Peninsula.
50 the Philippines, Manila, and the
promenade along the MACON have long
been overrun with Jesuit and DOminI-
can monks. whose featuraS have hardly
correspondent with the yaintly CARDS
that encased their rounded forms, and
baer and billiard tables have found their
nav into the luxurious "t9ngentos" con-
nec,ed with many big Cathedral in dis
,rlets both rich and nn1t. Substance
mas all given way to form Which serves
No play the leading role tpfeiglous life,
and fireworks, flestns and flaming can
dies have done their share In drawing
the natives within the influence OF the
church, To see the peculiar demonstra-
tons which take place weekly first In
one parish and then the next, is to won
dor whether or not such clrcuses can
fairly come under the head Of religious
Each suburb of the capital has for It's
centre the big church OF buttressed
walls and lofty transepts, whose cool ln-
;srlor could well contain the homes Of
the entire district, and each editice has
ms certain special feast days to be cele-
brated Independently Of any other par
ish. Indeed, so numerous are the
churches that each week In the calendar
seems to be a special one for some one,
and when night comes a distant dome,
glowing with It's mass Of lighted CANDLE
CUPS, will usually stand. out against the
SKY to show where the 'hesta' Is IN
progress, 80.
luNlNAS the HlAAG IA AA1hfr CNN SNAAa--
IN a sort OF county fair that attracts an
audience from all quarters. A multitude
OF toy and drinlsing-b booths. hastily put
together from heavy mating, huddles
together for mutual support on the pla-
"a or the outVard OF the church, and
Tor the days that the show continues
forms a centre OF amusement for the
scores OF visitors who daily come to do
their penance or see their friends. The
native girls who preside behind the
counters Of the drinking-booths or toF-
bazaars, where tin whistles and collar
buttons made in Germany" are sold,
seem chosen for their charms and ana
bliity rather than for their spirituality,
and each week finds them reaplng their
harvest OF pesos" and "pesetas" by
treating with familiarity the gallant
Youths, who show no interest In getting
nearer TO the altar OF the sanctuary.
In the early evenings, closely after
sunset 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
thesuburb untll they finallyreturn 10 the
starting point. Richly decorated floats
containing llfe-slze figures OF saints and
APOSTLES dressed In garments OF gold
and purple. are borne along by sweating
coolies who stagger underneath an
outer draping that shields from view
all save their lower limbs and naked
feet. In front aud behind come the
women and children, clothed In black
and carrying candles, wearing the
black mantillas, which fall gracefully
from their heads;their faces bear a look
OF salntllke grace, except at such times
as the evening breeze makes the candle
grease refractory. and one could easily
In 81 hIrNgnff n annNfaf6Fs n n CnlH-
bration In Sevilla or Madrid.
The huge floats With their weight OF
wood and metal cause their bearers to
stop for breath at every turn, and bring
off the hats OF the spectators who line
the sidewalks or the roadWays In fact,
so particular Is the Spanlard In this
show OF respect that II he sees 1t neg-
lected he takes so personal hand In
correcting the culprit that / have
known OF serious conflict occurring on
q tram-car because an Engllshman fall
ed to lift his hat to passing funeral.
In the balconies of houses that line
the route the smiling crowds OF look
ers-on, and Roman candles or bengola
lights add impressiveness 10 the scene,
und drop their sparks on the garments
Of those paradinE below. In due success
Ion pass the wabbling Images OF apos-
ties. the descent from the Cross. and
the Virgin Mary weeping tears OF pur-
IS, glass. until the long winding line OF
lights has reached the church and dis
banded. Then the carriers drop their
burdens to seek refreshment, and a few
small "glassfuls" will start them quar-
reiing as to the merits OF their respec-
tive floats. One set claim that thelr
descent from the Cross was more life
Ike than that carried by their rivals,
and they almost come 20 blows over
which Of the Virgin Marys wore the
finest clothes.
Easter week-semana santa-lS alb Pc
RODS and most sacred In the Philip
pines, and from Wednesday till Sunday
night business Is at standstill. For
days before the coming Of Good Friday,
the nights resound with the weird cat
erwauling coming from the singing OF
the Passion Songs" which unenllSht-
ened natives used 10 impress themselves
with penltence. a newly arrived OBJ
server would think bedlam had been let
loose 10 walk through Manila suburb
on the eve OF Easter week. From Holy
Thursday TO ESster Sunday the use OF
carriages Is forbidden and In days gone
by people were not allowed to hoisStheir
umbrellas or ride In the tram car. All
traffic Is suspended, and besides the ice
cart and the doctor, few vehicles have
the right OF way,
The town is stlA as death. and the for
eigu colony takes this as the one Oppor-
tuRiiy In the year TO make excursions
to COucgldoT. TO the lake and noun
tains. or TO the volcanic regions south.
steam launches are in demand. the Eng
Nsh Club Is deserted and Tor three days
Tom, Dick and Harry battle In the
china sea or shoot birds and rapids in
she country districts Of Pagsangan.