The times., 1899-08-31
THE z. M. C. A. AT MANILA.
Report of the Work Being Done
Among the Soldiers

The following report from 7. NJ. C. A.
workers in Manila, bearing date of July
5, has been received:
Report No. mentioned that the troops
had reached San Fernando, forty-five miles
north. Since that time there has been little
activity with the exception of the southern
advance, which placed the line Of our forces
some twenty-five miles in that direction
4 Active operations have been well nigh i'm
/ possible, owing TO the beginning of the rainy
/ season, which leaves the greater nortion
of the rice fields, ETC., under water This
/ cessation of active movement has resulted
/ In a number OF the troops being returned to
Manila, and these, together with the num-
/ bers of the newly arrived regulars, make the
number of troops within the city more nu-
merous than at any time since February 4.
| Under these conditions it was deemed ad-
/ yisable to erect another tent for work in
1 the city, and this was done on May 1S.
The Young Mems Christian Association
having provided several OF the chaplains
with large tents-thirty by forty feet in
/ size-two of these were secured, and 10
afford better protection against the exces-
| sive heat and rain, were pitched with the
roofs one above another, sixteen inches be-
tween. The fSnt, which is pitched on the
site of the old one, near the Bridge of Spain,
and in plain view of the many soldiers pass
/ ~,
bamboo chairs and oil lamps with refiectors,
and withal, makes a convenient and sattrae-
! tive place.
Three Sunday services are held, Bible
| class, led by one of the secretaries, at
| $3.50 a. m; gospel meetings at $3.50 a. m,
and again at p. m, with prayer meeting
| at O'Clock on Wednesday evenings. To
date there have been as speakers, Chap
lain Cressy, Thirteenth Minnesota; Chap
lain Mailey, First Nebraska: Chaplain
Stephenson, First Idaho; Rev. C. A. Owens,
Rev James B. Rodgers, Rev. d. F. Hib-
berd and Rev. Mr.. Turner. The attend
ance has been encouraging. averaging eight
for three sessions of the Bible class, forty
one for FIVE morning services, sixty-fouT
for four evening services, and sixteen foI
prayer services. There was one conversion
and four men expressed desire TO begin
Christian life. The tent is provided with
plenty of good reading matter, and tables
for correspondence Supplies have beer
sent to the troops at different points, the
amount used during May and June being
II 600 pieces of stationery; 1900 maya
zines and papers, besides a large number
of eolportage books, testaments, and tracts
The daily average attendance at the TEN
is good. frequently as many as forty be-
ing present at one time, We would ap-
preciate Increased supplies of good curren
literature. The troops are being spread
OFST lle isldDus 10 garrison lue ulUtTeu
towns and numerous requests for supple.
that have come to us could not be granted
The homeward movement of the troops
has begun. il is a matter of interest tc
note the number of young men in the new
Regular Army. II is safe TO assert tha
three-f -fourths of the men are newly en-
listed. the majority being those who too!
this opportunity TO visit and court adven
ture in the Orient of which they had reaS
! and dreamed from the earliest years o
boyhood. Thus the field for association ef
fort remains as pressing, If not more so
than that presented by the volunteers. w,
! are glad TO report the arrival of Rev
/ Hugh Nethercott, Rev. James w. Smiley
! Mr.. Peyion, and Mr.. Wilson, representa-
tives of the Episcopal Church, and Rev
! .. F. HIbberd. of the Presbyterian board
We commend the work to the earnest con
' sideration and prayer of those in the HON
land.