The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-17

wonders whether there might not be
presented to the Filipincs one and not
many forms Of reformed Christianity.
1t may not be possible to attain this
ideal, but among the religious bodies
from America which have begun work
in the Philippines there comes nearer
to being an amicable understanding
than it was ever possible to bring
about before.
There is to be held in New York at
the end of the coming April a confer
ence on missions. 1t is an ecumenical
one, in that 1t represents the whole
Christian world. 1t Is coming to-
gether to see how President Schur-
mann's suggestion may be carried out.
It does not come solely for that, OF
course but it is certain to push on
the progress in that direction that 1t Is
Enthusiastically making.
1t is not yet quite settled what re-
ligious body, as such, first began SER
vices in Misunderstanding. of course, the
one that has been there for three or
four hundred years. MethOdists and
Episcopalians began at almost the
same time. One was helped by the
fact that Bishop Thoburn, the Meth
odist missionary bishop of India, was
near by and could reach Manila with
out much delay, and the other by the
fact that an active chaplain. an Epis-
copalian, took up the service of the
Book Of Common Prayer" not as a
chaplain but as member Of the Amer
lean Episcopal church.
THE FIRST TO GO.
The very first representatives Of
American Protestant churches to
reach the Philippines were Young
Mems Christian association secretar-
les, who went from San Francisco on
the first transports to carry troops
thither. They took with them tents
and Bibles, literature and singing
books, and they are still there, prose-
cutting a successful work. They have
been Joined by ten additional men,
and in the lack Of chaplains they are
performing service for regiments
which the government ought itself to
provide. One of the landmarks Of
Manila has come to be the association
tent near the bridge of Spain. Crowded
beyond its capacity, the government
loaned a building nearer to the Quartet
del Fortin. Now a property has been
purchased and is being converted into
an association building of the usual
pattern. The price paid for the prop
erty was $4,000. The association holds
services at Cavlte and upon the men,
of-war anchored there.
Methodists began to hold a service
in the Filipino theater and another in
the Ermita district of Manila. Now
they have organized two churches
Both are mainly for Filipinos, and
both have services and sermons in
Spanish. There is a school for girls
and Bishop Thoburn, to whom the care
Of the work has been committed. hopes
to have a school for boys in due time,
besides a medical dispensary. Two
missionaries supported by the Mission
ary society of the Methodist church
are on the ground.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL MISSION.
On Decoration Day last the mission
of the Holy Trinity was started in Ma
nila, although Episcopal services had
been held in the city since the begin
ming of that year The Brotherhood
of st. Andrew took the lead in this ef-
fort. Holy Trinity mission has now
two clergymen and one layman, and
attached to it Is another layman who
has had tent and done work similar
to that of the Young Mems Christian
association. The mission has a typical
eastern building OF the Spanish type.
and is located in the midst of barracks.
The lower Part is fitted up as a chapel,
the upper part as library and writing
and meeting rooms. Many officers and
the army and navy attend services
here.