The times., 1900-03-11

/ Long before the guns we're silent on the
/ firing line in the Island OF Luzon all OF
| the principal religious bodies in America
were represented in the Philippines Chris
| tian expansion let no grass grow on the
/ road that was lately made by American
political expansion. There was haste, but,
to the credit Of the Christianity Of today,
/ it needs to be recorded that there was not
Unseemly haste. President Schurman. OF
| the Philippine Commission, wonders
whether there might not be presented TO
/ the Filipinos one, and not many. forms
OF reformed Christianity. Il may not be
possible TO obtain this ideal. but among
/ the religious bodies from America which
I have begun work in the Ph lippines there
comes nearer TO being an ami abe under
/ starding than it was ever possible to
( bring about before.
There Is 10 be held in New York at tie
END OF the coming April conference en-
/ missions, 10 is an ecumeniCal on In that
/ II represents the whole Christian world.
( u Us coming together TO zee how Prssiien.
s,hurman' suggestion may be carried out.
II does rot come solely for that OF course
| but 10 is certain to push oa the progress
in that direction that is unmis akably
making.
IL is not yet quite determined what re-
lgiOus body. as such, first began services
in Misunderstanding. Of course. the one that
has been there for three or four hundred
years. Methcdists and Episcopalians be-
gan at almost the same time. One was
helped by the fact that Bishop Thoburn,
the Methodist missionary Bishop Of India,
was near by, and could reach Manila with
out much delay. and the other by he fact
that an active chaplain, an Episcopaiian.
took up the service OF the Book Of Common
Prayer not as q chaplain. but as a mem
Der Of the American Episcopal Church.
The very first representatives Of Ameri-
can Protestant churches to reach the Phil
lippines were Young Mems Christian As
sociation secretaries, who went from San
Francisco on the first transports 70 carry
troops thither. They took with them tents
and Bibles, literature. and singing books.
and they are still there. prosecuting sue
cessful work They have been Joined bv
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 property has been pur-
chased. and is being converted into an
Association building OF the usual pattern
The price paid for the property was 5000.
The association holds services at Cavite
and upon the men-of-war anchored there.
MethOdsts began to hold a service in
the Filipino Theatre. 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. be-
sides a medical dispensary. Two mission
aries supported by the Missionary Society
Of the Methodist Church, are on the
ground
On decoration day last the Mission Of the
Holy Trinity was started in Manila, al
hough Episcopal services had been held
In the city since the beginning Of that
year. The Brotherhood OF st. Andrew took
he lead in this effort Holy Trinity Mis-
sion has now two clergymen and one lay
man. and attached 10 10 is another layman
who has had tent and done work simi-
ar to that OF the Young Mems Christian
Association. The Mission has a typical
.astern building Of the Spanish type and
S located in the midst Of barracks. The
over part is fitted up as a chapel, the
IpIer part as library and writing and
Meeting rooms. Many officers OF the army
md navy attend services here.
Presbyterians have four missions in
Manila and are to establish a fifth They
Helped the Young Mems Christian Asso-
iation by providing preachers for its tent
ervices In the middle of February au-
hority was sent to organize formally and
s.rT- 81.
nto the First Presbyterian Church or Ma
lila. and steps were taken to start york
n IlOilo Some native FilipinOs have been
apti2ed by Presbyterian missionaries,
nd among them is a little child who is
IS yet the only infant Filipino that has
een baptized in the islands in the Prot
staut faith.
Baptists are to undertake work In lloilo.
,ut have not get done so. Disciples OF
'hrist have opened a mission in Manila,
nd have started a school. Congregation
lists viii not go there but are to con-
me their efforts to Guam and other Pa
life islands, their purpose being 20 line
he route from Honolulu 10 Manila with
'hristiau mission stations.
Before this work was started by these
iffersnt American religious bodies con-
erenCes were held by those in authority.
nd in the Philippine work an effort is
making toward real comfy. Comfy in
mission work Will be discussed az the Ecu
leuicaI Conference already referred 20.
Is everybody in charge Of missions viii
e present TO hear, a larger number than
Yer before it ls believed that some def
lite Step viii result. Christians of all bod
as. their leaders, a any rate. say they
-aut no waste OF mission funds and
hey have proved their professions by
heir works thus far in our new Far East
oliti-ai territory.