The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-07-14

Throughout there are frequent process
sions, and it is common sight to be-
hold a couple thousand of men and
women kneeling on the sod, as they are
making the round of the twelve stations
of the cross, upon the spacious plaza.
Men and women march in separate
bands. The men bear images Of Christ,
the cross-bearer; the crucifix Con Good
Friday the empty cross), and images Of
the saints; the women, bearing the Vir-
gin and images as of Mary Magdalena,
and Mary, the cousin OF the Virgin. All
are splendidly attired in robes, stiff with
elaborate and expensive native embroid-
derry. The expression of every man and
woman is of earnestness and reverence.
How far this is tinged with supersti-
ton I cannot say. I do know, from con-
versation with men and maturer boys,
that they have an intelligent understand
ing of theological concepts; the incarna-
ton, redemption, the Divine and human
natures of Christ, the Holy Spirit, resur-
rection, judgment; the significance Of
the sacraments, etc. I also Judge, from
what can observe, that religion power
fully affects the private life in the direc-
ton of morality, especially as regards
purity and honesty in their business
transactions. (Remember I am speak
ing of the native village, as yet un-
touched and unimpressed with the inAu-
ence of civilization and Christianity i'm
ported by Our new American arrivals.)
Profanity there is none, and men take
off their hats when they pass cross or
a church door, or meet funeral pro-
cession.
Shall we disturb them? Shall we tell
them that Spain's mission to them was
a usurpation, that they are mistaken,
that they must learn all over again?
And shall hundred denominations
pouring in, introduce to them the bless
ings of sectarianism and of the unhappy
divisions of Christcndom, the source
among ourselves of so much indiffer-
ence and contempt for religion, or Of
absolute and despairing unbelief?
I am firmly convinced that, while the
denominations may do what they will,
we should have no part, no intruding
here, any more than we should parcel
out Italy, Spain, and Portugal into do
ceses, and send to them band of schis-
n1atical Anglican bishops. Nay, we can
learn from this people more of naive
and active faith, than we can give to
them. In their churches is no distinc-
ton of rich and poor. Their kneeling
multitudes will shame our congregations
where often he or she who kneels is a
gazing stock. Their cturch-going con-
trasts with our home-staying, or shout
ing frequenters of Sunday games and
races. Their family atars-shall we dis
play the secrets of Our family devotions,
conspicuous in their rarity? Their rev.
erence will show we'll beside our profane
uses of the sacred names of God and
Jesus. There is so much here that
should make us humble. 1 have heard
Our own soldiers speak OF it many times.
I know that it is a common saying right
here, that the Filipino will put on a
white shirt and go to mass and, coming
out, will slash you with bola the next
moment; but I have never yet found
any one who would give me any cases
in point. That where all profess reli-
gion, there must be some bad, is true
to human nature. That all are murder
Gus, all are treacherous, I can safely
deny. AS we'll say tl1atrevery citizen Of
New York is a Bowery tough or a
roue, and all women are impure; be-
cause among the population there are its
bad elements.
The people are Industrious. You
would not suspect it, as riding mile after
mile through ranges of huts you see
men, women, and children, lolling and
sleeping about their abodes But this is
only from nine or ten till about three OF
four. Environment is great educator
The sounds of labor begin as early as
four o'clock in the morning, and there
is threshing, digging, spinning, weaving
and so on till the sun climbs we'll up
and then follows a long rest and siesta
With the sinking of the sun towards the
west, the activities begin again, and
one can hear the dull sounds of work
until nine o'clock at night. I should
judge that eight hours a day are fully
spent in active industries.
AS consequence there is but little
pauperism, and everyone having where
with to purchase or provide food and
clothing, and few luxuries like bitel
and tobacco, everyone smokes-men
women, boys and girls. The people
seem happy and content 1 suppose
there has been little or no progress in
all these years. AS they lived now, they
probably lived two hundred years ago
A dolce far niente kind of existence.
What urgent call have we to disturb
them?
The editor OF the Christian Herald
who has returned from India. says that