The Seattle Republican., 1900-02-23
RELIGIOUS REALM.
Bishop Whitaker Talks About
Christian Work in Cuba.

After three weeks tour among
missions in Cuba, Bishop o. W.
Whitaker, Of the Episcopal Dio-
eese Of Pennsylvania, returned to
his home and expressed himself
as we'll pleased with opportunities
for religious work in the island.
The Bishop left Philadelphia on
January II, at the request Of Pre-
siding Bishop Clark, Of Rhode
Island, the Board Of Managers
and the Trustees Of the American
Church Missionary Society. His
object was to inspect the work
being done by the Episcopal
Church in Cuba, to give such help
and counsel as he could, and to
report upon its needs. His report
is already in preparation, and will
be presented within ten days.
In conversation with Ledger"
reporter last evening upon the
present condition Of the mission
field in Cuba, Bishop Whitaker
said: eve have at present only
four clergymen working in Cuba,
but their work is of the most en-
couraging character. We have a
large English and two Spanish
congregations in Havana, two Sun
day schools and one day school.
The work there is under the direc-
ton of the Rev. W. Ell. Magee, all
admirable man. and very highly
esteemed by the people; but there
is great need of a proper church
building. Services are now con-
Quoted in one end of building
erected by the Subsistence Depart
ment of the United States Army.
[ saw as intelligent and cultivated
a congregation there as you will
find IN any city Of the United
States, and I conducted confrma-
tion services for both the English
and Spanish people.
"The mission in Matanzas, which
is about forty miles from Havana,
is in fourishing condition. The
Rev. Pedro Duarte, who is in
charge, has English services Sun
day morning aud Spanish in the
evening, besides Spanish Sunday
and day schools. There were
twenty orphans in his care when [
visited his chapel. and he expected
then to double that number in
few days. Iconfrmed forty-nine
people in Matanzas, old and young
alike maLifesting an interest in
church work.
''lhe other congregation is at
Bolondron, worshiping in the
house Of the missionary, M T.
Moreno. We want achurch build
ing here Immediately. The pres
ent room seats about 100 persons,
and saw it filled three times
during the twenty-four hours I
was there. I confirmed forty-four
persons in two services, some being
the most prominent business men
In the town. There is a small
orphanage here also.
Everywhere in Cuba the people
are ready to receive the Episcopal
Church, if it is presented to them
by those who know Spanish. We
want suitable men to represent
the Church. 1t is very hard to
find men speaking the language in
this country who are suited for
the work, but [ believe that if we
had them, we could establish
congregation in every town in the
island.
''The disposition Of the people is
kindly, and they are ready to be
taught, This has been my obser-
walton from the first. and confirms
what saw when [ visited Cuba
ten years ago. The Cubans are
anxious for education. l found
that everywhere. OF course, our
English congregation in Havana
is composed largely Of American
soldiers, for there are not many
,Cubans who speak English. Some
of the most active workers in all
the congregations, however, are Of
native birth, and [ wish some
means could be found to educate
them properly. [ met several
young men who are anxious to be
taken into the ministry, and there
is one very promising man in
Havana, lay reader, whom I shall
ordain when / next visit Cuba, or
may even bring him to this country
for that purpose.
"The Cubans generally are we'll
satisfied with the present condi-
ton Of political affairs, as far as I
could judge, and [ believe no
colony ever had a better admins
tration than Cuba is now enjoying
under General Wood, as Military
Governor, and General Ludlow, in
Havana. Both are just the men
for their Places
When in 1916. inspired bv AL