The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-23
NEW RELIGION IN LUzoE.
IL Says Its yOtaries Need Not work
and It Is Spreading Fast.

A new religion has been started in
Luzon. and some people think II will lead
to trouble. It's main doctrine releases its
followers from the necessity Of working.
The supreme being to whom prayers are
directed will. It's declared. provide sus-
! tenance for all true believers The religion
is. therefore. attractive to the Filipino.
who does not do any more work than Is
necessary 10 keep himself in rice. cigar
cites. and betel nut. anyway
man named Gabini started the religion
and its vOtaries are known as Gabinists.
Gabini and several Of his deacons, or
chiefs. we're quietly and informally shot
I by the Spanish authorities at Apalit. The
new creed was not stamped out. however.
/ for Gabini's chief clerk. Felipe Salvador.
took ii up. After doing a little service in
the Filipino army Salvador now devotes
himself to extending the faith. Wonder
full stories go abroad concerning miracles
Salvador has performed Sick people are
carried to him to be cured and il they die
under his treatment IL Is said they were
not sincere in their faith.
The Gabinistic religion. as nearly as
can be learned. is very simple. The peO-
pie gather and pray long and earnestly
to an invisible supreme being who is sup
posed to provide food to his faithful sub
jects in some miraculous manner and to
perform cures. The chief duty OF the be-
lever is to make at least one pilgrimags
a year to the main shrine which is located
five miles above San Luis on a dry spot
in the pinac or swamp Of Candaba. mere
Salvador has had a church erected. II is
an imposing affair Of bamboo and nipa
thatch. rudely furnished with a few seats.
Salvador styled himself General and
by this title he has been called. II was
at the suggestion Of several people Of the
village Of Balinag that General Otis at
last gave orders to have Salvador placed
in custody. This happened two months
ago. His church was not mOlested and
neither were his services. which went on
again after a slight interruption. a new
general being installed in the person OF
Salvador chief clerk Salvador's arrest
was due 10 a belief that as an insurgent
leader he was simply melting the people
to fresh outbreaks. In addition to the
church general there are several chiefs. 1t
Is the main duty Of these chiefs to collect
the fees which are regularly exactsd from
all believers.
At the present time the Gabi9istic
Church is thriving wonderfully and grow
ing every day
Planters complain that il is taking away
their labOrers. It Is said the new church
has now at least 10000 members. The
members seem to be little affected at the
removal of Salvador. for they believe his
body consists Of two parts, one material
and one a spiritual part. The material
part is, OF course. confined in Manila.
while the spiritual part returns to pray
with the congregation at intervals
The sick people, who are carried to the
shrine on ltters. are expected to make a
complete confession OF their sins where
upon they become cured. II the cure does
not follow. it is a sign the patient has not
made full admission Of his shortcomings
and therefore cannot be forgiven.