New-York tribune., 1901-11-02
PARTISAN FASHIONS.
THE CHILD OF CEBC.
FILIPINO IMAGE WHICH IS SAID TO POS
SEss MIRACULOUS POWERS.

'One of the most interesting sights on the island
Of Cebu," said a woman who has recently been
there, a Tribune reporter, rs the Holy Child OF
Cebu. image that is supposed 20 possess mracu-
lpus curative powers The church that It's
shrine is large and handsome edifce devoted en-
tirely TO the worship Of the image.
The holy child Is carved out Of ebony and Is
beautifully dressed and bejeweled II stands in a
niche high wall and all day long. the feast
DAYS the worshippers kneel and pray the floor
beneath II is believed that prayers made TO the
image those days Will restore health and happi-
ness to all who make the pilgrimage TO this shrine
we were the first Americans, and was the first
white woman allowed 70 enter the church. The
unprecedented privilege OF entering the room back
OF the niche and there getting near view OF the
image. accorded TO US. The room Is not open'
ordinarily, any but the priests and nuns. To
reach passed through a long hall and ascend
ed beautiful staircase the reception room OF
the padre in charge. and saw many fine paintings
of saints the way
The nuns who showed the mixed blood OF the
native Filipino and the Spanish race offered US
some Benedictine and then ushered lis into the
sacred presence There were many afflicted natives
on the floor below, offering their petitions but the
father turned the niche. which swung on a pivot,
so the image faced us. and each Of the priests
and nuns offered prayer and kissed IL ! was in
vited do the same, making wish as did So
as the child. II explained. had unlimited power
and would grant whatever l desired.
Il stepped upon the little platform 20 get bette:
view and saw the small. white niche was
beautifully carved and overlaid with god ieat ne
image Is about inches high and Its crown Is
of immense Jewels. mostly diamonds. ITS name
uDon the cal binet, is surrounded with pearls II -
gorgeously dressed in the Spanish cooTs. ne nuns
told me that the image flung upon the shore
by Gods own hand bless the natives ana cure
their diseases
we were afterward taken into the church
through padres robing room. The walls ana
furnishings OF elaboTateiy carved mahcgail!'
each piece Of which would bring fortune IN th;S
country But everything is spotted with candle
grease and other signs of lack OF care, Tor these
Sacred things be touched except by holy
hands and tor sacred purposes !. ,, ~
In the large mahogany wardrobes in this room
were kept many costly robes worn by the priests:
These were OF such heavy silks that they would
stand alone These robes were also spotted with
the taper grease -, al,
room In this island collins never used TO bury
The dead funerals. These are most
Eaudy being wooden boxes, covered with he1t huS
or rose pink calico and OrEamented with a cross on
the top They have no lining. The b9dE IS placed
in a straw mat which is wrapped about II ana
service is lifted out and buried IN shalI"M nov
graves dug out by the hands. as they have no tools
for digging deep graves. . ,o,,,,,,
Members Of the family walked down the ROAD IN
single file all smoking cigarettes ana WIN no Sls
of grief, The family being weatny, tfI oama Gi
native musicians playing, ana, singuIaflI
enough, the earbled rendition 70 OF
.There'u BE a Hot Time in the Old Town To-
night "