Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-06-12
HOLY CHILD OF CEeU.
A Filipino Image Which IL Said -
Possess Miraculous Powers.

Possess Miraculous Powers.
"One of the most interesting sights
on the island of Cebu." said New
York woman who has recently been
there, lis the holy child Of Cebu. an
image that is supposed to possess mi
raculOus curative powers. The church
that serves as its shrine is a large and
handsome edifice devoted entirely to
the worship OF the image.
"The holy child is carved out Of eb.
ony and is beautifully dressed and be-
jeweled. 1t stands in niche high in
the wall and all day long on the feast
days the worshippers kneel and pray
on the floor beneath. 1t Is believed that
prayers made 10 the image on those
days will restore health and happiness
to all who make the pilgrimage to this
shrine.
I'VE were the first Americans and
was the FIRST white woman allowed to
enter the church. The unprecedented
privilege Of entering the room back OF
the niche and there getting near view
of the image was accorded to us. The
room Is not open. ordinarily, to any
but the priests and nuns. To reach 1t
we passed through long hall and as
cended bea ntiful staircase to the re-
ception room Of the padre in charge
and saw many fine paintings Of saints
on the way.
''The nuns who showed the mixed
blood Of the native Filipino and the
Spanish race offered us some benedic-
tine and then ushered us into the sa-
cred presence. There were many at
ficted natives on the floor below, Of
fering their petitions. but the father
turned the niche. which swung on a
pivot, so that the image faced us. and
each of the priests and nuns offered
prayer and kissed it. l was invited to
do the same, making wish as | did
so, as the child, it was explained. had
unlimited power and would grant
whatever l desired.
II stepped upon the little platform to
get better view and saw that the
small, white niche was beautifully
carved and Overlaid with gold leaf.
The image is about twenty inches high
and its crown is Of immense jewels.
mostly diamonds. Its name. upon the
cabinet, is surrounded with pearls. 1t
is gorgeOusly dressed in the Spanish
colOrs. The nuns told me that the
image was flung upon the shore by
Gods own hand. to bless the natives
and cure their diseases.
I'VE were afterward taken into the
church through the PADRES rObing
room. The walls and furnishings are
of deliberately carved mahogany. each
piece Of which would bring fortune
In this country. But everything Is
spotted with candle grease and other
signs Of lack Of care. for these sacred
things must not be touched except by
holy hands and for sacred purposes.
I'm 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.
ION our way out" continued the
woman, according to the New York
Tribune I'VE were shown into the COT
fin room. In this island collins are
never us ed to bury the dead in-only
for the funerals. These are most
gaudy, being wooden boxes. covered
with light-blue or rose pink calico and
Ornamental with cross on the top.
They have 40 lining. The body Is
placed IN a straw mat. which Is wrap
ped about it, and after the service Is
lifted out and buried In shallow graves
dug out BY the hands. as they have no
tools for digging deep graves.
I'VE met funeral party as we were
leaving. Members of the family walk
ed down the road In single file, all
smoking cigarettes. with no sign of
grief. The family being wealthy.
band Of native musicians was pla ying.
and. singularly enough, the tune was
garbled rendit on Of "There'll Be Hot
Time in the Old Town Tonight"