Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-11-24
WORSE
Things Than the
water Cure"
And Bullets Are Needed
as W ell as Bibles.
Of a Missionary Re-
tunred From Philippines.

Cleveland NOV. <f--htf' w. W.
Briggs, Baptist missionary, who has
spent two years IN different parts Of
the Philippine islands, was In this
city Sunday and in an interview told
of the progress of the gospel in the
islands. Spain held the islands for
piunder," he said. ut left but littlo
in the way Of civilization. The Amerl-
can government, however. has opened
up way for the Bible and is revolu-
tionizing things in matters of general
welfare and higher standards Of life.
Some have said that the Bible
would better have gone to the islands
before the bullet, but feel that the
bullet was necessary. The infiuepce
of the late war has given many of the
Filipinos to understand that they must
stand back and respect all forms OF
religion, abandon the old custom Of
imprisonment for what they called
fanaticism. or the differing in opinion
from the accepted law Of the estab-
lished church.
"The Baptist, Methodist Presby-
terian. Disciple and Moravi denomi-
nations now have about twenty
churches in the Philippines. all Of
which have been built up by American
missionaries. All Of the church build
ings are crude structures, but move
ment Is on foot now to erect brick
churches. The work Of the missionary
Ia done through the native preachers.
Few sermons are delivered by those
who head the work. They guide and
organize; their lieutenants carry out
the instruction.
"The churches are filled on most oc-
casions: 1t is an easy matter to get
good and enthusiastic crowd, which Is
for the most part composed of the
poorer class of people. Children
az well as older ones soon learn the
teachings and when once they promise
to live uprightly they do so."
The missionary said all Christian
workers in the Philippine islands have
great respect and regard for Gov.
Taft, though he is not an avowed
Christian follower. The obstacles are
not only the religious prejudice among
the higher classes. Liquor, which is
used in great quantities, is also an
enemy Of progress. The natives think
they will die IL deprived Of it, The
feudai system, which means one man
over a large number, is a barrier as
is also spirit worship and superstition
that has so long prevailed.
Rev. Briggs spent much Of his time
in the island of Iloilo, the capital OF
Panay. He says he sees a great fu-
ture for the gospel there. On account
of i'll health he was forced to return
to his home in Delaware county, n.
Y. but intends to return to his field
next spring. He says the United States
is destined to Christianlze the Philip
pines, and the progress made so far
is more than could be expected.
When asked. something about the
much talked of water cure" in the
Philippines, Rev: Briggs said: THAT
is little out Of my line. but there
are conditions there that think
justify certain forms Of such punish.
ment. 1t may be employed by Ameri
can officers In order to save the lives
OF many. 1t is something that is hard
to talk about here; conditions that
bring 1t about are not understood, and
are hard to explain. 1t is not the
worst thing on the islands, by any
means"