The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-26
BIBLE CIRCULATION.
A Large Increase Reported From the
Philippines.

Philippines.
New York, May 26-The American
Bible society has received from its
agent in the Philippines. Rev. Jay c.
Goodrich. his annual report on the stu
alton in the islands. inclusive of the cir
eulation OF the Bible He says;
1T was no childs task that confronted
either the civil or military authorities
here. When the Spanish government Of
ficials withdrew those who had shaped
affairs remained behind Shaken loose
by the revolution still this system
chung, and must be considered, concilia-
ted and dealt With before those who
have suffered much and protested long
can be benefited. Careful diplomacy
has been necessary to bring about any
thing like order.
Negotiations for the settlement Of
the land question have been carried for
ward over slumbering volcanoes Of dis
appointed hatred.
1.-THE educational department which
has startled the world by the holiness
and magnitude of it's plan is tackling its
problem with enthusiasm.
The missionary forces have been
greatly augmented. The Baptists and
Presbyterians on the island of Panay
are reaching many of the rural people
at the market places where they eOngre-
gate from miles in the interior and are
great ly interested in the teaching of the
Bible. DR.. Hall has hospital at Iloilo,
and is proving that medical missions
are profitable in spiritual results. At
Damagueto the Sillinan Institute, IN
der the direction of Rev. Mr.. Hibbard.
is well established with a growing at
tendance. The United Brethren church
has established work at Vigan, on the
northern part of the island of Luzon.
with headquarters at Manila.
f'Tke Disciple church has two repre-
sentatives in Manila, where English
work is underway. Work among the
Fiiipinos viii begin shortly.
The Methodist Episcopal church has
opened work in HagonOy, Bulacan
province in San Fernando Pampanga
province, and Corona, Tarlac province.
all on the island of 1suzon. A union of
Protestant churches in the archipelago
was effected for the purpose of utilizing
the missionary forces to the best and
greatest advantage by the division of
! the field and the open discussion of all
questions of common interest. The
Evangelical Union Of the Philippine
Islands, was CHOSEN as the name and
a committee was appointed which sue
ceeded in effectlng a division Of the
4 field. so that for at least three years
/ shall be practically no overlapping of
/ the different missions. Provision was
made for an executive committee to
1 which shall be referred any question
Of comfy which might arise. At the
first annual convention of this or
/ ganization reports from the entire field
were heard and vital questions Affect
| ing the whole field discussed
while the Filipino church has not
the unity and freedom from sectarian-
4 ism hoped for, and there seems to be
little prospect of INSTRUMENTATION
schools and literature. very much has
/ been accomplished by this union O.
/ forces. and it is hoped that with the
/ growth of the missions there viii be on
| this field the working out in practical
shape of all the growing world wide
| feeling for the unity and harmony of
| Christ's church.
Outside of the people in Manila and
its enVirons there are none who are so
ripe for the use of the Bible and who
receive it so eagerly as do the people OF
/ of the first Gospel to be translated into
( the language Of the CebUan group of the
! Visayan islands Chaplain John A. Ran
/ delphi of the United States army. with
| the assistance Of competent native help
ers. has with the utmost care translated
| and thoroughly revised this important
manuscript. which has been presented to
the society without cost by the chaplain
conference of the Methodist Episcopal
church. south
printing for the Bible society has beer
done in japan. The total number Of vol
umes published is fl,0OO; the total number
of pages is $4,000
Last year we reported the sale and
gift of 1873 copies. This year the tOta1
circulation is g 1888, and the total direct
the Manila depository have been 429,
copies When We consider the bitter oppO-
sitiOn the unsettled condition of the coun-
try, making it dangerous in the extreme
escort the great lack of roads and facfl
tiles Of travel: and the number of Iuer
| employed, the work accomplished certain
~ is marvellous.