Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-26
n THE PHILIPPINES
=
BIBLE SOCIETY'S TGENT REPORTS
ON MISSION WORK.
A Union of nns5t on j the Part of v.ri-
GUS Denominations and Some
Of tie. Results.

NEW YORK, May ,.26.-The American
Bible Society has received from its agent
in the Philippines the Rev J. c. Goodrich
his annual report ON the situation In the
islands, inclusive of the circulation of the
Bible. He says:
1T was no ehild's task that confronted
either the civil or military authorities here.
When the Spanish government officials
withdrew those who had shaped affairs re-
manned behind. Shaken loose by the revo-
luton. still this system chung, and must
be considered, conciliated and dealt with
before those who have suffered much and
protested long can be benefited. Careful
diplomacy has been necessary to bring
about anything like order.
Negotiations for the settlement of the
land question have been carried forward
over slumbering volcanoes of disappointed
hatred.
THE educational department, which has
startled the world by the b6ldness and mag
nitude of its plan, is tacklng it's problem
with enthusiasm.
The missionary forces have been greatly
augmented. The Baptists and Presbyte-
rians on the Island Of Panay are reaching
many of the rural people at the market
places where they eongregate' from miles
in the interior, and are greatly 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 DumdSueIe the SlfIfman lnStl-
tute, under the direction of the Rev. Mr..
Hubbard, is well established, with a grow
ing attendance.
1.-The United Brethren Church have es-
tablished work at Vigan, on the northern
part Of the Island of Luzon, with head
quarters at Manila.
F'The Disciple Church has two represent
atives in Manila. where English work is
under way. Work among the Filipinos will
begin shortly.
THE Methodist Episcopal Church has
opened work in Hagenoy, Bulacan province,
in San Fernandino.-Pamap anga province,
and Corona, Tarlac province, all on the
Island of Luzon.
"A union of the Protestant churches in
the archipelago was effected for the pur-
pose of utilizing the missionary forces to
the best and greatest advantage by the di-
vision of the field and the open discussion
of all questions of common interest.
The Evangelical Union of the Philippine
Islands was chosen the name and COM
mittee was appointed which succeeded In
effecting division of the field, so that for
at least three years there shall be prac-
tically no overlapping of the different mis-
SionS. Provision was made for an executive
committee, to which shall be referred any
question of comfy which might arise. AT
the first annual convention of this organiZa-
ton reports from 1.-The entire field were
heard and vital questions affecting the
whole field discussed
while the Filipino Church has not the
unity and freedom from sectarianism hoped
for, and there seems to be little prospect OF
INSTRUMENTATION schools and literature,
very much has been: accomplished by his
union of forces. -,
Outside of the people in Manila and its
environs there are none, who so ripe for
the use of the Bible and who receive 1t SO
eagerly do the people of Pampanga
province.
I'VE are in receipt of 'the first gospel to be
translated into the language of the Cebuan
group of the Visayan Islands. Chaplain
John A. Randolph Of the United States
army, with. the assistance of competent
native helpers, has. with the utmost care,
translated and thoroughly revised this i'm
portant manuscript, which has been pre-
scented to the society without cost by the
chaplain and dedicated to the north Mis-
sissippi conference Of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church South. !.
Printing for the Bible Society has been
done in Japan. THE total number of vol
umes published is 900.
Last year we reported the sale and gift
of 1873 copies. This year the total cir
culation is 80 1913, and the total direct cir
culation is 1862 copies. The sales in the
Manila depository have been 4,23S copies.
When we consider the bitter opposition. the
unsettled condition of the country making
it dangerous in the extreme to venture into
the interior without an escort, the great
lack of roads and facilities for travel and
the number of men employed, the work &C
cOmDliShed certainly is marvellous"