The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1904-10-13
A HOLY ROCK.
ratification Ceremonies
Alter Visit Of u
Foreigner.
RY A SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS
BY A SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

Manila, on the Island or
9 IA @ LuZon, a range of noun
81 II tainS known as the Cordil-
RCE leraS extend north and
south near the western coast and over
looking the China Sen. Some of the
peaks of this range lift their stately
heads more than 1000 metres above
the sea level. On account Of the ex-
tremely warm climate, the sides of
the mountains, as we'll as the valleys.
are covered with dense and luXuri-
ant vegetation.
The wonderful fertility of the soil
is evidenced by the numerous varieties
of tropical plants and trees, which
grow in great profusion.
Beautiful mountain streams here
and there, almost hidden by overhang-
Ing boughs and vines, waterfalls, rap
ids and canons meet our gaze.
The water of the Abra River rushes
restlessly down the western slopes of
the mountains, dashing madly over OBJ
structing rocks, or leaping over high
precipices, then, like stream OF IL
quid silver, disappearing on its sinu-
Gus course to the sea between the
steep walls of deep canon slowly cut
by the tireless running water.
Mahogany, sandalwoOd, ebony, man.
go and various other trees abound, and
spread their foliage, friendly shelter
from the scorching sun.
Ascending the mountain, the line of
demarcation drawn by nature can be
plainly seen in the varying vegetation.
More than score of different species
of birds greet the dawn with their
morning songs in this thrice blessed
spot of earth. where nature has un-
folded and spread out panorama of
such transcendant beauty. Here
primitive type Of the Malay native lives
in little villages on the mountain
slopes, in all the simplicity in which
nature created him, living as his ances-
tors did centuries ago.
Three centuries ago some Catholic
missionaries penetrated their territory,
but they made little impression on the
Igorrotes of the hills, -.zho cling to
their fetch worship. Some of them
worship the sun, moon, the rocks, the
trees. Some worship the female Trim
fly, Libongan, Libugon and LimoaE,
three goddesses, representing life,
truth and generous actions, striking
analogy to the Christian Trinity.
In the year 1899, two prospectors for
gold, tired ard weary, sat down upon
a huge rock, beneath the spreading
foliage Of a great mango tree. JUST
outside the limits Of an Igorrote w.t.
lage, near the source of the Abra Riv-
er.
In a sh 5rt time several half-clad.
brown-skinned natives appear ed. and
by signs and a language almost unin-
telligible to TIE prospeetors, impOr-
tuned them to quit the shade of the
tree; but the prospectors pretended not
to understand until some armed ma
tiyes came, when the prospectors with
drew wondering what was the cause
OF the disturbance Soon the natives
began to assemble beneath the tree in
large numbers. Then il daWned upon
the prospectors that they had COM
mitted a sacrilegious act. They had
sat upon a rock worshiped by the na-
tives OF the village and it was neces-
sary to purify it.
The native priest came, accompanied
by an attendant carrying c chicken.
The chicken was promptly killed and
Its heart removed and handed to the
priest, who took il and spr.nklcd g
few drops of blood upon the sacred
rock. Then came a silence. broken
only by the labored breathing OF the
anxious natives and the mupmuring of
the priest. The priest, with great SOL
emnity, placed the index finger CT the
left hand upon the blood Cpon the
rock, murmuring another prayer. Then
came silence, q suspense mere awful
than before.
Would the spirit Of the rock hear
and answer the prayer of the priest?
There was straining Of eyes toward
the finger upon the -ock. .~uddcrly
the messenger OF the cpirit Of tie rock
appeared + fy lit upon the lonG
bony finger OF .hc priest, and hastily
ran down it and tasted OF the Bloel
upon the rock. The priest pronounced
the publication of the rock. The bah
bling jargon Of the natives filed the
ar, showing their iltens, sati~faetion
with the ceremonies. Their hearts
were full of joy, for the spirit Of the
rock watched over them, guarding
them from sickness and the pest The
prospectors beheld, with reverential
awe the simple faith of these people
who were SO happy in their ignorant
Euperstition, and jealous in their deyo.
ton to the rock. Day after day they
roam up and down the mountain sides,
60 profuse in the various forms of
vegetable life, so rich in color, that
saly en- artist with 4 magic brush
sould portray half its beauty. yet all
The time oblivious CT natures vain at
tempt to develop il them a taste for
the esthetic and the beautiful, which
81 oh aro ct ors1oc tho yvilita r.aca