The National tribune., 1904-01-28


women OF perhaps hundred each, all
dressed in black, keeping step with the
music and carrying long wax candles.
There were some American spectators
along the walk Of Gale San Pedro,
through which the procession passed, and
one of them remarked that several friars
had Officiated in the services, not by the
wishes of the people, as he understood, but
because they were upheld by American
authority. This seemed to be novel
function for the Government to engage in,
and events since that time seem to show
that the speaker was not mistaken. Since
that time the position of the Filipino peo-
pie, By demonstrations all over the islands,
by petitions to- the authorities and in other
ways, as positively and unalterably OPP
posed to the friars, has been very clearly
defined, and the friars have made retail
iatOry accusations against the people. The
unbiased observer watching the passage
Of that procession would probably be inn
pressed with their love for fantastic dis
play, but would hardly suppose them to be
insincere.
ACCUSED THE FRIARs.
However, DR.. Manuel Xerez Burgos. a
native Filipino, in his testimony before the
Philippine Commission, said: II consider
that the Filipino people are thoroughly
fanatical, but rot thoroughly religious.
They are faEatical because they believe,
not in the part of religion which is prac-
teal, but in the part which is fantastic.
They believe not SO much in the practical
part Of religion as i'm the things which are
unbelievable; and this is due to the fact
that the friars in teaching this religion
taught the things which are most apt to
make him fanatical, because it would be
more lucrative for themselves. The civ
iliZed class Of Filipinos-not the higher,
but the lower class of civilized Fill
pinos-have q very superficial knowl-
edge of religion, and although they
practice the form. Of the Catholic
religion they still preserve a great many
of their beliefs and customs which they
In my opinion religion in the Philippines is
Of great Importance in some matters; but
the people of the lower class have some
very strong beliefs left from their old re-
GgiOn, and as they have this feeling to-
ward their ancient religion the Catholic
religion is not very deep-seated, and is not
well understood either. In the middle
class, and in the most elevated classes of
society in the Philippines, religion is q
secondary matter-it is more matter of
form than anything else"
Similar statements have emanated from
other intelligent Filipinos who are deyout
Catholics; and an American officer once
told me that he witnessed some heather
rites performed in one OF the southern
islands by Christianized natives.
PRAY TO THEIR ANCESTORS.
Sir John Boring says: MANY of the
padres complain that, notwithstanding all
the religious instruction given, the faint OF
idolatry still exists among the converted
Indians. There is sort OF worship OF
ancestors which is seen in many forms.
They attach to the word mono (forefa ther)
the same spiritual meaning which the Chi
| nese give to Kwei. These nonos are often
addressed in prayer, In order to bring
down blessings or to avert calamities. Ii
| an Indian gather q flower or fruit, he
silently asks leave Of the mono. Certain
| spots, woods and rivers, he never passes
! without an invocation to these departed
genii. Pardon is asked for shortcomings
or actions Of doubtful character. There
| is disease called pamoao, which is at.
tributed to the influence of the nonos, to
whom petitions and sacrifices are offered
to obtain relief. These idolatries, says one
OF the friars. are So deeply rooted and sc
widely spread as to demand the utmost
vigilance for their extirpati0n."
| Sawyer, in his recent work, says: "a
1 friar OF the order Of Recollets who had
held benefce in Bohol, assured me thai
i they have q secret heather organization
| Christian, taking the Sacrament on thu
great feasts OF the Church. They hold q
secret triennial meeting of their adherents
who come over from other islands to b.
i present. The meeting il held In some
lonely valley, or on some desert island
i where their vessels can lie concealed, al
ways far from any church or priest. AL
i the Recollet could tell me about the cere
monies was that the sacrifice OF pigi
formed an important part OF It."
AMUSING SUGGESTIONS.
The blending OF their old and new faiti
Is suggested, too,s In some Of their currenl
superstitions, such az the following:
Some amuIets l0ae their yirfne if TIL
person wearing them receives me bene