Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-01
WORK OF MISSIONS
Trying to Ghristianize the
filipinos.
BISHOP BRENT'S VIEW
DESCRIBES PURPOSE OF THE
EPISCOPALIANS.
No Effort to Proselyte in the Catholic
Church-Trying to Win Those
Outside Of the Church.
By WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star and
Chicago Record Herald
MANILA, May 30, 1904.
Shortly after the American occupation Of
the Philippines the several missionary
boards of the Evangelical churches in New
York held a meeting and agreed to divide
up that field so as to promote harmony
and economy and avoid duplication. The
allotment of territory made at that time
or shortly after among the different denom-
nations proved to be practical and salts
factory, and all of the Protestant mission
airy societies except the Episcopalian have
since been working under 1t. Bishop Brent,
in charge of the diocese Of the Philippines
co-operates with them in practice. although
not in theory. The bishop Is an interesting
man. a sort of human dynamo, full of zeal.
energy and devotion. and his influence in
public as well as religious affairs is not
surpassed by that of any other citizen Of
this part of the world. Many interesting
stories are told Of the practical way in
which he handles his business
Asked for Ton of Soap.
Some months ago he made an exploration
OF the uncivilzed portion of northern Luz
ION. and Immediately upon his return to
Manila wrote to a firm of soap manufac-
turers in the United States relating the re-
suits of his experience and observation,
and asking them in the name of humanity
to send him ton of soap at once Within
three months 1t arrived at the port of Ma
Mia, freight prepaid and the bishop Is now
distributing 1t where 1t Is most needed
The Jockey Club. which Is a prosperous
institution, had surplus in its treasury,
among the different charitable and reIi-
gious institutions in the city, and they sent
Bishop Brent cheek for $500 to aid the
hospital work in which he Is engaged He
needed funds badly, but returned the check
with polite note, thanking them for their
kindly feelings and regretting that he could
not handle money that had been gained by
gambling.
Another of the bishops peculiarities.
which Is not approved by missionaries of
other denomina tons. Is his refusal to at
tract to his own communion members of
the Catholic Church,
Bishop Brent's Belief.
Bishop Brent believes that the Catholic
Church Is serving a good purpose and he
desires to work in harmony with it. He be-
Eeves there is enough for him and all other
Protestant missionaries to do in saving sin
ners outside the Catholic communion, and
hence the Episcopal missionaries under his
direction are devoting their attention to the
cut-and-out heather and to Americans and
The question of native work." he told
me the other day, is an extremely difficult
ard perplexing one. cannot feel 1t to be
the duty of the church represent to build
up constituency here by the deliberate
drawing upon the Roman Catholics 1t is
here that find myself differing from the
Protestant churches at work in the islands,
and for that reason, Ii for no other, 1 am
unable to enter into any formal relationship
with them. The Evangelical Union have
extended US a cordial invitation to member
ship, but we are unanimous in feeling that
we cannot subscribe to some of the princi-
pies implied are set forth explicitly. This,
however. will in no wise prevent friendly
relations with our Protestant neighbors, or
the observance of Christian considcrateness
where division of territory is concerned al
though cannot say that shall never place
missionaries at points where missionaries
of other communions have preceded. I
shall do so only in cases where my con-
ception OF duty leaves me no choice.
The Aglipay Movement.
THE question Ia frequently asked by peo-
pie at home" continued Bishop Brent, rs
there any movement away from the Roman
Catholic Church? My reply always Is that
among the great masses Of the people there
is not enough intelligence to distinguish be-
tween tie higher and tho lower class of
Christianity. Wherever in the past the
Roman Church has proved to be OPP
pressor instead OF a spiritual mother there
has been revolt, and there will be again.
The cause OF this. however. lies not in doc
trinal teaching or the ce-emonials which
seem to be adapted for the temperament OF
the natives, but because the fundamental
instinct that insists upon justice and fair
play has been outraged and calls for strong
protest. In this / find an explanation of
Aglipay's success in gaining large follow
ing. The more 1 study the movement the
more I am convinced that no positive re-
ligtous principles move the man or his dis
&c t;ool hyoa 1oA to- kn
garments of religion; at bottom It Is a new
phase o. social unnest, the responsibility
for which lies at the door of the Roman
Church. whose lust for wealth and domi-
nation has led to such acton regarding the
friars' lands as foment the spirit of insur-
rection. The greatest satisfaction / could
have would be to see the Roman Church
purify her skirts"
Work Among the Chinese.
Bishop Brent has undertaken an agrees
sive work among the Chinese in Manila and
has been fortunate in procuring the serv-
ices Of Rev Hobart E. Stutley. for six
years a missionary Of the Dutch Reformed
Church in China. There are several ma
tive workers assisting him. and at the
services at the pro-cathedral you can see
quite. number of the congregation in
Chinese dress.
Early in the occupation Chaplain Charles
c. Pierce OF the army purchased site for
not sufficiently large to suit the bishops
plans. and he has since bought a tract of
six acres In the most promising portion OF
the city. and IL making preparations to
build a cathedral, for which he already has
the sum Of 500. 600 cash furnished him by
an unnamed friend. Mr.. and Mrs. George
c. Thomas of Philade1phia have given him
$4,000 for parish house. so that the work.
ing plant OF the Episcopal denomination in
Manila has been provided for. It Is to be
regretted that other denominations have
not been so fortunate.
While the principal part Of Bishop Brents
work is In Manila, ha has reached out into
the waste places Of the islands as Tar as he
has been able to duISo. with the men and
the money at his disposal. In one town
he has purchased the church building,
parish house and school formerly used by
the Roman Catholics and is fitting 1t up
for Protestant work. g.. He is gradually es-
tablisbing dispensaries, hospitals. homes.
settlement houses. kindergartens and other
schools here and there as he obtains funds.
and has planned the most important gem
eral hospital In the city of Manila, for
which heffs now raising money.
This work began in tent borrowed from
the board Of health, which DR.. c. Radcliffe
Johnson converted into femDOrarv hos