Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-28


of most of the other Americans IN the Is
lands-strong. sensible, symmetrical men,
seriously engaged in the business or max
ing the best nation possible out OF the Fill
pinos.
Inasmuch as the Roman Catholic Church
has been in the islands for 800 years, and
most of the natives are, at least nomtnally,
members of that communion. l expected to
find bitterness and acrimOny between the
Roman Catholics and the Protestants. But
this is not the case, and for two reasons.
The first Is that the Protestant mission
aries have worked with tact and quietness
and have endeavored to avoid arousing an
tagonisms and sectarian bitterness.
The second Is that the old church organi-
cation has its hands full with the Aglipay
schism, which claims not only more than
10000 adherents. but also large part of
the church property In the islands. This
question is now being fought out in the
courts. In the meantime the two wings of
Catholicism are manifesting no little bitter
ness toward each other. Archbishop Agiis,
the apostolic delegate, could not find terms
with which to characterize Aglipay when
preached the matter to him.
And from what | could ascertain l sus-
pect that he is pretty nearly correct in re-
garding Aglipay as selfish schemer, an
oppor tunist and politician. Aglipay, who
rose to power on the tide Of opposition to
the friars, merely represents the idea of re-
Tolt against old and evil conditions. He
seems TO stand for nothing-or rather for
anything and everythng-in theological
way. In one district he processes himself
as steadfastly devoted to all the historic
teachings and practices of Rome: in an
other he Is practically a Protestant, at
lacking church rites and distributing Bibles.
So bitter IS the strife between the Roman
Catholics and the Aglpayans that neither
pays much attention to the ProteStantS,
who go unmolested on their way, adding
mn 1lsrG IN he
Many recruits, l am told. come to the mis-
sionaries from the Aglipayan fold, having
discovered the unsatisfactory condition of
the latter. Not a few of the earliest ad-
herents of the Protestant missionaries be-
came such from political motives; anything
to show rebellion against the Spanish friars.
Many of these early fell away, but some
have become intelligent workers in the
Protestant churches.
A further word should be written con-
corning the Roman Catholic Church in the
Islands before passing on to the distinct
lively missionary propaganda. 1t is to be
borne in mind that the superiority of the
Filipino to the Asiatic-and he undoubt-
edly is superior to japanese. Chinese, Malay
or Indians due to the civiliZing influence
OF the Roman Catholic Church. That the
United States has been able to do more for
the islands politically in less than ten years
tHan Great britain mas done Tor lnQld In a
hundred years must largely be credited to
the church that brought the Filipinos out
of savagery.
With the abuses that crept into the
church in the islands this article is not
concerned but it must be pointed out that
II was not against the American type of
Roman Catholicism that the Filipinos re-
volted. On all sides II Is agreed that the
church In the islands should be brought UP
TO the American standard. Concerning the
handful of American priests who have gone
to the Philippines, heard only praise, from
Monsgnor Agius down to the civilian man
of the street" There is q great need for
more.
Failing this. the church authorities look
with most hopefulness to the present move
ment for the education of young Filipinos
to the priesthood in the United States.
Lack of suitable priests is the chief need
OF the church in the islands, in order to
remedy conditions which cannot exist in
the light Of the increasinly circulated
newspapers, of widespread popular educa-
ton. and OF q steadily growing American
spirit. Next comes the need for the re-
Mobilization of church ediflces which are
stll in a ruinous condition as result of
the war. Apparently none OF the money
paid by the American government to the
friars FOR their lands Is being used for the
churches in the islands.
A peculiar situation was created in
Manila by the advent Of so many American
men. mostly Protestants In behalf of
these. churches have been established in
Manila by the Presbyterians Protestant
Ep!scopalians. Methodists and Disciples
All OF these are centers OF vigorous re-
lgious Influences. DR.. s. b. Rossiter. the
Presbyterian pastor, has won for himself
an enviable place In the life of Manila. and
- "a ENr.{g