Evening star., 1912-07-20
Rem @oln fielbs.
American Bible Society's
Agent, Selling Bibles, Re-
ports Philippine Riches.
? OLD, silver and other treasures are
y in tha Phtlippine Islands in value

OLD, silver and other treasures are
DA in the Philippine Islands in value
not heretofore suspected, and they
have not been touched to any extent
worth speaking about. So declares Rev.
]. l. Mclaughlin. Manila agent OF the
American Bible Society. who has just
reached home after an absence in the
islands Of twelve years. during which no
has had exceptional opportunities to
study conditions.
Besides the treasures OF gold, Mr.. Me-
Laughln reports new resources in the
way of markets. The wants Of the Fiji
pinos are increa sing. Industrial schools
have been established and children are at
tending them. The people. barefooted for
centuries. are now wearing shoes and
stockings. They are also wearing shirts.
collars and neckties. Manufacturing Is
starting up to supply these things.
Manila is the cleanest city In the
world, Mr.. Mclaughlin declares. There is
no rubbish in the streets. as in New York.
and there are well managed trolley lines.
electric lights and splendid water sys-
tenn. IT is. however. the natural re-
sources Of the islands that attract Mr.
McLaughlins attention There is the
finest mahogany in the world. the worlds
best hemp. and there are products OF
sugar. coffee and cocoa to make the busi-
ness man want to live his career over
again to develop II.
Mr.. Mclaughlin mentions twenty prod
ucts imported into the United States on
which people here at home paid duties
amounting TO $500. 100000. All of these
can be produced in the Philippines. The
innate worth, enterprise and alertness or
the Filipino people ought, so Mr.. Nc
Laughlin feels, to be encouraged. to the
end that these things can be produced
there.
The American Bible Society is cooper
thA
islands. In ten years II has circulated
LOO, 600 Bibles and parts of Bibles. Mr..
Mclaughlin, while observing the natural
resources, is chiefly concerned with reti-
gious conditions and prospects When he
went to the islands In 1900 practically
everybody counted themselves as Roman
Catholics With Apericans in place OF
Spaniards for bishops. that church. he
says, has made great progress In twelve
years So have Protestants, he AYERS, for
the latter have Increased from nothing
to 10000 under guidance of about $50
missionaries. Methodists lead In num-
bers, with 10000 members. and Presby-
terians and Baptists are close seconds in
strength. The Episcopal Church Is ad-
vapcing steadily and rapidly. In some re-
spects, he declares. this church has served
the Fflipinos. in religion. in morals. In
education and in local government as has
no other. The reason lies. so Mr.. NC
Laughlin thinks. in the ability OF Bishop
Brent. who perhaps understands the
Philippine situation better than any other
living man.
at this time, he says. is the large number
of men. among them the most progress
sive. who have lost all or nearly all re-
igious faith. and are wanderers after
truth. 1t is feared the number OF such
men is increasing. The society in Its
Bible work and the eight Protestant
bodies are cooperating to meet this dffa-
cult situation.