Philippine Islands by ELBRIDGE M. ADAMS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 23, 1913

Philippine Islands

By ELBRIDGE M. ADAMS

ELBRIDGE M. ADAMS

I AM glad to be able to report an encouraging outlook in the work here. The workers seem to be moved with a sense of the responsibility of the work and the importance of the message. It does my heart good to hear them offering up earnest prayers in behalf of God's cause. I think that it is not possible for any one to realize the opportunity that is awaiting us now in this field, unless he has been here. It makes me sad when I see the full ripe grain falling to the ground unharvested. There is an opportunity now—just now—that we shall not have long. I do not speak in general of the work, but specifically of this field. Coming out of dense darkness suddenly, as the Filipino has, he is ready to grasp the first thing that comes along promising advancement.

You know, doubtless, that in the city of Washington are several of our young men eagerly seeking for knowledge. The reason that they are so thirsty is because they have been without a drink so long. The old Spanish régime either banished, imprisoned, or killed a man who was suspected of intelligence. Rizal, whose picture you will see in most of the Filipino homes, a liberal-hearted, broad-minded, highly educated man, was taken to the Luneta here in Manila and shot, having no other crime than that of education. We ought to have at least five families immediately to plant the seeds of truth in this sowing time among this people. I fear that much will be lost if we do not enter this field with an increased force soon.