A Tragedy in the Philippines

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 26, 1908

A Tragedy in the Philippines

We clip from the Christian Herald of March 18 the following graphic account of the attack recently made upon a congregation of Christian Filipinos in the island of Cebu. The account was written by one who is on the ground, Mrs. E. W. Jansen, and speaks so plainly for itself that no comment is needed. She says:—

Last October a petition was brought to the Cebu missionaries from the village of Santander. It was signed by one hundred eighty-five persons, who begged to have an evangelist sent to them. The condition of affairs in this town was so awful that the petitioners seemed to fear that the document might be looked upon as a bait to entrap the evangelist, so they had added to it the sworn signatures of three of its principal men.

Two years before this petition was brought to the missionaries, three hundred of the villagers had separated themselves from the Church of Rome. This was probably in part due to the tyranny of the priests. The fear of the parishioners who remained under the priests' control appeared to be absolutely abject. The native pastor, Ricardo, was living some ten or twelve miles from Santander, so he arranged to help the people by visiting and holding services for them. From among the seekers forty were accepted as candidates for baptism. About two hundred fifty others were kept waiting that they might receive further instruction before confessing their faith in the Saviour by baptism. Among these was a man of remarkably simple and strong Christian faith. His gentle spirit won him the love of all who knew him.

The gospel was being accepted in Oslob and other neighboring towns. In Oslob alone, three hundred persons had declared their faith in Christ, and their lives were bearing witness to the pure and uplifting power of the gospel. The priests and those under their influence had done all in their power to hinder the advance of the Saviour's teachings. The converts suffered stonings and countless indignities, as well as loss of employment in many cases, and imprisonments and threatened death.

In Santander, it was decided to build a church, and the converts erected a suitable building for their simple services. The Sunday was agreed upon for the dedication of the church, and the friends in Oslob with Pastor Ricardo were invited. According to the testimony of several of the priest's parishioners, the Sunday before dedication he ordered his people to come armed to mass the next sabbath. That week his people spent in sharpening their bolos, as was proved by what followed. Those who had not native weapons obtained or else made them. All went on Sunday morning to their church armed for the carrying out of the priest's orders.

That Sunday morning much prayer and praise went up to God from the simple, trusting souls gathered in the new church, and hearts beat stronger with faith and determination to live for the praise and glory of their Saviour, whose teachings and spirit had brought love and peace into their hearts and homes. Some of the people were much impressed by the words of their loved teacher, who told them that, though he felt there was trial of faith awaiting him, yet even if he should be called to lay down his life for the faith, he was unspeakably thankful to God that he had received the gospel.

With no thought of impending danger, the Christians returned to their homes with their children by their side. The native pastor and other guests were provided with refreshments, which were prepared for them in the three largest houses. While all the friends were at dinner, some persons rushed to the house where Ricardo and others were seated, and in terrified words, told them that a mob of three hundred armed men, led by the priest, was hurrying to kill them. The word was passed to all to flee, and men, women, and children sought to make their escape. Their thought was to find shelter in Oslob, but twelve miles distant.

Only a little distance was covered when Ricardo's strength began to fail him. He said to his friends that they must go on and not linger for him, as he could not proceed. At this moment a man on horseback drew near. He was friendly to the Protestants and knew Ricardo. At the request of the exhausted man's friends, he dismounted and gave Ricardo his horse. The hope of getting help for the endangered people seemed to give him strength, and he hastened to Oslob; but the mayor refused to send help to the people in danger, and Ricardo wired to the American missionaries in Cebu of the urgent need.

The other escaping people, mostly women and children, reached Oslob, bringing the news that one of their number had been hacked to pieces. Next morning the constabulary's launch arrived, and took the refugees from Santander back with them to their village. Some little children were missing, and the sorrow of many hearts was intense. Ricardo and the friends who had been with him were also taken back to the village. Dr. Graham, of the mission in Cebu, was on board, and his presence gave the people some comfort.

Many came back to ruined homes. The desolation which met their gaze in the morning sunlight was terrible. Five homes lay in ruins.

They went on toward their church, the constabulary with their officer, and the medical missionary and the captain of the vessel leading the way. When about a hundred yards from the church, they saw the body of the murdered man lying in a pool of blood. The head had been nearly severed from the trunk, and gaping wounds in the body bore witness to the ferocious fury of the priest and his helpers. By the side of the mutilated corpse the poor wife was standing silent. She had watched there through the long afternoon and night, to keep the animals away from all that was left her of her beloved husband. The horror and sadness of the scene brought tears to the eyes of the officers and men.

The converts in Cebu City have collected some money, which they sent to the poor widow and her children. All are full of thankfulness that no more lives were lost. On one of the villagers informing the priest that the desired deed was done, saying to him, “Father, I have killed one of your men,” the priest is reputed to have answered, “Good! And if you had killed ten, you need fear nothing, for no harm would come to you.”

The offending priest had passed on him a sentence of seventeen years' imprisonment and a fine. But as he has appealed his case, and is let out on bail, we fear that the troubles are not over for the poor Cebuans.