p. 16 | The Philippines by Mrs. M. S. Caldwell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 15, 1908

The Philippines

By Mrs. M. S. Caldwell

MANILA.—At the time of our arrival here, we found several numbers of the club of five hundred Signs from America. These had to be attended to at once. It meant constant work to get caught up, as they were continually coming. This has rested upon me, as my husband can not afford to take the time from his canvassing, though he has had to do so a few times, to help me out. The few letters we received were answered by hand, as we have no typewriter. Continually we received postal notices, giving information that papers were refused. These were addressed to American teachers. Some personal letters were sent by them, refusing the paper.

We considered the matter, feeling we might do more for the Filipinos, who seemed to value the paper, at any rate liked to receive such literature. So after obtaining a mailing list, we discontinued sending to American teachers, except those who had by correspondence or in some other way expressed their pleasure, and used the Filipino list. We were still doing so when the papers ceased coming. The work was almost too much for me to keep up alone. It is a good work, and has my interest; for it is seed-sowing, and we know not the results. It has brought some, even Filipinos, to visit us.

Since the non-arrival of the Signs, we have begun the study of the language, which we could not attempt before. We take four lessons a week. We have a good teacher, and desire to become more capable. Now that a monthly edition of the Signs is printed, we think we could use five hundred of these easily, and also attend to the other work.

MRS. M. S. CALDWELL.