p. 6 | The Philippines by R. C. PORTER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 20, 1916

The Philippines

By R. C. PORTER

WHEN we left Sandakan for a visit down the Borneo coast and the interior, we knew that we were taking the chance of missing an opportunity to reach Manila at the appointed time, as steamers make the run between Sandakan and Manila only once in two weeks. We felt, however, that it was important that we make the visit; and trusting to Providence to overrule in arranging transportation so as to meet our appointment at Manila, we proceeded in faith, and on returning we were not disappointed in finding in the harbor a steamer that was just leaving for a tour through the Philippines, which would land us at Iloilo, one of our important mission stations situated on Panay Island. It was an American revenue cutter which was being used by Captain Jensen, the lighthouse inspector for a portion of the Philippine Islands. It was a vessel of only 411 tons, 148 feet in length, but it was making a circuitous tour through the islands in order to reach certain lighthouse stations, and it would land us at Iloilo, where we very greatly desired to make a visit. Within an hour from the time of return to Sandakan, we were on board, starting on a voyage among the Philippine Islands.

The first stop made was at Cagayan, Sulu Island, where resided an American ranchman who owns quite a portion of the island. This island affords a very nice grazing field for cattle, and is green the year round, so it is a splendid place for ranching; but on account of its being so isolated from the world the few Americans located there cannot lead a very desirable life. I presume that when they have made their fortune they plan to live under more favorable circumstances. The only way they have of securing supplies from the outside world is by means of passing vessels, which call at irregular intervals.

Our next stop was at Balabac Island, where two lighthouse stations were supplied with oil and other supplies to last them for six weeks. While en route to this island we encountered a typhoon, and although our little cutter handled herself well in a rough sea, we found her motions too active for our comfort as passengers. We were glad to run into the harbor of this island, and the captain decided to remain a day or two, hoping that the worst of the typhoon would pass during our stay. After forty-eight hours' delay, the storm seemed rather to be increasing than abating, and the captain, fearing that a change in the course of the wind might force the sea into the open harbor and make it difficult to handle the little vessel, decided to risk the open sea, and make an effort to reach Iloilo.

In the morning, as soon as it was light, we weighed anchor, and started in a direct course for Iloilo. We found the heavy quarter sea which we now had to meet easier than the direct forward pitching encountered in our previous experience. We had become somewhat accustomed to the swing of the little vessel, and neither of us was ill during the following two days' heavy gale. After this experience we felt that we could better appreciate Paul's statement, “A night and a day I have been in the deep.”

While the storm was at its worst, the captain entertained us by relating the experience of the sister steamer to this one, which had previously gone down in a typhoon with all on board. But none of these things moved us. We believed we were under divine protection, and we had the fullest confidence that a Captain abler than the one on our vessel was at the helm, and that he would conduct our frail bark through the storm and bring it safely into port. We felt very thankful when we reached our destination in safety. On landing we were welcomed by Elder and Mrs. E. M. Adams, and enjoyed the hospitality of their home during our stay.

Iloilo is an enterprising city of 10,000 inhabitants. We found a little church of fifteen members in that city. The foundation for this work was laid in the canvassing done by Brother Floyd Ashbaugh, who has now returned to America to finish his education. Among the church members are some very bright, intelligent young people who desire to attend school in order to fit themselves for evangelistic and Bible work. We attended two evening cottage services conducted by Elder Adams for those inquiring for more Bible truth. In each instance all the available space in the cottage was packed with attentive listeners.

The morning of the last day we spent in Iloilo, the superintendent of the Presbyterian Mission called at the home of Brother Adams with an auto, and invited us to make a tour of the city with him and visit the Baptist college and the

Presbyterian dormitory. We accepted the invitation, and enjoyed a very pleasant visit with the pastor and the teachers in the college. The Baptist college has an attendance of two hundred. It is conducted on the industrial training plan, and is operating very successfully. We were invited to conduct the chapel service, and as we looked into the faces of those bright young people, we were impressed that we also should have training schools into which young people may be gathered, and educated and prepared for service in giving this message. A local training school conducted on a small, inexpensive plan in a place like Iloilo, would gather in many bright young people who otherwise would not be reached. Brother Adams is very anxious to see such a school started in the near future. The Presbyterian Board are doing an excellent work in operating a high school dormitory. They take in students and board them at reasonable rates, and each day conduct an hour's Bible study with them in connection with the morning worship. As the result, most of the students attend the Presbyterian Church services on Sunday, and many are thereby won to the gospel.

On reaching Manila we found our work in the Philippines pushing ahead with the same vigor as when Elders Daniels, Salisbury, Fulton, and Johanson and I previously visited the place. Last year one hundred and fifty were baptized in the Philippines. Already this year [1915] they have baptized one hundred and seventy, and a number of others are awaiting baptism. At Baliwag a church of thirty-seven members has now been organized.

When search was made for a location for the headquarters of our work, upon which to erect the printing plant and the training school, a desirable location fronting on two streets, and three blocks from the Pasay street-car line, was found in the suburbs of Manila. This lot is in a healthful location not far from the sea. It lies at a gradual slope, needs no filling, is covered with fruit and ornamental trees, and has a nice, grassy lawn. A walk with a hedge on either side, leads from the front gateway to the fairly good American residence, which is located on the lot. The street-car service is good, there being only eight minutes between cars.

The city water does not reach these lots, and this at first seemed to be a prohibitive obstacle; but the city offered to put in an Artesian well, paying two thirds of the cost. This would require us to pay only from $400 to $500. As the price of land at this place was only about half what we would have to pay at other places, we decided to accept this proposition and secure this location. Over two and one-half acres were purchased, which will be ample to accommodate our entire headquarters requirements for the present, and from all we can now see, it will be all that we shall require for the future in that locality. We also procured a good location in the city for the erection of a church to accommodate the two hundred and thirty church members, as well as the general meetings that will convene there.

Our Filipino brethren were greatly encouraged to see the plans laid for the advancement of the work being carried into effect. They are manifesting a most commendable interest, and are pushing their work with very zealous devotion to the cause. We are glad to be able to aid them by providing the necessary facilities for the development of their work.

While at Manila, Elders Finster and Detamore and the writer visited two country churches, spending an evening in each place. We greatly enjoyed the services with these devoted country people.

While at Santa Rosa, we visited Tibursio Nielo Platero, at Binang, who was baptized and joined the Santa Rosa church July 24, 1915, in the one hundred and thirty-sixth year of his age. The night of our visit his wife walked a distance of between two and three miles, in the rain, to attend the service. The next morning, about six o'clock, we called at their home, and had a very pleasant visit with this aged couple. They are Filipinos, and we were obliged to talk through an interpreter. He informed us that he knew that his age as given was correct, because he had always lived in that place, and was christened in the Catholic church when a baby. The record of his christening is still preserved, and corroborates his statement of his age. He is quite strong, and walks about the premises as sprightly as a man of eighty. He is now living with his third wife. His wife also had been married twice previously. He was married the first time at nineteen, and the third time at one hundred and twenty-one years of age. His wife is about sixty years old. This aged couple are rejoicing in the message. When asked what he had eaten in order to preserve his health to so great an age, he replied that, with the exception of eating a little fish occasionally, his diet had been fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables.

An obituary of another Filipino one hundred and forty years old appeared in the Manila papers about the time of our visit. One of the leading officials of Manila informed me that there are a number of centenarian Filipinos, and he volunteered the remark that, so far as he had been able to ascertain, they are all vegetarians. Our aged brother said that during his entire life he had worked early in the morning until it became hot, then rested during the heat of the day, and resumed work as the sun began to decline, working until late in the evening. If our missionaries would observe this rule, many of them would be saved a nervous breakdown, and still perform all the labor that nature will bear in a tropical climate.

This brother's life reaches back to 1779, and covers the fulfillment of most of the last-day signs that were immediately to precede the second coming of Christ. He is cheered by the thought of the Saviour's speedy return.

R. C. PORTER.