The Philippines by J. E. Fulton

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 8, 1915

The Philippines

By J. E. Fulton

A Missionary Tour in the Far East — No. 1

The Philippines

J. E. FULTON

To describe a world so distant and so strange, and to convey any just conception to the minds of our brethren in the homelands, of the work to be done among a population so vast, with religions and superstitions so forbidding as obtain in the Far East, is most difficult indeed. Yet the story must be told the best we can. Here more than half the world's population have not yet heard of Christ — a great ocean of need and responsibility. Who that has had his heart touched with the love of Christ, will not, like his Master, be moved with compassion for the multitudes? Some way the church of God must take on a deeper burden for the unwarned millions of these Far Eastern lands.

By invitation, the writer accompanied Elder Daniells on his tour though the Philippines, Japan, Korea, and China. The opportunity was great, the associations most pleasant, and now comes the responsibility of assisting in some small way to set before our brethren in the home fields the missionary problems we as a people must face in this vast Eastern field.

There is a population in the Philippines of eight million people, speaking several different dialects. Our work was opened up in this archipelago by the Australasian Union before the Philippines were taken over by the General Conference or by the Asiatic Division. It was the writer's privilege six years ago to join Elder Finster here in counsel when he was beginning his work. It is now a matter of great rejoicing that God has so richly blessed the efforts put forth. Years of earnest toil and seed sowing have brought forth their results. Perhaps in no island field in the world can a more interesting and inspiring work be found. Companies and churches of believers in the message have been raised up until we now have nearly four hundred church members, and two hundred others who are being instructed. One of the most encouraging features of the work is that so many of the converts have become active workers for the Lord, for it can be said that the native brethren in the Philippines are a missionary church. Some bright young men have given themselves to the work of the ministry, and God has blessed their efforts in raising up some good churches. A large number of young people have taken up the canvassing work, with excellent results in setting the truth before many people, and in making the work more than self-supporting.

The outlook is bright and most assuring. Many are inquiring about the message. The Filipino people are intelligent, and make good workers. The change of government, breaking the shackles by which for centuries the people there were bound, and the rift made in the Catholic Church by which two or three million souls were organized into an independent Catholic Church and given the Bible, have no doubt been factors in making the Philippines a more favorable field than in former years.

And then, undoubtedly, the thrill of new life felt throughout Korea and China has reached the natives of these islands as well. But with the kindling of this new life among the Filipinos, so favorable to missionary effort, there has come a spirit of independence which is attended with dangers both to the nation and to the church. Laying aside the obligations of the government to this people, the responsibilities of the church are plain. With a people so aggressive in spirit and at the same time so intelligent and promising, we must establish at once a good training school for workers.

These young people should be trained for evangelistic work at our mission, but our missionaries are already too full of work. We cannot expect them to give the time and attention required. Therefore one of the most crying needs of the Philippines is a good training school for native workers. At a young people's meeting held in Manila, sixty-three young people were present, many of whom desire to receive an education for the work. Under a good government, in a time of peace and quiet in these Eastern lands, with an intelligent and appreciative people, now is the time to act promptly. We cannot tell how soon the way may be made difficult. Certainly it cannot be always so favorable as now.

So let us now remember this field in prayer, study its needs, and give liberally to establish the institutions so imperative to the success and solidity of the work.

Reference has been made to the success achieved in selling our literature. Numerous tracts, a monthly magazine, and some subscription books in one or more of the native languages, have been published and are being widely circulated.

At present our publishing work is being carried on in this hot climate in a small building, formerly a stable, and upon a little job press, run in shifts from 4 or 5 A. M. till 10 P. M. Yet books are printed under these adverse circumstances, and bound by our workers under the mission building in the open basement, where, added to many other difficulties, they must also battle against dampness and dust. But with all their heroic efforts to make books, they cannot supply them fast enough. I feel sure that every Seventh-day Adventist who reads these lines will say, “Give our workers in the Philippines a fair chance. Build them a printing office and give them proper equipment.”

We wish many of our people could see the bright native Seventh-day Adventists, and hear them rejoice in what the truth has done and is doing for them. How it does draw upon one's heart to see their needs, and sense the altogether inadequate facilities provided to give the help needed. Brethren, we must not allow our missionaries there to toil so short-handed. What if our large, populous conferences in the homelands had such meager facilities and so few laborers? Why should these hopeful fields be left unhelped? Has not the time come when more equality should be shown? The Philippines have a population of eight millions. Manila, the capital, is a city of about three hundred thousand people. The door of opportunity is swung wide open. Shall we not enter while we may?

Ominous clouds in the Far East will break some day, and peace will be no more. Shall we wait while souls who now would listen perish? The call is urgent. Who will help?