p. 16 | A Visit to Our Ilocano (Philippine Islands) Mission

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1916

A Visit to Our Ilocano (Philippine Islands) Mission

By L. V. Finster

On January 10 I left Manila to make a visit to our mission in the Ilocano field. It had been two years since I had visited this station. The journey was made on a motor cycle. First, I went to Bukawe and held quarterly meeting with the brethren there in the morning, and then proceeded to Malolos, where quarterly meeting was held in the afternoon. Sunday morning I started for a trip of three hundred and fifty miles, to Vigan. It was a beautiful day, and I enjoyed the ride through the fields of rice. On the second day I reached my destination at four o'clock, and was glad to find all our workers well and of good courage. Brother R. E. Hay and his family were in much better health than when they were at the Shanghai meeting. Brother Leon Roda had preceded me about six weeks, and on my arrival he and Elder Hay were conducting a series of meetings near Vigan. They were having a good hearing, and expecting that fifteen or twenty would take their stand for the truth.

Several young men who have accepted the truth under Brother Hay's labor are now in the canvassing field. The Lord is especially blessing them in this work. One day while I was in Vigan, Manuel took fourteen orders for the new Ilocano book. Several canvassers also are at work in the mountain province of Abra. I was glad to find that a very bright young man from the pagan Tinguian tribe has accepted the truth. All his people are pagans, and we pray that the Lord may use this young man in bringing the truth to his people.

While I was in Vigan, arrangements were made for a permanent dwelling place for Elder Hay. A little money had to be advanced to make a few repairs on the house, but we have a permanent contract on the place as long as we desire it, at a very reasonable rent. We feel very, very glad that Brother and

Sister Hay will now have a permanent home, and many more conveniences than they have had before. In my short stay in Vigan, I felt much encouraged at the prospect for the work there. We believe there are many honest souls who will be called from this part of the Lord's vineyard.

After spending a week with Brother Hay, I started on my homeward journey. When I reached Bawang, I decided to make a visit to Baguio, the summer mountain capital. It is nearly a mile above sea level. I started up the mountain and went about twenty miles before reaching Baguio. It was so cold that I felt very uncomfortable; in fact, in the evening I had to go inside and sit by the fire. I spent the day after my arrival in looking around, with the view of making Baguio a summer rest place. I think this will be a good place for our missionaries to go from the heat of the lowlands. The next day I rode from Baguio to Manila, and was glad to find all well on my return.

Our two tent meetings are having excellent hearings. The tents are crowded, and generally from two to three hundred stand on the outside. We look for a good harvest in due time. We are glad to report that during the year 1915, two hundred and thirty-five persons were baptized. Our book and literature sales amounted to $12,678.74. Brother Caldwell, with his family, has arrived from Australia, to assist in the colporteur work, and is having excellent success. Pray for the work in the Philippine Islands.

L. V. FINSTER.