A Year's Progress in the Philippines by J. E. FULTON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 25, 1916

A Year's Progress in the Philippines

By J. E. FULTON

J. E. FULTON

JUST a year has passed since the writer, in company with Pastors Daniels, Porter, and Salisbury, visited the Philippines, where, together with the local workers, we considered plans for the work in this interesting field. It was at that time that a printing office and equipment, and also a training school, were seen to be essential to the continued success of the work in these islands. In councils held since that visit it was decided to go forward with these projects. And now, after a year has passed, it has been the writer's privilege to make another brief visit and see the progress which has been made.

A plot of about five acres in a good location near Manila has been purchased, and the building for the printing office is now practically finished and already occupied. This building is seventy-five feet long and forty-three feet wide at the front end, where the business offices are to be, and thirty-three feet wide on the main factory building. The building has good-sized windows and skylights, thus affording plenty of ventilation and light. A neat cottage for the one in charge of the printing office has been completed, and is occupied by Brother Roy Wallace and family, from Australia.

The training school so greatly needed will be erected soon near the publishing office. It is intended that some of the students will work in the printing office. The care of these new enterprises has thrown additional burdens on our workers. They are to be commended, we think, in that the buildings reflect credit on our work.

Other Marks of Progress

In 1915 there were 237 baptized members in the Philippines; Pastor Finster expects that the first quarter of 1916 will add about 130 more. The greater number of these will be the result of the effort now being carried on at San Pablo, fifty miles from Manila, where our native evangelist Bibiano Panis is being greatly blessed in his work. Pastor Finster reports that from a thousand to twelve hundred are frequently in attendance at the meetings.

The book sales, chiefly in the vernacular and printed at the mission press, have amounted to $12,300. Some of our Filipino brethren are having excellent success in selling the books, and wherever they go interests are springing up. Brother Robert Caldwell, our veteran colporteur here in the Far East, is back from his furlough which he took with his family in Australia, and is again having excellent success.

Needs of the Work

With a work so promising and doors opening in all parts of the group, more help is urgently needed. No more encouraging results can be obtained in any other part of the field. Does it not seem criminal to leave large islands with millions of inhabitants groping toward the light and no one to lead them on the way? How urgent the situation! Will not the liberality of God's people be stimulated to give for the cause of missions when such grand results are in sight?