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My Visit to the Philippines

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 31, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 31.

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My Visit to the Philippines

By I. H. Evans

I. H. EVANS
It was my privilege to spend two weeks with the workers in the Philippines in the early part of the present year, and I was greatly pleased to see the progress the work has made since my first visit, two years ago. At that time the first native converts were baptized, and a church of twenty members was organized, but we had no native evangelists of any experience in presenting the message. However, a beginning had been made, and for this we thanked the Lord and took courage.
When I saw the large gatherings of our people in Manila at this time, with meetings in four or five parts of the city, and a church-membership of more than one hundred and twenty; when I saw several young men, most of whom are high-school graduates, actively engaged in some part of the work; when I saw native evangelists holding a tent effort in the city, at which they do most of the preaching; and when I heard the many calls for help that were received from various places, though unanswered because of the fewness of workers, I need not say my heart was greatly rejoiced.
We held a number of meetings with the workers, and gave instruction in proper methods of work, which we hope will strengthen the young men just beginning to preach the message.
The brethren are publishing a small monthly missionary paper in the Tagalog language. This is a great help to the church. They also need a church building, where general meetings can be held; now they hold all their meetings in private houses, being unable to pay the rent for a hall. They also need, and soon must have, a school, where the boys and girls who desire to enter the work may secure a suitable training. Many of the schools, both public and private, are conducted by Catholics. This, of course, makes it difficult to secure a knowledge of true Christianity, and prejudices most of the students in favor of the Catholic religion. Young men who are educated in these schools, and who have no denominational training except what they receive in a course of lectures or what they have been taught by such personal instruction as our busy workers have time to give, cannot be expected to do the best quality of work.
On the occasion of this visit it was our privilege to organize the second church on the island of Luzon, at a place called Malolos, about two hours' ride from Manila. We spent the day there, and had a baptismal service, after which twenty-eight precious souls united in the church organization. They earnestly requested that a worker be sent to teach them the truth and to develop interests springing up in various places where the believers live. It was planned that one of the native workers go to this place and follow up the interests that already demanded attention. The Catholics are making a hard fight against our work at Malolos, but when the workers are humble agents in the hands of God and faithfully do his bidding, the truth will triumph, and will win out against the opposition of man.
Brother Floyd Ashbaugh came up from Iloilo where he has been canvassing for more than a year with marked success. He reports two believers in Iloilo. These are young girls, but stanch believers in the message. They sent a letter to the believers in Manila, exhorting them to faithfulness even unto death. Later Elder Adams visited them, and he reports them as being faithful Christians. This important center must have a worker soon, and should have one this very year.
Brother Ashbaugh will return to the United States this fall to finish his education, after which he hopes to return to the Philippines for his life-work. He has had a hard field, and has worked under great difficulties among the natives of these islands, with no place to get suitable food, and no home but such as he could make for himself. The Lord has mercifully sustained him, and he has done a good work. He has now gone to another island, which he hopes to canvass before leaving the field.
Brother R. A. Caldwell returns to Australia after five years of hard work among the Filipinos, among whom he has sold many books in Spanish as well as in the Tagalog. Brother Caldwell, by hard, persistent work, has demonstrated that a man can live and make his entire expenses by selling the printed page. His influence has been good, and he leaves many warm friends in Manila and elsewhere. We hope he will return in another year for further work in behalf of this people.
When Brother Ashbaugh leaves the Philippines, the entire responsibility of this great field will rest upon the shoulders of Brother and Sister Adams. The work is too great and the demands are too strenuous for one family to carry alone. Several families should be sent to these islands to build up and carry forward the good work already begun. The call of God to this work seems imperative. Why are these souls so ready to accept the truth, so willing to give up all for the kingdom of God, if it is not that the truth may enter? Why should the church of God hold back its means and men from entering these open doors, when the Spirit of God has gone before and prepared the way for the truth? Is not an open door a call for workers? Yet here are nine million souls waiting to hear the truth, with only one worker! Surely there must be more help sent soon. It is greatly desired that Brother and Sister Finster may be able to return to this field this season. God's people should unite in prayer that the merciful Lord will speedily heal Sister Finster, that they may return to their work soon.
The future looks bright, with every prospect of splendid success in winning souls to the truth in this island field. We ask the united prayers of the people of God for the work in this land of darkness and Catholic superstition.