The Philippine Islands by Irwin H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 1, 1911

The Philippine Islands

By Irwin H. Evans

I. H. EVANS

IT was my privilege recently to spend nearly three weeks with the brethren in this field. This was, of course, too short a time to form much of an idea of conditions in the various islands of this group, with their population of from seven millions to nine millions, and with many dialects and languages. The United States government is doing what it can to reduce these dialects, and to educate the people to speak the English language, thus facilitating commerce and a unification of interests throughout the islands. Schools have been started in many places, and a great work, both educational and industrial, has been undertaken for the benefit and uplift of the people.

BAPTISMAL GROUP AT MANILA, PHILIPPINES. THE FIRST-FRUITS. ELDER FINSTER STANDS IN REAR NEAR THE RIGHT

Reaching Manila after one of the most stormy voyages I have ever experienced, I was glad for the privilege of meeting the brethren, and learning of the progress of our work under their charge. The night of my arrival we attended services in a distant part of the city, where a few had gathered for the regular weekly study of the Word of God. Each night in the week, in some part of the city, Elder L. V. Finster conducts services, preaching the truth through an interpreter to the Filipinos. As a result, about forty have begun keeping the Sabbath, and many more are interested.

Sunday afternoon we went to a village where were gathered a company of fishermen. It was a hard-looking lot of men who had assembled from various motives to hear the word of God preached. There was no building in which to hold the meeting; for the native huts were neither strong enough nor large enough to seat the people who had assembled. Among them were lepers, the blind, the lame, and many who seemed poor in this world's goods. Some were half naked; some were clad only in rags; while others had tried to clothe themselves so that they would pass as well-dressed. One could not but think of the scenes in the Saviour's life, when the crowds about the Sea of Galilee came to him for help and to hear his gracious words. Already some of these people have given their hearts to the Lord, and may yet shine as bright jewels in the Master's crown.

On another evening I went with Elder Finster to a meeting where we met in the kitchen of a native house. There was no floor; the dim light of the small lamp was barely bright enough to read by. Seats were brought from the neighboring houses, and men, women, and children came to hear the word of God,—men with pipes in their mouths, and women with cigarettes; even a few of the children were smoking. And yet from that group of men and women, most of whom were ignorant of the kingdom of God, who knows but there may be some souls saved in the kingdom? When the meeting began, they reverently took off their hats, and one by one the cigarettes and pipes were taken from their mouths, and they listened to the explanations of the Word of God with an interest that was in marked contrast to what we often see in the home land.

Never has a series of meetings been held here but some one has given his heart to the Lord. I like to think that once every week one of these meetings is held in some part of the city of Manila; for the results mean many souls for God.

A baptismal service was held early Sunday morning, and twelve precious souls were buried with their Lord. This was the first baptismal service held in the Philippines for those keeping the commandments of God. It was a solemn occasion, and all our hearts rejoiced that this beginning had been made. That evening a church of twenty-two members was organized, with a full set of officers. Thus, we have a church in the Philippines, all of whom are Filipinos, with the exception of Elder Finster and wife, and Brother and Sister R. A. Caldwell. Others will join as soon as they have gained an experience; and we believe there will soon be more than one hundred persons keeping the commandments of God in that city.

Elder Finster is training a class of workers, who meet in his home each evening for a two hours' study of the truths of the message. Out of this number he hopes to secure several workers in the native language. Two of the young men will soon be graduated from the high school. Two others come to us from the ministry in other denominations. In a little more time, with the blessing of God, a number of native workers will be preaching the message among the Filipinos.

Brother Caldwell has sold many Spanish books, and is now selling "Thoughts on Daniel" in the Tagalog language. It is encouraging to see how readily the people buy the books, and surely such reading will bear fruit to the glory of God.

It was agreed that a small book of Bible readings, bearing directly on the truths of the message, should be published in the Tagalog, selling for about twenty-five cents. It was thought many of the new believers could sell such a book to good advantage, and that its sale would help the people to read the Word of God understandingly.

Everything looked very encouraging. The Lord has surely blessed in preaching his word among the Filipinos. We believe the third angel's message will reach every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; and our hearts can not but be made glad when we know that a start, however small, has been made among these people. Let us not forget the work in the Philippines, but bear it and the workers there before the Lord in prayer. All the workers were in good health and of excellent courage in the Lord.

Shanghai.