A Canvassing Trip in the Philippines by R. A. Caldwell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 14, 1909

A Canvassing Trip in the Philippines

By R. A. Caldwell

R. A. CALDWELL

HERETOFORE my country trips have been limited to towns easily accessible to Manila. This time I planned to go almost to the terminus of the railroad, which is, however, no great distance. Moreover, I made a detour which brought me in touch with a number of towns some distance from the railroad. This side trip took me over eighty miles or more of roadway. When seeking a place to stay overnight, I usually tried to reach a town that had an American teacher. These towns are poor and small. Even the municipal buildings in some places are incomplete, and the market-places frequently resemble a group of pig-pens. It was in these towns that cholera found many victims last year. The larger towns near the line have lately been provided with good drinking water by the means of artesian wells. Many of the towns have a few Protestants, and in several ways Catholicism has lost many of its members.

One Sabbath I had several talks with school-teachers, and read to them from the Bible about Christ’s return to the earth; I also read the commandments, with which they were very unfamiliar. The same day I saw two funerals of little babies. Infant mortality is very great. No coffin was brought into requisition, not because of poverty, I understand; for a priest had been engaged to march in one of the processions, at a cost of ten dollars; but because in these isolated places it is the custom. The little things were carried on a small chair, and were gaily dressed, and so were in harmony with the women and children mourners, and the noisy band. The older people were unceremoniously wrapped in a mat, which in some cases is reserved for further use.

Some of the experiences of this country trip were quite unique. It was instructive in many ways. These people are ignorant to a greater extent than the city people. The country where I went is near the Igarotte tribe, and I noticed a number of men leading a string of dogs on their way to the hills. These creatures are bought from the possessor for a quarter, and sold to the consumer for a dollar or more.

One stage of the trip was over a road that was impassable to the ordinary passenger vehicle. A springless conveyance of two cumbersome wooden wheels, with bamboo body and light palm covering, is not the most comfortable carriage. I greatly admired the little Indian ox with its sleek sides and pretty head, especially when passing bravely through difficult places. Many times the water was over the wheel tops, and of course over the bottom of the cart. On such occasions I had to carry my hand baggage on side tracks of higher elevation. It was a slow journey, though at times we had good roads and made good progress. I reached the town before Sabbath, and had a good rest. On Sunday I canvassed the few families who could read Spanish. While here, I met a young Spaniard who obtained “Desire of Ages” in Singapore four years ago, and well remembered me. At this place no vehicle could be obtained, so I hired a pony, and started out at 4 P. M. for the next town, a distance of about eight miles. When half-way, it began to rain, in no half measure either, so I arrived at the teacher’s house at dark in a sorry plight, and my grip, which was to arrive by the carrier who was to take the pony back, did not show up until late the next morning; hence I had to accept my host’s hospitality in more ways than one.

This tour occupied almost three weeks. The expense item was very heavy, but as the number of orders totaled two hundred thirty-four dollars, it was quite satisfactory, with such a book as “Patriarchs and Prophets.”

Just here I wish to say that I have been impressed as never before that this work is God given. For a canvasser to have much success in a language with which he is entirely ignorant, and among strange people, clearly shows—which should encourage the young and inexperienced worker—that the success of the work depends not upon the ability of the canvasser, but upon the Lord, and like his grace and mercy, is inexhaustible.