The Work Moving in the Philippine Islands
By L. V. Finster
I RECENTLY baptized seven at Cavite, where brother Victor de la Cruz has been laboring. Our brethren came in from several towns near, and we had four meetings during the day. There seems to be still a good interest in this place. Later I went to San Pablo, and on Sabbath afternoon had the privilege of burying eighteen dear souls with their Lord in baptism. They came to Manila several months ago, and requested the privilege of baptism, but we felt they should be more thoroughly instructed before going forward in the sacred rite. There are about fifty now keeping the Sabbath in and around San Pablo. All this is a result of work by our faithful colporteurs and the missionary work of those who have previously accepted the faith. The only ministerial help they have received is a few weeks’ meetings held in preparing them for baptism. Our colporteurs have returned to these people from Sabbath to Sabbath, and we found them very well established in all points of the faith. It seems very wonderful to me to see what God has wrought here through our literature. On Sabbath afternoon, we went about a mile, through a coconut grove, to a beautiful small stream. The banks gradually slope up from each side, and made an excellent place for the people to witness this service. Many who came, had never before seen a baptism. The Lord’s Spirit was present as we spoke to those assembled. We believe there will be a large harvest of souls in this place. From a letter from Elder Adams, we were sorry to hear that his little girl was taken quite ill on their way to Iloilo, but he reports she is recovering. Brother Floyd Ashbaugh is now conducting a colporteurs’ institute at Argao, Cebu. We trust that many earnest persons may go from this institute to help circulate the new Cebuan book. As a result of our tent meeting at Baliwag, about fifty have started to keep the Sabbath. The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few. We feel that we should more earnestly pray to the Lord of the harvest to raise up many workers to help finish His work in the earth.