The Philippine Islands by E. H. Gates

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 30, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 44.

The Philippine Islands.

By E. H. Gates

By E. H. Gates, General Secretary Pacific Island Missions.

“The dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.”

ALMOST four centuries ago the great navigator, Magellan, while searching for the famed Spice Islands, discovered the Philippines. At that time the people were mostly pagans, while many of the people of the Sulu Archipelago and the great island of Mindanao were fierce Mohammedans. Since that time the majority of them have, thru the teaching of the Spanish friars and the terror inspired by the Spanish guns, become Catholics.

In the mountains are found the Igorrotes, who are head-hunters; the Negritos, a pigmy race; the Indonesians of Mindanao, and many other smaller tribes, upon whom the Catholic faith and Spanish civilization made but little impression. The Mohammedan Moros were never reduced to obedience to Spain, tho their progress as pirates was checked.

The present population of the group is nearly 8,000,000. The land area of the group is 19,000 square miles larger than the combined area of Great Britain and Ireland. Luzon, the largest island, is alone equal to the combined area of Denmark, Belgium, and Holland, and Mindanao is almost equal in size to Portugal.

Filipino Belle, Necklace of Sharks' Teeth.

Tho the majority of the Filipinos embraced the Catholic religion, but little change was necessary in their lives or forms of worship. The worship of gods, which were similar to those worshiped to-day in Java and Borneo, was exchanged for the worship of the Virgin and other saints.

The awful moral condition of the mass of the people is terrible to contemplate. For centuries they have been ruled over by licentious, intemperate, and cruel Spanish friars, whose whole aim seemed to be to get money and power, and indulge self.

Their religion is summed up in attendance at mass and religious festivals, at the latter of which vast crowds march in procession, carrying lighted candles, gaudily decorated images of the saints, and accompanied by bands of music, illuminations, and surpliced priests. Sunday is usually spent in attending cock-fights, horse-races, and gambling places. Everybody smokes, even little children, with few exceptions. In this great and needy field we have one missionary and his wife, Brother and Sister McElhaney. To this people the message of Christ’s love and the truths concerning His second coming must be quickly given. The heart of Jesus is touched with the sorrows and woes of these people who have so long been bound by Romish shackles.

Living expenses and rents are exorbitantly high in Manila. Much means and many consecrated workers will soon be needed to furnish facilities for doing a quick work. Brethren in the home land, let our prayers and offerings go forth together, so that the reign of sin be finished, and Christ’s coming hastened.