The Earnestness with Which the Native Converts Enter the Work
What May Be Done with Such a People
THE grace of God is working marvelous changes in the hearts of men and women in non-Christian and non-Protestant lands. The converts to Christianity in these lands of darkness seem to make very rapid progress in Christian life and experience.
APPEALING FILIPINO ADDRESSES
On our arrival at Manila, our Filipino brethren and sisters gave us a welcome in a tent in which they were conducting a series of meetings. The exercises consisted of singing hymns in their vernacular, and presenting to us appeals in behalf of their people. These appeals were made separately by five young men and one very old man.
DESIRES A SCHOOL FOR TRAINING THEM
Emilio Manalaysay, one of our most earnest, faithful evangelists and translators, said: "I represent the Tagalog people living in the central and southern part of the island of Luzon. My people number about 1,500,000. Being in closest touch with Manila, the capital, they have been enlightened and influenced more than any of the other people of the Philippines, by recent changes in the islands. Our work in the Philippines began among the Tagalog people. We now have three churches, with a membership of three hundred; and four companies, of about one hundred believers, awaiting baptism. My earnest request is for a school in which to train the scores of our young people who have a great desire to give their lives to this work."
INTERIOR OF CHURCH, SANTA ANA, P. I.
INDUSTRIOUS AND CALLING FOR LIGHT
Leon Roda said: "I address you in behalf of the Ilocano people, who live in the northwestern part of the island of Luzon. They number about 850,000 souls. They are very industrious, and come behind none in intellectual attainments. We have opened up one mission among this tribe. Elder Roy Hay is in Vigan, and has been studying the language for one year. My people are in great darkness, and I long to have the third angel's message made known to them. I desire to be released from work among the Tagalog people, and be sent to labor for my people, the Ilocanos."
SHOULD BE TAUGHT THAT JESUS IS COMING
Augustin Panaga said: "I am the only Sabbath keeper among the 160,000 Cagayan people. None of them know that Jesus is soon coming, and they are not prepared to meet Him. My request is that I may be sent with some foreign worker to give this message to my people."
PROSPECTS FOR HARVEST OF SOULS
Ricardo Sabella said: "The Visayan people, whom I represent, live in the southern islands of the group, and outnumber all the other tribes. They number 3,222,000 souls. We have started work in two of the largest islands of the Visayans; and the prospect is very bright for many souls being won for the Master."
PLEADS FOR LITERATURE FOR HIS PEOPLE
Daniel Balayo said: "I am the only Sabbath keeper of the Bicol people. There are less than 570,000 of them, but they must hear this message. I am distributing our Tagalog literature. My request is that you will soon provide literature in the language of my people, that I may take the message to them."
EARNESTLY REQUESTS PAMPANGAN LITERATURE
Apolonio de Jesus said: "I represent the Pampangan people. They live just north of the Tagalog people; but thus far, no one has been there to tell them of the soon coming of Jesus. I am now seventy-three years of age, yet I am very busy selling our Tagalog books. I request you to print books in the language of the Pampangan people, and I will take the message to them."
WHAT COULD NOT SUCH PEOPLE DO?
Men and women possessing the earnestness, intelligence, and consecration manifested by these believers, are a great asset to our cause in the Philippines. Given good training and leadership, they will be a great help in quickly proclaiming the message for this time to all the people in these islands. A. G. D.
