p. 12 | Items From the Philippines by Elbridge Adams

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 1, 1914

Items From the Philippines

By Elbridge Adams

ELBRIDGE ADAMS

AFTER about twenty-seven days' voyage Elder L. V. Finster, with his company of thirteen, arrived in Manila. For the most part they had a good trip, and all seemed to be in good health. It took considerable time to get all their things through the customs, but when that was done we loaded the baggage into a truck and went out to the home prepared for them. We sat down to the good dinner that was waiting for us, and enjoyed eating together, feeling that we were one family united to help carry this sweet message of salvation to these islands.

Of course the people wanted to see them as soon as possible. So we had planned a reception for the evening, in which all seemed to take great interest. The Filipinos told them that they regarded them not as Americans, but as brethren in Christ. And of course the new workers called these dark people brethren. In our company four dialects are spoken; and in the program a few items of interest were mentioned by these members concerning their people, and an appeal was made for some of the workers to go to labor among them. A song was sung in each of the four dialects, which were Tagalog, Visayen, Ilocano, and Cagayan.

I am sure that our hearts are all glad for this help, and we pray God's richest blessing upon every one, that the most may be accomplished for the Master. When these workers shall have been placed in their respective fields of labor, there will still be so much territory unprovided for that it will seem as if a bare beginning has been made. And, brethren, don't forget that we shall be ready for more workers very soon. We are thankful for what has been done for us. It makes us hope for the finishing of our work in the near future; and that means the return of our dear Lord and Master.

On Sabbath, October 25, a native brother by the name of Francisco Santos told me how he learned to read. It was near the first part of this year. He bought a Bible soon after he accepted the truth. And as he took it home he thought, "I cannot read." That troubled his mind very much. So one day he took his Bible and went into as quiet a place as he could find, and knelt down and prayed to the Lord to teach him to read. He got up, and although he did not know one letter from another before, he began to read with understanding. He has increased in speed by practice. But surely the Lord heard his prayer and answered it.

Before this, this same brother had sickness in his family. His child was seriously ill, and had become too weak to lift its head. He said: "I had no money to buy medicine. So I went into the kitchen and prayed in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to heal my child. I went back to the child and laid my hand on its breast, and it got up and began running around."

This poor brother has not much of this world's goods, and he did not even know how to read; but he believed God, and God did for him what he could not do for himself. That is just what he wants to do for us all. But the trouble with many of us is, we are inclined to feel, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." I believe that God would do more for us if our faith were more simple.

In his weekly letters Brother Ashbaugh always expresses hopefulness and courage. The Lord is blessing him in the work, and I have no doubt but that much of the good seed that he has sown will spring up and produce a harvest. He says: "When I am tempted to feel lonesome I sing, 'The long, dark night is almost o'er, the morning soon will come.' When the burdens seem to weigh heavy, I sing, 'Not now, my child, a little more rough tossing, a little longer on the billows' foam.' Now is the time for earnest work and faithful burden bearing. What little we do will seem very small when we hear the words, 'Well done.'"

This brother has had some very interesting experiences. They are rather exceptional, or would be in the United States. In one of his late letters, he says: "Today a young man came running after me on the street and said, 'Excuse me, I want to get one of those books.' I had not seen him before, but his friends had told him about the book."

This is the way Brother Ashbaugh explains Eccl. 11:4: "He that observeth the wind [baguio] shall not sow [take orders]; and he that regardeth the clouds [rain], shall not reap [deliver]." The baguios are our heavy windstorms.

Truly this is a blessed work. If every Seventh-day Adventist young man only knew what honor, promotion, and wealth are bound up with this missionary work, the world's best would have no attraction for him. The greatest glory of men pales before the eye of faith which sees that which is awaiting the faithful. And the more perfect our vision the more we can appreciate the choice of Moses. "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." God help us not to make the mistake that so many are making—choosing that which is only transitory and fleeting, when they could have "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away."