Opening New Stations in the Philippines by L. V. Finster

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 22, 1914

Opening New Stations in the Philippines

By L. V. Finster

L. V. FINSTER

THE Filipinos have many languages and dialects. People of different provinces cannot understand one another, although they may live but a few miles apart. But the gospel commission bids us go to all nations and tongues; for Jesus will not return until the gospel has been "preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations."

With the help that has been sent from the homeland, we have been able to open up missions in three new languages this year. Elder Roy Hay has gone to the Ilocano people, in northern Luzon; Elder E. M. Adams to the Iloilo-Visayan people, on the islands of Panay and Negros; and Dr. Carlos Fattebert and Brother Robert Stewart to the Cebu-Visayan people on the island of Cebu. They are now settled and hard at work on the study of the languages, that the people may hear the truth in their own tongues.

All these places should have been entered long before. The people are in great darkness. Rome has ruled for nearly three hundred years, and has done little to uplift the people. The Bible has been kept from them, and their ancient forms of heathenism have been changed only in name. Many of the people are longing for the light, and greatly appreciate the gospel when it is taught them. There are many other provinces that must be entered soon. These workers gather the young people and teach them to carry the gospel to their own people.

Experiences in the Philippines

Last week we sent one of our colporteurs to Rizal Province, but as he was eating his evening meal, with his family, the police came and asked why he was there, and took all of them to jail. Here they stayed during the night. The next day he was called before the president and asked why he was selling Bibles and books there without authority. He told the president that he had very high authority, and read the gospel commission and the third angel's message, and canvassed the president for the books. He was then dismissed, and told to sell as many as he pleased.

Burning Bibles

The time of burning the Bible is not confined to the Dark Ages. Not long ago, in the province of Ilocos Sur, the priest in the largest city of the province invited the people to the public square, and then poured oil on a large pile of Bibles and burned them.

God Hears and Answers Prayers

The Lord answers the prayer of faith, no matter what the color of the suppliant may be. One son of this darkened land heard the gospel story preached. His simple faith grasped the promises, and he gave himself to the Lord. He could not read, but longed to know the Word of God. He thought of it much, and finally said that God had heard the prayers of other people, and why could he not help him to read his Word? He went to his closet and prayed. He came back and picked up his Bible and began to read. He has improved wonderfully, and is now one of our colporteurs.

A short time ago his child was sick, and he was obliged to remain at home for some time. One of our native Bible workers visited him, and the man said, "Why can we not do as it is stated in the book of James?" They bowed and claimed the promise. The child arose without any assistance, and went out to

play. This greatly strengthened his faith in a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God.

We are now holding a baptismal class of about twenty in Tondo. We shall probably baptize them the last of this month. There are eight or ten at Maypajo who have been keeping the Sabbath nearly two years; they are calling for a baptismal class, that they may learn more of the Christian life and be baptized. There are eight at Imus who will soon be ready for baptism. The consecration of these persons in their early love for the Saviour, causes great joy to the laborers.