| Show PROGRESS OF protestantism r s IN THE philippine ISLANDS new york may american dible society has received from its agent in tho philippines rev jay C goodrich his annual report on tho situation n the islands inclusive of tho circulation of the bible lie says it was no childs play eliat confronted either the civil or military authorities here when alic spanish government officials withdrew those who had shaped affairs remained behind shaken booso by the revolution still this system clung and must be considered conciliated and dealt with before those who lave suffered much and protested long can bo benefited careful diplomacy has been necessary to bring about anything ike order negotiations for the settlement of the land question have been carried on over slumbering of disappointed hatred the educational department which lias startled the world by the boldness and magnitude of its plan is tackling its problem with enthusiasm the missionary forces been greatly augmented the baptists and presbyterians rians on the islands of Panay arc reaching many of alic rural people at the market places where they congregate from miles in the interior and arc greatly interested in the teaching of alie bible dr hall has a hospital at iloilo and is proving that medical missions aro profitable in spiritual results at Dama gueto the biliman institute under the direction of rev air hibbard is well established with a growing attendance the united brethren church have established work at vigan on the northern part of the island of luzon with headquarters at manila the disciple bi church has two representatives in manila where english work is under way work among the filipinos will begin shortly the methodist episcopal church has opened work in hagonos Hago noy bulacan province in sail fernanda province and gerona harlac province all on the island of luzon A kiyon of the protestant churches in the archipelago was effected for alie purpose of utilizing the missionary forces to the best and greatest advantage by the division of the field and the open discussion of all questions of corn nion interest the evangelical umon of the philippine Island 8 waa chosen as the name and a committee was appointed which succeeded in effecting a division of the field so that for at least three years there be practically no overlapping of the different missions provision hamade wa made for an executive committee to which will be referred any question of comity which might arise at the s first annual convention of this organization representatives from the entire field were heard and vital questions affect ing tho whole field discussed while the filipino church has not the unity and freedom from sectarianism hoped for and there seems to be little prospect of denominational interdenominational inter schools and literature very inucci lias been accomplished complis hed by the union of forces and it is hoped that with the growth of the missions there will be in this field the working out in practical shape of all the growing world wide feeling for the unity and harmony of christs church outside the people in manila and ita environs there are none who are so ripe for the use of the bibic and who receive it so eagerly as do the people of province we arc in receipt of the first gospel to be translated into the language of the group of the islands chaplain john A randolph of the united states army with the assistance of competent native helpers has with the utmost care translated and thoroughly revised this important manuscript which lias been society without coat by tle chaplain and dedicated to the north mississippi conference of the M E church south i printing for the bible society has been done in japan the total number of volumes published is seventy one thousand the total number of pages is J bast year we reported the sale and gift of copies this year the total circulation is copies the sales in the manila depository have been copies when we consider the bitter opposition the unsettled condition of the country making it dangerous in the extreme to venture into the interior without an escort the great lack of roads and for travel and the number of men employed the work accomplished complis hed certainly 13 marvelous |
