CHAPTER XXVII.

EPISCOPALIAN AND OTHER CHURCHES.

THE Protestant Episcopal Church has occupied the Philippine Islands in strength. The work of this Church began through the efforts of army chaplains who were Episcopalians. Chaplains Charles C. Pierce, David L. Fleming, Walter Marvine, and Henry Swift, in the early days of 1898 and 1899, and Chaplain Walkely at a later stage, did all in their power to establish the Episcopal Church among both Filipinos and Americans. Chaplains Pierce and Walkely served as regular pastors in Manila while on duty with their regiments, and performed as much labor in the pulpit and in pastoral visitation as the average pastor of any Church finds time to do.

However, it is scarcely correct to say that the history of a Church in the Philippines can be dated from the gratuitous services of men who were not sent to do that specific work, but who were sent and supported to do another and a wholly unsectarian work. It is only right and fair in summing up the beginnings of Church life in the Archipelago to date the formal inauguration of the several Churches from the arrival of regularly accredited agents of the various Mission Boards of such Churches. This does not minify in any degree the excellent work of army chaplains. But it does make clear the definite beginnings of those Church activities which were avowedly directed and supported by the home organization. In fact, it may as well be said that it will always be a question how far

the avowed denominational activities of army chaplains can be allowed to go in strict justice while they are supported from public funds, and have assigned to them tasks, which, if properly done, will not leave time for assuming pastorates of Churches and directing the formation of Church policies in such fields as the army may occupy.

Rev. James L. Smiley was sent to the Philippines by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew in 1899, and afterward accepted appointment as the first representative of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church. Ill-health subsequently demanded his return to the United States. In November, 1901, Rev. Walter C. Clapp and Rev. John A. Staunton, Jr., arrived in Manila, and took charge of the work of the Church on behalf of the Board of Missions. On October 5, 1901, the General Convention of the Church, sitting in San Francisco, erected the Philippine Islands into a Missionary District (contradistinguished from a Diocese), and on the 14th of the same month elected the Rev. Charles Henry Brent, D. D., rector of the St. Stephen's Church, Boston, as the first bishop. Dr. Brent was consecrated in Emmanuel Church, Boston, December 19, 1901, and until the middle of the following May devoted himself to the task of securing funds, in addition to the appropriations from the Board of Managers, for the prosecution of the work committed to him. He succeeded in raising about $150,000. One gift of $100,000 was for a cathedral to be erected in Manila. Another, for $25,000, was for a parish house. The bishop arrived in Manila August 24, 1902. Within the next few weeks he was joined by the Rev. Irving Spencer and wife, Miss Harriet B. Osgood, kindergartner, and Miss Margaret P. Waterman, parish visitor. Other additions to the staff to date include Miss Beatrice Oakes, Miss Clara Thacher, and Miss Jane S. Jackson,

missionary nurses; Miss Emily M. Elwyn, deaconess; Dr.
C. Radcliffe Johnson, missionary-physician, and wife;
Rev. Mercer G. Johnston and wife; and Mr. Hobart E.
Studley and Mr. Santos Javier.

In Manila, work is going forward in four distinct directions. First and foremost is that among the American and English community. St. Stephen's Church, now worshiping in a temporary chapel in Ermita, is served by Rev. Mercer G. Johnston as rector. A parish house is soon to be built at a cost of $25,000, for which the money is in hand. The plans for the parish house include a gymnasium, a billiard-room, a library, and an assemblyroom, and is to be furnished by the students of Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Pennsylvania Universities. It is intended to serve as a respectable rendezvous for the young men of the city, and a valuable adjunct to the pastoral work of the cathedral. This is to be called the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. John.

Next is the Settlement Work, two miles away from the proposed location for the cathedral, and among the Filipino population. This work is carried forward on lines similar to those followed in such work in London or Boston. A kindergartner and a parish visitor give their entire time to the work which their designation suggests. Besides this, there are classes in sewing and writing, and clubs for boys and girls. There are no religious services for Filipinos held in the Settlement House. Bishop Brent has not yet seen his way to beginning definite religious work in that part of the city.

Next comes the medical work carried forward by Dr. Johnson. This is maintained in connection with the Settlement House. Dispensary patients average one hundred and fifty per week. The response of the Filipino to American medical treatment, even when wholly free, is not im

mediate in Manila, whatever it may be in other places less plentifully supplied with native medicos and practicantes. A number of American physicians practicing in the city give their time several hours each week to make this medical work a success.

Chinese work has been begun also. Rev. Hobart E. Studley, a regular missionary of the Reformed Church in Amoy for six years, has opened services for Chinese. He is to be ordained (or reordained) at a later date.

Outside of Manila the Church has undertaken work in Iloilo, where Rev. Irving Spencer ministers to the American population, occasionally visiting Zamboanga, in Mindanao, and holding a service among civilian Americans resident there.

In Baguio, the newly chosen summer capital of the Philippines, "in the pine belt," Rev. John A. Staunton, Jr., serves as rector, and ministers, "by request," to Catholic Filipinos at Trinidad, a few miles away, from time to time. It is hoped that when the American summer population in Baguio reaches into the hundreds that this Church will exert a strong influence. Baguio is to be the recuperating station for the Episcopalians as well as for other missions.

Farther north in Luzon, Rev. Walter C. Clapp, assisted by a trained nurse and deaconess, are at work among the Igorrotes in the mountain regions of Lepanto, Bontoc. Another clergyman and a medical man are to be sent there soon to strengthen the force. Mr. Clapp also ministers to a Catholic community which has been deserted by its priest.

Bishop Brent finds himself unable to take the view of other Protestant missionaries as to directly attempting to influence the thought of the Catholics in the Philippines. He does not commit himself as yet to the statement