JULY, 1946
289
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RUTH A. WOODWORTH
WHAT ABOUT INDEPENDENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES?
W HEN IN 1898, during the S p a n i s h American war, the Americans first entered the prisons, and released many per sons who had been detained there for political and religious reasons. One of these prisoners asked an American soldier, “May we read and teach the Bible now as we wish?” The soldier pointed to the American flag and said, “As long as that flag flies over the Philippines, you may read and teach the Bible as you please.” On the Fourth of July, the American flag is to come down in the Philip pines. America can be justly proud of her record there. She has given the Islands a fine educational system, improved sanitation, hospitals, lep- rosariums, and, above all, religious liberty. Missionary Prospects What will independence mean for the evangelical church? Will foreign missionaries be needed? Will they be welcomed? Will the Church of Rome
succeed once again in making the Bible a forbidden book? The new P h i l i p p i n e president, Ma uel Roxas, is reported to be the choice of the Roman Catholic Church, and to have Fascist sympathies. He has denied the latter charge, and prom ises to be the greatest champion of democracy that his country has ever had. He has also assured full coopera tion with the United States policy in the Far East. His policy has been stated in the words: “Peace at home, plenty from the United States.” His victory at the election poles over the more liberal Osmena does not look promising for evangelical Christianity. But when we see the success the Gospel has had in the last forty odd years there, and when we consider the promises of God, we take courage, and pray and hope for the best. A recent report of the Gospel Prayer Band covers present conditions in the Philippines: “It is,common knowledge that as a whole the Philippines are left in s h a m b l e s . Her homes, farms and factories were ruthlessly destroyed in one of the most wanton orgies of plunder ever visited upon a helpless people. What has survived the war is her undying pride that she has remained loyal to America, so eloquently p r o v e n at Bataan and Corregidor. Her hope of survival lies mainly in the unselfish aid that the United States can give.” This is true of the religious situation in the Philippines as well. Churches, hospitals, Bible institutes have been destroyed; m a n y Christian leaders have been killed. Believers have been scattered and disintegrated because of the cruelties they have endured, and the brutal maiming and killing of their loved ones. They are calling for the missionaries to come and help them make another start. They need food, clothing, shelter, Christian liter ature and Bibles. Here is our opportu nity to translate 1 Corinthians 13 into action. Revival In spite of these conditions, it was
the Philippine Islands, they opened
Ruined street in Manila never more true that the Christian Church never loses out through suf fering and affliction, but rather is always p u r i f i e d and strengthened thereby. During the Japanese occupa tion, the propaganda department of the Japanese Army tried by cruel threats to force our Christian Filipino leaders into an unscriptural church union of all Protestant churches. This involved not only a union with mod ernists and unbelievers, but also bow ing towards Tokyo, and praying for the Japanese dead. At that very time, when our own lives were in jeopardy* God sent a revival to our church in Manila. Secret sin was uncovered and confessed, and wrongs in the lives of our Christians were put right. God worked very mightily. Those of us who paid the price will never be the same because of the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. One of the results of this revival was the organization of the Gospel Prayer Band, c o m po s e d of young Filipino men and women. They are
Typical Philippine scene—Native boy with caribou.
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