A.R,. CLIPPINGER and 8.G. ZIEGLER Revort of the Deputation to the Far East China Javan ~."" Pailtppine Islands 1926 Library of The Theological Seminary PRINCETON - NEW JERSEY C=) PRESENTED BY REPORT BLN SN A Deputation to the Far East CHINA JAPAN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 1926 FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST 1410 U. B. BUILDING DAYTON, OHIO RoE Pee or the DEPUTATION TO THE FAR HAST China Japan Philippine Islands / Bishop A. R. Clippinger Samuel G. Ziegler Foreign Missionary Society United Brethren in Christ L470 +B) °BENBUsLaiae Dayton, Ohio. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPUTATION TO THE MISSION FIELDS IN THE FAR EAST FOREWORD: The last episcopal and official visit to the mission fields in the Orient, including China, Japan and the Phil- ippine Islands, was made by President A. T. Howard, then Bishop of the Foreign Conferences in 1917. The past few years the board received urgent appeals from the missionaries, requesting it to send one or more representatives from the home base to confer with them regarding the work on the field. Nine years of growth and progress raised many new questions too difficult of polution without conference with those representing the church in America. Responsibility must be transferred. The National Church must be recognized. National attitudes and achievements in the various countries must be considered. A changing world means a new adjustment of forces to meet those changes, in spite of the fact that the purpose remains the same. In view of this the Foreign Mission Board at its annual session, November 10, 1925, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in consultation with the Board of Bishops, authorized a deputation consisting of one representative of each of the resepctive boards to visit our mission fields in the Far East just as early in 1926 as possible. A survey and study sheet was prepared as a guide for the deputation in its investigation and study. It covered every phase of mission work and proved an invaluable aid. The salient and important facts were presented immediately and little time was lost in approaching the question. This economized time and made possible a larger volume of work. The deputation left Dayton, February lst, 1926 and sailed from Vancouver on the "Empress of Asia", February 7th. We reached Manila March lst and spent four full weeks making a careful study and survey of the situation there. On March 28th we left for China and landed at Kowloon two days later. fhe following day we arrived at Canton. Three weeks were spent there and at Siu Lam. They were very full and busy days. By April 22nd we were on board the "President McKinley" bound for Kobe, Japan. We docked there Wednesday, April s8th, and began at once the busiest three weeks of the entire trip. May e8end found us on ship once more, this time with our faces turned FO. toward home. After nine days of most pleasant travel at sea, we landed at Vancouver May jlst and by evening were on American soil again. It was a hurried trip, but it gave us sufficient time to counsel with our missionaries, study our own migsion problems and decide upon nolicies for future administration, which we shall recommend to the Board in this report. A visit to the field has two distinct advantages. First to the Mission Council. It. brings the idea ana purpose of the home church directiy to the mission staff. It establishes a closer unity and makes possivle a clearer under- standing of the hoge point of view. It inspires the mission- ary and helps him in solving his own problens. It strengthens the bonds of brotherhood with the new church and fosters a better international good will. I+ enables both sides to face the questions at issue and solve them togethsr on the field where there is no chance for misunderstanding. Tt is a consideration which the missionaries and Christians deserve more than once in nine years. Second, it is an advantage to administrators at home. One cannot understand or appreciave *he situation on the field until he has seen the work and tne needs abroad himsel?. Correspondence means much more after such a wi site 925° 2s easier for the missionary to explain of meke his appeal if the one to vhom he writes has been on the fisid and has made a personal. study of +he situation. Efficiency and good administration demand that at least one visis a quadrennium be made to each mission field. We believe that such an arrangement woulc be a Gistinct advantage to the board at home and the mission council on the BCLs At a distence of 8,000 niles the whole task in the Far East looks like cne. It is in sone ways. In other ways the problems are 4s different a3 tne mission ficlds are different. There are certain ganeral policies which apply to all the work, but on the otner baud each one of the three fields presents 1%s ow peculiar propietus. This is due to the culture or temperament of tae people, to the stage 6f “eveivp— ment in the work itself, to the various kinds of work which the mission is doing, to the aititude of the people, to the position of the government, and to international relations. Tnese and other reasons make it advisable to handle each field separately. #3. THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. The first few days were spent in Manila, conferring with our workers and other missionary leaders. We met with the directors of the Union Theological Seminary in their regular session and also in conference with a special committee from the United Church of Manila. From there we went to Kiangan, the capital of Ifugao, where we spent several days in close study of that wonderful field. The next week we Separated company, the Bishop going to Buguio and I to Manila where each of us made further observations. The third week was spent at San Fernando, our missionary headquarters and the fourth week at Baguio, where the annual conference convened. Our responsibility in the Islands embraces the Province of La Union, together with several Sub-provinces in Mountain Province. The work was startGd amorzy” the TVvocanos in La Union Province. They are among the most aggressive of the lowland people. This accounts for the remarkable leadership which has been developed in the church. The people of the mountain provinces are very primitive in the customs and habits Of life. Thiswias @ue largely to the fact that they were not reached by Spanish cv] ture ard Roman Catholicism during the days of Spanish occupancy. Today the government conducts the Bureau of nen-Chrissian Tribes to look after the interests and welfare of these mountain people who number a million or more. Our time was so divided as to ° allow us to study end observe both phases of work. The Foreign Mission confer- ence comprises the result of our work emong the Ilocanos in La Wnion Province, Manila and Baguio, It is confined largely to the needs An the lowland. The mountain work is more recent and is carried on through the cooperation of the mission end conferences. We visited the following towms: Manila, San Fernando, Baguio, Aringay, Cava, San Juan, Bacnotan, Bauang and Kiangen. TRANSFERRING RESPONSIBILITY Mission work is passing through a serious transition, The national churches have reachéd guch strength that they need to be recognized more than they Imve been in some instances, We were glad to note that the Mirrion Council observed this deveiopment and gradu.ily tranoferread cersain responsibilities to their shouiders. This has helped to call out end bring to maturity efficient young leaders. Our work was so well organized and responsibility so carefully distributed that we F4. did not discover any serious dissatisfaction among tho Filipinos. We are fortunate to have had such wise leader- ship. There are a few instances where too nuch dictation from abroad threatened to disrupt the work of certain missions in the Islands. In the early part of the mission all the responsi- bility rested with the mission council. As the foreign conference developed, responsibility was handed over to it until now the major responsibility for conference work is carried by the conference itself. The last General Conference acted wisely when it gave more authority to these growing churches. A business committee, consisting of eight Filipinos and two missionaries, has full charge of the administration of conference affairs. This arrangement gives the Filipinos due recognition and liherty in the management of affairs. FILIPINO CONFERENCE It was our privilege to attend the Filipino Conference which convened March 34 - 28 at Baguio. The con- ference has come to the place where it provides nearly fifty percent of ites running budget. It also has a missicnary society which raises funds for the propogating of Christianity among the non-Christian tribes. Workers are provided rrom their own ranks and sent up into these needy places with the aid of these funds. It appeared to the deputation that closer super- vision of the work was necessary. The Business Committee therefore recommended the appointment of a Conference Superin- tendent and the Conference voted its approval. Rev. ©. P. Lorenzana was appointed. This is the first time a full-time Filipino Superintendent is in charge of the conference work. Such supervision will mean much to the Filipino preachers. UNION SEMINARY We were very much bmpressed with the Union Seninary and high school located at Manila. Plans are now on to intro- duce college subjects with a view of finally having a full college course available for such as wish to take the regular Seminary course leading up to the degree of B.D. The responsibility for this institution is divided into seven shares, which are carried by five denominations as follows: Presbyterian North 2, Methodist Episcopal 2, Congregational 1, Disciples 1, United Brethren 1. The contractor was just com- #5. pleting the erection of a $50,000 re-enforced concrete administratioi~building on Taft Avenue. It is a beautiful Structure and will add much to the cause of Protestanism in the Islands. We heartily endorse this institution and recommend our continued Support and cooperation. It is making possible a better and more thorough training for the ministers of the various denominations at far less cost than would be possible in separate institutions. THE EVANGEL PRESS One of the serious questions confronting mission boards and churches in every mission field is how to provide Christian literature for the new church. Our press, therefore, iS = Wh sb necessity. One of the main dialects of the islands is Ilocano. There are three mission boards working among the Ilocano speaking people. At present our press is the only one supplying Christian literature for this large constituency. The "Nambag a Damag", which we publish, is the only Christian weekly. The paper contains 16 pages, two of which carry news of the Methodist work among the Ilocanos. Methodist editors Supply the material subject to the approval of the publisher. The paper has 2,500 subscribers, 1,500 of these are from Methodist families, 500 from Disciple or Christian families and 500 from United Brethren. Both these communions are urging their members to read the paper. The Methodists are cooperat- ing officially. Since our visit a temporary arrangement has been made whereby the "Dalan ti Coppia", (Disciple publication) Will be issued in union with our "Nambag a Damag", This arrangement gives each of the three denominations two pages for denominational news and the remainder of the paper for general religious news. The temporary combination is to last for three months after which @ trial vote will be taken and a future pelicy determined by the Disciple Mission and Church. It is possible that they will take official action authorizing cooperation. In that event the whole Ilocano field will be open to the Evangel Press without any competition. With such an opportunity before us it igs imperative that we provide more adequate equipment. There are two possibilities before us. We can invite these two missions to join us in meeting the responsibility by incorporating the press and having them come in as joint owners on such terms as may be agreed upon. This may be the best way to secure the necessary equipment. Or we might have an understanding with them that their fields will be open for Solicitation of subscribers and business, and that they will give their moral support to the press, depending upon it to #6. supply the needs of their Ilocano missions. We have such on orrangenent with the Lethodists now. While they 2ssune no financial obligations, they provide a great field for business and become at once the representative and agent for the press in their own churches. They also secure their Ilocano Sunday School literature through the ivangel Press and recently subsidized its publication in order to get a better grace of paper in the quarterlies. Whatever arrangements may be made, we believe that it is important that the Press be improved. We have a good building well located in San Fernando, the capital of La Union and the center of the Ilocano population. The building is large enough to allow additional equipment. A medium size cylinder press with some new type is an immediate need. The "Naimbag" is issued now on two job presses which entail a great deal of time and work. BIBLZ TRAINING SCHOOL This institution is well located on an eminence overlooking San Fernando City and bay. It is housed ina comuiodious and well constructed building, giving ample accommodations for class work and dormitory. There is no better building in the city. The material equipment and location are not the best things about the institutions. The spirit of the school, the teachers and student body are more exceptional than the building. This is proven by the fact that it has been sending badk into the life of the church a constant stream of the most acceptable Bible women and deaconesses. iwhen the history of the United Brethren Lission in the Philippines is written, much credit will have to be given to these consecrated young women. They go out into the most difficult places and do work in many instances equal to a regular pastorate. The school can be made more useful by branching out and offering more inducements for a general education. Hereto- fore, the chief purpose has been to train deaconesses and Bible women. It should remain that, but in the meantine a larger student body could be served and young wozien given a Christien education under favorable conditions. Wwe deen it the part of wisdom to have this larger purpose in view. A trained Christian vomanhood is a valuable asset for any country. Such work can be carried on without infringing on the primary purpose of the school. In the meantime it can be made to serve a mucn larger constituency. #7. HOSPITAL Our medical work is carried on in connection with the government. It is the policy of the government to provide a hospital and medical facilities in each province. San Fernando, being the capital of La Union Province, is entitled to such an institution, but so long as we provide first class medical help and advantages the government will not interfere. It is their purpose to cooperate. The only doctors practicing at our hospital are the government health doctors. In this Way a fine cooperation is carried on. The mission provides a building, equipment and a nurse, and the government, through its doctors and health cepartment, turns all its patients over to our care. This opens many doors and makes possible points of contact with the people which could not be secured otherwise. It is a fertile field for personal work and Christian service. The work at present is being conducted in the former Bible Training School building. It is old and dilapidated. Very extensive repairs are necessary. If we are going to do medical work it is worth doing right. Since funds are on hand for the erection of a new building, we believe that it is advisable to have plans prepared to wake arrangements to begin work at an early date. IFUGAO It 18 a bub-province of Mountain Province and has a population of 66,000 according to constabulary reports. Kiangan is the capital. The government has a grade school and small hospital located there. It is in this town that Kiss lietzzger is stationed. its Secretary, alse duly ahnthorized by res¢Lution cf its Board of Directcrs, have hereunte set their havidew io oe day of PMID iS pe ih ak We wish te statu, however, that we believe it would be disastrous to enccurage the organization cf independent churches througheut the Islands, and hereby express our disappreval of any such policy. We express the hope that this cne organization will blaze the way for the ccnsumma- tien of that large union which shall compose the Chunem, Of, Christ in the Philippines. STAFF 1 a ‘ ‘nes demands feur families besides the a ee ei cae ae staff. One family is needed to manage the Evangel Press and assist in the werk at Soe ao Fernandc. Ancther is necessary te, meet, Cur nepesnene He : the Directors ef Union Theclogical Semino*y, Serer a full time. er 3 itv, The werk 4 ge’ F eee Oe cee, Senne We fear the church will RDS sri alee tunity if a family is net Brenna auGbey, aa a Wes not. begin. ve | ; 3 tare ‘ ro oem ah teats a eseicnary family Me Gfiee ts ete a DBM Acctrs Kiangan ani Kaling2 call Loufily. . eRe a ee r itics invite our assistance in educaticna eoitie te de our youth cf these neglected areus: MGakeoperly. If Wwe dan werk well unlvss we can staff the tes 5 twent rear ; Ir We j i well for the next fifteen r v y MAA 5 man these pinces at will ve passed ana . strceng ggressive the crisig, am Cul, Bed established. Filipino Church will have been #15 CHINA China is undergoing great changes. She is in the nilst cf a rennissance. The travail ani pain cf a new life are suffered in every member cf her vast belly. The rennants cf the cli erder liv abcut in diserder and ruin, while the tender ferees of the new crder tedicusly ani procaricusly werk their way thrcugh this chaes te light and pcewer. The whele state ef affairs was indeed ccnfusing tc a visiter fren the Ofcident. It lecked at first as thcugh the rensen fer their distress was the lack ef A government. But after mere careful cbservation it appuared as theugh they Were cursed with tcc many gevernments — national and inter— naticnal. This umicubdtedly is cne cf the main factors in the present upheaval in China. They Were ruled frem within and fren without by tcc meny pCcwers which Were net gcvernnents in thegense that-they existed by right ef the consent of the gevurnude This situaticn must change. A twentieth century werld will net tolerate it. China will net tclerate it either. You might as Well try te compel the spreuting accrn to be satisfiva within the confines cf the nut as te try te stop the renaissance Which is taking place in the Far haste These changes are accempaniud by many other mcvementBe Seme aru goci, Cthers aru & menace te pregress and gocd gevernment. Anti-fereign ani anti-Christian forces are hinder ing the missicnary cause ani making it difficult fer the naticnal church t¢ press ferward as it cthurwWise would. Lawlessness and banditry make schecl werk uncertain and general evangelism unsafe. Parents are afraid te send their children cut of the village fer fear of having them kidnapped ani hela for ransom. Chincse pastcrs ef power and influence are not free tc travel because of these marauding bands cf robbers. For this reasen we tid not held » ocnference with cur Chinese prstcrse This general situation noite it impcssible as ‘ell as inadvisable tc visit all the missicn churches ani chapels. The first Suniay We worshipped with the Henam cengregaticn in Canten in the seccent story cf the Ccever Dispensary where they meet regularly. The fcllewing Suniay we separated, Bishep Clinpinger ccershipping in Cantcn ani I in Siu Lan with cur cengregaticn there. The next day 1 had services with the cengregation at Kau Chnu Kei. Besiies visiting twe cther chapels, this is the limit of cur centacts with the pastors ani lnayity cf the mission and the church. The last Sunday cur gurvicus were ita ce Mach Beep eT erian Gol aces Gane tudents and faculty 4 anton ristian College an te simi LAr pody at the Unicn Middle Scheel. We ant not #16 fail te Mentic¢n the fact that we net in conference with the Official members of the Cantcn ani Siu Lan cCngregaticns, With the faculty cf the Beys Scheel, Siu Lam, with the Executive Committee cf the Divisional Council of the Church Of Christ in Kwangtung Previnee, ani with the Board cf Directers cf Cantey Hospital, Many cther private confcrenceg ani interviews were held with indivituals and small gercups Of missionaries and Chinuse Christians. New light was sought from every available source. MEDICAL MISSIONS Every branch of mission work is affucted by the prusent mee oad situaticn. The Canton Hespital, the oldest in ina, was compelled to olcse ites docrs a short time before we arrived because the Miscellaneous Workers! Union made Gemands which the hospital woul’ not must. When the insti- tution failed to comply with the regulations all help was Called cut cn a strike, pickets were stationed at the gates @énd all Chinese who attempted to enter were threatened and refused access. The Givil authorities were toampotent to en- ferce crder or toc much involved te want te do anything. The h¢espital remaing clesed to this date with no prcepects cf an early resumpticn cf work. RAMSBURG HOSPITAL The influence and prestige of this instituticn is grow ing stcadily. We visited the Cther so called hCspitals in Siu Lam. They might have passed a hundred years age in ‘Anurica, but they would not pass new. Ours is the enly comacntable h¢espital ministering te the physical nevis of the 200,000 peeple living in that ccmmunity. Dr. Ccok bears full responsibility. He ig ably assisted by Miss Esther Schell, the head nurse. The constantly increasing patrcnage makes & heavy and cenfining ruspcnsibility for Cns mane