The people of the Philippines, their religious progress and preparation for spiritual leadership in the Far East,

EVANGELISTIC MISSIONS

wind is favorable every word may be heard distinctly for a
quarter of a mile, and the ignorant fisherfolk think they are
witnessing a miracle.
INSTITUTES AND CONFERENCES
"Lyceums," or "Institutes," usually combine evangelistic
services with more or less religious education. Pastors,
evangelists, Bible women and volunteer workers are called
together for a week or perhaps even for a month. Classes
are conducted during the day, while the evening is devoted
to evangelistic meetings. A typical institute was that at
Vigan in I907 when Rev. Harry Farmer taught the following
subjects:
The Gospel of John
Life of John Wesley
Catechism
Articles of Faith
Epistle to the Romans
Lectures on Preaching
Sermonizing and singing.
"Men of all stages of intellectual development were present,
from the farm laborer to the merchant and town official.'
For the most part, however, institutes have had the preachers
especially in mind. Many preachers had been picked up so
hurriedly and had been pushed into work so poorly trained
that they knew very little to preach save hatred of the Roman
Catholic Church.
The best time for institutes is Holy Week. For three
hundred years the Filipinos have made this a solemn religious
period, and, whether they be Catholic or Protestant, they go
to church and make an effort to be reverent, more than at
any other period of the year. In I908 a Presbyterian convention held during Holy Week was attended by six hundred
persons. Such questions were discussed as The Necessity of
9ible Study, Personal Work, and Self-Support.
The rainy season proves a favorable time for institutes. if