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

228 THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES

those in attendance can be housed in the same place in which
the classes are taught. It is not then possible for laborers
to do as much outside work as at other times of the year,
and people are glad of some way in which to occupy their
minds in a profitable manner. One reads of delegates walking
"forty miles through the storm and mud with nothing to eat
for twenty-four hours" and testifying that they were more
than repaid for their discomfort. Especially the women often
make great sacrifices so that their hungry minds and hearts
may be filled. It is touching to see how eager the women
were to hear Old Testament stories. Several walked two
miles every day, one carrying a heavy child, and to reach
another institute "some of the women walked thirty or forty
kilometers, carrying on their heads their clothes and food
for ten days."
A women's conference was being held at Pola. "They
came in groups, on foot, carrying bundles on their hands;
or in two-wheeled vehicles called carretelas, packed in with
their bundles of clothes or sacks of rice. Some came on
the wheezing little English railroad. They attended every
meeting, which consisted of lectures and discussions on practical subjects. Here is where the people know that religion
is a matter of life without being told by theologians. One
afternoon Mrs. Panganiban, one of our former Bible women,
gave a helpful talk. She brought models of small baby clothes
to show the women how to keep their children well and
happy. There was a crowd of men at the windows and as
the discussion grew more interesting they pressed their way
into the mothers' meeting, asking questions, and carefully
handling the articles of clothing."
How hungry the people are! "Every time we closed our
classes people begged us to stay longer. Preachers sent us
urgent invitations to come to their churches and hold classes.
At Pefiaranda the institute was too large for the chapel, and
we could not close without having first promised to return
and hold another meeting."
The reader who has not attended an institute must be
warned against any visions of banquets or even American