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

274 THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES
struggle like that revealed by the following touching appeal
from a student for the ministry:
"Don't you remember when I told you that I would strive
to reach the States and pursue the ministry course? I am
now determined to do it. God may not make me a good
preacher but when I answered His call I dedicated all my
body and life to His plan for me. I know He has a plan
for me to perform. Whatever and wherever it may be I
am bound by my vow to go and do it.
"With my present attainment I cannot enter the seminary.
I am here taking such subjects as will prepare me for the
seminary course. Indeed, I am now fighting hard because
my time is very limited.
"I am wiping dishes for my board. My spare time is
not enough for me to digest my lessons. Think of wiping
all the dishes for seventy boarders. Besides, I am washing
and pressing my own clothes. That takes out more of my
time to study. Well, I hope I may come out 0. K. in my
studies in spite of all this hard work. I only trust everything
to God.
"Will you include me sometimes in your intercessory
prayers? I can't think of any greater help than your prayers.
I remember Alfred Tennyson said, 'More things are wrought
by prayer than any man dreams of.' Oh that my patience
and perseverance won't give way, and that I may accomplish
God's plan for me to the end.
"With affectionate greetings,
(Sgd.) "AVARICO D. VIERNES."
OTHER PERSONALITIES
Because the men and women of the younger generation use
the English language, and have familiarized themselves with
Western ideas, American missionaries are tempted to give
them credit for greater spiritual capacity than their parents,
and to neglect the passing generation. The truth is that the
old dialect-speaking people are just as hungry for a deepening
of their spiritual lives as their children, and if one takes the