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

CHAPTER XXII

GIRLS' BIBLE SCHOOLS
Social custom renders it extremely difficult for pastors to
reach Filipino women in their homes. Bible women are therefore indispensable. Women in the Philippines, as in other
parts of the world are conservative about changing their religious affiliations, but are more faithful to their religious duties
after they have made the change, than are men.
To meet the need for Bible women, seven Bible schools
have been conducted by the various denominations. The Methodist Mission conducts the Harris Memorial Training School
in Manila, and the Lingayen Girls' School in the Province of
Pangasinan. The Baptists have their Missionary Training
School in Iloilo, the United Brethren conduct the San Fernando
Girls' School in the Province of La Union, the Presbyterians
have the Ellinwood Girls' School in Manila, and the American
Board Mission (Congregational) conducts the Cagayan Girls'
Bible School in Misamis Province, Mindanao. The Christian
and Missionary Alliance conducts a school for mestiza girls
in Zamboanga, Mindanao, and the Episcopal Mission has the
"House of the Holy Child" in Manila for mestiza girls, but
neither of these institutions makes the training of Bible women
its primary objective. Nor does the Episcopal school for
Igorot girls, at Sagada.
Harris Memorial is the oldest of the Girls' Bible Schools
(I903). In the early days many of the girls who entered
could not read or write, and had to be taught from the first
grade. The standard has been raised each year, until to-day
(there are a few exceptions) only girls who have graduated
from the intermediate grades of the public schools are admitted. (This is true of most of the women's Bible schools
at the present time.)
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