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

350 THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES
This is a loan, for the girl is expected to pay back to the school
the entire cost of her schooling within two years after graduation, out of the salary which she receives from her church.
The San Fernando Bible Training School began (I9I0) in
a little bamboo house. This was soon outgrown, and to-day
the school is housed in a beautiful concrete building on a lovely
hill overlooking the city and the distant sea. The first class of
six girls were graduated and were consecrated as deaconesses
in I913. During the succeeding ten years about thirty other
women received their diplomas.
The course is four years in length. A very thorough
training in the Bible (particular stress being laid on the life
of Christ and of Paul), and a general knowledge of theology,
church history, Sunday school methods, and music, afford
a good foundation for effective Christian service. In addition
to this religious instruction students pursue the studies given
in the fifth, sixth, and seventh grades of the public schools,
and are given government recognition upon completion of this
work.
Each student pays ten gentas of rice per month. She also
agrees to give as many years of service in the capacity of
deaconess as she spends in study. A few girls receive full
scholarships in return for the care which they take of the
dormitories. In 1922 forty girls were enrolled.
The unanimous request of churches, says Mr. Widdoes, is:
"Send us a deaconness whether you can send us a preacher or
not. These lovely Christian women can visit the homes, help
the children, organize women's societies, and do many things
better than preachers-and they are not half as expensive!"
Ellinwood Bible School for Girls was opened in I906 by
Miss Clyde Bartholomew, on the same block as the Ellinwood
Bible School for Boys. In I914 it moved one block away to a
fine concrete building. Perhaps the first advantage which will
rise in the mind of many a Filipino pastor and his wife, is
the nearness of these two schools. The girls regularly attend
the Ellinwood Church services, and form friendships under
the most wholesome circumstances with the splendid young
men who attend Unior Seminary. Not a few girls who had