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T may not be known to all the readers of the MAGAZINE that another "school of the prophets" has unfurled its banner. This infant seat of theological learning is located at Jaro. Perhaps it is too ambitious to speak of it as a theological seminary, but, as mighty oaks from little acorns grow," so the Bible Training School is in embryo the Philippine Baptist seminary of the future. Although this is the first year of its existence it has a total enrolment of eleven students. They are largely from the peasant class, which means that they are not brilliant students. But they mean business; and if their spirit is right we can forgive them for not shining as pulpit artists, or for losing their way in the labyrinth of theology.

The importance of the school as a factor in the religious life of the Visayan people can hardly be overestimated. For over 300 years the " voice of prophecy has not been heard in the land." The religious leaders have taught morality neither by precept nor example. They obscured the way of salvation, so that they neither entered in themselves nor permitted the people to enter in.

In this state of transition from the darkness and superstition of the Middle Ages to the light of the gospel, as we have it in this twentieth century, the people are easily led by any one who has more intelligence and force of character than the rest. So that it is of great importance to their future that men should be forthcoming who can lead their people into paths of righteousness and truth. This school aims to furnish just the men to do it. Two years of study ought to acquaint them with a fundamental knowledge of the text of Scripture and with.

its spirit. Then as they go among the villages teaching and preaching, they will be like leaven, which in time will

We have one student, however, who is promising. He is of the middle class and is far more intelligent than the others. He always knows his lesson; and, more remarkable still, on one or two occasions has shown signs of having thought for himself; and, most remarkable of all, he rarely fails to understand my Visayan.

TRAINING SCHOOL AND PUPILS BACOLOD, P. 1.

leaven the whole lump; and the wooden images which now fill the land will give place to the open Bible; and instead of the smoke of incense will go up the incense

of prayer from thousands and thousands of loyal, loving hearts. The isles are waiting for His law.-H. W. MUNGER, Bacolod,

P. I.

Principle: "And Peter Said"

(Matthew's Report of the Transfiguration.)

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E might have expected that Peter would speak; but what prompted him to "answer" on this particular occasion, is not at once evident. It is the mute appeal of the transcendent vision of a glorified life that explains Peter's response. Like John on Patmos, he "saw the voice that spake unto him." Does not the promptness with which he replied to the challenge, exhibit Peter's character in an attractive light? Not every man can hear the call of a situation, of a vision, of an ideal, before it is translated into constraining words. Most of us must be personally solicited, even urged to recognize and fulfil our duty. Not so Peter. When he saw, he answered. To be sure he blundered. He said the wrong thing at the wrong time. But that may well be pardoned, seeing that he said something, and had the will to do something. He did not see and then go listlessly away, feeling no touch whatever of obligation.

Just what was the vision that had stirred Peter to enthusiasm and action? There upon the mountain top, a bit of heaven had been let down to earth. Yes, it had come so near that they could overhear the conversation of the happy spirits who inhabited it, and had they dared, could have touched with outstretched finger their garments, white and glistering. And could they permit this glory to depart again into the far beyond without at least an effort to retain it among men? Peter thought, No. Hence his blundering suggestion, "Lord, let us make here three tabernacles." Thus

would he give heaven a local habitation and a name in this distressed world of ours.

Peter's spirit was indeed praiseworthy. We wonder how any man who has heard the Master's announcement, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand," and caught but the merest glimpse of its glory, can fail to desire its permanent realization or hesitate to answer the vision and say: "Lord, if thou wilt, I mean to do what I can to establish thy Kingdom as an abiding fact on earth as it is in heaven." Only this is not achieved by building operations. It is obvious where the cathedral heresy originated. It may be traced back as by apostolic succession to Peter's three tabernacles! For centuries pious Christians cherished the delusion that by magnificent structures of stone and wood, embellished with the rarest art, they might ensure the permanence of Christ's glory among men. Yet all the while the light was withdrawing itself, and heaven on earth seemed to fade farther and farther into the dim distance. For God dwells not in temples made with hands.

Peter's misconception found its correction when from the mount of vision the Master led him down to where the demoniac boy was healed. In hearts thus redeemed from the power of the enemy, God was to make his habitation and manifest his glory. We remember how another servant of God, seeing the celestial vision, bowed himself and cried, "Here am I, send me." The true answer must ever be, not, let us build, but, let us go. If only the apostle had been better instructed, such would have been his response. As he saw, he would have answered and said: "Lord Jesus, heaven is glorious. Grant that it may endure here on earth, and to this end make us thy servants, its missionaries, to bear the light of the gospel of the glory of

God in the face of Jesus Christ, wherever now men's hearts are in the shadow of death." ARTHUR H. GORDON, Cambridge, Mass.

Question: Is Our Praying Sincere?

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HY Kingdom come" has been on our lips daily for years. We have prayed that God would send

the preparation and pledge that follow the prayer. Fifty per cent. increase? Yes, easily, for with the spiritual inspiration and the material means, the churches can grandly rise to their amazing opportunities; and we can not only glory in, but help to make beautiful that crown of victory for the

Son of God and the world's salvation.

J. MILNOR WILBUR, Narberth, Pa,

Have we meant this prayer? Prayer carries with it an obligation. A farmer prays for a big crop. He sees the grain growing and the harvest becoming abundant. But his barns are too small, his machinery inadequate, and his help incompetent to care for the increase; and the crop wastes. He who prays for a pure city and then stays home on election day is a poor citizen.

Prayer for enlargement carries with it two other "p's": preparation to receive it, and pledge to sustain it. Hudson Taylor was right when he refused to pray for wind till the captain had unreefed his sails. In an hour's time the captain came to Mr. Taylor's room and said: "You'd better stop praying, for we've got all the wind we know what to do with." Today we've got all the kingdom of God on our hands that we know what to do with; and we must

prove the sincerity of our praying by taking

care of the answers that are coming.

God is answering our prayers. The Kingdom is coming. We are bewildered before results and opportunities in Japan. and Russia, North Burma and the Philippines. Nearly 16,000 baptisms in foreign. lands were reported in our own Missionary Union churches last year. A Buddhist priest once told me in Ceylon, that stronghold of Buddhism: "I am sorry to say that Buddhism is going down and Christianity is going up. Buddhist priests are a bad lot, and if I had my way I'd put them all in a lump and burn them, and save only their robes.'

God is combining the spiritual motive and the material wealth in the church for

workers the only foreign missionaries? Is our work for them done only by sending money for their support? May we

not become ourselves missionaries abroad

by intercessory prayer, that Hand that rules the world?"

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moves the

Rev. Alfred E. Street, a Presbyterian missionary in China, makes some very practical suggestions as to the need and positive service of prayer in the spiritual conquest of prejudice and superstition, the strengthening of our own forces, helping to secure right men at home and abroad, the encouragement and inspiration of the lonely and overburdened and the salvation of individuals mentioned by In this work every Christian may share, becoming himself a foreign missionary. (See page 69.)

name.

"Our Tears Mingled with His Blood"

E who have not experienced it canWE by our missionaries who leave father, not know the depth of pain suffered

mother, brothers, sisters, and even children in their native land, to go forth to preach the gospel to those in greatest need. Going One who has just made sacrifices more means giving up life's dearest possessions. costly than most writes:

But the Son of God gave his life. Why should not our tears mingle with his blood for the world's redemption? What a privilege to have fellowship in his sufferings and be co-laborers with God!

UNION IN WORK ABROAD: We have already referred to the combination of six Presbyterian bodies in India. News now comes of a plan for cooperation and union between four Congregational missions in South India, - -two of the American Board, and two of the London Missionary Society.

T

BURMA

Breezy Briefs

HE first tract ever written by a Kachin has recently been printed and is being read with interest by those who are able to read. Considering that it is scarcely more than ten years since the people had no written language, their progress is most remarkable. It is due to the painstaking, persistent work of Rev. Ola Hanson. The Kachin dictionary on which he has long been working is now being published.

Rev. C. L. Davenport will be encouraged upon reaching Mandalay, to find the Eurasian school increased to ninety pupils under the care of Miss S. R. Slater. Great inconvenience results from cramped quarters, and they hope for the new building in 1906. Baptism of thirty-seven pupils in the school at Toungoo has cheered the heart of Mr. Heptonstall.

Two Receptions

THE party of missionaries which sailed

from Boston September 21 arrived in Burma November 6 and were most cordially received by the missionaries and friends in Rangoon, a reception being tendered at the home of Professor and Mrs. Ingram. During the recent meeting of the Burma Baptist Convention, teacher Ah Sou of the Rangoon Baptist College and his wife gave a luncheon to the missionaries, about sixty sitting down to the daintily spread tables, and greatly enjoying the thoughtful kindness of their host.

Annual Conference

THE reports from the annual confer

ence indicate that it was one of the most encouraging and inspiring meetings they have ever held. Deep spirit of prayer took possession of all hearts, lifting above the plane of any ordinary business meet

two more families, the Telugu and Tamil work needs reenforcement and the 25,000 Chinese in Rangoon alone need a worker. Women are needed for school work, and added help should be given to those border tribes in the northeast reaching out so eagerly for the truth. The report of 8,500 baptisms among our missions in Burma this year, far more than twice as many as last year, gives cause for profound gratitude to God. Let us go forward to greater conquests.

Late Bulletin from Kengtung

AM expecting to start twelve men out

two and two this week for extended tours, and more will go very soon. I start soon myself, on a tour of considerable importance to the work, although not a long

one.

The interest is deepening in the Shan department of the work. We often have four hours of steady preaching on bazar days, and the attendance and attention are good.-W. M. YOUNG.

A Brother's Cry: Pray

URING the past year I have had

special difficulties, opposition from government officials, plots on the part of the heathen, bickerings among the native brethren, threatenings of heresies, until at times it has seemed that I could endure no more. Then on the top of all have come these personal afflictions, the full weight of which few perhaps can understand. At times faith has been severely tested. It has been difficult to see how all things could work together for good, impossible to see it, hard, very hard, to believe it. Yet without faith life is vain. Pray that I may be strong to endure unto the end. - E. N. HARRIS, Shwegyin.

ASSAM

Some Glimpses

recent hospital treatment in Calcutta, and hopes to be able to return to his work in a few weeks. The Assamese evangelical monthly, Light, has been received with interest, and is sure to have an influence in promoting unity throughout the

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field. The natives are glad to know what is going on in the different stations. $ Dr. W. A. Loops, en route for Impur, writes of his safe arrival in India and of his deep interest in investigating medical work in the great cities of Madras and Calcutta. Associational Mission: A Chief's Rupee

WOULD like to tell you a little in regard to the association just held at Lungpa. The attendance of outsiders was over 300 and the interest and spirit unusually good. The missionary spirit was stronger than for several years. Almost every speech and sermon had for its theme the extension of

our work and the improvement of the religious life of the people. The collections were larger than ever before, also. The interest in foreign work was greatly increased by the presence of Yangchu, a Mozunger who was led to Christ by the association missionary and recently baptized. He is the head-man of his village and is ready to do what he can for his tribesmen across the border. Quite a thrill went through the audience when he came forward during the taking of the foreign mission collection and added his rupee to the fund that had been the means of his conversion.-W. F. Down, Impur.