Cavite, Luzon Island –Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo.
The dry weather or season is upon is for we have have had been little rain in a long time. The climate of Manila is peculiar.
We expected another uprising last night, with much house burning and killing, but I am glad to chronicle that the expected did not materialize. Mrs. Owens informed me this morning that a bullet struck our house last night. It was fired by an American soldier at a native.
Out of bed quite early. Dipped into the Bible; first thing that caught my eye: “Preach the world.” Intended to do so. Prayer followed Scripture reading. Cooked & ate breakfast. Hastened down to the ferry landing, without taking time to clean up. Paid 20 cts Mexican & crossed over a corner of Manila bay 12 miles to Cavite. Made for the hall occupied by the military Y.M.C.A. at the corner of Calle Arsenal & de Farnesia & remained there an hour or two talking to soldiers. On the ferryboat urged Private Garrett of F. Co. 23d U.S. Inf. regulars (a Georgian hailing last from Texas) to give his heart to Jesus. He is employed as an orderly at the Palace in old Manila.
Visited the ice factory & his quarters with Bro. Miller who works in the Ice factory. At the quarters of Bro. Miller he & I prayed God to bless the afternoon service. Brother Smith of the Hospital corps invited me to take dinner with him at the District Hospital. Did so. Was received very kindly by the attendants & given a place at the table. Had a spiritual talk with Bro. H. Verweibe (Salvationist) pastry cook & Smith, & pleasant chats with others. With Bro. Geo. Baker of A. Battery 1st Cal. Heavy Artillery visited his qtr’s.
Met Capt. D. Geary, Provost Marshal on the street. The Captain said 400 or more Filipino prisoners were turned over to him & others responsible in such affairs, for safekeeping. The prisoners imagined they were brought there to be killed. Hinting at the old saw, “When the devil was sick the devil a monk would be,
When the devil was well the devil a monk was he,”
the captain went on “All the world’s akin.” This he said because the prisoners became suddenly very religious. A spasm of piety passed over them & they all got down on their knees and prayed.
After hearing this, Bro. Miller & I walked over to the one story ex-Spanish barrack between Fort San Felipe & San Domingo church where they are incarcerated. Insurrecto uniform was conspicuously absent. Were dressed in citizens clothes; some in white; others naked.
At 2.20 p.m.I appeared at the Y.M.C.A. hall (in the basement of a private residence) & with Corporal F.E. Glunn of the 51st Iowa vol. inf. picked out some Moody & Sankey hymns. An audience of 33 soldiers and officers occupied the seats. The congregation sang the selection –3– Capt. Hermann P. Williams, chaplian was unwell, but he came in & prayed & spoke a few words. The corporal said re testimonies that they would rather hear me than hear themselves, so I occupied most of the time. No souls forward at the close. Was invited to come again. My voice was weak from the recent cold & not having used it much of late.
Bro. Baker donated 43 cts Mex. to me.
Returned to Manila on the 4 p.m. ferry boat. On the way across saw the transport “Ohio,” black with U.S. troops –the deck. Some were in the rigging. Vessel arrived today. Hail their coming with pleasure.
Ladies were sent out to vessels in the bay again for fear of an uprising of Filipinos in Manila. The guards & public seem less concerned than they were yesterday, but are alert (the guards) nevertheless.