Manila, Luzon Island –Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo
Beautiful moonlight night at the time of this Diary entry, & quiet & calm. During the day a cool breeze kept the heat in check.
We expected a battle to commence this morning but it did not materialize. Preparations have been going on all day & the lightning is expected to strike tomorrow morning about 5 o’clock. Soldiers say that after commencing to drive the natives the expect to reach Malolos, the Aguinaldian capital (25 miles) in three days.
Day commenced with bible reading & prayer. Last night I slept but little; a night of temptation, but the Lord was my helper, my refuge.
Kept busy all day. Cooked breakfast, washed dishes & did some reading –Texas History–. Private Geo. Berry, Co. H. 1st Montana Vol. Inf. came in with his Springfield rifle & belt full of cartridges. Spent an hour or two. He said God has been remarkably good to him at the front & blessed him much. We spoke of matters re the Kingdom. I wrote out for Berry an order on the U.S. paymaster directing the latter to pay over to the officer in charge of Salvation Army work, Kalispell, Flathead Co. Montana (where he was converted) such money as may be due him, in case he (Berry) died of disease or was killed in battle. Berry signed the order & I signed also as witness. The order is to be left in the hands of the regimental chaplain. Berry also gave me $5. gold to pay his Tenth Leaguer due & a small donation. God bless him. Before returning to the front we prayed together. The Montana men have been assigned to the flying brigade & will probably see a lot of fighting. Before Berry left I prepared a slight lunch for the two us –apple pie & lemonade.
Private Alpheus Palmer of the North Dakotas dropped in. Wanted some War Crys. Gave him some. Paid me 40 cts Mex. Talk –spiritual & secular matters & prayer. Is a good man.
With Rev. & Mrs. Owens & Miss Morrison (daughter of Capt. M.) I went to the Escolta. Left them there & called at the post office. Rec’d a letter from Major Acum of S.A. Foreign Office, London, Eng. Ge enclosed copy of a letter to him from L.B. Armstrong, Barcelona, Spain, who was making inquiries re the Spanish & Tagalog literature sent me. I wrote & copied a letter to the Major regarding the matter.
Bro. Prautch & wife (Methodists) came to No. 2, to see the Owen’s to get Bro. O. to preach in the Filipino theatre next Sunday forenoon, providing the Montana chaplain fails to do it.
Met a man on Calle del Rosario & spoke to him about the Salvation of his soul. He formed one of the “Newport’s’ crew when I crossed the ocean. Oh, that men would value the things which belong to their peace & seek and serve the blessed Son of God.