Manila, Luzon Island – Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo
Rain. Heavy black clouds hung on the horizon & partially emptied themselves upon the earth in a brief but heavy shower. A clammy heat heavily charged with moisture oppresses one tonight. Bible reading in Leviticus & Psalms & prayer started the serious work of the day. Cooking & washing dishes also claimed time.
Quite a number of visitors came in thro’ the day, some to see the Owens’ & some to see me.
Prepared my mail for the post office. Took the same to the office, likewise, mail from Owens & Chaplain Stephenson.
Down on the Escolta saw some beautiful & very odd sea shells. Purchased several for my cabinet. Shells, minerals & curios by purchase, gift and personal collecting having been accumulating in my hands for 18 or 20 years. In the aggregate they would make quite a museum. Purchased several papers.
Bro. G. H. French of Co. G. 1st Colorado Vol. Inf. called at No. 2, inquired about the state of his soul & prayed with him. Bro. D. C. Hines E. C. 1st Montana Vol. Inf. also called with a couple of soldier companions. A member of the 3d artillery brought me the Evening “Times”.
The non-official peace commissioner, composed of Filipino merchants, doctors, lawyers etc., went north as far as the train can proceed to urge Aguinaldo & his followers to quit their foolishness & surrender. I heard that Aguinaldo sent word the last day or two that he is willing to surrender but cannot control his followers. General Pio del Pilar was arrested in this city last Saturday. He slipped in somehow. I imagine Manila is rapidly filling with Filipinos again. How they get in is the question. Brother Stockton told me yesterday that where his is stationed there is a break in our line of about 5 miles but it is patrolled by our troops.
An effort is being made at any rate for peace, thank God. May the Lord give a peace that shall glorify His name & bless the dark-souled millions of this archipelago, amen. It is no pleasure to me – this slaughter of the misguided Filipinos now in progress.
I received two letters (1) Staff-Captain Emil Marcussen, Randers, Denmark. Said his division is in excellent condition. Took charge weeping, but God has given blessed success. Expects to farewell for foreign parts. My portrait hangs in his dining room. His children, the 2 sometimes imprint a kiss on it & Willie prays for me. Staff Captain Marcussen has been 9 years in Denmark. When he left California for that field the Lord gave me opportunity to give him a Christian send-off. May God make his future even more successful than the past. (2) Major John Bond, Secretary International Literary Bureau, 101 Queen Victoria street, London, Eng. wants me to write forthwith an article re the Philippines for “All the World”, the English S.A. monthly. Both this and the New York “Harbor Lights”, contributions are hurry articles.
Cooking & washing dishes twice each day makes a big hold in my time, add to that the time given to writing & it will be self-evident that time for meetings, camp and hospital visitation etc. is quite limited. My work in connection with the army & navy requires considerable travelling & much waiting on the opportunities & whims connected with war & the will of commanding officers.