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Thursday, May 4th, 1899

Cavite, Luzon Island – Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo

Taps is sounding over in the Cuartel Meisig as I commence to pen these lines. I am weary. Have been absent all day in Cavite including the ferry trip there & back. Read a chapter in Numbers and prayed. Next cooked breakfast & ate thereof but took not the time to wash dishes. Walked to the Cavite ferry. Was set down in C. about 9.45 a.m. My first business was to drop into a Filipino barber shop on Calle Real & get shaved. The sign says: “For Americans Only”. Next called on Bro. Z.K. Miller, engineer of the Ice factory. Had a spiritual talk. I mistake my first call after leaving the barber shop was an Private (Bro.) Chester Blaney of H.C. 10th Penn. Inf. is just pulling thro’ a spell of sickness. Encouraged him on religious lines & prayed with him. This was in the Collegio de Sagrada Familia. Gave Blaney some San Francisco War Crys for distribution among his comrades.

From the Ice factory I went to the Navy Hospital in the Arsenal where I remained sometime with Bro. Wm Eletson of the Flagship “Olympia”. Cheering him, specially on religious line, as the dear Lord is not unmindful of what happens to His servants. Eletson said Admiral Dewey while visiting the hospital recently spoke a few minutes to him & promised him that he should return home with his vessel. Eletson is afflicted with that mysterious & presumably incurable disease, beri-beri. Left some War Crys with Eletson & others to read. Pressed the subject of salvation on the attention of the chief nurse. Before bidding E. good-bye knelt down & prayed with hin. He gave me $1 greenback for the S.A. work. I advised him to help the Hongkong or Yokohama S.A. sailors’ houses, but he insisted that I should take it.

Had dinner, which a Chinese coolie cooked in the establishment of Mr. W.B. Silver on Calle Real. Paid 30 cts Mex for it. Very poor meal. S. said his place does not pay.

From the restaurant-salon, went over to the General Hospital to visit Bro. Hans Verwiebe (Salvationist) & Bro. [Sutton]. Gave Verweibe some War Crys for himself & the hospital people to read. He donated me 50 cts silver. I spoke to one of the hospital force who knew me in Mendocino county Cal. About the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Prayed with A.J. Smith in his room. He accompanied me across the street to make the acquaintance of Blaney. Two showers in Cavite while I was there.

Returned to Manila on the 4 p.m. ferry. Before going home called “Times Office” at the post office and purchased oatmeal in a Spanish store. Took street car back. Passed Clayton Scott, who brought some commissary supplies from H. Kline.

At home Private (Bro.) W. I. Mason Co. D. 9th U.S. Inf. was awaiting my return. A talk with him. Also did other personal dealing with men today re the importance of seeking Christ & His salvation.

Cooked supper & washed dishes. Am tired.

While standing over the cook pots heard rifle firing apparently in Malate. Sounded familiar.

Shooting is heard outside the city tonight; reminds me of the recent battles in the outskirts of Manila.