Cavite, Luzon Island – Entry made in parlor of No. 2 Calle Santa Elena, Tondo
The atmosphere is bristling with portents of coming conflict today. Private (Bro. Devine – Landrum) has just departed. He came over to see me, have prayer and say good-bye. We prayed together & I encouraged him to trust God in this [extremity]. The men at the Cuartel Meisig – 3d Heavy Artillery – every _______ me – have been ordered to the front tomorrow. Devine is so feeble that he can hardly walk, but he will go. Troops have been reinforcing the south line & likewise the north line. The Filipinos are expected to attack San Fernando. They show a disposition to take the offensive. Nothing would please the American troops better as they will come within striking distance then, & the war will not be like chasing shadows.
I arose early this morning, read a chapter in Numbers & a psalm; prayed, then gathering up some miscellaneous War Crys walked down to the Cavite ferry boat & took passage to Cavite without breakfast, as the boat left at 7.30. a.m. I had to cross another boat to reach mine. It was crowded with Spanish officer, their families and servants, and civilian who sailed today on the mail steamer “Satrustegui” for Spain. General don Diego de los Rios, the last General (Spanish) to leave the Philippines, and his staff went out to the steamer on this small boat. I took 3 snap shots of the crowd on the upper deck.
On the ferry boat crossing to Cavite got into a conversation with a private of the 9th U.S. infantry from other matters turned the conversation to Christ’s salvation. While walking from the boat to Calle Real in Cavite a saloon-keeper, Bob Gardiner, proprietor of the Wigman saloon stopped me. Sat down on a bench & talked to him. Is very friendy. Formerly kept saloon in Karhului near Weiluku island of Maui, Hawaii. Wants me to remember him to Bro. & Sister [Sharpless]. Gave me a donation of $1 U.S. coin. Advised him to give himself to Christ. Another saloon man came up. Gave him the same advice.
Patronized a Filipino barber shop for a shave – 20 cts. Mex.
Called at the United States restaurant kept for officers & paid 60 cts. Mex. for a plate of ham & eggs & 2 cups of coffee.
Thence down to the Naval Hospital. Visited the sick sailors & mariners, spoke to a number personally about salvation. They were glad to have me come. The steward gave me a donation of 25 cts. U.S. coin, and a glass of ice water. This last was a luxury to me.
Bidding the patients good-bye after leaving some miscellaneous War Crys etc. with them I proceeded townward. Stopped at the marine barracks to speak to a group of marines. There are 250 new recruits here & the number will be increased to 1000; so said a sergeant. Uncle Sam as someone said today & making himself at home in these parts, is preparing to stay. Improvements are quite conspicuous in the Navy Yard.
My next move was to the regimental headquarters of the 10th Pennsylvania vols. & secured a pass on the Gov’t ferry boat back to Manila. Had no trouble.
Called at the General Hospital, Calle Arsenal and there met Bro. H. Verweibe. Quite a lengthy conversation. Got left the other day. Expects to come over & see m in a few days. Will write me in advance. Before leaving he & I knelt down on the brick pavement of the basement hall & I prayed for him. This ended my work & I turned about towards the Navy Yard again. Asked the coxswain in charge of the ferry boat if I could come abroad. Yes. Asked for no pass. Left at 2 p.m. An hour later arrived in Manila.
Went to the post office & purchased bacon & coffee in a Spanish grocery store. Took a quilez home which Rev. Owens hired. I met him at the post office.
About sunset Bro. Clayton Scott rode up on his poney. We had a talk, spiritual & other lives & prayed before parting. Gave him 2 S.A. papers.
Cooked supper. Hungry. Had nothing to eat since 9.30 this forenoon.
Owens handed me a letter from Bro. Albert Lloyd of E. C. 1st Montana vols. Could it arrange for meetings with the 20th Kansas. Latter been changed. Fighting is getting serious up at San Fernando of late. God bless Lloyd & our other precious comrades at the front.
A copy of “Harbor Lights’ (May ’99 numbers) came by the last mail. On page 137, a quotation is made from me of my letters & in “Editorial Brieflets” another quotation.
In the sailor’s room found a pile of groceries: 1 ham, one bag (11 lbs) sugar, 3 boxes soda crackers, 1 can ground coffee & 3 bottles lime juice, which I purchased (excepting latter item) for the sailors. Rec’d $2 (U.S. coin) back from $10 greenback.
The sailors informed me that the quartermaster want them to work for their [grub]on the homeward voyage, so all this stuff is not necessary after all. All right. We did the best we could up to [our] light $16 Mex. I spent. Came from the money I gave us the Lord’s tenth.
Urged Aug. Hagerlund & Victor Peterson tonight to seek Christ. Put the matter off.