The Filipino American War as seen by diarists in real time with some additional commentary and sourc

Saturday only work 1/2 day at custom house. Philippine Commissioners left for lines at noon. They asked for armistice of 3 weeks so as to call their congress together & see what could be done. Otis told them he did not recognize their congress [and] did not know they had one. 10 hours after leaving our lines to surrender unconditionally Commissioners logged hard for two weeks Armistice but it was not granted. In afternoon Carr & I made a call on the nurses Miss Bowman, Miss Earhart, Mrs. Biddell, & the one who knows mamma. We staid (sic) a big portion of the afternoon & had a pleasant time.

Co A here today. We now have Co’s D, H, F, I & A at Taguig all in the church. 1 Batt. of 9th U.S.A. at Pateros relieveing Co’s G & L Wn. Some of the 9th killed a couple of poor old humbres [hombres] who were too old to fight and at 10.30 p.m. their patrol outposts got mixed up and shot one of their own men and the firing turned us out all night. While the 9th were out all night & the rain came down in torrents. They are rookies. Only about 350 men who were at San Juan. Just a year ago I donned the blue.

We had inspection and were mustered in heavy marching order.

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

Cloudy but no rain. Sun out at times. Cool at times also, when gusto of wind stirred. No trouble to perspire.

Read a chapter in Leviticus & one psalm. Prayed. Cooked breakfast, washed dishes then with Rev. Owens boarded a Jolo St. car & got off in Quiapo Dist. & proceeded to the Imperial Photograph gallery. Looked at the negative of my house; seems to be quite good. Said they will be printed next Monday. The negatives from Kodak films will also be ready. Purchased 3 photographs.

Went to the post office; no mail.

On the Escolta I met Bro. A. J. Merritt, a Salvationist who was converted about 8 months ago in San Francisco No. 2. He is a recent arrival. Is in the Government service as a boss packer. Has charge of Pack Train No. 2, with 13 men & 65 mules under him. Had years of experience as a Gov’t Packer in mountain countries. Expects to leave for Lawton’s command in 2 or 3 days. I believe Merritt is a good man – anyway he looks it. Also said he read my Philippine articles in the War Crys, and that the soldiers & comrades of No. 2 and 6 send regards to me.

Dropped in the “Freedom” office & bought 3 backnumbers; also bought or rather paid in advance for 2 copies of the extra edition for circulation in the U.S.; 1 copy is to be sent to Lt.-Col. Wm Brener, 124 W. 14th St. New York & 1 to the Lt.-Col. Wm Evans, San Francisco paid 30 cts. Mex a copy, which includes postages.

Commenced an article for “All the World”. Wrote 8 pages. yesterday evening there came in on the train from the north. 2 Filipino officers, Col. Manuel Arguello [Arguelles] & Lieut.-Col. Jose Vernal [Bernal], to see Major General Otis regarding terms of peace. Rumor, newspaper & verbal says Aguinaldo wishes a cessation of hostilities until the Filipino Congress meets in May, when they will consider his proposition. Otis listened but granted not the request.

The Burnt Offering

1 The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. He said, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When anyone among you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.

3 “‘If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you are to offer a male without defect. You must present it at the entrance to the tent of meeting so that it will be acceptable to the Lord. 4 You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you. 5 You are to slaughter the young bull before the Lord, and then Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and splash it against the sides of the altar at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 6 You are to skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. 7 The sons of Aaron the priest are to put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 8 Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, on the wood that is burning on the altar. 9 You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water, and the priest is to burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

10 “‘If the offering is a burnt offering from the flock, from either the sheep or the goats, you are to offer a male without defect. 11 You are to slaughter it at the north side of the altar before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall splash its blood against the sides of the altar. 12 You are to cut it into pieces, and the priest shall arrange them, including the head and the fat, on the wood that is burning on the altar. 13 You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water, and the priest is to bring all of them and burn them on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

14 “‘If the offering to the Lord is a burnt offering of birds, you are to offer a dove or a young pigeon. 15 The priest shall bring it to the altar, wring off the head and burn it on the altar; its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar. 16 He is to remove the crop and the feathers and throw them down east of the altar where the ashes are. 17 He shall tear it open by the wings, not dividing it completely, and then the priest shall burn it on the wood that is burning on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

Psalm 138

Of David.

1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
3 When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me.

4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord is great.

6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
8 The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.

2 Filipino officers, Col. Manuel Arguello [Arguelles] & Lieut.-Col. Jose Vernal [Bernal], to see Major General Otis regarding terms of peace. Rumor, newspaper & verbal says Aguinaldo wishes a cessation of hostilities until the Filipino Congress meets in May, when they will consider his proposition. Otis listened but granted not the request.

The weather is lovely. We have inspection at 7:30 a.m. and also inspection of quarters. Only 44 men are fit for duty. Fourteen men are on guard. All companies have only a small number fit for duty. Our drills are at present suspended. We signed the pay roll this morning. W. Englehart was discharged from hospital and is in quarters, but he is not fit for duty and is walking on crutches. Here in Cavite everything is quiet.

We did not hang up any May baskets, although it was such a fine day when we first got up that I was tempted to. There is no candy on board, and I am afraid that cabbage would not make a good floral decoration. It grew cloudy before noon and settled in for a hard blow. The wind blew great guns, and the water and spray came over the bow once in awhile. It was a grand sight to see the waves, and especially so from such a staunch, secure boat as this vessel. The weather side of the boat was rather wet, and at one time the storm was so bad that the vessel’s course was changed slightly to head into the storm, The wind soon went down, and the next morning we were going along peacefully. We have all got our sea legs-on and do not mind the sea much. This trip is like an excursion to me.

NPR HISTORY DEPT.
A Forgotten Tradition: May Basket Day
April 30, 201511:38 AM ET
By

Linton Weeks


First lady Eleanor Roosevelt receives a May basket of flowers from young children in 1938.

Maybe there really was a time when America was more innocent.

Back when May Basket Day was a thing, perhaps.

The curious custom — still practiced in discrete pockets of the country — went something like this: As the month of April rolled to an end, people would begin gathering flowers and candies and other goodies to put in May baskets to hang on the doors of friends, neighbors and loved ones on May 1.

In some communities, hanging a May basket on someone's door was a chance to express romantic interest. If a basket-hanger was espied by the recipient, the recipient would give chase and try to steal a kiss from the basket-hanger.


First lady Grace Coolidge receives a May basket from young children in 1927.
Library of Congress

Perhaps considered quaint now, in decades past May Basket Day — like the ancient act of dancing around the maypole — was a widespread rite of spring in the United States.

May Basket Tales

Through the 19th and 20th centuries, May Basket Day celebrations took place all across the nation:

A reporter in the Sterling, Ill., Gazette in 1871 explained the seasonal ritual this way: "A May-basket is — well, I hardly know how to describe it; but 'tis something to be hung on a door. Made of paper generally, it contains almost anything, by way of small presents you have in mind to put in it, together with your respects, best wishes — love, perhaps. It is hung after dark at the door of anybody the hanger fancies. — Which done, the said hanger knocks and scampers."

The writer went on to say, in the spirit of the times, that if a boy hangs a May basket on a girl's door and the girl catches him, "it's a great disgrace." If a girl is the hanger, "it disgraces the boy again not to catch her."

In St. Joseph, Mich., the Herald reported on May 6, 1886, "little folks observed May Basket Day custom in hanging pretty baskets to door knobs."

The Taunton, Mass., Gazette in May 1889 told the story of a young man who got up very early and walked a mile and a half to hang a basket on his sweetheart's door, only to find another basket from another beau already hanging there.

"With the young, in rural communities especially," the St. Louis Republic reported on May 1, 1900 — in archaicspeak, "it is May Basket Day — when the youthful fancy manifests its turn to thoughts of love by surreptitiously leaving baskets of spring flowers on the stoop appertaining to the home of the one adored."

Two bold children hung May baskets on the White House front door on May Day 1925. The Indiana, Pa., Gazette reported that first lady Grace Coolidge found her admirers and gave them flowers she had picked.

In Dunkirk, N.Y., the Evening Observer observed on April 30, 1932, that young people were collecting samples from wallpaper dealers and "creating baskets of all sorts and varieties as to size, shape, and color, and will hang them on the doors of their friends at dusk on May Day."

Writing in the Humboldt, Iowa, Independent in May 1976, the local extension home economist reminisced: "What a gallant occasion Mother made of May baskets. Lists were made and rewritten. It became almost as exciting as Christmas." Her family used old milk cartons for containers and they made popcorn and Boston cremes for each basket. People in her community returned May baskets to their owners at Halloween.


May basket and fabric zinnias from April 2012.
Bobbi/Flickr

Basket Cases

Here and there you can find recollections of May Basket Days past. Marci Matson, director of the historical society in Edina, Minn., writes: "The practice has a long history, stemming from the European pagan festival of spring, Beltane. The more raucous elements were toned down after the continent became Christianized, but the May pole dance and May baskets survived in a more G-rated form."

She points to other reminiscences: Joan Gage in A Rolling Crone remembers making baskets as a child in Milwaukee and leaving them for old folks in the neighborhood, just for the kindness of it.

And Old Fashioned Living recalls that Louisa May Alcott wrote about May Basket Day in New England in her 1880 children's book Jack and Jill.

From Alcott's story: "Such a twanging of bells and rapping of knockers; such a scampering of feet in the dark; such droll collisions as boys came racing round corners, or girls ran into one another's arms as they crept up and down steps on the sly; such laughing, whistling, flying about of flowers and friendly feeling—it was almost a pity that May-day did not come oftener."

Fade Away

Eventually, May Basket Day — like the spring flowers arranged in the baskets — began to wilt and droop. Though vestiges of the sincere ceremony still pop up on the Internet, the in-real-life event has pretty much evanesced.

Observing May Day traditions on May 1, 1963, an Associated Press reporter in Providence, R.I., wrote that there were only a "few May baskets hanging from door knobs" that year.

"Remember May Basket Day?" a syndicated columnist asked in the spring of 1963.

So what happened? Maybe the ritual receded because of a national fall from innocence. Or an increased desire for get-off-my-lawn privacy. Maybe modern innovation overwhelmed the May basket tradition: A household-hint adviser suggested "May Baskets from plastic bottles" in the Belleville, Kan., Telescope in 1976.

Whatever the case, Madonna Dries Christensen, a writer in Florida, is not totally sure she wants the habitual ritual to flourish again. "I harbor a fear that some major company will rediscover May Basket Day and mar its simplicity with commercial baskets, cards and trinkets," she writes in her 2012 memoir, In Her Shoes: Step By Step. "To ward off that calamity, please do not share this ... with anyone who might be in cahoots with such a manufacturer."

(This post has been updated.)

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

Heavy clouds on the horizon; no rain; cool when quiet; hot when exerting oneself; thunder & lightning tonight.

Finished reading Leviticus this morning. Then prayed. Slept but little last night. Have been very busy today.

Cooked breakfast & supper & washed the dishes.

Agreed to pay Maria Panga, the Filipino widow employed as servant by Rev. Owens, $2 a month Mex. to keep the floor of my rooms clean & to scrub the smoke off my stew pans regularly. Owens pays her $10 a month. After washing dishes, Rev. Owens & I went to the Imperial photo’ gallery. Looked out a specimen print of No. Calle Santa Elena. Is quite good. My films are not ready. Next called at the post office. On the Escolta I bought 3 or 4 sea shells, also groceries.

In the post office Private Chas W. Nelson of Co. L. 13th Minnesota vol. Infantry said Peter Fallon of the same company told him that Marshall (from his description I concluded he meant Brigadier Steve Marshall of Oregon & Washington) left the Salvation Army and joined Ballington Booth’s volunteers. Nelson claims to be a Salvationist.

Brother Geo. Turner & his family visited the Owens; T. is of the Ecclesia mission, or Come Outers. He looks bad. Had diarrhea. I gave him $5 gold, the Lord’s tenth paid in by me. Turner said “God bless you.”

Mounted orderly Clayton Scott rode up on his pony to No. 2. Paid his tenth, $3 with a greenback. Before parting we prayed together.

I then took street car & went out to Malate, 2d Reserve Hospital. Expected first to call on Bro. Mason of Co. D. 9th U.S. Regular Infantry, but on my way to his barracks I passed him on the street. He saw me. Was marching with a squad of men away to do the guard duty.

Called at the 2d Reserve Hospital to see Bros. Temple and Freeman. The former was absent & the latter was sent to the regimental quarters.

My next move was to the 1st Reserve or Divisional Hospital. Bro. Geo. Schumerhorn who is up again, praise God. Seemed glad to have me come. Together we walked around Ward 16 (a row of tents) where lay Bro. D. G. Hines stretched on his back. Was sent here with a high fever but is improving. After some conversation Schumerhorn and I knelt beside his cot & prayed.

On my return home brought more eatables. Bought $5 gold worth of Mex. silver; only received 2 for 1.

The Lord grace me to speak to a number of men about Christ & salvation. Did more writing on my “All the World” article re my Philippine Island experiences.

Leviticus 27

Redeeming What Is the Lord’s

27 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If anyone makes a special vow to dedicate a person to the Lord by giving the equivalent value, 3 set the value of a male between the ages of twenty and sixty at fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel; 4 for a female, set her value at thirty shekels[c]; 5 for a person between the ages of five and twenty, set the value of a male at twenty shekels[d] and of a female at ten shekels[e]; 6 for a person between one month and five years, set the value of a male at five shekels[f] of silver and that of a female at three shekels[g] of silver; 7 for a person sixty years old or more, set the value of a male at fifteen shekels[h] and of a female at ten shekels. 8 If anyone making the vow is too poor to pay the specified amount, the person being dedicated is to be presented to the priest, who will set the value according to what the one making the vow can afford.
9 “‘If what they vowed is an animal that is acceptable as an offering to the Lord, such an animal given to the Lord becomes holy. 10 They must not exchange it or substitute a good one for a bad one, or a bad one for a good one; if they should substitute one animal for another, both it and the substitute become holy. 11 If what they vowed is a ceremonially unclean animal—one that is not acceptable as an offering to the Lord—the animal must be presented to the priest, 12 who will judge its quality as good or bad. Whatever value the priest then sets, that is what it will be. 13 If the owner wishes to redeem the animal, a fifth must be added to its value.
14 “‘If anyone dedicates their house as something holy to the Lord, the priest will judge its quality as good or bad. Whatever value the priest then sets, so it will remain. 15 If the one who dedicates their house wishes to redeem it, they must add a fifth to its value, and the house will again become theirs.
16 “‘If anyone dedicates to the Lord part of their family land, its value is to be set according to the amount of seed required for it—fifty shekels of silver to a homer of barley seed. 17 If they dedicate a field during the Year of Jubilee, the value that has been set remains. 18 But if they dedicate a field after the Jubilee, the priest will determine the value according to the number of years that remain until the next Year of Jubilee, and its set value will be reduced. 19 If the one who dedicates the field wishes to redeem it, they must add a fifth to its value, and the field will again become theirs. 20 If, however, they do not redeem the field, or if they have sold it to someone else, it can never be redeemed. 21 When the field is released in the Jubilee, it will become holy, like a field devoted to the Lord; it will become priestly property.
22 “‘If anyone dedicates to the Lord a field they have bought, which is not part of their family land, 23 the priest will determine its value up to the Year of Jubilee, and the owner must pay its value on that day as something holy to the Lord. 24 In the Year of Jubilee the field will revert to the person from whom it was bought, the one whose land it was. 25 Every value is to be set according to the sanctuary shekel, twenty gerahs to the shekel.
26 “‘No one, however, may dedicate the firstborn of an animal, since the firstborn already belongs to the Lord; whether an ox or a sheep, it is the Lord’s.27 If it is one of the unclean animals, it may be bought back at its set value, adding a fifth of the value to it. If it is not redeemed, it is to be sold at its set value.
28 “‘But nothing that a person owns and devotes to the Lord—whether a human being or an animal or family land—may be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the Lord.
29 “‘No person devoted to destruction may be ransomed; they are to be put to death.
30 “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. 31 Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it. 32 Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord. 33 No one may pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution. If anyone does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed.’”
34 These are the commands the Lord gave Moses at Mount Sinai for the Israelites.

I went to hospital. During my stay there the company went on a hike on May 5th expecting trouble which did not materialise and they returned prostrated. On May 13th the company went on a schooner to the other side of the island, a distance of about 70 miles, where headquarters was set up.

Although this is Dewey’s Day there were no demonstrations of any kind on land or water. I was on guard at the prison. We now furnish 14 men per day for guard duty. There are 22 men on the sick list.

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

Heavy black clouds obscured the sky; very hot; no rain. Slept well last night; quite weary. Read a chapter in Numbers & a psalm. Cooked breakfast and washed dishes.

After cleaning up went down to Quiapo Dist to the Imperial Photo Gallery. Secured one print of the No. 2 Calle Sta. Elena photograph unmounted, for London “All the World”. The negatives of one film left with this gallery are badly torn. Left another making 3. May be the fault of the hot weather. Photographic work done for me in this city is unsatisfactory. Called at the barracks of the 1st Montana vol. Inf. to see Bro. Dave Freeman. He was asleep when I entered. Awaked him. Requested him to put on cartridge belt to get his Springfield. This he did; then I took a Kodak of him with the tent in which he was save in the background. Called at the post office; then of a Filipino man purchased some sea shells and returned home.

Private (Bro.) Ackarett, Section 4, B. Battery. Utah Light Artillery dropped in. we had a conversation on spiritual & other topics. I made him & Rev. Owens some lemonade. Private (Bro.) Peter Shipper of the U.S. Engineer corps, drove up in the wagon belonging to the corps bringing me a lot of San Francisco War Crys, viz, 28 copies, No. 589 Mar. 11th ’99; 61 of 590, Mar. 18th; 36 of 591, Mar. 25th and 50 of 592, Apr. 1st. This I will distribute. Packages are sent him & not to me. A few copies were taken by various parties which made the number given above, larger. Before Shipper, left, he, Bro. Ackarett & I had prayer together.

Following their departure I wrote & copied a 4 page letter to Brigadier Henry Stillwell & addressed it to 124 W. 14th St. New York marked private. The letter describes the Philippine present & prospective, my work, support etc. and advice re starting work in the future. I took pains with his letter & hurried it, because he expects to farewell from his division & hints that the Philippines may be his future command.

The hour was late when I finished the letter. Hurried to the Commissary warehouse on the rail road street in Barrier San Nicolas, but it was closed. Then inquired my way, abiding place. Found it & my man. Greeted me pleasantly. I took supper with him & the other Commissary clerks & detail. They live quite well. Have a Chinese cook. Supper over Kline accompanied me as far as the Gen. Blanco bridge, where we parted. Gave him good advice. Is backslidden. Will secure supplies for me from the Gov’t for which I am to pay.

Returning home called at the Cuartel Meisig for my evening “Times”. Saw the torn wrapper bearing my name on the seat vacated by the sentry. Got my paper from him. While awaiting the man’s return I pressed the duty of man towards Christ on the attention of a Third Artillery soldier who formerly attended S.A. meetings in San Francisco.

I loaned Rev. Owens $2 Mex. to by supplies. At the post office I was paid on salary a/c for the month of April $34 U.S. coin. Less $3 goes to Gen’l a/c fund as that amount was paid out from that fund.

The Arrangement of the Tribal Camps


2 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 2 “The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard and holding the banners of their family.”
3 On the east, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab. 4 His division numbers 74,600.
5 The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Issachar is Nethanel son of Zuar. 6 His division numbers 54,400.
7 The tribe of Zebulun will be next. The leader of the people of Zebulun is Eliab son of Helon. 8 His division numbers 57,400.
9 All the men assigned to the camp of Judah, according to their divisions, number 186,400. They will set out first.
10 On the south will be the divisions of the camp of Reuben under their standard. The leader of the people of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur. 11 His division numbers 46,500.
12 The tribe of Simeon will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. 13 His division numbers 59,300.
14 The tribe of Gad will be next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel. 15 His division numbers 45,650.
16 All the men assigned to the camp of Reuben, according to their divisions, number 151,450. They will set out second.
17 Then the tent of meeting and the camp of the Levites will set out in the middle of the camps. They will set out in the same order as they encamp, each in their own place under their standard.
18 On the west will be the divisions of the camp of Ephraim under their standard. The leader of the people of Ephraim is Elishama son of Ammihud. 19 His division numbers 40,500.
20 The tribe of Manasseh will be next to them. The leader of the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. 21 His division numbers 32,200.
22 The tribe of Benjamin will be next. The leader of the people of Benjamin is Abidan son of Gideoni. 23 His division numbers 35,400.
24 All the men assigned to the camp of Ephraim, according to their divisions, number 108,100. They will set out third.
25 On the north will be the divisions of the camp of Dan under their standard. The leader of the people of Dan is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. 26 His division numbers 62,700.
27 The tribe of Asher will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Asher is Pagiel son of Okran. 28 His division numbers 41,500.
29 The tribe of Naphtali will be next. The leader of the people of Naphtali is Ahira son of Enan. 30 His division numbers 53,400.
31 All the men assigned to the camp of Dan number 157,600. They will set out last, under their standards.
32 These are the Israelites, counted according to their families. All the men in the camps, by their divisions, number 603,550. 33 The Levites, however, were not counted along with the other Israelites, as the Lord commanded Moses.
34 So the Israelites did everything the Lord commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each of them with their clan and family.

Requested him to put on cartridge belt to get his Springfield.

The weather is hot. I got a pass to go to San Roque and gathered some shells. I sent one cigar box to Mrs. Asendorf and some to my brother Christian. In the evening we received mail. I received three letters and some papers and a can of curic (?) jelly. Twelve men are on guard and 21 are sick.

I got a pass to go to San Roque and gathered some shells.

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

I rush around more down on these Philippines than I did in the temperate zone. How my strength holds out is a mystery to me. Can only account for it on the line of Providential strength vouchsafed me. To my God be the glory.

News in today says the troops have moved further north than Apalit. Fighting has been resumed on the north line.

Read a chapter in Numbers, 2 psalms and prayed. The Holy Ghost blessed me with a manifestation of His love last night. God is indeed very good to me.

Cooked breakfast & washed dishes. Bro. Clayton Scott rode up to No. 2 while I was cooking. I gave him a bundle of 50 assorted San Francisco War Crys for distribution in corral & among the patients. Before he rode away (was out pressing carabao carts & drivers into service) he tied the War Crys to his saddle. Together we waited on the Lord in prayer.

Wrote & copied a letter on the Lord in prayer.

Brothers D. G. Hines and Dave Freeman Co. E. 1st Montana Vol. Inf. called. They are recovering from heat prostration. Towards noon after prayer together, Hines & I took street car to the vicinity of the Imperial Photograph Gallery, leaving Freeman to rest at No. 2 as it is a cool & pleasant house. Before going I prepared 3 cups of lemonade for us three.

The Imperial photo gallery, had neither my films or pictures of No. 2 finished.

Returned home, purchased an apple pie, 30 cts. from the Utah battery bakery. Mrs. Owens gave me some farina; with lemonade added & prepared lunch for Freeman & myself from the same. Rested till about 2.45p.m. then struck out again, leaving Freeman asleep in the parlor. Took street car to Intramuros (walled city) where the sentry of 12th U.S. Infantry passed me without trouble into the arsenal. Inside I hunted up Sergeant Leon Chic (ordinance) who I discovered just outside the sally port in the wall, on the bank of the Pasig, where he was receiving a casco load of shells & other ammunition for artillery. He promised me day before yesterday that if I called today he would take me into the notorious Black Hole in Santiago Citadel. Leaving the casco he immediately went to the office, secured the proper keys and led the way. Arriving at the powder magazine the sentry stationed there, challenged us for a pass, but excused himself when he learned that Sergeant Chic is in charge of all these magazines & their contents. Entering a small wooden shed, the Sergeant descended a few stone steps into a tunnel arched with solid masonry, unlocked a door then at the bottom on a line with the ground (the entrance is had from above) unlocked another, heavy wood, with small orifices about 3 inches square for air. This door opened into an arched chamber about 12 feet x 15 feet with no ventilator for air or light save what was admitted thro’ the door. The chamber was dry save when rain water flowed down the steps. Chic pointed out some new masonry near the floor on the farther right hand corner from the entrance, which closed the entrance into another chamber. As near as I remember Chic’s explanation, 160 Filipinos were crowded into these small chamber; they were not drowned, but smothered to death when the door was closed. But the one chamber shown me by Sergt. Chic does not record but a small part of the mysteries of this bastion, as in it & the rear bastion facing the cross moat, are a number of black holes sealed up with masonry. Entrances are low.

The Black Hole is used for powder magazine, likewise the large four-square building with the flagpole at each gable. The back bastion with its chambers of death, if stories of Spanish cruelty are true, is entered from about thro’ a well-like spectators, which like the others are sealed. Serg’t Chic thinks they are likely to remain sealed. The hatred engendered by centuries of Spanish misrule is liable to enrage the Filipinos & cause trouble if the secrets of Santiago castle are revealed to the world.

Serg’t Chic skewed me thro’ the powder magazine above where quantities of death dealing missiles are being stacked up at the present time by Chinese coolies. The Sergeant’s enlistment expires in about 15 or 20 days. He will then return to the U.S. Bidding him adieu. I made my way to the “Corral” in old Manila. Here wagons, mules, pack train accoutrements & a lot of very hard looking men dressed in civilian costume interested me. Met Brother Alvin Merritt, packer (a member of San Francisco No. 2 corps) who took me up stairs to the dormitories or big dens. Very filthy indeed are these quarters & quite different from the quarters of troops. The men belong to the transportation department of Government service & necessarily are on the road much of their time. I saw Bro. Clayton Scott’s cap with a Salvation Army band around it hanging above one bed. God bless Scott.

Merritt & I talked of various matters not by any mean leaving out Salvation subjects & finished by both of us kneeling down at his bedside & praying. Requested Bro. Merritt who is now on the night shift to help me with a service next Sunday p.m. at the 2d Reserve Hospital. Promised to try.

From old Manila returned to No. 2 Calle Sta. Elena & cooked supper ate thereof & washed dishes.

Spoke to soldiers personally about salvation.

Gave a Filipino girl Senorita Romano Francia $1 Mex to purchase cloth for a woman’s jacket, she is making for me.

Numbers 4

New International Version

The Kohathites

4 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 2 “Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families. 3 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.
4 “This is the work of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things. 5 When the camp is to move, Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain and put it over the ark of the covenant law. 6 Then they are to cover the curtain with a durable leather, spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles in place.
7 “Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings; the bread that is continually there is to remain on it. 8 They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.
9 “They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays, and all its jars for the olive oil used to supply it. 10 Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of the durable leather and put it on a carrying frame.
11 “Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.
12 “They are to take all the articles used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.
13 “They are to remove the ashes from the bronze altar and spread a purple cloth over it. 14 Then they are to place on it all the utensils used for ministering at the altar, incluing the firepans, meat forks, shovels and sprinkling bowls. Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the poles in place.
15 “After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, only then are the Kohathites to come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting.
16 “Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles.”
17 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 18 “See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not destroyed from among the Levites. 19 So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry. 20 But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”
The Gershonites
21 The Lord said to Moses, 22 “Take a census also of the Gershonites by their families and clans. 23 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.
24 “This is the service of the Gershonite clans in their carrying and their other work: 25 They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, that is, the tent of meeting, its covering and its outer covering of durable leather, the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting, 26 the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard, the ropes and all the equipment used in the service of the tent. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things. 27 All their service, whether carrying or doing other work, is to be done under the direction of Aaron and his sons. You shall assign to them as their responsibility all they are to carry. 28 This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the tent of meeting. Their duties are to be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.
The Merarites
29 “Count the Merarites by their clans and families. 30 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting. 31 As part of all their service at the tent, they are to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases, 32 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes, all their equipment and everything related to their use. Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry. 33 This is the service of the Merarite clans as they work at the tent of meeting under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.”
The Numbering of the Levite Clans
34 Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the Kohathites by their clans and families. 35 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, 36 counted by clans, were 2,750. 37 This was the total of all those in the Kohathite clans who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command through Moses.
38 The Gershonites were counted by their clans and families. 39 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, 40 counted by their clans and families, were 2,630. 41 This was the total of those in the Gershonite clans who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command.
42 The Merarites were counted by their clans and families. 43 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, 44 counted by their clans, were 3,200. 45 This was the total of those in the Merarite clans. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the Lord’s command through Moses.
46 So Moses, Aaron and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by their clans and families. 47 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to do the work of serving and carrying the tent of meeting 48 numbered 8,580. 49 At the Lord’s command through Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry.
Thus they were counted, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

The treaty is off and today we advanced toward Bustos a stronghold of insurrectos. Will take it tomorrow perhaps with a sharp “scrap.”

It has been dandy all day but no rain fell. I came off guard tonight. Five men from each company receive a pass to Manila every day. Our patrol is increased. Fourteen men go on the night, two corporals and one sergeant. Much fighting was done today. News came, fourteen men killed, 60 wounded.

Sunday. Lay around quarters reading all day. About 5 Miss Dunn called for me in her cart we went out on Luenetta [Luneta] listened to music of the people and about 6:30 came over to dinner then drove out toward Emilia [Ermita]. Shower came up so we returned home about 7:30. Had a fine drive. Luenetta (sic) is becoming great place for American women. They all come dressed in their best which is of course fine. They have adapted the Spanish custom of going without hats which is far ahead of a unexpected treat. I came home on Capts [Captain’s] pass about 10 p.m.

We crossed the Ipo River today and entered Baliway [Baliuag] with but slight resistance We found lots of fine old wine at this place.

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

A hot day, tropical heat, with the clammy perspiration peculiar to Manila, standing on my face in bead-like drops. The night closes in with heavy thunder, sheet lighting and rain. No rest for me this day. Hurry from daylight to dark. Am tired, but am grateful to God because the time has been well spent. I shall not have to live this day over again. What has been done is now a matter of record.

Read a chapter in Numbers & part of a psalm. Prayed. Cooked breakfast, partook thereof & washed dishes. Bro. Clayton Scott came in while I was so engaged. Chief Clerk Norton of the U.S. Quartermaster department gave him a half day furlough & Scott availed himself of the time to use it for God. I prepared for Scott & myself 2 cups of lemonade. Let Mrs. Owens have a bottle of lime juice. She was unwell last night & large part of today.

Scott & I prayed then via the Paseo Azcarraga walked over to Bilibid prison thro’ the hot sun, but had the benefit of my umbrella. This was my first attempt to take an assistant in with me, but I had no difficulty at the gate which is kept by an American corporal with Kragg-Jorgenson rifle in hand and a Filipino. When we arrived Lieut. Wolff had finished inspection so Provost Sergeant Houser lost no time to announce my service and unlock the door for such as cared to come. Only 3 military prisoners availed themselves of the priviledge. Held our service as usual in the civil prison. It was almost empty. The prisoners had in the majority of cases shipped for they are usually sailors and beach-combers who “do time” in this part of Bilibid.

Audience including Scott 6. I made it a point to serve them as faithfully as I would a larger crowd. Scott helped me. His assistance was very welcome to me. God the Holy Ghost blessed the service. At the close a soldier who has had the subject under consideration sometime at our invitation kneeled down beside a bunk. Scott & I dealt with him there. I also personally solicited others. In a short time the soldier claimed victory & stood up to exhort the company present. Name: Private Clayton Freeman, American born in Tennessee, Co. A, 1st Colorado Vol. Infantry. We returned home rejoicing for this soul the Lord gave us.

Took a lunch of pie and lemonade.

Scott concluded to make a whole day of his furlough. The Quartermaster Dep’t. has kept him at work every Sunday since the Filipino war started.

Together we prayed, then took the Calle Jolo street car and charged to a Malate car near the Bridge of Spain. Arrived at the 2d Reserve Hospital in good season – 2.05p.m. I went immediately to the dormitory where Bro. Archer Temple and other Hospital employees sleep & discovered him playing cards with a party of men at a table. He was surprised & evidently disconcerted to be caught at such employment & I have felt sad since then because of the discovery. I inquired if he could give me a little of his time. Temple ceased playing & came out. Acknowledged that he has lost ground in his soul spiritually. He took me at my request to see the chief Steward, I asked the priviledge to hold a service in the hospital at 2.30 p.m. The request was granted but tho Steward said the time was rather short for preparations. He sent Temple thro’ the wards to announce the service & had seats & tables arranged in the dining hall, also a glass & pitcher of ice water placed thereon. In the meantime I asked the sentry at the gate to pass in any Salvationist or other Christian who might come to assist me & stationed Scott there to identify them. I then went over to the adjoining nipa barracks where are quartered parts of the 9th U.S. Inf. & other commands to Co. D to find Private (Bro.) Walter Mason. He was absent. I returned to the hospital & found that room ready. No help came, not even Temple. We started the service & carried it through to the finish. Audience present 28. No souls forward. Closed the service. And thanked the steward.

Met Bro. Glunz of the Christian Commission under the verandah. Said he came too late for our meeting. US 3 walked over to the Nipa barracks where again I tried unsuccessfully to find Bro. Mason. After that we separated & I returned home weary & hot but cooked supper. Left the dishes over to be washed tomorrow.

The Holy Ghost manifested His love in my soul last night. I am thankful to my God for His infinite goodness to me.

The Nazirite

6 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the Lord as a Nazirite, 3 they must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. 4 As long as they remain under their Nazirite vow, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.
5 “‘During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the Lord is over; they must let their hair grow long.
6 “‘Throughout the period of their dedication to the Lord, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body. 7 Even if their own father or mother or brother or sister dies, they must not make themselves ceremonially unclean on account of them, because the symbol of their dedication to God is on their head. 8 Throughout the period of their dedication, they are consecrated to the Lord.
9 “‘If someone dies suddenly in the Nazirite’s presence, thus defiling the hair that symbolizes their dedication, they must shave their head on the seventh day—the day of their cleansing. 10 Then on the eighth day they must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 11 The priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for the Nazirite because they sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. That same day they are to consecrate their head again. 12 They must rededicate themselves to the Lord for the same period of dedication and must bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. The previous days do not count, because they became defiled during their period of dedication.
13 “‘Now this is the law of the Nazirite when the period of their dedication is over. They are to be brought to the entrance to the tent of meeting. 14 There they are to present their offerings to the Lord: a year-old male lamb without defect for a burnt offering, a year-old ewe lamb without defect for a sin offering, a ram without defect for a fellowship offering, 15 together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and a basket of bread made with the finest flour and without yeast—thick loaves with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves brushed with olive oil.
16 “‘The priest is to present all these before the Lord and make the sin offering and the burnt offering. 17 He is to present the basket of unleavened bread and is to sacrifice the ram as a fellowship offering to the Lord, together with its grain offering and drink offering.
18 “‘Then at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the Nazirite must shave off the hair that symbolizes their dedication. They are to take the hair and put it in the fire that is under the sacrifice of the fellowship offering.
19 “‘After the Nazirite has shaved off the hair that symbolizes their dedication, the priest is to place in their hands a boiled shoulder of the ram, and one thick loaf and one thin loaf from the basket, both made without yeast. 20 The priest shall then wave these before the Lord as a wave offering; they are holy and belong to the priest, together with the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.
21 “‘This is the law of the Nazirite who vows offerings to the Lord in accordance with their dedication, in addition to whatever else they can afford. They must fulfill the vows they have made, according to the law of the Nazirite.’”

The Priestly Blessing

22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
24 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

The weather is fine and everything is quiet in this little town. I spent most of the day writing and reading. I attended service at 10:30 a.m. I went on guard at 5 p.m. A good many [men] are ailing from malarial fever. In the evening we received a small mail, I didn’t get any.

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

Have been feeling droopy all day. My stomach is showing a disposition to give me trouble & felt gripy at time.

The weather is exhaustively hot. The rush of work during the past few days have run me down in strength. Am sleepy and tired tonight.

Read a chapter of Numbers, a psalm & prayed. Cooked breakfast next. Bro. D. G. Hines bought some more personal effects to my room to keep for him. He is marked “duty” & (D.V.) leaves for the front tomorrow. Bro. Dave Freeman also returns to his regiment. However before Hines came in I wrote & copied a letter to Lt.-Col. Wm Evans San Francisco, enclosing 2 receipts. Also sent separately by same mail a mounted photo of No. 2 Calle Sta. Elena. Called at the post office & mailed the same; also rec’d some papers. Dropped in at the English Apothecary on Escolta & purchased a book entitled “Yesterday’s the Philippines by Joe E. Stevens.

Before Hines departed I prayed with him & sent by him, 20 copies assorted S.F. War Crys to the front; 10 to Co. M. 20th Kansas Vol. Inf. & 10 to Co. E. 1st Montana Vol. Inf.

Rev. & Mrs. C. Owens paid another visit to Capt. Morrison out in the bay.

Bro. Clayton Scott, rode up on his poney. We had a talk & prayed together. I sent by him 20 assorted S.F. War Crys to the 2d Reserve Hospital. He had a brief conservatism with Bro. Temple. The later confessed loss of spiritual strength.

While sitting around the house to keep cool & recuperate, I read several chapters in “Yesterday’s in the Philippines”, also new in “Freedom” and “American” & “The Times”.

Cooked & partook of a light suffer as I am not hungry.

Felt tho’ tired to wash dishes. Gave my clothes to Maria to wash this forenoon. I supplied the soap.

Spoke to a soldier about his soul in the English Apothecary on the Escolta.

After supper wrote & copied my 25th Weekly Letter to Lt.-Col. Alice Lewis, 124 W. 14th St. New York.

Thank God the air is getting cool tonight. Will give me a chance to sleep will.

Setting Up the Lamps

8 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand.’”
3 Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the Lord commanded Moses. 4 This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the Lord had shown Moses.

The Setting Apart of the Levites


5 The Lord said to Moses: 6 “Take the Levites from among all the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. 7 To purify them, do this: Sprinkle the water of cleansing on them; then have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. And so they will purify themselves. 8 Have them take a young bull with its grain offering of the finest flour mixed with olive oil; then you are to take a second young bull for a sin offering. 9 Bring the Levites to the front of the tent of meeting and assemble the whole Israelite community. 10 You are to bring the Levites before the Lord, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them. 11 Aaron is to present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the Israelites, so that they may be ready to do the work of the Lord.
12 “Then the Levites are to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, using one for a sin offering to the Lord and the other for a burnt offering, to make atonement for the Levites. 13 Have the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons and then present them as a wave offering to the Lord. 14 In this way you are to set the Levites apart from the other Israelites, and the Levites will be mine.
15 “After you have purified the Levites and presented them as a wave offering, they are to come to do their work at the tent of meeting. 16 They are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to me. I have taken them as my own in place of the firstborn, the first male offspring from every Israelite woman. 17 Every firstborn male in Israel, whether human or animal, is mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set them apart for myself. 18 And I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn sons in Israel. 19 From among all the Israelites, I have given the Levites as gifts to Aaron and his sons to do the work at the tent of meeting on behalf of the Israelites and to make atonement for them so that no plague will strike the Israelites when they go near the sanctuary.”
20 Moses, Aaron and the whole Israelite community did with the Levites just as the Lord commanded Moses. 21 The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the Lord and made atonement for them to purify them. 22 After that, the Levites came to do their work at the tent of meeting under the supervision of Aaron and his sons. They did with the Levites just as the Lord commanded Moses.
23 The Lord said to Moses, 24 “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, 25 but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. 26 They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.”

א Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
3 they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.

ב Beth
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

ג Gimel
17 Be good to your servant while I live,
that I ma obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.

ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.

ה He
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.[c]
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.

ו Waw
41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise;
42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.

ז Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.

ח Heth
57 You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.

ט Teth
65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

י Yodh
73 Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your precepts.
79 May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.
80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.

כ Kaph
81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees.
84 How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?
85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
contrary to your law.
86 All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
87 They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your unfailing love preserve my life,
that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

ל Lamedh
89 Your word, Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
94 Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.
96 To all perfection I see a limit,
but your commands are boundless.

מ Mem
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

נ Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,

that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.

ס Samekh
113 I hate double-minded people,
but I love your law.
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.
118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.
120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.

ע Ayin
121 I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
125 I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
your law is being broken.
127 Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.

פ Pe
129 Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.
132 Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,
that I may obey your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant
and teach me your decrees.
136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not obeyed.

צ Tsadhe
137 You are righteous, Lord,
and your laws are right.
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
141 Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands give me delight.
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live.

ק Qoph
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
and I will obey your decrees.
146 I call out to you; save me
and I will keep your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help
I have put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises.
149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.
150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near
but they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near, Lord,
and all your commands are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your statutes
that you established them to last forever.

ר Resh
153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.

ש Sin and Shin
161 Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
162 I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.
165 Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
166 I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.
168 I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.

ת Taw
169 May my cry come before you, Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.
170 May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
171 May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your law gives me delight.
175 Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.

I was on foretacke duty all day and in the evening went over on the meat boat with the detachment. The water was rough but we had a good time. The bay is full of ships of all kinds. The weather is as hot as ever. William Howard is discharged from the hospital.

The Filipino PATRIOTS raised a white flag about noon at the umbrella tree and we then raised ours on the church. At last two parties of 5 each started towards us. Our officers started to meet them, but could not get close enough to talk. About 200 Filipino PATRIOTS were at the tree. Two letters from tops.

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

Did not feel like going out today remained at home. Want to recruit my strength as I felt half sick yesterday. Read Numbers (one Chapter) & a psalm this morning then prayed & cooked breakfast. Took things easy & rested! The cool breeze tempered the hot sun. Away from the breeze the heat was felt.

Wrote first with lead pencil then copied with ink an article of 1,300 words for the London, England “War Cry.” This at request of the Foreign Secretary thro’ Major J. Bond, also wrote a letter to the Foreign Secretary.

Mrs. Owens invited me to a chicken dinner today. Gladly accepted the invitation, as I grow weary of my table with its sameness of food.

About dark Rev. Mrs. Owens went to the post office and brought back quite a number of War Crys & other papers for me. Two San Francisco War Crys contain my narrative, which has caught up to the fighting. The wrapper on the Houston Port gives my subscription credit up to Mar 20 – 1900.

I paid the Filipino woman Marie Panga for my washing.

The Houston Post says that at last the U.S. Government will commence work on the Ship Channel (Buffalo Bayou). This marks an epoch in the history of that city.

I feel greatly relieved now that the London War Cry article is written & no longer burdens my mind as work undone.

Rev. Owens brought me word this p.m. that Bro. Hines is back in the hospital again Ward No. 16.

According to the tone of Manila Press the American-Filipino war is not ended yet. The natives act like madmen. They have not a ghost of a chance & yet they prolong the fight. The continuation of hostilities means the death of their people without any recompense for the loss of life.

Foreign Secretary thro’ Major J. Bond, also wrote a letter to the Foreign Secretary

It has rained heavy all night. A good many prisoners are dying, almost two or three every day. They are all buried in the old trenches at San Roque without a coffin. I go on guard duty at 5 p.m. In the evening we received mail, I got two letters and a box of candy.