(y) I have sent to press the MSS of a book on the Mohammedan 

 Controversy, comprising a review & an outline of argument 

 of all who have written in Urdu on the subject. I wonder what 

 language the Philippine Moslems use? Whether they read 

 Arabic & how many do so? Are there any missionaries among 

 them? You may find it difficult to get this information but if 

 you have in reach any government blue book on the census or 

 ethnology of the Philippines, it may be that something is said 

 on that subject. By the way, do you ever visit any of the Ameri- 

 can missionaries? 



Continuing on this more churchly theme, he informed 

 Wherry of the "great meeting in Allahabad when we hope to 

 have a united [Presbyterian] Church for India." In more 

 scientific and sociologic vein he reported: 



The plague has left our district but it is gradually on the in- 

 crease throughout India. By February next it will be rampant 

 as ever. It is a horrid scourge but it is a civilizer. It obliges 

 cleanliness on the pain of death. ... It looks as if we should 

 have no more rain this year. There has been up to date a fall 

 of 93 inches since January 1st — most of this fell in July & 

 August. And yet in Western India we shall have a famine! 

 Relief works are now being opened to provide work & food 

 for the poor. 



Cognizant of Wherry's plans to return to the United States 

 he introduced this note of warning: "You will have to be care- 

 ful after being away so long lest you get in for something evil 

 from the bad climate of Chicago." 



A bit homesick, Wherry sent this letter to Miss Nast on 

 December 20, 1903: 



In spite of "strained relations" I have decided to stick it out 

 here. I am not diplomatic enough to get along well in Gov Ser- 

 vice, so there is no telling how long I will be allowed to remain. 

 But nothing worries me any more; and taking it all in all, 

 everything is lovely. — You must be thinking of going home 

 for Christmas — I hope you will have a very merry one. I have 

 been very thoughtless this year for as yet I haven't written a 

 single Xmas letter. I always think of these things when it is too 

 late. 



Did I ever speak to you of Priscilla Marsh — my little blind 



