﻿144 The Philippine Journal of Science 1&14 



blessing our efforts so greatly that the day is not far distant when the com- 

 pany of Jesus will say to the Spanish Government: "It is finished." To-day 

 there are many villages that we have settled with converted heathen where 

 we once reluctantly undertook the cure of souls. 17 



This work drew away from the normal school every teacher 

 who could possibly be spared. 



A lack of suitable textbooks in Spanish. — An observer voices 

 his complaint in these words: 



Going along Calle Rosario on a holiday, we saw three book stalls which 

 we thought would be full of pious books. On stopping to examine them, 

 great was our surprise when at one alone we found 35 pamphlets and other 

 books of prose and verse, all. in Tagalog. Not one of the three had a single 

 Spanish book. These books (that is, the books seen at the stalls) and cer- 

 tain novels, always in the local dialect, circulate through the villages after 

 twenty years of the most complete legislation as to primary education and 

 the diffusion of the official language. 18 



It is evident that for these and other reasons the abandonment 

 of the normal school by the Jesuits was discussed, but it is equally 

 certain that there was an overwhelming sentiment against such 

 action. Father Francisco G. Martin Luengo, writing to Father 

 Juan Ricart from Surigao under date of January 25, 1881, 

 says: 



We have seen the normal school sickening for several years for lack of 

 members of our own order who shall do their work perfectly and freely. 

 The question of abandonment was seriously considered at our conference in 

 Manila in 1877. In my opinion, it would be an irreparable mistake to give 

 up such an institution as the normal school, which is a strong and powerful 

 arm in protecting our power in these Islands. We ought to hold it more 

 strongly in order that it may not be torn from us, until the day comes when 

 we can place it in good hands, faithful to religion and to the throne of 

 Spain, zealous and able to defend our glory. 



The same writer goes on to specify in detail why the normal 

 school should neither be abandoned to its fate nor turned over to 

 another religious order. 



It would be to the great glory of God, the salvation of souls, and the 

 prosperity of the Spanish Crown in these Islands that it should continue 

 under our care, for through this means we shall advance the welfare of the 

 Islands, since well-trained teachers will be as apostles in their native villages. 



We shall take our share in the spread of the Spanish language, whereby 

 new truths may be implanted in the souls of the people. 



We shall secure a place on the education board of Manila, which will be 

 a great step toward advancement in the schools and will prevent certain 

 troubles which may harm them. 



We shall obtain an influence in the villages, and we shall win the sym- 



" Father Luengo. 



" See the document referred to in No. 27 of bibliography. 



