One hundred and twenty years ago, Elder George A. Irwin, president of the Australasian Union Conference, made a brief stopover in Manila on his way to attend the General Conference Session scheduled for May 11–30, 1905.[1] in Washington, D.C. During his eight-day stay, Irwin observed that while several Protestant denominations had already established a presence in the Philippines and gained converts, their differing beliefs had created religious confusion among the locals. Irwin was confronted with daunting challenges: the Philippines consisted of 3,140 islands, with a population of 7,635,426 speaking 47 dialects. The nation was recovering from war, suffering from a high cost of living, poor sanitation, a tropical disastrous climate, and the pervasive influence of Roman Catholicism. The Philippine–American War had left deep social and economic scars.[2]
Irwin visited the American governor-general, Luke E. Wright, who warmly welcomed him and remarked, “Your people believe in working six days as well as resting on the seventh. It would not be a bad thing to have some of your people over here to teach these people how to work.” Impressed by Wright’s openness, Irwin sought his official support, to which the governor-general replied affirmatively, adding only, “except criminals.”[3] Irwin was deeply impressed have published in the Review that,
“Some have wondered, if it would not be best to get some American canvassers, but I find quite an interest in, and good feeling toward, Australia and Australians, and I think that our Australian believers, with the books having the imprint of that country, could do a good work. They get their meat and butter from Australia, and why not’ their spiritual meat as well? We need men here who will not faint at little difficulties, or large ones, and turn homeward. A beginning should be made at the earliest possible moment. Each month of delay will make it more difficult.” [4]
Moved by a sense of urgency, Irwin, during the General Conference on May 24, 1905, proposed that Dr. Ross be sent as a self-supporting medical missionary to the Philippines. The Australian delegates, however, felt a strong sense of responsibility and declared, “Well, if we do not do something for the Philippines, the Americans will.” [5] Irwin replied,
“Brethren, Manila is the place to start the work, and it would be well to send some canvassers there. But I think the Australian brethren can take care of things over there. The Filipinos are getting their meat and butter from Australia. Now, why can’t they get their spiritual meat from Australia, too?”[6]
Following the conference, the same appeal was made in Australia. Among those who responded was a young theology graduate from the Australasian Missionary College—Robert Archibald Caldwell, only twenty-six years old—who bravely declared, “I will go.” Caldwell had previously worked as a colporteur in Indonesia, the Malay States, Singapore, and Bangkok, Thailand.
In August 1905, Caldwell arrived in Manila without anyone to meet him at the port. Carrying medical books such as Home Handbook and Spanish editions of Patriarchs and Prophets, he immediately began canvassing, taking seventy orders for the latter. He traveled through eight major provinces, even riding his bicycle up to Baguio. Reflecting on the spiritual condition of the Philippines, he wrote:
“Let us get a good foothold before the different societies have too much influence with the people. Think of it, for every letter (not word) in the whole Bible there are two Filipinos living in darkness black as night, hopeless and helpless.”[7] It has been said that for every breath we take four heathen souls go down to a Christless grave. Shall this life-giving message be carried to the Filipinos? … Let us, then, all unite in pressing the battle to the gates, so that none of the blood of these 7,000,000 souls shall be laid to our account.”[8]
Robert A. Caldwell’s pioneering work stands as an inspiring example of faith, courage, and missionary zeal. His readiness to respond to the call, “I will go,” remains a powerful reminder for all who hear Christ’s invitation today. When Jesus calls for volunteers, will we, too, hasten to obey and say, “I will go”?
Endnotes
[1] G. A. Irwin, Australian Union Conference Record, (April 1, 1905)
[2] Irwin, Review and Herald, (June 15, 1905)
[3] Ibid.
[4] Irwin, Review, (June 15, 1905)
[5] Far Eastern Division Outlook, (July 1, 1950), 50.
[6] GC Minutes, (May 29, 1905)
[7] Australasian Union Conference Record, (February 1, 1906), 4.
[8] Caldwell, Review and Herald, (June 15, 1905),
