THE EVANGELICAL UNION

Methodism, of course, was not the only Protestant body on the scene. Evangelistic efforts were also begun in the islands by the Baptists, the Presbyterians, the Congregationalists, the United Brethren, the Disciples of Christ, the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the Seventh Day Adventists, and the Episcopalians.

The beginning of work in the Philippines by the various denominations developed into a remarkable pattern of Evangelical cooperation. The Evangelical Union, which was formed in 1901, had as its purpose the furtherance of cooperation among the denominations at work in the Philippines. One of its major accomplishments was the comity agreement whereby the Philippines was territorially divided, among all but two of the denominations beginning work in the islands.* The Methodists were assigned the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Cagayan, and Ilocos Sur south of Vigan.²³

As a result of the comity agreement and further evidences of good will on the part of the groups concerned, Protestant work was able to advance rapidly with little effort being wasted upon denominational rivalry and doctrinal quarrels. A united front against a decadent veneer of Christianity and widespread pagan- ism was thus made.

It is however, highly unfortunate that, although Gregorio Aglipay met with representatives of the Evangelical Union in August of 1902 in an effort to come to some agreement with the Protestants, no understanding was reached between them. As a result the Protestants and the Aglipayans went their separate ways, which proved to be a great loss to both. Happily this situation is now being remedied. There is increasing cooperation taking place between the Independent Church and the Protestant Churches, most particularly the Protestant Episcopal Church, with whom the Aglipayans signed a concordat in 1961, establishing full Communion (or intercommunion) between the two churches. Then in 1963, the Philippine Independent Church – under the outstanding leadership of its Supreme Bishop, Isabelo delos Reyes, Jr. – became a member of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.

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* The two denominations staying out of the comity agreement were the Seventh Day Adventists, who worked in many places; and the Episcopalians, who chose to work only among non-Christians (i.e., tribal groups and Muslims) and remained out of Roman Catholic areas.

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