Apologies are again due our readers for the delay in appearance of
this issue, a result, basically, of the break-down of antiquated equipment
at the Silliman University Press. We can only hope that SJ is worth
waiting for, and try to do better in the future.

Nonetheless, SJ is happy to help celebrate the eightieth anniversary
of Silliman University. Two articles by Silliman alumni now teaching
in the United States focus the journal’s contribution. Ivor Thomas writes
in a vein that made many listeners uncomfortable when his remarks were
first delivered on the Silliman campus. Unfashionable as it may seem
in this age of ferreting out imperialists, Thomas is forgiving of the
American Protestant missionaries that accompanied soldiers and adminis-
trators to these, and other, shores during the heyday of American colonial
expansion. Although their enthusiasm sounded much like that of their
secular counterparts, the missionaries, says Thomas, were in general
“Gnnocents,” whose actions must not be classed as imperialism at all. Note
that the views expressed by Everett Mendoza and Stephen Lowrie in
their review articles run sharply counter to Thomas’s.

In another “balik-Silliman” article, Lily Kapili makes a useful con-
nection between the teaching of literature and the teaching of language.
Her common-sense reminder, the result of research on teaching texts
widely used in the Philippines, is that we should not expect too much
too soon from students learning English as a second language. Texts
tor literary study should be geared to language proficiency.

Alan White’s notes on turtles alert readers to yet another environ-
mental emergency facing the Philippines. Although now illegal, sea
turtle exploitation continues, but must be. stopped—perhaps by un-
orthodox means—if this important animal is not to disappear from our
country.

Perla Makil on women and Anthony Tan on literature should both
be welcome to readers perhaps tiring of history and science, both heavily
represented in SJ the past few years. We hope future issues will further
emphasize the fact that this journal aims to be general in its presentation.

Finally, we welcome Ceres Pioquinto, of the Silliman University
Department of English and Literature, as Assistant Editor of SJ.

D. L.