At no time did the Filipinos have any form of towns with civic order

and political government, such that at least one island, or a number of

villages, recognizing one person as their lord, might live under his

protection and rule; but he who was most powerful conquered others,

and ruled over them. As there was not only one such, but almost

all the chiefs asserted their authority, and conquered and ruled,

the general result was that each chief remained apart from the rest,

having his own followers, and fortified himself, keeping up an attitude

of defense. Consequently, they were usually at war with one another,

neighbors against neighbors--perpetually engaged in petty warfare,

with ambuscades, violence, robbery, murders, and captures.

Very seldom, if ever, did any of these bands become friendly and live

in the same neighborhood or village, and aid each other and combine

against enemies. Even rarer were the lords who ruled large towns,

such as Sebu, Manila, Cainta, and a very few others. To this must be

added the fact that those who were able to remove from the vicinity

and danger of such turmoils, and flee to the mountains to spend their

lives, would there build their houses and, close by, cultivate their

groves and fields. As a result, in places and at times favorable to

the enjoyment of this tranquillity, many persons migrated; and soon

the country districts abounded with homes--so that in some districts,

and even in many today, one may journey many leguas, all the way

through dwellings and plantations (which are cultivated and divided

into fields), in the same manner as, here in Europe, the farm-houses

and cottages are wont to stand. This was the condition of all those

islands, and, in particular, of this island of Leite; the greater

part of the people everywhere divided and scattered in rural hamlets,

in rugged, inaccessible, and mountainous localities. Besides these,

there were houses at considerable distances from one another, without

any order, or any trace of streets or village, placed along the banks

of the rivers, and surrounded by their grain-fields and groves. On

account of these conditions, the first concern of Father Cosme de

Flores, upon entering the district of Alangalang, was to gather all

these settlements into one village, which he did; and this policy

has been followed by those who have succeeded him in the charge of

that mission field. This measure has been of no small advantage to

those people; for in the year one thousand six hundred alone, two

villages were established, containing each three hundred houses, and

a third one with five hundred--all amounting to about four thousand

five hundred souls, of whom more than a hundred were baptized in

that year. During Lent all the Christians attended the services with

eagerness, especially in Holy Week, when the people of the other

villages joined them. They attended the divine services which were

celebrated in as fitting a manner as possible. On the morning of Holy

Thursday a sermon was preached to them concerning the holy sacrament;

and in the afternoon the superior of that house washed the feet of a

dozen poor persons (explaining in a brief sermon the signification of

that holy ceremony), by which they were all greatly edified. Toward

evening a well-ordered procession was formed containing a large number

of flagellants, with other persons who carried some large crosses. This

procession was repeated the next day, after the sermon on the passion.

On Easter the people from other villages assembled, and, after the mass

and sermon, celebrated the occasion with all the tokens of rejoicing

that they could display. A very graceful dance was performed, and

all the people made merry in the court of the church with dancing

according to their custom. What especially pleased us was, that in

so great a concourse of people, who amused themselves and feasted

after their own fashion, there was not one person who was known to

have taken wine, although formerly this was a very ordinary vice

among those people in their feasts and merry-making.

The condition of Christianity in Carigara. Chapter LVIII.

Our church here, although no older than five years, was both served and

attended as if it were a church in Europe. Its services were rendered

more magnificent by the choir of music, especially on feast-days;

the musicians not only celebrated divine worship in consonance with

the organ, but accompanied it with motets and other compositions

in their own Bissayan language. These latter were sung, some to the

leading of the organ, others in the musical mode and the manner of

the country. Both methods greatly attracted the people, moved them

to devotion, and caused them to learn willingly and with pleasure

our sacred mysteries, thus couched in their own meter and style

of music. In short, these were affected in the same way which the

glorious doctor St. Augustine mentions concerning himself; and we all

experienced the same emotions. By these means those Christians became

fervent, and frequented with profit the holy sacraments. The fruit

of their devotion was apparent in their lives, as Father Francisco de

Enzinas relates in one of his letters; therein he continually praises,

as one who keeps this matter in his mind, and is personally concerned

in it, the good disposition of those people, their readiness to accept

the teachings of virtue, and their service to God, concerning which

he relates the following:

"It is a source of great consolation to see the purity that shines

in many of these poor women. I know concerning some of them that,

after being annoyed and even persecuted with liberal offers of money,

neither by gifts nor threats were they in any way overcome. I also

know of other women who, when, they have learned that lawless men have

entered the village, have absented themselves from home and retired

to their grain-fields, to avoid the danger of offending God. One of

those soulless men promised a young boy, one of those who aid us at

our house, that he would give him I know not what gift, if he would

search after a certain woman for him. The lad answered that he could

not, since he belonged to the house of the father, assist in such a

matter. When he was told that the father would not know it, he replied:

'But will God fail to see it, even if the father does not know it?' At

this reply the man became abashed and ashamed, and ceased to importune

him. From Easter-time until the date of this writing, which is about

a month and a half, more than eighty adults have been baptized--the

greater part of them very old, but well prepared--and with these about

ninety who are younger. While journeying during Lent, to the village of

Leite, we were overtaken by a storm so violent that it drove our boat

upon the shore and compelled us to continue our course by land. This

change, however, was not without the special providence of God; for,

as we were passing by some grain-fields, an old woman lay very sick in

her wretched hut. Learning that I was going by, she had me summoned;

and after I had given her instruction, I baptized her, with great

consolation to both, and on the following day she died."

The remarkable case of three old men, of whom two were converted,

and the third, who was blind, refused. Chapter LIX.

The village of Leite, which the father here mentions, lies on the

banks of a very beautiful stream of the same name; which gives its

name to the whole island. The village lies at the very entrance of the

island, as one goes eastward from Manila, from which it is distant

about one hundred and thirty leguas. The distance between Carigara

and Leite is five leguas by land and ten by sea. The fathers usually

make the journey by sea, to avoid the fatigue of crossing on foot the

great mountain-ranges in that route. On the other side of Carigara,

proceeding along the coast of this island--which, as we have said,

runs east and west--there is another river, called Barugo, two leguas

distant; on its shore are many dwellings, which, being united in a

village, numbered three hundred houses (besides which there were many

others). Father Mattheo Sanchez repaired to the village of Barugo,

where at one haul he caught two of three fishes; the third remained

in spiritual and bodily darkness. As the incident is a notable one,

I shall relate it in the words of a letter from the same father, who

writes thus: "In the village of Barugo an event occurred by which

our Lord displayed to me the effects of His divine predestination,

and how _cujus vult miseretur, et quem vult indurat_. I was summoned

to baptize an old man who was very ill. Upon entering his house,

I found him in company with two other men, also very aged--one,

indeed, so old that he did not go from the house, nor could he even

walk. This last, hearing me instruct the sick man, began to exert

himself, and approached us by creeping across the floor. Then, with

remarkable attention, he began to listen; and, very opportunely, he

heard the catechism. Seeing the satisfaction which the old man and

his companion received from hearing the things of our holy faith,

I remained a long time, explaining it to them. When I had baptized

the sick man, the other began with eagerness and devotion to ask for

the sacrament, saying that he had faith in all that I had said, and

was desirous of salvation. He said that in no case ought I to leave

him without baptism, since his old age gave him not many more days

of life and those he wished to spend as a Christian; accordingly, I

baptized him. The third old man was blind; and all the time while I was

catechizing his companions he spent in twisting some threads, and while

the others were receiving so much pleasure and their hearts becoming

softened, he was jesting and becoming more and more hardened. Taking

pity on him, I tried to incline him to conversion; but I could do

nothing with him, and his soul remained as forsaken as was his body."

How the Christian church continued to increase in Ogmuc. Chapter LX.

Every one of these mission-fields [_doctrinas_] is truly a school

of celestial theology; for just as, in the schools, are seen the

students assembled at the lectures, and their eagerness in studying

and reciting their lessons, and afterward their reception of degrees,

so in these missions it is a cause for praise to God to see old men

become again children, and the chiefs made humble--all learning,

with eagerness, delight, and perseverance, the Christian doctrine,

and writing, repeating, studying, reciting, and singing it. As a

final reward, they receive the degree of holy baptism, a blessing

which those people as anxiously seek and desire, and receive with

as much joy, as do students the degree of doctor or master. In some

places they are assigned on one Sunday the lesson they are to learn

for the next; in others, without being assigned a lesson, they are

questioned as to what they know. In some districts, as here in Ogmuc,

are formed as many classes as there are divisions of the Christian

doctrine, from making the sign of the cross to the act of confession,

and each student, whether child or old man, continues to advance as

he learns, until he takes his degree, and is graduated--that is,

until he knows the doctrine--which, as we said, was done with the

old men of Antipolo. Not only do they, as good students, write

their lessons--mainly in their own characters, and using a piece

of a reed [7] as a book of memorandum, and an iron point as a pen;

but they always carry with them these materials, and whenever one

ceases his labors, whether at home or in the field, by way of rest

he takes his book, and spends some time in study. Such is the fervor

and zeal of these eager students in learning their supernatural and

divine theology; and their ardor in learning is also evident in their

demeanor and actions, for their lively faith enkindles and inflames

their deeds, and after the ardent heart follows the eager and ardent

hand. All this (omitting many other details, which might be related)

is seen in their often frequenting the holy sacraments, with notable

results in the amendment of their lives; and yet these are people

newly born in the church, and but yesterday begotten in Christ. They

devoutly and confidently ask that the gospel may be read to their

sick, and that holy water be given them; and our Lord responds to

their faith by frequently granting them complete health. Accordingly,

they acknowledge these favors from His hand, being thus confirmed in

the faith, and abhorring the sacrifices which in their maladies they

were wont to make to the devil. Even the infidels are so undeceived

concerning these vain illusions that scarcely a case is known of those

accursed sacrifices which formerly were so frequent. Many infidels

have brought their sick children to be baptized, saying that by this

means our Lord would give them health. Indeed it has often happened so,

and their cure has been the cause of converting their parents. They are

greatly devoted to the holy cross, and have upon occasions experienced

its protection. One night, while some Christians were reciting, as

usual, the doctrine in their house, someone outside began to throw

stones at the building, and made a great noise, and injured whatever

was near the house. Several times they sallied forth to discover who

was doing them harm, but saw no one; yet, again entering the house,

the same disturbance was made outside. Thinking that it was an artifice

of the devil, they persevered in prayer, and under this persecution

confirmed themselves in the faith; and, as a defense, they erected a

cross in front of the house. From that time, they were not in any way

disturbed. The infidels are steadily growing more inclined to receive

our holy faith; moreover, we are gradually uprooting that hindrance to

conversion, so common among those people, and so difficult to remove,

the practice of having several wives. They are easily persuaded that

it is impossible and unseemly for them to have more than one wife,

accordingly they have forsaken the others, although in doing so the

husbands lose their property; for in marrying the women the men give

them dowries, and if they leave their wives they must lose the dowries

that they gave. To do this is no slight merit, for people who are

not even Christians.

Of some baptisms conferred in Paloc. Chapter LXI.

In the absence of Father Christoval Ximenez, this village was left

alone; and while in this plight it was visited by Father Alonso

Rodriguez, who went there to hold a mission. What he accomplished in

the few days that he could spend among them he himself relates in a

letter, a section of which is as follows: "We held a mission at Paloc;

and the method of teaching the doctrine by decurias [8] so aroused the

enthusiasm of all that within ten days many learned the prayers and

gained all the knowledge necessary for baptism. Such was the emulation

among them that their prayers never ceased--at night, in their homes;

and by day, in the church. As a result, on the feast of the glorious

St. Joseph I baptized fifty adults, among them the most prominent

persons of this village. To see their leaders already Christians is

a strong incentive for the others to follow these. From many others I

withheld baptism, as it was necessary to investigate their marriages,

and this could not be done on account of the absence of the persons

concerned. Of these latter there is a considerable number, but I trust

in our Lord that within a few days not a man will remain unbaptized

in this village; for already they are all catechumens and attend

the church. At the same time I baptized also fifty children." The

father proceeds to relate other devout exercises of those Christians,

which I do not repeat here, as they are similar to those which I have

recounted of others. Afterward, Father Juan de Torres held another

mission in the same town, and our Lord made him joyful by granting

him another rich haul, when he cast from the pulpit the net of the

word of God, in order to fish for souls. This was a chief, one of the

most powerful in that district; in imitation of the chiefs of Botuan

(although ignorant of what they had done), he arose like them in the

congregation, and after earnestly asking for baptism, began then and

there his preparation--by publicly asking pardon of all those whom he

might have wronged, and offering full satisfaction, whatever might be

the amount of his obligation; and (an act of much greater importance),

by putting away one of his two wives. Through this the Spirit of truth,

[9] which is uniform, swayed the hearts of the others to be like

this man's, and brought them, most efficaciously and harmoniously,

under the gentle yoke of Christ, although he and they were so far

away. But inasmuch as this divine Spirit is present in all places,

in all alike it operates as if they were but one, its strength and

power being subtly and efficaciously active.

A third mission was held in this village during Lent of the year one

thousand six hundred, by Father Melchior Hurtado, who had gone to

these islands in the previous year with the father-visitor. Devoting

himself to the study of the language, he used it effectively as we may

judge from a letter written by him from Paloc to the same father, as

follows: "In the village of San Salvador (which is the same as Paloc)

the number of those who had recourse to the discipline was greatly

increased, especially on Fridays, when it was necessary to exclude

the children [from the church], to make room for the adults. Many

went out for the bloody discipline, and it was cause for edification

to behold the fervor with which at the conclusion of a short sermon

which was preached to them before the procession began, all the people

fell upon their knees, asking in a loud voice pardon for their sins,

with such emotion and weeping that we who were present were also

brought to tears. They were all deeply impressed by the sermons on

the various stages of the passion; and also when we pictured to them

the life of Christ our Lord, from His childhood until He was fastened

to the cross. They shed many tears thereat, and their minds were so

impressed by those sacred events that for many days they talked of

nothing else. On Easter Sunday a most joyful procession was formed, in

which was borne the cross triumphant, handsomely adorned; all were clad

in white tunics, and bore garlands of flowers. Those who have received

communion have set a notable example. They have a sort of brotherhood

the members of which are the most assiduous in their attendance at

church. There are two women, among the most exemplary and capable,

who take care of the rest; and when any woman asks to receive communion

for the first time, they instruct her how to approach it. The example

of these few women has induced the rest of the people to ask eagerly

for the most blessed sacrament. During this time some seventy adults

have been baptized, among them six datos, or headmen of districts, with

their wives. Matters are in such condition that in a short time all the

people of this village will be baptized. The baptisms are conferred

by families, in order that the Christians may not live intermingled

with infidels, but may daily augment their virtue in the uniformity

of the Christian religion. It was a source of great edification to

see with what sincerity the chiefs, before receiving holy baptism,

asked from all the people pardon for any wrongs that they had done

them in the matter of slavery--a common practice in their heathenism,

for very trifling causes. They also besought those who had grievances

against them to betake themselves to the father, for they were willing

and prepared to give full satisfaction therefor." All of this is told

by Father Melchior Hurtado.

Of two mutes who were baptized in Dulac; and other matters of special

interest in that mission. Chapter LXII.

This year the baptisms in Dulac reached the number of seven hundred,

of which the most notable was that of a chief, whose conversion had (as

is usual) much influence in bringing about that of an entire village,

named Bincai, inasmuch as he was its head man and governor. This

chief came one day to the church and eagerly sought holy baptism,

saying that his people were negligent and dilatory, and were waiting

for him to be first baptized; and that it seemed to him that if he

should become a Christian many would follow his example. Accordingly

he urged that this blessing might not be withheld from him and from so

many others. To test him, however, he was put off for several days,

upon various pretexts; but each day he displayed greater constancy,

and each day his desire grew stronger.

But even more wonderful was the baptism of two mutes, who, besides

their natural barbarism, were still further hindered in receiving

human instruction by their lack of the usual qualification therefor,

which, as the apostle St. Paul declares, [10] is the hearing--which

they, being mutes, lacked entirely. But God our Lord, in order to

show His great mercy, and to demonstrate that His law, as the royal

prophet says, is "unspotted, converting souls," and that His divine

word (as the apostle also says) is sharp-edged and piercing--so that,

unhindered by the absence of the senses, it reaches "unto the division

of the soul and the spirit," [11] and with hidden force instructs,

illumines, and sanctifies the soul--wrought a supernatural marvel in

these mutes, whom He made such (as in that other case of the blind

man) [12] for the manifestation of His glory, not because of their

own sins or those of their parents.

There were then in Dulac two mutes, who caused our fathers much regret,

as they supposed it would be so difficult to baptize these persons on

account of their lack of capacity for instruction. Father Ramon de

Prado, who was still our vice-provincial, determined, upon learning

this, to instruct them by means of signs, believing that Divine

Mercy desires that we should all be saved, and denies His grace to

no one. [13] He undertook the task, persisted, and won success, our

Lord so operating therein that the father, and the father-visitor,

and all who knew them, regarded these men as fit for baptism. Nor

were they deceived in this opinion; for the two mutes received the

sacrament, and since then the divine grace which is communicated

therein has been resplendent in them, with such tokens and effects

as Fathers Francisco de Otaco and Melchior Hurtado attest in some

of their letters concerning this matter. In that written by Father

Francisco de Otaco to Father Ramon, he says: "I will not fail to

inform your Reverence in a special letter, of the two mutes whom

your Reverence catechized, and whom I baptized on the day following

your Reverence's departure. Your Reverence was deprived of much

consolation in not being present on that occasion: for in all this

land I have not seen another person receive holy baptism with greater

demonstrations of devotion and joy, while thus setting an example for

the others who received the sacrament in their company. They could

not restrain their joy--especially the elder one, who seemed as if

his heart were bursting with gladness. But it was not only during

the baptism that these admirable tokens and results were evident,

for they were continued in the church, these new Christians attending

mass upon their bended knees, with folded hands, and their eyes fixed

upon the altar with extraordinary attention and reverence." Here

Father Francisco de Otaco ends his account. Father Melchior Hurtado,

in another letter to the father-visitor, thus writes: "The baptism of

the mutes whom the father vice-provincial catechized was performed

with all possible solemnity, and with the utmost satisfaction that

our Lord had made good in these poor men their lack of hearing and

speech. Their expressions of devotion--and especially those of the

elder, who was christened Raimundo--were extraordinary, not only

during the ceremonies at holy baptism, but when they were sprinkled

with the water. So devoted has Raimundo become that he seldom goes

from home. He diligently attends to all the requirements of devotion,

never failing to attend mass, carrying his rosary, beating his breast;

and he lacks nothing save speech. We are convinced that God supplies

much more than we can understand. During this Holy Week Raimundo

scourged himself in the procession, and it seemed to me that even

had he possessed the power of speech and hearing, he could not have

given more satisfactory tokens of his Christian faith."

The same Father Melchior Hurtado solemnized another baptism, also

of considerable importance, as occurring at the point of death. This

baptism took place in a village near to Dulac, called Tambo, whither

he had gone to visit and console its people. This incident and its

attendant circumstances are depicted to the life by that father in

another letter, in which he says: "We reached Tambo thoroughly soaked,

but with much consolation that we had so opportunely arrived; for

at once we were hastily summoned to visit an old man who was dying,

who desired holy baptism. Immediately we set out for his house, where

he lived in his grain-field, a little more than a quarter of a legua

from the village. Struggling through mud almost knee-deep, we reached

his wretched abode, where we found the poor man in such extremity

that speech had failed him. Knowing that he was a catechumen, and

considering the statements of all those present that he had sent for

me in order to be baptized, and fearing that he might die on my hands,

I at once baptized him, although wishing that I could have prepared

him better for the sacrament. But the Lord, who had inspired him with

the desire to ask for baptism, I trust gave him what more he needed

for his salvation; for he died soon afterward, on that same night."

As we have stated, the other Christians continued to increase together

in numbers, as well as in virtue and edification, as may be seen from

some special instances. At the beginning of Advent, we preached to

them about fasting and abstinence, which are practiced throughout the

world by good Christians in their piety and devotion. So earnestly did

they set about this that one of them fasted four days in the week,

in all that time eating only roots. Throughout Lent they repaired

to the church, three days in the week, to take the discipline,

the singers meanwhile chanting the _Miserere_ to the accompaniment

of the organ; and with the same devotion they attended the sermons

which were preached to them two days in the week. During Holy Week

there was a great concourse of people from the neighboring villages;

and on Holy Thursday and Friday they had well-ordered processions

with many flagellants, in which some bore on their shoulders large

crosses. The most blessed sacrament was kept in a receptacle adorned

with many ornaments and jewels of gold; all the time while it was

enclosed therein, the chiefs were present in behalf of their districts

armed according to their custom.

On this day a poor Indian failed to appear with the others at the

church for the divine services, having gone to the river to bathe;

there, by divine permission, a cayman seized him, and well nigh caused

his death. He was brought to the church covered with gashes, and in

such agony that he could neither understand, nor hear, nor utter a

word. On account of his precarious condition, and as he was one of

the catechumens, he was at once baptized. Being urged to invoke the

most holy name of Jesus, this man, who had not been able to speak

one word, was granted such strength that twice he uttered distinctly,

"Jesus, Jesus," and died with that honey on his lips.

I will relate another and similar incident, equally interesting,

although it occurred at a different time and in a different place. A

poor Indian one night, in his grain-field, suspecting no harm,

received several knife thrusts, so grievous that it is considered

almost a miracle that they did not instantly kill him; for all his

abdomen was cut open, and his entrails lay on the ground. In this

condition he remained until morning, when he sent another Indian,

who by chance left his route to pass that way, to summon the fiscal

of the church, since the fathers did not reside in that village. The

fiscal went, and found the poor man in such misery that some dogs were

actually beginning to devour him alive. Asking with great earnestness

for the sacrament, he was accordingly baptized, whereupon he at once

expired. It seemed that our Lord would wait no longer to receive him

to Himself.

But to return to Lent at Dulac: The good example set by a Spaniard

who happened to be there during this holy time, was most valuable. It

was he who adorned, as we have mentioned, the receptacle of the most

blessed sacrament, and who sent much wax to furnish its illumination;

and he remained under arms, guarding the sepulchre, and marched

in the procession with the Indians, bleeding severely under the

scourge. Not content with this, he went a second time along the

streets through which the procession had passed (a long distance),

scourging himself. The Indians were greatly edified at this, and,

as I have said, hastened to imitate him.

Not less readily did they imitate a virtuous action by one of our

fathers, who performed it in order to preach to them by deeds as

well as words, that he might at once constrain them and render good

deeds easier for them; and, by the grace of our Lord, he succeeded

in his purpose. Those people are fastidious to such an extreme that

they are annoyed and disgusted by any object offensive to the senses,

especially to sight and smell. They are passionately fond, on the other

hand, of fine colors and flavors, and eager to see or hear agreeable

things. Accordingly, they cannot endure foul odors, and have great

aversion for persons who are wounded or bruised; among them such

persons suffer, in consequence, great privation and neglect, bodily

as well as spiritual. On this point, several sermons were preached to

them; but, as the achievement of victory in such a cause is, in truth,

arduous and heroic, the preacher, seeing that words were of no avail,

determined to preach a sermon of deeds. They had one day in the week

set apart when all the old, the sick, and the wounded assembled to

receive instruction; and the father knew that some were not present

because they had no one to carry them, or help them to come--among

these, especially, there was a female slave who belonged to one of the

chiefs; her masters had never been willing to carry her to the church,

on account of their great loathing for her. At a time when many of

these poor creatures were assembled, and the most notable of the

people were present, the father took in his hands the feet of a poor

slave who was covered with sores, kissed them, and placed his lips on

the wound itself. There was another unfortunate whom they all held in

great contempt, who himself did not dare to expose his countenance,

on account of an ulcer which had eaten away his mouth, nose, and the

greater part of his face; but the father drew this man to himself,

spoke to him, and caressed him, even touching his face. This example

made so great an impression upon them that, from that time forth,

they have displayed great compassion for such unfortunates--aiding

them in their necessities, and, when they cannot walk, carrying

them on their shoulders to the church. One of the chiefs did this

several times for his slave woman, although, before that occurrence,

he had not been accustomed even to approach her. The governor of that

same village, an Indian of very high rank and much esteemed by his

people, seeing that all refused to help a poor woman, who was in a

very loathsome condition, to go to the church, placed her on his own

shoulders and carried her thither, heedless of the stench and sores,

and careless of staining a very elegant gown which he had put on that

same day. When some persons attempted to restrain him, he responded

that such was the obligation of a Christian.

The increase and fervor of Christianity in Tinagon. Chapter LXIII.

When the first fruits had been paid with a thousand Christians, who, as

we have said, died newly-baptized, in Tinagon and its district, there

were left, upon the arrival there of the fathers of the Society, about

eight thousand five hundred souls. Of this number we baptized from the

month of April of the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine,

to the same month of the year one thousand six hundred, more than

nine hundred and seventy persons, almost amounting to a thousand. For

the rest of the catechumens, and for some Christians besides who are

scattered through various villages, the services of three fathers

and three brethren did not suffice, although they were constantly

occupied in instructing them. But our Lord provided us with some boys,

so well disposed and so intelligent in the things of our holy faith,

that they have, upon various occasions, supplied the lack of priests

and the need for catechizing and instruction in those villages. It was

in this way that a native chief in one of those neighboring villages,

having heard one of Ours preach, became so enamored of the things of

our holy faith, and so desirous that he and his villagers might know

them, that he went straightway to his encomendero and entreated him

to find for them some Indian well instructed in our doctrine, who

might impart to them the prayers and catechism. An Indian was sent,

as he had desired; they received him very hospitably, and all promptly

learned the doctrine. They manifested their gratitude for such benefits

by entertaining their teacher liberally during his stay and presenting

some gifts to him at his departure. Two or three times afterward, this

same chief came to ask our fathers to send someone to his district

to baptize his people, saying that they all desired to receive holy

baptism. The earnest affection wherewith they asked for it was manifest

in another Indian whose baptism our fathers delayed until he should be

better prepared for it: but each day his desire and fervor increased,

and each day he became more fixed in his good resolution. One day a

father asked him why he did not cut off his hair, since he desired

to become a Christian. At once he made answer with much affection:

"The hair, Father, and nothing more? Do but grant me what I ask,

and I will cut off, not only my hair, but even my arm, in return for

baptism." This man was almost on the point of tearing out his eyes,

or cutting off his hand or foot, to his own shame.

But who can exaggerate the satisfaction and devotion wherewith they

receive in their villages these servants of the Lord, when the latter

go to visit them? This will be seen in an account of such a journey,

made by Father Juan de San Lucar, who himself thus describes it:

"I cannot express the satisfaction which was caused by our visits to

all these villages. We reached the first one, called Ibatan, in the

middle of the night. The people had already learned that we were

to go to their village, and, in spite of the late hour, they did

not weary of waiting; indeed, they were all waiting on the shore,

where they had lighted fires. As soon as we arrived, the leading

chiefs cast themselves into the water in order to take hold of our

boat; and we could not prevent them from carrying us ashore on their

shoulders. In the two weeks that we spent there, great was the fervor

of their attendance at our church, as well as the concourse of men

and boys on certain nights for the purpose of scourging themselves;

at the same hour the women throughout the village performed the same

exercises at their homes. Ten children and thirty adults were baptized,

and to some holy communion was granted after they had been prepared

by a sermon on that subject. All those who received the most blessed

sacrament manifested great unworldliness and exemplary virtue. In this

village there was an old woman, more than eighty years of age, blind,

deaf, and so sick and crippled that she could not leave her bed. Upon

several occasions we had passed much time with this poor woman trying

to persuade her to receive holy baptism; but she had never shown any

desire for it, and even stubbornly resisted. But the Lord took pity

on her and enlightened her, at a time when I was most forgotten or

distrusted. Her husband came to me as many as eight or ten times to

ask me to go to baptize her telling me that he loved her very much,

and it would cause him much grief if she should incur damnation; he

was therefore anxious that she should be baptized, so that she might

enjoy God; and he added that such was already her wish. But I did

not believe him, for my visits to her house had so many times proved

useless. I told him that I would baptize her on the condition that

she would come to the church, thinking that what I required from him

was impossible. On his returning with this answer, the poor woman,

in her desire to receive holy baptism, was so aroused that she,

although formerly she could not even move her limbs, recovered

strength, with the help of our Lord, and came to the church. She

listened to the instruction with pleasure and attention; and finally,

as she was prepared for the sacrament, I granted her baptism. During

all the time while I was administering this sacrament to her, she

remained standing, to the wonderment of all the people. Great was

their edification at seeing how heartily she had sought baptism,

and how our Lord accomplishes more in one moment than we in many

days. In the village of Paet our Lord moved the hearts of two women who

were a cause of offense and stumbling on account of their dissolute

lives. Protected by certain profligate men, these women, although

they were slaves, had become so arrogant that they despised the other

women; and all the village felt ashamed to have among them so evil a

company. These women came with deep grief to make their confession,

and remained thoroughly reformed, to the great satisfaction of all

the people. There dwelt in this village a young girl, the daughter of

a chief, whom we had urged to attend the catechisms and the sermons,

hoping that if she were baptized others would follow; but the devil

hindered our efforts, for she either hid herself or was concealed

by her parents. This time I made more diligent endeavors; she came

to the church and, having heard a few sermons, earnestly asked for

baptism. I gave her a teacher for the doctrine, promising that I would

baptize her when I returned to that place--although so great was her

desire for the sacrament that the least delay seemed to her very long;

accordingly, she applied herself so closely to study that within the

space of two days she knew the prayers and the catechism. On examining

her, great was my surprise that she should have learned so much in

so short a time; accordingly, with great satisfaction on my part,

I baptized her and two other adults.

In the village of Cauayan there lives an Indian woman of rank, already

advanced in years, whom our Lord has inspired with zeal for winning

souls and for the conversion of her people. She devotes herself to

persuading, preparing, and catechizing the Indians for holy baptism;

and whenever we visit that doctrina, she has a troop collected,

and well instructed, for us to baptize. In this place I baptized

twelve adults, and four or five younger persons. In all the other

villages the people are very well disposed, and a great harvest will

be continually gathered, with the help of our Lord."

In the measure of this fervor does our Lord correspondingly bestow

upon them visits and spiritual consolations, most liberally accorded

by His Divine Majesty to these His new faithful. Of these we have

already given some general account, and now I will relate in detail

one case, only, in the words of Father Francisco de Otaco, who wrote

from Tinagon, before he departed thence to be superior in Dulac:

"There came today from Catubig a Christian Indian, a youth of

about sixteen years, to hear mass and make his confession; it was

a long and toilsome journey. He showed much candor and goodness,

and special affection for the things of Christianity, speaking of

them with intelligence and appreciation. He related to me an incident

that had befallen him, which had been the cause of that interest and

intelligence. He was sick, and, fearing that the hour of death was

already at hand, he charged a companion of his to place at the head

of his bed, at the last hour, a cross and some lighted candles. His

end approached, so near that all regarded him as one already dead,

and his companion fulfilled the charge that had been given him. Then,

he said, he became as one who dreams, although it seemed to him to

be more than dreaming, and even quite different. There appeared at

his right side a father of the Society, holding in his hand a rosary

of our Lady: upon his head he bore a diadem of golden brightness and

a halo of the same splendor encompassed his breast. The apparition,

calling him by name in affectionate terms, said to him: 'Turn this

way, my son, to the right side, which is that of the elect, and count

these beads. Thou wert to die of this sickness; but, because thou art a

Christian, our Lord has been pleased to give thee life and health; but

it is only that thou mayest be a good Christian, always remembering

our Lord, living in prayer and carefully guarding thyself from

every sin--that is, from all that offends the sight of God.' Having

in a long discourse given him other profitable counsels, the figure

disappeared; and the sick man regained his consciousness, as if he had

been resuscitated (for all thought him really dead), and with sudden

energy began to speak. He asked for food, and soon felt much better,

to the astonishment of all who were present. These, terrified at such

a change, inquired from him its cause, and he related to them the above

occurrence--attributing his recovery to the singular mercy of our Lord,

and to the fact that he was a Christian; and he often related the

affair with no little benefit to his hearers. Having heard him speak,

for some time, so well and so affectionately concerning our Lord and

the observance of His holy commandments, I praised his discourse and

meritorious sentiments. He answered that it was no cause for surprise,

since all those things had been taught him in the aforesaid vision,

and had remained deeply impressed upon his mind."

The loss of some vessels, and in them of two of the fathers of the

Society. Chapter LXIV.

Among other calamities and troubles which our Lord has been pleased

to send upon these islands in the form of loss of life, property,

and ships, one was the destruction of two large ships (a flagship and

an almiranta) which, in the previous year, six hundred, set out for

Nueva España with cargoes of very rich merchandise. These vessels,

after having sailed the seas for eight months, with violent storms,

and encountered great dangers, and after having lost many men through

hunger, pest, accidents, and the billows of the sea (which washed

them from the vessel itself), were driven back and stranded--or rather

dashed to pieces--on the shores of the Ladrones and the Catanduanes,

where they were destroyed. But few persons were able to escape,

who only served, like the servants of Job, to carry the news of the

disaster--which, following upon many other losses and misfortunes

of war, was keenly felt and bitterly lamented. In one of these

vessels, named "San Geronimo," went Father Pero Lopez de la Parra,

a professed member of our Society, who after this long voyage and

another, even longer, of thirty-seven years in the religious life,

finally came to port, as we believe, in the Fortunate Land, toward

which he was making his main voyage with good works. In Nueva España

he taught the arts and theology, and was one of the first founders

[of missions] who went thither from the Society; and both there and

here he exercised our ministries with good results. Although we know

no details concerning his death, it is believed, from his having been

one of the last to die, and from his great devotion to confession and

the care of souls, that in that hour of peril he must have been of

service to all with much charity, as he always acted thus during his

life. By another disaster and misfortune in these islands, we lost

another father and a brother, if we may call those lost who, to win

souls and aid their brethren, die with them in a righteous war. Some

heretic corsairs from the islands of Olanda and Gelanda went to those

of Filipinas, bent on plunder, in the month of October of the year one

thousand six hundred; they had robbed a Portuguese vessel in the North

Sea, and in the South Sea, having passed the Strait of Magallanes,

some fragatas from Piru. These corsairs entered among these islands,

committing depredations and threatening even greater excesses. For

this purpose their almiranta and their flagship (in which sailed,

as commander, a corsair named Oliverio del Nort) were stationed at

a place six leguas from Manila, where the ships from España, China,

and Japon were obliged to enter, and where all the ships and vessels

which leave that city must be inspected. Against the two Dutch ships

went forth two others from Manila, carrying more than three hundred

men, the flower of the militia of those islands, with much artillery

and military supplies. In the flagship went Father Diego de Santiago

and Brother Bartolome Calvo, at the request of General Antonio de

Morga, auditor of the royal Audiencia, and other officers, who were

wont to confess to the father, because he had a very affable manner,

and could adapt himself to all persons. At the outset he heard the

confessions of most of the men, and encouraged them, as well as he

could, to make the attack and to fight valiantly. Finally, on the

fourteenth day of December, they sighted the enemy; and crowding on

sail, in their eagerness to overtake him, both flagships grappled

together, so closely that one could cross unimpeded from one vessel

to the other. They finally succeeded in seizing the enemy's colors

and hoisting them on our flagship, our men confident of success,

and already shouting "Victory!" But the ship, whether unsteady (for,

carrying so many people on one side, it took in water through the

port-holes of the lower tier of cannon), or laid open at the keel by

the very weight of our guns (which were very large), or by the will

of God, went to the bottom with all its crew--except a few men who

seized the enemy's shallop and escaped in it, and some others who

reached the shore by swimming. Among the latter was the commander,

who with the enemy's two flags gained the shore. Our almiranta (which

was a new galizabra), in charge of Admiral Juan de Arcega, grappled

with the enemy's almiranta, captured it, and brought it to Manila,

where justice was executed upon the corsairs who were in it. Among

the dead and drowned--who numbered one hundred and nine Spaniards,

the pick of the captains and soldiers of those islands; and one

hundred and fifty negroes and Indians--perished Father Diego de

Santiago. He died bravely, encouraging the men, and having heard the

confessions of nearly all. Seeing, a short time beforehand, that the

ship was about to go down, he intended to save himself by swimming;

but he heard the voice of a captain, who said to him: "Father, hear

me but a word, for it concerns my salvation." With much charity,

he remained until the last moment, to hear the soldier's confession;

and afterward neither the father nor his companion was seen. The father

was twenty-nine years old, a member of the Society for fifteen years,

and a shepherd of the Indians and Spaniards. Brother Bartolome Calvo

was of the same age, attached to the Society in these parts for

seven years. He possessed much virtue and died through obedience,

a quality for which he ever professed much esteem.

Nine new members of the Society reach Manila, having been saved from

a ship-wreck--through the intercession, as is devoutly believed,

of our Blessed Father Ignatius. Chapter LXV.

In the month of May in the year one thousand six hundred and one,

there arrived in the Filipinas Father Gregorio Lopez with a welcome

reënforcement, of nine fathers of the Society. [14] Their arrival

was most opportune for filling the places of the dead, and aiding

the living who are ever clamoring for new companions to help them

draw in the net of this spiritual fishery. It was an extraordinary

consolation to hear of the mercies vouchsafed to them by our Lord

through the intercession of our propitious Father Ignatius--especially

when they reached the opposite coast of that island of Manila,

near Catanduanes--as I shall here briefly relate, referring to the

judicial investigation of this disaster, which was made with many

and competent witnesses, and was brought to Rome for the honor and

glory of God our Lord, and of his saints. In the latter part of

April in that year, 1601, when the galleon from Nueva España [15]

(in which came the ten fathers of our Society) reached the region of

those islands, bad weather shut them in with heavy fogs and rains,

so that, although in front and on both sides the land was not far

away, it could hardly be descried or recognized as such. As soon

as the weather cleared somewhat, they found themselves in a bay

hemmed in by shoals and rocks, with a rugged shore, upon which the

wind was driving them. In spite of their efforts they were unable to

gain the open sea, for the force of the wind was driving them out of

their course and upon the shoals. They then resolved to cast anchor,

hoping in this way to gain some safety for the vessel, and thus they

remained during an entire night in twenty-six brazas of water, exposed

to great danger, and in fear of being lost. On the next morning,

the auditor Don Antonio de Ribera (who went as commander and chief

of the vessel), seeing the great danger to which they were exposed,

and considering all human means weak and useless, hastened to entreat

the Divine favor; and, recalling those which our Lord had recently

bestowed upon certain persons through the mediation of our blessed

Father Ignatius, resolved upon this occasion to implore his favor and

assistance, and to beseech our Lord, through the merits of His servant,

to give them at ten o'clock that day a propitious wind whereby the

vessel might reach a place of safety. He added that he did not set

that time as a limitation to the divine Majesty, but because such

answer to their prayer would show that the mercy bestowed upon them

had come through the intercession of the blessed Father Ignatius,

to whom they made an offering of the vessel and its deliverance. This

petition and its conditions he called those to witness who were then

present in the stern-cabin.

The shallop was launched, to seek some refuge within the shelter of

the shore where the ship might be anchored, and the men were ordered

to give signals when they should find it. But while the shallop was

reconnoitering the shore, the galleon began to drift from its moorings

toward the shoals and the rocky coast, whither the force of the wind

was bearing it. Accordingly a cannon was fired, to call back the crew

of the shallop, so that it might accompany the vessel and lend to its

crew what assistance it could. The shot was heard a long distance

on land, but those in the shallop could not hear it, although they

listened attentively and observed the fire and smoke; they continued,

therefore, their search for a more suitable landing. Thereupon the

men on the ship cut the anchor, and hoisted sail, aiming to get as

far out into the sea as possible. At that moment a miracle occurred;

the wind suddenly became favorable, shifting three or four points,

so that they were able to steer the vessel to the only place which

was secure and sheltered, where the shallop's crew had already found

bottom and a place for anchorage. At the same time Captain Francisco

Cadena--a Venetian, and an expert in nautical affairs--without knowing

of the commander's petition, said with great surprise: "This is a

great miracle; for just when we hoisted sail the wind shifted four

points, so that we who thought ourselves lost may now hope to be

saved." This unexpected shift in the wind was also observed by the

chief pilot and other seamen.

The commander, Don Antonio de Ribera, beholding this change and good

fortune, and recognizing God's mercy toward them at the very hour

of ten which he had appointed, twice repeated with extraordinary

tenderness and devotion what he had that morning sought from our

Lord--through the intercession, as they piously believed, of our

blessed Father Ignatius. Soon afterward he related the same incident,

in his stern-cabin, to some Augustinian and Franciscan fathers, with

many tears and great devotion; and those religious fathers, full of

admiration, rendered thanks to the Lord that He had chosen thus to

honor His servant Ignatius, by displaying in that hour of peril his

great holiness and merits. On reaching shelter and casting anchor,

the commander announced to all, publicly, what he had requested from

our Lord through the mediation of our blessed Father Ignatius; at which

those who had been about to cast themselves into the sea, to escape,

if they could, by swimming, and had seen themselves at the point of

death, realizing that they had been saved by such means, offered many

thanks to the Lord and praises to His saint. Both religious and laymen

asked that the image of our blessed Father Ignatius be brought, and

thereupon they all, of every rank and age, began to adore it--falling

on their knees, and kissing it with great devotion, while all the

religious chanted the _Te Deum laudamus_. In memory of this event,

all, with one voice, desired that this place be called the Puerto de

San Ignacio, which name it now bears. Afterward, that our Lord might

reveal more clearly the merits of His servant--while the ship was at

anchor in the very place where they had so marvelously been aided,

and while they were about to leap joyfully ashore--a violent hurricane

suddenly arose, on Tuesday, the first of May, which toward midnight

caused the galleon's single anchor to drag, so that it was carried

toward the shoals and the perilous coast. At this, all feared the

utmost danger, for peril seemed most certain amid the darkness of

the night, and with so angry a tempest; but when they began to cry

out and entreat the favor of our blessed Father Ignatius, then the

vessel ceased to drift. Thus invoking him in every danger--as they

frequently did, both religious and laymen--the Lord again bestowed

upon them a special favor; for when the mainmast fell, which they

were obliged to cut, its fall was not, as they feared, such as

to sink the vessel, inasmuch as the yard and the topsail, falling

upon the rocks, served as a support, and on that side held back the

ship so that it could not drift to destruction. At the same time,

as they were held by only one anchor, with so great risk of further

dragging, or of the cable's being cut by the many submerged rocks,

they urgently requested an image of the blessed Father Ignatius,

and with great devotion and confidence, made it fast to the cable. It

was wonderful to see how the cable was held in place during the rest

of that night and a great part of the following day; and how, when

they tried to improve the position of the ship by casting another

anchor, they were able to raise the first one, which was very heavy,

by working the capstan, although they found that the three cords of

the cable were fretted, and only one remained entire--whereat they

all were greatly astonished and proclaimed it a miracle.

Other devout practices which were augmented in Manila, and edifying

events which occurred therein. Chapter LXV. [i.e., LXVI]

In these vessels which arrived in the year one thousand six hundred

and one, there were also many religious of the sacred Orders of

St. Francis and St. Augustine, and in the following year, of the Order

of St. Dominic; they were men selected and well qualified for the

succor of those souls. Immediately they were assigned posts, each in

His own province, that they might devote themselves with fervor to the

conversion of the Indians. I do not here describe their occupations,

and the large harvest which they gathered and still are reaping;

for that is not within my present scope, although there is much,

and of great interest, to say about them. I will only say this, that

the excellent example set by the religious orders in the Filipinas

is a most efficacious means for the conversion of those souls; and

likewise serves to stimulate and maintain the Christian spirit of

former times among our Spaniards. Among these there are men and women

who may serve as examples of virtue and piety from whatever point this

may be considered, and who both profess and exercise piety with the

utmost sincerity, and in perfection. I observed and noted in those

people, without distinction of good and bad, three habitual virtues:

they do not blaspheme, they hear mass every day, and they are present

at every sermon. As for confession and communion, I may affirm that

there is not a feast-day appointed during the year when they do not,

almost every one, confess and receive communion; indeed, we hardly

have leisure to administer those sacraments to them, for no sooner is

one communion concluded than we must prepare for the next one. And this

piety is displayed not only by select Christians, of recognized virtue,

but by almost all the people of the city; and they are constrained

thereto by the saintly labors, example, and teaching of these holy

religious orders. These, not to mention other virtues which make them

conspicuous in that country, possess two which are especially notable:

first, the strictness of religious observance and the purity of life

which they all teach, and which, in truth, they exercise with great

consistency; second, the peaceable and fraternal relations which they

maintain among themselves--a virtue which is born from the first. For

the likeness between them in this respect awakens and kindles, in the

minds of their members, a readiness to esteem and value one another,

and, in consequence, to take pleasure in the society and welfare of

their brethren; and thus are born peace and harmony. Of this and many

other excellent things, much could be said.

But to return to our ministries: with the reënforcement of that

year, and the pious inclinations of the people of Manila (which had

been aroused and cultivated in them by the hand of the Lord, through

tribulations), we had excellent facilities for increasing the practice

of pious exercises--not only maintaining those of former days, but

adding others which were new--in return for which, some notable and

edifying events occurred. First, the students founded the congregation

of La Anunciata in imitation of other colleges of our Society, where it

flourishes with so much distinction and piety. Although those who began

it were but six, it grew apace, inasmuch as it was a work of God and

of His most glorious mother. As the rays of this light spread through

the city, it ravished the eyes and hearts of many laymen of various

conditions, filling them with desire to enter this congregation;

and in less than eight months its membership grew so large that it

was necessary to form two congregations from the one, separating

the laymen from the students, and assigning to each congregation

its officials. At public feasts, however, they assemble together,

and celebrate their services in the chapel. These pious and devout

exercises, with the example and sweet odor [of piety] displayed in

their conduct, and the benefits resulting from it to their own souls,

would require a separate narrative.

The discipline, which formerly was practiced during Lent, was now

extended to every Friday in the year; and on every day thus appointed,

without missing one, many people of distinction, and those from all

classes, repair [to the church] to scourge themselves. Every Sunday

afternoon many people, whether or not members of the congregation,

assemble in the church to hear a short sermon, in which are explained

the divine mandates, accompanied by some pleasing example, an

interesting story or edifying narrative. The father-visitor began

these sermons with good results, which were soon realized in the

changed lives of many persons--especially one, who, coming by chance to

hear the sermons, was--although bent on leading a shameless life and

giving loose rein to his appetites--brought to himself by one sermon

and began to lead a new life. There was also begun, that same year,

the devotion practiced by certain cities; namely, that of accepting

saints by lot. This was done on All Saints' day, with a great concourse

of the citizens. There was a certain person who, falling into the

sea, with many others who were drowned, in the expedition against

the Englishman, and being already overcome by the waves, remembered

St. Nicanor, who had fallen to him by lot; and calling out to that

saint in a loud voice, from that moment, he affirmed, his courage

and strength returned, and he felt a confidence that he would not be

drowned. As a result, he swam nearly a legua, and reached the shore,

to his own great surprise and with much devotion to that saint.

Several interesting cases occurred of fervor in these devotions of

which I shall mention only two or three. A certain woman, to whom God

our Lord had communicated lofty purposes and sentiments of chastity

and purity, was for a long time beset with gifts and importunities

from wicked men. Her refuge was to confess and devoutly to receive

communion, arming herself with these holy sacraments. One day,

after she had received communion in our house, one of these men

lay in wait to seize her when alone; and, with a bare dagger at her

breast, was about to slay her if she would not consent to his evil

purpose. But she, fortified with the bread of the strong, and with

the wine springing forth virgins, [16] told him that she was ready to

die on the spot, rather than offend God. He abused her with words,

and even handled her roughly, but left her, astonished and overcome

by her chastity.

Another man lived for many years in great impiety, and, forgetful

of his God, in mortal sins--especially a base passion so fixed and

rooted in his heart that when one of our fathers talked with him,

striving to convert him, he seemed mad and beside himself. In truth,

he was beside himself, for he still remained with that evil companion

with whom he had lived, nor did he seem to have feeling or thought for

any other thing. It pleased our Lord that by serious conversations

and arguments he was induced not to visit his wicked companion; and

after a reluctant "yes" had been drawn from him, almost by force,

he did afterward abandon her, so entirely that it seemed as if he had

never known her. He made a general confession, and began a new life,

to the wonder of those who knew him.

The corsairs from Gelanda [Zeeland] who had been brought as prisoners

to the city of Manila were condemned to death. The governor of those

islands deemed it advisable that they should be distributed among

the religious orders, to see if they would be converted to our holy

Catholic faith; our Lord was pleased that twelve of the thirteen

should be converted. The exception was the admiral, who died a

heretic, while obstinately uttering a thousand blasphemies against

our holy faith; he was executed by the garrote, [17] and thrown into

the sea. The other twelve reflected, and, in great anguish for their

sins, were converted to our Lord. They professed our holy Catholic

faith and rendered obedience to the holy Roman church. This was done

with such sincerity that they entreated the religious orders of that

city to give them the most blessed sacrament at the altar, which

they devoutly received; as for the five who fell to the care of our

Society, and whom we saw die, I may affirm that they left us notably

edified. With the utmost grief for their sins, they made a general

confession and received communion with many tears. Before receiving

the latter sacrament, they made public declaration of their belief

in the holy Roman Catholic faith, maintaining that they died within

the church, and abominating the heresies of Calvin, Luther, Zwingli,

and other heretics. Two days from that time, having asked pardon of

all, they died with rosaries about their necks, and with the bulls

of the holy crusade (by means of which they obtained absolution)

sewed upon their breasts, each one holding his crucifix in his hands,

devoutly adoring it. They embraced us all, and in great joy at seeing

that, by such a death, they were expiating their sins, they suffered

death, to the great edification of all. On the following morning

they were buried with great solemnity by the Confraternity of La

Santa Misericordia, which was founded by the most prominent people

of the city. But enough for the present concerning the Spaniards;

it will be desirable to make some mention of the Indians.

Other edifying matters, among the Indians of Manila. Chapter

LXVI. [i.e., LXVII]

That part of our employment and occupation which lies among the

Indians is no less important, since they retort to that city in numbers

exceeding those of the Spaniards, and their love and affection for us

is more recent. Usually they are a people inclined to make confession;

and this would give, throughout the year, work for six fathers who know

the language. The Indians seek communion most eagerly, and thereby

are their souls much profited, and they are aided in cultivating the

virtues, especially that of chastity. All that concerns devotion and

the ceremonies of the church makes a marvelous impression upon them,

and they set an example to Christians of long standing. They practice

the discipline every Friday in the year; and many more would come

to these exercises, if the gates of the city (which separate their

villages from the Spaniards) were not closed at night.

The Confraternity which has been established among those natives

arouses the rest to fervor; for its members are the leaven, with their

good example leavening the mass of dough. At the Christmas feasts

they give food to all the poor whom they can assemble, and in such

abundance that there is even a surplus for the prisoners (Spaniards

as well as Indians), and also for another very needy class of people,

those who work in the powder-house. After this repast they wash and

kiss the feet of all the poor, who fall upon their knees and offer

up prayers for those who have performed for them this charitable

act. In company with those of our Society, they betake themselves

to the hospital of the natives, especially during Advent and Lent,

to serve and entertain its inmates. They make the beds, sweep out

the house and clean it thoroughly--which for them is a great deal,

since the Indians are a fastidious people, who are wont to remain in

their homes to die, in order not to see the hospital; but with their

fervor and devotion the members of the Confraternity overcome this

and other obstacles.

They are greatly addicted to prayer and fasting; some, indeed,

have passed whole weeks subsisting on bread and water alone. They

have made retreat in our house, to make their general confessions,

and perform similar exercises, greatly to their own profit and to

the edification of the people.

There was a Christian woman who, in former days, had been made a

captive by infidels who had taken her to the islands of Mindanao and

Burnei, where the doctrine of Mahoma is taught; and they carried her

through many peoples of that infidel land, but never did she relapse

from the Christian faith.

A certain Indian had, with others, made his confession for the

purpose of receiving communion; but he remained silent in regard to

some circumstances of his sins. He says that in a dream he beheld a

very beautiful child who seemed to desire to give him the communion;

the Indian excused himself from receiving it, as being so great a

sinner. The child said to him: "It is true, thou dost not deserve

communion, because in thy confession thou didst conceal this and that

circumstance." On awakening, the Indian betook himself to our house;

and, communicating to one of Ours what had befallen him, he said that

he wished to make his confession anew, which he did.

Another Indian, who was wont to take the discipline in our house,

became through that excellent practice so accustomed to his prayers

and scourgings that, while marching on an expedition with a company

of soldiers, he left the camp at night in order to practice his

discipline. One night, while the captain of infantry was going the

rounds, he saw this man leave the camp, and followed him, believing him

to be some soldier who was going out with some evil purpose. He saw

the man go to a church cemetery, where, after offering his prayers,

he began to scourge himself severely. When his penance was ended,

the captain approached him, and recognizing him as an Indian, was

even more edified than before. Asked whence he came, the Indian

replied that he belonged to one of the suburbs of Manila, and that

he made his confessions to the fathers of the Society. The captain,

impressed by this new converts solicitude for his soul, gave him

some money and sent him home, saying: "Take this and do not corrupt

thyself among soldiers."

The number of Christians in the mission of Taitai, and their

exercises. Chapter LXVIII.

Of those who were Christians in the year 1600--who might number six

or seven thousand--in San Juan del Monte and other villages of that

mission, one thousand five hundred were newly baptized in that same

year, among the many infidels who were continually coming down to us

from the mountains and thinly settled districts. Our observation and

experience among those people show, of late, greater devotion and more

frequent attendance at the holy sacraments of confession and communion,

and in processions, discipline, and works of charity; and every day

may be observed constant progress and reformation in their lives.

The father-visitor founded a hospital in Antipolo, which has been

most important to the welfare of their souls and bodies. On the day

when it was opened, after a solemn mass and sermon (which was drawn

from the story of the paralytic), the father-visitor rendered service

to the poor, washing and kissing their hands while he knelt before

them. In this he was assisted by the chiefs, whose wives performed, in

a separate place, the same act of humility toward some sick women. A

rule was made that the poor should be fed each day by four brethren

of the Confraternity, who aid them with much charity and pleasure.

The father-visitor also began a seminary for boys, where they are

reared in virtue and good habits, obeying the rules imposed upon them,

according to their capacity, of Christian and civilized living. This

school is of great importance to the whole mission, for from these

children must come the good rulers of the people; and it is an easy

and gentle means for all reformation. Some of the children (those who

have some means) are fed with the rice which their parents give them,

and others through alms. They are taught to pray, to assist at mass,

to read, to write, and (most important of all) to be good Christians.

In San Juan del Monte it is customary to sing the _Salve_ to our Lady

throughout the year. During Fridays in Lent, after some spiritual

instruction, they perform the discipline in the church. It once

happened that some Indians, who were bathing, as is their custom,

heard while in the river the bells calling to the _Salve_ and the

discipline; most of them at once made preparations to go thither. One

alone played the obstinate, and, in ridicule of the others, said in

his own language: _A coi ovian niño_ "Bring back something for me,"

which in their mode of speech is a sort of mockery.

The rest went to the _Salve_, and this man remained alone; a caiman,

or crocodile, seized and killed him, before he could be assisted or

confessed. What most surprised me was that, although this animal

is very voracious and always devours a man after killing him, or

at least carries away a hand or foot, this man it left untouched,

although dead; and thus he was found by the Indians, to their great

horror, and causing them to hold in great esteem the disciplines,

and the _Salves_ to our Lady.

The council held by the bishop in the city of Santissimo Nombre de

Jesus; and other events which occurred there. Chapter LXIX.

The right reverend bishop of Sebu, having through a residence of

two years acquainted himself with the affairs of his bishopric,

determined to hold a council [_sinodo_], composed of the clergy and

religious who were busied in the conversion of the tribes, in order to

regulate many things, and to agree upon the method to be used by them

in giving instruction. Their advice was especially desired in regard

to the translation of the Christian doctrine, in order to select,

from the various versions of it which were current in the Bissayan

tongue, one which might serve as a Vulgate and be generally used

in the province of Pintados. [18] Before assembling this council,

that great prelate chose to visit some of his flocks, which he did,

traveling in person throughout a good part of his bishopric. In

this tour our fathers were honored by his being their guest in the

island of Leyte--over which he journeyed on foot, although seventy

years of age. He took up his lodging in our houses and residences,

in as simple and familiar a manner as if he were one of ourselves; and

confirmed our Christians with the most holy sacrament of confirmation,

and strengthened them by his example, and by the kindnesses that he

showed them, with much charity and good-will. He was highly pleased

with them, and with the excellent evidences of Christianity which

he beheld in them, especially with the chastity of the Bissayan

women--concerning whom he said that they had been unjustly slandered;

for, although he had spent so long a time in Nueva España, he had

not seen there so much reserve and modesty. He told Ours that they

might feel well content with their ministries, since that region was

one of the most favored spots on earth, and, in his opinion, it was

most pleasing and precious in the sight of God. He finally held his

council, convening therein all the superiors of those residences; and

after many very salutary regulations had been made for all classes of

people in his bishopric, the council was concluded with great harmony,

and to the consolation of all.

During Lent of that year the disciplines were commenced in our house,

with a goodly number of persons and with the devotion of all the

people. Sermons and instruction were also begun in the barracks, on

account of the soldiers who had been stationed there for the protection

of the city; these were highly profitable to them, as well as to the

people of the city. The Indians have received more attention in our

house this year than have any other class of people, because there

was no priest in the city who could understand their language, save

only three members of our Society, any one of whom would have been

sufficient to care for them.

The following occurrence was considered by some as wonderful: A father

went to visit a sick Indian, to assist him when dying; the sick man

was unable to speak, and had not yet made his confession. The father

urged him to utter the name of Jesus; he made a great effort, and

tried to pronounce it as best he could, uttering the word, but in so

broken a voice that it could hardly be understood. The father asked

him to try to say it a second time, and as soon as he pronounced

it he gained the power of speech; then he made a full confession,

and on the following day was sound and well.

Part of the employment of our fathers in that city was with the

Sangleys from the kingdom of China; this was exchanged (and for

the better) for labors among the natives of that land; and we took

charge of a little settlement called Mandavi, half a legua distant

from our house; they are a simple people, docile and inoffensive by

nature. Father Miguel Gomez recently sent us, in a letter, this account

of a visit which he made there: "I made inquiries, to learn who had not

yet been baptized, and seventy were brought to me, besides some others

whom the Bissayans call _Daotáñgatao_, which signifies, 'People who

are good for nothing;' these people are wont to reply, when we preach

to them the law of God: 'I am good for nothing at being a Christian

or learning the prayers.' I began to preach to all these people

the truths of our holy faith, and the foolishness of their divatas,

or idols. Our Lord was pleased that they should learn the doctrine

in a very short time, although they were old men and obstinate, and

ask for holy baptism with a devotion which caused my admiration. The

day had scarcely dawned when old men and women, septuagenarians,

were at the door, in order to become Christians. I baptized sixty

of these persons--among them the most influential chief of that

district, a man seventy years old, Andug by name--and six others,

infant boys. All this has been a source of great consolation to me,

and I hope in our Lord that He will vouchsafe much to those people."

Many conversions are made in Bohol. Chapter LXX.

From the end of the year one thousand six hundred to the spring of the

year one thousand six hundred and one, that fire which the Son of God,

Jesus Christ our Lord, came to earth to light, so earnestly desiring

to set the world aflame, seemed to burn with great heat in the island

of Bohol--as may be seen by the letters of our fathers who at that

time had gone thither. The most interesting letter, as giving the most

detailed account, is, if I am not mistaken, one from Father Valerio

de Ledesma, rector of Sebu, to the father-visitor; he writes thus:

"In this letter I shall give an account of what our Lord was pleased

to accomplish in the island of Bohol after I departed from Sebu with

Father Ximenez and Brother Dionisio, on the twenty-ninth of May

in the year one thousand six hundred. When the council adjourned,

I set forth to visit the island of Bohol, as your Reverence had

instructed me. There I immediately undertook to unite and bring

together the people, a very difficult task, but quite necessary for

their instruction. I began with the people of Loboc, who were dispersed

and disunited; and, after many peaceful methods and forcible arguments,

God was pleased to bring together more than a thousand souls, gathered

from the mountains and rivers--most of them people reared in war,

robbery and murder; until then, it had been impossible to bring them

down from the hilly regions and inaccessible mountains where they

dwelt. But _non est impossibile apud Deum omne verbum_. Encouraged

by our good fortune in Loboc, we sought to unite the Tinguianes

(or mountaineers) of Dita and Marabago, a wild people who had never

before seen a father. We brought them together by blandishments and

mild threats, and by other methods suited to their capacity, and it

pleased our Lord that we were able to persuade them to settle along

the river which they call Viga. There they have erected a church,

and Father Gabriel writes me that on Sundays it does not contain them

all. He says that he began by baptizing more than one hundred and

twenty children; and that the adults are not only tamed, but even

ask for baptism with much fervor. At night they pray, and sing the

doctrine; and in the day-time they chant praises to our Lord. Those

who have dwelt in Bohol, and know the unruly nature of that people,

will appreciate the change which our Lord has wrought in them. When we

first begin to address them, your Reverence might behold them on the

bank of the river, armed, and so fierce as to arouse one's fear; yet,

at the same time, desirous that I should address them. This I did,

showing them so much affection that they and I became friends; and

as hostages they gave me their children for baptism, preparing them

to learn the doctrine and to receive holy baptism. Having brought

together the people of Dita, when it seemed to me that they would

have no difficulties in the small villages round about, it happened

that, when least I expected, I saw as many as forty men coming,

armed with lances and shields, whose design it was to break up the

union by violence, especially if they should be ordered to assemble

in any place not to their liking. Realizing from their determination

the danger to which the others would be exposed, I dissimulated as

best I could, so that the others might not perceive their uncivil

conduct, and feigned that my desire was the same as theirs--but with

such conditions that I know that they will not fulfil them; and it

is obvious, from this very incident, that he who has the authority

and force to intimidate them can subdue them. I think, with Father

Francisco Xavier, of blessed memory, that a little gained in peace is

worth more than much secured by war. Thus was ended that disturbance;

I did what I could, but not what I desired. They can, it is true,

be instructed where they now are; but the task will be a hard one.

"Thence I returned toward Sebu, passing through some villages where

Father Miguel Gomez had given instruction; and I can assure your

Reverence that while I tarried there I found more consolation, and

gathered a greater harvest of souls, than I have ever before known. For

theirs was so great a longing and hunger to hear of the things of God,

and so ardent a desire to learn the doctrine that throughout the night

could be heard in their houses, now here and now there, ceaseless

songs and praises to God; and morning and night, in the field and in

the church, nothing could be heard but praises of our Lord. A chief

said to me: 'Would you believe, Father, that all night long I did

not close my eyes, I was so anxious and eager to pray?' Accordingly,

it appeared in eight or nine days that all the people had learned

the prayers and other things needful for baptism. Your Reverence

will doubtless ask: 'Who inspired them with such warmth and fire,

since they are a people so heedless by nature?' I know not what

answer to give your Reverence save, _Digitus Dei est hic_. What I

can say is, that he whose heart is set on an end, also holds dear the

means to that end. They were inspired by God to desire holy baptism,

and for that reason they so heartily availed themselves of the means

which we offered them to gain it, and heeded no difficulty in their

way. Upon the feast-day of Saint Anne, when the church was called

together, our Lord was pleased to make for us a goodly beginning in

the conversion of an aged chief regarded by all as their father. While

in the church, he fell upon his knees and said: 'Father, baptize me,

for God is calling me.' I said to him in a loud voice, while all

the rest preserved silence: 'Dost thou say this heartily?' 'Yes,

Father, with all my heart do I say it.' 'Does love for God and for

thy salvation move thee?' 'Yes, Father; that and nothing else.' 'Hast

thou determined to abandon all the maganitos and to exchange them for

the true God?' 'Yes, Father.' 'Art thou resolved to serve the true

God and to be a good Christian, or dost thou ask this with thy mouth

only?' 'There is nothing else in my heart.' 'That is well, then,'

said I; 'I admit thee as a catechumen.' With this example those

who were already prepared were so convinced, and others so deeply

moved, that more than a hundred came, one after another, and knelt

in the same way and asked for baptism. I, on my part, began to ask

them questions, to confirm even more their faith; for this virtue,

as well as other habits, grows and is increased by acts. Brother

Dionisius and I returned home, astonished at such fervor and devotion

among Bissayans. At one time I baptized more than eighty-nine adults;

a few days later, ninety-four, children and adults together; and, at

still another baptism, the other people in that village. A few whom

I did not baptize fell upon their knees and asked for the sacrament;

but I deferred it until the next time when I should, God willing,

return to them.

"While we were passing, on the way from that village, over some

mountains, the Lord offered us, as a spiritual gain, twenty-nine

children, who were like so many little angels [19] (which is

a safe money); these we baptized, together with three adults

whom I took on this journey with me that they might hear some

masses, and be instructed, by word and example, in the things

of Christianity. Although those people were mountaineers, they

entertained us with the best that they had; and he was not held in

honor by them who did not bring a banana, some papaya [20] fruit, rice,

or a fowl. Here I have learned by experience how important it is that

we should not rear these Indians in such [spiritual] aridity that

they know not how to perform any act of charity. For admitting that

they are poor, yet even in their poverty there is room for merciful

and charitable deeds with the little possessions which are theirs;

and by performing these they are made humane, and they find pleasure

therein. On the other hand, they can be recompensed by us with other

gifts, by which they are greatly pleased, and their hearts are more

easily won for God.

"From that place we set out for another little village which is

called Tobigu, where, in anticipation of our arrival, they had

quickly erected a very convenient church. We cast our nets--or, to

speak correctly, those of Jesus Christ--and the Lord pressed into

them all the fish there were. Indeed, even if there were no other

return than this, I would consider myself well repaid for having come

from España; for all--the headmen and chiefs, the children, old men,

and women--prostrated themselves at the feet of Jesus Christ, making

public confession and asking for the waters of baptism. The first

time, we baptized a hundred souls; the second time, the rest of

the people in the village, so that we did not know of any perverse

one remaining--although, at the beginning, there were a few who

resisted. When I arrived at the village, I heard someone say in

a loud voice: 'I do not have to become a Christian;' but he was

afterward converted, being unable to resist the Holy Spirit. Another

savage, fierce and intractable in disposition, after having heard

the sermon on salvation and hell, said that he would go to hell;

and he maintained this so obstinately that he seemed to be possessed

by the devil. He was arousing the same spirit in others, as he was

an influential man, respected by those of the village. I told him of

the terrible punishments of hell, and in return he asked what he was

to do if his ancestors and parents were there, and he wished to be

with them. I told him that he ought first to try the fire, to see if

he could endure it, and I ordered some red-hot coals to be brought,

that he might make this test; but his hands were as hard as his heart,

and the fire had little effect on them. After a few days had passed,

however, he turned over a new leaf, so completely that he went through

the plains and grain-fields, calling together his people so that they

might become Christians and be baptized with him. He is now one of

our good Christians, and the most earnest one whom I have known among

the Bissayans.

"The devil, envious of such success, sought to disturb our new

Christian community with rumors of war, which compelled us to return

to the village of Tobigo. There, while the people were wrought up

to the most ardent fervor of prayers and conversions, forty-eight

armed men descended upon the village, to plunder it and to burn

the church. That night our people posted a sentinel, and kindled

large fires, and so the enemy did not dare to enter openly; but

they remained in the neighborhood to rob anyone who might enter

or leave the village. On the morning of the next day, armed with

better weapons than theirs--namely, with confidence in the Lord,

whose work we are doing--I set out to go where they were, taking

with me Brother Dionisio (who has been, in all these experiences,

my very faithful companion); and there I said to them: 'Fear not,

my children, for I am your father, not the alcalde-mayor; I come to

do you good, not harm. What do you fear from a man unarmed and alone,

who puts himself in your power? You behold me here. If you desire me

for a slave, I will live with you in your village of Tibor, and will

serve you as a slave if you will in turn let me teach you how you

may obtain salvation. I have compassion on you when I see you acting

thus, for if the Spaniards seize you they will do you much harm. Let

us be friends, and in token of our friendship, take this garment:'

and I handed to the chiefs an elegant striped mantilla, asking them to

give me also some pledge. They presented to me a necklace, and then we

embraced each other and drank from the same cup. In short, we became

so good friends that they promised me that whenever I might summon

them to Loboc, they would come, provided that they would bring but few

people. They gave me a little fruit and some eggs, and I gave them a

basket of rice. After expressions of friendship had been exchanged,

I asked them to make peace also with my friends of Tobigon; this they

did, and departed abashed without having done any harm. May God bring

them to a place where they can receive instruction; for some of them,

when questioned, replied that I was the first Spaniard whom they had

ever seen in their lives. This took place near Sebu; what must be

the condition of affairs elsewhere?"

Another letter from Father Valerio to the father-visitor, dated

October 4, gives the following account: "Father Gabriel writes me

that he has baptized in Loboc and Dita more than four hundred souls,

most of them children under the age of reason. In these three months

I find, upon examination, that more than a thousand souls have been

baptized, and that the ardor of numberless others is aroused. The

fathers write me that the hour has come in which God is present in this

island. May your Reverence send us laborers, or at least one father,

until those from España arrive. Fortunate is he who may come hither,

for he will delight in the fervor of this primitive church."

Father Gabriel Sanchez writes thus, in a letter of October 5:

"Our Lord has favored the plans and labors of the father rector and

other fathers; for in uniting the villages, their people have been so

thoroughly converted to the Lord that I know not what to say, except

that the Lord, who created and redeemed them, has been pleased to call

them with so special a vocation. Of the people in those reductions

there have been newly baptized in the last four months more than

two thousand souls, and it seems to me that, if we had fathers,

the whole island would be converted in one month. I am filled with

devotion when I see people who are practically savages come from the

mountains, and on their knees ask for baptism, and children as well,

like angels, who have already learned the prayers, although I know not

who are their teachers. Today, for instance, one of them came down,

a child about ten years old, whom I had never before seen; and yet

he knew the catechism and the questions, and was most eager to be

baptized. Catolonas, or priestesses, also come to us, and have given

so many proofs of their holy desire that we have not been able to

deny them baptism. Truly, my father, I am living in great consolation

and joy; for here in these regions there is nothing more to be desired

than that we may faithfully serve our Lord, and that all the people may

be brought into the presence of His Divine Majesty. On Sunday we had

in the church of Loboc six or seven hundred souls, which is the usual

attendance. If your Reverence could see in the early mornings nearly

a hundred children from the mountains, boys and girls but recently

baptized, march with praises to God in a procession along the bank

of this river, singing the doctrine with angelic voices that seem

to come from heaven, I verily believe that your Reverence would be

moved to devout tears, at seeing how God has brought them down from

these mountains and dragons' caves that they may praise and glorify

Him. During the last few days there were baptized in Dita five hundred

more souls, so that in this mission of Bohol there are now more than

three thousand Christians. At the beginning, we had eight hundred, and

now, with the blessing of God and the mercy that He has shown them,

two thousand three hundred have been baptised. Since God decrees it,

may St Peter bless it. Amen."

In another letter he writes: "For days I have been toiling alone;

and when I depart from a village, a considerable time passes before I

return to it. But it is evident that the spiritual benefit of those

poor people acquits me for this delay, in order that your Reverence

may take pity on them. For this reason, my father, let fathers be

brought from España; and will your Reverence send hither even twenty,

for there will be a harvest for all of them. In Loboc and Dita in the

last few days nearly four hundred little ones have been baptized;

this has given me much consolation in the Lord, for I find great

satisfaction in these little creatures. The adults are learning the

doctrine with such fervor that even until midnight the sound of their

voices is incessant. We have received information that enemies are

coming to attack this island, and the people are therefore greatly

disturbed. Would to God that we might be made captives for His love,

and might die for pure love of Him!" All this is from Father Gabriel

Sanchez.

The enemies whom the father here mentions are Indians from the island

of Mindanao which lies near the islands of Terrenate and Maluco, where

the doctrine of Mahoma is professed. In the year one thousand six

hundred that people collected an armed fleet of sixty small vessels,

which descended upon these islands subject to the government of Manila,

and wrought much damage. They laid waste the island of Bantayan and

the river of Panai, and burned the churches. Then they coasted along

other islands, robbing and murdering, and finally carried away as

captives one thousand two hundred souls. But it pleased our Lord that

when they came to this island of Bohol, where our fathers reside, they

should inflict no considerable losses, nor did they burn our church

and house--which they could have done with impunity, for all the

people fled to the mountains. Yet they passed on without stopping,

as Father Gabriel relates in part of his letter of November 16,

which runs as follows:

"In order that your Reverence may aid us in rendering thanks to our

Lord for a great act of mercy which He has shown us, your Reverence,

as father-visitor, should know that on the twenty-sixth of October in

this year, 1600, the enemy attacked Baclayun just after our fathers

had gone thence to Sebu, summoned thither by holy obedience; for the

father rector had sent in haste for the three of us who were in the

island, and lo! the enemy were there. As evidence of the value of holy

obedience, and to show how it exempts from dangers, as well as another

token of mercy--the enemy committed scarcely any ravages in Bohol,

considering what was in their power to do. Their approach was made

known three or four hours in advance, and all, as I have been informed,

fled to the mountains--except three old women and an old man, whom they

killed; and three women and a man, whom they carried away captive. One

of the old women whom they killed had been a notorious witch; but God

our Lord, who loved her soul, inspired her with so fervent a desire to

become a Christian and receive baptism that for three months she did

not cease asking me for it. Finally, on account of her importunity,

I baptized her, after she had several times given evidence of her

sincerity by expressing in public her abhorrence of her idolatrous

belief. But she was fortunate indeed, for soon after she had been

baptized they killed her, which is certainly a singular blessing from

our Lord. The other old woman who was about seventy years of age had

also been baptized a little while before. They did no damage in our

church, although I am told that they disinterred some bodies--why,

I know not. Here is another instance of God's mercy: although they

passed very near the river of Lobo, Dita, and other little villages

belonging to our newly converted Christians, they neither visited

nor attacked them; this seems miraculous, considering that they had,

as your Reverence well knows, committed so deplorable ravages in

other places."

Another of our fathers held a mission in that island, during the

vacation in the Latin studies in the College of Sebu; and, among

other things, he writes thus about his short stay there: "So great is

the heavenly influence which God sends upon this village of Tobigon,

and the abundance of gifts which He bestows upon it, that I have not

dared to go hence, and cut the thread of a progress so auspicious,

thinking it best to remain and behold the marvels of God. The church

is full night and day, and there is no leisure to leave the building,

and hardly to eat when I must; and it is necessary to have my food

brought to me from a distance. All are eager to become Christians and

be baptized. During the two weeks that I have spent here, among those

to whom we have been able to give instruction, one hundred and fifty

adults have been baptized, and today we are to baptize about forty

catechumens; the rest will be left until our return. Their affection

for us is great; they bring their children and sick that we may bless

them, and in the street they fall upon their knees to receive the

benediction. They make frequent use of holy water for their houses,

at their meals, in their grain-fields, and for their sick; indeed,

to drink a swallow of it they consider an efficacious remedy. In

short, all that I see in them is piety and devotion--which is all

the more precious since they are Christians so recently converted. An

old man asked on his knees for baptism, and, as it was necessary to

defer the sacrament, he said with his hands crossed upon his breast:

'Father, teach me how to invoke God, since I do not know how to

pray and thou wilt not baptize me; for I truly reverence Him in

my soul, and desire to serve Him:' Another old man--a chief, whom

all respect--who hitherto had been obdurate, has just asked me for

baptism; he is very hoary, and so old that it seems as if he could

not, from very age, utter a word. I go to his house to instruct him,

for he is too feeble to come to the church. I shall soon baptize him,

and another old man of his age; and it seems to me a certain proof

of their predestination that God should have kept them so long, and

now have inspired in them so ardent a desire to be saved. The Lord be

blessed, amen! for His marvels, who from the stones can raise sons of

God and heirs of heaven, at the time and hour that pleases Him, and by

instruments most inadequate, so that all may know that it is the work

of His power. Up to this time we have in this island three thousand

three hundred Christians, and I am confident in the Divine goodness

that by next year there will not be one man who is not baptized."

The mission held in Tanai. Chapter LXXI.

Tanai is a beautiful and thickly-settled river in the great island

called Negros, on the side which forms a strait with the island of

Sebu. This part of the island is under the parochial care of Don

Diego Ferreira, the bishop's vicar there, and first archdeacon of

the cathedral of Sebu. This priest, in his great affection for our

humble Society, and influenced by seeing the results of our fathers'

labors in those islands--aided by the demand of the natives of

Tanai themselves, who had at various times asked for us--so urgently

requested our presence there that at last the authorities were obliged

to consent. Overjoyed that they had assigned this field to Father

Gabriel Sanchez, whom he held in great esteem, the said Don Diego went

in person to Bohol with a ship, expressly to convey Father Sanchez,

and carried him to their Tanai. What this faithful minister of Jesus

Christ accomplished there the Indians themselves made known, and the

archdeacon lauded it in various letters, being most grateful to God

and to the Society for this service that we had rendered him. We

gave him therein no little aid in carrying his burden of the many

souls which are under his care, alone as he is, without any other

assistance or instruction than ours. But Father Gabriel Sanchez, with

his accustomed plainness, has written a more detailed account of some

particular cases, while making a report of his labors to the superiors,

as is the custom among us. In a letter to the father-visitor, dated

in November of the year one thousand six hundred, he writes thus:

"The archdeacon of Sebu, who holds the benefice of Tanai--a venerable

and meritorious man, as your Reverence well knows--went in person to

the island of Bohol, twelve leguas away, to beseech Father Alonso de

Umanes, our superior, to send, for God's love, a father to teach his

people the law of God, since he himself did not know their language. I

was chosen, and it pleased our Lord to give us a good foothold in

the island; on the very first day we found all the people gathered

on the beach, awaiting us with music and other tokens of joy. We went

to the church, and there I began to address them and discuss our holy

faith. At the first or second sermon, your Reverence might have seen

almost all the people suddenly changed. Indeed, as they had not before

had any minister who could address them in their own language, they had

not, as I learned, been able to form any conception of the things of

God. When the light penetrated their souls, they were astonished; and,

full of joy, they began to ask one another, 'What is this?' They gazed

on me (poor wretch that I am), as on one descended from heaven. As the

greater number of those who assembled there were Christians, but had

not made their confession nor did they even know _si Spiritus Sanctus

est_, I discussed with them the remedy of confession, explaining its

purpose, and arousing their affection for it. Within one month about

four hundred persons made their confessions, with the utmost sorrow

for their sins; and many received communion, with such devotion that

to behold them inspired a like emotion. I baptized about eighty,

most of them infants, although there were a few adults. We instituted

the procession of children which, in our doctrinas, is wont to march

through the streets. We began, too, in the church to give instruction

and ask questions, which so pleased them that the chiefs answered them,

and were offended if we did not question them.