Of the advantages and gains which resulted from the great alms which
were given out by the house of Santa Misericordia for the common
relief of spiritual and temporal needs.
[The brotherhood has had great influence in the increase
and conservation of the Catholic faith, both spiritually and
temporally. Many alms have been given to the religious orders that they
might pursue their work, especially between the years 1600-1650, such
alms being used for edifices of worship and other pious purposes. The
prisons have been a special object of care to the brotherhood, for the
prisoners of the two prisons in Manila have been looked after daily in
regard to clothing and other matters; and an attorney has been paid
to conduct their cases, in order that they might be concluded at the
earliest possible moment. For this more than one thousand pesos has
been spent annually. Alms have been given to widows to the amount of
four, eight, twelve, sixteen, twenty, and twenty-four reals weekly;
and the same is true of poor soldiers disabled in the royal service in
the Philippines and vicinity, to whom alms are distributed weekly. The
noble families who have been overtaken by adversity have also been
aided, and that so tactfully that the asking of alms by them has cost
no embarrassment. To them the weekly distribution has amounted to
twenty, thirty, fifty, one hundred and more pesos. The brotherhood
has always been careful to inquire into the morals of those among
whom its alms have been distributed, and evil morals have meant
suspension from the alms-list, to which they have been readmitted
on reforming. Brothers of the confraternity found to be leading an
evil life have been expelled from membership until they have given
assurances of reform. Especial care has been taken in relieving members
who have fallen into misfortunes. Orphan girls whose fathers have
died in the royal service in the wars have been sheltered, taught,
supported, and, at marriage, given a dowry. From the organization
of the brotherhood until 1634, more than three thousand orphan girls
have been so aided.]