The voyage and experience of the brethren who went to Macau
[As it was the principal intention, in establishing this new province,
to promulgate the holy gospel in the great kingdom of China, the
fathers who were sent thither were distinguished for sanctity and
learning. Of the voyage we know only that the vessel was wrecked on the
coast of China, and that they escaped to land as if by miracle. They
were not treated with the severity usually shown to foreigners who
come to or are lost on the coast of China; but were kindly received
by one of the chief men, who had observed their devotion. They did
not obtain permission to carry on the work of evangelization in China,
but went on to Macan and were thence carried to India. Father Antonio
Arcediano taught theology, and was highly regarded in Goa. At different
times he sent his two companions to Espana and to Roma to plead the
cause of Macan, and to do what they could to establish the preaching
of the gospel in China. At the end of six years, seeing no hope of
what he desired, he returned to Espana, and there became a teacher of
theology in the University of Salamanca. He afterwards went to Avila,
and died there. The order did not succeed at this time in entering
China by way of Macan; but finally, the desired entry to China was
obtained by way of Hermosa.]