e, the regulation of a new method by
which it, as well as the other convents that should be founded in
the lands and villages of the reduced Indians, should be governed. It
could not be perfected at one time, for experience, that mistress of
seasons, was, little by little, showing what was most advisable for
them. Accordingly, they have established efficient laws in various
assemblies and provincial and private chapters, so that those houses
have shed a luster in the example of their virtues--even though they
do not have an excessive number of religious, because of the lack that
they generally suffer of those who are necessary. It was, therefore,
ordered, in the first place, that all the laws and statutes of our
congregation be observed, without violating the most minute points of
the rules and regulations in force in Espana--especially in regard
to the two hours of mental prayer and the matins at midnight--even
should there be but one religious; since he could say them with
the Indian singers who reside and always live in the enclosure or
within the walls of the convent. Each of the religious was prohibited
strictly, and under well-imposed penalties, from engaging in any
trade or commerce, directly or indirectly, however slight it might
be. In addition, it was ordered that no one should use any piece
of silver or gold, even though it should be a medal, because of the
suspicion that it might arouse in the Indians who should see them,
when they were preaching gospel poverty. They were forbidden to
beg the loan of money, or to ask their stipends in advance from the
encomenderos, contenting themselves with the little that they had;
and living with the greatest possible frugality, in order that their
lives might conform to their discalcedness and their abstraction from
earthly things. The priors were not to leave their districts under any
pretext; and they were not to send their associates and subordinates
unless there were urgent necessity, and after a consultation, to be
registered in the books of the convent. The religious were not to enter
the houses of the Indians, except to administer the sacraments in the
necessary cases; and no one could employ himself in this office until
he should be well acquainted with the language of the land. They were
not to acquire possessions, or more income than the one hundred pesos
of their stipend; and necessity was to be the standard and rule that
they were to seek, as those who were tr