seek nothing
in the world, but what Jesus Christ sought in his mortal life, that is,
the kingdom of his grace: for the only aim of this servant of God was,
the sanctification of his own soul, and the salvation of others. He was
thoroughly instructed that a man's spiritual progress depends very much
upon the fervor of his beginning; and he omitted nothing both to lay a
solid foundation, and continually to raise upon it the structure of all
virtues; and he sought and found God in all things. The progress which
he made was very great, because he set out by the most perfect exterior
and interior renunciation of the world and himself. Being sent to
Majorca, to study philosophy and divinity, he contracted a particular
friendship with a lay-brother, Alphonsus Rodriguez, then porter of the
college, an eminent contemplative, and perfect servant of God: nor is it
to be expressed how much the fervent disciple improved himself in the
school of this humble master, in the maxims of Christian perfection. His
first lessons were, to speak little with men, and much with God: to
direct every action in the beginning with great fervor, to the most
perfect glory of God, in union with the holy actions of Christ: to have
God always present in his heart; and to pray continually for the grace
never to offend God: never to speak of any thing that belongs to
clothing, lodging, and such conveniences, especially eating or drinking:
to meditate often on the sufferings of Christ, and on the virtues of his
calling. F. Claver, in 1610, was, at his earnest request, sent with
other missionaries to preach the faith to the infidels at Carthagena,
and the neighboring country in America. At the first sight of the poor
negro slaves, he was moved with the strongest sentiments of compassion,
tenderness, and zeal, which never forsook him; and it was his constant
study to afford them all the temporal comfort and assistance in his
power. In the first place he was indefatigable in instructing and
baptizing them, and in giving them every spiritual succor: the title in
which he gloried was that of the Slave of the Slaves, or of the Negroes;
and incredible were the fatigues which he underwent night and day with
them, and the many heroic acts of all virtues which he exercised in
serving them. The Mahometans, the Pagans, and the very Catholics, whose
scandalous lives were a reproach to their holy religion; the hospitals
and the prisons, were other theatres where he exerci