h sides of the
altar, were placed two images or statues of the glorious apostles,
St. Peter and St. Paul; these are fastened in place by strong and
curious locks and are covered with two pairs of curtains--one pair
of gauze striped with silk and gold, the other of finest damask with
embroidery and gold lace. Whenever these holy relics are exposed at
their respective feast-days, the ceremony is conducted with great
solemnity; and numbers of white candles are placed not only on the
altar and steps, but all over the tabernacle from top to bottom,
giving it dignity and distinction. On the twelfth of January of the
year one thousand five hundred and ninety-seven, the holy relics
were deposited there, with such rejoicings and festive show as had
never been known before in the islands. In all this was seen how it
was God who solicited hearts, and moved them to honor the glorious
soldiers whom he had brought again for the defense and protection of
the earth. They were borne in procession through the principal streets
of the city, which, although handsome in themselves, were decorated
so elegantly that their very elegance expressed the devotion of the
people. They had erected at intervals arches (a dozen in all)--the
greater number lofty, and with sculptured images; the others of
silk and thin stuffs, so ingeniously knotted together and adorned
with various compositions and characters that they presented a very
pleasing sight. They constructed with great skill several fountains,
some of which gave forth water and others wine; two, in particular,
issuing from a window, gave forth milk and Castilian wine, which were
highly prized at that time in the islands. The relics were borne on
six platforms, no less splendid than costly, since they carried nearly
all the gold, precious stones, and jewelry of the city, which had been
offered with much readiness and good will. Our Lord rewarded them for
this, for there was not one accident, or a single piece lacking, of
which there had previously been some fear, on account of the great
gathering of all classes of people. As for the decoration of the
church, the edifice itself, recently completed, was so beautiful and
pleasing that it sufficed for adornment, although not so elaborate
as the tabernacle. Its beauty was increased by elegant hangings
of tapestry, and by many inscriptions--written by Ours in Hebrew,
Greek, Latin, Castilian, and Tagalo--extending in three rows along
the great nave, b