the grandeur of the Christian
religion. These marvels are interspersed with other matter as follows:]

During the triennium of our father Fray Alonso de Mentrida, the
sending of a religious to Maluco was discontinued, and the convent
of Cavite was completely abandoned. It must have been the opinion
of grave fathers that that was not of importance. Many things are
kept, which although they are of no use at the present time, are at
least preserved for the hopes which are entertained that they will
be useful in the future, and that they will prove of advantage. No
notice was taken of that, for four eyes are worth more than two; and
what has appeared in one way to me may appear to others in an entirely
different light. Hence I shall leave the discussion of this matter.

In the first part of the year 1629, the most holy sacrament was found
missing from the altar of the cathedral of Manila.

It was a thing that troubled all greatly; but it most troubled the
archbishop of Manila. The greatest and most painstaking efforts
imaginable were made. Many were arrested, and put to severe torture;
and, for many months, no other efforts were made than to ascertain
whether the aggressor could be discovered by any manner or means. But
that one was never found, nor could they discover who stole it, nor
what was done with it. The archbishop retired to San Francisco del
Monte, which is a convent of the religious of our father St. Francis,
who spend their lives there in the contemplative life with notable
perfection and spirituality. There then our archbishop took refuge,
and spent many days in other similar works, furnishing an example to
all the country; and although it is true that he was always an example
during all his life, he seems on this occasion to have redoubled his
acts of penitence--praying God, as a truly contrite man, that, if that
lamentable case and one so worthy of sorrow throughout the islands
had happened through his omissions. He would pardon him and regard
those sheep which had been committed to him with eyes of pity and
kindness; and that he might not be the cause that their punishments be
multiplied. He caused prayers to be said by the convents and parishes,
noting that beyond doubt the sins of the people were great, since the
Lord was working against them and permitted that the sacrament be taken
from its place and dwelling in so sacrilegious a manner. For no less
in the present desecration than in that which these