Society have perished in the enterprise of its
conversion. A short distance from Manados is Cautipa, a part of the
same mainland of Macasar, and subject to the king of Siao, with about
four or five thousand heathen families. The fathers lived among them
and made some Christians formerly.

The former Christian settlements in Gilolo--Sabugo, Moratay, San Juan
de Tolo, and others of Batachina--which before numbered two hundred
and fifty thousand Christians, instructed by our fathers, are also
destroyed by the same wars with heretics. May the Lord bring it about
that that door may be again opened to the cultivation of this vineyard,
through the peace of Espana and Olanda. This vineyard is continued,
by way of this district of Batachina, by the Papuans and thence by
Nueva Guinea--whose farthest bounds are yet unknown, as well as the
knowledge of what God has reserved for the evangelical ministers and
the Spanish empire in that unknown land. [48]

Father Alonso de Castro, a Portuguese, was an illustrious martyr of
Christ in Maluco, for whom, after he had preached the gospel there for
the space of eleven years, the Moros wrought the crown of martyrdom;
in January, 1559--dragging him first through rough places, where he
endured imprisonment, and giving him later many wounds; and, lastly,
throwing his dead body to the bottom of the deep sea. At the end of
three days the body appeared on the strand surrounded with emanations
of light. See his life and martyrdom among the illustrious men of
Father Eusebio. [49]

China and Japon

The relationship with the provinces of Japon and China ought also
to be included among the ministries of this province, because of the
communication that their nearness offers, and the present necessity of
those fields of Christianity imposes obligations on us. The ministers
there have been assisted from here, these last few years, with some
alms for their support--especially in the province of Chincheo, which
is the nearest--and wine for the masses, and holy oils, which those
missions would not have if they were not furnished from here. They
earnestly petition the aid of more ministers, as those who are there
are few and aged. If many ministers come from Europa, and we have an
order for it, some shall be given to them.

THE RELIGIOUS ESTATE IN THE PHILIPPINES

[This survey of religious affairs in the islands is taken from the
_Chronicas_ (Manila, 1738) of the Franciscan chronicler San