ere converted on the instant, and
became afterwards devout Christians.

These young plants, whom Xavier employed on such occasions, were in
perpetual disputations with the Gentiles, and broke in pieces as many
idols as they could get into their power; and sometimes burnt them,
throwing their ashes into the air. When they discovered any bearing the
name of Christianity, and yet keeping a pagod in reserve to adore in
secret, they reproved them boldly; and when those rebukes were of no
effect, they advertised the holy man, to the end, he might apply some
stronger remedy. Xavier went often in their company, to make a search in
those suspected houses; and if he discovered any idols, they were
immediately destroyed.

Being informed, that one who was lately baptized, committed idolatry
sometimes in private, and that the admonitions which he had received were
useless, he bethought himself to frighten him; and in his presence
commanded the children to set fire to his house, that thereby he might be
given to understand, how the worshippers of devils deserved eternal
burning like the devils. They ran immediately to their task, taking the
command in a literal sense, which was not Xavier's intention. But the
effect of it was, that the infidel, detesting and renouncing his
idolatry, gave up his pagods to be consumed by fire, which was all the
design of the holy man.

Another infidel was more unhappy; he was one of the first rank in
Manapar; a man naturally violent and brutal. Xavier one day going to
visit him, desired him, in courteous words, that he would listen to what
he had to say to him concerning his eternal welfare. The barbarian
vouchsafed not so much as to give him the hearing, but rudely thrust
him out of his house, saying, "That if ever he went to the Christians'
church, he was content they should shut him out." Few days after, he was
assaulted by a troop of armed men, who designed to kill him: all he could
do was to disengage himself from them, and fly away. Seeing at a distance
a church open, he made to it as fast as he could run, with his enemies at
his heels pursuing him. The Christians, who were assembled for their
exercises of devotion, alarmed at the loud cries they heard, and fearing
the idolaters were coming to plunder the church, immediately shut their
doors, insomuch that he, who hoped for safety in a holy place, fell into
the hands of murderers, and was assassinated by them, without question by
a decree of t