with design to breed them in the college of the
company, and from thence send them back to the Moluccas, there to preach
the gospel. These things being thus ordered, and the caracore, winch was
to carry him to Amboyna, in readiness, it was in his thoughts to depart
by night, in the most secret manner that he could, not to sadden the
inhabitants, who could not hear of his going from them without a sensible
affliction. But whatsoever precautions he took, he could not steal away
without their knowledge. They followed him in crowds to the shore; men,
women, and children, gathering about him, lamenting his loss, begging his
blessing, and beseeching him, with tears in their eyes, "That since he
was resolved on going, he would make a quick return."

The holy man was not able to bear these tender farewells without melting
into tears himself. His bowels yearned within him for his dear flock; and
seeing what affection those people bore him, he was concerned lest his
absence might prejudice their spiritual welfare. Yet reassuring himself,
by considering the providence of God, which had disposed of him another
way, he enjoined them to meet in public every day, at a certain church,
to make repetition of the Christian doctrine, and to excite each other to
the practice of virtue. He charged the new converts to learn by heart the
exposition of the apostles' creed, which he had left with them in
writing; but that which gave him the greatest comfort was, that a priest,
who was there present, promised him to bestow two hours every day in
instructing the people, and once a-week to perform the same to the wives
of the Portuguese, in expounding to them the articles of faith, and
informing them concerning the use of the sacraments.

After these last words, Father Xavier left his well-beloved children in
Jesus, and immediately the ship went off. At that instant an universal
cry was raised on the shore; and that last adieu went even to the heart
of Father Xavier.

Being arrived at Amboyna, he there found four Portuguese vessels, wherein
were only mariners and soldiers, that is to say, a sort of people ill
instructed in the duties of Christianity, and little accustomed to put
them in practice, in the continual hurry of their life. That they might
profit by that leisure which they then enjoyed, he set up a small chapel
on the sea-side, where he conversed with them, sometimes single,
sometimes in common, concerning their eternal welfare. The disc