er, and afterwards produced a
good effect. As the Japonese are of docible and reasonable minds, the
more they pressed him in dispute, they understood the truth the more: So
that their doubts being satisfied, they comprehended easily, that there
were no contradictions in our faith, nothing that would not abide the
test of the most severe discussion.

It was in the midst of these interrogations, with which the saint was
overburdened, that, by a prodigious manner of speech, the like of which
was scarcely ever heard, he satisfied, with one only answer, the
questions of many persons, on very different subjects, and often opposite
to each other; as suppose, the immortality of the soul; the motions of
the heavens; the eclipses of the sun and moon; the colours of the
rainbow; sin and grace; hell and heaven. The wonder was, that after he
had heard all their several demands, he answered them in few words, and
that these words, being multiplied in their ears, by a virtue all divine,
gave them to understand what they desired to know, as if he had answered
each of them in particular. They frequently took notice of this prodigy;
and were so much amazed at it, that they looked on one another like men
distracted, and regarded the Father with admiration, as not knowing what
to think or say. But as clear-sighted and able as they were, for the most
part, they could not conceive that it was above the power of nature. They
ascribed it to I know not what secret kind of science, which they
imagined him only to possess. For which reason, Father Cozmo de Torrez,
being returned from Firando to Amanguchi, the Bonzas said, "This man is
not endued with the great knowledge of Father Francis, nor has the art of
resolving many doubts with one only answer."

The process of the saint's canonization makes mention of this miracle;
and Father Antonio Quadros, who travelled to Japan four years after
Father Xavier, writes it to Father Diego Moron, provincial of Portugal,
These are his words: "A Japonese informed me, that he had seen three
miracles wrought by Father Xavier in his country. He made a person walk
and speak, who was dumb and taken with the palsy; he gave voice to
another mute; and hearing to one that was deaf. This Japonian also told
me, that Father Xavier was esteemed in Japan for the most knowing man of
Europe; and that the other Fathers of the Society were nothing to him,
because they could answer but one idolater at a time, but that Father
X