e it with most exactness. All of them were tenderly
affectionate to the Father, and were ever loath to leave his company They
took delight in making daily questions to him, concerning the mysteries
of faith; and it is unspeakable what inward refreshments they found, in
seeing that all was mysterious even, in the most ordinary
ceremonies,--as, for example, in the manner wherewith the faithful sign
themselves with the cross.

The Father, on his side, had as ample a satisfaction; and he confesses it
himself, in a letter which he directed some time after to the Jesuits in
Europe: "Though my hairs are already become all hoary," says he to them,
"I am more vigorous and robust than I ever was; for the pains which are
taken to cultivate a reasonable nation, which loves the truth, and which
covets to be saved, afford me matter of great joy. I have not, in the
course of all my life, received a greater satisfaction than at Amanguchi,
where multitudes of people came to hear me, by the king's permission. I
saw the pride of their Bonzas overthrown, and the most inflamed
enemies of the Christian name subjected to the humility of the gospel. I
saw the transports of joy in those new Christians, when, after having
vanquished the Bonzas in dispute, they returned in triumph. I was not
less satisfied, to see their diligence in labouring to convince the
Gentiles, and vying with each other in that undertaking; with the delight
they took in the relation of their conquests, and by what arguments and
means they brought them over, and how they rooted out the heathen
superstitions; all these particulars gave me such abundant joy, that I
lost the sense of my own afflictions. Ah, might it please Almighty God,
that, as I call to my remembrance those consolations which I have
received from the fountain of all mercies in the midst of my labours, I
might not only make a recital of them, but give the experience also, and
cause them to be felt and considered as they ought, by our universities
of Europe, I am assured, that many young men, who study there, would come
hither to employ all the strength of their parts, and vigour of their
minds, in the conversion of an idolatrous people, had they once tasted
those heavenly refreshments which accompany our labours."

These inward delights of God's servant were not yet so pure, but that
some bitterness was intermixed. He was not without sorrow for Oxindono
king of Amanguchi; who, though persuaded of the excellen