ciation with infidels, had returned with these to
their former idolatrous practices. By means of sermons and discourses
he touched the consciences of these people, and, recognizing their
wretched condition, they made a general confession; they received
his instructions for their future conduct, and were very grateful for
the good that had been done them. The infidels were so attracted and
inclined to the things of our holy faith that they urgently besought
the father to remain with them a few days more; but, as this was not
possible, they contented themselves with the hope that he might soon
be able to revisit them. After four months had elapsed, seeing that
he did not return, they sent their messengers earnestly to entreat
him to return for a short time to teach them the things of our holy
faith, which they all desired to accept; but this could not be done,
and so they were left in their hunger.

In the city of Santisimo Nombre de Jesus there was a Malucan Indian,
the slave of a Spaniard, who, although he had been a Christian for many
years, lived negligent of his salvation, and his masters had never been
able to induce him to make confession and fulfil the obligations of a
Christian; he always displayed much unwillingness and obstinacy. This
man became ill with a malady, apparently not very serious, accompanied
by a slow fever; but within three or four days he suddenly lost the
power of speech and seemed to be surely dying. A little food and some
drink were offered to him but he could not be induced to take any;
and finally became so low, that he lost all consciousness. Some holy
water was brought him from our house and a few drops were sprinkled
over his face; some of these ran down into his mouth, and he began to
lick them, so that he tasted the water. One of those present placed
some of it near his mouth, and, opening his lips, he received the
water. At once regaining consciousness, he said that it seemed as if
someone had seized him and clutched his throat, and for that reason
he was unable to speak; but drinking the holy water had, as it were,
released him, and set him at liberty, and he gladly listened to what
they said to him concerning his salvation. After he had received
instruction, he made a general confession of his entire life; and
our Lord was pleased to restore him to complete health of body,
as He had already deigned to give him health of soul.

Another Indian, while very ill, was afflicted with horri