een in their often frequenting the holy sacraments, with notable
results in the amendment of their lives; and yet these are people
newly born in the church, and but yesterday begotten in Christ. They
devoutly and confidently ask that the gospel may be read to their
sick, and that holy water be given them; and our Lord responds to
their faith by frequently granting them complete health. Accordingly,
they acknowledge these favors from His hand, being thus confirmed in
the faith, and abhorring the sacrifices which in their maladies they
were wont to make to the devil. Even the infidels are so undeceived
concerning these vain illusions that scarcely a case is known of those
accursed sacrifices which formerly were so frequent. Many infidels
have brought their sick children to be baptized, saying that by this
means our Lord would give them health. Indeed it has often happened so,
and their cure has been the cause of converting their parents. They are
greatly devoted to the holy cross, and have upon occasions experienced
its protection. One night, while some Christians were reciting, as
usual, the doctrine in their house, someone outside began to throw
stones at the building, and made a great noise, and injured whatever
was near the house. Several times they sallied forth to discover who
was doing them harm, but saw no one; yet, again entering the house,
the same disturbance was made outside. Thinking that it was an artifice
of the devil, they persevered in prayer, and under this persecution
confirmed themselves in the faith; and, as a defense, they erected a
cross in front of the house. From that time, they were not in any way
disturbed. The infidels are steadily growing more inclined to receive
our holy faith; moreover, we are gradually uprooting that hindrance to
conversion, so common among those people, and so difficult to remove,
the practice of having several wives. They are easily persuaded that
it is impossible and unseemly for them to have more than one wife,
accordingly they have forsaken the others, although in doing so the
husbands lose their property; for in marrying the women the men give
them dowries, and if they leave their wives they must lose the dowries
that they gave. To do this is no slight merit, for people who are
not even Christians.

Of some baptisms conferred in Paloc. Chapter LXI.

In the absence of Father Christoval Ximenez, this village was left
alone; and while in this plight it was visited