nd nothing else.' 'Hast
thou determined to abandon all the maganitos and to exchange them for
the true God?' 'Yes, Father.' 'Art thou resolved to serve the true
God and to be a good Christian, or dost thou ask this with thy mouth
only?' 'There is nothing else in my heart.' 'That is well, then,'
said I; 'I admit thee as a catechumen.' With this example those
who were already prepared were so convinced, and others so deeply
moved, that more than a hundred came, one after another, and knelt
in the same way and asked for baptism. I, on my part, began to ask
them questions, to confirm even more their faith; for this virtue,
as well as other habits, grows and is increased by acts. Brother
Dionisius and I returned home, astonished at such fervor and devotion
among Bissayans. At one time I baptized more than eighty-nine adults;
a few days later, ninety-four, children and adults together; and, at
still another baptism, the other people in that village. A few whom
I did not baptize fell upon their knees and asked for the sacrament;
but I deferred it until the next time when I should, God willing,
return to them.

"While we were passing, on the way from that village, over some
mountains, the Lord offered us, as a spiritual gain, twenty-nine
children, who were like so many little angels [19] (which is
a safe money); these we baptized, together with three adults
whom I took on this journey with me that they might hear some
masses, and be instructed, by word and example, in the things
of Christianity. Although those people were mountaineers, they
entertained us with the best that they had; and he was not held in
honor by them who did not bring a banana, some papaya [20] fruit, rice,
or a fowl. Here I have learned by experience how important it is that
we should not rear these Indians in such [spiritual] aridity that
they know not how to perform any act of charity. For admitting that
they are poor, yet even in their poverty there is room for merciful
and charitable deeds with the little possessions which are theirs;
and by performing these they are made humane, and they find pleasure
therein. On the other hand, they can be recompensed by us with other
gifts, by which they are greatly pleased, and their hearts are more
easily won for God.

"From that place we set out for another little village which is
called Tobigu, where, in anticipation of our arrival, they had
quickly erected a very convenient church. We cast our nets--or, to
s