ate
reward for their labors, so that they might be thus encouraged to
toil with even greater ardor. Besides the large number of ordinary
confessions, many general confessions were made of great importance,
and by persons who for many years had not confessed--at least,
not as they should. In a single year one father heard forty general
confessions; another, fifty; and another, two hundred. There were also
many persons who desired, some to amend their lives, others to attain
a higher degree of virtue, and who made retreat at home, in order to
perform the exercises--especially persons serious and of high standing,
such as the schoolmaster of Manila, the commander of the fleet, and
other captains and men of reputation. During Lent and Advent sermons
were preached on Sunday afternoons to the soldiers in the guard-room;
and these were attended by many people of the city, as well as by
the governor and some of the auditors of the royal Audiencia. Before
commencing the sermon the children were, as usual, instructed in
the Christian doctrine, with questions and their answers. After
the sermon was concluded, the soldiers were invited to make their
confessions, which they did with alacrity. After that a kind of usury
was abolished, which the soldiers, without considering it as such, were
inadvertently practicing in their eagerness for gain. This was to sell
certain things for a higher price, on condition that the purchaser
should make his payments from what he might gain at play. This
they called "putting into one's hands" [_dar a las manos_]. During
Lent, the discipline was practiced three days in each week, with so
extraordinary a concourse of people that besides the Indians, who
came in large numbers, there were more than five hundred Spaniards
of all ranks and conditions--ecclesiastics and laymen, merchants,
captains, soldiers, and men of other callings. Various friendships
were made in this way, especially between ecclesiastics and laymen,
which were of great service to our Lord.

Many needs of poor people were remedied, especially of those in the
prison; and efforts were made to alleviate the hunger and thirst that
they were suffering, and compassionately to settle their difficulties,
so far as we had means and opportunity.

Efforts were also made to shelter in the seminary for girls some
women who, on account of the absence of their husbands, were in
danger. Arrangements were also made with the governor, Don Francisco
Te