lish at
once her desperate purpose. When she was on the point of throwing
herself into the water, the Lord, having compassion on her wretched
lot, sent to her a voice which caused her to hesitate, and to realize
what she was doing. "What art thou doing, woman? Trust in God, for thy
husband shall treat thee well." With this she was affrighted; but,
as a proof that this deliverance had come from Heaven, her husband
came soon afterward, and began to caress her and to show her much
kindness. Then she grew calm, recognizing the great mercy which the
Lord had showed her.

In this same year our students gave evidence of their intelligence
and application, on the occasion of the safe arrival at Manila of
the most reverend archbishop and suffragans, whom they entertained
in their schools with two ingenious dialogues, and other proofs of
erudition. In that season arrived also some of the gentlemen of the
royal Audiencia who were visiting our schools for the purpose of
showing them favor and honor. They greatly enjoyed a third literary
exercise which had been prepared for them and were thus encouraged
to carry out their intention of placing their sons in these schools,
as they did. In time, these studies began to bear fruit, and some of
our students even entered the religious life.

The leading events at this time among the Indians in Manila. Chapter
XXXIX.

The ministries to the Indians are those which are exercised with the
greatest satisfaction in our college, for which occupation we had in
that year three fathers who had gained a mastery of their language. If
there had been many more, each one would have had something to occupy
him, on account of the great number of the Indians, not only within
the city, but beyond the walls, in many villages which are in the
vicinity of Manila, and whose inhabitants attend our church. In that
year our Lord was pleased to favor this ministry with new tokens of
His favor; for although in former years the conditions were such as
are described above, in this year [1598] the attendance in our church
for sermons and confessions was extraordinary--indeed, there was one
father who heard more than three hundred general confessions. This
was due partly to the increase in the number of fathers who knew
the language; and partly to the cessation of the sermons which were
formerly preached by other religious orders, through the press of
other labors with which they ever busy themselves most zealo