vent piety. In Butuan (in
northern Mindanao) "Christianity is in a flourishing condition,"
according to Father Ledesma, whose letters are cited. Conversions
are steadily increasing: and several chiefs are to be baptized
soon, although the most noted leader, Silongan, is not yet cured
of his polygamous inclinations. He is, however, most friendly to
the fathers, and protects them in certain dangers. In Alangalang,
Tomas de Montoya (an American Indian who has gone to the islands)
has resumed the work dropped at the death of Cosme de Flores; he
relates some instances of piety among his converts, and of punishment
visited on the impenitent. At Ogmuc much caution had been exercised in
conferring baptism, and those who have received it show most edifying
piety. In Holy Week occurs a procession in which "the most pleasing and
touching sight was to see all the children disciplining themselves with
scourges which they themselves had made for that day." The missionaries
adjust various family quarrels, and put an end in the islands to the
practices of usury and unjust enslavement. Chirino here gives some
account of these evils, but adds that they are abolished among all
the christianized tribes in the islands.

Good reports come from Carigara and Paloc; the latter village is
unusually prosperous because one of the Jesuits has aided the people
to construct better dwellings. They have abandoned their idols,
and take pleasure in scourging themselves on Fridays. At Dulac many
baptisms have occurred, and various diseases, among them leprosy,
have been cured by this sacrament. A letter from Father Otaco, who
is in charge at Tinagon, shows that idolatry has been abandoned,
and immoral customs are almost uprooted. He gives an interesting
description of the methods pursued by the missionaries in their
preaching, and by one of their native helpers in teaching his fellows.

In June, 1599, Diego Garcia is sent to the islands as official
visitor of the Jesuit missions there, and he at once reorganizes and
systematizes their plan and conduct. Soon after his arrival there is a
violent earthquake at Manila, which injures two of the churches. The
Jesuits receive much aid for restoring their building--contributions
from the Spaniards, and services from the Indians. In an epidemic of
disease among them much good is done by the confraternity established
among the converts, and the sick depend upon the fathers for spiritual
comfort. When the people h