forts he expends
in the Mindanao provinces of Butuan and Cagayan, where Christianity,
in consequence, makes vast gains. The faith is carried among the
Manobos of the Linao district, and the population of the villages
increases. The three religious working in the mountains of Cagayan,
and in toward Lake Malanao, reduce more than one hundred tributes
to Christian villages in spite of the hostility of the Moros, the
conversion being aided throughout by manifest miracles.

The ninth chapter of the ninth decade relates the work in the new field
of Mindoro. The mission work of that island (of which and its people
a brief description is given) is first begun by the Augustinians,
who cede the district to the Franciscans. Later the Jesuits maintain a
number of missionaries there and found the permanent mission of Naojan,
which is maintained until Luis de San Vitores goes to the missions
of the Ladrones or Marianas, when the island is turned over to three
seculars. The district is a poor one, and the seculars, although
zealous in their duties, cannot be adequately supported. Finally in
1679, as related above, the Recollects, after their glorious record
in the Philippines and their flourishing mission work in the Zambal
district, take up the Mindoro mission field, after a vain protest at
being ousted from their Zambal missions. The transfer is speedily
concluded by chaplaincies being provided for the seculars, and the
Recollects, taking possession of the new territory, immediately put
six religious to work. The new leaver is felt instantly and the number
of Christians increases from 4,000 in 1679 to 8,000 in 1692, and to
12,000 in 1716. Although the Moro depredations lessen that number
later, in 1738, San Antonio still chronicles over 7,000. The first
convent established at Baco is later moved to Calapan. Convents are
also established at Naojan, Calavite, and Mangarin (which is later
removed to Bongabong, because of its unhealthy site and the raids
of the Moros), all of which have their visitas. A mountain mission
established later results in a great increase to the Christians
of Mindoro.

The succeeding chapter deals with the resumption of the Recollect
missions in Calamianes which have been abandoned in 1662 because of the
Chinese pirate Kuesing, and the consequent withdrawal of the support of
the military. All but two of the missions, those in Cuyo and Agutaya,
which are retained by the Recollects, have been given into the ca