eats of the life of Juan de la Madre
de Dios, which we give by synopsis and extract. He is one of the most
active and able workers whom the order has had in the islands, where he
has held many offices in the order and has also worked valiantly in the
missions. He is one of the most untiring of idol-worship destroyers,
and even dares to venture alone to the places where heathen assemblies
are held for the purpose of their nefarious worship. Of a political
nature also, so far as the order is concerned, his work is by no
means slight, and he obtains much for his province in Spain. His
death occurs in the latter country in 1685. This same chapter relates
also the life of Thomas de San Geronimo (given by us in synopsis),
a missionary in the Visayan region. He is elected provincial in 1680,
and so well is he liked that he is again elected in 1686 against his
will. His death occurs the same year.

In chapter viii of decade x the Recollect labors in the islands of
Masbate, Ticao, and Burias are reviewed. These islands which have
been conquered during the early years of Legazpi's arrival in the
archipelago are an important way-station for ships plying between
Nueva Espana and the islands. The faith is introduced into Masbate by
the Augustinians under Alonso Jimenez, who is called the "apostle of
Masbate." The Augustinians, however, abandon that island and Ticao in
1609, and seculars have charge of the mission work there from that year
until 1688. In the latter year the Recollects are substituted for the
seculars in accordance with the plan of the bishop of Nueva Caceres,
that the district be given to a regular order. A decree of August 13,
1685 grants the islands to the Recollects as well as certain villages
in Luzon. The latter are resigned by that order to the Franciscans,
as they can be administered more easily by them, but the islands of
Masbate, Ticao, and Burias are accepted by them in 1687. In 1688 the
cession is made by the secular in charge at Mobo in the island of
Masbate, to the content of the natives who welcome the Recollects. A
good convent is founded in Mobo and three new villages, in addition to
the six existing when the Recollects enter, are established. In 1726
another convent is founded in the district after the wreck of a galleon
in order that the image of the Santo Cristo of Burgos which is carried
by that ship and which is saved through the diligence of one of the
passengers on the vessel, Julian de Velasco