iendas which have received sufficient
religious instruction and whose inhabitants are all, or for the
most part, Christians; or when those who are not Christians have
voluntarily held back from conversion--all of the tributes may be
collected, provided that care be ever taken that the infidels be
persuaded and not compelled or forced to make these payments: indeed,
as much concern should be had for them as for the others. Let it
be understood that the said infidels do not refuse or be adverse to
becoming Christians; for in this case the tributes may not be exacted
from them--or, at least, not all, and even then with their consent.

Sixth conclusion: In the encomiendas where there are infidels who,
through lack of adequate religious instruction, have not received
baptism, taxes should not in the past nor shall they at present
be collected in full, but according to the manner set down in the
second clause.

Seventh conclusion: Although all the inhabitants may be Christians,
if their religious instruction has been insufficient the encomenderos
are obliged to deduct from the tributes all that should be expended for
a sufficient number of ministers to impart the necessary instruction.

Eighth conclusion: In order that an encomienda may be said to possess
sufficient and adequate religious instruction, the minister should not
be burdened with the care of more souls than he can properly instruct
and direct in spiritual matters, so that he can give to all those who
are infidels suitable instruction in Christian doctrine--not merely
so that they know it by rote, but also so that they may understand
(so far as they are capable of this) the signification of the words,
and the mysteries contained therein. Thus, too, he will be able to make
each and every one of them understand all that is necessary for them
to believe, and know, and do, in order to be good Christians. All this
should be done before baptism is conferred upon them; and like efforts
should be made that no one shall die without the sacrament. When the
minister undertakes to baptize them, he must see that they know well
what it is, and are prepared for it, and understand what they are
receiving--namely, that they are dead to their past life, and are
commencing a new one, and from that time forth are new men. As the
inhabitants of many of these islands have received baptism without
the aforesaid solicitude and preparation, many sacrileges have been
committed; and, as a