audience
with the pope, and even ordered to quit the city. But finally the tide
turns; the pope, having learned of his mission, grants the long-desired
audience, and after hearing the humble representations of the pleader,
looks favorably upon the Reform branch. Although the Augustinians
in Spain attempt to suppress entirely the Reform, public opinion is
too powerful, and the Recollects have too many influential friends;
and consequently, the general of all the Augustinian order, then Juan
Baptista de Asti, orders opposition to cease. Meanwhile, Father Pedro
de San Fulgencio comes as procurator from the Philippines to request
more missionaries. He finds the Reform in almost its last throes,
but, nothing daunted, departs for Rome to urge his mission before
the pope. Being favorably received and his pretensions granted,
after a considerable stay in the Roman court, where he also assists
the provincial Gregorio de Santa Catalina, he sets out on his return
to Spain, but dies at Milan; and, for lack of anyone to carry on his
work everything is lost for the time being. Now Augustinian agents from
Spain take the opportunity to arouse animus against the Reform and to
thwart their designs by saying "that the discalced were unnecessary
in the Philippinas Islands; and that those who had gone were few
and hitherto of no use in the preaching, as they were persons who
could in no way prove advantageous to the Indians. The contrary was
seen then; and by the mercy of God, we have since seen it here, and
shall see it, very clearly, in due course of time. We note here only,
for the confusion of those who boldly devised such a proposition,
the testimonies that have come on different occasions in regard to
the credit and praise of Ours, who have shed luster amid those rude
and very barbarous provinces, with so much glory to themselves, by
illuminating them with the light of the gospel." These testimonials,
some of them later than the period which the present volume covers,
follow:]

Let the first be that of an inquiry made in Manila, at the time that
the above-mentioned calumny was learned, before Captain Martin de
Herrera, alcalde-in-ordinary of the same city. The report of this
was approved afterward by the city's cabildo, its justices, and
magistrates, the witnesses being fully qualified to act as such:
namely, the master-of-camp, Don Bernardino del Castillo Maldonado,
castellan of the fort; Master-of-camp Don Pedro de Chaves; General