s, so learned, spiritual, and so
suitable to the times that it could not be more so. Its warnings were
so necessary, not only for that time, but for any most important
thing. I cannot excuse myself from writing here the chief thing,
so that one may see the desires for the increase of their order,
and the love with which they discussed matters touching the natives,
which shone forth in those fathers. In the time of our father Solier,
the province had a very good reputation, for it made itself feared
and respected. Consequently, there was no difficulty in receiving
his mandates and enforcing them, so that the province was greatly
reformed. The great devotion of our father Fray Miguel Garcia, who
was then chosen as prior of the convent of Manila, aided him. He
was later provincial, and after that he went to Espana, where his
Majesty presented him as bishop of Cagayan. He returned to these
islands with a fine company [of religious], and in the islands was
appointed archbishop of Manila....

Thus, then, as I have said, the convent of Manila did not differ at
all in divine worship from the most devout house in Espana; for the
exercise in the choir was continuous, both day and night, and there
was no cessation, unless necessity demanded it, when some of it
could be dispensed with; for so did our rules decree for that. The
infirmary was so full of all comforts, and so well cared for, that
truly there was nothing lacking of anything which the sick asked,
or that the physician demanded. I being attacked by a sudden illness
when I arrived at these islands, because of the change in climate,
so great was the attention with which I was cared for that it could
not have been more in the house of my parents, although they were
very wealthy. Consequently, I became better very soon, and was well
enough to go to the province of Bisayas; and, although I was unworthy,
it must have been the will of the Lord that I should come. The fathers
made strenuous efforts to have me remain there, and even our father
prior himself, Fray Miguel Garcia, would have liked me to remain as
master of novitiates. That which grieves me is that I have served the
Lord so very little, although I have been offered enough opportunities
in which to serve Him.

Two years after the provincialate of our father Solier began, a
visitor-general arrived, to visit this province in behalf of his
Holiness and our most reverend father-general, and to reform it. For
that purpos