were in continual employment
till the evening. He discoursed with them concerning the virtues
requisite to the apostolic vocation, and spoke with so much ardency and
unction, that the congregation was full of sighs and tears, according to
the relation of some who were present, and have left it to us in writing.
But the instructions which he gave, in taking his last farewell of them,
are very remarkable. And I cannot, in my opinion, report them better,
than in the very words of the author, who took them from the mouth of the
apostle: "The Father, Master Francis," says he, "embracing his brethren
before his departure for China, and weeping over them, recommended
constancy in their vocation to them; together with unfeigned humility,
which was to have for its foundation, a true knowledge of themselves, and
particularly a most prompt obedience. He extended his exhortation on this
last point, and enjoined them obedience, as a virtue most pleasing to
Almighty God, much commended by the Holy Spirit, and absolutely necessary
to the sons of the Society."

The apostle went from Goa on holy Thursday, which fell that year, 1552,
on the 14th of April. The sea was calm enough, till they came to the
height of the islands of Nicubar, which are somewhat above Sumatra,
towards the north. Thereabouts the waves began to swell; and presently
after, there arose so furious a tempest, that there scarcely remained any
hopes of safety. That which doubled their apprehension, was, that two
foists, which bore them company, unable to sustain the fury of the waves,
sunk both by one another. The ship, which carried Xavier and his
companions, was a royal vessel, very large and deep laden, so that her
unwieldy bulk and heavy freight hindered her sailing and her steering. It
was thought necessary to ease her, and the merchandizes were ready to be
cast overboard, when Father Francis desired the captain not to be too
hasty. But the sailors saying, that the tempest increasing, as usually it
does towards evening, the vessel could not so conveniently be disburdened
in the dark, he bid them not disturb themselves about it, for the storm
should cease, and they should make land before sun-set. The captain, who
knew how certain the predictions of Xavier were, made not the least
scruple of believing him, and the event verified the prophecy. The sea
grew calm, and land appeared before the setting of the sun.

But while every one was rejoicing at the nearness of the