A third mission was held in this village during Lent of the year one
thousand six hundred, by Father Melchior Hurtado, who had gone to
these islands in the previous year with the father-visitor. Devoting
himself to the study of the language, he used it effectively as we may
judge from a letter written by him from Paloc to the same father, as
follows: "In the village of San Salvador (which is the same as Paloc)
the number of those who had recourse to the discipline was greatly
increased, especially on Fridays, when it was necessary to exclude
the children [from the church], to make room for the adults. Many
went out for the bloody discipline, and it was cause for edification
to behold the fervor with which at the conclusion of a short sermon
which was preached to them before the procession began, all the people
fell upon their knees, asking in a loud voice pardon for their sins,
with such emotion and weeping that we who were present were also
brought to tears. They were all deeply impressed by the sermons on
the various stages of the passion; and also when we pictured to them
the life of Christ our Lord, from His childhood until He was fastened
to the cross. They shed many tears thereat, and their minds were so
impressed by those sacred events that for many days they talked of
nothing else. On Easter Sunday a most joyful procession was formed, in
which was borne the cross triumphant, handsomely adorned; all were clad
in white tunics, and bore garlands of flowers. Those who have received
communion have set a notable example. They have a sort of brotherhood
the members of which are the most assiduous in their attendance at
church. There are two women, among the most exemplary and capable,
who take care of the rest; and when any woman asks to receive communion
for the first time, they instruct her how to approach it. The example
of these few women has induced the rest of the people to ask eagerly
for the most blessed sacrament. During this time some seventy adults
have been baptized, among them six datos, or headmen of districts, with
their wives. Matters are in such condition that in a short time all the
people of this village will be baptized. The baptisms are conferred
by families, in order that the Christians may not live intermingled
with infidels, but may daily augment their virtue in the uniformity
of the Christian religion. It was a source of great edification to
see with what sincerity the chiefs, before receivin