g holy baptism,
asked from all the people pardon for any wrongs that they had done
them in the matter of slavery--a common practice in their heathenism,
for very trifling causes. They also besought those who had grievances
against them to betake themselves to the father, for they were willing
and prepared to give full satisfaction therefor." All of this is told
by Father Melchior Hurtado.

Of two mutes who were baptized in Dulac; and other matters of special
interest in that mission. Chapter LXII.

This year the baptisms in Dulac reached the number of seven hundred,
of which the most notable was that of a chief, whose conversion had (as
is usual) much influence in bringing about that of an entire village,
named Bincai, inasmuch as he was its head man and governor. This
chief came one day to the church and eagerly sought holy baptism,
saying that his people were negligent and dilatory, and were waiting
for him to be first baptized; and that it seemed to him that if he
should become a Christian many would follow his example. Accordingly
he urged that this blessing might not be withheld from him and from so
many others. To test him, however, he was put off for several days,
upon various pretexts; but each day he displayed greater constancy,
and each day his desire grew stronger.

But even more wonderful was the baptism of two mutes, who, besides
their natural barbarism, were still further hindered in receiving
human instruction by their lack of the usual qualification therefor,
which, as the apostle St. Paul declares, [10] is the hearing--which
they, being mutes, lacked entirely. But God our Lord, in order to
show His great mercy, and to demonstrate that His law, as the royal
prophet says, is "unspotted, converting souls," and that His divine
word (as the apostle also says) is sharp-edged and piercing--so that,
unhindered by the absence of the senses, it reaches "unto the division
of the soul and the spirit," [11] and with hidden force instructs,
illumines, and sanctifies the soul--wrought a supernatural marvel in
these mutes, whom He made such (as in that other case of the blind
man) [12] for the manifestation of His glory, not because of their
own sins or those of their parents.

There were then in Dulac two mutes, who caused our fathers much regret,
as they supposed it would be so difficult to baptize these persons on
account of their lack of capacity for instruction. Father Ramon de
Prado, who was still our