s own province, that they might devote themselves with fervor to the
conversion of the Indians. I do not here describe their occupations,
and the large harvest which they gathered and still are reaping;
for that is not within my present scope, although there is much,
and of great interest, to say about them. I will only say this, that
the excellent example set by the religious orders in the Filipinas
is a most efficacious means for the conversion of those souls; and
likewise serves to stimulate and maintain the Christian spirit of
former times among our Spaniards. Among these there are men and women
who may serve as examples of virtue and piety from whatever point this
may be considered, and who both profess and exercise piety with the
utmost sincerity, and in perfection. I observed and noted in those
people, without distinction of good and bad, three habitual virtues:
they do not blaspheme, they hear mass every day, and they are present
at every sermon. As for confession and communion, I may affirm that
there is not a feast-day appointed during the year when they do not,
almost every one, confess and receive communion; indeed, we hardly
have leisure to administer those sacraments to them, for no sooner is
one communion concluded than we must prepare for the next one. And this
piety is displayed not only by select Christians, of recognized virtue,
but by almost all the people of the city; and they are constrained
thereto by the saintly labors, example, and teaching of these holy
religious orders. These, not to mention other virtues which make them
conspicuous in that country, possess two which are especially notable:
first, the strictness of religious observance and the purity of life
which they all teach, and which, in truth, they exercise with great
consistency; second, the peaceable and fraternal relations which they
maintain among themselves--a virtue which is born from the first. For
the likeness between them in this respect awakens and kindles, in the
minds of their members, a readiness to esteem and value one another,
and, in consequence, to take pleasure in the society and welfare of
their brethren; and thus are born peace and harmony. Of this and many
other excellent things, much could be said.

But to return to our ministries: with the reenforcement of that
year, and the pious inclinations of the people of Manila (which had
been aroused and cultivated in them by the hand of the Lord, through
tribulations), we