st mission.

"Another mission was held at Catubig; this village is farthest from
the residence, for it is at the extremity of the island of Ibabao,
which is very large. The Indians are very well disposed, and among
them are some Christians, who lack instruction; and all are desirous
of having a father to teach them. There are more than four thousand
souls who only await the coming of ministers of the holy gospel
to distribute among them the bread of heaven. If we had chosen to
open the door for baptism many might have received that sacrament;
but during that mission only one hundred and fifty-four children were
baptized, the others being reserved for a better opportunity, when our
Lord might be pleased to send them those who would preserve them with
the food of instruction in the new life which, with the divine grace,
they would receive.

"In the third mission, there were baptized in three months eight
hundred and thirty-seven persons; seven hundred and five of these
were adults, and ninety-two children. At first, the men encountered
great difficulty in putting away their many wives; but finally the
divine Majesty made the outcome propitious, softening the hearts of
those pagans, and they brought their undertaking to a glorious end.

"In the fourth sortie or foray, six hundred and thirteen were baptized;
in the next, two hundred and seventy; and in the last, two hundred and
fifty-four. With these and other baptisms in this residence alone,
three thousand six hundred and eighty persons were therefore made
Christians, as I stated above; and many more might be converted if
the earnestness with which they ask for baptism were appreciated. But
our fathers proceed by inspiring them first to desire baptism, and
to give proofs of their desires, and constraining them to learn the
doctrine, to attend the church, and to abandon all their heathen rites,
their paganism, and their polygamy; thus they become more thoroughly
acquainted with and rooted in the faith."

Instances occurring in the mission of Dulac. Chapter LXXVIII.

The year one thousand six hundred and one also gave evidence of
great increase and perfecting in the Christian community of Dulac,
effected through the ordinary labors and occupations of four fathers
and three brethren. These laborers, making their retreat at the
appointed times, to practice the spiritual exercises (as is the
custom in all those residences), repair thereafter with greater
courage to