re were, very commonly, consultations in cases
of conscience, not only with laymen, but with ecclesiastics, and
religious, and even with the bishop--who hardly took any step without
the advice of our fathers, although he was a most learned and discreet
prelate. It must have been from seeing that persons of so high standing
held our Society in so great esteem that the people conceived the idea,
and made the resolve, of coming to our house for their confessions;
and for that very reason they felt under obligation to lead better
lives. With regard to this, one man said that during our absence he
had endured many inward struggles on account of not having made his
confession to Ours; but that, after he had done so, he had, through
the mercy of God, overcome them all. In short, no matter of weight or
importance arose where the advice of the Society was not sought with
confidence and truth, especially when it was seen that the bishop had
such confidence in us--which his Lordship manifested on many public
occasions and before many people, by words and deeds which could not
then be heard or now repeated, without confusion and embarrassment.

Our sermons in the cathedral and in our own church were regular
and frequent, and were all attended by the right reverend bishop,
who also honored our church with a pontifical mass for our feast
of New Year's day, which was celebrated with much solemnity, many
persons, from all classes of people, repairing to confession and
communion. His Lordship also preached at the titular feast of the same
church (that of the glorious St. Ildefonso), which was celebrated with
the like attendance and devotion, in the presence of a concourse of
people, and with many communions. His Lordship was also desirous of
introducing, in imitation of Manila, the practice of scourging in the
church during Lent; and he actually visited it, on the first Friday,
with a considerable following. He began by preaching a very devout
sermon, at the conclusion of which, seeing that, although night had
set in, the church was still light with the rays of a full moon, he
determined to leave it for the time, and accordingly returned after
his choir had sung the _Miserere_.

On account of the heat in this region, the churches are so constructed
as to be open and airy, and for this reason are poorly adapted
for taking the discipline. Accordingly he changed his plan and,
inviting the children of the school, and the students, with the