d to everything, they
thought that it was not right to enjoy this field alone, but that the
other orders should come to aid them. For they recognized that there
was work for all, and that, if the door of China and Japon was opened,
those from Espana would seem but few to them. Besides, there was
enough in the islands wherewith to occupy themselves. Therefore, they
wrote to the father-provincial of Nueva Espana--at that time Maestro
Veracruz, a man of the letters and holy life that is known--asking him
to take the matter up with the viceroy. [83] He favored this plan,
chiefly because in it was evidenced the great liberality of Ours,
in not keeping the bread, which the Lord had given them, but dividing
it with love with their other companions; and this fraternal spirit
of the orders is a good thing. This example was given us by the holy
apostles, who, after casting that net in which they caught so many fish
that they could not pull it in because of so great weight, immediately
_annuerunt sociis_. They called and signaled to their companions to
come to their aid, in order that they might enjoy their good fortune
and drag the net to shore and obtain the fish. The viceroy of Nueva
Espana discussed the matter, in the interests of all the orders--for
the viceroy was father of them. He wrote to his Majesty, so that
the discalced fathers of the order of our father St. Francis, with
whom our religious shared the cape, went to the islands in the year
1577. And Ours even gave them of the best, which they themselves had
pacified, namely, Camarines, Laguna de Bay, and many convents about
Manila. There they began to preach, to establish contents, and to
administer, with the greatest fervor. They have increased so much
that now they have many convents, that contain excellent linguists,
and grand servants of the Lord, and have notable martyrs--of which,
God willing, we shall see somewhat later.

Later, in the year 1580, the fathers of the Society of Jesus came to
the islands. Therein they have made much gain, as it is well known
that they have done wherever they dwell, by teaching human as well
as divine letters to the youth, and at the same time giving them the
mild food of virtue--which enters very well along with the teaching
of letters, of which a long and settled experience has been had. They
have the university in Manila, very notable in its members, which has
filled the islands with learned men. It is in no respect defective; but