itself on its own basis.  And in effect, of all the countries which he made Christian, there is none to be found which relapsed into idolatry, excepting only the town of Tolo; and not that neither for any long continuance.  But it is well known, that the people, who, during the space of fifteen or sixteen years, had not seen the face of any priest, or even of any Christian stranger, have been found instructed in religion, and as fervent in the practice of good works, as if they had but newly received baptism.  It is known, that many of those converts were not less firm in their belief, than the prince of the isle of Rosalao, whom Pedro Martinez protests to have heard say, “That though all the world should arm against him, they should never be able to tear out of his heart that persuasion which Father Francis had inspired into him.”

We know farther, that some of them having been made captives by the Pagans, have preserved their faith entire in the midst of Heathenism; and have chosen rather to lose their lives in torments, than renounce their Saviour Jesus Christ.  The saint was accustomed to desire earnestly of God, the conversion of the Gentiles, in the sacrifice of the altar; and for that very end, said a most devout prayer, which he composed in Latin; and is thus rendered in our language.

“O eternal God, creator of all things, mercifully remember, that the souls of Infidels are the work of thy hands, and that they are created to thy resemblance.  Behold, O Lord, how hell is filled with them, to the dishonour of thy name.  Remember that Jesus Christ thy son, for their salvation, suffered a most cruel death; permit not, I beseech thee, that he should be despised by those Idolaters.  Vouchsafe to be propitiated by the prayers of the church, thy most holy spouse, and call to mind thy own compassion.  Forget, O Lord, their infidelity, and work in such manner, that at length they may acknowledge for their God, our Saviour Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent into the world, and who is our salvation, our life, our resurrection, by whom we have been redeemed from hell, and to whom be all glory now and evermore.  Amen.”

The industry which the saint employed in converting the nations of the East, or in strengthening their conversion, was of various sorts.  In those places where he preached the gospel, he erected crosses on the seashore, on hills, and in public passages, to the end, that the view of that sign of our salvation might give the Gentiles the curiosity to know the meaning of it, or to inspire them with religious thoughts, if they had already heard speak of Jesus Christ.

As it was impossible for him to preach always, or in all places, he writ many instructions relating to faith and to good manners, some more ample, and others more brief, but all in the languages of the converted nations; and it was by these instructions, in writing, that the children learned to read.  The saint also composed devout hymns, and set the Lord’s Prayer in musical numbers, to be sung, together with the Angelical Salutation, and the Apostles’ Creed.  By these means he banished those ribald songs and ballads, which the new Christians were accustomed to sing before they had received baptism; for those of Xavier were so pleasing, to men, women, and children, that they sung them day and night, both in their houses, and in the open fields.