The most incredulous ran hastily to take up the corpse; far from finding any the least sign of life, they perceived it began to putrify with a noisome scent.  They took off the linen in which he was wrapped, and laid the dead man at the feet of the father, who was come to the place of burial.  The barbarians gazed with astonishment on the dead body, and impatiently expected the event.  The saint fell upon his knees, and, after a short prayer, addressing himself to the dead, “I command thee,” said he, “in the holy name of the living God, to arise, for the confirmation of that religion which I preach.”  At these words, the dead arose of himself, and appeared not only living, but vigorous, and in perfect health.  All who were present cried out, with a loud voice, “That the God of the Christians was omnipotent; and that the law which the great Father preached was true.”  In consequence of which, they threw themselves at his feet, desired baptism, and received it on the place.

The other dead person whom the apostle raised to life, was a young man, and a Christian, who died at Mutan, on the same coast, betwixt Carjapatan and Alicale.  He had been dead above four-and-twenty hours, of a pestilential fever.  Xavier met the corpse by chance, as they were carrying it to the grave.  The parents of the dead man, who were of the greatest quality in all the country, accompanied the funeral pomp, with all their kindred, according to the custom of that nation.  As comfortless as they were, yet upon sight of the saint, they recovered courage, and, embracing his knees, implored him to restore their son to life; being persuaded, that what was not to be effected by the power of nature, would cost him only a word speaking.  Xavier, moved by their affliction, and excited by their faith, begged the assistance of the Most High, made the sign of the cross, and threw holy water on the dead, after which he took him by the hand, raised him up in the name of the Lord, and restored him living to his father and mother.

To preserve the memory of an action so wonderful and so authentic, the parents of the man they raised erected a great cross on the place where the miracle was done; and were accustomed afterwards to go often thither, and pray to God before it.  These resurrections were so famous through all the country, and made so great impressions on the souls of the inhabitants, that the people came thronging from all parts to behold the great Father, and to receive baptism from his hands; insomuch, that the whole kingdom of Travancore was Subjected to Christ Jesus in few months; and the king, with some few of his chief courtiers, were the only remaining idolaters in the land, by a terrible judgment of Almighty God, who sometimes abandons princes to their unruly passions, and departs from the great, while he communicates himself to those of the lowest quality.

THE LIFE OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER.