Chirino’s narrative of the Jesuit missions (here concluded) narrates events from 1598 onward.  In June of that year Father Vera goes to obtain more missionaries from Europe.  In Mexico he meets orders from the general of the Jesuit order that Diego Garcia shall go with a reenforcement of laborers to the Philippines.  In Manila, during that year, the Jesuits meet much success in their ministries—­especially in the confessional, in public preaching, and in various benevolent works.  They also accomplish much in private affairs, reconciling enemies, preventing lawsuits, and checking licentious conduct.  The annals continue with the progress of the Antipolo mission during 1598.  The mountain-dwellers continue to come to the mission, of whom many are baptized—­among these some of the heathen priests.  Among the converts are formed confraternities which most efficiently aid the labors of the missionaries.  The people have given up their pagan practices, and display great piety and devotion as Christians.

At Cebu the bishop has greatly favored the Jesuits, who have opened a school for his clergy and the sons of some citizens.  Their labors are chiefly among the Visayan natives and the Chinese, and meet much success.  The writer relates some instances of especial virtue and piety among these converts; there, as in missions elsewhere, the women are distinguished in those respects.  No less important are the labors of the Jesuits among the Spaniards of Cebu, among whom they exercise great influence, even the bishop depending upon their advice; and they often preach in the cathedral.  The bishop, “in imitation of Manila,” introduces the practice of flagellation at Lent, and himself leads the “procession of blood.”

In the island of Bohol the infant church continues to grow.  The converts have entirely abandoned idolatry; and certain miraculous cures have kindled in them a most fervent piety.  In Butuan (in northern Mindanao) “Christianity is in a flourishing condition,” according to Father Ledesma, whose letters are cited.  Conversions are steadily increasing:  and several chiefs are to be baptized soon, although the most noted leader, Silongan, is not yet cured of his polygamous inclinations.  He is, however, most friendly to the fathers, and protects them in certain dangers.  In Alangalang, Tomas de Montoya (an American Indian who has gone to the islands) has resumed the work dropped at the death of Cosme de Flores; he relates some instances of piety among his converts, and of punishment visited on the impenitent.  At Ogmuc much caution had been exercised in conferring baptism, and those who have received it show most edifying piety.  In Holy Week occurs a procession in which “the most pleasing and touching sight was to see all the children disciplining themselves with scourges which they themselves had made for that day.”  The missionaries adjust various family quarrels, and put an end in the islands to the practices of usury and unjust enslavement.  Chirino here gives some account of these evils, but adds that they are abolished among all the christianized tribes in the islands.