there—­the institution of a religious congregation among the students in the Jesuit college, and, later, one among the townspeople; the practice of flagellation every week during the year, as well as in Lent; attendance at Sunday afternoon sermons; the choice of patron saints by lot; etc.  The particulars of certain conversions and virtuous acts are also related—­especially the conversion of the Dutch prisoners captured from van Noordt.

The Indians in Manila, who are largely in care of the Jesuits, are devout by nature, and much inclined to confession and other pious exercises.  A confraternity among them accomplishes many pious and benevolent works, and exerts a great influence on those outside it.  In the Taytay mission there is cheering progress, and many of the mountain Indians, hitherto infidels, are converted and baptized.  The visitor Garcia has founded at Antipolo a hospital, and a seminary for boys, both of great assistance to the missionaries’ labors.

Toward the end of 1600 the bishop of Cebu holds a council of secular clergy and missionaries, wherein their work is better planned and regulated, and various salutary enactments are made for the diocese.  The Jesuit fathers pay especial attention to the Indians and the soldiers, giving up the charge of the Chinese in Cebu; an Indian hamlet near that city yields them many converts.  Letters from Valerio Ledesma give encouraging reports of progress and gain in the Bohol mission.  He is successful in gathering the scattered settlements into mission villages—­in Loboc, “more than a thousand souls, gathered from the mountains and rivers, most of them people reared in war, robbery, and murder;” and on the Viga River two wild hill-tribes, who had never before seen a priest.

Ledesma visits many villages in that island, finding the people eager to receive baptism, and hospitable toward the missionaries; and many conversions occur among the savage and fierce mountain tribes.  On one occasion Ledesma goes, alone and unarmed, to meet a hostile band (who had never before seen a Spaniard); and by his gentle and kind demeanor, and some small gifts, induces them to depart in peace, after winning their friendship for himself and his converts.  The harvest is great, and more laborers are greatly needed in that field.  This is largely due to the policy of the missionaries in forming the mission reductions of converts.  The savage mountaineers still continue to migrate to these mission villages; and heathen priestesses are converted to the faith.  In the Bohol mission there are now more than three thousand Christians.  The island is again menaced by the Moro pirates of Mindanao; in 1600 they ravaged other islands, but did little damage in Bohol.  Various citations from missionary reports show the docility and eagerness of the natives in embracing the Christian faith.

At the request of the secular priest in charge there, the district of Tanai (in Negros Island) is placed in the mission-field of the Jesuits, and Gabriel Sanchez is transferred thither from Bohol; he is welcomed by the people.  His report contains accounts of numerous conversions and miraculous cures, as well as of a heavenly vision beheld by some converts.  Returning to Tanai later, Sanchez finds his converts steadfast, and most exemplary in their lives.