The number of Christians in the mission of Taitai, and their exercises.  Chapter LXVIII.

Of those who were Christians in the year 1600—­who might number six or seven thousand—­in San Juan del Monte and other villages of that mission, one thousand five hundred were newly baptized in that same year, among the many infidels who were continually coming down to us from the mountains and thinly settled districts.  Our observation and experience among those people show, of late, greater devotion and more frequent attendance at the holy sacraments of confession and communion, and in processions, discipline, and works of charity; and every day may be observed constant progress and reformation in their lives.

The father-visitor founded a hospital in Antipolo, which has been most important to the welfare of their souls and bodies.  On the day when it was opened, after a solemn mass and sermon (which was drawn from the story of the paralytic), the father-visitor rendered service to the poor, washing and kissing their hands while he knelt before them.  In this he was assisted by the chiefs, whose wives performed, in a separate place, the same act of humility toward some sick women.  A rule was made that the poor should be fed each day by four brethren of the Confraternity, who aid them with much charity and pleasure.

The father-visitor also began a seminary for boys, where they are reared in virtue and good habits, obeying the rules imposed upon them, according to their capacity, of Christian and civilized living.  This school is of great importance to the whole mission, for from these children must come the good rulers of the people; and it is an easy and gentle means for all reformation.  Some of the children (those who have some means) are fed with the rice which their parents give them, and others through alms.  They are taught to pray, to assist at mass, to read, to write, and (most important of all) to be good Christians.

In San Juan del Monte it is customary to sing the Salve to our Lady throughout the year.  During Fridays in Lent, after some spiritual instruction, they perform the discipline in the church.  It once happened that some Indians, who were bathing, as is their custom, heard while in the river the bells calling to the Salve and the discipline; most of them at once made preparations to go thither.  One alone played the obstinate, and, in ridicule of the others, said in his own language:  A coi ovian nino “Bring back something for me,” which in their mode of speech is a sort of mockery.

The rest went to the Salve, and this man remained alone; a caiman, or crocodile, seized and killed him, before he could be assisted or confessed.  What most surprised me was that, although this animal is very voracious and always devours a man after killing him, or at least carries away a hand or foot, this man it left untouched, although dead; and thus he was found by the Indians, to their great horror, and causing them to hold in great esteem the disciplines, and the Salves to our Lady.