“While we were passing, on the way from that village, over some mountains, the Lord offered us, as a spiritual gain, twenty-nine children, who were like so many little angels [19] (which is a safe money); these we baptized, together with three adults whom I took on this journey with me that they might hear some masses, and be instructed, by word and example, in the things of Christianity.  Although those people were mountaineers, they entertained us with the best that they had; and he was not held in honor by them who did not bring a banana, some papaya [20] fruit, rice, or a fowl.  Here I have learned by experience how important it is that we should not rear these Indians in such [spiritual] aridity that they know not how to perform any act of charity.  For admitting that they are poor, yet even in their poverty there is room for merciful and charitable deeds with the little possessions which are theirs; and by performing these they are made humane, and they find pleasure therein.  On the other hand, they can be recompensed by us with other gifts, by which they are greatly pleased, and their hearts are more easily won for God.

“From that place we set out for another little village which is called Tobigu, where, in anticipation of our arrival, they had quickly erected a very convenient church.  We cast our nets—­or, to speak correctly, those of Jesus Christ—­and the Lord pressed into them all the fish there were.  Indeed, even if there were no other return than this, I would consider myself well repaid for having come from Espana; for all—­the headmen and chiefs, the children, old men, and women—­prostrated themselves at the feet of Jesus Christ, making public confession and asking for the waters of baptism.  The first time, we baptized a hundred souls; the second time, the rest of the people in the village, so that we did not know of any perverse one remaining—­although, at the beginning, there were a few who resisted.  When I arrived at the village, I heard someone say in a loud voice:  ‘I do not have to become a Christian;’ but he was afterward converted, being unable to resist the Holy Spirit.  Another savage, fierce and intractable in disposition, after having heard the sermon on salvation and hell, said that he would go to hell; and he maintained this so obstinately that he seemed to be possessed by the devil.  He was arousing the same spirit in others, as he was an influential man, respected by those of the village.  I told him of the terrible punishments of hell, and in return he asked what he was to do if his ancestors and parents were there, and he wished to be with them.  I told him that he ought first to try the fire, to see if he could endure it, and I ordered some red-hot coals to be brought, that he might make this test; but his hands were as hard as his heart, and the fire had little effect on them.  After a few days had passed, however, he turned over a new leaf, so completely that he went through the plains and grain-fields, calling together his people so that they might become Christians and be baptized with him.  He is now one of our good Christians, and the most earnest one whom I have known among the Bissayans.