village, one or two leguas distant from this one.  What most impressed me in this incident was that those persons, although virtuous before it occurred, were afterward much more so, and in their exemplary and modest behavior are the example and pattern for the other women; for they pass many hours on their knees in prayer, they hear mass every day, and, while we remained there, they made their confession every Saturday.  The incumbent of that benefice wrote me, several months later, that they were persevering, and setting a rare example in virtue.

“The time for my departure and my return from Tanai arrived, in accordance with the orders of holy obedience.  Such was the sorrow, and so many were the tears of those poor people that I was constrained thereby to weep for compassion.  They cast themselves at my feet, and upon their knees besought me not to depart, saying:  ’If we again fall into sin, to whom shall we have recourse?’ I consoled them as best I could; and they accompanied me as far as the river, where I embarked.  Then they plunged into the water, and surrounded the boat—­men, women, and children—­dripping with water, and shedding tears.  They brought me for the journey their offerings of rice, chickens and other presents, which I did not accept, as it seemed to me more becoming not to take them.  I left them with much regret at seeing so many souls exposed to danger and without a shepherd or minister who knew their language.  May God our Lord provide aid for them, according to His mercy.”

Seeing the excellent disposition of those people, and the harvest which our Lord was gaining from the missions, the same Father Gabriel Sanchez held another one among those people which he briefly mentions in one of his letters.  He says:  “I found the people steadfast in their good intentions, and in the doctrine which I had taught them.  When I asked them, on certain occasions, if they had committed such and such a sin, they would answer:  ’Jesus.  Father, would I be false to God?  When we were taught last year that we must not sin against the Divine Majesty, would we dare to do so?’ And their works confirmed their deeds, for their lives were like those of the primitive church.  There were women who, although they were offered chains of gold and presents of great value, could not be influenced thereby to consent to sinful acts.  Others suffered insults, and harsh treatment until their blood was shed from the blows and wounds they received, because they would not consent to offend our Lord.  Many instances of this could be related.”

The fruits of other missions in the island of Ibabao.  Chapter LXXII.