They all came back then from the mountains, and in a few days the work of many was accomplished.  The number of those who confessed the faith increased so rapidly that the long days seemed short.  This, I am sure, grieved the devil not a little; and no less did what Father Christoforo Ximenez effected after he returned to Manila where he put into print the catechism of Cardinal Roberto Bellarmino, translated into the Bisayan language. [15] He went by the order of his superiors to Alongala, then without a priest.  When he had remained there up to the beginning of Holy Week, and had made the people ready and active in all works of piety, it happened that a certain idol-worshiper of that island, a man of very high rank, Malacaia by name—­who owned over sixty slaves, and who was reverenced by all the Indians most highly, even as a father—­was once looking on, and wondering to see many of the natives busied in pious works, and so seriously engaged in scourging themselves.  In amazement he said, “Shall I do that, Father?” “Do,” replied Ximenez, “what they are doing, and scourge thyself.”  “Will that scourging do me any good?” asked Malacaia.  “It will do thee no little good,” answered the father.  The other instantly took off his tunic and girded himself for the work, and walking upon the stage with the others, the Christians, he so tragically worked upon himself that, not content with one scourge, although it was rough with little sharp studs, he also snatched the scourge from one standing near, and, as with a two-edged sword, fearfully smote himself upon the back as if with thunderbolts.  These scourgings reached even to the man’s soul, although at the time he knew not what he was doing; for this noble deed was an example of great profit to others, and he himself, moreover, received at this time the desire for baptism, for which he is now being prepared as a catechumen.

X. The Christians taught by the fathers at the establishment at Cangara have this in common with those at Dulac, that they receive a mighty protection from the services of the church when duly celebrated.  For as the former, by setting up a cross in the fields and by the use of holy water, drive the swarms of locusts from their grain, so the latter by bearing palm-branches and seeds to the church effect the same result.  An old custom of theirs has been condemned—­namely setting up in the fields great beams, which they call Omalagars, upon which they believe the souls of the dead to sit.  Here fifty have been initiated in the Christian mysteries, and more would have been if ministers had not been wanting.  Forty couples have been joined with a more holy bond.  Several persons were found by the marvelous providence of God (for it would be impious to regard that as a chance which was wrought for Ours, kept safe in so many perils), who, being scattered over the mountains, so that they could have no one else, begged for a father to whom they might confess their sins.  There were also