of estates, Captain Don Pedro de Ortega, lowering its just price considerably.  Licentiate Don Rodrigo Diaz Guiral, then filling the office of fiscal of the royal Audiencia, was a zealous and influential party in everything, and took especial interest in facilitating that accommodation.  They converted the house of recreation into a convent.  They assigned a location for a public church, which they dedicated on the tenth of September to the glorious St. Nicolas de Tolentino, to whom they had consecrated themselves by a special vow when they left the coasts of Espana.  That function was very solemn.  His Excellency of Zebu, Don Pedro de Agurto, performed the pontifical office; while the very reverend father maestro, Fray Pedro Solier, of the Order of St. Augustine of the Observance, a person distinguished by his merits and position, preached.  He was then provincial of the province of Santissimo Nombre de Jesus in these islands, bishop of Puerto Rico, and afterward archbishop of Santo Domingo.  The royal Audiencia, the ecclesiastical and secular cabildos, the orders, and the nobility and citizens of Manila were present and lent honor to the function With such favorable beginnings, those evangelical ministers were greatly consoled and very happy.  They were most happy with the favorable horoscope in which that new province was born, in having St. Nicolas for their patron.  There was some altercation [over this matter] with the Augustinian fathers of the Observance; the devotion to this saint had now grown very extensive in their church, in a special chapel, and they foresaw that worship there would be decreased on account of this new advocacy.  It was not an occasion for a suit, and they tried modestly to avoid litigation.  Although possession could not give better right, the Recollects yielded, and accommodated themselves to a change of title, commending to God this serious matter.  The calmness of Senor Agurto was seen in that, at whose direction they cast lots to settle the controversy satisfactorily.  Many other saints took part in the lots, and in them the said St. Nicolas had success the first, second, and third time when the cast was repeated.  Thus was the will of God powerfully confirmed, resistance ceased, and they resigned themselves to it peacefully.  They extended the protection of the new church to the province, which was already in its beginnings.  The said first feast was celebrated with the greatest harmony between the parties, and unity of minds.

2.  They were not useless in that location, for, accommodating the active life to the contemplative one, they applied themselves with fervid ardor to spiritual help in the administration of sacraments and in gospel preaching to many different peoples, who needed that same assistance, especially at night, when the city gates were locked.  As there were no parish churches near, many were the sudden calls that disturbed their rest, for all of which they were very ready and prepared, as one should be in a matter