An interesting chapter of ecclesiastical history is provided in the accounts of the early Recollect missions in the islands.  These are selected from the printed works here named:  Historia general de los religiosos descalzos del orden de San Avgvstin, by Andres de San Nicolas (Madrid, 1664), and the second part of the same work, by Luis de Jesus (Madrid, 1681); and Historia general de Philipinas, by Juan de la Concepcion (Manila, 1788).  From all these books we select, as has been already announced, only such portions as closely concern our subject, and such as contain information of special value, or which is otherwise not accessible.

From San Nicolas’s work we take his account of the foundation of the Recollect missions in the islands.  This is begun in May, 1605, by Fray Joan de San Jeronimo, who sets out with thirteen other religious; they arrive at Cebu on May 10, 1606, one of the missionaries having died on the voyage.  After a brief description of Luzon and Manila, the writer recounts the entrance of the Recollects into that city, their hospitable reception from all, and their establishment in a house of their own outside the walls.  After some of the fathers have learned the Tagal language, they begin their missionary labors at Mariveles, not far from Manila, whose native inhabitants are unusually brutal and ferocious.  A brief outline of the customs and beliefs of these people is presented, which, although slight, is valuable as being another original source of ethnological information about the Filipino peoples—­the early Recollect missionaries, like Chirino and his co-laborers, having gone among wild Indians who had had little acquaintance with the Spaniards; and their observations are therefore of natural and primitive conditions among the natives.

The missionaries first sent to Mariveles soon die from hardship, privation, and penances; but others at once volunteer to take their places.  Rodrigo de San Miguel is the first of these to go; and he, with others, accomplishes a wonderful work among the fierce Zambales.  Details of the labors of each, and of marvelous escapes from death, are related.  At Masinglo a convent is founded by Andres del Espiritu Santo, which becomes a center of missionary work for a large district.  The missionaries are kept under strict rule and discipline, that their self-abnegation and frugal mode of life may emphasize their preaching; and regulations are laid down for their missionary work and their relations with the Indians.  The main residence of the Recollects is, after some years, removed within the walls of Manila; and a handsome building is erected for it, and endowed, by a pious citizen.  Some notable images in its church are described.