Removal of the convent of Manila

In order to divert the grief of Ours in Espana for a moment, the need of referring to the removal of the convent of San Nicolas of Manila from its location outside the walls (which is now the college of San Joan Baptista, as above stated) to the other site, within the enclosure, where now is the glorious capital of the most religious province of the Philippinas Islands—­is interpolated.  The credit acquired by the good founders in a short time was vast, by means of their exemplary life, and the zeal that they had manifested in the reduction and conversion of the infidels.  They had shed abroad in all directions the light and splendor of their virtues, and very especially of their voluntary poverty and abstraction from temporal things, contenting themselves with but very little, and coveting, at the most, the attainment of permanent blessings and riches.  They won many persons for God in that city by means of their holy instructions, and taught them the true way, which very few court.  By that course they made themselves so much masters of the good-will of all that the people begged them unanimously that they should enter a more comfortable place—­but without abandoning that place, because its preservation was so useful for the welfare of as many souls as lived in those suburbs and environs, so that nobles and plebeians might enjoy the spiritual food that the fathers so promptly distributed to them.  Besides, it seemed unavoidable to do that, so that they might be more secure and better guarded, whatever happened, because of the continual and sudden attacks of the Japanese, Chinese, and Sangley enemies, who are wont to attack those suburbs with courage.  Father Fray Joan de San Geronimo assented to the prayers of the faithful, and the not little convenience of his own associates; and accordingly, aided by the alms that were given him, he bought certain small houses, near to a site where many years ago the artillery was founded.  That site was also given him at the end of the year by Governor Don Joan de Silva.  The opposition of some was not wanting, although that convent was so desired and applauded.  However, that opposition soon ended; and our religious endured it with signal austerity for many days, until the very noble gentleman and master-of-camp, Don Bernardino del Castillo Ribera y Maldonado—­a native of Mexico, castellan of the fort, and regidor of the city—­together with his very virtuous wife, Dona Maria Enriquez de Cespedes, through the devotion that they bore to our institute and to the holy neo-thaumaturgus Nicolas de Tolentino (at whose intercession a son was born to him, who died shortly afterward, the same lady having petitioned our glorious father to negotiate with God so that that son might not live if he were to grow up bad and a sinner), assumed the patronage of the church and convent.  He immediately erected a fine building of cut stone, the cost of which exceeded one hundred thousand pesos.  In addition to that, he assigned it a suitable income—­not for the support of the religious, for at that time it was not the custom for Ours to accept such; but for the necessary repairs that had to be made later.