Chapter XXIV

Of the chapter held in the islands, in which was elected the fourth provincial, our father Fray Andres de Aguirre.

When the time came, as ordained by our rules, namely, April 22, 1581, the fathers who were now in greater number, and as as we have related, had a greater number of missionaries and convents—­assembled.  Peacefully and harmoniously they cast their votes for father Fray Andres de Aguirre—­of whom one may not say little, and, if we say much, it will grow wearisome, and we shall never fill the measure of his deserts.  Let the religious who reads this remember the mention which we have given this servant of God, and he will find that father to have taken part in the most important things recounted in this history; for he will see how he was one of the six who first came to this country in the adelantado’s following, November 23, 1564.  He will find this father the associate of Father Urdaneta, when the latter discovered the return passage to Nueva Espana.  He will see him at the court, together with the aforesaid [Urdaneta], informing King Felipe II about events in Filipinas, and of the fortunes of that fleet, which we have related.  Although he returned to Mejico with the same Father Urdaneta, and stayed there many years, yet, thinking that he was ill employing the health which our Lord gave him, and that his person would be more useful in the country which he had discovered for the honor of God, and thus renewed in courage and spirit, he determined to return to Filipinas.  For that purpose he petitioned the father provincial of Mejico to aid him on that journey with some religious, who were the jewels of greatest value that he could take.  His request was conceded, and those religious were such that truly this province of Filipinas owes what luster it possesses to them.  For as they were all excellent persons for the ministry, and came from a place, namely, Mejico, where so great care and solicitude was the rule, they tried to reduce this province to the fashion of that one, by settling the Indians, gathering them together, and making them observe civilized laws.  And I am very certain that that is the difficulty of christianizing these islands.  If the desired gain in the harvests is not seen today, it is because there has been no firmness in that plan; but the natives are allowed to live in their small settlements, whither the religious goes but seldom, and the Indians cannot see what is preached to them put into practice.  I have said somewhat on this subject previously, and whenever opportunity occurs, I shall again discuss it, as it is very dose to my heart.  Besides, it was, and is, better for the Castilians themselves to have the Indians living in communities; for in matters requiring despatch, they have the latter close at hand, and keep them more tamed, and richer in what concerns their advantage.  “But,” I ask, “what difference is there between the Zambales of these