The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 | Page 3

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 Andrés 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.
Attempts being made, in both Rome and Spain, to suppress the new
order of Augustinian Recollects, various testimonies to the value of
their work, and to their piety and zeal, are furnished by various officials,
both civil and ecclesiastical; and in connection with these is a statement
of the scope and character of the occupations and services of the
Recollects, in both peace and war. Convents are founded by these
missionaries at Bolinao and Cigayan. At the latter place, one of the
fathers is slain by an Indian, and the church is burned by the revolting
natives; but the indefatigable missionaries return to the unpromising
field, again subdue the wild Indians, and restore what these had
destroyed. Another residence is established at Cavite, which
accomplishes great good among the seamen who live there.
The history of the discalced Augustinians is continued by Luis de Jesús.
In 1621 the reformed branch of the Augustinians is erected into a
congregation independent of the original order. In that year a convent
of the discalced is founded in Cebú, and, through the generosity of their
benefactor Ribera, another at Calumpan, outside the walls of Manila;
the latter serves as a quiet retreat for the fathers, to the benefit of both
their physical and spiritual health, and under its care is placed the
village of Sampaloc. In it is kept a miraculous image of the Virgin. In
1622 the Recollects begin to evangelize Mindanao, of which island

there is a brief description, with more detailed ones of certain curious
birds and animals found there, and of the customs and beliefs of the
natives. Their government is simply the tyranny of the strong over the
weak, a condition of oppression and cruelty and wretchedness. Slavery,
formerly a common practice among them, has been broken up where
the missionaries have introduced the Christian religion. In 1609 the
natives of Caraga are subdued by the Spaniards, as also in 1613 a revolt
by them is quelled; and finally (1622) the Recollects carry the gospel
among them. The missionaries do much to subdue these fierce savages,
and make many converts--notable among whom is a powerful chief
named Inuc, whose example is followed by many. A flourishing
mission has also been established on the river of Butúan, where had
formerly been a Christian mission, now abandoned. Detailed accounts
are given of the labors and dangers which the fathers undergo, and of
certain conversions. Our historian does the same for the missions in
Calamianes and Cuyo. It may be noted that the Recollect missionaries
vigorously pursued the same policy as that of the Jesuits in forming
"reductions" or mission villages of their converts. Various miraculous
events in the experience of the missionaries are related, especially the
exorcism of certain demons who attempted to drive the Spanish
soldiers out of the country. Another mission is opened on the Cagayan
River in Misamis, northern Mindanao; the fathers meet great trials and
hardships, but finally succeed in converting the leading headman on the
river, with many of his followers. They are greatly aided in this by the
successful revolt of these Indians against the Mahometan chief Corralat,
in which they ask and receive the assistance of the Spanish troops
stationed at Tandag. From the records of the provincial chapter held at
Manila in 1650 is compiled a list of the Recollect convents in
Mindanao and Calamianes, with the number of families attached to
each. The writer goes on to relate some of the trials, hardships, and
dangers experienced by the Recollect missionaries in their work,
several being martyrs to their zeal. In 1624 is held the first chapter
meeting of the new Recollect province of Filipinas; Fray Onofre de la
Madre de Dios is chosen provincial, and certain regulations for the
conduct of the religious of