to make repetition of the Christian doctrine, and to excite each other to
the practice of virtue. He charged the new converts to learn by heart the
exposition of the apostles' creed, which he had left with them in
writing; but that which gave him the greatest comfort was, that a priest,
who was there present, promised him to bestow two hours every day in
instructing the people, and once a-week to perform the same to the wives
of the Portuguese, in expounding to them the articles of faith, and
informing them concerning the use of the sacraments.

After these last words, Father Xavier left his well-beloved children in
Jesus, and immediately the ship went off. At that instant an universal
cry was raised on the shore; and that last adieu went even to the heart
of Father Xavier.

Being arrived at Amboyna, he there found four Portuguese vessels, wherein
were only mariners and soldiers, that is to say, a sort of people ill
instructed in the duties of Christianity, and little accustomed to put
them in practice, in the continual hurry of their life. That they might
profit by that leisure which they then enjoyed, he set up a small chapel
on the sea-side, where he conversed with them, sometimes single,
sometimes in common, concerning their eternal welfare. The discourses of
the saint brought over the most debauched amongst them; and one soldier,
who had been a libertine all his life, died with such evident signs of
true contrition, that being expired, Father Xavier was heard to say, "God
be praised, who has brought me hither for the salvation of that soul;"
which caused people to believe, that God Almighty had made a revelation
of it to him.

By the same supernal illumination, he saw in spirit one whom he had left
in Ternate in the vigour of health, now expiring in that place; for