Although in Manila we had received novices from the very beginning,
and although a goodly number of acceptable men of various ranks had
entered our Society there, and had proved to be zealous servants of
God and very useful in our ministries, at the time of which we are
speaking their number was greater. For there were seven novices--all
very religious, humble, and devout--also three brethren of long
standing, and six priests; all were busy, each according to his degree
and vocation. The number of those who attended Lenten services and the
regular sermons continued to grow with the increase of the Spaniards
in Manila, and our Lord was pleased to give our fathers the immediate
reward for their labors, so that they might be thus encouraged to
toil with even greater ardor. Besides the large number of ordinary
confessions, many general confessions were made of great importance,
and by persons who for many years had not confessed--at least,
not as they should. In a single year one father heard forty general
confessions; another, fifty; and another, two hundred. There were also
many persons who desired, some to amend their lives, others to attain
a higher degree of virtue, and who made retreat at home, in order to
perform the exercises--especially persons serious and of high standing,
such as the schoolmaster of Manila, the commander of the fleet, and
other captains and men of reputation. During Lent and Advent sermons
were preached on Sunday afternoons to the soldiers in the guard-room;
and these were attended by many people of the city, as well as by
the governor and some of the auditors of the royal Audiencia. Before
commencing the sermon the children were, as usual, instructed in
the Christian doctrine, with questions and their answers. After
the sermon was concluded, the soldiers were invited to make their
confessions, which they did with alacrity. After that a kind of usury