III. I CHAP. self, that I have the better hopes of them. can do all things in Him who strengthens me, and from whom alone proceeds the strength of of those who labour in the Gospel." He then added a pungent rebuke, saying, "That other less savage nations, would never want for preachers: that these only isles remained for him to cultivate, since no other man would undertake them. If they abounded with precious woods, and mines of gold, Christians would have the courage to go thither; and all the dangers of the world would not be able to affright them; they are base and fearful, because there are only souls to purchase. And shall it then be said, that charity is less daring than avarice? You tell me they will take away my life, either by the sword or poison; but those are favours too great for such a sinner as I am to expect from heaven. Yet I dare confidently say that whatever torment or death they prepare for me, I am ready to suffer a thousand times more, for the salvation of only one soul. If I should happen to die by their hands, who knows but all of them might receive the faith? for it is most certain, that since the primitive times of the church, the seed of the Gospel has made a larger increase in the fields of paganism, by the blood of the martyrs, than by the sweat of missionaries." In this spirit he embarked, and many, who before would gladly have detained him, were now induced to bear him company. On landing at the first island they made, he witnessed a spectacle that would have daunted the hearts of most men, however resolute at a distance from danger. Several bodies of Portuguese, recently murdered, were lying on the shore in their blood, and the savages who had been standing over them: but on the appearance of Xavier and his company, they fled into the woods, probably concluding that they were come to avenge the murder of their countrymen. The missionary quietly followed them, and, addressing them in a conciliatory manner, induced them to return to their homes, where he afterwards laboured hard to tame their wild spirits. Knowing that "Music has charms to soothe the savage breast," he added the melody of voices to the suavity of his address, and had the satisfaction of seeing the ferocity of some yield to the influence of his gentle arts. Those whose minds were too rugged to be so mollified, he endeavoured to alarm, by leading them to the craters of their volcanos, and there making them understand, that the smoke, the flames, the showers of stones and flowing lava which they saw, were descriptive of the tortures of the damned. Indeed, he did not hesitate to tell them that "the gaping mouths of those burning mountains were the breathing places of hell." How far they understood him, it is dif ficult to say; but they were so far reclaimed as to permit him to move about wherever he chose, and to erect crosses and churches throughout their island: but we are not informed for whom these churches were erected. He does not appear to have converted any of the savages, or to have left any Christians behind; so that it is hard to imagine who could require them. A. D. Java, 1545. 25. At Java he could make no such impres- Narrow sion upon the barbarians. Indeed, his life was escape at in imminent danger among them; and on one occasion, while preaching to them on the river's bank, they endeavoured to stone him to death. But, more true to the instinct of nature than to his aspirations after the glory of martyrdom, he CHAP. III. Royal con vert at Ternate. A. D. 1547. More Missionaries arrive. made his escape on a log of timber, which was lying at hand, himself thrusting it into the water, and floating upon it out of their reach. 26. From these wild regions he returned to Ternate, where he tried to convert the reigning prince, Cacil Aerio, but without effect. This man listened to the Father's instructions, out of respect, no doubt, for the Portuguese, through whose influence he had just been raised to the throne; but he showed no affection for Christianity. Indeed, he afterwards became a cruel persecutor of the converts, not sparing even his own mother-in-law, Isabella, whom he reduced to poverty. But she is said to have shone brighter in the furnace, and to have endured all her sufferings with exemplary submission as to the Divine will. How satisfactory must it have been to Xavier to witness this proof of his distinguished convert's sincerity! He prolonged his visit here several months, and spent some of his time in composing, and having translated into Malay, a catechism on the doctrines and precepts of the Gospel, which he appointed to be used in all the churches where that language was spoken. He then signified his intention to return to Malacca; and on his departure, multitudes followed him to the shore, where, as the vessel got under weigh, they raised a universal cry of lamentation that went to his heart. 27. In her passage, the vessel touched at Amboyna, where Xavier tarried twenty days, confirming the converts. Proceeding on their voyage, they arrived at Malacca, in July, 1547, and found there three missionaries, John Beyra, Nugnez Ribera, and Nicholas Nugnez, on their way to the Moluccas. They had been sent out in compliance with Xavier's request; and he had the satisfaction of hearing from them, that seven more missionaries arrived with them in In A. D. 1547. the first dia, several of whom had remained in charge of the converts among the fishermen on the coast. 28. At this period the Portuguese obtained a History of decisive victory over the forces of Acheen, from convert of the island of Sumatra; and Xavier was on the Japan. eve of embarking for Goa with the news, when the China fleet arrived, bringing a native of distinction from the island of Japan, whose acquaintance with Xavier led to important consequences. His name was Anger; he was about thirty-five years of age, rich, and of noble birth. Hitherto he had led a dissolute life, and in a quarrel had killed a man, whether intentionally or accidentally is uncertain. Disturbed in his conscience, he retreated from Coxigana, his native city, to the mountains and woods, both for the sake of the solitude they afforded, and also for the counsel and consolation of the Bonzes (heathen priests), and other recluses who had retired to the same recesses. But finding no rest there, he returned to the city, and made the acquaintance of some Portuguese, who had been at Japan two years, and were then carrying on a thriving trade. Hoping that these strangers might lead him to the rest which he sought in vain from his own country priests and their superstitions, he made known to them the uneasiness of his mind. They immediately told him of Francis Xavier, advised him to take a voyage to Malacca, for the purpose of consulting that holy Father, and assured him that he would pour the balm of consolation into his troubled soul. "A wounded spirit who can bear?" 3 And what trouble or expense will the sufferer deem too great for its recovery? The afflicted Anger did not hesitate to follow the advice of his Portuguese friends, and willingly 3 Prov. xviii. 14. CHAP. A. D. 1548. undertook a voyage of eight hundred leagues in quest of peace of mind; but he was greatly disappointed on his first arrival to find that Xavier was away at the Moluccas. He returned home at that time; but still labouring under the same distress, was induced to make a second voyage to Malacca, which had nearly proved as unsuccessful as the former, for he arrived only just in time to catch the Father. Here he is said to have obtained, through Xavier's instructions and prayers, that composure of spirit, which he had failed to procure in solitude, or from pagan rites and priests. He soon avowed his determination to embrace the Christian faith; but Xavier recommended him to proceed with his two attendants to Goa, to be more fully instructed previous to his baptism. This advice was given with reference to the hopes which the missionary began to entertain, that this man might become the means of introducing the Gospel into the island of Japan. 29. Xavier, intending to visit the coast, sent Xavier's ar the Japonese before him to Goa. He himself rangements arrived at Cochin, January 21st, 1548, and protions for the ceeded without delay to make arrangements for Southern congrega tions. the future supervision of the numerous congregations in the South. Appointing Antonio Criminal general superintendent, he assembled the ecclesiastics, examined their several qualifications, and gave them suitable instructions. Having himself found great inconvenience from his ignorance of the native language, he admonished them to study it without loss of time. He drew up some excellent rules for their guidance in the general affairs of the mission, that they might act in concert with each other, and in perfect obedience to their superintendent: and then he concluded his address with an earnest exhortation to them to do all things in their |