foot in their church again, nor to confirm any more telling him, at the same time, that with them this ceremony was most unnecessary, as they anointed their children's heads with oil at their baptism, which was all the confirmation they required. It The Archbishop appeared to take no notice either of the man, or of what he said; but, calling the other cattanars around him, began to instruct them in the nature of this rite. has been shrewdly remarked, that he ought to have done this before, had not his understanding been filled with more heat than light: that he acted without any rule to guide him, and abandoned himself to an intemperate zeal which led him into many faults that would have ruined him, but for the fear in which the native princes stood of the Portuguese power.5 The Archdeacon now redoubled his entreaties with the rajah of Cochin, to exert all his authority to prevent the approaching ordination. Accordingly, that prince sent a positive command to the governor of Diamper to stop the service if begun, and to threaten with his displeasure and severest chastisement, all who should present themselves to the Archbishop for holy orders. The Naires of the place came several times in a body to the door of the church, where they struck their bucklers in token of hostility, and cried aloud, that the Archbishop had nothing to do with the Christians of that country, who were subject to their own king and rather than suffer him to pass, they threatened to assassinate him and all his followers. These menaces induced the attendants of 5 La Croze, p. 131. A. D. 1599. CHAP. IV. Menezes to station sentinels at his chamber door every night; but he himself walked about, affecting to be unmoved by all the noise and opposition raised against him. It is difficult to say whether his confidence and perseverance were occasioned by "his prejudices," which are said always to have served him in lieu of articles of faith; or by his knowledge of the natural timidity of the heathen, who either feared or respected the Portuguese too much to provoke their resentment. At all events, he was persuaded, as will soon appear, that they durst not offer any injury to his person. 6 On the eve of the day fixed for the ordination, an officer of rank in the service of the rajah of Cochin, who was governor of a neighbouring town, happening to pass Diamper, in company with several Naires, met the Archbishop on the road. Accosting him with haughty mien and eyes flashing with anger, he reproached him with having come amongst them only to insult the gods of the country, to overturn their laws, to abolish the ancient customs of the Christians, and to seduce them from their allegiance to their rightful sovereign. "You shall pay for it, said he; for we will kill you, and all the Christians of the country who join you that others may learn by your example not to presume to attempt to establish new laws in our state." The Archbishop not understanding him, a native priest in his company interpreted what the man had said; when he turned from him with a contemptuous smile. In a short time, however, he sent him an answer more becoming his sacred office, but little in accordance with his proceedings. He desired 6 Ses préjugez, qui lui tenoient lieu d'articles de Foi.-La Croze, p. 131. them to tell him, "that he had done nothing but what was according to the commands of the Great and only God, who made heaven and earth, and without whose will no one could do him any harm." Had this expression of confidence in the Almighty been supported by a corresponding behaviour, it would have deserved admiration, and might have won the attention even of the heathen. But how could they honour that God, or think Him better than their own, whom this prelate professed to be serving, while using so much violence, arrogance, and injustice? The officer, instead of being appeased by his more conciliatory message, went away in a rage. A. D. 1599. candidates 3. On the following morning, the governor Thirty-eight of Diamper, in obedience to the rajah's com- ordained. mands, circulated a notice to all the inhabitants, to remain at home as prisoners for the day. He forbade them, under pain of confiscation of their goods, to move out of their houses, or to go to church, or to hold any communication with the Archbishop. But these precautions were of little avail. Menezes and his party seem to have expected an order to this effect from the Governor, and took care to anticipate him, by collecting all the candidates in the church on the preceding evening, and remaining shut up with them there through the night. Next morning the service was performed, without the knowledge, or even suspicion, of those who were so anxious and vigilant to prevent it. There were thirty-eight candidates." The Archbishop began with requiring them to abjure the Nestorian creed; then, to profess that of Pius IV.; afterwards, to swear alle 7 Geddes says thirty-seven, (p. 79.) Gouvea, (ch. xiv.) J. F. Raulin, (p. 29,) and La Croze, (p. 133,) say, thirty-eight. IV. CHAP. giance to the Pope; to renounce for ever the Patriarch of Babylon; and solemnly to engage never to admit any other prelate to their church except those sent from Rome. The service was then concluded in the usual form. In this manner did he succeed in executing, what was then thought, a masterpiece of policy. "It was thus," says Gouvea," that Menezes began to secure in this country a number of persons who remained faithful to him, and never abandoned his interests." Hostile disposition of the Naires towards him at Mangalan. 4. After the conclusion of this service, the Archbishop quietly retired from Diamper. Easter approached, and he determined to spend the passion week at Carturté, in the dominions of the Rannee of Pimenta. In the way thither, he visited several churches, and met at some of them with a friendly reception; at others he was less kindly received, the people refusing even to see him. At one place, called Mangalan, he is said to have been in great danger from a troop of Naires, who were seeking to murder him. Being informed of their intention, and that they had already surrounded his boat, with their guns 8 shouldered and matches lighted, Menezes took the precaution of moving to the opposite bank of the river. The Portuguese historian greatly exaggerates his danger on this occasion. To those at all acquainted with the country and its inhabitants, the whole description will wear the aspect of romance. Had the Naires, the military caste of Malabar, been so intent on killing him as is pretended, it is very unlikely that they would have suffered his boat 8 Matchlocks were used in India till within the present century, when the natives began gradually to adopt the European musket. But the matchlock is still used in the interior, chiefly by native huntsmen. to be removed: neither, if it had been shifted to the opposite bank of the river, which is narrow, would it have been out of their reach. Besides, whatever degree of danger may have appeared at the moment to surround the Archbishop, it is evident, from all that we have hitherto seen, and from what occurred afterwards, that their sole object was to alarm him, for the purpose of inducing him to retire to Cochin or Goa. No doubt he himself perceived this; for he continued to move about quietly in the midst of them, thereby giving them frequent opportunities to put him to death, had such really been their intention. A. D. 1599. Carturté service. 5. From Mangalan, he proceeded to Carturté, Arrival at where he arrived April 1, 1599, on the Friday performs before Palm Sunday. Early on the following divine morning he went to church, said mass, and preached. At the conclusion of the service, he desired the people not to fail to come to church again next day, as he had something of importance to communicate to them. It was here that he first practised a trick upon the natives, which was afterwards frequently repeated, both by himself, and other missionaries of his church who followed him. The inhabitants of India are generally very proud of being admitted to the confidence of their superiors, and persons in authority. The Malabar Christians especially, are said to be greatly pleased to have a secret intrusted to them, and to keep it with fidelity. Gouvea himself avows, that it was by this artifice Menezes ingratiated himself with the Syrians, and promoted his cause among them. 6. After he had dismissed the congregation, he retired to his boat, inviting several of the most considerable persons among them to follow Gains an impor tant acces sion in two Syrians. |