In this island there is a great fort
and a city, where many Spaniards are in garrison; and six of our
religious, with none of any other order. A ship-load of provisions,
and one company of soldiers, are sent to them every year from this
city of Manila. Five of our friars went this year. In that island
they are engaged in conquering it with soldiers, although most of
it has made peace. Our friars are converting some whose conversion,
through the goodness of God, is very effective. From this island two
of our religious went to Great China; and eight days ago we received
a letter from one of them which reads as follows:
"Your reverences may give thanks to our Lord, for the Order of
St. Dominic is already within Great China. They killed my companion
immediately after we landed. I am considering how the conversion of
this land can be best accomplished, etc. In this city there are about
six hundred Christians, natives of Great China, among eleven thousand
heathen, largely merchants who come to trade. It should be a matter
commended to God to be pleased to open the eyes of this people to a
knowledge of Him, as there are so many souls there to be damned--for
(so they say) there are more people in Great China than in half of
all the rest of the world.
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