that there be no assistants. It is advisable to read this section
thoroughly._

There is much to say why there should be fewer offices, because of
the great vexations, offenses, and insults endured by these natives,
as many of the offices are not properly exercised. They should be thus
exercised; for since they are not, and since the Indians look upon
those who are given and appointed as magistrates for them, and for
their welfare and protection (who by right should be the best men),
and behold in these same men so much license, wrong, and evil example,
what can they think and believe about the others, and about the law
that is preached and taught to them? since they see that it is not
kept, but only broken over and over again by us, the very ones who
profess it and teach it to them. It is apposite to mention that when
one Cagayan Indian was trying to persuade another Indian to become
a Christian, and was declaring the blessings to be derived from it,
the latter answered to his arguments: "Bah! the Castilians have no
better sense than we have; since they act as they do, and do not
observe that law; say nothing more about it." Or they say: "That law
must be only for the fathers." In this way great offenses and things
displeasing to God follow, and offense to His law and gospel, so that
it is held in odium and seems evil to these natives, just after it
has been preached to them with so great moral example and sanctity of
life--the true preaching that moves and converts this race. They do
not recognize or know that the fault is not in the law, nor can it
be attributed to it, but to those who do not observe it, because of
their necessities--or rather their baseness, vileness, and greed which
they excuse under the name of poverty and lack of support. Therefore,
a great part of the reformation in this matter--which is so important,
and demands reformation, but without having it--will be effected by