was abolished, which the soldiers, without considering it as such, were
inadvertently practicing in their eagerness for gain. This was to sell
certain things for a higher price, on condition that the purchaser
should make his payments from what he might gain at play. This
they called "putting into one's hands" [_dar a las manos_]. During
Lent, the discipline was practiced three days in each week, with so
extraordinary a concourse of people that besides the Indians, who
came in large numbers, there were more than five hundred Spaniards
of all ranks and conditions--ecclesiastics and laymen, merchants,
captains, soldiers, and men of other callings. Various friendships
were made in this way, especially between ecclesiastics and laymen,
which were of great service to our Lord.

Many needs of poor people were remedied, especially of those in the
prison; and efforts were made to alleviate the hunger and thirst that
they were suffering, and compassionately to settle their difficulties,
so far as we had means and opportunity.

Efforts were also made to shelter in the seminary for girls some
women who, on account of the absence of their husbands, were in
danger. Arrangements were also made with the governor, Don Francisco
Tello, to secure the marriage of certain other women, in which
matter he lent assistance not only with his authority but with his
money. Upon one occasion he charitably bestowed a dowry of six hundred
pesos upon a woman of noble parentage who, for various reasons, had
gone from Madrid to sojourn in that country. The brethren of La Santa
Misericordia of Manila also lend assistance in these matters with
great solicitude and charity, conformably to their profession and the
aims of the Confraternity. The members are among the most noble and
distinguished people in that community, and are most useful therein,