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394

A DECADE OF CHURCH MATTERS.

following year Cisneros died,^[1] and was succeeded by Antonio de Ciudad Rodrigo, who occupied the position for the full term of three years, and was followed by Marcos de Niza, as third provincial in 1540.

Thus the Franciscan order established in New Spain a regular government at an early date, and under its direction systematic measures for the conversion of the natives gradually supplanted the doubtfully productive efforts of erratic missionaries. The instruction of children in Christian doctrines throughout the subjugated provinces was carried on with unrelaxed zeal, while the adults listened to the words of salvation in their own language.^[2] Missionary enthusiasm increased. Fearless friars pushed forward into remoter regions, and dauntlessly entered the haunts of tribes untamed as yet by sword and arquebuse. Whether it was Guzman's explorations into unknown lands, or a voyage of Discovery undertaken by Cortés into unknown seas,^[3] that offered an opportunity of carrying the tidings of joy, there were ever at hand priests ready to risk their lives to extend the spiritual conquest. We cannot but admire the courage with

↑ García Cisneros, a Castilian, received the appointment because of his many virtues and literary attainments. He mastered the native language, and is said to have baptized 100,000 persons. He founded the important college of Santa Cruz de Tlatelulco as a seminary for native nobles, and placed there such learned professors as Bassacio, Olmos, Sahagun, and others. He contributed largely to the foundation of Puebla de los Angeles. Mendieta, 621-2.
↑ The proficiency acquired by the friars in the native languages was in many cases remarkable. Among great numbers may be mentioned Pedro de Castillo, who acquired the Mexican and Otomí dialects to perfection. This friar's religious enthusiasm was unyielding. Crippled and blind, he caused himself to be borne from town to town in a chair, preaching and teaching on every occasion possible. Mendieta, Hist. Ecles., 686-8. Equally famous for his aptitude to acquire the native tongues was Fray Alonso de Escalona, who in three years acquired the Mexican so thoroughly that his written sermons in that language were extensively used by other preachers. Id., 667-74. See also Torquemada, iii. 490-9.
↑ Friars Juan Padilla, Antonio de Segovia, and Martin de Jesus accompanied Guzman's expedition into Nueva Galicia, and baptized multitudes at the founding of San Miguel. They afterward traversed a great extent of country represented by the present states of Michoacan, Jalisco, and Zacatecas. Beaumont, Crón. Mich., iii. 423-6. Franciscans accompanied Cortés on his expedition on the Pacific, and while at Tehuantepec waiting for the completion of the fleet, they preached through the country by the aid of interpreters of the Zapotec language spoken there. Id., ii. 486-7.

[1] García Cisneros, a Castilian, received the appointment because of his many virtues and literary attainments. He mastered the native language, and is said to have baptized 100,000 persons. He founded the important college of Santa Cruz de Tlatelulco as a seminary for native nobles, and placed there such learned professors as Bassacio, Olmos, Sahagun, and others. He contributed largely to the foundation of Puebla de los Angeles. Mendieta, 621-2.

[2] The proficiency acquired by the friars in the native languages was in many cases remarkable. Among great numbers may be mentioned Pedro de Castillo, who acquired the Mexican and Otomí dialects to perfection. This friar's religious enthusiasm was unyielding. Crippled and blind, he caused himself to be borne from town to town in a chair, preaching and teaching on every occasion possible. Mendieta, Hist. Ecles., 686-8. Equally famous for his aptitude to acquire the native tongues was Fray Alonso de Escalona, who in three years acquired the Mexican so thoroughly that his written sermons in that language were extensively used by other preachers. Id., 667-74. See also Torquemada, iii. 490-9.

[3] Friars Juan Padilla, Antonio de Segovia, and Martin de Jesus accompanied Guzman's expedition into Nueva Galicia, and baptized multitudes at the founding of San Miguel. They afterward traversed a great extent of country represented by the present states of Michoacan, Jalisco, and Zacatecas. Beaumont, Crón. Mich., iii. 423-6. Franciscans accompanied Cortés on his expedition on the Pacific, and while at Tehuantepec waiting for the completion of the fleet, they preached through the country by the aid of interpreters of the Zapotec language spoken there. Id., ii. 486-7.

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