He then wrote to Father Ignatius, to give him an account of his intended voyage, and of the thoughts of his heart concerning it. "I cannot express to you," said he, "with what joy I undertake this long voyage. For it is all full of extreme dangers; and he, who out of four ships can preserve one, thinks he has made a saving voyage. Though these perils are surpassing all I have hitherto proved, yet I am not discouraged a jot the more from my undertaking; so much the Lord has been pleased to fix it in my mind, that the cross shall produce great fruits in those countries, when once it shall be planted there." He wrote at the same time to Father Simon Rodriguez, and some passages of the letter well describe the disposition of the holy man. "There are arrived here some ships from Malacca, who confirm the news, that all the ports of China are armed, and that the Chinese are making open war with Portugal; which notwithstanding, my resolutions still continue for Japan; for I see nothing more sweet or pleasing in this world, than to live in continual dangers of death, for the honour of Jesus Christ, and for the interests of the faith. It being indeed the distinguishing character of a Christian, to take more pleasure in the hardships of the cross, than in the softness of repose." The apostle, being upon the point of his departure for Japan, established Father Paul de Camerine, superior-general in his place, and Father Antonio Gomez, rector of the seminary at Goa. At the same time he prescribed rules to both of them, in what manner they should live together, and how they should govern their inferiors. Behold, in particular, what he recommended to Father Paul: "I adjure you," said he, "by the desire you have to please our Lord, and by the love you bear to Father Ignatius, and all the society, to treat Gomez, and all our fathers and brothers, who are in the Indies, with much mildness; not ordering them to do any thing without mature deliberation, and in modest terms, without any thing of haughtiness or violence. Truly, considering the knowledge I have of all the labourers of the society, at this present day employed in the new world, I may easily conclude, they have no need of any superior; nevertheless, not to bereave them of the merit of obedience, and because the order of discipline so requires, I have thought convenient to set some one above the rest, and have chosen you for that purpose, knowing, as I do, both your modesty and your prudence. It remains that I command and pray you, by that voluntary obedience which you have vowed to our Father Ignatius, to live so well with Antonio Gomez, that the least appearance of misunderstanding betwixt you may be avoided, nay, and even the least coldness; but, on the contrary, that you may he always seen in a holy union, and conspiring, with all your strength, to the common welfare of the church.