The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16Dryden, John
History
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16
Dryden, John
English literature
Accordingly, when Xavier first arrived at Goa, Borba offered him the
conduct of this new establishment, and used his best endeavours to engage
him in it. Xavier, who found an inward call to something more important,
and who already was conceiving in his mind the conversion of a heathen
world, would not coop himself up within a town, but in his secret
intentions, designed one of his companions for that employment, which was
presented to himself. In the meantime, Borba wrote into Portugal, to
Simon Rodriguez, and earnestly desired from him some fathers of the new
society, "for whom" he said, "the Almighty had prepared a house in the
new world, before their coming."
During these transactions, Paul de Camerin and Francis Mansilla arrived
at Goa, from Mozambique: Borba retained them both in the seminary, by
permission from the viceroy; and that was the reason why they followed
not Father Xavier to the coast of Fishery.
Xavier put into the seminary those young Indians whom he had brought
along with him; and whatever want he had otherwise of his companions,
he gave the charge of the Seminarists to Father Paul de Camerin, at the
request of Borba, who had the chief authority in the seminary. For it was
not till the year 1548, after the death of Borba, that the company
possest it in propriety, and without dependence. It then received the
name of a college, and was called the college of St Paul, from the title
of the church, which was dedicated to the conversion of the apostle of
the Gentiles. From thence it also proceeded, that the Jesuits were called
in that country, the fathers of St Paul, or the fathers Paulists, as they
are called in that country even at this day.
Father Xavier remained but a little time at Goa; and returned with all
expedition to his Paravas, with the best provision of gospel labourers,
which he could make. He was then desirous of sending a missioner of the
company to the isle of Socotora, not being in circumstances of going
thither in person; for he had not forgotten the promise, which he made to
God in behalf of that people, when he left them. But the small number of
companions which he had, was not sufficient for the Indies; and it was
not till three or four years afterwards that he sent Father Alphonso
Ciprian to Socotora.
Besides Mansilla, who had not yet received the order of priesthood, he
carried with him to the coast of Fishery two priests, who were Indians by
nation, and one Biscayner, called John Dortiaga. When they were arrived
there, he visited all the villages with them; and taught them the method
of converting idolaters to the faith, and of confirming those who were
already Christians, in it. After which, having assigned to each of them a
division at his particular province in the coast, he entered farther into
the country; and, without any other guide than the spirit of God.
penetrated into a kingdom, the language of which was utterly Unknown to
him, as he wrote to Mansilla in these, terms.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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