Therefore，beforehestartedforMadrid，theProvincialimpresseduponMontoyatoapproachtheCounciloftheIndiesandtheKing，andrepresenttothemthatitwasimpossibletoguaranteetheexistenceofthereductionsagainsttheMamelucosunlesstheIndianswereallowedtoprovidethemselveswitharms。SoFatherMontoya，thoughhewaschargedtopressforvariousreforms，wasmostespeciallyimpresseduponthispoint。
HewastotelltheKingthattheIndianswerenottobeallowedtokeeptheirarmsthemselves，butthattheywouldbekeptbytheJesuits，andservedouttotheIndiansincaseofanattack；then，thatthearmswouldnotcostapennytothetreasury，butbeallpaidoutofthealmscollectedforthepurposebytheCompany；lastly，andthiswasatruestrokeofJesuitpolicy，that，toinstructtheIndianshowtoshoot，theywouldbringfromChilecertainJesuitswhointheworldhadservedassoldiers。OneseesthembroughtfromthefrontiersofAraucania，andfromtheoutpostsofthetrans
Andeantowns，halfsacristan，halfsergeant，instantinprayer，andyetwithalookaboutthemlikeaseriousbullterrier
afittingkindofpriestforafrontiertown，andsuchascouldalonebefoundamongsttheJesuits。
Aboutthistime1639thethirdinvasionoftheMamelucostookplace，andFatherAlfaro，whohadbeenleftinchargeofthemissionsontheUruguayandParana，wasshotbyaMamelucowithacrossbow，andfelldeadfromhishorse。TheGovernorofParaguay，onhearingofit，marchedwithanarmy，and，havingkilledtwoorthreehundredoftheMamelucos，tooktherestprisoners，andcarriedthembacktoAsuncion。There，tothedisgustofalltheJesuithistorians，hemenacedthemwiththewrathofHeavenandletthemgo。
Thefeelingsofachurchman，whenhisownprivilegeisthususurped，maybecomparedtothoseofastrictgame
preserverwhoseeshiscovertspoached。Itisnotsomuchthedamagethatisdoneasthepersonalinsultandthehumiliationwhichhesuffersinhispride。
Inthisyear，too，theIndiansofthemissionsrenderedtheirfirstarmedservicetotheStatewhichafterwardssooftendrewontheminitsnecessityandtreatedthemsoill。
TheGovernorofBuenosAyres，DonPedroEstevanDavila，wassettingoutuponanexpeditionagainstatribeofIndianswhohadtakenrefugeintheislandsoftheLakeYbera。
EightyoftheIndiansweresent，and，beingwellledandarmed，contributedconsiderablytowardssuccess。NextyearasecondcontingentwasrequiredbytheGovernorofTucuman，anddulysenttohisassistance。
Historyseemstorepeatitself，andfoolishsoldiersandothersnevertogainexperience；fortheGovernorPadredelTechoinhis`HistoriaParaquaiae'tellsus，havingmadewarinFlanders，couldneverbedissuadedthatthesamesystemwasnotsuitableforwarfareinAmerica。Accordingly，hesetoutingoodorder，butneglectedtosendoutscouts，andconsequentlyfellintothemiddleoftheCalchaquisstronglyentrenchedwithinamarsh，attackedthemwitharush，lostheavily，andhadtoretiretoTucuman。
ButallthistimeFatherMontoyaandDiazTanowerestrivinginRomeandatMadridwiththePopeandwiththeKing。
UrbanVIII。，atthattimeGod'svicegerentfortheChristianportionoftheworld，receivedDiazTanokindly，listenedtoallhehadtosaywithinterest，promisedhimhishelp，andgavehimaPapallettermenacingtheMamelucoswiththewrathofGod。FromRomeFatherTanowenttoMadrid，andthencetoLisbon，whencehesailedarmedwiththeprotectionofthePopeandaccompaniedbyafreshbandofzealouspriests。
ArrivedinRiodeJaneiro，hepublishedthePapalletter，andfixeditonthedoorsoftheJesuitCollegeandonthoseoftheirchurch。HeseemsonthisoccasiontohavebeenwantinginthechiefJesuitvirtue，prudence，orattheleastheseemstohavemistakenthecharacterofthepeopleamongstwhomhewas。MostofthecolonistshavingrelationswiththeMamelucoswereindignant，andamobbrokeinthedoorsbothofthecollegeandofthechurch。TheriotgrewsoseriousthattheGovernorconvokedacouncil，andcitedFatherTanotoappear。
Hecameandspoke，andintheeyesofthechiefpeopleoftheplacemadeouthiscase；butthemultitude，caringnotmuchforreasonandnothingforphilanthropy，becamemorefurious，butwasappeasedatlastbyapetitionbeingsentinprotesttothePope。
ButifthesethingspassedinRiodeJaneirowhichDelTechoreferstoas`oppidosanctorum'，whatwasthefuryofthepeopleinSanPaulo，theverycentreoftheMamelucos，whentheVicar
GeneralpublishedthebriefbyorderofDonPedroAlbornoz!Thepeopleroseimmediately，andmenacedtheVicar
Generalwithinstantdeathunlessheinstantlywithdrewthebrief。Thisherefusedtodo，althoughforcedonhiskneesandwithanakedswordheldathisthroat。Hiscouragequietedthem，andtheydrewupanappealwhichtheytriedhardtomakehimsign，butheagainrefused。Themob，havingdemandedthebrief，wastolditwasinthecollegeoftheJesuits。Thithertheywentpost
haste，andweremetuponthestepsbytheSuperior，dressedincanonicalsandholdingtheholywaferinhishand。Hespoke，andmostofthemfellprostrateonthegroundbeforetheBodyofourLord。Othersstoodupright，andsaidthat，whilsttheyadoredtheHolySacramentwiththeirwholesouls，theywouldnotsufferthattheirslaves，whoweretheirchiefestproperty，shouldbesetfree。AnatheistorsomekindofProtestantcriedouttofireuponthepriest，buthehadnosupport。TheSuperiorthengavethemacopyofthebrief，andtheyreturnedtotheVicar
GeneraltoaskforabsolutionforanycensureoftheChurchtheymighthaveincurred；
butheforthethirdtimewasobdurate，andletthemwelterintheirsin。
ThenewsoftherevolutionwhichliberatedPortugalfromSpainhavingjustreachedthetown，theJesuitshadtoretreatfromit，leavingtheinhabitantsenragedagainstthemandmoredeterminedthanbeforetopushtheirforaysintoParaguay。Butthetimewaspastfortheirincursions，forFatherRuizMontoyahadprosperedatMadrid，andsecuredevenmorethanhehadhopedforwhenhestartedonhisquest。
OnarrivingatMadrid，whichhedidafteraprosperousjourneyoffourmonths，hewaitedontheKingPhilipIV。，andlaidbeforehimandcommissarieschosenfromtheIndiesandCastilethefollowingpoints:
1。Thatthelawof1611，whichprovidedthatnoIndians，unlesstakeninajustwar，shouldbereducedtoslavery，shouldbeputintoeffect。
2。ThatthePopeshouldbeapproachedtoconfirmthebriefsofPaulIII。andClementVIII。，whichcontainedthesameprovisions。
3。ThatthosewhodidnotconformtotheseinstructionsshouldbehandedovertotheInquisitiontobejudged。
4。ThattheIndianswhohadbeenenslavedbythePaulistasshouldbeatoncesetfreeandtheaggressorspunished。
TheKingafterdeliberationgrantedeverypoint，and，further，regulatedthetributewhichtheIndiansweretopay。Allthiswaseasytoenact，but，likemostotherlaws，notquitesoeasytoputintoeffect。
Moreover，astherevolutionwhichseparatedPortugalfromSpainhadjustoccurred，allSpanishthunderagainsttheMamelucoswasofbutsmallaccount。Montoyathenpressedthedemandforlicensetousefirearmsinself
defenceagainsttheMamelucos。
TheKingafterdeliberationgrantedthislastpoint，andfromthattimetheincursionsoftheMamelucosceasedinParaguayandgenerallythroughoutthemissionterritory。ThenalsotherewassetonfootthatJesuitmilitiawhichrenderedsuchgoodservicetothecrown，butwasthecauseofsomuchmurmuring，asitprotectedthemissionIndiansbothfromthePaulistasandfromtheinroadsoftheSpanishcolonists。
ThisseemstoprovethemaliceofthosewhosetaboutthattheIndiansofthemissionspaidnotaxestotheCrown。
FatherMontoyaneverreturnedtoParaguay，wherehehadfoughtsolonganddonesomuchforthepoorIndians。Apparentlyitwasnotwrittenthatheshouldseetheresultsofallhisefforts，for，havingembarkedatSevilleforPeru，hewasdetainedatLimaonbusinessoftheOrder。
FromthencehewenttoTucuman，and，havingreturnedtoLima，diedagedseventy。TheViceroyandthechiefmembersoftheAudienciawithwhomhehadstruggledallhislifeaccompaniedhisbodytothegrave，anditissaidthatseveralmiraclesshowedforththegloryheenjoyedinheaven。
Thatmaybeso，andiftheyhappenedastheywellmayhavedone，for，afterall，amiraclereallyexistsforthosewhocreditit，ifHeavenhashonouredhim，'tismorethanmanhasdone:
foreveninParaguayhisnameisnotremembered，thoughitremainsenshrinedintheneglectedpagesofmanyadustyLatinoraSpanishbook。
Vieyra，thegreatPortugueseJesuit，saidthatallmiracleswerepossibletoGod，butyetthathehadneverheardthatourLordhadevercuredanyoneoffolly。
ButallthetimethatFathersMontoyaandDiazTanowereinEuropeaseriousdangertotheJesuitswasgrowingup。AtthediscoveryoftheNewWorld，theFranciscanshadbeenthefirstofalltheOrderstogoout。SomehadaccompaniedColumbus，somewerewithCortesinMexico。
AlmagroandPizarro'shostshadtheirFranciscanchaplains。
Inhiscommentaries，AlvarNunezrelateshowhemetsomeoftheOrderinBrazil。Lastly，thefirstofallthesaintsoftheNewWorldwasaFranciscan。
In1638theFranciscansintheprovinceofJujuydisputedwiththeJesuitstherighttocertainmissions，accusingthem，asPadredelTechosays，`ofputtingtheirsickleintotheirripeningcorn。'
Whatcouldbemoreannoyingifitweretrue?AsifaWesleyanmissioninthePaumotusGroupshould，afterhavingsheditsBiblesanditsblanketslikedryleaves，suddenlyfindanemissaryfromBabylonitselfarriveandmarkthesheep!
NowaprovinceoftheArgentineRepublic。
`HistoriaParaquariae'，bookxii。，cap。xii。
ButfromJujuythedissensionsspreadtoParaguay，wheretheFranciscanshadseveralmissionsextendingfromYutitoCazapa，thusbeingalmostwithintouchoftheJesuitGospellersinSantaMaria，upontheeasternbankoftheTebicuari，whichboundstheirterritory。
Thesejealousiesmighthavegonesmoulderingon，andneverburstoutintofire，hadnottheappointmentofaFranciscantotheseeofParaguaycausedtheflamestoflareoutfiercely。
Hadafirebrandbeenwantedtostirupstrife，nonebettercouldhavebeenfoundthanDonBernardinodeCardenas，whowasjustthenappointedtothebishopricofParaguay。
ChapterIV
DonBernardinodeCardenas，BishopofParaguay
Hislaboursasapostolicmissionary
Hisambitionsandcunning
Pretensionstosaintliness
Hisattemptstoacquiresupremepower
QuarrelsbetweenCardenasandDonGregorio，thetemporalGovernorDonBernardinodeCardenasfirstsawthelightinthetownofLaPlata，
capitaloftheprovinceofCharcasinBolivia，or，asitwasthencalled，AltaPeru。Thedateofhisbirthisuncertain，butitwouldappeartohavebeenintheearlyyearsoftheseventeenthcentury。AtanearlyageheenteredtheFranciscanOrder。
LaPlatawassometimescalledChuquisaca，andisto
dayknownasSucre。
AstheFranciscanshadhadthehonourofhavingfurnishedtothecalendarthefirstsaintcanonizedintheNewWorld，itseemstohavebeenthedreamofCardenasfromhisearliestyouthtoemulatehim。
Inthisdesireheseemstohaveactedingoodfaith，andallhislifethedreamofsaintshiphauntedhim。
Charlevoixsays`hemadearathersuperficialstudyoftheology，andthenengagedinpreaching，inwhich，withmemory，assurance，andfacility，hefounditeasytosucceedinacountrywherebrilliantgiftsaremoreesteemedthansolidlearning。'Certainlyapreacherwithoutassurance，memory，andfacilitywouldscarcelyhavesucceededinanycountry；andinwhatcountryintheworldisbrilliancynotfaresteemedabovethedeepestscholarship?Besides，`hewasamanofvisions`hommea\visions'andrevelations，whichhetookgoodcaretopublish。'Visionsaregenerally，inthecaseofsaints，confinedtothesoul'seye，andrevelationtotheinwardear；
if，therefore，therecipientofthemdoesnotmakethemknown，theyruntheriskofbeinglost。Inaword，accordingtoCharlevoix，
hewas`oneofthemostcompleteanddangerousecstaticsthateverlived。'
`Hisfirstsuccesses'whetheraspreacherorecstaticarenotspecified
causedhissuperiorstonamehimguardianoftheircollegeofLaPlata。
Theysoonrepentedoftheirchoice。NosoonerwashenamedSuperiorthanhesoughttoqualifyhimselfforsaintshipbyasortofroyalroad。
Saintsareofseveralclasses，and，inlookingthroughthecalendars，itstrikesonehowdifferentseemtohavebeenthemethodsbywhichtheyseverallyattainedtheirgoal。
`HistoireduParaguay'，vol。i。，bookix。，p。478。
Charlevoix，vol。i。，bookxi。DeanFunes，inhis`EnsayodelaHistoriaCivildeParaguay，BuenosAyresyTucuman'，vol。ii。，bookiii。，p。10BuenosAyres，1816，saysofhim:
`Seadquirio/muyenbreveunareputacionmasbrillantequesolida。'
PrinceJuanManuel，intheprefacetohis`FiftyPleasantStoriesofPatronio'，saysthat，`amongstthemanystrangethingsourLordGodmade，Hethoughtgoodtomakeonemarvellousinspecial
thatis，that，ofthenumberlessmenwhoareonearth，notoneentirelyresemblesanyotherinhisface。'Hemighthavesaidthesameofsaintsandoftheirways。
One，likeSt。FrancisofAssisi，treatshisfatherasitseemstome
butscurvily，andyettoeveryothercreatedmanandalltheanimalsheisabrother。ThesaintofAvilafoundsconvents，mingleswithmenofbusiness，andhasvisionsintheintervalsofherjourneyingthroughSpainuponanass。
Again，anotherpreachestotheIndiansortheJapanese，givesuphissubstance，begshisbreadfromdoortodoor，andleavesthedevil'sadvocatescarcelyaquilletoraquiddityagainsthim。
Lastly，youfindagainstthenamesofsomemerelythedocket`virgin'or`martyr'，astheircaseorsexmayserve。
DonBernardinoadoptednoneofthesemethodsofprocedure。
Carryingaheavycross，withashesonhisheadandshouldersbared，followedbyallhispriests，hesalliedoutonedaytodisciplinehimselfinpublic。Thisplandidnotsucceedwithalltheworld，forhissuperiorsorderedhimtoremaininsidehisconventgates。
Thereheremained，and，ashisLifeinformsus，profitedbyhisretreattostudyHolyScriptures，andtosuchgoodeffectthat，thenexttimehepreached，hecharmedhishearersbyhiseloquence。
SoonafterthistheArchbishopofLaPlataheldaprovincialcouncil，withtheobjectofreformingthemoralsoftheIndiansinhisdiocese。
Cardenas，beingafluentspeaker，waschosenforthepostofApostolicMissionary。Fromthistimedatesthebeginningofhisfame。
InthosedaysalltheIndiansoftheCharcas，andgenerallyofallPeru，weresunkinmisery，butlittleremovedfromslaves，andtheirreligionwasamixtureofChristianityandpaganism
justthekindoffolkafluentpreacherofthestyleofCardenascouldworkupon。
Allthroughtheprovincehemadehisapostolicprogress，preaching，converting，andconfessing，everywhereprecededbyhisfameasseerofvisions，miracle
worker，andrecipientofcelestiallight。
Hetookhisway，dressedlikeapilgrim，onfoot，carryingawoodencross，andfollowedbyamultitudeofIndiansfromtowntotown。
ReligioninAmericaCatholicorProtestanthasalwaystendedtoreverttotheoriginalEasternform，fromwhich，nodoubt，itsprung。Theinfluenceofthevastplainsandforests，andthegreatdistancestotravel，haveintroducedthesystemofcampmeetingsamongsttheProtestants，whereastheCatholicshaveoftenheldasortofambulatorymission，thepeopleofonevillagefollowingthepreachertothenext，andsoon，inthesamefashionasinPalestinethepeopleseemtohavefollowedJohntheBaptist。
SoonthenewswasspreadaboutthattheIndianswhofollowedCardenashadtoldhimofrichmines，ontheconditionthathewouldnotdivulgethesecrettotheSpaniards。AtthattimethesearchformineswascarriedalmosttomadnessinPeru。Evento
day，inalmosteveryminingtown，amysterious，poverty
strickenmansometimesapproachesyouwithgreatprecaution，and，drawingfromhispocketanobjectwrappedingreasypaper，declareswithoathsthatitis`rosicler'
redsilverore，andthatheknowswheretherearetonsandtonsofit。
InMexicothecuriousclassofminersknownas`gambusinos'
rovethroughthevalleysoftheSierraMadrearmedwithpickandpan，passingtheirlivesinhuntingmines，aspigshunttruffles。
Iftheycomeuponamine，theynevertrytoworkit，butsellthesecretforatriflingsum，and，drinkingoutthemoney，startonagaintofindtheminesworkedbytheAztecs，tillanApachebulletorarrowstopsthem，theirElDoradostillahead，ortheyarefoundbesidetheirpickandshoveldeadofthirst。
NeitherinMexiconorinPerudothingsgrowlessintelling，andwemaywellsupposethestoriesoftheminestheIndianstoldtoCardenasbecamecolossal；foratlasttheAlcaldeofCochabambawroteonthesubjecttotheCountofSalvatierra，theViceroyofPeru。
AsCharlevoixsays，`itseemedasifitallworkedtotheadvantageoftheholymissionary，who，notcontentwithsavingsouls，didnotforgettheinterestsofhisnativeland。'Inthemiddleofhistriumphs，beingrecalledtoLima，noonedoubtedthatitwasinordertoconferwiththeViceroyaboutthesupposititiousmines。Others，again，imaginedthatamitrewasdestinedforthesuccessfulevangelist，andthereforemany，evenquitepoorpeople，pressedforwardtoofferfundstohelphimonhisway。Withquiteapostolicassurance，hetookallthatwasofferedtohim，beingcertain，assomethink，that，theminesbeingreal，hecouldsomedayrepaywithusuryallhehadborrowed，or，asotherssaid，beingindifferentaboutthematter，andtrustingtorepayinthatbettercountrywherenousuryexistsandwherenogoldcorrupts。
TheViceroy，beingamanoflittlefaith，senttoinvestigatethesupposititiousmines，butfoundthemnon
existent。
ThesuperiorsofCardenas，asjudiciousasthehigherofficersoftheFranciscanOrderoftenprovedthemselvesthroughoutAmerica，informedhimthathehadgivenoffencetomanybyhispublicscourgingsandprocessionscarryingacross，and，mostofall，thatinhissermonspropositionshadescapedhimofanaturelikelytobringhimunderthecensureoftheHolyOffice。
AconventinLimawasassignedtohimasaretreatandplaceofmeditationonthevirtuesofsubmissionandobedience。
Aswemaywellbelieve，nomanwhofelthehadthestuffwithinhimselftomakeasaintevercaredmuchforobedienceorsubmission，exceptinothers；
soinhisconvent，insteadofmeditatingonhisfaults，hepassedhistimeinwritingamemorialtotheCounciloftheIndies，settingforthhisviewsonthewayinwhichtospreadthegospelamongsttheIndians。
Nothingwasbettercalculatedtowinhimfavour。EveryIndianbaptizedwassomuchyearlygaintotheSpanishGovernment。
Conversionandtaxationalwayswenthand
in
hand，andthereforeIndianswho，unbaptized，broughtnothingtothetreasury，havingreceivedtheGospeltruths，weretaxedsomuchaheadtoshowthemthatfromthenceforththeywereChristians。
Thus，wefindthatintheParaguayanmissionseachIndianpaidadollareveryyearasasortofpoll
tax，andmostofthedisputesbetweentheViceroysofParaguayandtheJesuitsarosefromthenumberoftheIndianstaxable。TheViceroysalwaysallegedthatthepopulationofthemissionsneverincreased，onaccountoftheJesuitsreturningfalsenumberstoavoidthetax。
Cardenasspeciallyinculcated，inhismemorialtotheCounciloftheIndies，thatitwasnotexpedienttoplacetheIndiansundertheregularclergy，atheoryofwhichhehimselfwasdestinedtobecomeagreatantagonist。
Promotion，asweknow，comethneitherfromtheeastnorfromthewest；
soitfelloutthatduringhisretreat，throughtheinfluenceofhisfriendDonJuandeSolorzano，acelebratedlawyer，whohadheardhimpreachwhenGovernorofGuancavelico，hefoundhimselfnamedBishopofAsunciondelParaguay。Thispieceofluckopenedthedoorsofhisconventtohim，andherepairedatoncetoPotositowaitthearrivalofthePapalBullauthorizinghimtotakepossessionofhisbishopric。ThereheappearedinthehabitofhisOrder，alittlewoodencrossuponhisbreast，andagreenhatuponhishead，acostumewhich，ifnotquitefittingtohisnewdignity，wasatleastsuitedtotheIndiantaste。
Hisbiographerinformsusthat，withoutawordtoanyone，hebegantopreachandhearconfessions。Beingabsolutelywithoutresources，hewasreducedtodistributeindulgencesandlittleobjectsofpiety，andattheendofeverysermontosendhisgreenhatroundtheaudience。
Histalentforpreachingstoodhimingoodstead，andaftereverysermongiftswereshowereduponhim，andacrowdaccompaniedhimhome。
ThepriestofPotosibeingjustdead，DonBernardinotookhisplacewithoutpermission，andsethimselfupinthedoublecharacterofparishpriestandBishoptoholdavisitationthroughoutthediocese。
Somepeopletookthisconductasevidenceofhissaint
likehumilityincondescending，thoughaBishop，toofficiateasamerepriest。
TheArchbishophadadifferentopinion，but，asDonBernardinohadagreatfollowing，hethoughtitbesttodissemblehisresentment。
Cardenashimself，byhisimprudence，furnishedtheArchbishopwithanexcusetogethimoutofthebishopric。
ArichIndian，whomCardenasconfesseduponhisdeath
bed，lefthimtenthousandcrowns。Notcontentwiththat，heinfluencedoneDiegoVargastochangehiswillandleavehimmoney。OnthistheArchbishopwrotetohim，requestingthathewouldgoandgovernhisownsee。Hehadtogo，butleftthetown，whichhehadenteredwithoutafarthing，withalongtrainofmulescarryinghismoney，plate，andfurniture。
WhyhedidnotinstantlygotoAsuncionisnotquiteclear，forinAmericaitwasthecustom，owingtothegreatdistancefromRome，thatBishops，onreceiptoftheroyalorderofappointment，gotthemselveschosenbythechapteroftheirdiocesetogovernprovisionally。
Insteadofdoingthat，hewenttoTucuman，andthencetoSalta，wherehearrivedin1641。
InSalta，hisfirstvisitwastotheJesuitcollege，wherehelaidhiscasebeforetheJesuitfathers，andshowedthemseveralletters，onefromtheCardinalAntonioBarberinidatedin1638，andanotherfromtheKingwithoutadate，naminghimBishopofAsuncion。
OnthestrengthofthesetwolettersheaskedtheJesuitsifhecouldgethimselfconsecratedwithoutthePapalBulls。
Charlevoixallegesthattheydarednotrefusetoanswerinthewayhewished。Whythiswassoisnotsoeasytomakeout，as，evenwithhisgreenhatandwoodencross，hecouldnotatthattimehavebeenaformidablepersonage。TheirwrittenopinionhesentatoncetotherectoroftheJesuitcollegeatCordova，askingforhisopinionandthatofthedoctorsoftheuniversity。
TheanswerreachedhiminSantiagodelEstero，andwasunfavourable。
Onreadingtheletter，Cardenasfellintoamostunsaint
likefury，andtoreitupwithoutcommunicatingittoanyone，noteventotheBishopofTucuman，DonMelchiorMaldonado。Thiswasnotstrange，ashehadcountedonthisBishoptoconsecratehim。
Notwithstandingwhatwasatstake，hewentoninthedioceseofTucumanjustashehaddoneinthatofCharcas，preaching，confessing，andcelebratingMass。DonMelchiorMaldonado，aquietmanofnopretensions，wrotehimaletterinwhichhesaid:`YoucameintomydioceselikeaSt。Bernard；suchisthereputationyouhaveforholinessandpreachingthatmypeoplepaymenorespect，andonlylookonmeasamanofcommonvirtueandmediocretalents。AlthoughIhopeIamnotjealous，still，ImustremindyouthatyouactasifyouwereSt。Paul。'
ABishopofcommonvirtueandofmediocretalentsis，ofcourse，aBishoplost，andonecanwellconceivethatpoorDonMelchiorMaldonadowasplacedinanunpleasantpositionduringthestayofCardenasinhisdiocese。SuchwereDonBernardino'spowersofpersuasionthatatlasttheBishopconsecratedhim。Theceremonywashardlyover，whenaletterarrivedfromtheRectoroftheUniversityofCordovaadvisingBishopMaldonadoagainsttheconsecration。UnluckilyforParaguay，itwastoolatetoundotheaction，andCardenaswasnowinapositiontotakepossessionofhissee。PoorMelchiorMaldonado，BishopofTucuman，had，asithappened，laidhandsalittlehastilyuponthecandidate。
TheCouncilofTrentpronounceduponthecase，andfound`thattheconsecrationoftheBishopofParaguayhadbeenavalidoneastouchingthesacramentordination，andtheimpressionofthecharacter，butthatithadbeenvoidasregardsthepowerofdischargingthefunctionsattachingtothedignity，andthattheBishopandhisconsecratorhadneedofabsolution，whichthesameholycongregationthinksoughttobeaccordedwiththegoodpleasureofthePope。'
AsthesameholycongregationhadpreviouslydeclaredthetakingpossessionofthediocesebyCardenashadbeenillegal，itisdifficultforordinarymindstograsptheirrealopinionofthecase。
FindingthathehadfailedwiththeUniversityofCordova，DonBernardinotookhiswaytoSantaFe，fromwhencehewroteaninsultinglettertothepoorrector。TheletterwasconceivedinsuchoutrageoustermsthattheBishopofTucumanwroteinexpostulation，sayingheexpectedtoseesomethingextraordinaryhappeninParaguayifhegavewaytosuchexcessofpassion。
DonBernardino'susualluckattendedhiminSantaFe。ThistownthenformedpartofthedioceseofBuenosAyres，thoughsituatedaboutfourhundredmilesfromthemetropolis。IthappenedthattheseeofBuenosAyreswasvacant，andthechapterofthecathedralinvitedCardenastovisitthatportionofthediocesethroughwhichhehadtopass。
Cardenaswas，ofcourse，delightedtoshowhistalentsforpreaching，ashehaddonebeforeinCharcasandinPotosi。WhenhearrivedatCorrientestheenthusiasmforhisholinessandtalentswasextraordinary。
InCorrientes，DonBernardinoseemstohavefelt，forthefirsttime，hiscallingandelectionreallysure。Atthetimehelanded1642
thelandwassunkinignoranceandsuperstition。Evento
dayinCorrientesthecityofthesevencurrents，situatedjustatthejunctionoftheriversParanaandParaguay，closetothecelebratedmissionsoftheJesuits，theinhabitants，livinginacountryalmosttropical，arehalfIndiansintype。
WhatCorrienteslookedlikeinDonBernardino'stimeismatterofconjecture。PerhapsitwasnotgreatlydifferentfromsomeremoteSpanish
Americanfrontiertownssomefive
and
twentyyearsago，saveforthegroupsofSpanishsoldiery，withtheirsteelmorions，trunkhoseandheavyarquebusesloungingabout，andinthematterofthescarcityofhorsesinthestreets。
Nodoubttheself
samelistlessairhungovereverything，andintheplaceofthemodernblueandwhitebarredflagswitharisingsunorcapoflibertystucklikeatrade
markinthecorner，thebloodandorangeSpanishcolourswiththequarteringsofcastlesandoflionsflappedheavilyagainsttheflagstaffofthefort。
TheIndianwomendressedallinwhite，theirhaircutsquareacrosstheforeheadandhangingdowntheirbacks，satwiththeirbasketsoffruitandflowersinthemarket
place。Thetown，asnow，builtchieflyofadobes，withafewwoodenhutsdottedabout，wassemi
orientalindesign。Oneverychurchwerecupolasaftertheeasternfashion，flatroofsoneveryhouse，andeverythingshonedazzlingwhiteagainstthedark，metallic
lookingfoliageofthetrees。
Thestreets，asnow，weresandywater
courses，crossedhereandtherewithtraversesofrough
hewnstonetobreaktheforceofthewaterintheseasonoftherains。
Atnightthefirefliesglistenedamongsttheheavyleavesofthemamayesandtheorange
trees，whilstfromtheChacorosethemysteriousvoicesofthedesertnight，andfromtheoutskirtsofthetownthewailingIndianJarabisandCielitossunginahighfalsettokeytothetinklingofacrackedguitar，butbrokennowandthenbythesharpwarningcry`Alertacentinela!'ofthesoldiersonthewalls。
Couldonehavelandedthere，onewouldhavefeltmuchasasailorfeels，droppedonthebeachofEromangooronsomeyetunbemissionariedislandofthePaumotusGroup。
EmbarkingfromCorrientesuptheriverParaguay，theBishopmettwovesselssentfromAsunciontodohimhonour。WhennightapproachedheputinpracticeoneofthemanoeuvreswhichinPeruhadstoodhimingoodstead。
OneverysideaswarmoflaunchesandcanoesaccompaniedtheshiptoseetheBishop，whomalreadymanybelievedasaint。Heaskedthemalltoretirealittlefromhisship。AlldidsobuttheguardofhonoursentfromAsuncion。Towardsthemiddleofthenightthesoundofscourgingwakenedthem。ItwastheirBishoptryingtopreparehimselfforthedutiesthatawaitedhim。Everysucceedingnightthesamethinghappened。
DuringthedayhecelebratedMasspontificallyuponthedeck。VoyagesupontheriverParaguaybeforethedaysofsteamerstookaconsiderabletime，especiallyaseverynightthecustomwastoanchorortomakefastthevesseltoatree。SoontherumourreachedAsuncionthatasecondSt。Thomaswasonhiswaytovisitthem。St。Thomas，asissaid，oncevisitedParaguay，andacaveinthevicinityofatowncalledParaguari，whereheoncelived，existsto
daytoprovethepassageofthesaint。
FateseemeddeterminedthattheBishopshouldalwaysmeettheJesuits，nomatterwherehewent。
Becomingwearyoftheslowprogressoftheships，hedisembarkedfourleaguesbelowAsuncion，atafarmbelongingtotheCompany。
Hemanagedtodissemblehisresentmentsoperfectlythatnooneknewhehadagrudgeagainstthem。Arrivedatthecapital，hewentatoncetothechurchofSanBlas，thentotheCathedral，wherehecelebratedMassandpreached，hismitreonhishead。
Afterservicehedismissedthepeopletotheirhomestodine，saying，however，thathehimselfwasnourishedbyaninvisiblefoodandbyabeveragewhichmencouldnotperceive。`Myfood'hesaid`isbuttodotheworkandwillofHimwhosentme。'Thereforeheremainedinprayerandmeditationuntilvespers，andthatofficefinished，heretiredtothepalaceaccompaniedbyashoutingcrowd。
Inhispositionhisconductwasmostadroit，for，ashisBullshadnotarrived，hemusthaveknownhehadnolegalstatus，andthat，indefaultofthat，hehadtoconquerpublicsympathy。ThechapterneverdoubtedthatDonBernardinowouldplacehimselfentirelyintheirhandsashisBullshadnotarrived。He，however，seemstohavethoughtthattheactofcelebratingMasspontificallyintheCathedralhadputhiminpossessionofhispowers。SohenamedoneCristobalSanchezashisVicar
General。Twoofthemembersofthechapter，DonDiegoPoncedeLeonandDonFernandoSanchez，remonstrated，butaconsiderableportionofthechaptersidedwithCardenas。
ThestrongerpartylefttheCathedralandcelebratedMassinthechurchbelongingtotheJesuits，thusgivingCardenasasecondcauseofoffenceagainsttheCompany。
TheBishop，notbeingsecureofhisposition，hadrecoursetoeveryart
tocatchthepubliceye:fastingandscourging，prayersbeforethealtar，twoMasseseveryday，barefootprocessions
himselfthecentralfigure，carryingacross
eachhadtheirturn。Alongthedeepredroadsbetweentheorange
gardenswhichleadfromAsunciontowardstheRecoletaandtheCampoGrande，heusedtotakehiswayaccompaniedbyIndianscrownedwithflowers，givinghisbenedictionashepassed，toturnawayaccordingtohimselftheplagueandtoinsureafertileharvest。Notbeingcontentwiththeopportunitieswhichlifeafforded，heinstitutedaneveningserviceinachurchinordertopreparefordeath。
Butbesidesputtingintoexecutionallhishistrionictalents，hehadtheadroitnesstoaddresshimselftothosefeelingsofself
interestwhichheknewwereperhapsmorepowerfulthanthoseofadmirationandrespectforhisownsaintlyproceedingsinhisnewdiocese。CretineauJoly，inhis`HistoiredelaCompagniedeJesus'，vol。iii。，p。333
Paris，1845，tellsusthatCardenas`parleauxEspagnols，ils'addressea\leursintere^ts，ilre/veillelesvieuxlevaindediscorde……etilaccuselesmissionnairesd'e^treseulslesapo^tresdelaliberte/desIndiens。'