Untitled Page 6

of venerable Padre Junipero, which I did 6 weeks ago, after
having been given up as suffering from incurable a disease
by prominent physicians of this city. I regained my health,
and I will be ever thankful to the saintly Missionary. Now
my leave of absence having expired, I must return to the vineyard
entrusted to my care. But before I leave, I have to accomplish
a difficult task, the raising of funds, a thing most necessary
for the development of our missions. In order to show how great
the necessity is of getting means, I will try to give in short a
description of the missions under the charge of the Franciscan Father,
and of the work done by them. The missions in Asia entrusted
to our care comprise five provinces of the whole Chinese empire.
Hupe - Hunan - Schensi - Sansi - Santung. About 90 of the
Sons of St. Francis are working hard there for the conversion of
the inhabitants. The missions are maintained by charity of
good and pious souls, both from America and Europe. A great
deal already has been done, but a far greater portion has to be done.
The number of converts under our charge amounts to about 150000
souls. Everywhere chapels and churches have been built. Schools
we have established, wherever we could, and orphan asylums erected
in different places. It is especially for the maintenance of orphan
asylums we need help. As you know, Honorable Lady, the exposing
of and throwing away of children in China is a very common thing;