for the ministry of the Word, and the only desire of the holy religious was that the day should come when it would be allowed him to carry the torch of the Gospel into the dark recesses of paganism. The master of novices, who had been divinely instructed, informed him that he should have to wait many years for the privilege, as before accepting the sacrifice of his blood, God demanded of him an offering not so public, but one not less meritorious. Father John prepared for his martyrdom by fresh mortifications, and heaven came to his aid by allowing him to be the mark of infamous calumniations. "I am not ashamed," he said, one day, when his superiors, deceived by lying reports, treated him as if he were guilty. "Since God wishes me to suffer these things, His will be done!" From God alone he expected his justification, and he never complained of men. truth was eventually manifested and his innocence proved.

The

Such acts of virtue drew on him the admiration of his brethren, who unanimously chose him to be their Provincial. To lead his companions by example and exhortation to the exact observance of their Rule was his supreme desire. He went barefoot always, took but short rest, and that on a rough plank, drank nothing but water, fasted continually, and spent hours in prayer. No wonder that he received favours from God in recompense of the victory which his soul's generous efforts had obtained over the body.

During his many and laborious occupations he never forgot that which had been the first object of his desires. The thought that so many are eternally lost for want of knowing the truth sat heavily on his heart, and his eyes were ever turned towards the distant nations lying in darkness and the shadow of death. At last the wished-for day came, and furnished with all the necessary `permissions, Father John prepared to set out for Guadaloupe.

God, however, had other designs on him. It was Morocco that the fervent missioner was to water with his blood. The

voyage to America was put off, and Father John was condemned to wait another year, it being known that the pest was wreaking frightful havoc on the other side of the Straits of Gibraltar. Soon the few religious who had been sustaining the courage of the enslaved Christians were carried off by the plague. At this sad news the kind heart of Father John was torn with pity, and he asked as a favour to be allowed to risk his life in bringing the last consolations of religion to his dying brethren. Urban VIII. appointed him apostolic missionary, and allowed him four religious as companions. Many difficulties came in the way, and when all had been removed, when Blessed John had embarked, and when he was actually in sight of Morocco, suddenly a tempest drove them in the direction of Spain. To complete their misery, two pirate ships which had given them chase were nearing them, and claiming them as their prize. At the instance of the missioner all on board invoked the Blessed Virgin and St. Anthony of Padua. Scarcely had they commenced to pray when the rigging of the main as well as of the foremast of the pirate gave way, and a favourable breeze springing up they arrived safely in Cadiz, freed from slavery and the terrors of the deep. They had reason to chant: Cedunt mare, vincula.

This mishap had no discouraging effect upon Father John; six days after he set sail once more, and at length reached Africa, and landed at the little town of Hazagan, which was in the hands of the Spanish. It would take a long time to go through a recital of all the difficulties and delays he had to encounter before obtaining his desire. At last he found himself in the town of Morocco, consoling and encouraging the poor Christian captives, who had for a long time been deprived of the comforts of religion. In a few days, however, he was told that he should leave the country immediately. The news only inflamed afresh his zeal, and at his burning words the wavering grew firm, many apostates

deplored their fall and returned to the fold, and all, fortified with the Bread of the Strong, cried out that they would rather suffer the most atrocious tortures than give up the faith.

The Moorish king, hearing of the change in those whom he hoped to see apostatize, became furious, and ordered Fathers John and Matthew, and Brother Gisenius, who accompanied them, to be put in chains.

Cast into a villainous dungeon, the Friars, worthy descendants of the first martyrs of the Order, who had also reddened with their blood the ungrateful soil of Morocco, commenced the Te Deum. "It is now, O Lord!" cried Father John, kissing the chains with which he was loaded, "it is now indeed I know how much you love me. How dear to me is this gift of Thy hand!" There are not many who would consider such affliction a proof of God's love.

Soon after the prisoners were condemned to pound saltpetre in a great mortar. The holy men set gaily to work, but their energy and good will were not sufficient to relieve them from the brutal treatment of their warders, who had been directed to break down their patience if possible.

One day the tyrant wished to enjoy looking on at their sufferings" How goes the work ?" he jeeringly asked. "Well," answered Father John, "for such is God's pleasure." "How do you know it is God's pleasure?" "All power," answered the martyr, "is of God, and all princes, Moorish as well as Christian, derive their authority from heaven. I am your prisoner, and you bid me work. It is God Himself, therefore, I obey."

To read the account of the cruelties inflicted by the Mahomedans on these faithful disciples of Christ would make one fancy that the early persecutions of the Church had been renewed. After having passed many days without receiving the least nourishment, they were brought before the judges. On this occasion it would appear that they were

remanded. On a certain day they were sent for by the king himself. The bold answers of Blessed John excited the fury of the tyrant. He ordered him to be scourged on two different occasions. But while the blood flowed from every part of his body, and while the flesh was actually torn from his bones, the martyr was absorbed in giving thanks to God, and in encouraging his companions. "Now," he said, "we are put to the proof, let us bear bravely the trials of a life which passes away like smoke." The other two religious were treated in the same barbarous fashion.

On their return to their prison cell, Father John announced to his companions his approaching triumph, and their deliverance. In fact, at that moment there came a messenger to lead him to the palace of the king, who, put to shame by the constancy he had shown, had sworn that he should not live another day. But first he tried to gain over the martyr with specious promises. "What are your riches and honours to me?" was the reply. "I have served my crucified Master for more than sixty years. Shall I renounce Him at the very moment when He is to be my Lord for ever? As for your Mahomet, he can but lead those who follow him to hell.” It was more than enough to unmask the seducer. No longer able to contain himself, he struck a violent blow with his scimitar on the head of Father John, and followed up the first assault by piercing the saint's body with arrows.

Immediately, God showed how pleasing to Him were the struggles of His servant. A bright light encircled the martyr, and struck the bystanders with consternation. The tyrant would not allow himself to be convinced, and hastened the death of one whose constancy he could not conquer. The apostate Christians looking on were willing instruments of his rage. They flung themselves upon the prisoner, and in a short time it seemed that life was extinct. But, strange to say, after all his previous tortures, Blessed John still lived. Even when cast into an enormous fire he continued to expose

the falseness of the Koran. At last he sank under a heap of stones which the renegades had hurled upon him, and died. He was in his sixty-ninth year. Pope Benedict XIII. placed him on the roll of those who had been martyred for the faith.

AN INCIDENT OF THE MISSIONS IN WALES.

It has often been a matter of surprise to those interested in the work of the Missions in Wales that so few Welsh people are converted to the faith; a conversion amongst them is a rare occurrence, so much so, that we are accustomed to say, "It requires more than a miracle to convert a Welshman." There are, however, here and there, some notable exceptions, and a Welshman once thoroughly convinced and converted, is a treasure of faith and firmness.

For several years after Father Elzear's arrival in Pontypool, an elderly woman, of rather uncouth appearance, with dark, tanned face and hard features, used to come in an impulsive, desultory way, and at all sorts of odd times, to the church, and entreat to have her confession heard, and be allowed to have Holy Communion, without a moment's delay, as if it were a matter of life and death. She accounted for her appearance at specially inconvenient times by explaining to the Fathers that her husband was a Welshman, and so contrary, "that she could only get to church by stealth when he was out of the way." Once she appeared at six o'clock in the evening, having fasted all day, waiting for an opportunity to get out, and could hardly be persuaded to go away without having her desire gratified. The poor creature, when in church, used to pray with a fervour that reminded one of the words of our Lord: "The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent bear it away." It seemed as if her