Libr@rsi

1656-58] RELA TION OF 1656-57 61
only from the miraculous things that have happened
there, as Your Reverence will see in the Journal,
but also from the numerous first-fruits already con-
secrated to heaven,— that we depart, with all confi-
dence, to cause the name of Jesus Christ to resound
in those lands where the Devil has always been
master from the beginning of the world.
If those peoples are so anxious to have us in their
country, we feel no less eagerness to leave ours, and
to go among them. And this is another proof of the
will of God, who disposes all things so opportunely
that I find myself equally and agreeably importuned
from two very different directions,— on one side, by
the Iroquois, who urge us; on the other, [196] by our
Fathers and Brethren, who eagerly ask to be allowed
to join the party. The desire of the former and the
zeal of the latter compel me to satisfy them all ; and,
although the former have hitherto manifested nothing
but cruelty, the latter feel only an affection for
them, which makes them hold life cheap, and lavish
it generously, for the salvation of those who have so
often sought to put them to death. I have no doubt
that God — who himself governs his work, and who
inspires that fervor in the Fathers of our Society
who are in these countries— will do likewise in our
Houses in France; and will induce many to come
and have a share in Conquests so brilliant, although
accompanied by incredible labors and very great
dangers,— or, rather, by lofty hopes of dying on the
field of battle. I can readily imagine that they will
cast themselves at the feet of Your Reverence, as I
see them here embracing mine, in order to obtain
the greatest favor that a member of the society of
Jesus can expect to obtain; for he can never hope