Page:Catholic Magazine And Review, Volume 3 and Volume 4, 1833.djvu/205

Rh ed his head to the executioner with a presence of mind and serenity of countenance, wich filled the by-standers with admiration. His head was held up to public view, when many of the Christians, encouraged by so heroic an example, exclaimed: "would to God we might die like him," and the pagan spectators bore testimony to the murder of a just and innocent man. Thus did this blessed missionary, after a long life spent in the work of God, receive the glorious crown of which he accounted himself unworthy, but which had ever been the object of bis desires and prayers. He was seventythree years of age, forty-eight of which he had laboured on the Chinese mission.

It has been mentioned, that in the missions of China there are several colleges or seminaries for the education of native priests. One of the largest of these is the seminary of Pulo-Pinang, an island in the Straits of Malacca, inhabited by Malays, but belonging to the English. A letter addressed by the holy martyr, whose death has just been recorded, to the students of this seminary is too interesting an evidence of the spirit, which the Almighty perpetuates from age to age, for the edification and increase of his church, to require an apology for presenting to the reader a few extracts from it.

"My beloved children, (he writes) I thank the divine goodness for having brought you to the place of your destination. Already you have suffered much; but, your vocation being to follow the footsteps of the apostles in the propagation of the kingdom of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, your lives will necessarily be filled with tribulation. Yet, take courage, for, provided you are faithful to the grace which is offered you, he, who. has conquered the world and hell, will give you the victory over all your enemies. If you are careful not to deviate from the path marked out for you by your divine master, you will ever find him your comfort in labour and tribulation, your resource in adversity, and your strength in infirmity, for God is faithful, and will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength. In the meantime, in order to prepare you the better for future conflicts, and as a token of my solicitude and affection for you, I will give you a few instructions to guide your present conduct. If you be faithful in the observance of them, you will give joy to the church,