Page:China- Its State and Prospects.djvu/254

228 founding of churches, and the printing of Christian books, for the instruction of the surrounding heathen. Having heard that the pagans, in several of the provinces, were accustomed to abandon their children as soon as born, she established a foundling hospital for infants; and seeing many blind people, telling idle stories in the streets for the sake of gain, she got them instructed and sent forth, to relate the different events of Gospel history. A few years before her death, the emperor conferred on her the title of the "virtuous woman," and presented her with a rich dress, covered with plates of silver, which she disposed of, in order to apply the proceeds to acts of charity. She is said to have received the last sacrament, with a lively faith of being united to that God whom she had so zealously loved and served. Her loss was bewailed by the poor as their mother, by the converts as their pattern, and by the missionaries as their best friend.

In the mean time Ricci was joined by several devoted brethren, whom he establislied at the various places which he had visited on his way. At Peking the number of converts increased daily; some of their neophytes were men of influence, and the good will of the great was purchased by liberal gifts.

At length, Ricci, worn down by excessive fatigue, died in 1610. During the reign of the emperor Wan-leĭh, the mission continued to be patronized; till the year 1615, when a persecution was raised against the missionaries, some of whom were beaten, and others imprisoned, while those at court were compelled to retire to Macao. Under the next emperor, the Tartars threatened the capital; and the Chinese, alarmed for their safety, called in the Portuguese to their assistance.