Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/726

706 of repose, employing him at such work as he liked, and availing himself of the old provincial's great experience. Father Plaza arrived from Peru in December 1579, bringing Father Diego García and Brother Marcos. The services of the Jesuits were successfully employed by the viceroy in carrying Christian instruction into certain towns. During the great epidemic that decimated the natives in 1575-8, they labored assiduously in caring for and administering the sacraments to the sick and dying. In 1590 arrived as visitador of the province Father Diego de Avellaneda, one of the most learned and virtuous men that had come to America.

The Jesuits early began to extend their field of labor. They entered Oajaca in 1575 and made good progress there. In Puebla they had advanced considerably by 1580 and established the college of San Gerónimo, which they were, however, on the point