Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/754

734 second term of one of his successors, Alonso de la Veracruz, strenuous exertions were made by the order to secure for the religious orders the tithes paid by the natives.

The discipline prescribed by the rules becoming relaxed, to the scandal of the order, Provincial Medina Rincon, a man of much equanimity though capable of sternness when occasion demanded it, summoned to his presence in Culhuacan the offending members and despatched them to Spain. They attempted remonstrance, and even bluster, but the provincial was firm. So large was the number thus offending that some of the convents had to be abandoned in consequence, but the progress of the order was not retarded thereby, and good discipline was restored. At this time the Philippines were under the province of Mexico, Which supplied them with such missionaries as it could spare. Under Father Adriano's rule the increased number of friars permitted the districts to be divided for more thorough administration.

Father Veracruz brought from Spain the lignum