90 E. D. Maclagan— Jeswit Missions to the Emperor Akbar. (No. 1, 
_ to those under age. We do not extend to them the usual dispensations 
because it is well that being new Christians they should, from devotion, 
imitate in something the austerity of the early Christians. There will be 
no lack of opportunity hereafter for their availing themselves of the con- 
cessions which will be made to them in the course of time. Also we have 
regard to the Muhammadans, who hold our fasting in great contempt 
seeing that we eat twice a day; and to those Christians who were formerly 
Muhammadans it would seem as if they did not fast at all, so that ‘sieut 
exhibuerunt in membra sua servire in iniquitate ad iniquitatem, having 
observed the Muhammadan fast with such rigour ‘ita exhibuerant ila 
servire justitie in sanctificationem. Every Friday evening in Lent, we have 
a sermon to the Christians: at the end we show them the crucifix which is 
placed, covered, on the* altar, after which the Litany is recited, and then 
as many men as the Church can hold (for here in Agra it is very small) 
take the discipline, while the Father recites the ‘ Miserere. When these 
have finished others take their place, and so on till all have taken their 
turn. They take the discipline across the back, according to our custom - 
so do nearly all the Christians, old and new. When we have alarger Church 
there will be recom to conduct these exercises with greater solemnity. The 
offices for Holy Week are simply recited, but the other ceremonies are carried 
out with all solemnity. The washing of the feet is performed fully with 
great devotion and consolation. All go to confession during Lent; and on 
Maunday Thursday and Hasterday more than forty persons of both sexes 
who a few years ago were followers of Muhammad, received Holy Com- 
munion. The mystery of the Supreme Sacrament is preached to them 
individually and in general, and the privilege of approaching it is highly 
prized whenever we give them leave. May God keep them and advance 
them in perfection every day. Amen.’ ; 
Many of the congregation were however sadly in want of tem- 
poral aid. Some of the Portuguese captured at Asirgarh had imdeed’ 
been enlisted by Akbar as ahdis, ‘i.e., soldiers with two horses apiece,’ 
but there were many others who were entirely dependant on the 
alms of the Fathers. The case of the fifty shipwrecked Portuguese 
captives! gave the Fathers much trouble. They besought the inter- 
cession of the Prince Salim, and even of ‘Aziz Koka (‘ whose son had 
sent them here’), for the purpose of obtaining the Emperor’s permission 
for the return of these captives to Goa; but Akbar insisted on the 
payment of a large ransom. This the Fathers said was impossible and 
at last the Emperor suddenly gave in. The Portuguese were greatly 
delighted and came to make their salam, while Xavier thanked the 
Emperor saying: ‘My Lord, you have liberated fifty captives and in so 
doing have made fifty thousand Portuguese your servants.’ Shortly 
afterwards Akbar made them shoot ata mark before him and ‘ those 
who did so, hit the white at almost every shot.’ ‘That same afternoon 
1 See p. 88 above. 
