CHAPTER II - FIRST THREE YEARS OF MISSIONARY LIFE IN INDIA

Summary

We now enter upon a review of the Missionary career of Francis Xavier in the East. His labours extended over ten years and a half, from his arrival in India, May 1542, to his death on the coast of China in December 1552. These labours may be divided into four periods.

The first, comprising Xavier's labours in South India for rather more than three years.

The second, his voyage to the Chinese Archipelago, which occupied two years and four months.

A third period of four years which was devoted to the management of his Indian Missions, and to a voyage to Japan, a two years’ residence there, and return to India.

The fourth, and remaining period of about one year, which was spent in India, and in an abortive attempt to enter China.

The first period will be comprised in the sections of the present chapter.

Xavier's arrival in India—Goa.

Xavier left the shores of Europe for his Indian Mission, April 7, 1541, having just completed the thirtyfifth year of his age. The fleet comprised six vessels. The voyage was unusually lengthened, and they were compelled to winter in the island of Mozambique, where there was a Portuguese garrison. Here they were detained six months. The Viceroy's ship set sail for India before the rest of the fleet, and visited Melinda on the coast of Africa, where there was another Portuguese garrison, adjoining a large Mohammedan city. Xavier had here a conversation with an intelligent Mohammedan, who deplored, even then, the retrograde condition of their religion : out of seventeen mosques in the city, which were once all well attended, only five were now used.