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When the news of this second mission in the new land reached the City of Mexico, there was great rejoicing. Bells were rung, people ran up and down the streets telling the good news, and printed accounts of it were circulated throughout Mexico and were sent to Spain. It was indeed good news, for now the occupation of the country was really accomplished and the great work of converting the Indians really begun.

The Life Work of Father Serra Completed

The next few years were years of struggle and hardship and years of heroic achievement, also. These devoted men, far from home in a strange land, laboring earnestly for the salvation of the heathen, endured privation and encountered dangers with patience and courage and with a firm faith that God would crown their efforts with success.

Father Junipero went up and down the country founding missions, and cheering and helping his brother monks. In the face of most appalling discouragement and suffering, his ardor was never chilled, his courage never daunted. His joy and enthusiasm on the beginning of a new mission were vividly described by one who went with him to establish the Mission of San Antonio.

They had wandered off into the wilderness in search of a suitable location, eagerly looking for river valleys which would promise fertility. Father Serra, catching sight of a beautiful oak-shaded plain, ordered a halt. He seized the

bells, and hanging them on an oak bough, began to ring them vigorously, meantime calling aloud, "Hear, hear, O ye Gentiles; come to the Holy Church, come to the Faith of Jesus Christ." On being reminded that not one Indian was in sight, he said, "Let me unburden my heart which could wish that this bell might be heard by all in these mountains and by all the world."

In founding a mission it was the custom first to set up a cross and then to make a shelter of branches called a Ramada, where Mass could be celebrated. The Indians were summoned to the place by the ringing of bells, and presents of cloth and trinkets were given to inspire them with faith in the strangers. Two monks were left in charge of each mission and a few soldiers remained to help and defend them.

The priests were forbidden to carry arms, and mantles of deerskin were their only protection against the arrows of hostile Indians, yet they went about unharmed even among unknown tribes. Many of these tribes were friendly, but some were fearful and distrustful. The Fathers, however, were very patient and continued to treat all with the greatest kindness, and in time they won their deepest love and confidence. To show their gratitude and devotion to the friars, the Indians had a beautiful custom of scattering choice grain on the ground before their feet.

The San Carlos Mission at Monterey was Father Serra's own especial charge. When not called away as President of the Missions, he spent his time here, teaching the Indians

and working side by side with them, making adobe for the buildings, digging in the field, doing in fact every kind of

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work that he required of them. He devoted the remaining years of his life to untiring efforts for the poor Indians of California, and their inconsolable grief at his death

was a greater tribute to his memory than the most eloquent eulogy.

A marble statue representing Father Serra in a boat about to land has been erected in his honor at Monterey on the spot where the booth of branches was made and Mass first celebrated.

Life at a Mission

At each mission there were buildings providing for hundreds of occupants, and there the Indians were taught the useful arts of civilization. They were trained to be farmers, carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, saddlers, tailors, millers and artisans in other branches of industry.

A mission was a busy place: men working at trades and tilling the land; women spinning and weaving; young men learning to chant the music of the Church and practicing on the violin, flute, horn and violoncello; children in school; activity everywhere indoors and out of doors. But at the sound of the mission bells at morning, noon and evening, all would leave their work and hasten to the church to assist at Mass or to join in the devotions. In the evening there were games of running, leaping, ball playing and other amusements.

Mission Architecture

The buildings of the missions were usually erected around an open court. The façade of the church formed the front of

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