CONTENTS.

Chapter I.

Origin of the Society of Jesus. St. Ignatius Loyola — his character, life, and labours. The establishment of the Society. The first Fathers, and their works. Jesuits in Ireland and in Italy. Struggles against heresy. St. Francis Xavier and foreign missions. His preaching, miracles, and wonderful success. 1

Chapter II.

Jesuits in Germany. The Society in Portugal. The Council of Trent. South American missions. The Conference of Ratisbon. St. Francis Borgia, Duke of Gandia. Progress of the Society. Death of St. Ignatius. Calvinism. France. Calvin's opinion of the Society and that of the Council of Trent. The plague at Lyons. Poland. Foreign missions.

The plague in Europe. Jealousy of the Society in Portugal and France. South America. The Calvinists murder seventy Jesuits on the high seas. St. Francis Borgia and the battle of Lepanto. The Jesuits in England and Ireland. 22

Chapter III.

Sufferings of Jesuits in England. The Gunpowder Plot. Persecutions in Scotland and Ireland. Missions in South America. Missions in North America 44

Chapter IV.

Jesuit missions in Japan. A Japanese Henry VIII. Inhuman persecutions. Missions in China. Father Ricci Tonquin and Cochin China. The dispute about Chinese ceremonies. Bulls of Benedict XIV. Missions in India, Philippines, &c. 63

Chapter V.

Missions in the North of Europe. Father Possevin. Lutheran persecutors. Queen Christina. Germany. Don John of Austria. The Low Countries. War and pestilence. Persecutions and martyrdoms in Germany. Awful persecutions in England and Ireland. Cromwell and the Puritans. Infamous plot of Titus Oates, Persecutions in France. Foul calumnies. Jansenism. The Plague 82

Chapter VI.

Jansenism and infidelity in France. The Jesuits suppressed in France, Spain, and Portugal. Fathers Nethard and Daubenton. Infidel conspiracy against the Society. King of Spain deceived by forgeries. Persecutions in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and South America. The Emperor Nicholas I. of Paraguay. Cruel persecutions of De Pombal. 109

Chapter VII.

The history of the order in Italy. Progress under various Generals. Bellarmine. St. Aloysius de Gonzaga. Venice. Extraordinary transactions in Malta. Organised infidel attack on the order. The Pope threatened and bullied. Suppression of the order. Survival in Russia. Reinstatement of the order. Infamous calumnies. Recent Missions. The distinguished men of the order. Services of the prder to mankind 135