The Missionary Life and Labours of Francis Xavier Taken from his own Correspondence, With a Sketch of the General Results of Roman Catholic Missions among the Heathen (1862)

A founding member of the Jesuit order, Francis Xavier (1506-1552) travelled as a missionary to India, Japan and China in the mid-sixteenth century. He is traditionally associated with legends of miraculous works and the conversion of tens of thousands of people. This controversial 1862 biography by the Anglican missionary clergyman Henry Venn (1796-1873) uses Xavier's own words to examine the future saint's character and private thoughts. Xavier's correspondence reveals a sensitive, energetic and occasionally vengeful man who was not averse to employing aggressive means. Containing numerous letters printed in full, Venn's chronicle provides an analysis of Xavier's mission, methods and achievements from a non-Catholic perspective. Venn also explores Xavier's close friendship with the Jesuits' founder Ignatius Loyola, and probes the facts behind previous biographers' tales of miracles. The book ends with a detailed and challenging appraisal of the overall success of the worldwide Roman Catholic mission since the sixteenth century. Cover 1 Frontmatter 2 PREFACE 10 Contents 14 CHAPTER I - XAVIER'S LIFE BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE FOR INDIA 18 SECT. 1. Introduction 18 SECT. 2. Xavier's early history before his designation to India 23 SECT. 3. Xavier's preparation for his departure to India 28 CHAPTER II - FIRST THREE YEARS OF MISSIONARY LIFE IN INDIA 37 SECT. 1. Xavier's arrival in India---Goa 37 SECT. 2. Xavier's Missionary labours on the Fishery Coast 37 SECT. 3. Xavier's abandonment of India---inconsistencies of Xavier's character 85 CHAPTER III - LEGENDARY LIFE OF FRANCIS XAVIER 100 CHAPTER IV - XAVIER'S VISIT TO THE SPICE ISLANDS OF THE INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO 119 CHAPTER V - XAVIER A DIRECTOR OF JESUIT MISSIONS IN THE EAST, AND A ROYAL COMMISSIONER FROM THE KING OF PORTUGAL 138 SECT. 1. Xavier's direction and management of the Jesuit Missions in the East 139 SECT. 2. Xavier the Royal Commissioner of King John III. of Portugal 164 SECT. 3. Xavier's confession, after seven years' labour, of the failure of his endeavours to convert the heathen 172 CHAPTER VI - XAVIER'S LABOURS IN JAPAN 183 SECT. 1. Xavier's preparations for his visit to Japan 184 SECT. 2. Xavier's arrival in Japan, and first account of the people 195 SECT. 3. Conclusion of Xavier's labours in Japan 205 SECT. 4. Legends of Xavier's labours in Japan 227 CHAPTER VII - INTERNAL DISSENSIONS OF THE MISSION IN INDIA 231 CHAPTER VIII - XAVIER'S ATTEMPT TO REACH CHINA---DEATH AND CHARACTER 248 SECT. 1. Xavier's voyage to China, and Death 248 SECT. 2. Xavier's personal character reviewed 267 CHAPTER IX - THE FAILURE OF ROMISH MISSIONS TO THE HEATHEN 279 SECT. 1. Sources of information respecting Romish Missions 279 SECT. 2. Vast extent of Romish Missions 286 SECT. 3. Failure of the principal Romish Missions since the time of Xavier---South India 294 SECT. 4. Concluding Remarks 336 9781108011822 Cambridge Library Collection - Religion Cover......Page 1 Frontmatter......Page 2 PREFACE......Page 10 Contents......Page 14 SECT. 1. Introduction......Page 18 SECT. 2. Xavier's early history before his designation to India......Page 23 SECT. 3. Xavier's preparation for his departure to India......Page 28 SECT. 2. Xavier's Missionary labours on the Fishery Coast......Page 37 SECT. 3. Xavier's abandonment of India---inconsistencies of Xavier's character......Page 85 CHAPTER III - LEGENDARY LIFE OF FRANCIS XAVIER......Page 100 CHAPTER IV - XAVIER'S VISIT TO THE SPICE ISLANDS OF THE INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO......Page 119 CHAPTER V - XAVIER A DIRECTOR OF JESUIT MISSIONS IN THE EAST, AND A ROYAL COMMISSIONER FROM THE KING OF PORTUGAL......Page 138 SECT. 1. Xavier's direction and management of the Jesuit Missions in the East......Page 139 SECT. 2. Xavier the Royal Commissioner of King John III. of Portugal......Page 164 SECT. 3. Xavier's confession, after seven years' labour, of the failure of his endeavours to convert the heathen......Page 172 CHAPTER VI - XAVIER'S LABOURS IN JAPAN......Page 183 SECT. 1. Xavier's preparations for his visit to Japan......Page 184 SECT. 2. Xavier's arrival in Japan, and first account of the people......Page 195 SECT. 3. Conclusion of Xavier's labours in Japan......Page 205 SECT. 4. Legends of Xavier's labours in Japan......Page 227 CHAPTER VII - INTERNAL DISSENSIONS OF THE MISSION IN INDIA......Page 231 SECT. 1. Xavier's voyage to China, and Death......Page 248 SECT. 2. Xavier's personal character reviewed......Page 267 SECT. 1. Sources of information respecting Romish Missions......Page 279 SECT. 2. Vast extent of Romish Missions......Page 286 SECT. 3. Failure of the principal Romish Missions since the time of Xavier---South India......Page 294 SECT. 4. Concluding Remarks......Page 336 The sixteenth-century Jesuit Francis Xavier was invoked as the patron saint of Catholic missionaries as a result of his endeavours in India, Japan and China. This 1862 book is a re-evaluation of his life and achievements, based on intensive study of Xavier's letters by a leading Anglican missionary.