THE INDIANS UNDER THE PADRES The first consideration of the padres in dealing with the Indians was the salvation of their souls.

Of this no honest and honorable man can hold any question.

Serra and his coadjutors believed, without equivocation or reserve, the doctrines of the Church.

As one reads his diary, his thought on this matter is transparent.

In one place he thus naively writes: "It seemed to me that they (the Indians) would fall shortly into the apostolic and evangelic net." This accomplished, the Indians must be kept Christians, educated and civilized.