The Missions of California and the Old Southwest

In musing over the history of the old Missions, the mind is led to inquire as to the benefits that have been conferred upon mankind by the labors, triumphs and defeat of the padres during their brief sojourn in the Southwest.  Through their work was confined to a few heathen tribes, its pure and unselfish purpose and beneficent results cannot be questioned, for these are attested in the annals of those days.  The fact that great and lasting benefits are evident in that they affected favorably his earthly and provided for his immoral, welfare. Moreover, that which promotes the progress of one portion of mankind works ultimately for the benefit of the entire race.  The wonderful amelioration of the moral and social lives of wild men living in a western wilderness, which was effected by the padres during a short period of sixty-odd years in California, is known throughout the world, and millions of family of man have both rejoiced and mourned over the bright career of the Fathers and its fateful ending.  Regret for the fate of the Missions is almost universal.  The philanthropic American givers over the defeat of pious efforts and a grand purpose, that serving, would have elevated the Indian races and preserved them from extinction.  All who read and reflect, if they have an instinctive sense of right and of love for humanity, must deplore the passing of the Missions; for their spiritual power and influence not only reclaimed the savage, but still lived after their suppression, to prepare the way for the civilization which came later under American sovereignty.  What more could be said for those heroes who sacrificed themselves that the pariahs of the unexplored region might be saved.  May honor and glory ever rest upon the names of the old padres of the Missions of California and the Old Southwest.

Chicago, January 1, 1907

• California And Its Early Inhabitants
• First Attempts To Christianize The Natives
• The Franciscans
• The Advent Of Junipero Serra
• The First Missionary Expedition
• The Indians of the Missions
• The Padres as Agriculturists
• The Wealth of the Missions
• The Missions
  • San Diego Mission
  • San Carlos Borremeo Mission
  • San Antonio De Padua Mission
  • San Gabriel, Arcangel Mission
  • San Luis Obispo De Tolosa Mission
  • San Francisco De Asis Mission
  • San Juan Capistrano Mission
  • Santa Clara Mission
  • San Buenaventura Mission
  • Santa Barbara Mission
  • La Purisima Concepcion Mission
  • Santa Cruz Mission
  • La Soledad Mission
  • San Jose Mission
  • San Juan Mission, Bautista
  • San Miguel Mission
  • San Fernando Mission, Rey De Espagna
  • San Luis Mission, Rey De Francia
  • San Jose De Guadalupe Mission
  • Santa Inez Mission
  • The Old San Rafael Arcangel Mission
  • The Chapels of California and the Old Southwest
  • The Missions of Lower California
  • The Missions Of Texas
  • The Missions of New Mexico
  • The Missions of Arizona

The Missions Of California And The Old Southwest, by Jessie S. Hildrup A. C. McClurg & Co., 1912