Chimes of Mission Bells

Chimes of Mission Bells

Project Gutenberg's Chimes of Mission Bells, by Maria Antonia Field
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Title: Chimes of Mission Bells
Author: Maria Antonia Field
Release Date: November, 2004 [EBook #6894] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on February 9,
2003]
Edition: 10
Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHIMES OF
MISSION BELLS ***

Produced by David Schwan

Chimes of Mission Bells
An Historical Sketch of California and Her Missions

By Maria Antonia Field

To the Revered Memory of Junipero Serra
And of My Great Grandparents Estéban and Catalina Munrás
This Book Is Affectionately Dedicated

Acknowledgment of Gratitude
In producing this book I wish to thank my Mother, who wrote for me in
modern notation the music of the hymns of the Mission Fathers which
are contained in this work, and gave me much welcome information;
also Rev. Raymond M. Mestres, my zealous parish Priest, successor
and compatriot of Junipero Serra and the Mission Padres, for valuable
data, and for allowing me access to the early archives of San Carlos
Mission and of the Mission Church of Monterey.
Maria Antonia Field Monterey, California, June 1, 1914

Contents

Translation of the Names of the Missions
Tribute to Junipero Serra and the Mission Padres

Chapter I
Junipero Serra, Leader of the Heroic Band of Spanish Missionaries of
California. His Coming to San Fernando, Mexico, Thence to California

Chapter II
Brief Sketch of the Conquest of California and of the Founding of the
Missions. Hospitality of the Missions. Care and Benevolence of the
Missionaries Toward the Indians

Chapter III
More About San Carlos Mission and Monterey

Chapter IV
California Under Spanish Rule

Chapter V
California Passes from Spanish to Mexican Rule. Secularization of the
Missions

Chapter VI
California Passes from Mexican to American Rule

Chapter VII
Mission Anecdotes and Hymns

Chapter VIII
Retrospection of the Work of the Spanish Missionaries, Explorers and
Settlers and their place in California's Appreciation

Chapter IX
Rev. Raymond M. Mestres Writes Historical Drama "Fray Junipero"

Appendix A Letter of Junipero Serra. The Meaning of California
Missions. Dances of Early California Times

Preface

In presenting this modest volume to the public, I wish to call the
attention of my readers to the following facts. Firstly, my humble work
is a work of love--love simple and unalloyed for the venerable Spanish
Missionaries of California and for the noble sons and daughters of
Spain who gave such a glorious beginning and impetus to our state.
Being a direct descendant of pioneer Spaniards of Monterey, I take a
particular interest in California's early history and development and as
my family were staunch friends of the Missionary Fathers and in a
position to know the state of affairs of those times, and to family
tradition I have added authentic knowledge from reading the earliest
archives of San Carlos Mission, as well as other historical references, I
feel I can fearlessly vouch for the truthfulness of my little work.
Secondly-- while fully appreciating the sympathy and interest of many
charming and intellectual characters who grace California to-day, it
must be admitted that there is a sadly ignorant or misinformed number
who scarcely seem to know who Spaniards and their descendants are,
judging from the promiscuous way the term "Spanish" is used, and
what is the result of this among many? Prejudice, and absurd
misunderstanding of the golden days of Spanish California as well as of
the Spanish race and character. It is far from being my wish to offend,
but I wish to present correct historical facts. Thirdly--there is no
pretense to consider this brief sketch a complete or detailed history, but
only a truthful outline of the heroic and chivalrous Mission days.
Maria Antonia Field.

Translation of the Names of the Missions.

1. San Diego.--A Spanish form