This page has been validated.
348
OUR NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR.
THE VIRGIN.
It needs him, for it is woefully given to idolatry. The image of the Virgin of the Ranchos, a league out of town, is visited by the image of Joseph, just before the rainy season begins, and he escorts her to town, where she stays as his guest until the rain falls, when she is escorted back again. This procession, it is said, causes the rain. It was worldly-wise to select that time for the visit. But it has failed lately, perhaps because of the presence of the Protestants. There has been scarcely any rain here for two years, despite these visits of the images and their and their worshipers. This failure may open their eyes to the folly of this idolatry.
We held English service at Mr. Thomson's house in the after-