John of Monte Corvino: Report from China 1305John of Monte Corvino (1247-1328) was a Franciscan priest and the first archbishop of Cambalec (present-dayPeiping) in 1307. He crossed central Asia during a rare interval of peace when that region was controlled by theMongol Khans.I, Friar John of Monte Corvino, of the order of Minor Friars, departed from Tauris, a city of the Persians, in theyear of the Lord 1291, and proceeded to India. And I remained in the country of India, wherein stands thechurch of St. Thomas the Apostle, for 13 months, and in that region baptized in different places about 100persons. The companion of my journey was Friar Nicholas of Pistoia, of the order of Preachers, who died there,and was buried in the church aforesaid.I proceeded on my further journey and made my way to Cathay, the realm of the Emperor of the Tartars who iscalled the Grand Cham. To him I presented the letter of our lord the Pope, and invited him to adopt the Catholicfaith of our Lord Jesus Christ, but he had grown too old in idolatry. However he bestows many kindnesses uponthe Christians, and these 2 years past I am abiding with him... In this mission I abode alone and without anyassociate for 11 years; but it is now going on for 2 years since I was joined by Friar Arnold, a German of theprovince of Cologne.I have built a church in the city of Cambaliech, in which the king has his chief residence. This I completed 6years ago; and I have built a bell-tower to it, and put 3 bells in it. I have baptized there, as well as I canestimate, up to this time some 6000 persons; and if those charges against me of which I have spoken had notbeen made, I should have baptized more than 30000. And I am often still engaged in baptizing.Also I have gradually bought 150 boys, the children of pagan parents, and of ages varying from 7 to 11, whohad never learned any religion. These boys I have baptized, and I have taught them Greek and Latin after ourmanner. Also I have written out psalters for th...