FIRST COMMUNION AT PITCAIRN. 225 
prospect opening to the Pitcairn community. A 
small sum will suffice to keep up a knowledge 
of the Tahitian language — the voice by which 
the extension of the Gospel will be forwarded. 
I hope and trust that it will please God to give 
His blessing to all that has been done." 
The Admiral, at the same time, forwarded a 
communication addressed to him by the Rev. 
W. H. Holman, dated Pitcairn, Dec. 21st, 1852. 
From this it appeared that the people had been 
greatly pleased with the presents brought by the 
Cockatrice, and felt truly grateful for the kind- 
ness of their friends. Two deaths had occurred 
on the island — Mary Christian, and a little boy, 
William Quintal ; the latter from lock-jaw, occa- 
sioned by a thorn running into his foot. The 
people were healthy, with the exception of the 
slight illness caused by vaccination, which had 
proved successful in every case. 
A very favourable report was given of the 
moral and religious character of the Islanders. 
The first administration of the Holy Com- 
munion had taken plaee, when the whole of the 
adult congregation (sixty-two persons) received 
the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. 
Soon after this, the Chief Magistrate, in the 
name of the community, wrote to Admiral 
Moresby in the following terms : — 
"Pitcairn's Island, January IZth, 1853. 
"Dear and honoured Father, — 
" We, the inhabitants of Pitcairn's Island, 
filled with a sense of gratitude for the many 
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