FIRST COMMUNION AT PITCAIRN. 217 
" Truly my heart rejoices at the completion 
of my wishes in Mr. Nobbs's ordination, and the 
future prospect opening to the Pitcairn commu- 
nity. 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 have now only to 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 Eev. 
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 that of Mary Christian, on the 
24th October, and a little boy, William Quin- 
tall, on the 1st of November; the latter from 
lock-jaw, occasioned by a thorn running into his 
foot. The people were healthy, with the excep- 
tion of the slight illness caused by vaccination, 
which was proceeding satisfactorily, and which 
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 Communion 
had taken place on the island, 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 the Admiral 
in the following grateful terms : 
P 
