186 LETTER FROM THE ISLANDERS. 
Sabbath ; but we are much in want of Pray^r- 
books, Psalms, and Watts 1 s Hymns, for public 
use. The procuring some for us would be con- 
ferring a most essential service. Elementary 
books for the younger classes in the school, and 
Walkinghame's or other books on arithmetic for 
the more advanced scholars, are greatly needed. 
In short, the want of school requisites generally 
impedes the progress of the rising generation. 
" The next thing we would respectfully state 
our want of, is a medicine-chest ; for there is a 
vast amount of sickness among us, and serious 
accidents frequently occur. Our teacher possesses 
considerable skill as a physician, but his know- 
ledge is often rendered comparatively valueless 
from the want of the necessary remedies. 
" One thing more, before we conclude, we 
earnestly present to your consideration ; and as 
it comes in an especial manner within the pro- 
vince of your holy office, we would indulge the 
hope that our application will be attended with 
success. The case in question is this: Our 
teacher, who has b,een with us for nineteen years 
in that capacity, and whose services to us are 
invaluable, has never received the licence or 
sanction of the proper authority in that Church, 
of which we are a component part. This cir- 
cumstance is a source of much anxiety both to 
him and us ; and as our number amounts to 
138 (71 males and 67 females), and is rapidly 
increasing, we do most urgently, but most re- 
spectfully, solicit your application to the proper 
quarter for a pastoral letter, inducting or sanc- 
tioning our teacher into the holy office he has for 
