SOUTH SEA ACADEMY. 
269 
is not yet among them that fine sense of decency, 
which is so powerful a safeguard to virtue ; and, 
besides this, the circumstances of the families are 
far from being the most pleasing. 
In only two of the islands is there more than 
one Missionary; and only at the Academy, where 
Mr. Blossom is associated with Mr. Orsmond, is 
there more than one family at a station. The duties 
of each settlement, from the partially organized state 
of society, and the multitude of objects demanding 
his attention, are such, that the Missionary cannot 
devote the necessary time to the education of his 
own children, without neglecting public duties; 
hence he experiences a constant and painful 
struggle between the dictates of parental affection 
and the claims of pastoral care. To afford relief, 
as far as possible, from this embarrassment, 
the South Sea Academy was established by the 
deputation from the Society, and the Missionaries 
in the islands, in March, 1824. 
In compliance with the earnest recommendation 
of the deputation, and the solicitation of his 
brethren, Mr. Orsmond removed from Borabora, 
to take charge of the institution, over which he 
has continued to preside, to the satisfaction of the 
parents, and the benefit of the pupils. The first 
annual meeting was held in March, 1825 ; the 
children had not only been taught to read the 
scriptures, and to commit the most approved cate¬ 
chisms to memory, but had also been instructed 
in writing, grammar, history, &c. During the 
examination, portions of scripture were read and 
recited, copy-books examined, problems in geo¬ 
metry worked, and parts of catechisms on geogra¬ 
phy, astronomy, and chronology, repeated. The 
whole of the proceedings gave satisfaction to all 
