Revised Jun 19 2021
The Church.
Divine service is performed in the school-house, which is capable of containing about 200 people. Two services are performed on Sundays. After the second service, a Sunday-school is held. The Communion Service, Gospels, and Epistles are read only on the first Sunday in the month. In the three following weeks, the Litany is read. They are also questioned on the Catechism the first Sunday in the month, during the afternoon service. Mr. Nobbs, to whom they look up with great respect of which he is most fully deserving, acts as minister; although, unfortunately, not in holy orders, on which account he does not venture to administer the Eucharist. They are much in want of a church bell, that which they now use being too small and cracked; it is rung for school as well as for church, and also whenever a vessel is reported in sight. No work is performed on Sunday, not even if a vessel should call at the island for provisions on that day, unless she be in actual necessity of them. Forty pupils attend the Sunday-school. There are three burial-places, containing but few tomb-stones; most of these have the name of the deceased engraved upon them, on copper from out of the Bounty. Their funerals are always attended by every person upon the island, even if the deceased be only an infant. Mr. Nobbs holds a Bible-class, every Wednesday evening, in his own house. The women are not allowed to marry under the age of sixteen. Prayers are read night and morning, in every house; and a blessing asked always at meals.*
∗ In 1814, when H.M.S. Britain called here, ChristianThursday October Christian and George Young went on board; and being invited by Sir Thomas Staines to go down below and take some refreshment, the interest and surprise of the officers was not a little increased when, on having provisions set before them, ChristianChristian rose up, and placing his hands in a devotional posture, repeated in a pleasing and serious tone of voice:— “For what we are going to receive may the Lord make us truly thankful!“
Before quitting the church, I must mention that, although Mr. Nobbs has been of the greatest service to these islanders, he is now getting old and infirm, and ought to be allowed to retire, and his place occupied by a minister, if possible in holy orders, and one who knows a little of medicine; and this ought to be carried into effect immediately, either by H. M. Government, or some laudable religious society.