83. To Count Haco

Anselm, by the grace of God Archbishop of Canter bury, to Haco, Count of the Orkneys, greeting, and the blessing of God.

I hear that for want of teachers the people under your rule do not know and practise the Christian religion as they ought But I am very glad to learn by the report of the bishop whom you now have by God's grace, that your prudence readily receives the Word of God, and any salutary advice. Relying on this, I send your earnestness my letter of admonition to you to follow carefully the preaching and teaching of the said bishop; and to seek, so far as in you lies, that your people may do the same. For you can do nothing by which you might better attain the remission of your sins and the glory of eternal life, than by ad monishing your people to fulfil the religion of Christ, and attracting them to it in every way you can. Which you might fulfil, God helping you, if, as I have told you just now, you submit yourself in devout and holy humility and with genuine good-will to your bishop. If by the inspiration of God you will yield to my advice and exhortation, I pray God Almighty Himself to direct and guard both you and all your people by His grace, and from my heart I send you the benediction and absolution of God, and my own humble prayers. Almighty God so make you to live in this world as that in the next world you may be united to the blessed company of angels. Amen.