ing filthiness, to a decent cleanliness; from a wild, irregular life,
to order and social rules; from uninstructed stupidity, to a knowledge
and practice of morality and the useful arts of civilised man;
in fine, from a gross ignorance of the Supreme Being, to a due sense
of the superintending goodness of the Great Creator of the universe.
When missionary labors produce effects such as these, every well-
wisher of mankind will view them with respect. Such, at least, are
the professed objects of this institution; and if some instances: are to
be found, which show that they have not in every case been attained,
and that seed sown on a sterile soil has been unproductive,
we are not on that account to shut our eyes against the many
proofs of the utility of such an establishment as Genadendal. Every
one acquainted with human nature, will be ready to acknowledge, that
many difficulties must be overcome in the course of such an attempt,
To inculcate the necessity of honest industry, as a chief moral
duty, is in effect cutting off the root of, at least, half the miseries of
the Hottentot race, and tends to make these people a more valuable
part of the population of the colony. Their general quiet and harmless
character gives them a superior claim to encouragement, and
renders them friendly to the existing government. By persuading or
compelling them to the observance of the precepts of morality, and
by drawing them under the influence of religion, their vices, which
commonly are not of the most atrocious kind, may be repressed probably
with less difficulty than would be met with in many other uncivilised
nations. But such a desirable end is not to be accomplished
by the ignorant enthusiast: it is the man of genuine morality and
humble piety who, gifted by nature with the talents of a teacher,
improved by education, and warmed by the spirit of pure philanthropy,
seeks not fo gratify his vanity by public approbation, but
considers it a sufficient reward for his persevering labors, to behold
the temporal and religious improvement of those whom, with affectionate
humanity, he has taken under his care and guidance. A
solicitude for the welfare of our fellow-creatures, can proceed
from nought but the best feelings of the heart; and it is this
which constitutes the essence of a true missionary: but a blind
desire to infuse his own peculiar religious doctrines, and a disregard
to the worldly improvement of his followers, are the distinguishing
marks of an opposite character, and can only exist in a mind altogether
unfit for the undertaking. The harm such men do in the
cause is seldom to be remedied. The savage witnesses the superiority
of civilised men, and longs to be taught those arts which have
created that superiority; but if, instead of gratifying so natural a
wish, his teacher will inform him of nothing but the incomprehensible
mysteries of religion, he is disappointed, perhaps disgusted,
and resolves to shut his ears to further instruction. Would the
missionary content himself, in the onset, with teaching them such
useful arts as would add to their daily comfort, he would gain their
esteem and respect, most likely their gratitude; and having thus
secured their confidence, would find their minds and hearts in a
state better fitted to listen to his precepts, and to receive the lessons
of religion. ■
Even the place itself had an air of tranquillity, and the little
grove seemed to cast a modest peaceful shade around. The brethren
appearing much pleased with the sketch I made of this scene, and
lamenting that, though several visitors had promised them a drawing
of it, to send to their society in Europe, they had all forgotten their
promise, I engaged to fulfil it for them; which I did a few weeks
afterwards.
In the afternoon, we were conducted part of the way up the
mountains, to a spot whence we had a commanding view of the
whole settlement, and of the vale of th e , Zondereinde; while the
numerous huts of the Hottentots, half hid in the midst of gardens,
through which the winding rivulet took its course, formed altogether
an interesting picture. On the eastern bank, a few huts appeared
detached from the re s t; these belonged' to some Caffres (or Iiaffers),
who had taken up their abode here, and proved worthy members of
this community.
From the summit of these mountains, it is said that Table
Mountain and the Bay can be distinguished; but the unfavourable
state of the weather, and the late hour of the day, obliged us hastily