MARCH.] 
BETHELSDORP. 
103 
In their state of society they have no idea of sup^ 
pressing their feelings until a time when it may be 
seasonable to give them vent, but they instantly act as 
they feel. Among uncivilized nations this will gene- 
rally be found to be the case. In Bethelsdorp, though 
most of their minds may be said to be civilized, yet 
their manners are not. The christians there love 
God and all who bear his image; they have relin- 
quished sinful conduct, and are looking for the coming 
of the Son of man ; yet they can sleep on the bare 
ground as comfortably as the European on his bed of 
down — nor do they perceive the necessity for the same 
delicacy in dressing, as he does, because they have 
been accustomed to another mode from their infancy ; 
but many of them are in a state of progression as to 
these things. 
27th. Mr. Corner preached to us in the morning, 
after which the whole congregation walked down to the 
river, when two children were baptized by brother 
Wimmer. He stood in the middle of the little river, 
holding the child, and pouring water upon its head, 
he pronounced the usual words, after which the sur- 
rounding assembly sung a hymn. The service ap- 
peared to be impressive. The many young Hottentots 
around, as well as the elder, behaved with great 
propriety. 
On returning home, a person whom Dr. Vander- 
kemp redeemed from slavery only five years ago, 
followed me to my room. Among other things which 
