APRIL*] 
BETHELSDORP. 
1^9 
They have also collected, during the last twelve 
months, seventy rix-dollars, to aid the fund of the 
Missionary Society. They have likewise, with great 
labour, cleared and cultivated many fields. Though 
I cannot say all I should wish to be able to say, in 
favour of Bethelsdorp in a civil point of view, yet the 
above facts will be pleasing to the minds of the unpre- 
judiced, and induce them soon to expect to hear of 
greater things. 
No man who knows any thing of the Moravians 
will condemn them for want of exertion to improve 
their people in civilization ; yet in visiting their settle- 
ments, you will find Hottentots in their original, native, 
scanty skin dress, the same as at Bethelsdorp, and 
living in as mean houses ; and you will hear the mis- 
sionaries speaking with regret concerning the indolence 
of many of the settlers. Truth however obliges me to 
confess, that had the founder of Bethelsdorp (Dr. 
Vanderkemp,) been more aware of the importance of 
civilization, there might at least have been more ex- 
ternal appearance of it than there now is. He seems 
to have judged it necessary, rather to imitate the 
savage in appearance, than to induce the savage to imi- 
tate him — perhaps, considering his conduct counte- 
nanced by what Paul says, of his becoming all things 
to all men, that he might gain some. The doctor 
would appear in public without hat, stockings or shoes, 
and probably without a coat. I leave it to commen- 
tators to determine how far that passage did or did 
s 
