VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA. Ill 
" multiplying magistrates and other officers, unnecessary in tLis 
" place. You say yourselves, that the captain's business is not 
" in the village, but out of it, in securing deserters, assisting 
" in the regulation of taxes, &:c. and in other general affairs of 
" the country. For that, he has a salary and leisure, and ^vith 
" the before-mentioned assistants, may easily accomplish his task. 
" Do you wish to be like the heathen, who glory in some fa- 
" vourite chief? Then let me tell you, from the history of the 
" Jews, once the only chosen people of God, how it went with them 
" when, from the same motive, they demanded a king." I then told 
them the story, and Father Marsveld added, " Yes, and you Avill 
" remember, that when Samuel complained of their conduct to the 
" Lord," His answer was, " they have not rejected Thee, but Me" 
I proceeded: " Consider, therefore, well, what you are doing, and 
" whether pride and vanity are not at the bottom of this pretence 
" of caring for the better regulation of the place. If so, pray God 
" to deliver you from so baneful an influence. Remember also, that 
" this land would not be your dwelling-place, as in former times, but 
" for your teachers. It is given to them for your use, and under 
" their superintendency and controul, for they may dismiss any 
" one, who transgresses the rules of a Christian society. But the Bre- 
" thren and your teachers, are the well-wishers of all Hottentots 
" without exception. Their aim is, to collect here a living congre- 
" gation of true believers, who shall walk w^orthy of a heavenly vo- 
*' cation and rejoice in Him, who is the only Captain of our Salva- 
*' tion, under whose banner we are all collected as one body, to 
" whatever tribe or nation we belong. The Brethren never thought, 
" nor ever can admit of clans; and the English Government, which 
" has spared you in many ways, on account of your orderly and 
" and Christian conduct hitherto, will take for granted, that your 
*' demanding more captains proves your degeneracy, and requires 
*' other measures to be adopted. The English will hear your pro- 
" posals with great disapprobation and surprise. Recollect your- 
*' selves, therefore, and be satisfied with present arrangements." 
