344 
JOURNAL OF A 
surprised to find no one ready to help and lead her out, till her 
neighbours, catching the infection, the noise spread throughout the 
whole assembly, the men uttering deep groans. In his prayerj^ 
the missionary affectionately remembered us, and we were sorry to 
be so much disturbed, by the continuance of these jarring sounds. 
On expressing our astonishment at the disturbance thus occasioned 
to the service, Mr. Pacalt informed us, that it had been considered 
as a sign of conviction, by the power of the Word. But supposing 
even, that true conviction of sin might, in some, produce this effect, 
who does not see, that insincerity may easily adopt such external 
marks, to gain the good opinion of men, whose piety and truth 
being unsuspected, are willing to believe others incapable of so 
great a fraud. Feeling as I do for the honour of the cause we 
are all equally eager to promote, and highly respecting the efforts 
made by missionaries of every denomination, though differing from 
us in forms, and perhaps in opinions, as to minor points, I would 
liumbly submit to the consideration of the directors of all mission- 
ary institutions, whether it would not be well to avoid every thing 
that needlessly gives occasion to the evil-minded to ridicule or op- 
pose our labours. We have reason to take the apostle's frequent 
warnings to heart, that we may not " let our good be evil spo- 
ken of." 
l6th. After breakfast, Mr. Pacalt proceeded to show us the, 
settlement, which is as yet but small. The cottages are placed in 
regular rows. The gardens are well laid out, and the Hottentots, 
both by precept and example, taught diligently to attend to the 
Tearing of garden-produce of various kinds ; but there are no trees, 
nor any plantations or nurseries. Indeed, the elevated situation of 
the place, and the nature of the soil, is said to be unfavourable to 
the growth of trees, the shade of which, hoAvever, is an almost 
esseniial requisite in an African summer. 
Mr. Pacalt has a small house of two rooms. His labour is great. 
Every day he keeps school, and meets the congregation in the even- 
ing, being without an assistant, and having the direction and 
