In fact, they gloried in their want of knowledge, and were insulted if they received a letter in any tongue but their own.

He related one tale to illustrate their ignorance: An old burgher and his _vrow_ were sitting at home one Sunday afternoon.
Seeing the "predicant"[28] coming, the old man hastily opened his Bible and began to read at random.

The clergyman came in, and, looking over his shoulder, said: "Ah! I see you are reading in the Holy Book--the death of Christ." "Alle machter!" said the old lady.

"Is He dead indeed?
You see, Jan" (to her husband) "you never will buy a newspaper, so we never know what goes on in the world." Mr.Leipner said this story loses in being told in English instead of in the original Dutch.

He reiterated they did not wish for education for themselves or for their children.