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Tappan Presbyterian Association
LIBRARY.
Presented by HON. D. BETHUNE DUFFIELD.
From Library of Rev. Geo. Duffield, D.D.
DEO REIPUBLICA ET AMICTS
ELITEONIDI.
Rise
Gorge Duffield A. M.
In tali nunquam lassat venatio sylva.
A.D.1884.
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Selman from a sketch by 37 Cunningham,
OBERLIN'S RESIDENCE AT WALDBACH.
J3685
{
1
J
THE LIFE
OF
1
1
A
JOHN FREDERIC OBERLIN,
PASTOR OF WALDBACH,
IN THE BAN DE LA ROCHE.
}
COMPILED FOR THE AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION, AND REVISED
BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION.
AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.
Philadelphia:
No. 146 CHESNUT STREET.
1830.
}
1
}
1
Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to wit:
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-first day of June, in the
fifty-fourth year of the Independence of the United States of America, A. D.
1830, PAUL BECK, jun. Treasurer in trust of the American Sunday School
Union, of the said District, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the
right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit:
1
The life of John Frederic Oberlin, Pastor of Waldbach, in the Ban de la
Roche. Compiled for the American Sunday School Union, and revised
by the Committee of Publication.
In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled,
"An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of maps,
charts, and books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies, during
the times therein mentioned"-and also to the Act, entitled, "An Act
Supplementary to an Act entitled, An Act for the Encouragement of
Learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors
and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned,' and
extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching
historical and other prints."
D. CALDWELL,
Clerk of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
↓
1
1
Tappan Pres. Assocn.
que
by-212-1924
THE following pages are compiled from a memoir
of Oberlin, published in London in 1829, the prin-
cipal materials of which were derived from a notice
of his life, published in Paris.in 1826.
The peculiar excellencies of the character of this
remarkable man, will be best developed in the pro-
gress of the narrative: it may be here observed,
however, as the most striking fact in his history,
that he seems to have been led by moral instinct,
to originate, in his secluded parish, all the great
plans of modern religious enterprise, which many
years, and many minds, have slowly brought into
existence in more favoured parts of Christendom.
Although the compiler has endeavoured to adapt
this volume to the use of the more advanced pupils
of Sunday schools, yet it may be confidently re-
commended to the perusal of ministers of the gos-
pel, to philanthropists, and political economists.
5
Į
THE LIFE
Į
OF
JOHN FREDERIC OBERLIN.
CHAPTER I.
BEFORE we give any account of the excel-
lent man who is to be the subject of this
book, it will be well to say something of the
country in which he was so useful, and its
condition when he took up his abode there.
1
The Ban de la Roche takes its name from a
castle called La Roche, or the Rock, around
which the Ban, or district, extends. It is
also known by the German name of Steinthal,
which signifies the valley of stone. It is a
mountainous region in the north-east of
France, consisting of two parishes; of which
one is called Rothau; the other comprises
five hamlets, one of which is Waldbach.
7
8
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
The latter village, at which Oberlin resided,
is situated on a mountain, at the height of
1800 feet. In consequence of the different
elevations of the several villages of the
district, there is great variety in the temper-
ature; the tops of the mountains being some-
times intensely cold, when the valleys are
delightful as spring. There is, of course, a
great difference also in the productiveness of
the soil, and in the time in which the harvests
are ripe for gathering. The winter generally
commences in September, and the snow re-
mains without melting until the next May or
June. In some of the highest parts there is
so little chance for any thing to grow, that
it is said the wife can carry home in her
apron all the hay her husband has mown in
a long morning. The whole district contains
only about 9000 acres, one third of which is
covered with wood. In the 17th century it
had been so laid waste by the wars which
were carried on in this part of France, that
the few families who resided in it were re-
duced to a wretched state, there being no
roads from one place to another, and but
little land cultivated. In one respect, how-
DEN
1
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
9
ever, they were happier than many of the
other French provinces; they were not dis-
turbed in the enjoyment of their religion, as
Protestants, when the Roman Catholics per-
secuted their brethren in other parts of the
empire.
In 1750 the first attempt was made to im-
prove the moral and social condition of these
almost unknown people. In that year a Lu-
theran minister, named Stouber, was com-
passionate enough to leave Germany, and
settle among them. They, indeed, had what
they called schools: but the following anec-
dote of what occurred to Mr. Stouber on his
arrival, will show that they could serve no
useful purpose. Desiring to be shown the
principal school-house, he was conducted
into a miserable cottage, where a number of
children were crowded together without any
occupation, and in so wild and noisy a state,
that it was with some difficulty he could gain
any reply to his inquiries for the master.
"There he is," said one of them, as soon
as silence could be obtained, pointing to a
withered old man, who lay on a little bed in
one corner of the apartment.
2
10
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
"Are you the schoolmaster, my good
friend?" inquired Stouber.
"Yes, Sir."
"And what do you teach the children?”
"Nothing, Sir."
"Nothing!-how is that?"
"Because," replied the old man, with cha-
racteristic simplicity, "I know nothing my-
self."
Gall
"Why then were you instituted school-
master ?"
“Why, Sir, I had been taking care of the
Waldbach pigs for a great number of years,
and when I got too old and infirm for that
employment, they sent me here to take care
of the children."
The schools in the other villages were of
a similar description; for, if the schoolmasters
were not swine-herds, they were shepherds,
who, in the summer, followed their flocks
over the mountains, and during the winter
months imparted to their little pupils the
knowledge they possessed. This, however,
was so trifling, that many of them were
scarcely able to read, and very few could
write at all. A total want of method in
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
11
teaching, and of elementary books, also raised
additional hindrances to the learners. If
shown the commencement of a chapter in the
Bible, it is reported of them that they could
seldom find the end of the preceding chapter,
and that even the most accomplished of the
masters found it difficult to collect the sense
of what he was reading.
Stouber's first step, therefore, was to pro-
cure some schoolmasters, willing and com-
petent to discharge the duties of their station.
This was no easy task, for the office had
sunk into contempt, and the more respectable
of the inhabitants would on no account allow
their sons to embrace it. The pastor's inge-
nuity, however, soon contrived to overcome
this difficulty. He changed the name of the
office, and the objection no longer existed.
"Well then," said he, "let us have no
schoolmasters, since that would not become
people of your situation in life; but allow me
to select the most promising of our young
men, and to make them superintendents of the
schools." To this they readily acceded. His
next business was to arrange a regular alpha-
bet, and draw up a series of spelling and
·
12
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
+
1
reading lessons for their use, which were
printed at the expense of a benevolent indi-
vidual of Strasburg, who also presented
Stouber with about three hundred and fifty
dollars, that he might encourage those school-
masters whose pupils made the most rapid
progress, by giving them the interest of it
annually, in addition to their salaries, which
were necessarily very small.
The next want to be supplied was that of a
school-house, and for this purpose Stouber
begged that the necessary timber might be
gratuitously furnished from the surrounding
forests, a privilege which the inhabitants of
Steinthal generally had it in their power to
bestow. The following anecdote shows the
persevering character of this remarkable
man. In the bad state of the woods at this
period, the royal Prætor of Strasburg found
an excuse for refusing the humble request for
wood to build a school-house." But your
Excellency," said Stouber, after having for a
long time solicited in vain," your Excellency
will allow me to make a private collection
among charitable individuals towards the
erection of our new building?" This re-
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
13
}
quest was immediately granted. "Well
then,” continued the pastor, presenting his
hat," you are, please your Excellency, known
as a charitable person, and I will make the
beginning with you." On hearing these
words, the Prætor quickly forgot all the
objections he had just been adducing, and
gave him liberty to cut down as much wood
as he pleased, under the express condition
that he should dine with him every time he
visited Strasburg.
Having thus happily succeeded in procur-
ing materials, a small building, or rather a
log hut, was constructed under Stouber's
direction and superintendence; but as he had
found obstacles in the worldliness of the
go-
vernor, so now he had to contend with the
ignorance and prejudices of the people. They
still opposed themselves to his benevolent
efforts; for as schoolmasters had always
hitherto been hired, like labourers, at the
lowest price, the cheapest were regarded as
the best, and the peasants began to fear that
if an increase of knowledge were required
from their candidates, there would be a pro-
portionate increase of expense. Nor was this
B
14
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
all; for on seeing the unconnected syllables
which were proposed as lessons for the
scholars, they were at a loss to comprehend
their meaning, and for a long time opposed
their introduction from the idea of some
concealed mystery.
On perceiving, however, in the course of a
few months, that, by means of the new
spelling-book, little children were enabled to
read any book that was put into their hands,
their elder brothers and sisters, and even the
parents themselves, astonished at the rapid
progress they were making, and ashamed to
remain behind, came forward, and begged to
be instructed also. A system of regular
instruction for adults, during part of the Sun-
day, and the long evenings of winter, was
consequently established, in addition to the
other schools.
The first book he gave them to read was
the Bible, of which they knew nothing but by
report. He could obtain but fifty copies for
them, and therefore divided each into three
parts, that there might be a hundred and fifty
portions in use. He explained the scriptures
to them in his sermons, and at their houses,
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
15
and directed their attention particularly to the
great truths of the atonement of Jesus Christ,
and regeneration by the Holy Spirit. In
these services Stouber spent about seventeen
years, when he was called to be pastor of a
church in Strasburg, in Germany, which
was not very distant. As soon as he re-
solved to accept the call, he fixed upon Oberlin
as a suitable person to succeed him in the
care of the parishes of the Ban de la Roche.
7
16
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
CHAPTER II.
JOHN FREDERIC OBERLIN was born at Stras-
burg, on the 31st August, 1740, and from
his childhood was remarkable for the benevo-
lence and gentleness of his disposition. Se-
veral anecdotes are told of the amiableness
of his character in early life. We shall re-
late a few.
1
His father, though poor, was in the habit
of giving each of his children, every Satur-
day, a coin, about the value of a cent, to
spend as they chose. Little Frederic saved
his in a box, and made very good use of it.
When the tailor's or shoemaker's bill was
brought home on a Saturday night, he used
to watch his father's countenance, and if he
imagined from its expression, that he had not
money enough to pay the whole amount, he
would empty his stock into the hands of his
parent.
Al
As he was one day crossing the market-
place, he saw some rude boys knock down
a basket of eggs, which a country woman was
carrying on her head. The woman was in
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
17
great trouble, when Frederic not only rebuked
the boys, but ran home for his box, which
was nearly full of his savings, and gave the
woman all that he had in it.-Another time,
he saw a poor infirm woman in a shop,
trying in vain to get some article at a few
cents less than was asked, as she had not
money enough to pay for it. Frederic
waited until she had turned away to leave the
shop disappointed, when he put the sum she
wanted into the merchant's hand, whispered
to him to call back the woman, and then ran
away, before she had time to thank him.
1
At another time, he saw a public officer
ill-using a sick beggar in the street, and with
great boldness undertook to reprove the
officer for his cruclty, and stepped between
him and the beggar. The officer was going
to seize him, but the neighbours, with whom
he was a great favourite, prevented it. A
few days afterwards, he happened to be walk-
ing in a narrow lane, when he saw the same
officer at a distance, coming towards him.
"Shall I run away?" was his first thought.
"No: God is with me. I relieved the poor
man, and why should I fear?" He accord-
Tiger
B 2
18
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
ingly went on, and the officer passed by,
smiling, without further noticing him.
These early feelings of kindness were
encouraged by the wise instruction and good
example of his parents. To his pious mother
he often acknowledged himself indebted for
his love of the "things that are excellent,"
and for the desires he afterwards felt to be
the instrument of doing good. She brought
up
her children "in the nurture and admo-
nition of the Lord." She assembled them
together every evening, and read aloud some
instructive book, whilst they sat round the
table, copying pictures which their father had
drawn for them; and scarcely a night passed,
but when they were about to separate, they
asked for "one beautiful hymn from dear
mamma." The hymn was followed by a
prayer; and thus were they led to him who
said, "suffer little children to come unto me.”
The father used to teach his seven sons
the military exercises, of which Frederic be-
came very fond, but gave them up when re-
quired to attend to his studies; as his father
did not wish him to become a soldier. It
appears that he was from his very infancy
1
1
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
19
the subject of convictions of sin, and of
emotions of love to his heavenly Father, and
the frequent prayer of his childhood was,
speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. Oh
God! teach me to do thy will."
"L
He entered the University as a theological
student, and whilst there, heard a minister,
who was remarkable for the earnestness
with which he preached a crucified Saviour.
His attendance on his ministry had a great
effect on his mind, and at the age of twenty
he made a solemn devotion of himself, by
a written covenant, to the service of God.
Although this paper is nearly similar to the
form recommended to the young convert by
Dr. Doddridge, yet we suppose it may be
read with profit by every one.
A Solemn Act of Self-Dedication to God.
(
"Eternal and infinitely holy God! Under a
feeling of deep humility and heart-felt con-
trition, I earnestly desire to present myself
before thee. I well know how unworthy such
a sinful worm is to appear before thy divine
Majesty, before the King of kings and Lord
of lords, more especially on such an occasion
T
S
20
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
as this, even to enter into a covenant transac-
tion with thee.
6
"But the scheme and plan, O Father of
mercies, is thine own; thou hast, in infinite
condescension, offered it me by thy Son.
Thy grace hath inclined my heart to accept
of it. I come, therefore, to thee, acknow-
ledging my numerous transgressions; and,
with the repentant publican, strike my breast,
saying, God be merciful to me, a sinner.'
I come, because I have been invited by the
name of thy Son, and I rely entirely upon his
perfect righteousness. Be pleased, I entreat
thee, for his sake, to pardon my ingratitude,
and no more remember my sins. Be recon-
ciled, I beseech thee, to thy disobedient
creature, who is now convinced of thy right
to him, and desires nothing so much as to
belong to thee. Holy God! I this day sur-
render myself to thee, in the most solemn
manner. 'Hear, O heavens, and give ear,
O earth.' I this day acknowledge the Lord
is my God! I this day declare myself to be
of the number of his children, and that I
make one of his people. Hear my words, O
my God, and write in thy book that I hence-
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
21
forth devote myself entirely to thee. In the
name of the Lord God of hosts, I this day
renounce all former lords that have had
dominion over me; the joys of the world, in
which I have too much delighted, and all
carnal desires. I renounce all perishable
things, in order that my God may constitute
my All. I consecrate to thee all that I am,
and all that I have; the faculties of my mind,
the members of my body, my fortune and
my time. Grant me grace, O Father of
mercies, to employ all to thy glory, and to
live in obedience to thy commands; with an
ardent and humble desire to continue thine
throughout the endless ages of a happy
eternity. Shouldst thou be pleased to make
me, in this life, the instrument of leading
others to thee, give me strength and courage
openly to declare thy name. Enable me not
only to devote myself to thy service, but to
persuade my brethren to dedicate themselves.
to it also.
1
་
"Grant that through the assistance of thy
Holy Spirit, I may be supported in life, and
kept faithful unto death. Enable me, during
the rest of my days, to acquire that of which
22
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
I stand most in need, and to amend my ways.
May the things of time no longer exercise
dominion over me; but may I, during the
short remainder of my life, live solely to
thee. Grant me grace, not only to tread in
the path which, I am convinced, is the best;
but enable me also to be always most active
in walking in it. I resign myself, and all I
am and have, to thy direction, to be disposed
of in whatever manner thine infinite wisdom
shall see good. I leave the management of
all events to thee, and say, without restric-
tion, "Thy will, not mine, be done!" Em-
ploy me, O Lord, as an instrument con-
secrated to thy service. Look upon me, as
constituting one of thy flock. Wash me in
the blood of thy beloved Son. Clothe me
with his righteousness. Sanctify me by his
Spirit. Transform me more and more into
his image. Impart to me, through him, all
needful influences of thy purifying, cheering,
and comforting Spirit; and grant that my
life may be passed under the habitual sense
of thy presence, O my Father, and my God!
And, after having endeavoured to obey thee,
and to do thy will on earth, take me hence
1
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
23
at what time, and in what manner, thou shalt
see good. When the solemn hour of death
approaches, and I stand on the verge of
eternity, grant that I may remember this
covenant, and employ my latest breath in
thy service. And be pleased, O Lord, when
thou seest the anguish I may have to endure
in my last moments, and when I may not,
perhaps, have sufficient strength to recall it,
to remember it too. Then, O my heavenly
Father, look down with pity on thy feeble
child, and enable him to struggle with death.
I wish not to prescribe to thec, O my Father,
in what manner thou oughtest to take me to
thyself. I wish not to ask thee to preserve
me from agonizing pain. No; nothing of
that kind shall form the object of my prayers.
What I carnestly entreat, in the name of
Jesus, is, to be enabled to glorify thee in the
last hours of my life, and to evidence, in the
midst of whatever sufferings thy all-wise
Providence may see meet to afflict me with,
patience and submission to thy holy will.
Strengthen my soul; give it confidence, when
thou shalt call it hence; and receive it to the
embraces of thine everlasting love. Admit
24
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
it into the mansions of them that sleep in
Jesus-into the mansions where indescriba-
ble joys will be its portion for ever. There
permit it peacefully and joyfully to await the
accomplishment of the promise thou hast
made to all thy people-even that of a glo-
rious resurrection, and of eternal happiness
in thine heavenly presence.
"And when I am gone to the grave, if
these pages should fall into the hands of any
of my surviving friends, oh grant that their
hearts may be sensibly affected; grant them
grace not only to read them as the expression
of my own sentiments, but to feel for them-
selves also, what I have expressed. Teach
them to fear thee, O Lord my God, and to
seek refuge with me, under the shadow of
thy wings, through time and through eter-
nity; that they may partake in all the bless-
ings of thy covenant, through Jesus Christ,
the great Mediator. To him, and to Thee,
O Father, and to the Holy Spirit, be ever-
lasting praises ascribed by the millions of
redeemed spirits, and by all those other
celestial beings, in whose work and blessed-
ness thou shalt call them to share.
1
Guthent
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
25
6
"My God, and the God of my fathers!
Thou who keepest thy covenant, and who
scatterest thy blessings to a thousand gene-
rations, I humbly supplicate thee, since thou
knowest that the heart of man is deceitful,'
to vouchsafe to me grace to enter into this
engagement with all sincerity of heart, and
to remain faithful to my baptismal covenant.
May the name of the Lord be an eternal
testimony, that I have signed this covenant
transaction, in the steadfast and earnest de-
sire of keeping it.
请​选
​Strasburg, the 1st of January, 1760.
"Renewed at Waldbach, the 1st of January, 1770.”
"JOHN FREDERIC OBERLIN.
When his studies were finished, he was
ordained a minister, but did not, for seven
years, undertake any particular charge in
that character; employing himself as a pri-
vate tutor in the family of a physician, where
he learned much of the art of medicine, that
was very useful to him in his future life.
In the year 1766, an appointment to be
chaplain in the French army was offered to
him, which he determined to accept, and
commenced reading to prepare himself for
C
26
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
the situation. It was while thus engaged,
that Stouber came to beg him to take his
place in the Ban de la Roche. He found
him in a little room, up three pair of stairs,
with scarcely any furniture, and living in the
greatest simplicity; being in the habit of
dining at his father's, and bringing thence a
piece of bread which served him for supper.
He accepted Mr. Stouber's invitation, and
removed to Waldbach on the 30th March,
1767, being then in the 27th year of his age.
The picture in front of this book is a repre-
sentation of the house in which he lived and
died.
1
1
}
{
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
27
CHAPTER III.
NOTWITHSTANDING the great improvements
which the care of Mr. Stouber had made in
the condition of the people, Oberlin found
them to be still far from a state of complete
civilization. Their language was barbarous;
they were shut up in their mountainous abode
by the want of roads; the farmers were des-
titute of the most necessary implements, and
the quantity of provisions they raised was not
sufficient for the wants of the population.
He at once resolved, as the best means of pre-
paring the way for his religious instructions
as a pastor, to teach them the common arts
and comforts of life. To these efforts a part of
the people made opposition, because they re-
quired more labour and application than they
had been accustomed to employ; for it is hard
to persuade persons who have long indulged in
idleness, that their happiness can be increased,
and that new comforts can be procured by
exertion. Some of the worst among them.
went so far as to form a plot to lie in wait
for the minister, and beat him. He received
28
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
information of their design, and of the time
when it was to be executed, which was the
sabbath. On that day he preached as usual,
taking his text from Matthew v. 39. "But I
say unto you, that ye resist not evil; but
whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek,
turn to him the other also ;" and taught his
hearers the duty of Christian patience and of
submission to injuries. After the sermon,
the conspirators assembled, and were amus-
ing themselves in conjecturing how their pas-
tor would act, when they brought the prin-
ciples of his sermon to the trial, as they
intended to do; when, to their astonishment,
he entered the apartment where they were
met. "Here am I, my friends," he said with
calmness. "I am acquainted with your de-
sign. You have wished to chastise me, be-
cause you think I deserve it. If I have
broken the rules which I have laid down for
you, punish me. It is better that I should
deliver myself into your hands, than that you
should be guilty of the meanness of lying in
wait for me." This simple address produced
the intended effect. The peasants, full of
shame, begged his forgiveness, and promised
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
29
never to oppose his affectionate measures for
their good.
A few weeks afterwards, a plot was formed
in another of the villages, to seize him as he
left the place of worship, and injure him; of
which he also had notice. On this occasion
he preached on the security of those who put
their trust in the Lord, and of the protection
which he affords to his servants. After the ser-
mon, proceeding on his way home as usual, he
perceived the plotters partly concealed in the
hedge, and awaiting his approach. He passed
directly on before them, and they were so
confounded that they did not attempt to stop
him. These occurrences are believed to have
had a good effect in promoting his plans of
reform; for those who had been detected in
their evil designs, were so anxious to show
the sincerity of their repentance, that they
became the foremost of his assistants.
In 1768, Oberlin was married to a young
lady of Strasburg. She possessed a sound
and cultivated understanding, and had been
well educated in rcligious principles. She be
came an invaluable help to her husband by her
prudence, judgment, and christian firmness.
© 2
30
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
CHAPTER IV.
ONE of the first objects of the pastor's
care in regard to the improvement of the
worldly condition of his people, was to open
roads, by means of which they could visit,
and be visited by, the inhabitants of the
neighbouring places. Having assembled the
people, he proposed to them that they should
blast the rocks with which the country
abounded, and with the fragments build a
wall along the road to prevent the falling of
stones and earth, which filled up the paths,
and made them impassable. This work was
to be a mile and a half long, and a bridge
was then to be built across a river which
they had hitherto been compelled to walk
through, whenever they had occasion to pass
beyond it. The peasants were astonished
at the proposition. The execution of the
object appeared impossible, and they all
began to make excuses to avoid joining in
the labour. Oberlin tried to convince them
of the advantages they would enjoy when
the work was finished: he told them that
{
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
31
parcel
then they could carry the produce of their
labour abroad, and exchange them for articles
of which they stood in need; that instead of
being confined in their villages nine months
in the year, by the state of the roads, or
rather paths, they could go abroad at all
seasons. He concluded with saying, “let
all who feel the importance of my proposition,
come and work with me." Thus saying, he
took up a pick-axe and proceeded to the
spot, knowing that example is, in most cases,
more forcible than arguments. The people,
at this sight, forgot their excuses, and joined
him, with their tools. He assigned a par-
ticular spot to each individual, choosing the
most difficult places for himself. Encouraged
by the vigour with which their minister la-
boured, the work proceeded fast. More tools
were wanting than the district could afford,
but this deficiency was supplied by his friends
in Germany. The whole population that
were able, assisted in the work: walls were
built to support the earth which seemed
ready to fall; mountain torrents, which had
before overflowed the meadows, were turned
into channels, which carried them off; in
32
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
!
t
short, such was the diligence employed, that
by the year 1770, a communication was
opened with Strasburg, by means of the road,
and a neat wooden bridge over the river,
which is still called the Bridge of Charity.
When this work, which the peasants at first
thought so impossible, was accomplished,
they were easily persuaded to open roads by
which all the five villages could easily com-
municate with each other: the good pastor
still working harder than the rest, but not
neglecting to instruct them every Sabbath, in
the duties and doctrines of religion.
One of the next wants that he found it
necessary to supply, was a depository in the
valley for agricultural implements; for when-
ever any of them happened to get out of re-
pair, two days were lost in procuring others
from Strasburg, and the peasants had not
always money enough to buy. To remedy
this, he filled a warehouse in Waldbach with
a large stock, from which he supplied those
who stood in need, giving them credit until
they could pay. He established a lending
fund, to assist those who were in want of
money. He also introduced trades, for there
Saka
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
33
were no masons or blacksmiths among them.
Oberlin, therefore, chose several of the elder
boys, and sent them to Strasburg to learn the
trades most necessary for the wants of the
people. By this means good workmen were
procured, who, in turn, taught others; and
thus, too, they kept in circulation among
themselves, the money which had before been
sent out to other places. Their dwellings
were also improved. They were generally
wretched cabins, hewn out of the rocks, or
sunk into the sides of the mountains, and
without cellars deep enough to preserve their
potatoes, which was their principal food. In
the place of these hovels, were gradually in-
troduced comfortable cottages, with good
cellars.
The peasants showed a particular reluc-
tance to engage in the diligent cultivation of
their land. Instead of insisting upon their
compliance with his advice, Oberlin deter-
mined to set before them the practical proofs
of its wisdom. There were two gardens
belonging to his house, which were con-
stantly passed by the people. Here, with
the assistance of a favourite servant, he set
34
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
募
​about improving his own spot. He surround-
ed the young trees, already planted, with
richer soil, and planted a variety of fruit
trees in ground which was well known to be
very poor. By his well-directed labour they
flourished rapidly; and as the peasants passed
through the gardens in going to their daily
work, they could not help stopping to observe
the surprising contrast between the scanty
supply of their own, and the rich produce of
their pastor's land; and at length they re-
paired to him, anxiously inquiring how such
fine trees could grow in such a soil. Oberlin,
according to his usual method of deriving
instruction from every incident, first directed
their thoughts to Him who "causeth the
earth to bring forth her bud," and who
"crowneth the year with his goodness ;" and
then proceeded to explain the method, by
which, under Providence, they might have
the same success. The taste for planting
trees was thus diffused. The very face of
the country, in consequence, was completely
changed the cottages, which were before
bare and desolate, were surrounded by neat
little orchards and gardens, and in the place
督
​LIFE OF OBERLIN.
35
of poverty and misery, the villages and their
inhabitants assumed an air of rural happiness.
So barbarous had been the state of agri-
culture in the Ban de la Roche, that the old
men remembered to have heard from their
fathers, that before the year 1709, the inha-
bitants lived chiefly upon wild apples and
pears; but a famine which visited them in
that year, induced them to clear away some
of the forests, and plant a sort of potatoes.
But even these had been so much neglected,
that when Oberlin settled there, the crops had
diminished to, one fourth of their former
quantity. He taught them the method of
improving the soil, obtained the best seed for
planting, and in a short time the district be-
came famous for its excellent potatoes, which
are to this day the great production of the
place. Besides potatoes, he introduced the
culture of several kinds of vegetables. After
teaching them various arts connected with
agriculture, of which they had no knowledge
or idea before, he at length, in 1778, insti-
tuted an agricultural society, which, besides
furnishing books and instruction on the sub-
ject, established prizes for the farmers who
}
G
36
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
should raise the best cattle and fruit. This
excited them to more industry and attention,
and the result of his labours was like that
spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, when he
said, "the desert shall blossom as the rose."
韶
​f
L
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
37
y
CHAPTER V.
BUT Oberlin did not devote all his atten-
tion to the temporal concerns of his people.
He did not forget that his chief duty was to
promote their spiritual knowledge and im-
provement, and he missed no opportunity of
correcting their errors, admonishing them of
their duty to their Creator, and of their sin-
fulness, and the duty of repentance. His
attentions to the young were particularly
interesting. He was so convinced that his
heavenly Father would smile upon his exer-
tions to benefit the children of his charge,
that he undertook to crect school-houses, re-
lying upon Providence that means would be
found to pay the expense. All his efforts
were accompanied with fervent prayers for
their success, and he had the firmest faith in
the promises of God. His confidence was
not disappointed. He found help in various
quarters, so that he had the satisfaction to
see a school-house built in each of the five
villages, and the inhabitants, of their own
accord, offering to support them. He was
D
38
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
careful to educate suitable persons as
teachers in these schools; but observing
that whilst their elder brothers and sisters
were studying for this purpose, the younger
children suffered a great loss of time, he
established Infant Schools, which were pro-
bably the first ever known. With the
assistance of his wife, he appointed female
teachers for each village, where the children
were collected and taught in the same manner
that is now followed in our infant schools.
Two women were employed in each school,
one to teach them to spin, knit and sew, the
other to direct their lessons and amusements.
When the little scholars became tired of
working, the mistress showed them pictures
relating to Bible subjects, or natural history,
which she would explain to them, and then
examine how well they remembered what she
had told them. They were also taught geo-
graphy, by the use of the maps, and to sing
hymns. And as the language spoken by the
people was very incorrect and barbarous—a
mixture of French and German-the chil-
dren were instructed to speak good French.
When they had passed through these schools,
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
39
they entered the public schools, where they
were taught higher branches.
They had also Sunday Schools. Every
Sunday, the children of one of the villages
assembled at the church, where they sung the
hymns that they had practised during the
week, and recited the Bible lessons they had
learned. After this, Oberlin conversed with
them, and instructed them in the duties of
religion. On one day every week, all the
scholars were assembled at Waldbach, where
they were examined in their studies, and re-
ceived the advice of the pastor, whom they
called by the affectionate name of their Dear
Papa. He had books prepared and printed
for them, which were either given as prizes,
or lent for a certain time to read, as is done
with our Sunday-school libraries. Every
thing he prepared for them was intended to
improve their hearts, as well as their minds.
Even in an Almanack which he made, he
directed them thus: "if it proves of any real
benefit to you, or affords you a moment's.
gratification, look up to your heavenly
Father, and say, 'thy goodness, O Lord, has
crowned me with blessings. Permit me to
4
(
40
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
thank thee for them: and do thou strengthen,
by whatever means it may please thee to em-
ploy, the feeble faith of thy too feeble child."
Oberlin knew how to blend amusement
with instruction, in the wisest manner; and
whilst his principal object was to ground the
youth in the principles of Christian faith, he
also diffused among them the taste for agri-
cultural life, which, in their situation, was so
necessary. The children of twelve or fiftcen
years of age were required to read on the
subject; they were taught the names and
properties of plants, and encouraged to bring
them from the woods, and cultivate them in
gardens. They were also taught to draw the
flowers, in which art some of them became
very skilful. One of these drawings has been
seen, representing a garland of flowers, beau-
tifully painted by a poor little boy, in the cen-
tre of which is neatly written,
"Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadom in the hand of thy God."—Isa. Ixii. 3.
And underneath are these words,
“Will you, Mr. Logrand, accept this slight token of sincere
gratitude, from your humble and dutiful scholar,
"GUSTAVUS SCHEIDECKER."
}
Kinde
}
1
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
41
The children were accustomed to present
wreaths of flowers to their benefactors.-
Upon one of the occasions on which this
amiable offering was made to Oberlin, he
wrote this letter:
1
"Waldbach, September 16th, 1810.
"My dear Scholars,
"I am very sensible of the honour you
have intended me, in sending your garlands
as a token of your remembrance of my 70th
birth-day, completed the 31st of last August.
You seem, however, to have forgotten, that
an honour which one is conscious of not
deserving, is in itself humiliating and abas-
ing. If, by my feeble exertions, I have been
enabled to be of some utility to you, all the
honour belongs to God, who has kindled in
my heart the love I bear you, and who has
given and preserved my strength till this
period, to carry forward my heart's desire,
which is your good.
"The beautiful flowers with which your
great Creator adorned our country, gave you
the means of presenting me with this testi-
mony of your united love. These flowers
D2
42
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
will very soon fade, but the impression they
have made on my heart will never die, and I
earnestly pray that you may become unfad-
ing flowers in the Paradise of God.
SADNE
"May he bless you, and may he bless the
persons who labour for your instruction, with
perseverance and faithfulness, that you may
prosper, and become useful in the service of
our dear and beloved Saviour.
1
"But I have still one wish-a wish that
though I am old in years is always fresh in
my heart a wish that reigns predominant
in my thoughts and never forsakes me. It is
that my parish might make one solemn feast
before God, a general and universal dedica-
tion, and one in which all persons without
distinction might partake, every one accord-
ing to his respective ability. That is, a dedi-
cation of the heart, in honour and remem-
brance of, and in faith in Him, who shed his
blood for us in Gethsemane, and permitted
himself to be smitten, scourged, and spit
upón, crowned with thorns, and nailed to the
cross, that we might receive the heaven
which our sins had forfeited. This is the
dedication that I so much desire every soul
}
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
43
in my parish might join together to make-
even the surrender of himself to Jesus, each
one as he is, with all his faults, with all his
sins, in order to find in Him, pardon, righte-
ousness, sanctification, and redemption.
"Your affectionate Papa,
"JOHN FREDERIC OBERLIN.”
To impress on their minds the duty of
doing something towards the prosperity of
the place, they were required, at a certain
age, to plant at least two trees; and even
this they were taught to do with a view to
their duty to their Maker. Oberlin always
regarded himself as merely the instrument
of God, and often said, "I have little merit
in the good I have done; I have only obeyed
the will of God. He has been graciously
pleased to manifest his intentions to me, and
has always given me the means of executing
them."
{
+
1
44
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
CHAPTER VI.
IN 1782, Oberlin established an association
for the religious improvement of the people,
which he called "The Christian Society." He
drew up a number of mottoes, rules, and topics,
to be thought of and remembered by the mem-
bers. Some of these were as follows:
"We are all one in Christ Jesus."
}
"Abide in me.”
"Christ is all, and in all.”
"Bring forth much fruit."
"Love not the world, neither the things of
the world."
"Search the Scriptures diligently."
“Lose no time.”
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with
brotherly love."
1
"Provoke unto love and to good works."
"Nourish the inner man by, 1. The word
of God. 2. Continual prayer. 3. The Holy
Sacrament."
Į
"Not only the Superintendents, but also all
the members, ought to watch over each other
for good; to exhort, and to warn each other
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
45.
with sweetness, charity, humility, and pa-
tience. Allow of no idleness or negligence
on the part of those confided to your care.
Endeavour to promote the happiness of all.
Appropriate part of your earnings, at stated
intervals, to the public good."
The Society seems to have been established
for the purposes of prayer and religious con-
versation, and had more than one hundred and
thirty members. Their meetings were public.
It was violently opposed, by those who found
no pleasure in the spiritual exercises which it
encouraged, and Oberlin, supposing that its
continuance might destroy the influence which
the intercourse of the religious and irreligious
might otherwise produce, thought it necessary
to dissolve the Society, after it had existed
a year and a half. On this occasion he de-
livered an address from the words in the in-
tercessory prayer of our Saviour, John xvii.
20, 21. "Neither pray I for these alone, but
for them also which shall believe on me
through their word; that they all may be one;
as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that
they also may be one in us: that the world
may believe that thou hast sent me.”
1
46
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
In this address he said to them, that he had
in a great measure attained his end, both as
to those who had become members, and those
who had not. As to the former, he said,
(and the same is true of all prayer-meet-
ings:)
"1. They have had the opportunity of de-
claring themselves on the side of their Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ, and of acknowledg-
ing him; which is a thing of no little import-
ance, if we recollect that passage, (Matt. x.
32,) "Whosoever shall confess me before
men, him will I confess also before my Father
who is in heaven.
!
"2. They have learned to know more of
their spiritual wants; and how necessary it is
for them to be found in Christ Jesus, without
spot, and blameless; 'rooted and built up in
him, and established in the faith."
"3. They have felt, more than ever, the
duty and necessity of prayer. Many, previous
to the formation of this society, had not even
an idea of that continual prayer of the heart,
which Jesus Christ recommends to his disci-
ples. Luke xviii.
"4. They have been led to feel that many
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
47
:
souls are anxious for their salvation. They
know, now, where to seek the friends of God,
and of Jesus Christ, in order to enjoy the edi-
fication and benefit of Christian communion.
"5. They have learned to be kind to one
another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another,
even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven
them."
With respect to those who had not been
members he said:
"A number of precious souls have been
awakened from their sleep, and have been in-
duced to pay more attention to their spiritual
necessities; have been led to look upon them-
selves as sinners; have learned to tremble for
their salvation; and have become 'instant in
prayer.'
"I cannot sufficiently thank God, the Fa-
ther of our Lord Jesus Christ, for all the good
that he has, through this society, been pleased
to effect in my dear parish, and for the evi-
dent blessing that has rested upon it. May
he watch over it, and grant that the good
fruits brought forth, may be perfected, and
rendered permanent. May the kingdom of
our Lord Jesus Christ be promoted and ex-
<C)
48
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
tended, by any other means that he may see
fit to appoint. May he sustain his church
according to his promise, (Matt. xvi. 18,) so
that 'the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it.' May he, who said to his disciples, 'He
that receiveth you, receiveth me,' register all
its members in his Book of Life. May he
abundantly shed his Holy Spirit upon them,
and 'grave them upon the palms of his hands,"
so that no one may be able to draw them
away, or to turn them from him. May he
protect them, sanctify them, purify them, and
prepare them for their heavenly inheritance.
"I thank God also, for all those who have
shown themselves friends to this society. May
he reward you for the joy which you have
thus imparted to your distressed and afflicted
pastor. May he bring you nearer and nearer
to Jesus. May you become of the number
of his own dear people, a people zealous of
good works, the sheep of his beloved little
flock.
"I thank those who have permitted their
wives and children to belong to it, and to de-
clare themselves openly. May God recom-
pense them for all that they have done 'unto
kata)
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
49
the least of my brethren.' May he recom-
pense them also richly and eternally, for the
good which they have done to their wives and
children, in permitting them to participate in
the contempt which Jesus Christ suffered; to
bear his cross, and to become partakers in the
promises which our Lord has made to those
who confess his name before men.
"O, my dear hearers! leave, leave, I entreat
you, the ways of Belial. Devote yourselves
to the Lord Jesus. He is able and willing to
receive every soul that earnestly seeks him.
He will cast out none that come unto him.
Hasten then to be saved. Time flies away;
death draws near. There is no other name.
under heaven given among men, whereby we
must be saved, than Jesus Christ, whom I
preach unto you.' Hasten to him.. Fly to
him. Pray, mourn, weep; seek after him in
the secret of your hearts, until you find him.
Amen."
It was one of the rules of this society, that
every member should, on the first of every
month, pray for missionaries, as is now done
all over the Christian world, at the monthly
concert of prayer. Another rule was, that
Er
L
50
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
besides 'constant watching unto prayer,' each
individual should pray, every Sunday and
Wednesday, at five o'clock in the afternoon,
for the following objects:
"1. That every member of the society may
be saved, with all his household, and belong
to the Lord Jesus.
"2. Every member shall add to the list, all
the friends of God, of his acquaintance, and
pray for them.
"3. They shall pray for all the children of
God every where, of all denominations; sup-
plicating that they may be united more and
more in Christ Jesus: that the kingdom of
Satan may be destroyed, and the kingdom of
God and of our Saviour may be establish-
ed among the heathen, and among nominal
Christians.
66
4. Each member shall pray for school-
masters, superiors, and magistrates; for pas-
tors, for the male and female labourers in the
vineyard of the Lord; and for the youth, that
God may preserve them from the seducing
influence of bad example, and lead them to the
knowledge of our gracious Redeemer."
Lastly, it was required, that, every Satur-
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
51
day evening, all the members should ask God
to bless the preaching of his holy word on
the morrow.
When the society was dissolved, he had
these extracts from the rules printed, and
placed conspicuously in every cottage, that
they might do good even when the society did
not exist.
+
52
LIFE OF OBERLIN,
1
}
1
CHAPTER VII.
IN 1784, Oberlin suffered a most severe
affliction in the death of his wife. They had
been married sixteen years, and their family
now consisted of seven children. Her death
was unexpected, and when her affectionate
husband was informed of it, he was over-
powered by the stroke, so as to remain for
some time in the deepest silence, and unable
to give utterance to his feelings. At length,
he suddenly fell on his knees, and returned
thanks to God, that the object of his tender-
est solicitude was now beyond the need of
prayer, and that he had crowned the abun-
dance of his mercies towards her, by giving
her so easy and gentle a dismissal. Upon this
occasion he wrote thus: "As in a thousand
other instances in the course of my life, not-
withstanding my overwhelming affliction, I
was upheld, by God's gracious assistance, in
a remarkable manner."-From that time the
passive graces shone as conspicuously in his
character, as the active virtues had done.
Neither complaint nor murmur escaped his
N
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
53
lips. A speedy re-union with her was, never-
theless, one of his most cherished desires.
"I hope," he would often say, "that the world
in which God will re-unite me to my beloved
wife, will soon open to me." This desire was
not merely the result of his grief. "I have
had all my life," he said, "a desire, occasion-
ally a very strong one, to die; owing, in some
degree, to the consciousness of my moral
infirmities, and of my frequent sins. My
affection for my wife and children, and my
attachment to my parish, have sometimes
checked this wish, though for short intervals
only."
His patience and resignation not only
under this, but under every other affliction
that it pleased God to award to him during
the whole course of his life, was striking and
exemplary. After the first bitterness of grief
was over, his soul always seemed "to be
girding itself up," and as it were, "stretch-
ing its wings," in expectation of that joyful
period when it should leave mortality behind,
and soar to the regions of everlasting blessed-
ness, to join "the innumerable company of
angels, and the general assembly and church
E 2
54
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
1
of the first born." "Millions of times," he
continues, in the paper mentioned above,
"have I besought God to enable me to sur-
render myself with entire and filial submis-
sion to his will, either to live or to die:-and
to bring me into such a state of resignation,
as neither to wish, nor to say, nor to do, nor
to undertake any thing, but what He, who
only is wise and good, sees to be best."
The following extract from a letter which
he wrote to a lady, who had been tried by
many successive bereavements, in the hope
of convincing her that such dispensations are
permitted, to strengthen our graces, and to
promote our spiritual refinement, will illus-
trate his lively faith and fervent piety, as well
as the simple and original mode in which he
was accustomed to pour out the language of
his heart in his familiar letters."I have
before me two stones, which are in imitation
of precious stones. They are both perfectly
alike in colour; they are of the same water,
clear, pure, and clean; yet there is a marked
difference between them, as to their lustre and
brilliancy. One has a dazzling brightness,
while the other is dull, so that the eye passes
J
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
55
1
over it, and derives no pleasure from the
sight. What can be the reason of such a
difference? It is this. The one is cut but
in a few points; the other has ten times as
many. These points are produced by a very
violent operation; it is requisite to cut, to
smooth, and polish. Had these stones been
endued with life, so as to have been capable
of feeling what they underwent, the one
which has received eighty points would have
thought itself very unhappy, and would have
envied the fate of the other, which, having
received but eight, had undergone but a tenth
part of its sufferings. Nevertheless, the ope-
ration being over, it is done for ever: the
difference between the two stones always re-
mains strongly marked; that which has suf-
fered but little, is entirely eclipsed by the
other, which alone is held in estimation, and
attracts attention. May not this serve to
explain the saying of our Saviour, whose
words always bear some reference to eter-
nity: Blessed are they that mourn, for they
shall be comforted?-Blessed, whether we
contemplate them apart, or in comparison
with those who have not passed through so
6
56
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
many trials. Oh! that we were always able
to cast ourselves into his arms, like little
children-to draw near to him, like helpless
lambs, and ever to ask of him patience, re-
signation, an entire surrender to his will,
faith, trust, and a heartfelt obedience to the
commands which he gives to those who are
willing to be his disciples. The Lord God
will wipe away tears from off all faces."
Isaiah xxv. 8."
6
Upon the death of Mrs. Oberlin, the care
of the household was committed to a pious
orphan, named Louisa Schepler, who had
lived eight years in the family. She was about
twenty-three years old, and had been one
of the most active conductors of the infant
schools in Waldbach, from their commence-
ment. No sooner had she accepted the station
of housekeeper to the dear Papa, than refusing
offers of marriage, she took the resolution of
devoting herself to his service, and would
never accept any salary, but lived in his
family rather as a friend than a servant.
What her few wants required she asked for
---nothing more; and on some occasions,
when Oberlin endeavoured, through indirect
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
57
channels, to put money into her hands, she,
conjecturing the source from whence it came,
uniformly returned it.
The following note, dated "Waldbach,
first of the New Year, 1793," addressed by
Louisa to her benefactor, is a proof of her dis-
interested and grateful affection.
Sadd
"Dear and beloved Papa,
"Permit me, at the commencement of the
new year, to request a favour which I have
long desired. As I am now really inde-
pendent, that is to say, as I have no longer
my father nor his debts to attend to, I be-
seech you, dear papa, not to refuse me the
favour of making me your adopted daughter.
Do not, I entreat you, give me any more
wages; for as you treat me like your child
in every other respect, I carnestly wish you
to do so in this particular also. Little is
needful for the support of my body. My
shoes, and stockings, and other clothes, will
cost something, but when I want them I can
ask you for them, as a child applies to its
father.
"Oh! I entreat you, dear papa, grant mo
↓
58
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
this favour, and condescend to regard me as
your most tenderly attached daughter.
"LOUISA SCHEPLER.”
The humble request was acceded to, and
Louisa was ever afterwards considered as
one of Oberlin's own children.
A letter which he wrote in 1811, directed
to his children, and intended to be read by
them after his death, shows the regard which
he felt towards this exemplary woman.
"My very dear Children,
"In leaving you, I commend to your care
the faithful nurse who has brought you up
-the indefatigable Louisa. The services
which she has performed for our family are
innumerable. Your dear mamma took her
under her care before she had attained the
age of fifteen; but, even at that early period,
she rendered herself useful by her talents, her
activity, and her industry. On the premature
decease of your beloved parent, she became
at once your faithful nurse, your careful
instructress, and your adopted mother. Her
zeal for doing good extended beyond the
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
59
confines of our own family. Like a devoted
servant of the Lord, she went into all the
surrounding villages, where I sent her, to
assemble the children together, to instruct
them in God's holy will, to teach them to
sing hymns, to direct their attention to the
wonderful works of nature, to pray with
them, and to communicate to them all the
knowledge that she had herself derived from
me and your mamma. This was not the
labour of a moment; and the innumerable
difficulties which opposed themselves to her
benevolent employments would have discour-
aged a thousand others; for whilst on the
one hand she had to contend with the wild
and froward characters of the children, she
had, on the other, to correct their mixed
language, and, consequently, after having
spoken to them in that dialect which was
necessary to make herself understood, to
translate all she had said into French. The
bad roads and the inclement weather, so
frequent on these mountains, presented an-
other difficulty: but neither sleet, nor rain,
nor wind, nor hail, nor deep snows under foot,
nor snow falling from above, detained her
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
from her purpose; and when she returned
in the evening, though exhausted, wet, and
weary, and chilled with excessive cold, she
would set herself to attend to my children,
and to our household affairs. In this manner
she devoted not only her time and abilities,
but also her health, and all her bodily powers,
to my service, and to the service of our God.
For many years past, indeed, her lungs have
been injured, and her constitution absolutely
ruined, by over fatigue, and by sudden transi-
tions from heat to cold, and from cold to
heat; having often, when warm with walking,
crossed the snows and sank into them to such
a depth as to be scarcely able to get out.
She received a sufficient recompense, you will
perhaps say, in the ample salary I allowed
her. No, dear children, no: since the death
of your dear mother, I have never been able
to prevail on her to accept the least reward
for her services; she employed her own little
property in doing good, and in the purchase
of her scanty wardrobe; and it was always
as a favour that she received from me some
slight articles of dress, and provisions, which
I owed, notwithstanding, to her economy and
1
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
61
good management. Judge, dear children,
judge of the debt you have contracted, from
her services to me, and how far you will ever
be from repaying it.
"In times of sickness and affliction, how
kindly has she watched over both you and
me; how tenderly has she sought to mitigate
our pains, and assuage our griefs. Once
more I commend her to you. You will
evince, by the care that you take of her, how
much attention you pay to the last wish of a
father, who has always endeavoured to in-
spire you with feelings of gratitude and bene-
volence-but, yes-yes-you will fulfil my
wishes. You will be, in your turn, both in-
dividually and collectively, all that she has
been to you, as far as your means, situation,
and opportunity permit.
"Adieu, my very dear children: your papa,
"J. F. OBERLIN."
Tot
A visiter to Oberlin's dwelling-house in
1793, describes it as an interesting spot in it-
self. The situation was romantic, the gar-
den and fields in beautiful cultivation, and the
utmost order and neatness were scen both
F
62
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
within and without the house. The walls
were covered with maps, drawings of insects
and animals, &c. Texts of Scripture were writ-
ten over all the doors; following the direction
given to Israel by Moses, respecting the di-
vine laws: "Thou shalt write them upon the
door-posts of thine house, and upon thy gates."
(Deut. xi. 20.) Over the dining-room door
was written,
"Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled."
Upon the others were texts enjoining love to
God, and our neighbour. The intelligence
and amiable simplicity of the peasants struck
every one with admiration. Oberlin and his
children were constantly employed in doing
something for the improvement and comfort
of the people. Entire equality prevailed in
his house, but all were alike respectful to the
pastor.
Among his other good devices, Oberlin had
thousands of texts of Scripture, and other sen-
tences, printed, like our Sunday-school tick-
ets, which he distributed to his people and
his visiters. Verses from the Bible were to
b
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
63
be seen every where on his walls, and it was
his study to let no opportunity pass of doing
good, or impressing some useful truth.
In 1793 he was again severely afflicted by
the loss of his eldest son, in the twenty-fourth
year of his age; but he did not murmur, re-
cognizing the hand of his heavenly Father in
his troubles as well as in his joys.
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
CHAPTER VIII.
DURING the horrors of the French Revolu-
tion, when every kind of worship was forbid-
den, the good Oberlin was not disturbed in
his peaceful parish. His house became the
refuge of many persons who fled from the
persecution and bloody scenes which were
acted in other places. The people of the Ban,
however, suffered with the rest of the king-
dom by the loss of trade, and the scarcity of
money. Oberlin at once announced that he
should not expect them to contribute as much
as they had before done to the support of him-
self, the schools, and the other expenses of the
district; but told them they might bring what
they could afford, and that if they brought
nothing, he should not be displeased. He
distributed their contributions with the great-
est judgment and economy. He constantly
taught them the duty of industry, and would
hire every person he saw idle to engage in
some work. Notwithstanding the poverty of
its inhabitants, scarcely a beggar was ever
seen in the valley, unless some one from the
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
65
}
neighbouring country, attracted by the well-
known disposition of the pastor and his peo-
ple, might come to seek their assistance.
"Why do you not work?" was Oberlin's
usual question.-"Because no one will em-
ploy me," was the general answer." Well,
then I will employ you. Here; carry those
planks-break those stones-fill that bucket
with water-and I will pay you for your
trouble."--Such was his usual way of pro-
ceeding, and idle beggars were taught to come
there no more. He set the example himself,
allowing no part of the day to be spent with-
out some useful occupation. When the times
of the Revolution reduced the resources of the
people, he undertook the education of ten or
twelve pupils, who were sent to him from
abroad, and expended a great part of the mo-
ney received for this service, upon his parish.
He faithfully set apart three-tenths of all he
received to charitable and religious uses.
For this purpose he kept three boxes. The
first, he said, "was a deposite for the worship
of God: and I devote the contents to the
building and repairing of churches and school
rooms; the support of conductresses; and the
<di
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
purchase of Bibles and pious books; in short,
to any thing connected with divine worship,
or the extension of the knowledge of our Re-
deemer's kingdom." On this box he wrote
texts from Leviticus xxvii. 30, and Malachi
iii. 10. "And all the tithe of the land, whe-
ther of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of
the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the
Lord."-"Bring ye all the tithes into the
store-house, that there may be meat in my
house, and prove me now herewith, saith the
Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the win-
dows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing
that there shall not be room enough to re-
ceive it."-The second box held his tithes "for
useful purposes," such as the improvement of
the roads to the churches and schools; the
schoolmaster's salary; all works of public
utility; dinners to the poor who came on Sun-
day from the other villages; the repairing of
injuries, and assistance to the peasantry.
The texts on this box were Deuteronomy xiv.
22-27, and xvi. 16. The third box was "for
the poor," in want of fuel, clothing, or food,
or whose houses were burned, or who had
any other wants. On this box he wrote verses
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
67
:
28 and 29, of Deuteronomy xiv. and Leviti-
cus xix. 9, 10. But this large appropriation
did not satisfy his wishes, and when he heard
of the establishment of a Missionary Society,
to send the Gospel to the heathen, he sold all
the plate he had, with the exception of a sin-
gle spoon, and gave the proceeds to the so-
ciety and he bequeathed this spoon to a
missionary establishment in Switzerland. He
indeed had the missionary spirit himself, and
in the early part of his ministry determined
to come to Pennsylvania, where a large field
was open for doing good, but was prevented
by the war which broke out between America
and England. After this design was disap-
pointed, he would never listen to any invita-
tion to remove to other parishes, although
many were made to him from important
places. He was so much affected by the
accounts of the wretched condition of the
slaves in the West Indies, that he determined
to taste no more sugar and coffee because they
were prepared by slaves; and this resolution
he never broke, though it cost him great self-
denial to abandon comforts which he had
been accustomed to from his infancy.
68
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
When the French government made a kind
of notes to pass for money, which they had
not specie to redeem, every one who held the
notes lost their amount, when they would no
longer pass. To prevent this loss to his peo-
ple, he bought from them all that they had,
for their full amount, which he raised by the
sale of whatever he could dispose of.
It is the injunction of an Apostle, that
"whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we
do, we do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor.
x. 31.) The views of religion which Oberlin
entertained, made him follow this rule to its
greatest extent. He would take a stone out
of the road, if it were likely to incommode a
traveller, on the principle of love to his neigh-
bour; and in this manner he argued and
practised respecting all the duties in which
mankind are engaged.
He was charitable in all his opinions and
feelings, and took every opportunity of teach-
ing the duty of kindness to our fellow-men,
without distinction. One morning in the
early part of his ministry, as Oberlin was at
work in his study, he heard a great noise in
he village. Going out, he found a crowd of
1
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
69
people abusing a stranger with the most
threatening language. "A Jew! a Jew!" they
cried out on all sides, as the pastor forced his
way through them; and it was with difficulty
that he could obtain silence. As soon as he
could be heard, he rebuked them with warmth
for having proved themselves unworthy of
the name of Christians, by treating the stran-
ger in so cruel a manner. He added, that if
this poor man wanted the name of a Christian,
they wanted the spirit of Christians.
Among other fruits of faith, the charity of
the peasants to orphans was very striking.
When a poor father or mother died, leaving
a family, it was a thing of course for some
poor person to offer to take the charge and
care of the orphans; so that many of the house-
holds contained one or two adopted children,
who were treated as their own. One female
devoted herself especially to the care of or-
phans; and though possessing nothing more
than a small piece of ground from which to
procure a living, supported at one time ten
destitute children.
When the British and Foreign Bible Socie-
ty inquired of Oberlin how many Bibles were
70
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
wanted in his parish, he addressed them a
letter, in which he gave an account of the
manner in which he would distribute those
that they should grant him. We make some
extracts from this letter, particularly as it
gives a fuller account of the excellent woman
just mentioned.
"Among the large number of individuals
and families to whom a Bible is a inost wel-
come gift, I first put down such characters as
are most active in promoting the Redeemer's
kingdom, and in doing good to the bodies
and souls of their fellow-creatures.
Į
"The first Bible shall be given to Sophia
Bernard, who is one of the most excellent
women I know, and, indeed, an ornament to
my parish. While unmarried, she undertook,
with the consent of her parents, the support
and education of three helpless boys, whom
their inhuman father had treated in a shocking
manner, when, being nearly starved to death,
they ventured to cry out for food. Soon
afterwards, she proved the means of saving
the lives of three Roman Catholic children,
who, without her assistance, would have fallen
a prey to want and famine. Thus she had
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
71
the management of six children, to whom
several more were added, belonging to parents
of three several denominations. She then
hired a house and a servant girl, and support-
ed the whole of her family entirely by her
own work, and the little money acquired by
the industry of the children, whom she taught
to spin cotton. At the same time she proved
a blessing to the whole village where she
lived; for no one could be more industrious,
frugal, clever, cheerful, and edifying by her
whole walk and conversation; more ready
for every good word and work; more mild
and affectionate, and more firm and resolute
in danger than she was. A fine youth, of
generous disposition, made her an offer of
marriage, and as she appeared unwilling to
accept him, he declared, that if necessary, he
would wait ten years to gain her hand. She
then acknowledged that the motive for refus-
ing him was the grief it would occasion her to
part from her little orphans. "He who takes
the mother, takes the children also," replied
the young man. On this condition the mar-
riage took place, and all the children were
brought up under their mutual care, in the
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
most excellent manner. They have lately
taken in some other orphans, whom they are
training up in the fear and love of God.
Though these people pass for rather rich, yet
their income is so limited, and their benevo-
lence so extensive, that they sometimes hardly
know how to furnish themselves with a new
suit of clothes. I intend to give them a Bible,
because their own is often lent out in differ-
ent Roman Catholic villages.
pag
"The second Bible I intend to give to an
excellent woman, named Maria Schepler, who
lives at the opposite end of my parish, where
the cold is more severe, and the ground un-
fruitful, so that nearly all the householders
are poor people, who must lend their clothes
to each other when they intend to go to the
Lord's supper. This poor woman is also a
very remarkable character, and I could say
much in her praise, were I to enter into par-
ticulars. Though distressed and afflicted in
her own person and circumstances, yet she is
a mother, benefactress, and teacher to the
whole village in which she lives, and to some
neighbouring districts too. She takes the
most lively interest in all that relates to the
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
73
Redeemer's kingdom upon earth, and inward-
ly groans under a sense of the inroads made
by the powers of darkness. She, also, has
brought up several orphans without receiving
the smallest recompence, keeps a free-school
for females, and makes it a practice to lend
her Bible to such as are deprived of it. I
might easily enumerate many more charac-
ters of a similar description, whose eyes will
overflow with grateful tears, if they are fa-
voured with the present of a Bible."
The manner in which Sophia Bernard
came to take the three little children mention-
ed in the letter, was as follows. Before she
married, and when her little family already
consisted of seven children, she and her
sister Madeleine received a letter from a poor
tailor, who lived in a neighbouring Roman
Catholic village, entreating them, from what
he had heard of their charitable deeds, to take
charge of his three little children, all of whom
were under four years old, as his wife was
sick, and he was utterly unable to provide
for them.
Following the benevolent impulse of the
moment, or rather the dictates of that bene-
G
74
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
volence by which they were habitually ac-
tuated, the two sisters immediately set out,
although the evening was already far ad-
vanced, and they had dangerous roads to
traverse, with their baskets on their backs.
At length, regardless of fatigue and exertion,
they reached the summit of the mountain.
upon which the cottage was situated. Softly
approaching it, they peeped in at the win-
dow, and were confirmed in the truth of
the statement they had received, by the evi-
dent marks of wretchedness and poverty that
the little apartment exhibited. Upon enter-
ing it, they found the little creatures in as
forlorn a condition as the poor man had
described, miserably nursed, and weak and
diseased from neglect. They, therefore, with-
out farther deliberation, wrapped them up in
flannel, packed them in the baskets at their
backs, and took them home. But, as their
father's house could not accommodate so
large an accession to the family, Sophia
hired a servant girl, and an additional room,
where she fed, clothed, nourished and edu-
cated them, so that they became strong,
healthy and industrious. On some of his
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
75
•
neighbours afterwards asking the tailor how
he could allow his children to be brought up
by Protestants-"Oh," he replied, "if they
make such good Protestants of them as they
are themselves, I shall thank them for it."
Some time before the establishment of the
Paris Bible Society, Oberlin founded an auxi-
liary to the British and Foreign Bible Society
in Waldbach, by devoting a proportion of
the offerings of the people to that institution.
This was done at stated meetings, held for
the purpose of reading the Scriptures, and
praying for the success of religious institu-
tions; after which they took up a collection
to be distributed by the pastor. He also
established Female Bible Associations, by
directing the women to lend their Bibles to
their neighbours, and read them to those
who could not read for themselves.
Kat
In his advancing age, Oberlin was assisted
by his children in his various labours. Some
of them were married, and continued to re-
side with him. Besides the arts of straw-
plaiting, dyeing, &c. which he introduced, he
had the people instructed in cotton-spinning
by hand, which was very profitable until the
www
76
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
use of machines in the neighbourhood de-
prived them of this source of income. But
this loss was soon supplied by the remo-
val into the Ban of the Messrs. Legrand's
manufactory of silk ribbons, which employed
several hundred hands-for the population
now amounted to three or four thousand.
The subjoined letter from one of Oberlin's
sons to a friend, gives a more particular ac-
count of their situation at this period.
66
i
Waldbach, December 11th, 1813.
Highly honoured Sir, my valued friend, and
former teacher.
"My father received your friendly letter on
the 10th of April, and he allows me the plea-
sure of replying to part of it.
"The Steinthal has, during the last few
years, witnessed many melancholy, but also
many cheering events. Conflagrations, for-
merly so rare, have destroyed many houses
in most of the villages; even the beautiful
parsonage of Rothau fell, a few years ago, a
prey to the flames. We have also lost, since
that period, several of the most worthy inha-
bitants of our valley, who, both in word and
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
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deed, were bright and shining examples to
their contemporaries; such were, for in-
stance, Catherine Gagniere and Catherine
Banzet. We must likewise include among
our apparent adversities the circumstance of
cotton-spinning having been on the decline
for several years; and as a similar circum-
stance occurs with regard to weaving, many
families have been thrown into great distress.
But God, who has always had an open eye
upon the Steinthal, and extended a helping
hand towards it, has also manifested him-
self in the present juncture. Besides the ex-
cellent magistrates with whom the whole
of my dear father's parish is blessed, God
has given us, in the person of the Count
Lezay Marnesia, a prefect who entertains an
extraordinary affection for the people of the
Steinthal. Through his means in particular,
and the striking interposition of Providence,
the long pending law-suit about the forests,
which had been so oppressive to the in-
habitants, has been brought to an amicable
conclusion this year. It also pleased God to
send, a short time since, a gentleman into
this country who formerly kept a ribbon
G 2
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
manufactory in Alsace, and who takes a
great interest in effectually assisting the in-
habitants of the Steinthal. Our good and
excellent Louisa Schepler is still alive, and
always, in conjunction with my dear father,
observing the same fidelity and self-devotion
in the performance of her duties. We, his
children, have been very much dispersed, but
we were much more so a little time ago than
we are now. It is, indeed, remarkable how
we are concentrated in the Steinthal. My
brother Charles has been for some years past
clergyman of Rothau.* My sister Frederica,
who married the Rev. Mr. Rauscher, now
resides at Barr, where Mr. Rauscher keeps
a school, and also exercises his ministerial
functions. I myself, in fine, come to the
Steinthal from Russia, or Livonia, though
not by the shortest way. I wrote to you,
respected friend, from Riga, under the date
of August 2d, 1811. I wrote also, at a later
* Charles Conservé, Oberlin's second son, was born in 1776..
In the year 1803, he married Sophia Catharine Franck, of Stras-
burg, the widow of an officer named Berard. On account of his
father's advancing age, he was induced, in 1806, to relieve him of
part of his pastoral duties, by accepting the living of Rothau, at
which place he still rosides.
LIFE OF OBERLIN.´
79
period, to Dr. Steinkopff, but I never received
an answer from your country. I ought to
have mentioned above, that the gentleman
who is introducing the ribbon manufactory
into the Steinthal is a native of Basle; per-
haps he is not unknown to you. It is Mr.
Legrand, who was formerly a member of
the Directory in Switzerland. My dear
sister Louisa Charite is married to a good
worthy man, the Rev. Peter Witz, of
Colmar. Our beloved sister Fidelite has
been for several years lost to us in this
world, which grieves me, in particular, even
now. The good Fidelite-what a faithful
sister she was!-as faithful a sister as she
was a mother and a wife.*
D
\
TÖREN
* Fidclité Caroline Oberlin was married, in 1795, to the Rev.
James Wolff, of Mittelbergheim. She died May 9th, 1809,
leaving two little girls, who soon followed their mother to the
grave. Her death was a great affliction to her near connexions,
but especially to Henry, to whom she was remarkably endeared,
and to her father. In speaking of this circumstance, Mr. Heisch,
the long and intimate friend of the family, says, "I particularly
recollect the warm attachment that subsisted between Oberlin's
daughter Fidelité, his son Henry, and himself. Oh, he did love
his children most tonderly! If I am not mistaken, I saw him
weep but once, and that was when he married his daughter
Fidelité to Mr. Wolff. Tears of joy in the prospect of her happi-
ness, were then mingled with those tears of grief, which a sepa-
/
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
·
"I shall now conclude, as it is possible
that my dear father and Louisa may wish to
add a word themselves.
"I remain ever, your grateful old pupil and
friend,
"HENRY GOTTFRIED OBERLIN."
}
ration from this beloved child could not but occasion. Sometime
after he repeatedly visited her at Mittelbergheim, and I had once
or twice the pleasure of accompanying him. It is scarcely pos-
sible for any one, who was not an eye-witness to this scene, to
form an idea of the tender affection that subsisted between father
and daughter."
་
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
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+
ว
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CHAPTER IX.
ONE of the objects of Oberlin's anxiety was,
to put an end to a dispute which had existed
for eighty years between the peasantry of the
Steinthal, and some proprietors of the ter-
ritory, concerning the right to the forests
which covered the mountains. The law-suit
to which it gave rise, was a constant burden
to the people, and discouraged their industry.
So desirous was the good pastor to have this
quarrel terminated, that for many years one
of the inscriptions on his doors was:
"O Lord, have mercy on the Steinthal, and put an end to the
law-suit."
#
The excellence of his character had gained
him the esteem of the chief officer of the
pro-
vince, who promised to co-operate with him.
Oberlin took every opportunity of convincing
his people of the great injury the suit was doing
them, and that it would be better for them to
give up the contest, and live in peace. He
succeeded in removing their objections, and
after so many years angry contention, the
mild pastor saw the difficulty removed on
82
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
terms advantageous to both parties. The
officer was so much struck with this example
of his influence, that he requested Oberlin to
hang up in his study the pen that had signed
the amicable agreement, as a monument of
the victory of the Christian graces over long
hatred and bad feeling. He complied with
the request, and used to say that the day on
which that pen was used, (which was June 6,
1813,) was one of the happiest of his life.
In 1817, another beloved son, a minister of
the Gospel, fell ill in France, whilst travelling
in the service of the Bible Society. He re-
turned to the district, to a village nine miles
from his father's residence. No sooner did
the people of Waldbach hear of his desire to
die at his native place, than twelve peasants
immediately set out, and offered to carry him
home on a litter. But as he could not bear
exposure to the open air, he was placed in a
covered cart, and as it proceeded slowly
through the valley, the peasants walked be-
fore it, removing every stone out of the way
of the wheels. A few weeks after his arrival,
his sufferings were terminated by a triumphant
death.
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
83
A report was made to the Agricultural
Society of Paris, in 1818, of the improvements
Oberlin had effected in the cultivation of the.
soil. The Count of Neufchateau said to the
Society: "If you would behold an instance
of what may be effected in any country for
the advancement of agriculture and the inter-
ests of humanity, quit for a moment the banks
of the Seine, and ascend one of the steepest
summits of the Vosges mountains. Friends
of the plough, and of human happiness, come
and behold the Ban de la Roche! Climb
with me the rocks so sublimely piled upon
cach other, which separate this canton from
the rest of the world, and though the country
and the climate may at first sight appear for-
bidding, I will venture to promise you an
ample recompense for the fatigue of your ex-
cursion.
"As for myself, after having formed the
administration of the department of the
Vosges in 1790, and presided over it in 1791,
I had, in 1793, to travel over those mountains,
as a commissioner of the government, at the
very period when the parishes of Rothau and
Waldbach, before that time dependent on the
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
Pá
principality of Salm were united to the de-
partment. I have, therefore, been long ac-
quainted with the valuable services rendered,
for more than fifty years, to the Ban de la
Roche, by John Frederic Oberlin. Ever since.
that time, and to the advanced age of seventy-
eight, he has persevered in carrying forward
the interesting reformation first suggested
and commenced by his virtue, piety and zeal.
He has refused invitations to more important
and more lucrative situations, lest the Ban de
la Roche should relapse into its former deso-
late state; and by his extraordinary efforts
and unabated exertions, he averted from his
parishioners, in the years 1812, 1816, and
1817, the horrors of approaching famine.*
"Such a benefactor of mankind deserves
*The new crop of potatoes that Oberlin had introduced, formed
the principal subsistence of the people during those disastrous years,
when the scason was so cold and rainy that they could not get in
two-thirds of the corn at all; and the scarcity so great, that poor
little children, cxhausted with hunger, were seen to drop down in
the streets. A sack of wheat during that time of distress rose to
ncarly thirty dollars in price, and the potatoes to about one cent
apicce.
The precise acquaintance which the inhabitants of the Ban de
la Roche had acquired, through Oberlin's assistance, with the vege-
table productions of their canton, was believed to be the means of
preventing the most distressing discases.
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
85
the veneration and the gratitude of all good
men; and it gives me peculiar pleasure to pre-
sent you with the opportunity of acknowledg-
ing, in the person of M. Oberlin, not a single
act, but a whole life, devoted to agricultural
improvements, and to the diffusion of useful
knowledge among the inhabitants of a wild
and uncultivated district.
"We have already ascertained that there
is in France uncultivated land sufficient for
the formation of five thousand villages. When
we wish to organize these colonies, Waldbach
will present a perfect model; and, in the thir-
ty or forty rural hamlets which already exist,
there is not one, even amongst the most flou-
rishing, in which social economy is carried to
a higher degree of perfection, or in which the
annals of the Ban de la Roche may not be
studied with advantage."-A gold medal was
presented to him by the society, as a testi-
mony of their gratification. He was also
honoured with a badge of distinction by the
king, Louis XVIII.
At one time, Oberlin was not only minister,
schoolmaster, farmer, and mechanic, but also
physician to his parish, having learned some-
H
daha
86
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
thing of the art whilst tutor to the doctor's
family, as before mentioned. He used to
climb the steepest mountains, at all seasons
and hours, to visit the sick, and would travel
in the night to Strasburg to purchase physic
for them. These attentions endeared him still
more to his parishioners, who looked up to him
with the greatest love and veneration, notwith-
standing the familiar affection with which he
treated them. He did not pass those amongst
them who were grown up, without pulling off
his hat and speaking a few words of kindness,
nor any of the children without shaking them
by the hand, or showing them some little act
of attention. "Jesus," he often said, "loved
children. It is to such as resemble them that
he promises the kingdom of heaven." He
was extremely anxious, in every part of his
conduct, to prevent the possibility of miscon-
struction on the part of those over whom he
watched. "On one occasion," says a per-
son who visited the Ban de la Roche a
few years ago, "as we were walking up a
hill, he had the arm of his son-in-law, whilst
my wife was walking alone. Fearing this
might be considered self-indulgent or disre-
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
87
spectful by some of his younger parishioners,
whom we happened to pass, he stopped to
make an apology to them for this apparent
disregard of the law of civility and kind-
29**
ness.
N
"When our postilion, who appeared to
have some previous acquaintance with the
Ban de la Roche, met him," continues the
same friend, "he and the old man were in-
stantly with their hats lowered to the ground,
whilst Oberlin stepped forward to shake him
by the hand, and to make some inquiry about
his friends at Strasburg. This was done
with all the sweetness of Christian feeling,
whilst there was no departure from the dig-
nity with which his situation and circum-
stances naturally invested him. Good man-
ners prevailed in these valleys to an extent
that is rarely witnessed. The practice of
the pastor produced the happiest effects upon
the mass of the population. The habitual
politeness of the French character might
have assisted in this work, but I have never
witnessed in any other poor people such re-
* It should be remembered that Oberlin was then in his cigh-
tieth year.
88
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
markable and universal suavity:-such com-
plete refinement as in these hardy moun-
taineers.
"As the Dear Papa had the highest regard
for his people, so he had the best opinion of
their skill, and wondered that any should
doubt about it. I happened one day, when
we were driven by a man who seemed to go
on in a hazardous manner, to say "Take care."
The old man appeared hurt at this admonition,
both on my account and on that of the driver.
He assured me that all was safe, and at the
end of our drive, took the greatest pains to
prevent any feeling of vexation which might
arise in the mind of his parishioner."
Oberlin's habits were very orderly. Every
thing seemed to have its place in his house.
There was a box to deposit every morsel of
litter, which could only be of service in the
stove. His books, a great number of which
were in manuscript, were perfectly arranged,
and written in a beautiful hand, for it was a
point of duty with him, to give every letter
its perfect formation. His Bible was mark-
ed throughout with different coloured ink,
according to the application which he, in the
1
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
89
course of his reading, had made of different
passages.
In conversation he was fluent and very
unreserved; willing to communicate all he
knew; and, on the other hand, inquisitive as
to every thing which he saw, and from which
it appeared likely he could derive information.
He once wrote under his profile the following
character of himself: "A strange compound
of contradictory qualities. I do not yet ex-
actly know what I am to make of myself. I
am intelligent, and yet possessed of very
limited powers-prudent, and more politic
than my fellow-clergymen; but also very apt
to blunder, especially when in the least excited.
I am firm, yet of a yielding disposition; and
both of these, in certain cases, to a great de-
gree. I am not only daring, but actually
courageous; whilst, at the same time, I am
often in secret very cowardly. I am very
upright and sincere, yet also very complaisant
to men, and in a degree, therefore, insincere.
I am a German and a Frenchman; noble,
generous, ready to render service, faithful,
very grateful,-deeply affected by the least
benefit or kindness, which is ever after en-
pala
II 2
90
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
graven on my heart; and yet, again, flighty
and indifferent. I am irritable to a formi-
dable degree. He who treats me generously
soon gains the ascendency over me; but op-
position creates in me an astonishing degree
of firmness, especially in matters of conscience.
I have a lively imagination, but no memory,
properly speaking. The histories which I
have taken pains to impress on my mind re-
main with me, but dates and the names of
persons I often forget the next day, notwith-
standing all the pains I have taken to remem-
ber them. I used to speak Latin fluently and
even elegantly, but now I cannot utter three
or four words together. I make selections
from books, and instruct others in some branch
of science for a long time; but a few years
after, my scholars, even if they know nothing
more than what I taught them, may in their
turn become my teachers, and the books from
which I made extracts (with the exception of
those of a certain description) appear wholly
new to me.
"I habitually work my way through my
studies till I obtain clear ideas; but if I wish
to penetrate deeper, every thing vanishes be-
wh
wat
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
91
fore me. I have a great talent for removing
difficulties in order to render every thing easy
and smooth to myself, and to every body
else. I am so extremely sensitive, tender, and
compassionate, that I can find neither words
nor expressions corresponding to my feelings,
so that the latter almost overpower me, and
occasion me acute pain. I am always busy
and industrious, but also fond of ease and in-
dolence. I am generally quick in resolving,
and equally so in executing. I have a pecu-
liar esteem for the female sex.
I am a very
great admirer of painting, music and poetry,
and yet I have no skill in any of them. Me-
chanics, natural history, and so forth, consti-
tute my favourite studies. I am very fond
of regularity, and of arranging and classify-
ing, but my weak memory, added to constant
employment, renders it difficult to me.
given to planning and scheming, and yet en-
deavour, in my peculiar way, to do things in
the best manner.
I am
htt
"I am a genuine soldier, but I was more
so before my bodily powers were so much
weakened; I was formerly anxious to be the
foremost in danger, and the firmest in pain,
เ
92
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
but have now lost that desire. From my
childhood I have felt a longing and prepon-
derating desire for a higher state of existence,
and therefore a wish for death. I am the
greatest admirer of military order and subor-
dination, not, however, in a spirit of slavery,
but of that noble affectionate attachment
which compels the coward to show courage,
and the disorderly to be punctual. I feel no
obstinacy or disinclination to yield to strong
internal conviction, but on the other hand a
fervent heart-felt joy in yielding to both great
and small, high and low, gentlemen and pea-
sants, children and servants, and thence a wil-
lingness to listen, and an inclination to suffer
myself, if possible, to be convinced. But when
I feel no conviction, I can never think of yield-
ing. I am humourous and a little witty or
satirical, but without intentional malice."
Su
As the villages of his little district were too
far apart to allow of his preaching every week
in all of them, he took each of the three in
rotation, and the peasants brought a horse for
him every Sunday morning to take him to
the church, and afterwards to dine with some
one of them. He took this occasion to in-
Jala
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
93
quire into their temporal and spiritual wants,
and always saw each of the children of the
house separately, to talk with them accord-
ing to their respective ages and dispositions.
1
7
1
{
1
1
94
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
CHAPTER X.
THE following letter was written by an
English clergyman, Mr. Owen, the Secretary
of the British and Foreign Bible Society, af-
ter a visit to Waldbach, describing a Sunday
spent there.
"The place from which my last was dated,
Waldbach, has completely filled my mind,
and laid such hold on my warmest affections,
that I can scarcely bring myself to think, or
speak, or write, on any thing but pastor
Oberlin, and his Ban de la Roche. You will
remember that the first foreign letter which
awakened an interest in our minds-the letter
which made its way most directly to our
hearts, and which, at the celebration of our
first anniversary, produced the strongest, and
if I may judge of others by myself, the most
lasting impression upon us all, was that
wherein this venerable pastor reported the
distribution he proposed to make of the
Bibles assigned to him, and drew, with the
hand of a master, the characters of those
women who laboured with him in the gospel,
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
95
and to whom, as the highest remuneration
he could bestow, and their ambition coveted,
a Bible was to be presented.*
"I cannot describe the sensations with
which I entered the mountainous parish, con-
taining five villages and three churches, in
which this primitive evangelist, who for more
than half a century has occupied this station,
exercises his functions; and still less those
with which I entered his residence, and ap-
proached his venerable person. The recep-
tion he gave me was such, as from the pro-
found humility of his character might have
been anticipated. My visit to him and his
flock was wholly unexpected: and when I
announced to him, in my introduction, that I
appeared before him as the Secretary of the
British and Foreign Bible Society, to testify,
on their part, the respect and affection with
which they regarded him, as one of the
earliest and most interesting of their foreign
correspondents, the good man took me by the
hand, and drew me gently toward the seat
which he usually occupies, exclaiming, Sir,
this is too great an honour! how shall I
6
*This is the letter, part of which is printed on pages 70-73.
96
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
answer words like these?" After the first
emotions had subsided, our conversation be-
came familiar; and as it never ceased, from
that time to the moment of our separation,
to turn more or less upon the things pertain-
ing to the kingdom of God, as they appear-
ed in the small scale of his own, or the great
scale of the Society's labours, it never ceased
to be deeply interesting, and full of edification.
"The Sunday exhibited this venerable man
in the pastoral character, under which it had
been so much my desire to see him. As he
makes the circuit of his churches, the turn
on this Sunday belonged to Belmont, distant
about half a league from the parsonage of
Waldbach. At ten o'clock we began to
move, Mr. Oberlin took the lead in his minis-
terial attire, mounted on a horse brought for
that purpose, according to custom, by one of
the peasants, whose turn it was to have the
honour of bringing his pastor, and receiving
him to dinner at his table. I rode as nearly
beside him as the narrow track could allow.
Mr. Ronneburg, accompanied by Mr. Le-
grand, followed. The rear was brought up
by the peasant before mentioned, carrying a
•
LIFE اهر
OF OBERLIN.
97
leathern bag slung across his shoulders, which
contained the other part of the minister's
dress, his books, &c. and another peasant as
an attendant on the general cavalcade. I
will not detain you by particulars, which,
however interesting, would draw me too far
from the main object of my attention. I
will only say, that the appearance of the con-
gregation, their neat and becoming costume,
their order and seriousness, together with
the fervour, tenderness and simplicity with
which the good minister addressed them,
both in his sermon and his catechetical lec-
ture in the afternoon, conveyed to my mind the
most delightful impression-that of a sincere
and elevated devotion. The interval between
the services was passed partly in dining at
the house of the happy peasant, and partly
in visiting some of the excellent individuals,
both men and women, with whom this part
of the parish abounds. The affability and
graceful condescension with which the pastor
saluted every member of his flock, wherever
he met them, and the affectionate reverence
with which young and old returned the
salutation, were peculiarly pleasing: it was,
I
!
98
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
f
on both sides, if a ceremony at all, the cere-
mony of the heart. On our return to the
parsonage, the evening was passed in edify-
ing conversation, and concluded by a French
hymn, in which all the household united. On
the next morning, I had the honour of con-
yeying my venerable host, amidst the bow-
ings of his parishioners, who gazed with
wonder at the unusual sight of their pastor
in a travelling carriage, to the house of Mr.
Legrand at Foudai, another of the villages
in the parish. Here we breakfasted; and
after much pleasing conversation, I had the
honour of being introduced to Sophia Ber-
nard and Catherine Scheidecker. Never
shall I forget the manner in which these inter-
esting peasants received me, when, address-
ing them by name, I told them that I had
known them nearly fourteen years, and that
the account of their services, communicated
to us by the pastor whom they so greatly
assisted, had been instrumental in stirring
up the zeal of many to labour after their ex-
ample. 'Oh Sir,' said Sophia, the tears
filling her eyes at the time, this does indeed
humble us; adding many pious remarks in
}
J
1
100

[es
b.ichman pe
i savien by sarcoiningnam.
E
DAILAS Lith.
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
99
relation to their obscurity, the imperfection
of their works, and the honour they consi-
dered it to labour for Him who had done so
much, yea, every thing, for them. The scene
was truly affecting. It was not without
many an effort that I tore myself from it, and
hurried from the Ban de la Roche, that seat
of simplicity, piety, and true christian refine-
ment, to resume my journey along the beaten
road, and to pursue my object among scenes,
which, whatever pleasure I had to expect,
would suffer in the comparison with those
which I had left behind me.”
❤
Our readers will not be unwilling to hear
as much as possible of this delightful place,
and we therefore add to the above, the ac-
count given by a French gentleman who
visited Waldbach in 1793.
"During the space of nearly thirty years,
in which Mr. Oberlin has been pastor of this
district, he has completely changed it. The
language is, from an unintelligible jargon,
altered into pure French; the manners of
the people are civilized, and ignorance is
banished, without injuring the simplicity of
their character. Many of the women belong-
100
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
ing to his parishes, trained for the purpose
under his fatherly care, (and called conduc-
tresses,) assist him in his occupations. They
teach reading, writing, and the elements of
geography, in the different villages where
they live; and by them the children are
taught many necessary things, but, above
all, have the seeds of religion and morality
sown in their hearts. The excellence of these
schools is so well established, that girls are
?
sent to them from distant parts, and the title
of "a scholar of pastor Oberlin," is a testi-
monial of excellence. His countenance is
affectionate, friendly, and benevolent. His
conversation is easy and flowing, and always
adapted to the capacity of those to whom he
is speaking. We accompanied him on hist
way to Waldbach. We had a wooded hill
to ascend; the sun was just setting, and it
was a beautiful evening. He related to us
the circumstances of his past life, and spoke
of his views and ideas, and the fear and love
of God, in a most touching manner. One
moment was particularly affecting, when,
stopping about half way up the hill, he
answered in the softest tone, to our question
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
101
6
Yes, I am happy.' These words are sel-
dom uttered by an inhabitant of this world;
and they were so delightful from one who is
a stranger to all the favours of fortune, and
who knows no joys but those of religion and
benevolence, that we longed to live like him,
that we might partake of the same happiness.
"The next morning we set off to return
the visit he had paid us. We found the
worthy pastor in his morning gown, just
concluding a lecture to his pupils. On our
entrance he gave us each, as a welcome, a
printed text, abide in me, and I in you,'
'seek those things which are above,' &c.,
6
"It is surprising to witness the sound
sense, refinement, and superiority of mind,
evinced by these simple peasants; the very
servants are well-educated, and are clothed
with that child-like spirit, which is one of the
truest tests of real religion.
"I am writing this at his table, whilst he is
busy preparing leather gloves for his peasant
children. His family are all around him, en-
gaged in their different employments: his
eldest son is giving a lesson to some of the little
ones, in which amusement and instruction are
I 2
102
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
judiciously blended; and the dear Papa, with-
out stopping from his business, frequently puts
in a word. He took me this morning into
his work-shop, where there is a turner's lathe,
a press, a complete set of carpenter's tools,
also a printing press, and one for book-bind-
ing. I assisted him in colouring a quire of
paper, which is intended for covers of school-
books. He gives scarcely any thing to his
people, but what has been, in some measure,
prepared by his own, or his children's hands.
"He will never leave this place. A much
better living was once offered him- No,' said
he, I have been ten years learning every
head in my parish, and obtaining an inven-
tory of their moral, intellectual and domestic
wants; I have laid my plan; I must have
ten years to carry it into execution.'
"Yesterday I found him surrounded, by
four or five families who had been burnt out
of their houses. He was dividing among
them clothes, meat, books, knives, thimbles,
and coloured pictures for the children, whom
he placed in a row according to their ages,
and then left them to choose. The most per-
fect equality reigns in his house; children,
g
1
When
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
103
{
servants, boarders--are all treated alike;
their places at table change, that each in turn
may sit next to him, with the exception of
Louisa, his housekeeper, who of course pre-
sides, and his two maids who sit at the end of
the table. As it is his custom to salute every
member of his family, night and morning,
these two little maids come very respectfully
curtseying to him, and he always gives them
his hand, and inquires after their health, or
wishes them good night. All are happy, and
appear to owe much of their happiness to
him. They seem to be ready to sacrifice
their lives to save his. Oberlin appears to
be looking forward to his eternal home with
holy confidence and joyful hope."
1
i
}
!
↓
104
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
CHAPTER XI.
66
over
ALTHOUGH Oberlin had some peculiarities
in his religious belief, he preached all the im-
portant evangelical doctrines. He especially
loved to speak of God as his Father;
Father," as he would often say, " and thus we'
may always feel him to be." He dwelt much
upon sanctification; the willingness of Christ
to receive all who come to him in sincerity
of heart; the efficacy of prayer, and the
necessity of divine grace. He was accus-
tomed to preach very earnestly on the future
judgment, and the punishment of the wicked;
holding out at the same time the love of God,
through Jesus Christ, to the returning sinner.
In his manner of preaching he was very plain,
so that all his hearers could understand him ;
frequently introducing anecdotes of pious
persons, and illustrating spiritual things from
nature. But the Bible, "the dear Bible,” as
he said, was the grand source of all his in-
structions. He quoted largely from it, and
used great care in explaining it. His ser-
mons on the afternoons of Sunday were prin-
{
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
105
1
1
cipally intended for the young, at which time
he always catechized them. The following
is a translation of one of the hymns that
were sung in his church.
}
:
1
O Lord, thy heavenly grace, impart,
And fix my frail inconstant heart;
Henceforth my chief desire shall be,
To dedicate myself to Thee!
To Thee, my God, to Thee!
/
Whate'er pursuits my time employ,
One thought shall fill my soul with joy;
That silent, secret thought shall be,
That all my hopes are fixed on Thee!
On Thee, my God, on Thee!
Thy glorious eye pervadeth space,
Thou'rt present, Lord, in every place;
And wheresoe'er my lot may be,
Still, shall my spirit cleave to Thee!
To Thee, my God, to Thee!
Renouncing every worldly thing,
Safe, 'neath the shelter of Thy wing,
My sweetest thought henceforth shall be,
That all I want I find in Thee!
In Thee, my God, in Thee!
{
Besides the services on Sunday, Oberlin
preached every Friday evening in German,
for the benefit of those who understood that
language better than French. At these
meetings he would use the plainest and most
↓
106
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
familiar manner in his instructions. When
he had read a portion of Scripture and ex-
plained it for about half an hour, he would
say to them--" well, my children, are you not
tired? have you not had enough? tell me
my friends." To which they would generally
reply, "no, papa, go on-we should like to
hear a little more;" according to which
answers he would either stop at once, or go
on until they would agree that he should
conclude. At these meetings the women
brought their knitting, an employment which
did not prevent their attention to the exhor-
tations and reading.
;
Oberlin was in the habit of reminding his
people of particular duties by writing them
letters on the subject. The following may
serve as specimens.
MON
"Dear Friends, Fathers, and Mothers!
“I have a request to make to you. You
give shepherds to your sheep, to lead them
into green pastures, to feed, tend and preserve
them from danger, and you do well.
"But have you no fears for your children?
Does not Satan go about to tempt them to do
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
107
wrong? Then give them shepherds likewise,
and never allow them to be left to their own.
devices. Let them work and amuse them-
selves under proper inspection and superin-
tendence, but let this superintendence be wise,
prudent, gentle, kind, and engaging; and
whilst it leads you to take part in their amuse-
ments, and to direct, animate, and enliven
them, let it also restrain them within due
bounds. Whatever it costs you, God will
restore it a thousand fold.”
1
66
And the Lord said unto Cain, where is
Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not;
am I my brother's keeper? (Gen. iv. 9.)
The Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel thy
brother? O, may these words resound con-
tinually in the ears of every parent! "Father,
where is thy son?" Fathers of Belmont! Fa-
thers of Bellefosse; of Waldbach; of Foudai,
and Zolbach! Father, where is thy son? In
what village? in what house? in what com-
pany? How is he employed? It behoves
you to be able to answer these inquiries by
night and by day; on Sundays and on work-
ing-days; wherever you are, and whatever
A
108
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
you are doing. You are the guardians of
your children; and whether they are employ-
ed in work, or relaxation and amusement, it
is your duty to superintend and direct their
amusements and pursuits.
"Do it; do it, henceforth, with faithfulness,
vigilance, and zeal; with earnest and secret
prayer, that God may pardon you for past
unfaithfulness, and deliver your sons from the
sin and danger into which your carelessness,
and want of parental watchfulness, may have
driven them. This is the desire of
"Your Papa and Minister,
"J. F. OBERLIN."
Waldbach, March 13, 1803.
"Dear Friends,
6
"Is not this one of the two principal com-
mandments Thou shalt love thy neighbour
as thyself?" Matt. xxii. 39. Is it not as
much as to say, when thy cattle can spare a
little of thy hay, supply those who stand in
need? But as thou canst not give to all who
want, choose those who are in the greatest
necessity and poverty, and, from among them
select such individuals as are most earnest in
ļ
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
109
obeying the commandments of Jesus Christ,
and in endeavouring to work out their salva-
tion with fear and trembling. Say to thyself,
'to such will I sell my hay,' and then let them
have it at so low a price, that they may re-
joice and bless God.
"And afterwards be careful to furnish them
with the means of liberating themselves from
the debt which they have incurred, as far as
thou art able to do so.
"Be the father of the poor, and God will
be thy father. Remember that it is impossi-
ble to love God with thy whole heart, without
loving thy neighbour also.
"Tread not in the steps of others, but be
thou a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Be
the father of the poor. Choose those who
fear God most. Make good speed about it,
for perhaps thou wilt not be much longer in
possession of terrestrial riches."
He endeavoured by these means to keep
their attention constantly awake to their du-
ties. He also addressed written questions to
them, which they were expected to answer
fully. The following are some of them.
K
110
***
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
}
"J
"Do you and your family regularly attend
places of religious instruction?
"Do you never pass a Sunday without em-
ploying yourself in some charitable work?
"Do neither you, nor your wife or chil-
dren ever wander in the woods on a Sunday,
in search of wild raspberries, strawberries,
whortle-berries, mulberries, or hazel-nuts, in-
stead of going to church? and if you have
erred in this manner, will you solemnly pro-
mise to do so no more?
"Are you careful to provide yourself with
clean suitable clothes for going to church in?
"Do those who are provided with clothes,
employ a regular part of their income to pro-
cure them for their destitute neighbours, or to
relieve their other necessities?
t
"Do you so love and reverence our Lord
and Saviour, Jesus Christ, as to feel united in
the bonds of Christian fellowship with that
flock of which he is the pastor?
"Do you give your creditors reason to be
satisfied with your honesty and punctuality?
or can they say of you that you are more
desirous of purchasing superfluous clothes
than of paying your debts?
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
111
your children regularly to
"Do you send
school?
"Do you watch over them as God requires
you should do? And is your conduct towards
them, such as will insure their affection, re-
spect and obedience?
}
"Are you, as well as your sons, acquainted
with some little handicraft work to employ
your spare moments, instead of letting them
pass away in idleness ?"
On the first day of the year 1779 he circu-
lated the following address among them.
"And he that sat upon the throne said, behold I make all
things new."-Rev. xxi. 5.
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Through the grace of God, we have
entered upon a new year. Oh, that it may
be new with respect to our sins, our suffer-
ings, and the temptations with which we may
have to combat.
"As to sins, may their number diminish
day by day, and may we be more constantly
animated, and governed by the spirit of our
Lord Jesus Christ. As to sufferings and
tribulations, may they produce the effect that
God designs in sending them, namely, that of
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
detaching our affections from this transitory
world, and of rendering us attentive to his
will and word. May they quicken us to
prayer; and induce us to strive more ear-
nestly to enter in at the strait gate, and to
'press toward the mark for the prize of our
high calling.' And as to the temptations
which may be placed in our way, may we
live entirely to Jesus Christ, and maintain
constant communion with him, in order that
we may receive, from time to time, fresh sup-
plies of grace and strength to resist them,
and be enabled to bring forth fruits of righ-
teousness, to the glory of God, and to the
honour of his holy gospel. O Lord, be thou
pleased, with the renewal of the year, to re-
new our strength. O Lord Jesus Christ,
thou hast said, 'I make all things new,' O
make our faith new also!
"May this year be marked by a more
lively, more deep, and more serious repent-
ance; by greater fervour in supplicating the
influences of God's Holy Spirit; by renewed
earnestness in devoting ourselves to Him, and
to his service. May we look to Him, and
employ all our mental and bodily powers, our
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
113
time, and our property, to his glory, and to
the purpose for which Jesus quitted his throne,
namely, the conversion and happiness of
mankind. O may we, this year, apply our-
selves, with renewed faithfulness, to obey all
his commandments, and all his precepts.
May this year be distinguished by an
increase of the number of the children of
God, and of the followers of Jesus Christ;
by the weakening of the kingdom of Satan
within us, and by the coming of the king-
dom of God
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May we, not only during the present, but
also, during each succeeding year which God
shall grant us in this world, become more
and more prepared for a blessed eternity-
abound more in prayers of intercession and
supplication-shed more tears of penitence,
contrition, love and pity; and perform more
good works, in order that we may reap an
abundant harvest on that day, when God,
through Jesus Christ, shall make all things
6
new.'"
!
He kept a private book, in which he re-
corded his observations on the spiritual con-
Metal
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
dition of his people individually. This guided
him in his conversation and preaching, and
enabled him to adapt his instructions to their
wants. He thought there were many par-
ticulars in which their situation resembled
that of the children of Israel under Moses,
and he adopted many of the laws prescribed
for them.
The affectionate manner in which he en-
tered into familiar conversation with them
upon such subjects as the diffusion of reli-
gious knowledge, the conversion of the
heathen, and the exertions of God's devoted
servants in bearing to others the "unsearch-
able riches of Christ," seldom failed to gain
their attention, and to awaken in their hearts
the warmest interest, whilst it had, at the
same time, a most happy effect upon their
manners; inducing, in some of the poor wo-
men particularly, a refinement and softness
not often met with in persons of the same
class, entirely free from pride, awkwardness,
or forwardness. The following anecdote is
a pleasing illustration of these remarks.
During Dr. and Mrs. Steinkopff's visit to
the Ban de la Roche, in 1820, they one day
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
115
took a walk up the side of the mountain with
Mr. Graff. The little path they were follow-
ing, led to Bellefosse, whither they were
going, to pay a visit to Madeleine Kruger,
one of the exemplary poor women of that
village. In the middle of a wood, through
which the road led, they met a peasant, sim-
ply attired, with a pleasing open countenance,
and a basket at her back.
"Good morning! I am rejoiced to have
met you, my dear Priscilla," said Mr. Graff,
"I have the pleasure of introducing you to
this lady and gentleman, from England. You
are well acquainted with the name of the
gentleman. He is Dr. Steinkopff, one of the
Secretaries of the Bible Society which has
supplied us with so many Bibles."-" Oh!
God be praised for it, my dear Sir!" replied
the peasant.
"Yes, I am well acquainted
with your name! I have read the reports
which make mention of you. Is it possible,"
and she joined her hands together, "that I
have the honour of seeing you here on earth!
Often, yes, often, I think of the people of
whom I read, and who have been brought to
our dear Saviour, through the means, through
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LIFE OF OBEKLIN.
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the generosity, of that noble Society. Ah,
what reason have we to rejoice, who live in
the abundance of spiritual blessings; and
how much should we wish to procure the
same advantages for those who are destitute
of them! Yes; we are very rich here, in
this Ban de la Roche. Oh that we may
never be unfaithful to that light which God
has been pleased to grant us! I am truly
delighted with all that I hear, and especially
that I have the pleasure of seeing you. I
recollect what our good pastor one day said
at a funeral, when he saw a poor child weep-
ing bitterly over its grandmother, whom they
were going to bury, My dear child, instead
of weeping for your grand-mamma, who is
now no more, endeavour to live in a manner
conformable to the will of God; believe, dear,
in your Saviour, and then, in his good time,
you will meet her again in heaven, never
more to be separated.' I also pray, Sir, that
it may please God to grant me grace to live
the life of a Christian, that when I die, my
spirit may join those pure and happy spirits
who have done so much good upon earth."
"The manners and expression of this inter-
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Fadvi
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
117
esting young woman," says Mrs. Steinkopff,
were very superior; for with all the anima-
tion and sprightliness of the French, much
zeal and humility were conspicuous.”
"On reaching Bellefosse," continues the
letter, "we visited the white-washed cottage
of Madeleine Kruger; its neat painted case-
ments and clean steps announced the com-
fort to be found within. We entered through
a kitchen, with a well furnished dresser and
good oven. 'Happily come,' said she; 'you
do me too much honour. I am this moment
returned, and I should be sorry not to have
been here on your arrival; my door is not
yet unlocked;' and as she spoke she reached
the key and opened it into a very good room,
at one end of which stood her bed with pretty
blue cotton curtains, and on one side a long
table with benches around it, all as white as
wood could be made; on the table lay a Mo-
ravian text-book open, in which she had been
reading. Whilst we were there, a tall agree-
able looking man, with a slouched hat and
blue trowsers and jacket, came in; he was
mayor and schoolmaster at the same time."
They afterwards proceeded to the neat,
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
clean, and comfortable cottage of Sophia
Bernard, at Foudai, with whom they were to
take tea; she met them at the door and
showed them into a good-sized room, where
on a long deal table, almost as white as snow,
were placed some beautiful flowers, and cups
and saucers, cream and cakes, supplied by
Mrs. Legrand, who, with her husband, sons
and daughters, drank tea with them. The
cups and saucers were very handsome, being
of white and yellow china, and had different
German sentences upon them. Upon Mrs.
Steinkopff's cup this motto was inscribed,
Pray for me, and I will pray for thee." Two
benches were placed along the table, and
Sophia stood behind, to wait. She was, like
many of the female peasants of the Steinthal,
delicate in her appearance, with a mild and
gentle countenance, and peculiar humility of
deportment. She looked upon her guests
with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction,
listening to all that was said, and lifting up
her hands in gratitude to God, for what she
heard concerning the extension of the Re-
deemer's kingdom on earth by the success
of Missionary and Bible Societies. On the
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
119
parture of her visiters she knelt down, and
prayed very fervently for their protection."
There is a journal by another lady who
visited the Steinthal in 1820, and notwith-
standing the various accounts we have
already given, we are persuaded it will be
interesting; and it is the last we have. On
their way to Oberlin's house they met him.
"He received us cordially, and we soon felt
quite at ease with him. We all proceeded
together towards his house, which stands on
the top of a hill surrounded by trees and cot-
tages: if we live to return you shall see my
sketch of it. I could see nothing like a mis-
tress in the house: but an old woman, called
Louisa, dressed in a long woollen jacket and
black cotton cap, came to welcome us, and
we afterwards found that she is an important
person at the Ban de la Roche. Besides
Louisa, the son-in-law and daughter, and
their six children live here, two young girls,
and two more maids out of the parish. We
were ushered into the dining-room, where
stood the table spread for supper: a great
bowl of pottage-a pewter plate and spoon
for every body:-the luxury of a common
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
£
English cottage is not known here. But we
see the fruits and feel the blessed effects of
religion in its simplest form; it is a great
privilege to be here, and I trust will be truly
useful to us.
"Tuesday. We are become more ac-
quainted with this extraordinary people.
They are as interesting as they are uncom-
mon. I much regret that I cannot talk more
fluently with them; yet I get on as well as I
can, and have a good deal of pleasing com-
munication with them. I never knew so well
what the grace of courtesy was till I saw
Oberlin. He treats the poorest people, and
even the children, with an affectionate re-
spect. For instance, his courtesy, kindness,
and hospitality to our postilion were quite
amusing. He pulled his hat off when we met
him, took him by the hand, and treated him
with really tender consideration. He is, I
think, more than eighty-one of the hand-
somest old men I remember ever to have
seen-still vigorous in mind and spirit-de-
lighting in his parish-full of fervent charity.
We all sit down to the same table, maids and
all, one great dish of pottage or boiled spi-
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
121
nach, and a quantity of salad and potatoes,
upon which they chiefly live, being placed in
the middle. He shakes hands with all the
little children as he passes them in the street,
speaking particularly to them individually:
it is quite wonderful to see the effect and
polish which this sort of treatment and man-
ner has had upon these people, uncultivated
and uncivilized as they were before, from all
accounts. I never met with any thing like
such cultivation of mind amongst poor people.
They have been taught a variety of things
which have enlarged and polished their
minds besides religion; music, geography,
drawing, botany, &c. If you go into a cot-
tage they expect you will eat and drink with
them; a clean cloth is laid upon the table,
washed almost as white as milk, and the new
milk and the wine, and the great loaf of bread
are brought out; yet they are in reality ex-
ceedingly poor. Their beds also look so
clean and good that they would astonish our
poor people. In some respects I think they
are decidedly cleaner than our poor. Their
dress is simple to the greatest degree. The
women and girls all dress alike, even down
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1
to the very little children. They wear caps
of dark cotton, with black ribbon, and the
hair bound closely under. Every body-
maids, children, poor and rich, call Mr. Ober-
lin their "Dear Papa," and never was there a
more complete father of a large family. We
breakfast at seven; the family upon potatoes.
boiled with milk and water-a, little coffee is
provided for us. We dine at twelve, and
sup at half-past seven. Every thing is in
the most primitive style. I never saw such
people for not taking money. It is almost
impossible to pay any body for any service
they do for you. In our visits to the poor
we have been afraid of offering them money;
but we feel anxious to throw in some assist-
ance towards the many important objects
which Mr. Oberlin is carrying on amongst
his people. It is almost past belief what he
has done, and with very limited means. Three
poor dear women are noted for their benevo-
lence; one especially, who is a widow her-
self with several children, has taken to sup-
port and bring up three orphan children;
and she has lately taken another from no
other principle than abounding christian
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}
charity. One seldom meets with such shin-
ing characters. Mr. O. told Mr. Cunning-
ham the other day, he did not know how to
pay Louisa, for nothing hurt her so much as
offering her money. No one can be more
devoted to his service, and in the most dis-
interested manner. Her character has im-
pressed me very much. We had a delightful
walk to a church about two miles distant,
on Sunday morning; the numbers of poor,
flocking from the distant villages, dressed in
their simple and neat costume, formed a
striking object in the scene. It happened to
be the Sunday Mr. O. goes to the next parish,
where his son has him to assist in giving
prizes to the school children.
"Wednesday evening. The poor charm
me. I never met with any like them; so
much spirituality, humility and cultivation of
mind, with manners that would do honour to
a court; yet the homely dress and the sim-
plicity of the peasant are not lost. The
state of the schools, the children, and the
poor in general, is quite extraordinary, and
as much exceeds our parish as ours does the
most neglected.
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
"We have spent our time in the following
manner :-Since Sunday the mornings have
been very wet; we have therefore been chiefly
shut up in our own room, reading, writing,
and drawing; the eldest of the Graffs, (Ma-
rie) a sweet girl, is a good deal with me, to
read and to talk to me. The children and
young people in the house are becoming fond
of me; our being here is quite a gaiety and
amusement to them. Our room joins Ober-
lin's library, and all the family are free to
enter whenever they like. The whole system
is most amusing, interesting and useful. It
is a capital oxample, and instructive for the
minister of a parish. I have felt it very en-
larging and good for us to be here. There
is a spirit of good fellowship and kindness
amongst all the people that is quite delightful.
The longer we have been here, the more we
have been struck with the uncommon degree
of virtue which exists amongst them. On
Monday evening, we were taken to the cot-
tage of Sophia Bernard, where we found the
table spread in the most complete männer for
our tea, a luxury we had not enjoyed since
we left England. Here we passed some time,
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
125
eating, talking, and reading the Bible; and it
ended with prayer, by Sophia Bernard, in a
sweet and feeling manner. We then had a
charming walk through the valley home.
Tuesday. In the afternoon we ascended
towards the very top of the mountains, to
another of his villages, where we again found
some excellent women, and a capital school.
This afternoon we have been drinking tea
with the Legrands; so comfortable and com-
plete a house and family are rarely to be met
with in any country. The three pairs have
each the most complete little dwelling, but in
the same house. Our intercourse with them
has been truly pleasant; they have treated
us with real Christian kindness."
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LIFE OF OBERLIN,
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CHAPTER XII.
THE infirmities of old age compelled the
pastor to give up the performance of his most
active duties to his son-in-law, the Rev. Mr.
Graff. He at last could do little more than
pray for his beloved people; and that none
might be omitted, he used in the morning to
take the register of the children in his hand,
and to pray, at intervals during the day, for
each one separately, as well as for the com-
munity at large. At all times he had a deep
feeling of the value of intercessory prayer,
and he was so fearful of forgetting any whose
cases required particular remembrance, that
he used to write their names with chalk on
the door of his chamber. The last account
we have of the parish, until his death, is in a
letter from one of his married daughters,
dated March 14, 1826.
"Our parish has now possessed the Holy
Scriptures for more than a century, and they
form the basis of daily instruction in the
schools. In addition to this, the young peo-
ple have long been in the habit of receiving
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
127
religious instruction from their pastor, so that
a gradual and imperceptible improvement,
resembling the growth of plants in a well cul-
tivated. garden, has taken place. You may
form some estimate of their moral progress,-
by the spirit of charity which manifests itself,
on occasion of the death of a poor father or
mother leaving a numerous family; and by
the eagerness with which the relations, friends,
or neighbours of the deceased, take charge of
the children, not to treat them as strangers
and dependents, but as members of their own
household. These noble actions do not arise
from any fixed methodical rules, nor are they
confined to any particular epoch; but are
owing to the instructions of the good pastor,
and to the excellent regulations which he has
led his parishioners to adopt.
"This delightful spirit of benevolence par-
ticularly manifests itself, also, in the eager
alacrity with which the young people assist
the old and feeble in their rural labours. No
sooner are their own tasks completed in the
evening, than the signal is given, and they set
off to execute in concert some labour, which,
by its charitable object, becomes a recreation.
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
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Is a new cottage to be built-the young peo-
ple take upon themselves the task of collecting
the materials together, and of assisting in its
erection. Does it happen that a poor man
loses his cow-his only support-the whole
parish subscribe and raise a sum sufficient to
replace it. Is a poor man visited with a mis-
fortune of any kind-he is not the only suf-
ferer-for all his neighbours participate in his
affliction, as the Apostle says, 'If one mem-
ber suffer, all the members suffer with it."
1 Cor. xii. 26.
"These admirable works are doubtless
effected by the influence of the Holy Spirit
from on high, and by that spirit of Christian
benevolence which the attentive and constant
perusal of the Holy Scriptures cannot fail to
inculcate.
"I will just mention as a single instance,
among others, of the transforming power of
religion, that one young woman refused to
marry, that she might devote her time, her
talents and her strength, to works of benevo-
lence; and, allowing herself only the bare ne-
cessaries of life, she presented the fruits of
her assiduous and unremitting industry to the
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
129
excellent and pious institutions of the present
day: she also sold all that she thought she
could do without, and gave the produce to
such objects as she believed calculated to ad-
vance the kingdom of our adorable Lord and
Saviour.
"The excellent Sophia Bernard, after whom
you inquire, left her dwelling here below to
inhabit a brighter mansion, about four years
since, to the great regret of the whole parish,
and of the inhabitants of the adjacent villages,
who, though of a different religious denomi-
nation, considered that they had lost in her a
mother, consoler, and comforter.
"Catherine Scheidecker and Maria Miller
still live, though the former is very infirm.
They both continue to walk in the path of
Gospel truth; endeavouring to follow the steps
of their Divine Master, and praying to him
continually for the salvation of their families,
and that of all the inhabitants of their parish,
as well as for every individual living. Both
are poor in the wealth of this world, but rich
in faith; and they take every opportunity of
evincing their gratitude to God, whose love is
shed abroad in their hearts.
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LIFE OF OBERLIN,
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66
My venerable father sends you the salu-
tation of a friend and brother in Christ Jesus
our Lord, and implores the blessing of Al-
mighty God upon you, and the labourers of
your society. He longs for the joyful pe-
riod, when, released from his narrow prison-
house of clay, he may enter upon that happi-
ness which is to be acquired only through the
merits of the Son of God, whose name is
the Wonderful, Counsellor, the Prince of
Peace." "
6
He employed part of his time in writing
useful essays on various subjects, but was sud-
denly attacked by his last illness, on Sunday,
the 28th of May 1826. The whole of the two
next days were passed in alternate conscious-
ness and insensibility, but he often exclaimed,
"Lord Jesus, take me speedily! nevertheless,
thy will be done!" On Wednesday, he was
exceedingly weakened by convulsions, but still
intimated by signs, the affection he felt for
his children, his friends, his faithful house-
keeper, and all the members of his flock. On
Thursday he recovered strength enough to
take off his cap, join his hands and raise his
eyes for the last time to heaven; his counte-
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
131
nance beaming with faith, joy, and love. In
a few hours he breathed his last, being nearly
eighty-six years of age, and in the sixtieth
year of his residence in Waldbach.
4
The grief of the peasants cannot be de-
scribed; they came from all parts of the dis-
trict through heavy rains, to see the remains
of their dear pastor. His funeral took place
on the fifth of June. Upon leaving the house,
his Bible, and the gown he preached in were
placed upon his coffin; ten or twelve females
sang a hymn as the procession moved on. In
front of the body walked the oldest inhabi-
tant of the Ban, carrying a cross, which
Louisa, Oberlin's housekeeper, had given him
to plant on the grave, and on which were in-
scribed the words, "Papa Oberlin." The
number of persons attending the funeral was
so great, that the foremost had reached the
church of Foudai, where the burial was to
take place, before the last had left the house,
a distance of two miles. Among them were
the children of the schools, who chaunted
hymns as they went along. When they ar-
rived at the church, as many entered it as
it could hold, whilst the rest remained in the
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
yard, keeping the most perfect order. A
minister read from the pulpit a paper written
by Oberlin many years before, in contempla-
tion of his death. After giving some account
of his coming among them, the paper con-
eluded thus: " And thou, O my dear parish!
neither will God forget nor forsake thee. He
has towards thee, as I have often said,
thoughts of peace and mercy. All things will
go well with thee. Only cleave thou to Him,
and leave Him to act. O! mayest thou for-
get my name, and retain only that of Jesus
Christ, whom I have proclaimed to thee. He
is thy pastor; I am but his servant. He is
that good master, who, after having trained
and prepared thee from my youth, sent me to
thee, that I might be useful. He alone is
wise, good, almighty, and merciful; and as
for me, I am but a poor, feeble, wretched
man.
SLAD
"O, my friends, pray, in order that you
nay all become the beloved sheep of his pas-
ture. There is salvation in no other than
Jesus Christ; and Jesus loves you, seeks you,
and is ready to receive you. Go to him, just
as you are, with all your sins and infirmities.
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
133
He alone can deliver you from them, and can
heal you. He will sanctify and perfect you.
Dedicate yourselves to him! Whenever any
of you die, may you die in Him ; and may
meet you, and accompany you with songs of
triumph, in the mansions of felicity, before the
throne of the Lamb!
I
66
Adieu, dear friends, adieu! I have loved
you much; and even the severity which I have
sometimes thought it necessary to exercise,
has arisen from my earnest desire to contri-
bute to your happiness.
"May God reward you for your services,
your good deeds, and the deference and sub-
mission which you have shown towards his
poor unworthy servant. May he forgive
those who have pained me by opposition.
They, doubtless, knew not what they did.
660 my God! let thine eye watch over my
dear parishioners; let thine car be open to
hear them; thine arm be extended to succour
and protect them. Lord Jesus! thou hast
intrusted this parish to my care, feeble and
miserable as I am. O, suffer me to commend
it to thec, to resign it into thy hands. Give
it pastors after thine own heart. Never for-
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LIFE OF OBERLIN.
sake it. Overrule all things for its good. En-
lighten them, guide them, love them, bless
them all; and grant that the young and old,
the teachers and the taught, pastors and
parishioners, may all in due time meet toge-
ther in thy paradise! Even so! Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit!—even so, Amen!"
A discourse was then delivered from the
texts which Oberlin had appointed for the
purpose, viz. the first four verses of the 103d
Psalm, "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all
that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless
the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his
benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth
thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee
with loving-kindness and tender mercies."-
And the 14th verse of the 7th chapter of
the book of Revelations: "And I said unto
him, sir, thou knowest. And he said to me,
These are they which came out of great tri-
bulation, and have washed their robes, and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
A prayer and hymn followed, and the body
was carried to the church-yard, where the
grave was dug under the shade of a willow
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
135
which had been planted over the tomb of his
son. Here an address was delivered by a
German minister: a short eulogy was pro-
nounced by a physician of the neighbourhood,
and then, amidst the tears of the multitude,
the remains of the pastor were committed to
the grave.
In consequence of ill health, Mr. Graff, his
son-in-law, had to leave the Ban, and remove
with his family to Strasburg. Mr. Rauscher
succeeded to Oberlin, and occupied his house
at Waldbach, where Louisa Schepler proba-
bly still resides.
S
The schools, it should be remembered, were
conducted by pious females, who undertook
the business of instruction of their own accord,
or by others who were paid by Oberlin. Most
of the former having died, or become too old
to attend to their duties, it has been found
necessary to raise money for the support of
teachers, and many benevolent persons in
Europe have subscribed to raise a fund, which
shall be sufficient to support them, which is to
be called by the revered name of Oberlin. The
persons who have interested themselves in
this work, have made the following statement.
136
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
"We were, for a long time, undecided in our
opinion respecting the best manner of employ-
ing the funds already collected. The exam-
ple of our deceased friend, who always pre-
ferred utility to display, and the advice of
some of the best informed inhabitants of the
Ban de la Roche, who are extremely anxious to
promote the institution of conductresses, have
at length enabled us to come to a determina-
tion. It is to the enlargement and comple-
tion of this admirable institution, conceived at
first by the late Mr. Stouber, and organized
and brought into activity by Oberlin, that we
intend to appropriate the funds already col-
lected, and what may be in future received.
For it is to this institution that the love of
order and industry, those feelings of filial and
fraternal piety, and that religious spirit by
which the present generation in this interest-
ing country is distinguished, are partly owing.
We think, therefore, that no monument can
be more worthy of bearing the name of our
late excellent pastor, than an institution, in
which he was so particularly interested, upon
an enlarged scale. For the information of
our readers we will give a slight sketch of this
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
137
institution. In each of the five villages and
three hamlets entrusted to Oberlin's pastoral
care, he placed a person of mature age, whom
he denominated a conductress. It was her
duty to assemble together all the children of
the village, under seven years of age, once a
week, for three or four hours, and to give
them instruction. Having been herself pre-
viously initiated, through the kind assistance
of Mr. and Mrs. Oberlin, in the branches of
knowledge best adapted to the purpose, she
taught the children by turns whatever appear-
ed most suited to their respective age and
capacity. The elder boys were taught to
card wool and cotton, and the girls to spin,
sew, and knit; even the youngest children
were employed in picking cotton. During
the hours of labour, their conductress related
and explained to them such little stories from
the Bible, or pleasing anecdotes in natural his-
tory, as were likely to suit their comprehen-
sion, and to direct their attention to the wise
and superintending care of Providence, in the
ordering of every event; to the beauty and
harmony which reigns throughout his works
and to the affection and respect which they
8;
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138
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
ought to cherish towards their parents and
superiors. She also taught them to chaunt
and repeat hymns; instructed them in the ru-
diments of botany, and gave them useful in-
formation on every subject likely to conduce
to their advantage in future life.
"The principles of love to God and de-
votedness to his service, and the germs of
moral excellence thus early implanted in their
hearts, proved of incalculable benefit to them
as they grew up; and their happiness became
fixed on a basis which neither the storms nor
vicissitudes of life had power to disturb.
"The children, so far from being weary of
these weekly meetings, listened with the deep-
est interest to the instructions they there re-
ceived; counted the days till their return, and
were delighted with the thought of their ap-
proach. Having been thus prepared by early
discipline, they were admitted, at the age of
seven, into the higher schools; where the el-
der girls assisted the conductresses in their
labours, by teaching needlework, knitting, &c.
"By the united labours of many indivi-
duals, this institution, so simple in its origin,
became of incalculable advantage in the Ban
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
139
de la Roche, and excited and strengthened
mutual good will, benevolence, and friend-
ship, among the inhabitants of the district.
There was, however, one great disadvantage
attached to it. The poor conductresses, com-
pelled to earn their own subsistence by the
labours of their hands, could only afford to
appropriate one day in the week to the pur-
pose. In the interval that elapsed between
the meetings, many of their instructions were
consequently effaced from the minds of their
little pupils, or, at least, the impression they
had made at the time was in some degree
obliterated. Great improvements were, never-
theless, certainly effected; and we are ready
to suppose that the benefit would be exceed-
ingly enhanced, if it were possible for the
lessons to be repeated five or six times every
week, with sufficient variations in the ar-
rangement to prevent monotony.
"The scantiness of Oberlin's pecuniary
means did not allow him to carry on this
mode of instruction to the extent he could
have wished, although it was the object of his
constant and earnest solicitude. Let us,
therefore, endeavour to do so; and to crown
140
LIFE OF OBERLIN.
his labours, by putting into full execution
those benevolent plans which his experience
and knowledge of human nature led him to
conceive. An annual salary of a hundred
francs, for each of the conductresses, would
allow the children to meet every day of the
week. May we not hope for sufficient funds
to cover their expense?
"The Ban de la Roche would then pre-
sent the model of a simple village institution,
of the greatest utility to the morality and
well-being of its inhabitants. Such an ex-
ample would not be lost upon the neighbour-
ing districts. They would imitate it; and
thus we should have the satisfaction of pro-
moting an object in which our late beloved
pastor took so peculiar an interest, and of
raising a lasting monument to his memory."
THE END.

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