THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AB CENTRAL CIRCULATION BOOKSTACKS The person charging this material is re- sponsible for its return to the library from which it was borrowed on or before the Latest Date stamped below. Theft, mutilation, and underlining of books are reasons for disciplinary action and may result in dismissal from the University. TO RENEW CALL TELEPHONE CENTER, 333-8400 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN a, ; z . a 7 7 ‘ i — Se - . 5 > . f ~ ’ - , 4 The person charging this material is re- sponsible for its return to the library from which it was withdrawn on or before the Latest Date stamped below. Theft, mutilation, and underlining of books are reasons for disciplinary action and may result in dismissal from the University. To renew call Telephone Center, 333-8400 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN Oberlin, RESIDENCE OF OBERLIN. MEMOTRS or JOHN FREDERIC OBERLIN, PASTOR OF WALDBACH, THE BAN DE LA ROCHE. PREPARED FOR THE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCCPAL CHURCH, REVISED BY THE EDITORS. New-Work : PUBLISHED BY CARLTON & PHILLIPS, 200 MULBERRY-STREET. 1853. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 184i, by G. Lang, &.P.P. SANDFORD, in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York. UNE CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Preliminary remarks—Account of the Ban de la Roche —Its state previous to M. Stouber’s time—Stouber’s cH ites Fare eS OO SS; Page 9 CHAPTER It. Oberlin’s birth and childhood—Instances of his early benevolence—His act of self-dedication—Influence over others—Arrival in the Ban de la Roche __..-..-..-- i8 CHAPTER IT. Oberlin’s first impressions on reaching Waldbach—State of the parish—Improvements needed—Opposition mani- fested by the peasantry—Correspondence with M. Stou- ber—Letters from the latter—His marriage—Improve- ments in the condition of the roads—Agricultural im- provements, Oe. “22-2... cath genteel Seca col og 26 CHAPTER IV. Oberlin’s address to his parishioners on the commence- ment of a new year—Erection of a new school-house in fener pe 341955 3) MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. the Ban de la Roche—Progress of civilization—Four other school-houses erected—Introduction of imfant schools, under the care of governesses—Public schools—Weekly assembling of the children at Waldbach, to receive reli- gious instruction—Establishment of a circulating library— Almanack—Christian Society established in 1782—Abro- gation of that society -...-- PA Fe ie Page 46 CHAPTER V. Death of Mrs. Oberlin—Its effect upon Oberlin’s mind— Louisa Schepler becomes his housekeeper—Letter from the latter—Letter, taken from a German magazine printed at Tubingen, containing an account of Oberlin and his family, in the year 1793—Death of his eldest son, Fre- ORIG acl tis ea plea x teetalieltciae Ciena ivan! CHAPTER VI. Unmolested state of the Ban de la Roche during the period of the revolution—Oberlin’s generous renunciation of his own interests for the sake of his parishioners—His school for the children of foreigners—His sentiments re- specting the payment of tithes—Letter containing a plan for their disbursement—His influence in exciting a spirit of Christian charity among his people—Account of Sophia Bernard, &c.—Oberlin becomes a correspondent of the British and Foreign Bible Society—Letters addressed by him to members of the London committee—Mode of col- lecting subscriptions and donations for charitable purposes in the Ban de la Roche—Letter to his scholars . -... 78 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. f CHAPTER VI. Henry Oberlin’s removal to Riga—His sister Henniet- ta’s marriage—Their return to Waldbach—Letter from Oberlin to P. J. Heisch, Esq.—Letter from Henry Ober- lin to ditto—Mr. Legrand’s settlement in the Ban de la Roche—Introduction of cotton-spinning ; silk riband ma- nufactory, &c.—Termination of a long-impending lawsuit . —Henry Oberlin’s death—His father’s resignation on that occasion, displayed in a letter to Mr. Heisch... Page 108 CHAPTER VIII. Medal presented to Oberlin by the Royal Agricultural Society of Paris—Oberlin’s private character—Mr. Owen’s letter, containing an account of a Ban de la Roche sabbath —Oberlin’s ministry--sermons——ministerial labours, &c. —His paternal influence over his flock—Questions ad- dressed to his parishioners—Circulars -..-....---. 123 CHAPTER IX. Oberlin’s pastoral visits—Interview between Dr. and Mrs. Steinkopff and the governess of Bellefosse—Their visit to the cottage of Madeleine Kriiger ; also to that of Sophia Bernard—Letter written by Mrs. C. during a visit to the Ban de la Roche in the summer of 1820—Letter from Mrs. Rauscher to the Paris Bible Society, containing an account of the death of Sophia Bernard, &c.—Amount of the sums raised at different times at Waldbach, in _ support of various charitable institutions .......-.. 161° ie 8 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. CHAPTER X. Oberlin’s last ilIness and death—Letter respecting Loui- sa Schepler found after his decease—His funeral—Prayer delivered upon that occasion—Fragment of an address to his parishioners—Conclusion -...-...--.---- Page 182 MEMOIRS OF -JOHN FREDERIC OBERLIN CHAPTER IL. Preliminary remarks—Account of the Ban de la Roche —Its state previous to M. Stouber’s time—Stouber’s exertions there. THE memoirs of an individual, whose whole life has been devoted to pious and disinterested exertions for the temporal and spiritual good of mankind, have not unfrequently proved the means of awakening the desires, and strength- ening the resolutions of others to follow him in his career of benevolence. Such an individual was JoHn FREDERIC OBERLIN, a person whose indefatigable efforts for upward of fifty years, to benefit the simple villagers who constituted his flock, entitle him to universal esteem and admiration. The writer earnestly hopes that the recital of his labours may, under the divine blessing, tend to confirm the zealous and encourage the weak, and lead all who hear it to catch a portion of that sacred glow by which he was himself animated. 10 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. His character, as displayed in the uniform tenor of his life, presented a remarkable com- bination of varied excellences; for while much exalted sanctity and intrepid zeal were conspi- cuous, an unwearied ardour in doing good, and a habitual willingness to renounce his own in- terests to promote the well-being of his fellow- creatures, were equally evident. In addition to this, his extreme simplicity, conscientious integrity, sweetness of temper, and refinement of manner, caused him to be both ardently loved and sincerely revered; while his indus- try, his agricultural skill, his knowledge of rural and domestic economy, and the energy with which he carried his plans into effect the moment he was convinced of their utility, ren- dered him not only an example but a blessing to the people among whom he resided, and afforded a delightful proof of the advantages that may accrue from a union of secular and spiritual duties. Before I proceed with my narrative, it will be proper to present the reader with some de- scription of the Ban de la Roche, the scene of Oberlin’s long and useful labours, and to state what had been previously effected there by his predecessor, M. Stouber, a Lutheran minister of congenial spirit with himself. The Ban de la Roche, or Steinthal,* derives its name from a castle called La Roche, around * Steinthal is the German name for the Ban de la Roche. Its literal signification is, the Valley of Stone—- Dr. STEINKoPrFr. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. Mt which the Ban, or district, extends. It is a mountainous canton in the north-east of France, between Alsace and Lorraine, forming part of the declivities and western ramifications of the Haut Champ, or Champ de Feu, an isolated range of mountains, detached by a deep valley from the eastern boundary of the chain of the Vosges. It consists of two parishes: the one is Rothau; the other includes three churches, and five hamlets, which are almost exclusively inhabited by Lutherans. One of these hamlets is Waldbach, at which Oberlin resided on ac- count of its central situation. It stands on the acclivity of the Champ de Feu,* (a mountain rising three thousand six hundred feet above the level of the sea, and evidently of volcanic origin,) and at the height of one thousand eight hundred feet: the road from Strasburg thither lies through the towns of Molsheim, Mutzig, and Schirmeck. Behind the little town of Schirmeck, the extensive and fertile valley in which it is situated separates into two smaller ones ; the shaded vale of Framont on the right, and the Ban de la Roche, of which Rothau is the first and principal parish, on the left. The approach to the latter place is very romantic: the road winds down the side of a steep preci- pice, crosses a mountain torrent in the southern part of the valley, and rises again until the cot- tages of the peasantry, embosomed in planta- tions of pine, or under overhanging rocks, be- come visible. * Field of fire. 12 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. The hamlet of Foudai, about two miles dis- tant from Rothau, occupies an almost equally picturesque situation. It is succeeded by Wal- bach, whose tapering spire and straw-thatched cottages are surrounded by orchards of pear and cherry trees, and by the intermingled foli- age of the alder, the ash, and the sallow. The temperature varies according to the height and position of the districts on the summits of the mountains: the climate is as intensely cold as at Quebec or St. Petersburgh; though in the valleys below it is mild as is the climate of Virginia and North Carolina. The winter months usually commence in September; and the snow remains undissolved until the follow- ing May or June. ‘The products of the country vary with its elevation; the highest parts are, however, cultivated, though they yield so little that it is said the wife can carry home in her apron all the hay her husband has mown in a long morning. ‘The harvest differs in time as well as in quantity, being later as you ascend. This territory had been, during many years, the seat of bloody conflicts, which had almost rendered it an uninhabitable desert. About eighty or a hundred families earned a scanty subsistence, but, being destitute of all the com- forts of life, they lived*in extreme misery and degradation ; liberty of conscience was, how- ever, ensured to them, and when M. Stouber arrived among them, and began to preach the glad tidings of the gospel, he found that he might do so without molestation. There were, MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 13 nevertheless, many obstacles to impede the progress of truth, in consequence of the ex- treme wretchedness and deplorable ignorance of the people. The following anecdote will convey some idea of the state of the parish on his first arrival there. Desiring to be shown the principal school-house, he was conducted into a miser- able 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. “ Are you the schoolmaster, my good friend ?” inquired Stouber. Yess sir.’ « And what do you teach the children?” ** Nothing, sir.’ “* Nothing !—how is that ?” “ Because,” replied the old man, with charac- teristic simplicity, “I know nothing myself.” “ Why, then, were you instituted school- master 2” “ 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 em- ployment, they sent me here to take care of the children.” The schools in the other villages were of 14 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. the same description. The schoolmasters were shepherds, who in summer tended their flocks, and in winter taught the little they knew to the children. Many of them could not read fluently, and very few knew how to write; they taught without methed, and their schools were not even supplied with elementary books. Stouber’s first step, therefore, was to procure teachers who knew their duties, and were will- ing and competent to perform them. ‘This was no easy task, however, for the office had sunk into such contempt that no capable person was willing to undertake it. This difficulty he was ingenious enough to obviate. ‘ Well, then,” said he, “let us have no schoolmasters, since that would not become people in your situation in life; but allow me to select the most pro- mising of our young men, and make them superintendents or regents of the schools.” To this proposition they readily assented. He next arranged a spelling and reading book for the schools, which was printed at the expense of a benevolent gentleman at Stras- burg, who also contributed toward raising the salaries of the teachers. The next want to be supplied was that oe a school-house. Stouber applied to the mayor _of Strasburg for permission to procure timber from the adjacent forests; which, after some hesitation, was granted him, and a log school- house was erected under his superintendence. He had now to contend with the ignorance and prejudice of his people, who feared that more MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 15 liberal qualifications on the part of the teachers would prove an increase of expense to them. They opposed also the introduction of the spell- ing-book which Stouber had prepared, from the fear that it contained heresy, or divination. These objections soon yielded to the rapid ad- vancement which the children made; and many who had violently opposed the new system, ashamed to be left behind, came forward and begged to be instructed also. A system of | regular tuition for adults on Sunday, and on the long winter evenings, was established in addi- tion to the schools. Another great object of this good minister’s solicitude was, to distribute the word of God, of which the people of his parish knew but lit- tle. Having procured fifty copies of the Bible at Basle, he (to make them go further) divided each bible into three parts, which he had bound in strong parchment. ‘These volumes he placed in the schools, with permission to the scholars to carry them home with them. As soon as the people could be persuaded that these thin volumes were the word of God, (for they had been used to consider the Bible as a very big book,) they received them gladly. Even the Catholics, notwithstanding the prohibition. of their priests, secretly read them with delight ; and most cheering results followed this distri- bution of the sacred Scriptures. A blessing also attended Stouber’s discourses in the pulpit, for they were admirably adapted to the capacity and situation of his hearers. 16 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. He endeavoured in the simplest language to lead their minds to a knowledge of the happi- ness enjoyed by the people of God, and the means of attaining that happiness; and to con- vince them that, notwithstanding the poverty of their external circumstances, the Almighty would protect and bless them if they earnestly sought to do his will. He then brought them to consider the all-important doctrimes of the cross, that we can only be regenerated by the influences of the Holy Spirit, and that we must rely solely upon the Lord Jesus Christ for par- don and redemption. Jn 1756, when he had resided about six years at Waldbach, he was appointed pastor to the market town of Barr, on the other side of the Vosges. His parishioners, who, though still wild and uncultivated, had begun to feel the value of his imstructions, expressed the greatest regret at his removal, as his intended successor was little more en- lightened than his predecessors had been. Four years afterward the living again became vacant; and M. Stouber, notwithstanding the reproaches and contempt cast upon him by many of his friends, who could not understand the principle of the love of Christ which con- strained him to exchange a very profitable and respectable living in a town for a physical and moral wilderness, felt impelled to return to his beloved Steinthal. ‘The pleasure with which this intelligence was circulated through the valley was extreme ; the inhabitants of the dif- ferent villages, both old and young, went to the MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 17 top of the mountain which had separated him from them, to witness his arrival and to bid him welcome with tears of grateful joy. It was during the latter part of his residence in the Ban de la Roche, that M. Stouber’s mi- nisterial labours were so peculiarly successful, and that, under the blessing of God, a general improvement appeared to take place. He had resided altogether more than fourteen years in this spot, actively engaged in promoting the welfare of his flock, when he had the afflic- tion of losing a wife to whom he was tenderly attached, and who, animated by the same spirit as her husband, had warmly participated in all his labours of love. Three years after this melancholy event Stouber was called to the occupation of another field of usefulness, and his flock at the Ban de la Roche was left with- out a pastor. Oberlin perceived the emergency of the case ; to his benevolent mind the charge of such a people was rendered more interesting by the misery and moral degradation which had to be remedied ; and, leaving a place where the bril- liancy of his mental powers might have com- manded universal homage, at the call of Provi- dence, he chose to succeed M. Stouber in this desolate and retired spot. 2 18 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. CHAPTER II. Oberlin’s birth and childhood—Instances of his early benevolence—His act of self-dedication—Influence over others-—Arrival at the Ban de la Roche. Joun Frepperic OBERLIN was born at Stras- burg, on the thirty-first of August, 1740. His lather was a man of considerable attainments aud much respectability in that place, and de- voted his hours of leisure to the instruction of his nine children, all of whom he tenderly loved. ‘They in return were devotedly attached to him; it was their pleasure to anticipate his wishes, and promote his happiness by every means in their power. Though his income was very limited, he was in the habit of dividing among his children a small sum of money every Saturday, to spend as pocket-money ; and the following pleasing anecdote in allusion to this circumstance is related, as an early trait of the little Frederic’s character :—His father was in the habit of paving off his tradesmen’s accounts, with great exactness and punctuality, every Saturday evening. On these occasions little Frederic used to watch the countenance of his father, and if it wore a melancholy expression, imagining that he was at a loss to meet the demands made upon his purse, he would run io his savings-box, and return joyfully to empty his little stere into the hands of his beloved parent. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 19 But this was only one among the thousand instances of generosity and benevolence for which he was, even from his earliest infancy, so peculiarly distinguished. Self-denial ever seemed his ruling principle; and he was never so happy as when an opportunity of relieving the oppressed or distressed presented itself to his notice. I shall mention some more anec- dotes of a similar description, because it is in- teresting to trace the germ of those dispositions which, when ripened into maturity, brought forth such remarkable fruits. As he was one day crossing the market- place, when his little box of savings was nearly full, he saw some rude boys knock down a basket of eggs which a countrywoman was carrying upon her head. ‘The woman was in great trouble, when [rederic not only rebuked the boys with much spirit, but ran home, fetched his box, and presented her with all its contents. Another day, he was passing in Strasburg market by the stall of an old clothes’ vender. A poor infirm woman was endeavour- ing, without success, to procure an abatement in the price of some article she appeared to be particularly desirous of purchasing. She want- ed two pence to complete the sum demanded, and was on the point of leaving the stall from her inability to give them. Frederic, pretend- ing to be engaged with something else, only waited for her retiring, when he slipped the two pence into the dealer’s hand, and whis- pered to him to call back the poor woman and 20 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. let her have the gown; and then, without stop- ping for her thanks, instantly ran away. He, another time, saw a beadle ill-using an invalid beggar in the street; and following the impulse of the moment, totally regardless of consequences, he placed himself in a spirited manner between what he theught the oppressor and the oppressed, repreving the former in strong terms for his inhumanity. The beadle, indignant at such an interruption, wished to ar- rest the little fellow; but the neighbours, who knew and loved the boy, came running out of their shops to his assistance, and compelled the man to desist. A few days afterward he hap- pened to be walking in a narrow lane, when he saw the same person ata distance. “Shall L run away?” thought he to himself. “ No: God is with me. I relieved the poor man, and why should I fear?” With these reflections he pro- ceeded on his way; and the beadle, smiling at him, allowed him to pass unmolested. The horror of injustice felt by this little boy he owed to the kind care and pious instruction of his parents. His mother was an admirable woman+ and to her judicious training and vir- tuous example he often said he owed his love for the things that are excellent, and his desire to render himself useful. She endeavoured to bring her children up in the nurture and admo- nition of the Lord; and would assemble them every evening, and while they copied the pic- tures their father had prepared for them, she read aloud some instructive book, for their MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 29 benefit. When the hour of separation came, the children generally begged for one beautiful hymn from dear mamma; prayer followed, and thus their infant steps were guided to Him who said, “ Suffer little children to come unto me.” By way of relaxation, Oberlin’s father used to take the children every Thursday evening during the summer months to his family estate in the country, where, having tied a drum about his waist, he would place his six blooming boys in a line, and, preceding them in the capacity of a drummer, he would make them go through all the military evolutions. To these pastimes, perhaps, little Frederic owed his extreme par- tiality for military exercises. While quite a lad, his knowledge of sieges and battles at- tracted the notice of the officers, and he was permitted to mingle with the soldiers, and join in their exercises. His father, however, having destined him for a learned profession, at leneth interfered, telling the young soldier that it was time to renounce this child’s play for study and serious labour; and Frederic, though of an ar- dent and lively temperament, readily coinciding with his father’s views, entered upon his studies with enthusiasm, and soon recovered the time which he had lost. From his very infancy Oberlin seems to have been the subject of divine influence. In one of his papers he says, ‘“‘ During my infancy and my youth God often vouchsafed to touch my heart, and to draw me to himself. He bore with mo, in my repeated backslidings, with a Ze MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. kindness and indulgence hardly to be ex- pressed.” Even at a very early age his fre- quent prayer was, ‘Speak, Lord, for thy ser- vant heareth. O God, teach me to do thy will.” ; While Oberlin was a student of theology in the university at Strasburg, Dr. Lountz began to attract great attention by his preaching : Oberlin’s nother went to hear him, and was so delighted by his powerful manner of proclaim- ing a crucified Saviour, and remission of sins through his atonement, that she entreated her favourite son to accompany her. Though warned by his superiors not to go, he com- plied with his mother’s wishes, and heard with such delight the truths of the gospel from the lips of Dr. Lountz, that he became a regular attendant on his preaching, and was, without doubt, strengthened in the resolution he had made to devote himself wholly to God. At the age of twenty he solemnly renewed his baptismal consecration to God, in a written covenant which differs but slightly from the one written by Dr. Doddridge, and recommend- ed by him in his “ Rise and Progress,”* * “YT would now urge you to make a solemn surrender of yourself to the service of God. Do not only form such a purpose in your heart, but expressly declare it in the divine presence. .... Do it in express words. And per- . haps it may be in many cases most expedient, as many pious divines have recommended, to do it in writing. Set your hand and seal to it, ‘that on such a day of ‘such a month and year, and at such a place, on full consideration MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 23 After having completed his studies, Oberlin was ordained, but he remained for some years without undertaking any pastoral engagement, either because he did not feel himself as yet sufficiently mature for so responsible a charge, or beeause no situation offered itself, adapted to the view which he had formed of his own character and suitableness. Like the admirabie Fletcher,* a man of kindred spirit, who refused to undertake the care of a parish because the emoluments were too large, and the duty was too small, Oberlin wished only for a station where he might find ample scope to be useful : for, having devoted himself to his Master’s service, he sought neither worldly distinctions, nor worldly honours, but determined to be ac- tuated only by the specific and prevailing de- sire of pleasing him, and of living to his glory. Dering this interval, which lasted from the and serious reflection, you came to this happy resolution, that whatever others might do, you would serve the Lord.’ ““Make the day of the transaction, if you conveniently can, a day of secret fasting and prayer; and when your heart is prepared with a becoming awe of the divine Ma- jesty, with an humble confidence in his goodness, and an earnest desire of his favour, then present yourself on your knees before God, and read it over deliberately and so- lemnly; and when you have signed it, lay it by in some secure place, where you may review it whenever you please ; and make it a rule with yourself to review it, if possible, at certain seasons of the year, that you may keep, up the remembrance of it.”—Doddridge’s Rise and Pro- gress of Religion in the Soul, chap. xvi, page 343. * The Rev. J. W. Fletcher, rector of Madeley, Shrop- shire. 24 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. year 1760 to 1767, he employed himself in private teaching, and became domestic tutor to the family of the then distinguished surgeon, M. Ziegenhagen, of Strasburg. While in this situation he acquired that surgical know- ledge and acquaintance with medicine, which, in his subsequent life, proved so peculiarly use- ful, and enabled him to render such eminent services to his parishioners. In the year 1766, the appointment of a chap- Jaincy in a French regiment was offered to Oberlin, and, as the situation promised to open a sphere of extensive usefulness, he agreed to accept it, and soon afterward left M. Ziegen- hagen’s employ, and commenced a preparatory course of reading. While thus engaged, the curacy of the Ban de la Roche became vacant, in consequence of M. Stouber’s removing to Strasburg. Stouber, knowing Oberlin’s piety and zeal, determined if possible to secure him for the vacant post, and with this view re- paired to his lodging. It was a little attic, up three pair of stairs. On opening the door, the first object that caught his attention was a small bed, standing in one corner of the room, covered with brown paper hangings. “That would just suit the Stein- thal,” said he to himself. On approaching the bed, he found Oberlin lying upon it, and suf- fering from a violent tooth-ache. He rallied him about the simplicity of his curtains, and the homeliness of his apartment. “ And pray,” continued he, after having taken a survey round MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 25 the room, ‘“‘ what is the use of that little iron pan that hangs over your table?” ‘That is my kitchen,” replied Oberlin; “I am in the habit of dining at home with my parents every day, and they give me a large piece of bread to bring back in my pocket. At eight o’clock in the evening, I put my bread into that pan, and having sprinkled it with salt, and poured a little water upon it, I place it over my lamp, and go on with my studies till ten or eleven o’clock, when I generally begin to feel hungry, and relish my self-cooked supper more than the greatest dainties.” Stouber congratulated him on the happiness of possessing such a contented disposition ; and assuring him that he was just the person he wished to find, communicated to him the object of his visit. Oberlin was rejoiced at the proposition, and as soon as he could obtain an honourable re- lease from the acceptance of the chaplaincy, and had ascertained that there were no prior claimants to the situation, he accepted it. ‘The Ban de la Roche, as a sphere of pastoral labour, was wholly uninviting to any but those who, in singleness of heart, were wishing to forsake all for Christ: Oberlin, therefore, after many ear- nest prayers that a blessing might rest upon himself and upon the little flock committed to his charge, accompanied his new friend and patron thither, and arrived at Waldbach on the 30th of March, 1767. He was at this time in the twenty-seventh year of his age. 26 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN, CHAPTER Of. Oberlin’s first impressions on reaching ~Waldbach—. State of the parish—Improvements needed—Opposition manifested by the peasantry—Correspondence with M. Stouber—Letters from the latter—His marriage—Im. provements in the condition of the roads—Agnicultural improvements, &c. On Oberlin’s arrival at Waldbach, he took up his residence at the parsonage ‘house, a tolerably commodious building, formerly occu- pied by M. Stouber. It had a court-yard in front, and a good garden behind, and stood ina delightful situation, very near the church, being surrounded by steep dells clothed with wood, and rugged mountains, the tops and sides of which were partially covered with pines, anda few other straggling trees. The first glance which he threw over the mountains destined to be the scene of his ministerial labours, convinced him, that not- withstanding the partial reformation effected by M. Stouber’s ‘exertions, neither the neces- sities of his flock, nor the difficulties which opposed their removal, were of any ordinary kind. They were alike destitute of the means ee mental and social intercourse; they sp a rude dialect, which was the a external informations they were entirely s s cluded from the neighbouring districts by th MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 27 want of roads, which, owing to the devastation of war, and decays of population, had been so totally lost, that the only mode of communica- tion, from the bulk of the parish to the neigh- bouring towns, was across the river Bruche, a stream thirty feet wide, by stepping-stones, and in winter along its bed; the husbandmen were destitute of the most necessary agricultural im- plements, and had no means of procuring them; the provisions springing from the soil were not sufficient to maintain even a scanty population; and a feudal service, more fatal than sterile land and ungenial climate, con- stantly depressed and irritated their spirits. Confident, however, that strength would be afforded, if rightly sought, Oberlin at once re- solved to employ all the attainments in science, philosophy, and religion, which he had brought with him from Strasburg, to the improvement of the parish and the benefit of his parishion- ers. ’ Those individuals over whom M. Stouber had gained an influence, silently acquiesced in the projects of his successor ; but @ very deter- mined spirit of opposition soon manifested itself among the opposite party, under,the sup- position that old practices are aii safe, and that whatever is new must be pernicious. _ They resolved, therefore, not to submit to inno- vation, but to try what they might be able to effect by determined resistance. On one oc- casion, soon after his arrival, they laid a plan to waylay their new minister, and inflict upon 28 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. him a severe personal castigation, judging that such a measure, at the commencement of his career, would prevent his future interference. Oberlin happily received information of their intention, and, without being disconcerted at the intelligence, immediately determined upon a mode of correction, in which the peculiar gentleness and decision, that formed such lead- ing traits in his character, were remarkably displayed. Sunday being fixed upon for the execution of this attetmpt, when the day arrived, he took for his text those words of our Saviour, in the fifth chapter of St. Matthew :—“ But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right check, turn to him the other alse ;” and proceeded from these words to speak of the Christian patience with which we should suffer injuries, and submit to false surmises, and ill usage. After the service, the malecontents met at the house of one of the party, to amuse themselves in conjecturing what their pastor would do, when he should find himself compelled to put in practice the principles he had so readily explained. What, then, must have been their astonishment, when the door opened, and Oberlin himself stood before them! ‘“ Here am I, my friends,” said he, with that calm dignity of manner which inspires even — the most violent with respect; “ [ am acquaint- ed with your design. You have wished to chastise me, because you consider me culpable, MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 29 If I have indeed violated the rules which I have laid down for you, punish me for it. It is bet- ter that I should deliver myself into your hands, than that you should be guilty of the meanness of an ambuscade.” These simple words pro- duced their intended effect. The peasants, ashamed of their scheme, sincerely begged his forgiveness, and promised never again to enter- tain a doubt of the sincerity of the motives by which he was actuated, and of his affectionate desires to promote their welfare. A few weeks after this event another circum- stance, of a similar nature, occurred in one of the adjoining villages. He was informed that the young people belonging to it had deter- mined to seize him the following Sunday, on his leaving their place of worship, and to duck him in a cistern. He consequently took occasion to speak, in his sermon, of the happi- ness and security enjoyed by those who trust in the Lord; of the special protection which he vouchsafes to his servants; and of his firm belief that not a hair of our heads can be injured without his express permission. He was in the general habit of returning home on horseback, but this time he set out purposely on foot, de- siring a peasant to lead his horse. He had not proceeded far, before he saw two or three men partly concealed behind the hedge, and await- ing his approach. He passed them, however, with so calm and composed a countenance and step, that they were daunted, and did not ven- ture to put their plan into execution. 30 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. These occurrences are believed to have had a good effect in accelerating the execution of his projects of reform; for those who had connived in the plots against him, anxious to reinstate themselves in his good esteem, and conscious that they had no better means of succeeding than by warmly seconding the views which they had hitherto opposed, were henceforward among the foremost to assist him. During the first years of his residence in the Ban de la Roche, Oberlin found an enlightened and experienced guide, and a wise and faithful counsellor, in his predecessor, M. Stouber. The following letter, addressed by the latter to his young friend, is full of excellent counsel and advice ; and proves that he had himself felt the responsibility attached to so peculiar a situation. “ Strasburg, June 2, 1768. * * * . * * % * * “ Do not, my dear friend, suppose that I could have done any thing better than you have done it. God alone can enable either of us to do just so much as he pleases, and no more. The little experience that it cost me long years of labour and difficulty to obtain, you will acquire more speedily. You possess it already, in some degree, though still insufficiently. When I was :n your situation, a single circumstance, or even a single word, would sometimes discou- rage and discompose me so much that I did not MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 3l know what to do. I could not help perceiving almost every day that I had ignorantly commit- ied the greatest mistakes—ignorantly escaped the greatest dangers—ignorantly lost or ac- quired the greatest advantages :—that what I sought was evil, and what I shunned good ;— that what I hoped for was nothing, and what I supposed nothing, something. If it was God’s purpose that any scheme of mine should suc- ceed, he caused the heads of the parish to listen to me even when | least expected it, and had made the least preparation for it; and as fre- quently permitted the plans upon which I had grounded my hopes of success, and taken the most pains to carry into effect, to become of no avail. ‘In so deplorable a state are the people of the unfortunate Steinthal, that one in your situa- tion can do nothing but commend them to God, and look for succour and assistance from him alone. If he should see meet to let things go on for a period in their present state, and with- out any visible improvement, do not be discou- raged. He undoubtedly will, in his own good time, effect such changes among some of the members of your flock, as neither the folly nor the taunts of the remainder, nor the craft and malice of the enemy, shall be able to subvert ; and while you trace his finger throughout the whole, and thank him for having crowned your exertions with even this partial success, you will find increased cause for the exercise of self-distrust, patience, and humility. God will, 32 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. I feel assured, bless your endeavours, if you continue to maintain that devotedness of spirit which your letter so sweetly and fervently breathes. Only trust every thing to him; and pray for the blessing which he alone can be- stow. You have more influence over others than I have; and this, provided you fear no one but God, and guard against forming too many schemes, will render you in truth more useful than I have been. But I must remind you, that even when deeply engaged in good works, it is possible to depart from spiritual Christianity ; and I would, on this account, urge you to maintain a constant guard over yourself. You have been brought under the influence of religion, and, in the usual sense of the term, converted to God; but, without con- stant prayer to him, and the most zealous watch- fulness, there is a danger lest you should rest satisfied with this, and relapse into indifference. By being so incessantly occupied in the prose- cution of your favourite schemes, and destitute of stimulating society, you may become cold and lukewarm in your religious duties, and less devoted in your service to God, even though busily employed in promoting the well-being of your fellow-creatures. I would, therefore, earnestly exhort you, my dear friend, to be always ‘fervent in spirit, serving the Lord ;? living only to, and for, him. Thus you will be enabled to overcome difficulties ; you will find comfort and peace in believing, and he will protect, guide, and bless you. Your work will MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 3e prosper, not perhaps in the manner which you design, but in the way which God has purposed. ‘J have no other end in view in this exhorta- tion than your good. I wish you to understand that this is, literally, my only object in writing thus plainly. I speak frankly and sincerely to you, because I know that our hearts are closely allied, and because I have sometimes observed with deep concern the dangers incident to young persons ; coldness and lukewarmness after the first fervour of religious feeling has subsided ; self-sufficiency in what they have effected, and too great tendency to absorption of mind in even laudable and benevolent pursuits. “'This is the motive that induces me, once for all, te warn you on this point; for the heart of man is deceitful, and naturally tends to earth if it is not constantly drawn upward. “There are yet two things to which I parti- cularly wish to direct your attention ;—prayer and the Holy Scriptures. I find it necessary, in order to keep up habitual communion with God, and to fan the spirit of Christianity in my own bosom, to have constant recourse to them. “It is by reading the writings of the apostles, almost exclusively, that I am enabled to press onward in my spiritual course, and to encourage myself to prayer. * *% * * ¥ * ¥* % * * Yours, my dear friend, “Tn the bonds of Christian love, “G. STOUBER.” 3 34 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. Warned and encouraged by such powerful exhortations, Oberlin went on his way rejoicing, and eventually became established i in Christian faith and holiness. But | have now to speak of an event which materially contributed to enhance his temporal happiness. ‘This was his marriage with a very pious and amiable young lady “of Strasburg, named Madeleine Salomé Witter. ‘This young lady was a friend and relation ef the family. She had lost her father, who was a professor in the University of Strasburg, at a very early age, and her mother died shortly afterward; but, although deprived of the benefit of parental instruction, she possessed a sound understand- ing, and a highly cultivated mind, deeply im- bued with religious principle. In forming this connection Oberlin believed himself to be fol- lowing the dictates of Providence, and he en- tered into it in a spirit of deep piety. The marriage tock place July the sixth, 1768, about a year ‘alter his settlement at Waldbach. ‘Mrs. Oberlin soon became an invaluable as- sistant to her husband im all his labours. ef love, tempering his zeal with her prudence, and for- warding his benevolent plans by her judicious arrangements. In the prosecution of those plans much Christian firmness was requisite, for they had, as we have already seen, to en- counter the prejudices generally attendant on ignorance, and such as the most unwearied patience and self-denying virtue could alone have surmounted. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. oo Almost the first object of Oberlin’s provident activity was to repair and widen the roads. In a country where rocks hangitig on the steep declivity of a chain of mountains, and rapid torrents pouring from their summits, are per- petually causing considerable falls of loosened earth, the formation and preservation of roads involve an expense far beyond the resources of a poor and isolated parish; and all the roads belonging to the Ban de la Roche were conse- quently, durmg the greater part of the year, absolutely impassable. To rescue his parishioners from the half- savage state in which he found them, he judged it necessary, as a preliminary measure, to bring them into contact with the inhabitants of other districts, further advanced in civilization; and for this purpose to open a regular communica- tion with the high road to Strasburg, by which means the productions of the Ban de la Roche might find a market, and materials be procured for exercising their industry and ingenuity. Having therefore assembled the people, he proposed that they should blast the rocks, and convey a sufficient quantity of enormous masses to construct a wall to support a road about a mile and a half in length, along the banks of the river Biuche, and build a bridge across it near Rothau. _ The peasants were perfectly astonished at the proposition. The project appeared to them totally impracticable, and every one excused himself, on the plea of private business, from 36 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. engaging in so stupendous an undertaking. Oberlin, still intent on the prosecution of his scheme, endeavoured to refute the objections vaised on all sides: ‘The produce of your fields,” said he, ‘ will then meet with a ready market abroad ; for, instead of being imprisoned in your villages nine months out of the twelve, you will be enabled to keep up an intercourse with the inhabitants of the neighbouring dis- tricts. You will have the opportunity of pro- curing a number of things of which you have Jong stood in need, without the possibility of obtaining them, and your happiness will be augmented and increased by the additional means thus afforded of providing comforts for yourselves and your children.” But his argu- iments were concluded with a more touching appeal. He offered them his own example in the undertaking. ‘Let all,’ he said, “who feel the importance of my proposition, come and work with me.” Oberlin had already traced the plan, and no sooner had he pronounced these words, than, with a pick-axe on his shoulder, he proceeded to the spot; while the astonished peasants, animated by his example, forgot their former excuses, and hastened, with unanimous con- sent, to fetch their tools and follow him. He presently assigned to each individual an allot- ted post; selected for himself and a faithful servant the most difficult and dangerous places ; and, regardless of the thorns by which his hands were tern, and of the loose stones by MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 37 which they were occasionally bruised, went to work with the greatest diligence and enthusi- asm. ‘The emulation awakened by his conduct quickly spread through the whole parish. The increased number of hands rendered an in- creased number of implements necessary ; he procured them from Strasburg; expenses accu- mulated ; he interested his dastint friends, and, through their assistance, funds were obiainen® 4 walls were erected to support the earth which appeared ready to give way; mountain torrents, which had hitherto inundated the meadows, were diverted into courses, or received into beds sufficient to contain them ; perseverance, in short, triumphed over difficulties, and at the commencement of the year 1770 a communica- tion was opened with Strasburg, by means of the new road, and a neat wooden bridge thrown across the river. This bridge still bears the name of “ Le Pont de Charité.’* The immediate advantages resulting from this great undertaking increased the influence which Oberlin was alt eady beginning to acquire over his parishioners, and rendered the adoption of his successive plans, particularly that of a regular communication between five hitherto separated villages, still more practicable. It seemed as though nothing could daunt their ardour; and the. pastor, who, on the sabbath, had directed their attention with that earnest- ness and warmth with which his own soul was animated, to “the rest that remaineth for the * The Bridge of Charity. 38 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. people of God,” and to the “city which hath foundations,” was seen on the Monday, with a pick-axe on his shoulder, marching at the head of two hundred of his flock, with an energy that neither fatigue nor danger could diminish. One of the next wants that he found it neces- sary to supply was a depot in the valley, for agricultural tools and implements of husbandry ; for whenever any of them happened to break, or to get out of repair, two whole days’ work must he lost in going to Strasburg to procure more, and even then the poor peasants were destitute of ready money to purchase them. ‘To remedy this inconvenience, he stocked a large ware- house in Waldbach with the necessary articles, and gave the purchasers credit till their pay- ments came round. He also established a sort of lending fund, under such strict regulations, that those who did not punctually repay the money they had borrowed on the prescribed day were deprived, for a certain time, of the liberty of borrowing again. Another measure, which he considered es- sential to the progress of civilization, was the introduction of trades. ‘There were neither masons, blacksmiths, nor cartwrights in the country, and the inhabitants were subjected to numerous privations, and to great expenses, in fetching from the neighbouring towns what was needful for the supply of their wants. Oberlin, therefore, selected from among the elder boys some of the readiest abilities, and sent them to Strasburg, to learn the trades of a carpenter, a MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 39 mason, a glazier, a cartwright, and a blacksmith. By this means he succeeded in procuring good workmen, who, on their return, not only in- structed others in their newly acquired arts, but saved the people of the Ban de la Roche the expense and loss of time they had formerly incurred : nor was this the only advantage ac- cruing from so judicious a step, for the money which had hitherto been sent to a distance was now circulated among themselves. So scarce had money previously been, that the gift of a single sou™ is said to have overwhelmed a poor woman with joy, as it enabied her to procure a little salt to eat with her potatoes. Finally, Oberlin’s solicitude extended to their dwellings. They were generally wretched cabins, hewn out of the rocks, or sunk into the sides of the mountains, and without cellars suf- ficiently deep to preserve the potatoes, which formed their principal sustenance, from the frost. Under his superintendence and direction, however, cellars were constructed, and com- fortable cottages erected. in the prosecution of these plans, as well as those introduced at a later period, Oberlin was much indebted to the counsel and experience of his paternal friend, M. Stouber, with whom he maintained a regular correspondence. 'The following extract from one of his letters de- serves insertion in this memoir, because the advice it contains may prove of utility to others, * A small com, of less value than one cent. 40 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. as well as to the individual for whom it was originally designed :— “My Dear Frienp,— * : fi a “'The best advice I can give you is, to care chiefly for the souls of your flock. I would not have you too anxious to render them eager in the pursuit of worldly good; for, as they be- come Christians, they will naturally become active, industrious, and provident. You must not allow them to be either idlers, or the slaves of mammon. ‘“ By endeavouring too much to induce them to adopt your plans in preference to others, and on account of some supposed superiority over those to which they have been accustom- ed, you will defeat your own purposes, and excite their suspicion and disgust. [I advise you, therefore, to leave them, for the present at least, pretty much to their own devices, and to labour, in charity and love, for the salvation of their souls, firmly believing that by so doing you will obtain the greatest blessing. ‘This is the last thing that experience taught me during my residence in the Steinthal, or rather since I left it. I much regret having occasionally induced the people to do things against their will. If I were now there, I would leave them much more to themselves; and, however in- different might be the appearance of their ex- ternal affairs, the state of their finances, or the conduct of their schools, I would say little to them on the subject of economy or manage- MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 4] ment, but, by evincing a sincere interest in their concerns, I would endeavour to gain their confidence, and induce them to regard. me as their friend; and then, having once obtained this confidence, and a proportionate degree of influence, | would exert it, to the utmost of my ability, to their advantage, both in the in- struction of the young, and the conversion of the old, seeking to win their affections by my earmest desire to promote their spiritual in- terests. If you adopt this method, my dear friend, God will take care of the rest. Neces- sity will compel your pecple to employ them- selves, and they will think a thousand times better of their own schemes, than of any that you can propose to them. “J am far from wishing you to give up your projects, (many of which have been already attended with such admirable success,) but I acknowledge that I have, for my own part, felt the danger of bestowing too much attention upon such things, rather than upon more essen- tial and important duties. At the same time 1 would not have you by any means neglect a ready acquiescence in such practical schemes as may suggest themselves to the minds of your people, or the adoption of such as may occur to yourself: only do not make them your primary object.” Oberlin felt the importance of this last ad- vice in his efforts for the improvement of agri- culture, on which subject his parishioners 42 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. reluctantly received his instructions, as they supposed, from his having spent his youth in a city, that he must be incompetent to give it; he determined therefore to appeal to their eyes rather than their ears, believing that they would be more easily led to coincide in his views when they had seen his theories reduced to practice. Belonging to his parsonage were two gardens, crossed by very public footpaths, and these he chose for the scene of his labours. Assisted by a favourite and intelligent servant, he dug trenches four or five feet deep, and surrounded the young trees that he planted in them with such soil as he considered best adapted to promote their growth. He also pro- cured slips of apples, pears, plumbs, cherries, and walnuts, and made a large nursery ground of one of the gardens, hitherto noted for the poverty of its soil; and then waited with pa- tience for the time when his parishioners, ob- serving the success of his experiments, should come of their own accord to express their as- tonishment, and to ask his assistance in raising trees for themselves. His expectations were not disappointed: the trees grew and flourished ; and, as the peasants had to pass 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 pro- duce of their pastor’s land, and at length re- paired to him, anxiously inquiring how such very fine trees could grow in such a soil MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 43 Oberlin, according to his accustomed 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 mode of cultiva- tion by which, under his all-superintendine pro- vidence, their exertions might be followed by similar success. The taste for planting trees was thus dif- fused, and the art of grafting, in which he him- self instructed those who wished to understand it, became a favourite employment. ‘The very face of the country, in consequence, underwent a complete change; for the cottages, hitherto for the most part bare and desolate, were sur- rounded by neat little erchards and gardens; and, in the place of indigence and misery, the villages and their inhabitants gradually assumed an air of rural happiness. So barbarous had been the state of the Ban de la Roche, that previous to the year 1709 its inhabitants had subsisted on wild apples and pears: the famine of that year had however compelled them to devise other means of sub- sistence, and, clearing away a large forest, they planted it with a species of potato. When Oberlin came, thelr ereps, owing to the wash- ing away of the soil, had so degenerated, that fields which had formerly produced from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty bushels, now only produced from thirty to fifty. Oberlin imported new seed, showed them the 44 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. cause of the decrease, and pointed out the remedy, which, being applied, soon restored the-~ crops to a degree of excellence and profusion | which not only rendered them sufficient for home consumption, but made them a profitable article of exportation. Having attained a thorough knowledge of botany while at M. Ziegenhagen’s, he ‘made his people acquainted with their native plants, many of which he taught them io apply to useful purposes: he also succeeded in intro- ducing flax and clover, the seeds of which he had imported. ‘The success which attended his labours was much owing to the attention he paid in the management of manures, which he taught his people to ferment and to compose from mosses, leaves, and the cones of the fir- tree ; and that nothing might be lost, he direct- ed the children to tear up old woollen rags, and old shoes, which, to encourage their labours, he purchased of them, and applied as manure. By every means did this good man thus en- deavour to raise his people from the abject state into which their ignorance and poverty had placed them, leading them step by step, not only by precept, but example also. In 1778 he formed an agricultural society, composed of the most intelligent of his parish- ioners, with which he invited the pastors of adjoming parishes to co-operate, and that it might have the benefit of valuable periedicals, he united it to the agricultural society at Stras- burg; and the latter society, wishing to encour- MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 45 age its interesting auxiliary, entrusted to its disposal a sum of money to be distributed as prizes among the peasants who should most distinguish themselves in the planting of nur- sery grounds, and in the grafting of fruit-trees, The good effects resulting from this measure induced Oberlin likewise to form a fund, sup- ported by voluntary contributions, for the distri- bution of prizes to the farmers of each com- mune, who should rear the finest ox. the disinterested manner in which he contemplated his own Lreparable loss, when dwelling upon his son’s removal to eternal glory. “* Waldbach, in the Steinthal, Jan. 8th, 1818. ““ Accept, my dear, not to be forgotten friend, my sincere and heartfelt thanks for the many proofs of your continued affectionate remem- brance. Your name is inscribed on my heart ; and yet I find it dificult to give you any assur- ance of it, being extremely engaged with labours that are continually increasing, while the use of my bodily powers is greatly diminished. I particularly suffer in my eyes, which some- times altogether refuse me their service, notwith- standing the excellent spectacles you presented to me, and one pair of which Louisa gratefully uses. “We all sincerely rejoiced at the departure MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 121 of our Henry from this world ; for besides hav- ing been subjected during his whole life to a chain of complicated sufferings, he had suffered for some months past (ever since his missionary journey in France) with peculiar severity, so that his emaciated appearance awakened every one’s sympathy, and neither medicines nor any thing else could procure him any real alleviation or respite from pain. In consequence of the warm recommendations of our friends, we were induced to call in Dr. Stiickalberger, a very clever phy- sician of Basle, a few weeks before our Hen- ry’s decease ; but no sooner had he seen him, and become acquainted with his symptoms, than he said, ‘I shall not touch dear Mr. Oberlin with any medicine or remedy, nay, not even with medical advice, being perfectly convinced that if, on the one hand, | may hope to effect any good, or even may effect it, I shall, on the other hand, do more harm than it may again be in my power to remedy.’ This was both kind and judicious; and | had been endeavouring to persuade the other physicians to adopt the same plan, though in vain; for, with the utmost kindness, they were resolved to do all in their power to assist him. God had, in this case, reserved to himself the exclusive prerogative of affording effectual help. Henry, in addition to that spirit of universal benevolence by which he was animated, felt a peculiar interest for two nations, Livonia, together with the whole of Russia, and France. No doubt our and his good Lord now assigns to him some more ex- 322 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. tensive sphere of activity than he could have had here, not only, perhaps, for the benefit of these two nations, but even for that of other nations and other individuals. May we be his servants ; no matter whether here or there, if we can but be faithful in his service, and of some utility to others. ‘Henry received your letter of the 17th of October, as well as the elegant silver pencil- cases, and commissioned me to return you his sincerest thanks. He gave them as a remem- _ brance of you to his brother Charles Conservé, ° clereyman of Rothau, who has shown him ex- traordinary kindness both as a physician and a brother. . * Louisa Schepler, and all our dear friends here, thank you cordially for your remembrance, and assure you of their uninterrupted affection and recollection. “God grant that you may become useful in his service. “ Adieu, my long endeared friend ! “Your obliged and faithful, &c. “Joun FrRepERIc OBERLIN.” MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 123 CHAPTER VIII. Medal preser.ted to Oberlin by the Royal Agricultural Society of Paris—Oberlin’s private character—Mr. Owen’s | etter, containing an account ef a Ban de la Roche sabbath —Oberlin’s ministry——sermons—ministerial labours, &c. —His paternal influence over his flock——-Questions ad- dressed to his parishioners—Circulars. NotTwiTHSTANDING Oberlin’s advancing age, and the loss he had experienced in the death of his son, the Ban de la Roche still witnessed a succession of useful improvements, and a progress in civilization and prosperity. So much delighted were his friends at Strasburg and at Paris with witnessing the success of his indefatigable exertions, that, in the year 1818, they agreed to collect, without his knowledge, documents of the good which he had achieved, and to submit them te the Royal and Central Agricultural Seciety of Paris. M. le Comte Francois de Neufchateau, who had repeatedly visited the Steinthal, was de- puted to this office, and requested to propose the vote of a gold medal to the pastor of Wald- bach, in acknowledgment of the services which he had rendered, during more than half a cen- tury, to agriculture in particular, and to man- kind in general. “Tf you would behold an instance of what may be effected in any country for the advance- ment of agriculture and the interests of hu- 124 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. manity,” said he, when addressing the society upon this occasion, “quit for a moment the banks of the Seine, and ascend one of the steep- est summits of the Vosges Mountains. [’riends of the plough, and of human happiness, come and behold the Ban de la Roche! Climb with me the rocks, so sublimely piled upon each other, which separate this canton from the rest of the world, and though the country and the climate may at first sight appear forbidding, I will venture to promise you an ample recom- pense for the fatigue of your excursion. ‘As for myself, after having formed the ad- ministration of the department of the Vosges, in 1790, and presided over it, in 1791, | had, in 1793, to travel over those mountains as a com- missioner of the government, at the very period when the parishes of Rothau and Waldbach, before that time dependant on the principality of Salm, were united to the department. I have, therefore, been long acquainted with the valuable services rendered, for more than fifty years, to the Ban de la Roche, by John Frede- ric Oberlin. Ever since that time, and to the advanced age of seventy-eight, he has perse- vered in carrying forward the interesting re- formation first suggested and commenced by his virtue, piety, and zeal. He has refused invitations to more important and more lucra= tive situations, lest the Ban de la Roche should relapse into its former desolate state; and, by his extraordinary efforts and unabated exer- tions, he averted from his parishioners, in the MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 125 years 1812, 1816, and 1817, the horrors of approaching famine.* * Such a benefactor of mankind deserves the veneration and the gratitude of all good men; and it gives me peculiar pleasure to present you with the opportunity of acknowledging, in the person of M. Oberlin, not a single act, but a whole life, devoted to agricultural improve- ments, and to the diffusion of useful knowledge among the inhabitants of a wild and unculti- vated district. * Eo * & *& * oe tile * * * ‘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 thirty or forty rural hamlets which already exist, there is not one, even among the most flourishing, 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.” * 'The new crop of potatoes that Oberlin had introduced formed the principal subsistence of the people during those disastrous years, when the season was so cold and rainy that they could not get in two-thirds of the corn at all; and the scarcity was so great, that poor little chil- dren, exhausted with hunger, were seen to drop down in the streets. A sack of wheat during that time of distress rose to one hundred and forty-five francs, and the potatoes to nearly one sou apiece. The precise acquaintance which the inhabitants of the 126 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. On the conclusion of this report, the pro- posed tribute of affectionate gratitude was, by unanimous consent, awarded to M. Oberlin; upon which the Baron de Gérando, counsellor of state, to whose care it was consigned, ex- pressed the gratification he should have in presenting it to the venerable pastor, not only because he regarded it as an act of justice due to his extraordinary services, but also because it would afford such great pleasure to the inha- bitants of the Vosges valleys, to find their be- loved benefactor, guide, counsellor, and friend, recarded as an individual deserving of this token of public admiration and gratitude. But while Oberlin was thus gaining the meed of universal esteem by his acts of public bene- ficence, his domestic virtues were endearing him more and more to his family circle, where they always displayed themselves in the most truly amiable light. I shall, therefore, now re- verse the picture, and present my readers with a view of Oberlin in his personal and more private, as well as in his ministerial character. In this he will be found to shine as brightly as in his public capacity; thereby manifesting the pureness and the extent of that Christian prin- ciple, which constrained not only the great movements of his life, but his minutest actions. Oberlin, in his person, was handsome, rather Ban de la Roche had acquired, through Oberlm’s assist- ance, with the vegetable productions of their canton, was believed to be the means of preventing the most distress- ing disoases. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 127 under the usual height, but remarkably dignified in his appearance. There was, however, no- thing affected in his manner of carrying himself. His outward garb was evidently the mark of the master mind within him. Dressed, as he usually was when out of doors, in a cocked hat, and with a red riband at his chest, the decora- tion of the legion of honour,* his air was so imposing as to call forth the attention and re- spect of every one who saw him. His manner was grave, but affectionate ; condescending, but in the highest degree gentlemanly. His cour- tesy toward his parishioners was constantly testified. He did not pass those among 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 atten- tion. ‘ Jesus,” he often said, “ loved children. It is to such as resemble them that he promises the kingdom of heaven.” He was always ex- tremely anxious, in every part of his conduct, to prevent the possibility of misconstruction on the part of those over whom he watched. “On one occasion,” says one of my friends who vi- sited the Ban de la Roche a few years ago, “as we were walking up a hill, he had the arm of * This decoration was awarded to Oberlin by Louis XVII. in acknowledgment of the services he had ren- dered to an extensive population. ‘The king,” he used to say, ‘has had the goodness to send me this decoration ; but what have I done to merit it?) Who, in my situation, would not have acted as I have done, and perhaps better etill 1” 128 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. his son-in-law, while my wife was walking alone. fearing this might be considered self- indulgent or disrespectful 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 kindness.”* His manner of accosting his inferiors was perfectly unique. ‘“ 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 instantly with their hats lowered to the ground, while 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, while there was no departure from the dignity with which his situation and circumstances naturally in- vested him. Good manners prevailed in these valleys to an extent that is rarely witnessed. The practice of the pastor produced the hap- piest 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 remarkable and universal suavity—such com- plete refinement as in these hardy mount- aineers. « As the ‘dear father’ had the highest regard for his people, so he had the best opinion of * Tf must be remembered that Rhee was — in hig eightieth year. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 129 their skill, and wondered that any one 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, ‘'T'ake 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 deposite every morsel of litter, and 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 poimt of duty with him, as before stated by Mr. Legrand, to give every letter its perfect formation. His Bible was marked throughout with different coloured ink, according to the application which he, in the course of his read- ing, had made of different passages. In conversation he was fluent and very un- reserved ; 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. His activity was as astonishing as his zeal ; he never rode on horseback if he could help it, still less in the inside of a carriage; and was accustomed, till prevented by increasing in- firmity, to climb the steepest summits of the 2 130 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. Vosges, or penetrate through pathless snows. regardless of cold or danger, in order to visit the sick, and administer religious consolation to the dying; often too, after all the varied and arduous duties of the day, would he travel to Strasburg in the night to procure medicines, or to obtain assistance or information from his friends in that city, that not a day might be lost to the interests of his beloved Steinthal.* The superiority of his intellectual powers appeared in all he said and in all he did; and he possessed great influence over others, every body loving and obeying him absolutely, though without servility. His mind was of a most kind, yet of a very energetic and decided order ; though as he seldom, if ever, went from home, he had seen little of the world, and, except in his younger years, read little but his Bible. His conversation was never more eloquent, nor his views more expanded, than when he talked on the subject of the extension of the kingdom of God, and when he narrated to his boys, as he would frequently do, particulars of the life and adventures of Dr. Vanderkentp, the mis- * Oberlin was, at one time, not only minister, school- master, farmer, and mechanic, but also general physician to his parish; the knowledge of medicme which he had acquired during his residence in Mr. Ziegenhagen’s family having qualified him for the post. He also learned to open veins, and established a dispensary; and when his ministerial functions would no longer allow of his devoting so much time to the purpose as it required, he delegated the office to his son Charles, and to a young man of talent whom he had sent to study at Strasburg. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 131 sionary, Vincent de Paul, and others, by which means he riveted their attention, and excited the warmest feelings of their hearts. His views of religion were of a very simple and elevated cast: “no cloud of doubt crossed the serene atmosphere of his tranquil joys:”—he conti- nually looked at God as his “ heavenly Father,” present with him, and rested all his hopes in Jesus, “the Author and Finisher of our faith.” As the villages in Oberlin’s parish were too far apart to admit his preaching in them all every week, he took each of the three churches in rotation. The peasants made an arrange- ment to come in turns with a horse to fetch him every Sunday morning, and to take him home to partake of their dinner after the ser- mon. it was always a festival for every family who could thus entertain the “ dear father,” and afforded him an opportunity of conversing about their temporal and spiritual wants. He made a point, when the little repast was ended, of seeing the children of the house one by one in succession, according to their age, and of talk- ing to them like an affectionate father, in lan- guage adapted to their respective capacities, as well as of making a present to each. I cannot here refrain from inserting the lively picture which Mr. Owen has drawn, in his own admirable manner, of a Ban de la Roche sab- bath; and in which he also makes an allusion to those three excellent women whose names well deserve to be put upon record with that of their pastor. 132 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. “‘ Basle, September 16, 1818. “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 in- terest in our minds,—the letter which made its way most directly to our hearts, and which, at the celebration of our first anniversary, pro- duced 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, and to whom, as the highest remune- ration he could bestow, and their ambition coveted, a Bible was to be presented.* ‘| cannot describe the sensations with which I entered the mountainous parish, containing 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 approached his venerable person. The reception he gave me was such as from the profound humility of his character might have been anticipated. My * See page 96. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 130 visit to him and his flock was wholly unex- pected; and when | announced to him, in my introduction, that [ appeared before him as the secretary of the British and Foreign Bible So- ciety, 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, but without any turbulence of either voice or manner, ‘Sir, this is too great an honour :— how shall I answer words like these?’ After the first emotions had subsided, our conversa- tion became familiar; and as it never ceased, from that time to the moment of our separation, to turn more or less upon the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, as they appeared in the small scale of his own or the great scale of the Bible Society’s labours, it never ceased to be deeply interesting, and pregnant with edification. “The Sunday exhibited this venerable man in the pastoral character, under which it had been so much my desire, might it but be per- mitted me, to see him. As he makes the cir- cuit of his churches, the turn on this Sunday belonged to Belmont, distant about halfa league from the parsonage of Waldbach. At ten o’clock we began to move. Mr. Oberlin took the lead in his ministerial attire, a large beaver and flowing wig, mounted on a horse brought for that purpose, according to custom, by one of 134 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. the inhabitants of the village, whose turn it was to have the honour of fetching his pastor, and receiving him to dinner at his table. I rode as nearly beside him as the narrow track would allow. Mr. Rénneberg, accompanied by Mr. Daniel Legrand, followed. ‘The rear was brought up by the villager before mentioned, carrying a leathern bag, slung across his shoulders, which contained the other part of the minister’s dress, his books, &c.; and a respectable 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 congregation, their neat and becoming costume, their order, and their seriousness, together with the fervour, tenderness, and simplicity, with which the good minister addressed them, both in his sermon in the morning and his catechetical lecture in the afternoon, conveyed to my mind the most de- lightful impression—that of a sincere and ele- vated devotion. ‘The interval between the services was passed, partly in dining at the house of the happy villager, (for the duty of fetching and entertaining their pastor is, in the estimation of these simple people, a privilege of the highest order,) and partly in visiting some of the excellent individuals, both men and women, but particularly the latter, in which this part of the parish abounds. ‘The affability and graceful condescension with which the pastor saluted every member of his flock, MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 135 wherever he met them, and the affectionate reverence with which young and old returned the salutation, were peculiarly pleasing: it was, on both sides, if a ceremony at all, the cere- mony of the heart. On our return to the par- sonage, the evening was passed in edifying conversation, and concluded by a French hymn, in which all the household united. On the ensuing morning I had the honour of convey- ing my venerable host, amid the bowings of his parishioners, who gazed with wonder at the unusual sight of their stationary pastor seated in a travelling carriage, to the house of Messrs. Legrand, at Foudai, another of the villages in this extensive parish. Here we breakfasted ; and, after much pleasing conver- sation with this amiable, benevolent, and well- informed family, [ had the high honour of being introduced to Sophia Bernard and Catherine Scheidecker! Maria Schepler, the second on the list of this memorable trio, had, I found, been removed to her rest: the two whom I have mentioned, and who now stood before me, remained to fill up the measure of their usefulness in the work of their Lord. Never shall I forget the manner in which these inte- resting peasants received me, when, addressing them by name, I told them that I had known them nearly fourteen years, and that the ac- count 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 example. ‘ O, sir,’ 136 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. said Sophia Bernard, the tears filling her eyes at the time, ‘this does indeed humble us;’ adding many pious remarks in relation to their obscurity, the imperfection of their works, and the honour they considered 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 refinement, to resume my journey along the beaten road, and to pursue my object among scenes which, whatever pleasures I had to ex- pect, would suffer in the comparison with those which I had left behind me.” In most of his religious tenets, Oberlin was strictly orthodox and evangelical. The main doctrine that seemed to occupy his whele mind was, that God was his Father. ‘ Our Father,” as he would not unfrequently say, “and thus we may always feel him.” ‘The doctrine of sanctification also held a high place in his creed, though, in his discourses, he principally dwelt upon the freeness of the gospel, the willingness of Christ to receive all who come to him in sincerity of heart, the blessed efficacy of prayer, and the absolute necessity of divine grace. Oberlin was accustomed to preach very alarm- ingly on the judgment to come, and the punish- ment of the wicked; though, at the same time, he held out the fatherly love of God to every MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 137v returning sinner who would seek him through Jesus Christ. ‘These last-mentioned doctrines may be said to have constituted the leading features of his ministry. He had a remarkable reverence for the Bible, and especially for the books of Moses, and the gospels. He was led to adopt many of the laws of Moses, because, he said, although the ceremonial law is rejected, the object of that law, the glory of God and the good of man, remains, and therefore the law itself ought to be retained. ‘The subjoined note marks a number of passages from the laws of Moses which Oberlin adopted, and which he applied with great force and interest in his own conduct, and in his instructions to his people.* * Alms. Deut. xiv, 28, &c.; xv, 7. Matt. ii, 10. Prevention of dangers. Deut. xxii, 8. Exod. xxi, 33. Strangers. Exod. xxii, 21; xxii, 9. Lev. xix, 33, 34; Relves. (vuln. xv, 14. Deut. x, 18, 19; xxiv, 14, 19; xxvi, 12; xxvu, 19. Also for strangers. Exod. xii, 19. Num. ix, 14. Solomon appointed a court for strangers: 2 Chron. vi, 32. ‘This court the avarice of the Jews suffered to be- come a market, and from this market Jesus drove the buyers and sellers. Fertility. To make a country fertile, it must be guarded from bad seasons, dearth, and famine. Lev. xxvi, 3, 14. Deut. xi, 13, 16. Mal. iui, 10, Politeness. Rom. xu, 10. 1 Cor. xin, 4, 5. To protect ourselves from the evil of war. Ley. xxv, 18, 19. Deut. xxx, 28, 29. Prov. i, 33. Doctors. Exod. xv, 26. 2 Chron. xvi, 12. Law-suit. Matt. v, 39, 40. First-fruits, Exod. xxii, 29. Deut. xv, 19. 138 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. It may, indeed, be doubted whether there was not much in the history of Moses, as well as in his law, which remarkably adapted itself to Oberlin’s experience and views. ‘This coincidence has been pointed out to me by the Rev. Francis Cunningham, who visited the Ban de la Roche in 1820, when Oberlin was in the eightieth year of his age. He thus writes :— ‘In contemplating the history and cireum- stances of this venerable man, 1 could not but call to mind that of the patriarch whose law, as well as example, he seems so attentively to have followed. Oberlin, like Moses, was trained to another service than that which he was ulti- mately called to follow. He had to civilize, as well as to imstruct, a people degraded by long habits, deeply rooted, and which sprung from wretchedness and poverty. Like Moses, he was a great lover of order, and had a singular tact for government. Like him, too, he united remarkable meekness with occasional impetu- osity, and the truest decision of character. As of Moses at the end of his pilgrimage, so it may be said of Oberlin, his eye was scarcely dim, and his natural force was hardly abated. They each lived to testify of a people following the ways of God, (Deut. xxxiii, 29,) ‘ Happy art thou, Payment. Lev. xix, 138. Deut. xxiv, 14. Jer. xxi, 13. - Rom: xin, 87 Matt-"v, 2a: Health. Exod. xv, 26. Mal. iv, 2. Prolonged life. Deut. iv, 40; v, 32, 33; vi, 25 x1, 9; xvii, 20; xxx, 17, 18, 20; xxxi, 46, 47. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 139 O Israel; who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord ;’ and now, as they fought the same fight, passed through the same tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, they dwell together before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; they have entered into the same - Joy, and are crowned with the same reward. For there this most holy, most devoted, and most useful man has now opened his eyes to receive the recompense of his faith, his pa- tience, and his labours: and there, as one who hath turned many to righteousness, he will shine in the crown of his Redeemer for ever and ever.” In his sermons Oberlin was simple, energe- tic, and affectionate, continually speaking to his people under the appellation of “ mes chers amis.” He appeared to study a colloquial plain- ness, interspersing his discourses with images and allusions which, had they been addressed to a more refined audience, might have been deemed homely, but which were particularly adapted to the capacities and wants of his se- cluded villagers. He would frequently intro- duce biographical anecdotes of persons distin- guished for their piety: and the boundless field of nature furnished him with striking illustra- tions to explain spiritual things. But the Bible itself, ‘la chere Bible,” as he exclaimed with tears of gratitude a short time before his last illness, was the grand source of all his instruc- tions. It formed the study of his life, and, as 140 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. he said, constituted his own consolation under all trials, the source of his strength, and the ruling principle of his actions: how, then, could he do less than recommend it to others? He was in the habit of citing very largely from it, from the conviction that the simple exposition of the word of God was the best means of effi- caciously interesting his flock. His sermons were almost always composed with the greatest care; and when unable, for want of time, to write them out at leneth, he made at least a tolerably full outline. In general, he committed them scrupulously to memory, but in the pulpit he did not confine himself to the precise words, and would indeed sometimes change the sub- ject altogether, if he saw that another was apparently better suited to the circumstances of his auditory. Oberlin always concluded the sabbath after- noon’s service with catechetical exercise ; and as this was intended more particularly for the benefit of the children, he endeavoured to ren- der his afternoon’s discourse even more simple than that of the morning had been, and to adapt his language to the age : of his younger hearers. “ My friends, ” said he, upon one of these occasions, W ishing to give them, if possible, some idea of eternity, “if a single grain of sand were brought into this room once every hundred years, many centuries must elapse before the floor could be covered. ‘That moment would, however, arrive; but, even when it came, the spirits of the blessed would be still in the MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 141 enjoyment of heavenly happiness, for they are immortal; and if a grain of sand were to be brought at the same stated interval for many thousands of centuries, until the room were entirely filled, those happy beings would still be immortal, and eternity would be as bound- less as when the first grain was brought.” “The good pastor,” says Mrs. Steinkopff, from whose journal the editor has been kindly allowed to make the following extracts, ‘ con- siders his flock as his own children, and they look up to him with the most profound respect and veneration. I never witnessed so delight- fully affecting a scene as the church of Wald- bach, quite full, apparently, of attentive peo- ple. It stands very near the parsonage, and is plain, neat, and clean, with a gallery all round. When we were there, on the eleventh of June, 1820, it was completely filled with peasants in the costume of the country, and there was not a countenance among them that indicated indifference ; the greater part evinced the ut- most seriousness and attention. When the revered pastor entered, all stood up; he placed himself before the communion table; it was plain, covered with a white cloth, fringed all round. He first gave out a hymn. When it was sung, he read a prayer from the ritual, during which all knelt, and covered their faces. He then gave out another hymn; after which he went to one part of the church where the children sat, and called over their names, to see if any were absent. Then all knelt down 142 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. again while he prayed; then they sung, and he went into the pulpit and gave out his text, after another prayer: ‘ He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied,’ Isa. liii, 11. He spoke in the plainest and most familiar manner, mentioned the errors of the times, against which he warned his hearers, particularly dwelling on the importance of sanctification. ‘Those who give themselves up to intemperance,’ said he, ‘and to the enjoyment of luxuries, without con- cerning themselves about their poorer brethren, and yet think that with all this they shall go to heaven, because Christ died for sinners, are mistaken. No: the gospel says quite other- wise. We must deny ourselves, lay aside our sins, lead a holy and godly life, and then our blessed Redeemer will save us.’ He earnestly warned them against sin. Not a sound was to be heard. Every countenance expressed at- tention. When he had finished, he read some verses of a hymn expressive of entire devoted- ness to God. ‘ My dear friends,’ said he, ‘ may these be the feelings of our hearts, and as such let us sing them.’ They then sung them heartily.” The following is a translation :— “OQ Lord, thy heavenly grace impart, And fix my frail mconstant 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 ; MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 143 That silent, secret thought shall be, That all my hopes are fix’d 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 covert of thy wing, My sweetest thought henceforth shall be, That all I want I find in thee— In thee, my God, in thee !” “ Two children were then brought to be bap- tized ; after which he pronounced the blessing. While the people were going out of church another verse was sung. ‘Those nearest the door went out first, all in order and in silence. There are two doors in the church; the pulpit is placed in the middle, next the back, so that the congregation is in front, down each side. Before it stands the communion table. All are seated on benches. ‘There are, against the gallery, half a dozen pictures; one is of our Saviour on the cross.” Dr. Steinkopff writes the following letter, descriptive of the same interesting scene. “© Waldbach, in the Steinthal, June 12, 1820. “J cannot describe the veneration I felt on approaching Mr. Oberlin, that servant of God, and benefactor of man, who, in his eightieth vear, is still full of health, vigour, and activity 144 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. and gladly spends his remaining strength in doing good. Serenity and cheerfulness are depicted on his countenance; and he delights in communicating to his Christian friends some- thing of that peace of God which possesses his own soul.” ‘Yesterday I attended divine service in his church. Notwithstanding a pouring rain, it was completely filled. Mr. Oberlin’s assistant in the ministerial office (the Rev. Mr. Graff) assured me that every house in the five villages under his pastoral care was now provided with a Bible, and that every child who came to receive catechetical instruction brought a New Testament with him. But, for the sake of those who applied from a distance, I gladly complied with his wish to furnish him, and his son at Rothau, with one hundred and twenty German Bibles and Testaments. After divine service three Catholic peasants applied for De Sacy’s Testament. One paid three francs for a copy He gave Mr. Oberlin the pleasing information that many of his Catholic neighbours had al- ready procured the New Testament, and were in the constant habit of reading it. Mr. Ober- lin’s son, who lives on the most friendly terms with the Catholic priest, lately presented his schoolmaster with a copy. “T accompanied the venerable patriarch in some of his pastoral visits. Wherever he went, respect and affection met him. The children hailed his appearance. ‘They immediately pro- duced their Bibles or Testaments, read to him, MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 145 or listened to his truly paternal exhortations and admonitions.”* Every Friday Oberlin conducted a service in German, for the benefit of those inhabitants of the vicinity to whom that language was more familiar than French. His congregation on a Sunday consisted, on an average, of six hun- dred persons, but on a Friday of two hundred ; and Oberlin, laying aside all form, seemed on such occasions more like a grandfather sur- rounded by his children and grandchildren, to whom he was giving suitable admonition and instruction, than the minister of an extensive parish. In order that no time might be lost, he used to make his female hearers knit stockings during the service, not indeed for themselves or their families, but for their poorer neighbours, as he believed that this charitable employment need not distract their attention, nor interrupt that devotional spirit which generally pervaded the I*riday evening assemblies. When he had pursued for half an hour the train of his reflec- tions upon the portion of Scripture which he had just been reading, he would often say to them, ‘ Well, my children, are you not tired? Have you not had enough? ‘Tell me, my friends.” ‘To which inquiry his parishioners would generally reply, ‘“ No, papa, go on; we should like to hear a little more:” though on some occasions, with characteristic frankness, * See Appendix to the Seventeenth Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society. 10 146 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. the answer was, “ Enough, we think, for one time ;” and the good old man would leave off, in the midst of his discourse, or wait a little, and presently resume it, putting the same ques- tion again at intervals, until he saw that the attention of his congregation began to flag, or until they, perceiving that he spoke with less ease, would thank him for the things he had said, and beg him to conclude. Such was the general esteem in which he was held, that Catholics as well as Protestants were fond of attending his preaching. The following conversation took place between an English eentleman and the driver of the car in which it was found necessary to proceed from Schirmeck to Waldbach: no apology can be deemed necessary for introducing it, in illus- tration of the respect in which Oberlin was universally regarded by the peasantry. “You are going then to see our good Pastor Oberlin, gentlemen?” said the latter. “Yes, we are going to see him. Do you know him ?” “Do I know him!” continued the man; “yes, I know him well. I have heard him preach many a time.” *« But you are a Catholic, are you not ?” “Yes, we are Catholics, we people of Schir- meck ; but that does not prevent our sometimes rearing the good pastor of Waldbach.” ** Do you find he preaches well ?” “Yes, very well. He often makes us weep.” The honest charioteer spoke a very intelli- MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 147 gible French, quite distinct from the dialect of Schirmeck; and this circumstance, together with a certain touch of military indifference in his manner, not entirely concealed by his fus- tian jacket, prompted the inquiry whether he had served under Napoleon. “Yes, sir, you are right; I have been a soldier; and I find that a soldier very easily catches bad habits.” “From all that I have hitherto seen, I find they are easily caught everywhere.” “Very possibly. For myself, I frankly own that I was no better than others; and when I go to hear Pastor Oberlin preach, he makes me feel that I am not too good even now. He is right, the pastor is right; for it is true, very true.” “Yes; but do you not think it is a truth which it is necessary for us to know? and do you not believe that he who makes us feel our errors is one of our best friends ?” “Yes. Tobe cured, the malady must be known.” “ Certainly. You are, then, very happy in having a minister who makes you feel the truth.” “You are right; and I assure you that he is a man who seeks to render himself useful to us in every way.” «Tell me, what has he done, then ?” “What has he done! He has done all that can be done. Let us see: there are so many things. In the first place, this road ;—-it is he who has made if for us.” 148 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. “Yes, but it is not absolutely the best road in the world.” «That may be; but look, sir: a few years ago, we could not have passed here, even in a little car like this. The pastor has superin- tended the whole road, and has even worked at it with his own hands, to encourage others.” “And this little bridge which we are about to cross ?” “Ves, certainly, this bridge also; itis he who has made it.” ‘‘ He must be rich to effect so many things 2” ‘To that question I might answer both yes and no.” “ How ?” “T might say, Yes; for if he had all which he has given to others, he would be very rich. And I might answer, No; because he keeps nothing for himself,—absolutely nothing; he gives all to the poor; all, sir! all!* You are going to see his house, and must not expect to find it very grand.” But to return to Oberlin himself. One of his prevailing desires was, that all, to whatever class or denomination they might belong, while conscientiously adhering to their own peculiar creeds, should grow in an ac- quaintance with those common truths which constitute the essence of the gospel. “ Are * “ He has laid up nothing for his children,” said Louisa te aclergyman who visited the Ban de la Roche, in Sep- tember, 1825, “‘ but he will leave them with the benedic- tions of heaven, and none of them will ever want bread.” MEMOIRS GF OBERLIN. 149 you a Christian ?” said he to a Catholic gentle- man who visited the Ban de la Roche in the autumn of 1820;—“ if you are a Christian, my dear friend, we are of the same religion. If you believe in the utter depravity of human nature, in the necessity of repentance, and while adoring God, pray to him to crown your efforts to become better, we are of the same reli- gion. Follow the law traced by the dear Saviour; it only is the true law. All the forms and ceremonies that different sects have added to this law are of little importance.” Perceiving that the eyes of his visiter were directed to a portrait of Luther that hung against the wall of his study, ‘ That man has been,” said he, “like every founder of a sect, much applauded and much calumniated. And if you will promise me not to be offended,” continued he, smiling, “I will tell you some- thing about him. The popes, for a long time, arrogated to themselves temporal powers and privileges, in a very different spirit from that spirit of humility by which the first follow- ers of Jesus Christ were distinguished. Taking advantage of the credulity of the people, they extended their dominion over nearly the whole of Europe, Turkey alone being free from their sway. Leo X. wished to unite the Christian princes against this latter kingdom, but it was necessary to obtain money in order to secure their co-operation. Leo, who was remarkable for the patronage he afforded to the fine arts, was also in want of funds to finish the famous 150 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. cathedral of St. Peter. He devised the plan of selling indulgences. These were notes pay- able at sight, for the enfranchisement of souls in purgatory ; a place never mentioned by re Christ and his apostles. Depots of them ere opened in the priests’ houses, the monas- pees and even in the public houses. ‘The priests were employed in persuading the peo- ple to purchase them. An Augustine monk, the son of a blacksmith, of Eisleben, was led io consider what power these indulgences could possibly possess, and ascending the pul- pit, after a priest, who had been inculcating these doctrines, he excited in the minds of his hearers the indignation with which his own was filled. This Augustine monk, whose name was Martin Luther, proceeded to apply to seve- ral princes, some of whom espoused his cause. He spread the doctrines of the Reformation ; abolished those of the monks; and taking Scrip- ture for his guide, returned to the simple com- munion of bread and wine; he denied the power of baptism to take away original sin ; condemned auricular confession; and declared that the popes and councils had no authority to add any thing to the religion of Jesus Christ and his apostles, seeing that if Jesus Christ had wished his religion to be different from that which he taught, he would himself have de- livered it differently. Luther opened the way for a great revolution, and violent means were taken to oppose his proceedings. I will add no more,” continued he; “I only wished to MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 151 mention the causes and the principal effects of the Reformation. Luther was not the founder of a new religion ; he only brought us back to the religion of Jesus Christ. God will regard all who adhere to the doctrines of his divine Son with equal favour, be they Catholics or Lutherans.” The following anecdotes are illustrative of the paternal influence which Oberlin exercised over his flock, as well as of his readiness to assist those who differed from him in their religious tenets. A young woman of Schir- meck, of the Roman Catholic persuasion, had married a Protestant of Waldbach. This man had enemies; he was, comparatively speak- ing, rich, and his fortune might possibly have some connection with the motives of their ani- mosity. The young woman became the mo- ther of a little girl, who, by mutual consent, and in pursuance of the marriage agreement, was to be brought up in the religion of the former, and baptized by the clergyman at Schir- meck. To repair thither it was necessary to take the road over the mountains; but at the moment of their setting off, they were informed that the enemies of the husband had laid a scheme to waylay them at a particular turn of the road, to spring out upon him when he reached it, and to compel him by menaces and ill treatment to consent to their unjust demands. Their journey could not very well be de- layed, as the priest had been informed of 152 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. their intended arrival ; and yet they were afraid to undertake it on account of the impending danger. In this painful dilemma they went to consult Oberlin. He, after exhorting them to place their trust in God, most kindly offered to accompany them, to render his aid and pro- tection should they require it. On arriving at a spot in the forest where there was reason to fear an ambuscade, Oberlin knelt down, and, extending his hands over the young people, exclaimed with a loud voice, ‘ Great God! thou seest wickedness lying in wait, and con- spiring mischief. Thou seest innocence in alarm. Almighty God! avert the danger, or give thy children strength to surmount it.” At this moment several men who had been concealed behind a thicket of beach trees, dis- covered themselves, and rushed forward, utter- ing the most threatening exclamations. Oberlin took the little infant in his arms, and advanced toward them with a calmness which did not conceal his indignation, yet still left room for the hope of pardon. “ There,” said he to them, ‘‘is the babe which has done you so much in- jury—which disturbs the peace of your days.” Dismayed at the presence of their pastor, whom they little expected to meet in the cha- racter of an escort to persons going to perform a Roman Catholic ceremony, and finding from the few words which he had addressed to them that he was not ignorant of their bad designs, they did not attempt to dissimulate, but, con- fessing their crime, begged pardon of the young MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 153 man, and offered terms of reconciliation. Thus providentially rescued from the danger which had threatened them, the young people con- tinued their walk to Schirmeck, while Oberlin returned to Waldbach with the men whom he had thus prevented from doing evil. When they reached the entrance of the village, “ My children,” said he, as he left them, “ remember the day on the mountains, if you wish that I should forget it.” Another morning, (in the early part of his ministry,) as Oberlin was at work in his study, he heard a great noise in the village. Rushing out, he perceived a foreigner whom almost the whole population were loading with abusive and threatening language. ‘ A Jew! a Jew!” resounded on all sides, as the good pastor forced his way through the crowd ; and it was with difficulty that he could obtain silence. As soon, however, as he could make himself heard, he rebuked them with great warmth for having proved themselves unworthy the name of Christians by treating the unfortu- nate stranger in so cruel a manner. He added, that if this poor man wanted the name of a Christian, they wanted the spirit of Christians. The same enlargement of mind distinguished Oberlin on all occasions. And whatever men might say, he still remembered the apostle’s injunction, Gal. vi, 10, “Let us do good unto all men.” I shall conclude this chapter respecting Ober- lin’s private and ministerial character, with the 154 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. following questions, which he addressed to his flock in writing, requiring from them satisfac- tory replies to each inquiry. ‘They prove that his solicitude for their welfare descended to the smallest details, both with respect to their tem- poral and spiritual concerns, and that he neg- lected nothing to which he thought it his duty to call their attention. Questions addressed by Pastor Oberlin to his Parishioners. 1..Do you, and your family, regularly attend places of religious instruction ? 2. Do you never pass a Sunday without em- ploying yourself in some charitable work ? 3. Do neither you, nor your wife or children, ever wander in the woods on a Sunday, in search of wild raspberries, strawberries, whor- tleberries, mulberries, or hazel-nuts, instead of going to church ?—and, if you have erred in this manner, will you solemnly promise to do so no more ? 4. Are you careful to provide yourself with clean and suitable clothes for going to church in on the Sunday.* 5. Do those who are provided with neces- sary clothes employ a regular part of their in- come to procure them for their destitute * During the first years of Oberlin’s residence in the Ban de la Roche, the inhabitants were so miserably off for wearing apparel that they could only go to chureh by turns, being obliged to borrow each other’s clothes in order to appear decently attired. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 155 neighbours, or to relieve their other necessi- ties ? 6. Have your civil and ecclesiastical over seers reason to be satisfied with your conduct, and that of the other members of your family? 7. 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 ? 8. Do the animals which belong to you cause no injury or inconvenience to others ?— (Guard against this, for it would be as fire in tow, and a‘source of mutual vexation. ) 9. Do you give your ereditors reason to be satisfied with your honesty and punctuality ?— or can they say of you that you are more desi- rous of purchasing superfluous clothes than of discharging your debts ? 10. Have you paid all that is due this quar- ter to the churchwarden, schoolmaster, and shepherd? 11. Do you punctually contribute your share toward the repairing of the roads ?* * That Oberlm considered the repairing of roads as a religious duty incumbent upon all his parishioners, (since it conduced to the public good,) appears from the follow- ing curious and characteristic letter, which he addressed to them, November 9, 1804 :— “ Road between Foudai and Zolbach. “Dear Frrenps or Foupat,—Several persons at Zol- bach have long been desirous that a certain road on your district, which runs toward Zolbach, should be mended and put into repair. “ Such a measure would tend greatly to the advantage of 156 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 12. Have you, in order to contribute to the general good, planted upon the common at least twice as many trees as there are heads in your family ? 13. Have you planted them properly, or only as idle and ignorant people would do, to save themselves trouble ? 14. When the magistrate wishes to assemble the commonalty, do you always assist him as far as lies in your power ? and, if it be impossi- ble for you to attend yourself, are you careful to inform him of your absence, and to assign a proper reason for it ? 15. Do you send your children regularly to school ? 16. Do you watch over them as God re- quires you should do? And is your conduct toward them, as well as your wife’s, such Foudai. But for whose sake will you do it? Will you do it from love to your heavenly Father, to whom you pray every day, and whom in the Lord’s Prayer you call Father, and who requires you to prove your faith by your works? ‘Will you do it from love to the Lord Jesus Christ, who, during his stay upon earth, went about doing good, and who has redeemed us in order to make to himself a pecu- lar people, zealous of good works? ‘Will you do it from love to God’s children who are at Zolbach 1—you know that all the services which you render to the children of God, and the followers of Jesus Christ, God regards as done to himself. Will you do it from love to the servants ~ of mammon who are at Zolbach, in order to set them a good example, and to win their affections by your kindness !— or, will you do it from compassion to the animals which your heavenly Father has created, and which he has him- self honoured by his covenant with Noah after the deluge ? Gen. ix, 9.” MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. boi as will ensure their affection, respect, and obedience ? 17. Are you frugal in the use of wood? And do you contrive to make your fires in-as econo- mical a manner as possible ? 18. Do you keep a dog unless there be abso- lute necessity ? 19. Have you proper drains in your yard for carrying off the refuse water ? 20. Are you, as well as your sons, acquaint- ed with some little handicraft work to employ your spare moments, instead of letting them pass away in idleness ? With regard to the purport of the fifth ques- tion, as Oberlin was most particular in devoting a certain share of his own income to the allevi- ation of the wants of others, and in accustom- ing himself to the strictest self-denial in order to increase his means of doing good, so he used his utmost endeavours to persuade others to imitate his example, and to avoid any super- fluity in their clothes or manner of living, that they might be the better able to assist their poorer neighbours. He addressed the following advice to the mothers in his parish, on observing that it was becoming a prevalent fashion among them to put cambric frills to their little boys’ shirts— an extravagance which he deemed extremely reprehensible :— “¢ Various mothers are, I observe, beginning to put frills of muslin or of cambric to their 158 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. children’s shirts. Do not do so, dear friends. Unpick them, cut them off, and seek not to increase the vanity of your children, which is already naturally too great. Cut off all the finery that does not correspond with your sta- tion in life, and employ yourselves in clothing the poor families of this extensive parish; many of whom are in an extremely miserable condition. ** Love your neighbours as yourselves. Re- nounce every superfluity, that you may be the better able to procure necessaries for those who are in want. Be their care-takers—their fathers and their mothers—for it is for this purpose that God has blessed you with more temporal wealth than he has done them. Be merciful. The time may come when you yourselves wili stand in need of the mercy of God.” The following note bears also the same im- port: its superscription is, “ Surplus of Hay. “* Waldbach, March 13, 1803. “ Dear Frirnps,—Is not this one of the two principal commandments— 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 obeying the commandments of Jesus Christ, MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 159 and in endeavouring to work out their salvation 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 rejoice and bless God. “ And afterward 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 impossible 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 per- haps thou wilt not be much longer in possession of terrestrial riches.” The following litile circulars, in allusion to the sixteenth question, addressed at different times by Oberlin to his parishioners, prove how constantly he endeavoured to instil into their minds the necessity of bringing up their children in habits of subordination, and under their own inspection :— ‘* Waldbach, February 27, 1801. “ Dear Frienps, Faruers, anp 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. 160 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. xs ‘But have you no fears for your children? Does not Satan go about to tempt them to do wrong? Then give them shepherds likewise, and never allow them to be left to their own devices. Let them work and amuse themselves under proper inspection and superintendence, but let this superintendence be wise, prudent, gentle, kind, and engaging; and while it leads you to take part in their amusements, 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.” “ May 29, 1803. **¢ 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 continually in the ears of every parent, ‘Father, where is thy son?’ Fathers of Belmont! Fathers of Belle- fosse, of Waldbach, of Foudai, and Zolbach! Father, where is thy son? In what village; in what house; in what company? How is he employed? It behooves you to be able to an- swer these inquiries by night and by day; on Sundays and on working days; wherever you are, and whatever you are doing. You are the guardians of your children; and whether they are employed in work, or in relaxation and amusement, it 1s your duty to superintend and direct their amusements and pursuits. “Do it; do it, henceforth, with faithfulness, MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 161 vigilance, and zeai; with earnest and secret prayer that God may pardon you for past un- faithfulness, 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, (ISRO OSERLING' CHAPTER 1X! (ite Oberlin’s pastoral visits—Interview bi Dr. and Mrs. Steinkopff and the governess of " Bellefo —Thei visit to the cottage of Madeleine Kriiger ; also to that of Sophia Bermard—Letter written by Mrs. C. during a visit to the Ban de la Roche in the summer of 1820—Letter from Mrs. Rauscher to the Paris Bible Society, containing an account of the death of Sophia Bernard, &c.—Amount of the sums raised at different times at Waldbach, in support of various charitable institutions. Ir was not im the pulpit alone that Oberlin sought to make known the truths of the gospel ; he was in the habit of paying pastoral visits to all the cottages in his parish ; of conversing with their inhabitants on the subjects connected with their eternal welfare, and upon the various plans adopted by benevolent individuals in dif- ferent parts of the world for the dissemination of religious knowledge. In the hope of advancing their moral and spiritual welfare, he kept a book in which he made private memoranda respecting their va- 1] 162 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. rious states, a task for which the imsight he obtained into their respective characters, during his frequent visits, peculiarly qualified him. Among other heads in the book were “ Idlers” and ‘“ Bad Managers.” ‘The ten command- ments also furnished him with many distinct heads, under which he made remarks upon the state of his congregation, particularizing the conduct of such persons as he deemed repre- hensible, that he might be the better able to adapt his discourses to their edification. The affectionate manner in which he entered into familiar conversation with them upon such subjects as the diffusion of religious knowledge, the conversion of the heathen, and the exertions of God’s devoted servants in bearing to others the “unsearchable riches of Christ,’ seldom failed to gain their attention, and to awaken in their hearts the warmest interest, while it had, ut the same time, a most happy effect upon their manners, inducing, in some of the poor women particularly, a refinement and sefiness not often met with in persons of the same class, entirely free from pride, awkwardness, forward- ness, or rudeness. 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 took a walk up the side of the mountain with Mr. Graff. The little path they were following led to Bellefosse, whither they were going to pay a visit to Madeleine Kriiger, one of the exemplary poor women of that village. Many MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 163 peasants had bowed to them as they passed, with an air of courtesy, and the women had addressed them with “I have the honour of saluting you, madam,” making at the same time a courtesy that would not have disgraced an English drawing-room. In the middle of a wood, through which the road led, they met a peasant, simply attired, with a pleasing, open countenance, and a basket at her back. ‘ Ma- dam,” said she, addressing Mrs. Steinkopff, “ I have the honour of saluting you,” and a most profound courtesy accompanied her words. “Good morning! I am rejoiced to have met you, my dear Priscilla,” said Mr. Graff, return- ing the salutation ; ‘I have the pleasure of in- troducing 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.” “QO! God be praised for it, my dear sir!” re- plied the peasant. “‘ Yes, I am well acquainted with your name. I have read the reports which make mention of you. Is it possible,” aud 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 the generosity of that noble society. Ah, what reason have we to rejoice, who live in the abundance of spirit- ual blessings ; and how much should we wish to procure the same advantages for those who 164 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. are destitute of them! Yes; we are very rich here, in this Ban de la Roche. O, that we may never be unfaithful to that heht which God has been pleased to grant us! J] 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 weeping bitterly over its grandmother, whom they were going to bury: ‘My dear child, instead of weeping for your grandmamma, 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.’ J 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 interesting young woman,” says Mrs. Stemkopff, “were very superior; for with all the animation and sprightliness of the French, much zeal and humility were conspicuous.” “On reachine Bellefosse,” continues the latter, “we visited the white-washed cottage of Madeleine Kriiger; its neat painted case- ments and clean steps announced the comfort 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 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 165 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 Moravian text-book open, in which she had been reading. While we were there, a tall, agreeable-looking man, with a slouched hat, and blue trousers and jacket, came in; he was mayor and schoolmaster at the same time.” They afterward proceeded to the neat, 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. Stemkopff’s cup this motto was in- scribed, “‘ 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 166 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. to all-that was said, and lifting up her hands in gratitude to God for what she heard concerning the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom on earth by the success of missionary and Bible societies. On the departure of her visiters she knelt down, and prayed very fervently for their protection. The following letter, written by Mrs. C. during her visit to the Ban de la Roche in the summer of 1820, describes the same scene, and also presents so lively and animated a picture of the venerable pastor and his family, that it cannot but be read with interest and delight. “ Ban de la Roche, June 7, 1820. “ My Dearest ; Bg % * * * * % * * * My last letter from Strasburg was written in low spirits; the sun has since shone upon us. We are now in a most uncommon and inte- resting spot—every thing is novel, but the One Spirit which acknowledges the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, which is the same ; and delightful it is to feel it the same, among other nations and languages. It is confirming to faith to find the children of God in every place looking only to the same Saviour, and built upon the same foundation. “1 wish I had power to convey to you an idea of our present interesting and ‘curious situation. In the first place, I must introduce you to the room [ am sitting in. It is perfectly MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 167 unique. J should think the floor had never been really cleaned. It is filled with old boxes, and bottles, and pictures, and medicines, and books, but every thing is in its place. ‘T'wo little beds are stuck up in each corner, and there are a few old chairs, &c. ‘The window looks upon the tops of the mountains, near which we are,— separated from the world; but this is a spot highly favoured, remarkably illuminated by the blessed light of the gospel. I must now tell you of our journey here, and arrival. “On Saturday morning, after an early break- fast, we left Strasburg. I was rather sorry to quit our comfortable hotel, where I began to feel tolerably settled, and the place, as a town, pleased me. We soon left the high road; and as there were no more post-houses, we took a pair of horses to make our way as well as we could through the mountains. ‘The roads were not quite so bad as I expected, yet their narrow- ness, and the steep precipice on one side, made me nervous. But we were charmed by the interest and beauty of the scenery :—before we had gone far we found the valleys luxuriant in vines and fine trees ; a mountain river running through the valley, and presenting different views in every turn of the road. F. and I both thought we had never seen more exquisite home scenery. ‘The postilion lost his way, and led us up a delicious valley. Though we enjoyed the scenery, our situation was not very pleasant, and we were anxious to arrive early; for we went perfect strangers, without any introduc- 168 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. tion, or having given any warning, but we felt confidence in going among Christian people. Having reached the right road again, we en- tered the pass leading into the Ban de la Roche; it was exceedingly interesting; we were upon the famous road, dug out of the rock, made by Mr. Oberlin himself, and his parishioners, for before he came the place was almost inaccessible. “‘ However good the roads were in compari- son, I could not be satisfied to stay in the ear- riage, so we walked on to a very romantic little village, where Mr. Legrand and his family hve, intimate friends of Mr. Oberlin. I fear you have not seen the book he wrote about Mr. O. and this place ;* it gives great interest to it. It is really wonderful what he has effected. We inquired for their house. Mrs. Legrand was pointed out to us; she had a fine open counte- nance, but was dressed in a far commoner manner than any of our maids, who would ap- pear like ladies in this place. ‘The women here are a hundred years at least behind us in luxury and fashion, and outward appearance ; such simplicity | never saw. I will now intro- duce you to the Legrands, a most cheerful and happy family. T heir house is complete in its way, and full of comfort for a foreign habitation. The father and mother, with their two sons, both married to sweet women, live together. * Letters to the Baron de Gérando, on the Agriculture of the Ban de la Roche, from which extracts have been given in this work. ° _ MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 169 They seemed beaming with goodness and. hap- piness ; evidently most domestic, and I should trust religious people, devotedly attached to Mr. Oberlin, their friend and minister, for whose sake they settled in this place. ‘“‘ After this pleasant introduction to the Le- grands, we again set off for Mr. Oberlin’s, a mile and a half further, (a romantic walk through the valley,) accompanied by Mr. Le- orand. On the way we met this most venera- ble and striking man—the perfect picture of what an old man and minister should be. He received us cordially, and we soon felt quite at ease with him. We all proceeded together toward his house, which stands on the top of a hill, surrounded by trees and cottages ; if we live to return you shall see my sketch of it.* Owing to the fatigue of our journey, I felt quite overdone on our first arrival. I could see no- thing like a mistress in the house ; but an old woman, called Louise, dressed in a long woollen jacket and black cotton cap, came to welcome us, and we afterward found that she is an important person at the Ban de la Roche; she is mistress, housekeeper, intimate friend, andi of all mond schoolmistress, enter- tainer of guests, and, I should think, assistant minister, though we have not yet heard her in this capacity. Besides Louise, the son-in-law and daughter, and their six children, live here, two young girls, protegées, and two more maids * See the sketch of Oberlin’s residence, frontispiece. 170 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. out of the parish. Mr. Graff, the son-in-law, is a minister, and a very excellent man. ‘There is much religion and simplicity both in him and his wife; but the latter is so devoted to the children that we seldom see her: We were ushered into the dining-room, where stood the table, spread for supper; a great bowl of pot- tage—a pewter plate and spoon for every body: —the luxury of a common English cottage is not known in the Ban de la Roche. But we see the fruits and feel the blessed effects of religion in its simplest form; it is a great pri- vilege to be here, and I trust will be truly useful to us. “'Tuesday.—We are become more acquainted with this extraordinary people. ‘They are as interesting as they are uncommon. I much re- gret that I cannot speak the language more fluently ; yet I get on as well as I can, and have had a good deal of pleasing communica- tion with them. I only hope you will read Owen’s letters, with the description of his visit on a Sunday to this place ; it will give you an interest in our present situation.* Aliso, in the Appendix of the First Bible Society Report, read Mr. Oberlin’s letter.t| I never knew so well what the grace of courtesy was till I saw this remarkable man. He treats the poorest people, and even the children, with an affee- tionate respect. For instance, his courtesy, kindness, and hospitality to our postilion—he * See p. 132. + See p. 96. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 171 pulled off his hat when we met him, took him by the hand, and treated him with really tender consideration. He is, | think, more than eighty —one of the handsomest old men I ever re- member to have seen—still vigorous in mind and spirit—delighting in his parish—full of fervent charity. He has talked a great deal to F The meals are really amusing :—we all sit down to the same table, maids and all, one ereat dish of pettage or boiled spinach, and a quantity of salad and potatoes, upon which they chiefly live, beg placed in the middle. He shakes hands with all the little children as he passes them in the street, speak- ing particularly to each of them. The effect which such treatment has had in polishing these people, uncivilized and uncultivated as they formerly were, is quite wonderful. ‘They have been taught a variety of things which have en- larged and refined their minds; besides reli- gion—music, geography, drawing, botany, &c. My sketching has been quite a source of amuse- ment in the parish, and my sketch-book handed about from one poor person to another.* If you go into a cottage, they quite expect you will eat and drink with them; a clean cloth * “ As T was one day sketching upon the mountains, a group of poor peasant women attracted my attention, and I begged one of them to stand still for a few moments, that I might sketch her in the costume of her country. ‘Ah! madam,’ she replied, smiling, ‘you shall sketch me. I should like you to have a picture of me in your book, be- cause you will then be led to remember me, and perhaps to pray for me.’ ” 172 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. is laid upon a table, washed almost as white as milk, and the new milk, and the great loaf of bread are brought out; yet they are in reality exceedingly peor. ‘Their beds also look exceedingly clean and good. Their dress is simple to the greatest degree. ‘The women and girls all dress alike, even down to the very lit- tle children. ‘They wear caps of dark cotton, with black riband, and the hair bound closely under. Every body aids, children, poor and rich—call Mr. Oberlin their ‘ dear father,’ and never was there a more complete father of a large family. We breakfast at seven; the fa- mily upon potatoes boiled with milk and wa- ter—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 met with such a disinterested people. It is almost impossible to pay them 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 assistance toward the many important objects which Mr Oberlin is carrying on among them. It is almost past belief what he has done, and with very limited means. ‘Three poor dear women are noted for their benevolence; one espe- cially, who is a widow herself with several children, has undertaken to support and bring up three orphan children ; and she has lately taken another, from no other principle than abounding Christian charity. One seldom meets with such shining characters. Mr. OQ, MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. Bis told Mr. C the other day he did not know how to pay Louise, for nothing hurt her so much as offering her money. No one could be more devoted to his service, and that in the most disinterested manner. Her character has impressed me very much. We had a delight- ful walk to church, about two miles distant, on Sunday morning; the numbers of poor, flocking from the distant villages, dressed in their sim- ple 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 requires his assistance in giving prizes to the school children. “ Wednesday eveniny.—The poor charm me. I never met with any like them; so much spiritualty, humility, and cultivation of mind, with manners that would do honour to a court ; yet the homely dress and the simplicity 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. ‘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, (Marie,) a sweet, girl,is a good deal with me, to read and to talk tome. The children and young people in the house are becoming fond of me}; our being here is quite a gayety and amusement to them. About three o’clock, Mr. Legrand comes 174 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. for us, to take us on different excursions, &c. He seems to us one of the kindest persons we ever met with, full of conversation; nothing can exceed the torrent of words they all have. The old gentleman delights in talking to F——, and tells him every thing about himself, his family, his parishes, &c. Our room joins his library, and all the family are free to enter whenever they like. The whole system is most amusing, interesting, and useful. It is a capi- tal example, and instructive for the minister of a parish. There is a spirit of good fellowship and kindness among all the people that is quite delightful. [he longer we have been here, the more we have been struck with the uncommon degree of virtue that exists among them. On Monday evening, after sketching Legrand’s house, we were taken to the cottage of Sophie Bernard, where we found the table spread Jin the most complete manner for our tea, a luxury we had not enjoyed since we left England. Here we passed some time, eating, talking, and reading the Bible; and it ended with prayer, by Sophie Bernard, in a sweet and feeling manner. We then hada charming walk through the valley home. Tuesday, in the after- noon, we ascended toward the very top of the mountains, to another of his villages, where we again found some delightful women, and a ca- pital school. ‘This afternoon we have been drinking tea with the Legrands ; so comforta- ble and complete a house and family are rarely to be met with in any country. The three MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 175 pairs have each the most complete little dwell- ing, but under the same roof. Our intercourse with them has been truly pleasant; they have treated us with real Christian kindness. Dg *% * * * % * * ¥ * “Colmar, Friday evening —Our scene is again quite changed :—we are returned to the common world; and I now find myself by a comfortable fire at a good hotel, which is quite a luxury after the primitive fare of the Ban de la Roche, where we found but little indulgence for the body, though we were treated with genuine hospitality. They live sadly in the clouds. ‘The sun does not appear very often to shine upon them. I never was so struck with the difference of climate as [ was to-day, in coming down into the plains. It poured with rain for the last day or two; and all yesterday, in the mountains, every thing was soaked with wet; but on entering the plains the dust began to fly. Delightful and uncommon as is this retreat, J must acknowledge we have rather enjoyed the comforts of the town, and the con- veniences of this place. It would be a trial to me to live surrounded and buried by mountains. I could not help rather feeling for Marie Graff, who is sensible of her privations. However, they are happy and contented, and highly blessed; and it is a great privilege to have passed this time with them; an event which must always be valuable through life. We parted from the excellent old man with many 176 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. kisses, in the full spirit of Christian love ; and the same with the rest of the household. We left them very early, accompanied by many of the family, and proceeded to Foudai, where the Legrands live. Here we breakfasted, and separated with many tears on their part. They are a most warm-hearted people. We then proceeded over such a road as would astonish our Norfolk and Suffelk friends. However, 1 am thankful that we got through safely. I am getting more bold, and can bear the precipices much better than at first. We passed some beautiful country, but while on the heights, the rain and mist were so great we could not see much. , “The thoughts of the Ban de la Roche, and the impression of this day, have been very pleasant to me, and I have a secret satisfaction and comfort in the prospect of getting to Basle, where [ trust [ shall have the great consola- tion of hearing from you.” ¥ * *% * 4 * * * * * The following extract from a letter ad- dressed by Mrs. Rauscher to the Paris Bible Society, presents a delightful picture of the good effects resulting from the instructions and example of her beloved parent, and from an education founded on the Holy Scriptures. It also speaks of the death of Sophia Bernard, an event which happened in the spring of 1822, about two years after the visit alluded to in the preceding interesting letter. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. jy ire This letter is 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 people have lone been in the habit of receiving religious instruc- tion from their pastor, so that a gradual and imperceptible improvement, resembling the growth of plants in a well-cultivated garden, has taken place. You inay form some esti- mate 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 dependants, but as members of their own household. These noble actions do not arise from any fixed me- thodical rules, nor are they confined to any par- ticular epoch ; but are owing to the instruc- tions 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 ala- erity 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 exe- cute in concert some labour, which, by its cha- ritable object, becomes a recreation. Is a new cottage to be built—the young people take 12 178 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. upon themselves the task of collecting the ma- terials 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. Isa poor man visited with a misfortune of any kind —he is not the only sufferer—for all his neigh- bours participate in his affliction, as the apos- tle says, ‘If one member suffer, all the mem- bers suffer with it,’ 1 Cor. xii, 26. “These admirable works are doubtless ef- fected by the influence of the Holy Spirit from on high, and by that spirit of Christian bene- volence which the attentive and constant pe- rusal of the Holy Scriptures cannot fail to inculcate. “JT will just mention as a single instance, among many 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 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 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 179 since, to the great regret of the whole parish, and of the inhabitants of the adjacent villages, who, though of a different religious denomina- tion, 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 gos- pel truth; endeavouring to follow the steps of their divine Master, and praying to him conti- nually 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 evin- cing their gratitude to God, whose love is shed abroad in their hearts. “‘ My venerable father sends you the saluta- tion of a friend and brother in Christ Jesus our Lord, and implores the blessing of Almighty God upon you, and the labours of your society. He longs for the joyful period, when, released from his narrow prison-house of clay, he may enter upon that happiness which is to be ac- quired only through the merits of the Son of God, whose name is ‘ Wonderful, Counsellor, the Prince of peace.’” I have already stated that it was the practice in the Ban de la Roche to meet on a particular evening, at stated periods, to read the Scrip- * She died in the autumn of 1826, and has doubtless received the ‘crown of life” promised to those who are “ faithful unto death.” 180 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. tures and pray for the divine blessing on various religious institutions, and afterward to make a collection for them. ‘The collections thus made consisted of voluntary contributions according to the abilities of the donor, and the sums that were sometimes raised are truly astonishing ; two hundred and ninety francs having been at one time remitted to the Paris Bible Society, and, on another occasion, the sum of five hun- dred to the London Committee, in furtherance of the same object. The following extract is taken from a letter addressed by Mr. Daniel Legrand to Professor Kieffer. It is dated July 17, 1825. *¢ As all that our venerable patriarch receives and possesses is only employed for the advance- ment of the kingdom of his divine Master, he has again remitted to me one hundred francs, desiring me to forward them to the Bible So- ciety at Paris. His Louise (the name of his faithful housekeeper) has added to it ten francs for the same purpose, and ten for the Missionary Society at Paris. She has a single field, and this is the amount of the rent. May the Lord put a peculiar blessing upon it !”* * The editor has the pleasure of stating that, since the first edition of this volume was published, Louisa Schepler has received one of the “ Prix de Vertu” distributed an- nually by the Académie Frangaise, in consequence of a bequest by M. de Monthyon. Nearly the whole of this sum, amounting to five thousand francs, she has, with her characteristic disinterestedness, appropriated to benevolent purposes, chiefly among the poor of the Ban de la Roche, who are still in extreme want. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 18l It would be almost repetition to say that these contributions toward public institutions did not prevent the inhabitants of the Steinthal from appropriating large sums to charitable societies nearer home. ‘Their beneficence was not, however, confined to their immediate vici- nity ; for the Foundation for Protestant 'Theo- logical Students at Strasburg, the Reformed Theological Society at Montauban, and parti- cularly the Protestant Institution for the Edu- cation of Poor Children of the Neuhof, near Strasburg, were indebted to Oberlin and his people for much efficient assistance. What can we add to facts so full of elo- quence? While contemplating the rich bless- ings which Oberlin disseminated around him, and which the pervading influence of his exam- ple so greatly augmented, we can only earnestly hope that, the ‘ centre” of Christian benevolence being once moved, “circle after circle” may succeed, and tenfold good be effected. “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yield- ing fruit,” Jer. xvii, 7, 8. 182 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. CHAPTER X. Oberlin’s last illness and death—Letter respecting Loui- sa Schepler found after his decease—His funeral—Prayer delivered upon that occasion—Fragment of an address to his parishioners—Conclusion. Towarp the latter part of Oberlin’s life, the infirmities of age precluded his discharging the greater part of his pastoral functions, and he was therefore compelled to delegate the charge to his son-in-law, Mr. Graff, being able to do little more than occupy himself in constant prayers for his beloved flock.* ‘That no indi- vidual might be omitted in his intercessions at the throne of grace, he used in the morning to take his church register of baptisms in his hand, and to pray, at stated intervals, during the day, for every person whose name was there men- tioned, as well as for the community at large. At all periods of his residence in the Ban de la Roche, Oberlin had a deep feeling of the value of intercessory prayer; and so alive was he upon this point, and so fearful lest he should omit any one whom he particularly wished to remember, that he wrote the names of such * In consequence of an apoplectic attack, Mr. Graff was compelled to relinquish his pastoral duties in the Ban de la Roche soon after Oberlin’s decease, and to remove, with his wife and children, to Strasburg, where he now resides. Mr. Rauscher is his successor, and occupies the parsonage house at Waldbach. Louisa Schepler lives with him and his family. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. i183 persons in chalk upon the black door of his chamber. | His strength had greatly diminished; his figure indeed was not bent, but symptoms of infirmity had made their appearance, and his white locks announced advancing age. He no longer left his home but from necessity, and devoted more time than formerly to the labours of his study. Several essays, on various sub- jects, found since his decease, appear to have been written at this period; and a refutation of Cicero’s work, ‘ De Senectute,” drawn up in 1825, was probably the last he attempted. , His last illness attacked him suddenly, and was of short duration. On Sunday, the twenty- eighth of May, 1826, he was seized with shiver- ings and faintings, which lasted till a late hour of the night. The whole of the two following days were passed in alternate consciousness and insensibility ; but he often exclaimed, when his strength permitted, “‘ Lord Jesus, take me speedily! Nevertheless, thy will be done!” On the evening of Tuesday, Mr. Daniel Le- grand, who had been absent on a missionary excursion to Basle, came to see him. He appeared delighted at his return, and, tenderly embracing him, said in a distinct voice, and in an accent of paternal solicitude, “’The Lord bless you, and all who are dear to you! May he be with you day and night!” On the Wednesday he appeared considerably weak- ened by the convulsions he had undergone, and the want of nourishment, as a few drops 184 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. of water were all he had been able to taste ; he however still intimated by signs, when he was unable to speak, the tender affection which he felt for his children, his- friends, his faithful housekeeper, Louisa, and ali the members of his flock. During the night between Wednesday and Thursday, the first of June, which was a very distressing one to his attendants, he continued almost incessantly to utter plaintive cries, as though in pain, though at imtervals of ease he would seize the hand of either of his children who happened to be nearest to him, and press it to his heart. When Mr. Legrand arrived, at six o’clock in the morning, from Foudai, he had lost the use of his speech, and his arms and legs had become cold and lifeless. He, ‘however, recovered strength sufficient to take off his cap, join his hands, and raise his eyes for the last time toward heaven; his counte- nance, as he did so, beaming with faith, joy, and love. After this effort his eyes closed, never again to open; but it was not till a quarter after eleven that his spirit forsook its mortal tene- ment, and that the passing bell announced to the inhabitants of the valley that they had lost the pastor, benefactor, and friend, who for near- ly sixty years had so wnceasingly laboured and prayed for them. it would be impossible to describe the grief which his loss occasioned: sorrow was de- picted on every countenance: and not only in MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 18y his own house, but in every cottage throughout his extensive parish, was his memory embalmed by the tears and regrets of those who had par- ticipated in his labours of love, or enjoyed the benefit which his unremitted kindness afforded. His care for those who had any peculiar claims on his affection extended even beyond the grave. He was particularly anxious to evince his gratitude to the excellent Louisa, who had faithfully served him during a period of fifty years; and the following sealed letter, in which he speaks of her good qualities, and begs his .children to treat her as a sister, was ‘opened a few days after his death. It is dated Waldbach, August 2, 1811. “My Very Dear Cuitpren,—In leaving you, | commend to your care the faithful nurse who has brought you up—the indefatigable Louise. The services which she has per- formed 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 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 186 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. them in God’s holy will, to teach them to sing hymns, to direct their attention to the wonder- ful works of nature, to pray with them, and to communicate to them all the knowledge that she had herself derived from me and your imamma. This was not the labour of a mo- ment; and the innumerable difficulties which opposed themselves to her benevolent employ- ments would have discouraged a thousand others ; for while, 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 dialect, and, consequently, after having spoken to them in that dialect, which was ne- cessary 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 another difficulty: but neither sleet, nor rain, nor wind, nor hail, nor deep snows under foot, nor snow falling from above, detained her 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 ser- vice of our God. For many years past, indeed, her lungs have been injured, and her constitu- tion absolutely ruined, by over fatigue, and by sudden transitions from heat to cold, and from cold to heat, having often, when warm with MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 187 walking, crossed the snows and sunk 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 that 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 good ma- nagement. Judge, dear children, judge of the debt you have contracted, from her services to me, and how far you will ever be from repay- Ing 1t. ‘““In times of sickness and afiliction, how kindly has she watched over both you and me; how tenderly has she sought to mitigate our pains and to 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 inspire you with feel- ings of gratitude and benevolence :—but, yes; yes ;—you will fulfil my wishes. You will be, in your turn, both individually 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.” 188 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. So well disposed were Oberlin’s children to fulfil this request, and to coincide in their fa- ther’s views, that they offered Louisa an equal share of the little property he had left. ‘This, however, she refused, asking nothing more than permission to remain an inmate of the family, and to be allowed to add the honoured name of Oberlin to her own. “It is almost superfluous to say,” writes one of his children, “ that while a descendant of Oberlin’s remains, Louise shall want for nothing, at least, until they themselves are destitute.” Oberlin’s funeral took place on the fifth of June. During the four days that intervened between his decease and the simple and affecting cere- mony which consigned his remains to their last home, heavy clouds rested on the surrounding mountains, and the rain poured down in inces- sant torrents: this circumstance did not, how- ever, prevent the inhabitants of the Ban de la Roche, of all ages and conditions, nearer or more remote, from coming to pay a last tribute of respect to the remains of their ‘dear father,” whose venerable countenance they wer® per- mitted to see through a glass lid, which, under the direction of Mr. Legrand, covered the cof- fin, which was placed in his study. Karly in the morning of the day fixed on for the interment, the clouds cleared away, and the sun shone with its wonted brilliancy. As they left the house, the president of the consistory of Barr, the Rev. Mr. Jaeglé, placed the cleri- MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 189 cal robes of the late pastor on his coffin, the vice-president placed his Bible upon it, and the mayor affixed to the funeral pall the decoration of the legion of honour. At the conclusion of this ceremony, ten or twelve young females, who had been standing around the bier, began to sing a hymn in chorus, and at two o’clock the procession took its departure, the coffin being borne by the mayors, elders, and official magistrates. In front of it walked the oldest inhabitant of the Ban de la Roche, carrying a cross, which Louisa had given him, to plant on the tomb, and on which the words Papa Oberlin were engraved in open letters. So numerous was the concourse of people assembled on the occasion, that the foremost of the train had already reached the church of Foudai, where the interment was to take place, before the last had left the parsonage, although the distance was nearly two miles. ‘The chil- dren of the different schools formed part of the melancholy procession, chanting, at intervals, sacred hymns, selected and adapted for the oc- casion. Atthe moment of their approaching the village, a new bell, presented by Mr. Legrand in commemoration of this day of general mourn- ing, was heard to toll for the first time, and to mingle its melancholy sound with that of all the bells in the valley. The burying-ground was surrounded by Roman Catholic women, all dressed in mourning, and kneeling in silent prayer. On arriving at the church, the coffin was placed at the foot of the altar, and as many 190 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. persons entered as the little edifice would con- tain, though more than three-fourths of the com- pany had to remain in the church-yard and the adjoining lanes. Notwithstanding the pressure of so immense a multitude, the utmost order and solemnity prevailed. Several females, who could find room nowhere else, sat down on the steps of the altar, leaning with melancholy af- fection against the coffin, as though anxious to cling to the very ashes of one whom they had so much revered and loved. Many distinguished individuals were present on the occasion, and several Roman Catholic priests, dressed in their canonicals, took their seats among the members of the consistory, and evidently participated in the general grief. Mr. Jaeglé then mounted the pulpit, and commenced the service by read- ing a manuscript of Oberlin’s. dated 1784, and found among his papers after his death. It is filled with so many expressions of ardent attach- ment, and earnest intercession for his beloved parishioners, that I cannot refrain from insert- ing it.* Fragment, written by Oberlin, in 1784. ‘“‘T was born at Strasburg on the last day of August, 1740, and baptized on the 1st of Sep- tember, in the church of St. Thomas. “ During my infancy and my youth, God often vouchsafed to touch my heart, and to * This fragment has been already alluded to, in a pre- - ceding part of the Memoirs. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 191 draw me to himself. He bore with me in my repeated backslidings, with a kindness and in- dulgence hardly to be expressed. “| arrived in this parish, in the capacity of pastor, on the 30th of March, 1767, when twenty-seven years of age. “On the 6th of July, in the year following, God united me to that beloved woman, whom (after having received many services from her hand) you, six months ago, followed to the erave. Her name was Madeleine Salomé Witter. I have had nine children. Two, who are yet living, were born in the Ban de la Roche; the others at Strasburg. ‘Two have already entered paradise ; and seven remain in this world. On the 18th of January last, ten weeks after her last confinement, my wife, al- though in apparently good health, was suddenly taken from me. Upon this occasion, as upon a thousand others in the course of my life, not- withstanding my overwhelming affliction, I was upheld, by God’s gracious assistance, in a re- markable manner. ‘“‘T have had all my life a desire, occasion- ally a very strong one, to die, owing, in some degree, to the consciousness of my moral in- firmities, and of my frequent derelictions. My affection for my wife and children, and my attachment to my parish, have sometimes checked this desire, though for short intervals only. I had, about a year since, some pre- sentiment of my approaching end. I did not " pay much attention to it at the time, but, since 192 MEMOIRS OF GBERLIN. the death of my wife, I have frequently received unequivocal warnings of the same nature. Mil- lions of times have I besought God to enable me to surrender myself with entire and filial submission 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. ‘‘ Having had such frequent intimations of my approaching end, [ have arranged all my affairs, as far as | am able, in order to prevent confusion after my death. For my dear chil- dren I fear nothing; but, as I always greatly preferred being useful to others to giving them trouble, I suffer much from the idea that they may occasion sorrow or anxiety to the friends who take charge of them. May God abun- dantly reward them for it! With regard to the children themselves, I have no anxiety, for I have had such frequent experience of the mercy of God toward myself, and place such full re- liance upon his goodness, his wisdom, and his love, as to render it impossible for me to be at all solicitous about them. ‘Their mother was, at a very early age, deprived of her parents, but she was, notwithstanding, a better Christian than thousands who have enjoyed the advan- tage of parental instruction. ‘“‘ Besides this, 1 know that God hears our prayers ; and ever since the birth of our chil- dren, neither their mother nor I have ceased to supplicate him to make them faithful fol- MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 193 lowers of Jesus Christ, and labourers in his vineyard. “ And thou, O my dear parish! neither will God forget nor forsake thee. He has toward thee, as [ have often said, thoughts of peace and merey. All things will go well with thee. Only cleave thou to him, and leave him to act. O! may’st thou forget my name, and retain only that of Jesus Christ, whom I have proclaimed to thee. He is thy pastor; I am but his ser- vant. Heis that good Master, who, after having trained and prepared me 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. “OQ, my friends, pray, in order that you may all become the beloved sheep of his pasture. 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 all your infirmi- ties. 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 I meet you, and accompany you with songs of triumph, in the mansions of felicity, before the throne of the Lamb! ‘‘ Adieu, dear friends, adieu! I have loved you much; and even the severity which I have sometimes deemed it necessary to exercise has arisen from my earnest desire to contribute to your happiness. 13 \ 194 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. “ May God reward you for your services, your good deeds, and the deference and sub- mission which you have shown toward his poor unworthy servant. May he forgive those who have pained me by opposition. T hey doubtless knew not what they did. “QO, my God! let thine eye watch over my dear parishioners ; let thine ear 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 Iam. O, suffer me to commend it to thee; to resign it into thy hands. Give it pastors after thine own heart. Never forsake it. Overrule all things for its good. Enlighten 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 logethex in thy paradise! Even so! Fa- ther, Son, and Holy Spirit '—even so, Amen!” After the solemn reading of this pathetic document, which was evidently imtended for Oberlin’s dying charge, Mr. Jaeglé read. the following verses from 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 bene- fits; 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 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 195 Revelation, which Oberlin had himself select- ed to serve as texts to the discourse to be pro- nounced at his funeral, conscious, as he often declared himself to be, that however numerous and useful the good works he had performed, they needed “to be washed in the blood of Christ.” The Rev. Mr. Jaeglé then delivered a dis- course, which was listened to with the pro- foundest attention. On its conclusion the whole congregation knelt down, and repeated the fol- lowing prayer :— “All powerful God! Our days are in thy hands, and thou rulest our destinies with the most consummate wisdom. By thy will we enter into this life, and when thou ordainest, we return to dust. We render to thee our thanks for the sublime consolations which thou hast given us in the gospel of thy Son, who came to announce unto us life and immortality ; consolations without which we should be given up to despair, whenever those we loved were torn from us by death, or when he approached us with his terrors. ‘“‘ May the wisdom and the love of good which emanates from Thee, thou source of all good, accompany us In our pathway to eternity; that we may pass the day, as thy obedient and sub- missive children, conscious of having followed thy commandments, and of having preferred the welfare of our souls to the deceitful riches and pleasures of earth. “Q Lord our God! thou hast taken to thy- 196 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. self our good pastor, our good father; and thou hast given him a place in those eternal man- sions prepared for the just. O, that the memory of him may remain with us! that the love of thee and of thy Son, with which he has endea- voured to inspire us, that the love of religion, (without which there is neither peace nor hope,) may never be effaced from our hearts! So that when the sleep of death shall have closed our eyelids, we may meet him whose loss we now mourn in a better world, and rejoice with him in eternal life, to which thou hast called us by. our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!” Another hymn having been sung, the coffin was conveyed to the church-yard, where the grave was dug on a little eminence on one side of the edifice, under the shade of a weep- ing willow, planted over the tomb of Henry Oberlin. The Rev. Mr. Braunwald, pastor of Gox- viller, and vice-president of the consistory of Barr, then delivered an appropriate address, in which he particularly enlarged on Oberlin’s domestic virtues. M. Bedel, a physician of Schirmeck, then stepped forward among the crowd, and pronounced a short eulogy on the deceased; and amid the tears of the assembled multitude, which formed, perhaps, the most eloquent funeral oration, his remains. were con- signed to the grave. ‘In delineating the character of this extraor- dinary man, we have not, it is true, had to trace his steps, with those of the philanthropic MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 197 Howard, through the desolate regions of Russia, nor to witness his expiring sighs i in the dreary wilds of Tartary; we have not had to follow him, with the pious and indefatigable Martyn, across the sunny plains of Persia, to commu- nicate the glad tidings of salvation to the be- nighted heathen, nor to see him, regardless of his own shattered health, sacrifice his life to the glory of Christ among the nations of the East :—OBerErtin’s sphere of usefulness was at home. But there, in the secluded recesses of his beloved Vosges, the benevolent ardour of Howard, and the self- -denying zeal of Martyn, were eminently displayed. ‘To get good from heaven, and to do good on earth, constituted, indeed, the sole aim of his life, and constrained the dedication of every talent, and the consecration of every power, to the service of his Lord and Master. Humility was intimately blended with his other Christian graces; and, deeply conscious of his own in- ability to advance one step in holiness, or to induce others to follow him in his path Zion- ward, without divine assistance, he meekly depended on, and earnestly implored, the aid of God’s Holy Spirit ; repeatedly uttering his favourite maxim, “ Nothing without God.” So far from being actuated by the hope of reward for any personal worthiness, he dis- claimed all merit of his own, and, firmly be- lievine in the divinity, rested entirely on the propitiation of Jesus. ‘“ All in Christ” was his constant motto, and constituted the moving 198 MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. principle of his exertions. “ What,” said he to a minister who visited him a short time be- fore his last illness, “ did not our dear Saviour suffer for us? Nothing then is difficult when we do it for dum. ‘lo him let us wholly devote ourselves.” Through the all-sufticiency of that Saviour’s atonement, he is now, undoubtedly, praising God in that kingdom of light and love, for which, while on earth, he so ardently longed ; and, having exchanged the graces of time for the glories of eternity, is joiming in the triumph- ant song of the “ten thousand times ten thou- sand :” “ Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” ‘Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. MEMOIRS OF OBERLIN. 199 LINES ON THE DEATH OF OBERLIN, PASTOR OF THE HIGH ALPS. Tue Ban de la Roche is enshrouded m gloom, For its much-beloved pastor is laid in the tomb ; The groves seem to droop, and in sadness to say— “Our crown and our glory are taken away.” The rocks of sweet Walbeck respond to the swell, And loudly re-echo the last passing knell ; While the wild rolling torrents their murmurings blend With the wail of the flock for their shepherd and friend. Ah! well may this heart-rending sorrow be found, And from valley to valley the cadence resound, The fold may well weep as they glance on his cot, And mournfully utter—‘ Our pastor is not.” His people no longer may hang on his word, | No more in the Steinthall his voice will be heard : And its wooded seclusion is dreary and lone, Now its light is departed—its pastor is gone. The mourner was sooth’d by his accents of love, And directed to mansions of glory above; But, alas! who shall comfort the sorrowing fold, Who the face of their shepherd no more will behold. 200 MEMOIRS OF OBDPRLIN. Yet, why should they wish the bless’d soul to delay, So happy to shake off its shackles of clay ; On pinions triumphant he joyfully soar‘d, And abundantly enter’d the joy of his Lord. He has fought the good fight and his conflicts are o’er, And sin and temptation shall harass no more ! All sorrow and sighing have taken their flight, Exchanged for unbounded, unfading delight. Wh j vd il ii i lh i iy A ii SG sa | c ail ! | i ia FE. eS EN : oh @ ft ; af “ ar a ay ote on eel Pe tey \. ‘ é + ‘ { a) ‘ , -— 4 ‘ as ‘ ’ vi . Le . ; od \ . - ' _ wee , ™ “od ta . tan # + » ‘ ° a.) * > a if ts ,* a BOR UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBAN mi | i iil MN 1434 14499