events of the Archbishop's history forbade concession, he had ever an are clearly stated and illustrated. excuse for the infirmities of others; Many important observations are while neither a fear of disgrace, nor the hope of emolument could shake his own introduced, and the whole closes resolution, or draw him from the path with an able sketch of the Arch of rectitude. On one unhappy occasion bishop's character, part of which alone, he affords a mortifying view of we here insert: human fallibility and weakness; but even from that fall, great as it was, he His character bas been so clearly arose with superior lustre, and by his developed throughout the course of this deep humiliation, his public acknowmemoir, that it seems almost unnecessary ledgement of offence, his forbearance to expatiate further upon it. Yet in a towards his enemies, his meek endurance few words, it may be said he was a man of shame, and his magnanimity ip suffor whom his friends will scarcely allow fering, he completes the bright picture any panegyric too high, or for whom his of the sincere Christian. In short, he less partial admirers will find it difficult was a man whose excellence has seldom to maintain that any censure can be too been equalled, and never, perhaps, exlenient. Equally fitted for a public, or celled -a man whose public exertions a private station, he possessed every have contributed more to the eternal quality that was necessary to form a happiness of his country, than those of great, and every virtue that could adorn any other individual a domestic, man. Of persevering in- In his domestic arrangements he was dustry, and unwearied application, no simple and regular. He generally rose obstacle could intimidate, nor any diffi at five o'clock, and continued in his culty deter him. Every moment of his study till nine, &c. time was occupied either in the improve In his temper he was uniformly mild ment of his own mind, or in promoting and cheerful. The cares of state or the interests of others. Few men private troubles, never disturbed the possessed a greater share of true Christ serenity of his countenance, nor formed ian humility. He was never ashamed any excuse for peevishness and irritato own an error, and never considered bility. That trait is well worthy of himself too learned to gain knowledge, particular observation. Habitual cheeror too wise to reform bis opinions. fulness, in almost every instance, is Indifferent to all ideas of individual indicative of a good disposition; but in ease or personal greatness, the public Cranmer it not only gave evidence of welfare alone occupied his attention; amiability, but of true Christian prinand hence he was ever ready to listen to ciples and strong faith. Few men exthe proposals or advice of others, and to perienced more petty vexations ; fewer adopt any measure that appeared con still, more serious difficulties and perducive to the great end he had in view, plexities than himself; and no one although no merit could personally perhaps was more severely tried in his accrue to himself by the means. Per affections. Warm in his attachmeats, fectly master of his passions, he was he had frequent cause to mourn the never betrayed by the heat of argument ingratitude of those whom he had trusted into intemperate warmth ; nor did he and honoured with his regard, while ever convert any man into an enemy, over the untimely fate of nearly all to whom he failed to conciliate as a friend whom he was bound in the closest ties Humble in prosperity, and dignified in of friendship, it was his lot to weep. adversity; pure in life as in doctrine, His smile was peculiarly benignant, the one was a beautiful exemplification and his manners were so gentle and of the other. Gentle and condescending, endearing, that he was not less respected selfish gratification was always resigned than beloved in his family; nor was his when another's comfort or advantage conduct as a master less admirable. could be promoted. Open, generous, The most perfect order was preserved candid, and sincere, patient under in- throughout every department of his juries, and forgiving almost to a proverb, household; and so great was his love the great honoured him, the poor loved of peace, that he allowed no person of a him, the learned reverenced, the pro- quarrelsome tem per to remain in his Aigate feared, and the stranger trusted service.-Pp. 285–288. him. He was the friend of all, the foe of none. Severe only to himself, and While, however, some circuminflexible only where a sense of duty stances powerfully call our atten. H tion to the character, and sentiments little water upon it, I place it over my of our Reformers, there are others lamp, and go on with my studies till ten nearly connected with them which or eleven o'clock, when I generally lead us to contemplate the present begin to feel hungry, and relish my self-cooked supper more than state of the reformed pastors on the the greatest dainties. Continent, and we have therefore Stouber congratulated him on the read with considerable interest, the happiness of possessing so contented a Memoirs of J. F. Oberlin, late disposition; and, assuring him that he Pastor of Waldbach. Of this in- was exactly the person he had wished to teresting and excellent individual, excellent individual find, communicated the object of his a brief account will be found in our visit.—Pp. 39, 40. volume for 1826, page 379; to The situation to which he was gether with an original sermon now appointed was exceedingly preached at Waldbach in Aug. 1819. retired; the people are described The volume, however, before us, as destitute of the means of social contains, as might reasonably be and mental intercourse, secluded anticipated, many interesting and from the neighbouring districts by instructive anecdotes, and points out the want of roads; destitute of the how eminently successful the as. most necessary agricultural instrusiduous labours of a pious and de- ments, and labouring under the voted minister may prove, in complicated evils of poverty, ignopromoting the temporal and spirit rance, and superstition. Under ual interests of a poor, neglected, such circumstances, Oberlin, we are and secluded people. told, resolved to employ all his In the year 1767, and in the attainments in science, philosophy, twenty-seventh year of his age. and religion, to the improvement Oberlin entered on the curacy of the of the parish, and the benefit of his Ban de la Roche : his predecessor. parishioners. In the pursuit of this M. Stouber, being about to remove great object, he encountered fatigue, to Strasbourg, was anxious that danger, and opposition, with the Oberlin, with whose piety and zeal most unwearied diligence, unshaken he was well acquainted, should be courage, and determined firmness; come his successor, and accordingly and the result of his exertions was went to his lodging. a most surprising degree of moral and religious improvement. While It was a little attic up three pair of actively engaged in the work of the stairs. On opening the door, the first ministry, he promoted the temobject that caught his attention was a small bed, standing in one corner of the poral interests of his people ;-he room, covered with brown paper hang planned roads, erected a bridge, ings. That would just suit the Stein- promoted agricultural improvement, thal,' said he to himself. On approach established schools for infants, &c. ing the bed, he found Oberlin lying and devoted his whole time and upon it, and suffering from a violent substance to various benevolent tooth-ache. He rallied him about the undertakings. simplicity of his curtains, and the homeliness of his apartment. "And, pray,' The following extract from a continued he, after having taken a sur letter to a friend, exhibits the letter to it Irie vey round the room, what is the use pastor's enlarged liberalty. of that little iron pan that bangs over My dear friend,You ask me for your table?' "That is my kitchen,' some explanation respecting the different lied Oberlin: Lam in the habit of tithes which God has commanded us to dining at home with my parents every pay. I will tell you how I manage. I day, and they give me a large piece of endeavour to devote three tithes of all bread to bring back in my pocket. At that I earn, of all that I receive, and of eight o'clock in the evening, I put all my revenue, of whatever name or my bread into that pan, and, having nature it may be, to his service, or to sprinkled it with salt, and poured a useful objects. For this purpose I keep three "9. For the repairing of injuries. boxes; the first for the first tithe ; the "The third box contains tithes for the second for the second ; and the third poor. That is, it contains the third box for the third tithe. tithe every three years, or the thirtieth - When I cannot pay ready money every year.] all at once, I mark how much I owe I have written there the following upon a bit of paper, which I put into texts : Deut. xiv. 28, 29. Levit. xix. the box; and when, on the contrary, a 9, 10. demand occurs which ought to be de I devote the contents of this box to frayed by one of the three allotments, the service of the poor; to the compenand there is not sufficient money de sation of losses occasioned by fire; to posited, I advance the sum, and make wood, flannel, and bread, for those who the box my debtor, by marking upon it stand in need, &c. &c.'-Pp. 151–156. how much it owes me. The following is the account * By this means I ain always able to assist in any public or charitable under given of his courtship, which we taking; and as God has himself declared leave to the judgment of our that “it is more blessed to give than to readers :receive," I look upon this regular dis About a year after his settlement bursement of part of my property rather there, Miss Witter, who was a friend there, Miss Wit in the light of a privilege than a burden. and relation of the family, came to pay 'The first of the afore-mentioned a visit in the Steinthal, and stopped some boxes contains a deposit for the worship weeks in the parsonage. She had lost of God. her father, who was a professor in the "I put a paper, with the following University of Strasbourg, at a very early verses from the Old Testament written age, and her inother died shortly afterupon it, into this box:-Levit. xxvii. 30. wards; but although deprived of the Mal. iii. 10. benefit of parental instruction, she pos. I devote the contents of this box to sessed a sound understanding, and a the building and repairing of churches highly cultivated mind, deeply imbued and school-rooms : the support of con- with religious principles. ductrices (schoolmistresses); and the She was, however, at this time, more purchase of Bibles and pious books : expensive and worldly in her habits than in short, to any thing connected with her cousin Frederic, and their dispositions divine worship, or the extension of the did not entirely harmonize. knowledge of our Redeemer's kingdom. The time of her departure at length My parishioners are at liberty to drew near. Only two days before the recall from this tithe any present that period fixed upon for her return to either generosity, or the supposition that Strasbourg, Oberlin felt as though a I expected it, may have induced them secret voice within, whispered, " Take to make me. her for thy partner!' He, however, • The second box contains tithes for resisted the call. It is impossible, useful purposes. said he, almost aloud, our dispoI have written the following passage sitions do not agree.' • Take her for in it :-Deut. xiv. 22–27. Deut. xvi. thy partner!' the voice still continued. 16. He spent a sleepless night, and, in his "I employ this tithe for a variety of prayers the next morning, solemnly purposes : declared to God, that if he would give * 1. For the improvement of the him a sign, by the readiness with which roads to the churches and schools. Madeleine should accede to the propo 62. For the schoolmasters' salaries. sition, that the union was in accordance 63. For all works of public utility. with his will, he would cheerfully sub 64. For the little expenses incurred mit to it, and consider the voice he had by my becoming godfather. heard as a leading of Providence. 5. For Sunday dinners to my poor After breakfast, the same morning, be people of the other villages. found the young lady sitting in the 6. For the church wardens. summer-house in the garden. Placing 67. For the expenses incurred among himself behind her, he began the conthe peasantry of Belmont, Foudai, and versation by saying, “You are about Zolbach. to leave us, my dear friend ;-I have had 8. For what the poor of Waldbach the intimation that you are destined, by expend, by inviting the poor of the other the Divine will, to be the partner of my villages to come and see them. life. If you can resolve upon this step, so important to us both, I expect you claimed another terrified voice, he is will give me your candid opinion about advancing towards you. I still do it, before your departure. not see him. “Now, he is standing Upon this Miss Witter rose from her just behind your chair.' And yet I seat, and blushing as she approached cannot see him ; but, as you say he is him, placed one hand before her eyes, so near me, I will speak to him. And and held the other towards him. He then, rising from his seat, and turning clasped it in his own. The decision towards the corner where they said that was made: a decision which he never he stood, he continued, Sir count, found cause to regret, for, notwithstand- they tell me you are standing before ing the determination Madeleine had me, although, I cannot see you, but made not to be allied to a minister, she this shall not prevent me from informbecame truly devoted to his interests, ing you that it is scandalous conduct on and the most cordial attachment ever your part, by the fruitless promise of a afterwards subsisted between them.—56. hidden treasure, to lead an honest man, Possibly another anecdote may, who has hitherto faithfully followed his in some degree, correct those views calling, into ruin—to induce him to neglect his business—and to bring of our good pastor which might misery upon his wife and children, by from the above extract be indulged. rendering him improvident and idle. An honest tradesman, relying on the Begone and delude them no longer with power of his faith, came to him one such vain hopes.' day, and, after a long introduction, Upon this the people assured him that informed him, that a ghost, habited in the ghost vanished at once. Oberlin the dress of an ancient knight, fre- went home, and the poor man, laking quently presented itself before him, and the hint which in his address to the awakened hopes of a treasure buried in count he had intended to convey, aphis cellar; he had often, he said, fol- plied to business with his former alalowed it, but had always been so much crity, and never again complained of his alarmed by a fearful noise, and a dog nocturnal visitor.-Pp. 36–38. which he fancied he saw, that the effort This venerable pastor is thus dehad proved fruitless, and he had returned as he went. This alarm'on the picted in the discharge of his minisone hand, and the hope of acquiring terial duties. riches on the other, so entirely absorbed "The good pastor,' says Mrs. Steinhis mind, that he could no longer apply kopff, from whose journal the editor has to his trade with his former industry, and been kindly allowed to make the followhad, in consequence, lost nearly all his ing extracts, considers his flock as his custom. He, therefore, urgently begged own children, and they look up to him Oberlin would go to his house, and with the most profound respect and conjure the glost, for the purpose of veneration. I never witnessed so deeither putting him in possession of the lightfully affecting a scene as the church treasure, or of discontinuing its visits. of Waldbach, quite full, apparently, Oberlin replied, that he did not trouble of attentive people. It stands very near himself with the conjuration of ghosts, the parsonage, and is plain, neat, and and endeavoured to weaken the notion clean, with a gallery all round. When of an apparition in the man's mind, we were there, on the 11th of June, exhorting him at the same time to seek 1820, it was completely filled with peafor worldly wealth by application to his sants in the costume of the country, and business, prayer, and industry. Ob- there was not a countenance among serving, however, that his efforts were them that indicated indifference; the unavailing, he promised to comply with greater part evinced the utnost seriousthe man's request. On arriving, at ness and attention. When the revered midnight, at the tradesman's house, he pastor entered, all stood up; he placed found him in company with his wife himself before the communion table; it and several female relations, who still was plain, covered with a white cloth, affirmed that they had seen the appari fringed all round. He first gave out a tion. They were seated in a circle in hymn. When it was sung, he read a the middle of the apartment. Suddenly prayer from the ritual, during which all the whole company turned pale, and knelt, and covered their faces. He then the man exclaimed, "Do you see, Sir gave out another hymn; after which he the count is standing opposite to you?' went to one part of the church where ' I see nothing.'. Now, Sir,' ex- the children sat, and called over their names, to see if any were absent. Then the communion table. All are seated The volume abounds with striking traits of the good pastor's simplicity, and most familiar manner; mentioned affection, and devotedness. He is the errors of the times, against which the tender and affectionate Father he warned his hearers, particularly of his people; the example of every dwelling on the importance of sanctifi thing mild, amiable, and holy; cation. Those who give themselves his people strive together to evince up to intemperance,' said he, ‘and to their affection and reverence; his the enjoyment of luxuries, without con servants devote themselves to him, cerning themselves about their poorer brethren, and yet think that with all this refuse every other offer and live withthey shall go to heaven, because Christ out wages, * and all who come within died for sinners are mistaken. No: the the sphere of his attraction are Gospel says quite otherwise. We must touched with the tenderest attachdeny ourselves, lay aside our sins, lead ment. Yet in the perusal of the a holy and godly life, and then our volume we have felt that M. Oberblessed Redeemer will save us. He lin's concessions have been carried earnestly warned them against sin. Not too far ; that there has not been a sound was to be heard. Every coun pressed attention. When he sufficient decision in his conduct; had finished, he read some verses of a and in some instances a concealhymn expressive of entire devotedness ment of important doctrines, or to God. My dear friends,' said he rather the adoption of language may these be the feelings of our hearts, almost inconsistent with those and as such let us sing them. They doctrines. Thus for instance he then sang them de bon cæur." The following is a translation : meets with a Roman Catholic. Are you a Christian?' said he to • O Lord, thy heavenly grace impart, a Catholic gentleman who visited the And fix my frail inconstant heart ; Henceforth my chief desire shall be, .* Thus, after the death of his wife, we To dedicate myself to Thee ! read,– Her loss was in some degree supTo Thee, my God, to Thee! plied to her own family by a pious orphan, « Whate'er pursuits my time employ, named Louisa Schepler, who had already lived eight years in Oberlin's service, and One thought shall fill my soul with joy; That silent, secret thought shall be, who now undertook the management of his household and the care of his children. That all my hopes are fix'd on Theem 'She was at this time twenty-three On Thee, my God, on Thee ! years of age; a sensible, pleasing-looking • Thy glorious eye pervadeth space, young woman, of mild and gentle manners, Thou’rt present, Lord, in every place, habited in the costume of the peasants And, wheresoe'er my lot may be, of the country. She had been a kind of Still shall my spirit cleave to Thee helper in the village of Waldbach, and long To Thee, my God, to Thee ! one of its most active and zealous con• Renouncing every worldly thing, ductrices; but her health was beginning to be impaired by the severe colds she took Safe, 'neath the covert of thy wing, in the snows. This circumstance did not, My sweetest thought henceforth shall be, That all I want I find in Thee, however, lessen her usefulness; and no In Thee, my God, in Thee ! sooner had she accepted the station of housekeeper to the cher Papa, than refusTwo children were then brought to ing offers of marriage, she took the resobe baptized; after which he pronounced lution of devoting herself to his service, the blessing. Whilst the people were and would never accept any salary, but going out of the church another verse lived in his family rather as a friend tban was sung. Those nearest the door went a servant. What her few wants required out first, all in order and in silence. she asked for-nothing more; and on some There are two doors in the church; the occasions, when Oberlin endeavoured, through indirect channels, to put money pulpit is placed in the middle, next the into her hands, she conjecturing the source back, so that the congregation is in from whence it came uniformly returned front, down each side. Before it stands it.-P. 125. |