number of implements necessary; he procured them from Strasbourg; expenses accumulated; he interested his distant friends, and, through their assistance, funds were obtained; 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 communication was opened with Strasbourg, 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.""-pp. 63--66.

Among other projects for the improvement of the district

"In the year 1778, he formed, at the Ban de la Roche, a little Agricultural Society, composed of the more intelligent farmers, and the best informed inhabitants of his parish; and, having invited the pastors of the adjacent towns, and some of his friends to become members, he connected it with that of Strasbourg, in order to secure the communication of periodical works, and assistance in the distribution of prizes; and the latter Society, wishing to encourage its interesting auxiliary, intrusted to its disposal the sum of two hundred francs, to be distributed among such peasants as should most distinguish themselves in the planting of nursery grounds, and in the grafting of fruit trees.

"The good effects resulting from this measure induced Oberlin likewise to form a fund, supported by voluntary contributions, for the distribution of prizes to the farmers of each commune, who should rear the finest ox. A short time afterwards, with a view to prepare the rising generation for continuing the works which their fathers had begun, and to give them the opportunity of acquiring useful information, he commenced the plan of devoting two hours every other Thursday morning to a familiar lecture on the subjects of agriculture and of useful science.

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Such, indeed, was his assiduity, that not a year rolled away in which some astonishing improvement was not effected in the condition or the morals of his people; and the surrounding districts beheld with admiration the rapid progress that civilization was continually making, in the once neglected and apparently forsaken Steinthal."-pp. 79, 80.

The labours of Oberlin in im

proving the temporal condition of the people, must not be considered as his chief employment. They tend, however, to expose the unfounded charge which is too often preferred against the professors of evangelical religion, that they are indifferent to the temporal good of others. It is a singular fact, that the idea of an infant school seems first to have occurred to Oberlin. After noticing the erection of five school houses, one at each of the villages in the parish, and all the effects of his exertions and influence, we are informed,

"During the construction of these necessary buildings the preparation of masters continued; but, as Oberlin had observed with concern the disadvantages to which the younger children were subjected, whilst their elder brothers and sisters were at school, and their parents busily engaged in their daily avocations, he laid down a plan for the introduction of infant schools also; probably the very first ever established, and the model of those subsequently opened at Paris, and still more recently in this country. Observation and experience had convinced him, that, even from the very cradle, children are capable of being taught to distinguish between right and wrong, and of being trained to habits of subordination and industry; and, in conjunction with his wife, he therefore formed conductrices for each commune, engaged large rooms for them, and salaried them at his own expense. Instruction, in these schools, was mingled with amusement; and whilst enough of discipline was introduced to instil habits of subjection, a degree of liberty was allowed, which left the infant mind full power of expansion, and information was conveyed which might turn to the most important use in after life. During school hours, the children were collected on forms in great circles. Two women were employed, the one to direct the handicraft, the other to instruct and entertain them. Whilst the children of two or three years old only, were made at intervals to sit quietly by, those of five or six were taught to knit, spin, and sew; and, when they were beginning to be weary of this occupation, their conductrice showed them coloured pictures relating to Scripture subjects, or natural the explanations she gave. She also exhistory, making them recite after her

plained geographical maps of France, Europe, or the Ban de la Roche, and its immediate environs, engraved in wood for the purpose, by Oberlin's direction, and mentioned the names of the different places marked upon them; in addition to this, she taught them to sing moral songs and hymns. Thus she varied their employments as much as possible, taking care to keep them continually occupied, and never permitting them to speak a word of patois."―pp. 86-88.

We must give another specimen of his enlightened activity.

"The success that attended these benevolent, and interesting exertions, induced his friends at Strasbourg to increase their subscriptions; endowments were even added, (which were lost at the Revolution,) and Oberlin was thus enabled to establish a library of valuable works for the private use of the children; and to have a number of school-books, such as the Coup d'œil sur la Nature,' and L'Ami des Enfans,' printed for the exclusive use of the Ban de la Roche; he also made a collection of indigenous plants, and procured an electrical machine, and other philosophical

and mathematical instruments. Prizes were likewise awarded to both masters and scholars; and various works upon natural history and other branches of science, some of which he printed at his own expense, put in circulation on the plan of a little book-society, being retained for three months at a time, first at one village and then at another, passing successively from house to house, in order that the younger members of the family might be supplied with a continual fund of useful and agreeable information."-pp. 91, 92.

His labours among them, as their minister, were unwearied. He established a Christian society for prayer and religious conversation. Beside preaching, he wrote and circulated addresses, and manifested an intense interest for the salvation of his people. In the year 1784, after a union of sixteen years, he lost his wife, and thus became a widower, with the charge of seven children.

"From that time the passive graces shone as conspicuously in his character as the active virtues had hitherto done. Neither complaint nor murmur escaped

his lips. It might be said that he had not ceased to live in the society of the Christian wife whom he had lost. Every day he devoted whole hours to holding communion with her (à se rapprocher d'elle) in those elevated frames of mind, which require not the aid of superstition to make us conscious of the presence of those whom we love. A speedy reunion in the mansions of our Father's house, was, nevertheless, one of his most cherished desires. I hope,' he would often say, that the world in which God will re-unite me to my beloved wife will soon open to me.'

"This desire had nothing of a transitory character; it was not the mere result of acute grief, nor the effect of any habitual melancholy. Although his sorrows might have contributed to strengthen it, it had its origin in a religious feeling. Like St. Paul, he desired to depart to be with Christ, which to him was far better. He longed to be able to unite his voice with hers he had lost, in singing the song of the Lamb, and to participate in that fulness of joy' which God hath prepared for those who love him.'—' I have had all my life,' he says, in the paper to which allusion has been already made, and which was written the very year he lost his wife, a desire, occasionally a very strong one, to die, owing, in some degree, to the consciousness of my moral infirmities, 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.'

"These few words seem to lay open the very secret of his soul. While he was blasting rocks, levelling roads, building bridges, fertilizing fields, improving the morals and promoting the happiness of his flock, the expressions just cited, prove what was the moving principle by which he was actuated. That which induced him to become the benefactor of these districts-that which led him to devote so much time to the prosecution of his plans, was the ever-present thought of death and eternity; and the habitual remembrance of the responsibility attached to talents, and to opportunities of usefulness. He knew that his soul would be required of him; he desired that it might be so speedily and, in order that he might hear the joyful sound, Well done, good and faithful servant,' he dedicated every faculty he possessed to the interests of others, living himself by faith in the Son of God, and resting entirely on his propitiation."pp. 119–122.

We cannot omit the account of

the servant to whom we have already referred. What a beautiful specimen of disinterested love in humble life!

"The loss of his wife was in some degree supplied to her own family by a pious orphan, named Louisa Schepler, who had already lived eight years in Oberlin's service, and who now under took the management of his household

and the care of his children.

"She was at this time twenty-three years of age; a sensible, pleasing-looking young woman, of mild and gentle manners, habited in the costume of the peasants of the country. She had been a kind of helper in the village of Waldbach, and long one of its most active and zealous conductrices; but her health was beginning to be impaired by the severe colds she took in the snows. This circumstance did not, however, lessen her usefulness; and no sooner had she accepted the station of housekeeper to the cher Papa, than, refusing offers of marriage, she took the resolution of devoting herself to his service, and would never accept any salary, but lived in his family rather as a friend than a servant. What her few wants required she asked for-nothing more; and on some occasions, when Oberlin endeavoured, through indirect channels, to put money into her hands, she, conjecturing the source from whence it came, uniformly returned it.

"The following note, dated 'Waldbach, First of the New Year, 1793,' addressed by Louisa to her benefactor, is a sweet little proof of her disinterested and grateful affection.

"Dear and beloved Papa,-Permit me, at the commencement of the new year, to request a favour which I have long desired. As I am now really independent, that is to say, as I have no longer my father nor his debts to attend to, I beseech you, dear papa, not to refuse me the favour of making me your adopted daughter. Do not, I entreat you, give me any more wages; for as you treat me like your child in every other respect, I earnestly wish you to do so in this particular also. Little is needful for the support of my body. My shoes, and stockings, and sabots, will cost something, but when I want them I can ask you for them, as a child applies to its father.

"Oh! I entreat you, dear papa, grant me this favour, and condescend to regard me as your most tenderly attached daughter.

"LOUISA SCHEPLER.'

"The humble request was acceded to, and Louisa was ever afterwards consi

dered as one of Oberlin's own children." -pp. 125-127.

As it is impossible for us to give all the details in the history of this remarkable person, we must make room for a description of the Ban de la Roche, and the labours of its benefactor, by a French gentleman who visited it in 1793.

"During the space of nearly thirty years, in which M. Oberlin has been Christian pastor of this canton, he has completely changed it. The language is, from an unintelligible patois, altered into pure French; the manners of the people, without degenerating, are civilized; and ignorance is banished without injuring the simplicity of their character. Many of the women belonging to his parishes, trained for the purpose under his paternal care and instruction, (and called conductrices,) assist him in his occupations. They teach reading, writing, and the elements of geography, in the different villages where they reside; and through their medium the children are instructed in many necessary things, but, above all, have the seeds of religion and morality sown in their hearts. The excellence of these schools is so well established and appreciated, that girls of the middle ranks are sent to him from distant parts, and the title of a scholar of pastor Oberlin is no less than a testimonial of piety, cleverness, and gentle manners. His countenance is open, affectionate, and friendly, and bears a strong impress of benevolence. His conversation is easy, flowing, and full of imagination, yet always adapted to the capacity of those to whom he is speaking. In the evening we accompanied him a league on his way back to Waldbach. We had a wooded hill to ascend; the sun was just setting, and it was a beautiful evening. What sweet thoughts and pious sentiments you have uttered, during this interesting walk,' said M. Oberlin, in a tone of confidence; for he considered us as friends to religion, and servants of God. Our hearts were indeed in unison; and he related to us the circumstances of his past life, and spoke of his views and ideas, and the fear and love of God, in a most touching manner. Sometimes we stood still to admire the beauties of nature, and at others to listen with earnest attention to his impressive discourse. One moment

was particularly affecting; when, stopping about half way up the hill, he answered in the softest tone to our qustion- Ja ich bin glücklich,' (' yes, I um happy.') These words are seldom uttered by an inhabitant of this world, and they were so delightful from the mouth of one who is a stranger to all the favours of fortune-to all the allurements of luxury- and who knows no other joys than those which religion and benevolence impart, that we longed to live like him, that we might also participate in the same happiness."- pp. 128 --130.

"The following morning we set off to return the visit which he had paid us on the preceding day. We found the worthy pastor in his morning gown; it was plain, but whole and clean. He was just on the point of concluding a lecture ; his pupils had, like their master, something soft, indeed almost heavenly, in their look.

،، The house stands well, and has, from the garden side, a romantic view; in every part of it that kind of elegance, which is the result of order and cleanliness, prevails. The furniture is simple; yet it suggests to you that you are in the residence of no ordinary man; the walls are covered with maps, drawings, and vignettes, and texts of Scripture are written over all the doors. That above the dining-room door is, 'Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.' And over the others are texts enjoining love to God and our neighbour. The good man implicitly follows the divine command to write them over the door posts. On our first entrance he gave us, each, as a welcome, a printed text, 'Abide in me, and I in you,'- Seek those things which are above,' &c. His study is a peculiar room, and contains rather a well-chosen, than numerous, selection of books in French and German, chiefly for youth. The walls are covered with engravings, portraits of eminent characters, plates of insects and animals, and coloured drawings of minerals and precious stones; it is, in short, literally papered with useful pictures relative to natural history and other interesting subjects.

،، The dinner commenced with a blessing. His children, two maids, and a girl who receives her instruction there, were at the table; there was a remarkable expression of softness in all their

in supposing him a mystic. The Gospel,' said he, is my standard. I should be afraid of trusting myself alone without it.' He then related to us many of the difficulties he had to encounter, and the sacrifices he had to make, at the commencement of his career in the Ban de la Roche. 'But now,' continued he, checking himself, ، let me observe, it is as great a fault to talk of our own virtues as of the faults of others.'

"It is surprising to witness the sound sense, refinement, and superiority of mind, evinced by these simple peasants; the very servants are well educated, and are clothed with that child-like spirit, which is one of the truest tests of real religion. One of them, who is a widow, made many good remarks to us on the duties of married life. ، In order to introduce and preserve domestic peace,' said she, let us turn to Him who is peace.'

"I am writing this at his table, whilst he is busy preparing leather gloves for his peasant children. His family are around him, engaged in their different avocations; his eldest son, Frederic, is giving a lesson to some of the little ones, in which amusement and instruction are judiciously blended; and the cher Papa, without desisting from his employment, frequently puts in a word. He took me this morning into his workshop, where there is a turner's lathe, a press, a complete set of carpenter's tools, also a printing press, and one for book binding. I assisted him in colouring a quire of paper, which is intended for covers of school-books. He gives scarcely any thing to his people but what has been, in some measure, prepared by his own or his children's hands.

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"He will never leave this place. A much better living was once offered to him.-'No,' said he, I have been ten years learning every head in my parish, and obtaining an inventory of their moral, intellectual, and domestic wants; I have laid my plan. I must have ten years to carry it into execution, and the ten fol lowing to correct their faults and vices.'

،،، Pastor Oberlin is too modest and generous not to bear testimony to the worth of his predecessor, who had began to clear this wilderness, and to raise the superstructure, which he has so beautifully completed.

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Yesterday, I found him encircled by four or five families who had been burnt out of their houses; he was dividing amongst them articles of clothing, meat, assignats, books, knives, thimbles, and coloured pictures for the children, whom he placed in a row according to their ages, and then left them to take

what they preferred. The most perfect equality reigns in his house ;--children, servants, boarders,-are all treated alike; their places at table change, that each in turn may sit next to him, with the exception of Louisa, his housekeeper, who of course presides, and his two maids, who sit at the bottom of the table. As it is his custom to salute every member of his family, night and morning, these two little maids come very respectfully curtseying to him, and he always gives them his hand and inquires after their health, or wishes them good-night. All are happy, and appear to owe much of their happiness to him. They seem to be ready to sacrifice their lives to save his. The following reply was made by one of his domestics, on his questioning her about her downcast looks during some trivial indisposition: 'I fear, dear papa, there will be no servants in heaven, and that I shall lose the happiness of waiting upon you.""--pp. 130–-135.

We wish we could go on with these delightful extracts, for we assure our readers we pass over reluctantly, much more than we quote of the most valuable matter. The brief accounts of several individuals to whom Oberlin was useful, afford fine illustrations of the nature and power of Christian principles. The notice of Henry Oberlin, a son worthy of such a father, and the pious resignation of his father at his death, the account of which is very touching, we should have been glad to give did not our limits forbid. We must also pass over the circumstances of his death, and many particulars relating to his ministry, to give an account of his funeral, as an illustration of the powerful hold which Oberlin had over the affections of the people. With this we must take our leave of this beautiful volume, sincerely thanking the fair author for the instruction and pleasure which it has afforded us, and praying that she may succeed in her benevolent object, to aid with the profits of the work, the interesting people of the Ban de la Roche, in forming schools on the plan of Ober

lin, and in commemoration of his exertions.

"During the four days that intervened between his decease, and the simple and affecting ceremony which consigned his remains to their last home, heavy clouds rested on the surrounding mountains, and the rain poured down in` incessant torrents: this circumstance did not, however, 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 Cher Papa,' whose venerable countenance they were permitted to see through a glass lid, which, under the direction of Mr. Legrand, covered the coffin, which was placed in his study.

"Early 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 clerical 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 last had left the parsonage, although the interment was to take place, before the distance was nearly two miles. The children of the different schools formed part of the melancholy procession, chanting, at intervals, sacred hymns, selected and ment of their approaching the village, adapted for the occasion. At the moa new bell, presented by Mr. Legrand in commemoration of this day of general mourning, was heard to toll for the first sound with that of all the bells in the time, and to mingle its melancholy valley. The burying ground was surrounded by Roman Catholic women, all silent prayer. On arriving at the church, dressed in mourning, and kneeling in

the coffin was placed at the foot of the altar, and as many persons entered as