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 selfcooked supper more than the greatest dainties."

Stauber congratulated him on the happiness of possessing so contented a disposition; and, assuring him that he was exactly the person he had wished to find, communicated the object of his visit.

Oberlin was rejoiced at the proposition; but having nearly concluded his engagement to undertake the office of military chaplain, he would not accept the parish until a free discharge from his engagement was obtained, and until he was convinced that no candidates for clerical preferment, who had a prior claim to himself, would accept the situation.

Those two points were soon arranged, in consequence of a candidate making application for the one office, whilst the other, which offered scarcely any emolument, was left unsolicited. The Ban de la Roche, as a sphere of pastoral labor, was wholly uninviting to any, but those who, in singleness of heart, were wishing to forsake all for Christ; Oberlin, therefore, after many earnest prayers that a blessing might rest upon himself and upon the little flock committed to his charge, accom

panied his new friend and patron thither, and arrived at Waldbach on the 30th of March, 1767. He was at this time in the twentyseventh year of his age. But how much good may be done, after this period of life!

CHAPTER III.

Oberlin's first impressions on reaching Waldbach-State of the parish-Improvements needed-Opposition mani. fested by the peasantry-Correspondence with M. Stouber-Letters from the latter-His marriage, and prayer -Improvements in the condition of the roads-Agri. cultural improvements, &c.

ON Oberlin's arrival at Waldbach, he took up his residence in the parsonage house, a tolerably commodious building, formerly oc cupied by M. Stouber. It had a court-yard in front, and a good garden behind, and stood in a 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, and a few other straggling trees.

The first glance which he threw over the mountains destined to be the scene of his ministerial labors, convinced him, that notwithstanding the partial reformation effected by M. Stouber's exertions, neither the necessities of his flock, nor the difficulties which opposed their removal, were of any ordinary kind.

They were alike destitute of the means of mental and social intercourse; they spoke a rude patois resembling the Lorrain dialect, and

the medium of no external information; they were entirely secluded from the neighboring districts by the want of roads, which, owing to the devastation of war and decays of population, had been so totally lost, that the only mode of communication, from the bulk of the parish to the neighboring 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 implements, 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, constantly depressed and irritated their spirits.

Confident, however, that strength would be afforded, if rightly sought, Oberlin at once resolved to employ all the attainments in science, philosophy, and religion, which he had brought with him from Strasbourg, to the improvement of the parish and the benefit of his parishioners.

Those individuals over whom M. Stouber had gained an influence, silently acquiesced in the projects of his successor; but a very determined spirit of opposition soon manifested itself among the opposite party, under the supposition that old practices are always safe, and that whatever is new must be pernicious. They resolved therefore, not to submit to innovation, but to try what they might be able to effect by determined resistance. On one occasion, soon after his arrival, they laid a plan

to waylay their new minister, and inflict upon 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 leading traits in his character were remarkably displayed.

Sunday being fixed upon for the execution of this attempt, when the day arrived he took for his text those words of our Savior, 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 cheek, turn to him the other also ;" 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 malcontents 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; "I am acquainted with your design. You have wished to chastise me, because you consider me culpa. ble. If I have indeed violated the rules which

I have laid down for you, punish me for it. It is better that I should deliver myself into your hands, than that you should be guilty of the meanness of an ambuscade." These simple words produced their intended effect. The peasants, ashamed of their scheme, sincerely begged his forgiveness, and promised never again to entertain a doubt of the sincerity of the motives by which he was actuated, and of his affectionate desire to promote their welfare.

A few weeks after this event another circumstance, of a similar nature, occurred in one of the adjoining villages. He was informed that the young people belonging to it had determined to seize him the following Sunday, on his leaving their place of worship, and duck him in a cistern. He consequently took occa sion to speak, in his sermon, of the happiness 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 awaiting his approach. He passed them, however, with so calm and composed a countenance and step, that they were daunted, and did not venture to put their plan into execution.

These occurrences are believed to have had a good effect in accelerating the execution of his projects of reform; for those who had con