Memoirs of John Frederic Oberlin, pastor of Waldbach, in the Ban de la Roche : from the 3rd London ed.

Front matter

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S. G. & E. L. ELBERT ft^mmm:^ amifefnt

Introduction

This little work was sent to me some time since by an English lady, and I read it with avidity and delight. I immediately thought of procuring its republication, but gave up the design on learning that it had already taken place. When I found however that the American edition had been printed in a distant part of the country, and in an uninviting form, and was rarely to be met with in this vicinity, I renewed my purpose ; and with the assistance of my friend, Mr. Charles F. Barnard, who kindly undertook the necessary translations and the correction of the press, I am enabled to present to the public this uncommonly attractive and instructive work. It is an exact reprint of the third London edition, with the few following exceptions. Several passages which are there inserted both in the French and English languages, or in the French only, are here given only in English, and in all cases in a new translation. The address at the funeral of Oberlin has

VI INTRODUCTION.

been taken from the Appendix and inserted in the body of the work. Specimens of the composition of the children at school have been omitted, and one of the notes of the English edition has been removed, as I wished to introduce it with remarks into this preface I think it right to notice these changes, though they in no degree affect the character or value of the book.

I think it will be acknowledged by the readers of the work, that it contains one of the most charming pictures of a good and useful life of which we have any account. This results in no degree from the skill of the author or the peculiar grace of the composition. Few books are less indebted to recommendations of this sort. Indeed we are often inclined to wish, as v/e read it, that it possessed more of the attractions vv^hich a tasteful hand and a glowing imagination might have imparted to it. Yet perhaps on the whole the Memoir is more valuable in its present form. The very nakedness and dryness of the statements, the very bareness of the narrative, proves how strong an interest lies in the characters and facts themselves ; we are the more sure of the singular excellence of the man and his works from perceiving that they owe none of their power

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over our hearts to the manner in which the story is told. Perhaps indeed it may be regarded as a proof of high skill in the author, that she knew how to leave the subject in unadorned simplicity, to make its own impression.

There is but one thing in the book which I have noticed with regret ; and that is, the manner in which the author has spoken of Oberlin's delightful Catholicism. Certainly few things are more beautiful and praiseworthy, or display more evidently the ascendency of the Christian over the selfish spirit, than that universal toleration, founded in faith, humility, and love, which passes by the distinctions of party and embraces as brethren, all who are Christians in life, to whatever division of the church they may belong. It seems to me, accordingly, that no one can fail to be touched with admiration at the greatness of soul displayed by Oberlio in his generous treatment of the Catholics. '^ His tolerance,'' says the Rev. F. Cunningham, '^was almost unbounded. He administered the sacrament to Catholics, Lutherans, and Calvinists, at the same time ; and, because they would not eat the same bread, he had, on the plate, bread of different kinds, wafer, leavened, and unleavened. In every thing the same

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spirit appeared ; and it extended not only to his Catholic but also to his Jewish neighbours, and made him many friends among them all.'' In this connexion let the reader recollect the anecdote of the Jew on page 230, of the Catholic infant on page 228, and of the collection of mourning Catholics at this good man's funeral ; and he will feel that here is one w^ho has exhibited the noblest example of the real spirit of his Master. It is therefore painful to observe, that our author deems it necessary to apologize for this part of his character as something blameworthy, as if she would caution her readers against allowing themselves too much to admire or imitate so dangerous an example. The very remarkable lans^uao^e in which she does this, occurs in the note above mentioned, v/hich I transferred to this place with the intention of remarking upon it at some length. But on further consideration it seems quite unnecessary to do more than to express our surprise, that a lady, who has shown herself so capable of rightly appreciating the other traits of this character, should be found incapable of perceiving the beauty of this its most benignant feature. The place of the note was on page 226, and it runs in the following terms.

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" It must be conceded that the spirit of liberality in this venerable pastor was, in some instances, carried to too great a length. His humility and simplicity of mind, divested of fastidiousness and party feeling, led him, perhaps, too readily to embrace in the arms of Christian charity some whom he would have found deficient in the fundamental doctrines of our reformed religion. If, however, we cannot entirely approve his want of discrimination, w^e must admire that true spirit of brotherly affection which induced him to look with kindness and toleration upon all whom he had reason to hope loved our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.

'' Whatever ^rror in doctrine, or peculiarity of sentiment, may appear in some part of Oberlin's character, the editor cannot but think that in all the main truths of Christianity his views were clear and simple, ~ and that the devoted earnestness, ardent zeal, and disinterested benevolence by which this extraordinary man was so eminently distinguished, sprung from love to a crucified Redeemer, and humble reliance upon his death and merits. If some of the more evangelical doctrines of the Gospel do not appear so prominently in this Memoir as could he wished, may not the deficiency be attributed, in some degree, to the character of its subject — a character, in which the fruits of true religion, rather than its doctrines, are exhibited : — in which the active, laborious pastor, placed in very peculiar circumstances, and called to very unusual duties in the discharge of his high office, is brought before the reader's notice, rather than the more retired Christian in his secret walk with God.''

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It is to be remembered in this connexion, that while the doctrines which Oberlin held, coincided for the most part with those that are generally accounted Orthodox in the Reformed churches ; yet on some points he followed his own speculations tiil he came to conclusions not a little heretical : ■ — as may be seen by turning to page 199. This fact illustrates the independence and decision of his character. He thought, as well as acted, for himself He relied on his own judgment, and resolutely followed what he thought to be the light of truth, wherever it led him, even though it occasionally conducted him into unwonted paths.

But it is the fidelity, disinterestedness, and zeal of his active life as a pastor, which renders his history and character invaluable ; and it is principally for the sake of setting before our young ministers so exciting and encouraging an example, that the book has been republished. The influence that he exerted, the work that he accomplished, the changes that he wrought, fill us with wonder ; but we perceive at the same time, that the chief source of his peculiar power lies within the reach of every man. It is less in the endowments of his nature (though undoubtedly

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much may be attributed to his original constitution of nnind), than in the unreserved devotion of his whole soul to one great object, under the influence of one great principle, that the secret of his success is to be found. He thus teaches us wherein lies the power of the ministry, and what should be the study of him who would become an efficient pastor ; — that character is to be his main reliance, a character founded exclusively upon Christian Faith ; through which he lives and acts only for the one purpose of doing the utmost good as a minister of Christ ; — having no other object and no higher ambition. It is this unqualified surrender of himself to the influences of his faith, and this absolute devotion of thought and life to the one work of his calling, which made Oberlin what he was, and is to make other ministers what they should be.

The study of his character would therefore go to remove two of the chief hindrances to the efficacy of the Christian ministry. The one, that to which I have just alluded, — that men are not sufficiently absorbed in their work, that it is not enough the favorite, exclusive object of their life, that they allow other pursuits and interests too much to distract their attention and divide their affec-

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tions. The other, that they do not believe in the power which is committed to them, they want faith in the influence which they might exert; and from expecting to witness but slender fruits of their labor, they pursue their work with a divided heart, and a sluggish, unenterprising spirit. They forget that energy and efficiency of action are to be had only by him who possesses a strong hope and confident expectation that his labor shall not be in vain. Oberlin's life is a standino; rebuke to our want of faith and zeal. Under the most unpromising circumstances he began to w^ork, in faith that something might be done, and with his heart on fire to do it. It was accomplished. If other men do nothing, is it not because they have neither the faith nor the fire ? Yet the gospel can give them both.

It is true that the state of society in our country is different from that which existed in the Ban de la Roche, and that consequently the village pastor here can by no means hope for results equally remarkable with those exhibited there. But let a young man go into any village with the same ardent faith, and the same devotedness to the one object of his ministry ; let him be active, disinterested, and evidently above all selfish

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views ; let him with the zeal and energy of Oberlin unite his discretion also ; — and he cannot fail to exert an extensive, wholesome, and visible influence. He cannot, he ought not, like that mountain pastor of a semi-barbarous people, take the lead in all affairs, secular and economical, as well as moral ; but he may and he ought to labor in all ways and without intermission to increase the means and excite the desire of improvement. By a paternal interest in the schools, by care in securing the best teachers and the best books, by cherishing libraries, lyceums, and associations for mutual improvement, by introducing and countenancing rational recreations and watching for opportunities to elevate the tastes and pursuits of the people, he may render it certain that society will make progress. And if spared to a long ministry, may find himself at last surrounded by a generation which will owe its character, social as well as religious, to his paternal and fostering care.

Oberlin's life is full of instruction on another point. Those who are entering the ministry, full of the ardor and ambition of youth, need to be reminded like other young men, that all true honor lies in the faithful discharge of duty, —

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not in the place that one occupies, or the worldly advantages that attend him ; and that however one station may seem in the eyes of men more respectable and desirable than another ; in the sight of God, and in the judgment of Christian principle, the lowest is highest and the last first, if it have been best filled Vvith duty. When we see Oberlin refusing the posts of honor which awaited him in the polite settlements of France, and resolutely retreating from the confines of civilization^ that he might devote himself to the lost sheep of the mountains : we should learn to be ashamed of that love of ease and personal indulgence which causes us to cling around the luxuries and comforts of hoQie, reluctant to sacrifice our early associations and attachments for the sake of ministering to the needy and preaching the gospel in by-places. The example of Oberlin may persuade us what a rich reward lies in those unfrequented paths ; and how beautifully God compensates the disinterested laborer, for sacrifices which a w^orldly mind would esteem insupportable. It is remarkable, that even Oberlin's fame (a reward which he never dreamt of obtaining), has been owing to his choice of a remote and obscure field of labor. It shows the

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power of active benevolence to change the humblest sphere into a place of distinction. What a rebuke to the toiling aspirants after fame, that while they anxiously spend life in vain endeavours to rise, this unambitious pastor, hidden in the mountains from public view, and with no object in life but the glory of God and the welfare of man, has snatched from them the very prize for which they were contending.

But we must not suffer ourselves to be drawn too strongly to these secondary considerations. The secular benefits which attended the ministry of this excellent man, and the reputation which followed it, were but the incidental consequences of his sacrifices and toils. They did not prompt them. It was his zeal for his religion, and his desire to make men partakers of its blessings, which incited him. And that man altogether deceives himself, who fancies that any inferior power to this religious principle is able to create that disinterestedness of spirit, that abandonment of self, that readiness to spend and be spent, which ought to mark the Christian minister, and with^ out which his service will be a burden to him. It is this principle of religion, inwrought into the character, actuating the whole life, which alone

XVI INTRODUCTION.

can originate and support a continued, patient, self-sacrificing philanthropy, proof against discouragement, fatigue, and disgust, and happy in proportion to its toils. Such love to man can grow only from love to God. It belongs to men, who, like Oberlin, live for heaven more than for earth, in whose estimation the spiritual life is the only life, whose ambition is to be like Christ going about to do good, and to help in building up the purity and bliss of his kingdom. May the perusal of these Memoirs help to form such men.

Henry Ware Jr.

Preface

The peculiar delight with which the writer perused the interesting article respecting John Frederic Oberlin, in the Eclectic Review for October, 1827, first induced her to think of compiling a more extended memoir of that extraordinary man ; and she considers it only due to sincerity to make this acknowledgment, as the following pages contain much of M. Lutteroth's '^ Notice," there translated by Mr. Condor's abler pen.

The facility with which she has been enabled to carry her design into execution, through the kindness of several individuals who readily supplied her with valuable documents and papers relative to the subject, claims her most cordial thanks to those respected friends.

She is particularly obliged to P. J. Heisch, Esq.,

a friend of long standing in Oberlin's family, and

a gentleman distinguished by his many benevolent exertions in this his adopted country, for

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the polite manner in which he furnished her with materials from personal recollection, autograph sermons, and interesting communications from Strasbourg. To her highly valued friend. Dr. Steinkopff, she is indebted for the correction of her German translations, and to the Rev. Francis Cunningham, for the use he kindly allowed her to make of various memoranda and letters written during a short residence in the Ban de la Roche in the summer of 1820, and also for a number of original papers and MSS. respecting Mr. Oberlin.

It is to the kindness of these friends indeed, that the volume chiefly owes whatever of interest it may contain ; and, while gratefully acknowledging the sources whence she has derived her materials, the Editor is happy to add, that it has undergone the revision of one whose personal acquaintance with Oberlin, and the knowledge he possessed of his character, both as a benefactor to his country and an eminent servant of God, peculiarly qualified him for the task. Under the sanction of this dear friend her Memoir meets the public eye.

The w^orks from which such parts as are not original are chiefly translated or taken, are

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Mr. Wilks's little narrative, entitled *' The Ban de la Roche and its Benefactor ; '^ M. Lutteroth^s ^' Notice sur Jean Frederic Oberlin/' already alluded to ; the same work in German, with additions, by M. Krafft ; ^^ Promenades Alsaciennes, par M. Merlin ; '^ and '* Rapport fait a la Societe Royale et Centrale d' Agriculture par M. le Comte Frangois de Neufchateau, sur I'Agriculture, et la Civilisation du Ban de la Roche.''

The Editor trusts that the following recital of the astonishing change effected in the morals and condition of the little flock committed to Oberlin's pastoral care, and of the unremitting labors of love, which, for a period of fifty years, were crowned with such signal success, may induce many humble laborers in the Lord's vineyard,, who, though in different situations and circumstances, have to contend against similar or equal obstacles, to ^* thank God and take courage."