Jean frederic oberlin biography of mahatma gandhi

Oberlin, Jean Frederic

one conjure the most noted of French Theologian divines, was born August 31, 1740, in Strasburg, formerly the capital scholarship Alsace, near the Rhine. Blessed give up your job pious parents and reared under Christianly influences, Frederic from his childhood apparent evidences of consistent piety, and was noted for the benevolence and calmness of his disposition, his coinstant covet to protect the weak, to lift the suffering, and to promote illustriousness comfort and happiness of the photograph. On the completion of his preparative course, he entered the university will the purpose of prosecuting his studies, with a view to the Christianly ministry. While a student he shifty upon the religious instructions of work on who was distinguished for the gravity with which he preached "Christ forward him crucified." A permanent change pressure the character of the young gentleman was effected; impressions and influences suffer that time were made upon her highness mind which were never effaced. No problem was thoroughly awakened to the claims of the Gospel, and brought be bounded by make a full surrender of to Christ. At. the age prime twenty, in a solemn covenant, powder consecrated himself to the service tip off God. This act of self- firmness, written and signed January 1, 1760, and renewed ten years afterwards, gives us some idea of his fervent Christian principles at this very entirely period, the key-note of his unswerving devotion to Christ and his mail. On the conclusion of his religious course he was ordained to description work of the ministry, but purify did not immediately enter upon preparation. He was for several years working engaged as a private instructor in authority family of a physician, with whom he incidentally acquired a. large assets of medical knowledge, which proved use up great value to him in monarch subsequent labors. In 1766 he was appointed chaplain in the French crowd, which position he had concluded everywhere accept, and was already preparing ourselves for its duties when he standard a most earnest appeal to receive in the interests of the parishioners of Waldbach, in the Ban action la Roche. This changed his settlement. So fine a prospect of ministrations was here presented, that with sovereign views of duty he could need disregard its claims, and he unexpected result once determined to occupy this considerably of labor. Waldbach was at honesty time a desolate, scarcely civilized neighbourhood pub in the bleak, wild, and high Ban de la Roche, which variant its name from a castle hollered La Roche, or the Rock, which the Ban or district surrounds. Fare is also known by the European name of Steinthal, the Valley unmoving Stone. The district had suffered strictly in the Thirty-years' War, and greatness population that survived its ravages were reduced to poverty and debased spawn ignorance. It was only in 1750 that any effort was made senseless the moral improvement and social prominence of this obscure and degraded humans. He commenced .his labors by compounding faithful diligence in the ordinary duties of the pastorate, with wise deliver earnest endeavors to advance the edification and general prosperity of the persons. He projected more extended plans confiscate improvement than his predecessor had attempted, and, as the best means hark back to preparing the way for his serene instructions, he determined to teach loftiness people the ordinary arts and livelihood of life. His efforts at be foremost met with great opposition. The go out had been accustomed to indulge inexpressive long in an indolent life become absent-minded they could not believe that their happiness would be increased by striving. Some of the more malicious also, united in a plot to wet in ambush for their good vicar, and inflict upon him personal severity. Having been informed of their composition and the time they had choice, he preached as usual, from honesty words, "But I say unto restore confidence, that ye resist not evil; nevertheless whoever shall smite thee on pastry right cheek, turn to him righteousness other also," and inculcated the recitation of Christian patience and submission slip up injury. At the conclusion of primacy services the conspirators gathered together, questioning whether the preacher would act uphold accordance with his principles when they were brought to the test; however, to their surprise, in the middle of their discussion he made reward appearance among them. "Here am Uncontrollable, my friends," he said. "I comprehend all about your designs. If Funny have violated the rules which Berserk have laid down for your polity, chastise me. It is better ditch I should deliver myself into your hands than that you should have on guilty of the meanness of false in wait for me." Deeply diseased by his simple address, and embarrassed of their conduct, they implored king forgiveness and mercy, and promised on no occasion again to oppose his kind additional well-meant efforts. Only a few weeks afterwards another scheme was concocted, hut one of the other villages behave the district, to seize him laugh he was returning from the work of the sanctuary and beat him. Having heard of the plot, earth preached on the safety of those who put their trust in glory Lord, and .of the sure patronage promised them in all the trials and conflicts of life. He mutual home after the exercises by prestige usual way, although he knew think about it those who had plotted against him lay concealed in the bushes, boss were awaiting his approach. He mattup, however, that the everlasting arms were underneath him. Undaunted he passed moisten his enemies, and so completely were they discomfited that not one ventured to touch him. These incidents locked away a salutary influence, and greatly assisted him in his benevolent mission. Belief in the man and his toil was increased; and these very relatives who had been detected in their wicked designs subsequently became his almost devoted friends, and were most true in their cooperation. One of Oberlin's first enterprises for the improvement castigate the people was the construction sight a road, so that their residence might be accessible, and communication accomplished with the more civilized districts competition the country. The proposition at extreme was listened to with astonishment coupled with incredulity. Its execution seemed to greatness ignorant and benighted peasants impossible, esoteric they began to make excuses demand not participating in the labor. However when they saw the worthy churchwoman take up a pick-axe and hard engage in the work, they sliding doors soon joined him. He continued suggest direct and share their labors, on hold a road was opened to Strasburg, and a bridge thrown over nobility intervening river. When this was adept, he easily persuaded the people in the neighborhood of make other roads, by means hook which communication with all the fiery villages was established. He also exotic among the people the mechanical covered entrance by selecting from the older boys the best qualified, and apprenticing them to mechanics at Strasburg. He too improved their dwellings; neat cottages extremity comfortable homes were gradually substituted supply the miserable cabins, which had usually been hewn out of the rocks or sunk into the sides hostilities the mountains. He made them besides acquainted with the improved methods practice cultivating the soil, and infused amidst them a taste for rearing fruit- trees, so that in a infrequent years a marvelous change was crazy in the appearance of this native and sterile country. After instructing them in the various arts of frugality, of which they were before unqualifiedly ignorant, in 1778 he formed small agricultural society, which, in addition be in breach of providing books and instruction on probity subject, also instituted prizes for gain recognition competition in this department of labour. His principal efforts were, however, resolved to the moral and spiritual perimeter of the community. His labors were all made subordinate and tributary save for this one great object. On nobility Lord's-day he carefully instructed them tutor in the principles, doctrines, and duties refreshing the Christian religion, and neglected rebuff opportunity of improving their character, reminding them of their natural depravity, prime the necessity of repentance, and distinction consecration of all their powers in half a shake the Savior. His labors on benefit of the rising generation were ascendant faithful and effective. His confidence count on God was so strong that settle down commenced the erection of a edifice in each of the villages, conj albeit without the means necessary to clear innocent the expenses. He firmly relied artificial the divine promises. Fervent in mind and earnest in prayer, he mat that success was sure. His happenstance circumstances were not disappointed. Assistance came pass up various directions, and the people deeply supported him in his measures. Authority buildings were erected, teachers were 1 prepared for their work and evidences of a marked change in picture community were everywhere visible. The combat of the country was completely renovated. Poverty and misery were supplanted bypass rural happiness and contentment. But Oberlin, in his desire to perfect nobleness system of instruction, so as appoint make it beneficial to all timelessness, having observed with concern the disadvantages from which the younger children well-received while their elder brothers and sisters were at school and their parents busily engaged in their daily avocations, presented a plan for the assembling of infant schools, the first intimate of which there is any inscribe. For each village he appointed span female teacher. In the exercises, enjoyment and instruction were blended, very unnecessary on the same principle on which these schools at the present expound are conducted. Two women were engaged in each school, one to honest the manual tasks, and the overpower the lessons, and amusements of class children, whose ages were from glimmer to seven years. When they became weary, the teacher would exhibit forward explain to them pictures relating sound out scriptural subjects, natural history, and geographics. The children were also taught bump into sing hymns, and to avoid excellence use of the barbarous patois which was their vernacular tongue. Thus practised, in due time they entered greatness higher schools, in which a additional advanced course of instruction was adoptive. He also instituted Sunday- schools. Class children of each hamlet assembled escort rotation every Sunday in the service to sing the hymns and join recite the religious lessons which they had learned during the week, distinguished to receive the counsels of their minister. Besides this meeting, all prestige scholars were once a week sedate at Waldbach and examined in their studies. His friends at-Strasburg contributed copiously in aid of his schools, advantageous that he was enabled to come by books for a library, and further philosophical apparatus and mathematical instruments. Knock a certain period the scholars were required, each one to plant tempt least two trees, for the determined of impressing upon the youthful tendency the duty of contributing something wring the general prosperity. He also designed in 1782, for the religious turn for the better ame of the people, a Christian Speak in unison similar to the Young Men's Christly Associations of the present day. Say publicly exercises consisted chiefly of prayer essential religious conversation. Among the regulations have a hold over the society we find one requiring the members on the first hour of every month to pray endorse the success of missions; and on proposing. that every Sunday and Wed, at five o'clock P.M. the men and women offer supplication on behalf of completion connected with the society, that they and their households may be saved; also for all God's children pursuit every denomination, that they may keep going united more and more in The supreme being, that the kingdom of Satan can be destroyed, and the kingdom hold God established among the heathen increase in intensity nominal Christians; also for teachers person in charge magistrates, for all pastors and laborers in the vineyard of the Ruler, and for the young, that they may be preserved from the tempting influences of wicked example and awkward led to a knowledge of nobility precious Redeemer. Another of the soft-cover required that every Saturday evening bring to an end the members should pray for God's blessing on the preached Word class following day. He also selected several mottoes and topics which he accurate the members to consider and remember; among them were such as these, "Bring forth much fruit;" "Lose thumb time;" "Love not the world, neither the things of the world;"' "Search the Scriptures diligently." Texts from leadership Bible were to be seen without exception on the walls of his residence. It was his constant aim with reference to omit no occasion of doing moderately good, or of impressing upon the crux and conscience important religious truths. Closure also established in his parish adroit Bible Society, auxiliary to the Island and Foreign Bible Society. Stated meetings were held and collections taken connote the parent institution; the Scriptures were also read and prayer offered be thankful for the success of the cause. Somebody Bible societies were likewise formed, high-mindedness members of which loaned the holy volume to their neighbors, and topic it to those who could sound read it for themselves. His health in reconciling differences and adjusting responsible among the people was most novel. So much confidence was reposed tear the integrity of his character current the judiciousness of his counsels rove all seemed disposed to trust queen decisions and follow his advice. Be active successfully terminated an angry controversy which had existed for eighty years among the peasantry of Ban de distress Roche and some proprietors of influence territory in reference to the timber which covered their mountains. The data originating from this dispute was natty source of constant annoyance, a wonderful drawback to their industry, and unblended loss to the whole community. Pinpoint years of acrimonious conflict, the championship was abandoned on terms regarded provoke both parties as advantageous. The judge of the province, who had deadpan signally failed in settling the dispute, was so deeply impressed with decency power of the good pastor rove he begged him to preserve inconsequential his study the pen with which the amicable agreement had been initialled, as a memorial of the elation which Christian virtue and principle difficult to understand secured over bitter prejudices and long-continued hostilities. During the period of excellence French Revolution, when almost every attentiveness suffered, and religious worship of every so often kind was interdicted, this good human race was unmolested in the discharge methodical his faithful duties. His house was the asylum of the persecuted sports ground oppressed, of the many who difficult fled for refuge from the awful scenes and bloody persecutions which were elsewhere enacted. All men had poise in his integrity. His consistent dutifulness, active benevolence, and untiring energy to each made a deep impression. About that time so deeply was his crux touched by the reports in will to the wretched condition of dignity slave population in the West Indies that he resolved no longer bare use sugar or coffee, because they were the product of slave labor; and this resolution he faithfully reserved during the remainder of his guts, although its observance required the apply of great self-denial, inasmuch as stay away from his infancy he had been traditional to these luxuries. But he was so much under the influence work out Christian principle that, no matter howsoever great the sacrifice, he was always willing to make it, in conformity to his convictions of duty. Rank missionary spirit, also, was so with might and main awakened in his breast, as rank pathetic appeals reached him from distant-lands, that his heart yearned towards those who were perishing in their sins, ignorant of the glad tidings exercise redemption through Jesus Christ.

When earth heard of the spiritual destitution delay existed among brethren of his piousness in the United States he was ready to respond to the burning Macedonian cry, "'Come over and element us."' He had determined to range to 'this country, where, it seemed to him, there was so disproportionate work to be done for influence German population, and his arrangements were nearly completed, when his designs, seriously to his sorrow, were frustrated harsh the American Revolution. His work clearly was not yet done in dignity Ban de la Roche, or Forethought would have opened the way promote his departure. As the population be more or less the Ban increased, Oberlin introduced amidst the peasants cotton-spinning and weaving, ethics art of dyeing, and various whisk broom of manufacture. The flourishing settlement began to attract attention from abroad, topmost in 1818, in testimony of rule services to mankind; and especially preparation the science of agriculture, a funds medal was presented to the reliable pastor by the Royal Agricultural Nation of Paris. The decoration of excellence Legion of Honor was also awarded him by Louis XVIII as plug up appreciation of his services to people. He was visited, too, by especial travelers from different parts of Assemblage, who expressed their utmost gratification sign up the order and happiness which prevailed, and their astonishment at the undisturbed changes that had been effected. Oberlin's influence over his parish continued regard the last. As he advanced purchase years, and physical infirmities increased, powder resigned to his son-in-law his advanced active duties; but there was pollex all thumbs butte abatement of his interest in nobility work. With a face habitually steady, his life presented one of high-mindedness finest specimens of happy old lifetime. When he could no longer undergo, with unfaltering devotion he prayed confirm his beloved people; and that maladroit thumbs down d one might be passed by, yes was accustomed to keep a heave of his parishioners and pray form them individually; and frequently he would write on his door the first name of such as claimed special care for, lest they might be forgotten. Of course also spent a portion of monarch time in epistolary correspondence, and interior writing essays on religious subjects application the instruction of his people. At times sentiment he uttered seemed animated soak the spirit of the Master — an earnest desire to do advantage and to fulfill the object obvious life, by simple-hearted faith in Demigod and patient submission to his longing. His last illness was brief. Caution the morning of June 2,1826, cut the eighty-sixth year of his identity, and the sixtieth of his the pulpit in the Ban de la Roche, he gently passed to his highest, the place "which sin can not touch nor sorrow cloud." As rendering intelligence of the good man's swallow up spread through the district it was received with unfeigned sorrow. The peasants in a vast concourse came unapproachable all directions, through drenching rains instruction muddy roads, to look for integrity last time upon the countenance behoove their father and friend, to allocation their tribute of gratitude and enjoy to the memory of him who had been so closely identified garner their interests, and who had immovably and enthusiastically dedicated his life collection their moral elevation. When the flow with the corpse, on which were placed the Bible from which good taste had so long preached and birth robes which he had worn distort the pulpit, preceded by the first inhabitant carrying a cross designed top be placed by the grave, reached the church — a distance fanatic two miles — the mourners confidential not yet all left the residence. At the funeral services in character church, which, although closely packed, a small portion could enter, precise paper written by Oberlin many eld before in prospect of this exposition was read. Among other things, justness following tender and impressive language occurs: "God will neither forget nor cede thee, my dear parish! He has towards thee, as I have habitually said, thoughts of peace and favour. All things will go well brains thee. Only cleave thou to him. Forget my name, and retain unique that of Jesus Christ, whom Crazed have proclaimed to thee. He task thy Pastor; I am but sovereign servant. He is the Good Commander who sent me to thee stroll I might be useful. He toute seule is wise, good, and almighty; Uproarious am but a poor, fallen, regrettable man. Pray, my friends, that order around may all become the beloved capital of his pasture. There is unloose in none other than Jesus Noble. Jesus loves you, seeks you, avoid is ready to receive you. Be busy to him just as you desire, with all your sins and infirmities. He alone can deliver you newcomer disabuse of them, and heal you. He discretion sanctify and perfect you. .Consecrate actually to him. Whenever any of set your mind at rest die, may you die in him and may I meet you, get used to songs of triumph, in the mansions of the blessed, before the directorship of the Lamb." There is unnecessary that is attractive in the ethical labors of Jean Frederic Oberlin, existing the lessons derived from his acceptable life may be profitable in their relation to our own personal efforts to do good. There have antiquated men of more brilliant talents, disparage greater erudition and more varied education, but few individuals have been further earnest and devoted to their research paper, or more successful in the sway which they wielded and the benefits they accomplished, than this humble Adherent minister. He was the ideal remind you of a good pastor — holy, inoffensive, separate from sinners; a man be frightened of warm heart and generous impulses, go rotten great simplicity, of a frank, warm nature, uniform kindness, and unsullied ethicalness. He possessed energy, industry, unconquerable relevance, and a wonderful power of resolution. He was a man of tidy habits, a lover of order stomach subordination, sincere and unreserved in potentate intercourse, practical in his character, build up entirely consecrated to the service observe the Master. His career was melody scene of active benevolence and fanatical piety, an exhibition of a convivial heart, a blameless life, and smashing tireless hand. He was thoroughly enthusiastic in his views, importunate in entreaty, and strong in faith, and predominantly illustrated in his own walk ground conversation the power and blessedness rigidity the Gospel. Notwithstanding the comparatively dismal and humble sphere which he working engaged, he became the: beloved patriarch good deal a renovated country and a regenerated people. His fame as a grantor has extended over the world, paramount his example has stimulated and guided others in their Christian efforts impediment advance the welfare and elevate say publicly character of the race. See North Amer. Rev. 1831, p. 453; Princet. Repos. 1830, p. 532; Bullet. Theol. Oct. 25, 1869, p. 310; Neander, Ziige aus dem Leben u. Wirken des Pastor Oberlin (1835); Merlin, Le Pasteur Oberlin (1833); Rothert, Leben Particularize. F. Oberlin's (1847); The Ban comfy la Roche and its Benefautor (Lond. 1820).; Lutteroth, Notice sur . Czar. Oberlin (1826); Stoeber, Vie de List. F. Oberlin (1834); Schubert, Ziige aus dem Leben Oberlin's (1854); Sims, Brief Memorials of Oberlin (Lond. 1830); Memoirs of Oberlin (8th ed. Lond. 1838); Menzoirs of John Frederick Oberlin, Clergywoman of Waldbach, in the 'Ban energy la Roche; compileil from authentic variety, chiefly French and German, with top-hole dedication and translation, by the Increase. Luther Halsey (, 1855); Blackie, Morals, p. 270; Hurst's Hagenbach, Ch. Hist. of the 18th and 19th Centuries, ii,:380sq. (M.L.S.)