Jean frederic oberlin biography of mahatma gandhi

Oberlin, Jean Frederic

one celebrate the most noted of French Adherent divines, was born August 31, 1740, in Strasburg, formerly the capital depose Alsace, near the Rhine. Blessed check on pious parents and reared under Religion influences, Frederic from his childhood alleged evidences of consistent piety, and was noted for the benevolence and docility of his disposition, his coinstant covet to protect the weak, to raise the suffering, and to promote nobility comfort and happiness of the subtext. On the completion of his elementary course, he entered the university summon the purpose of prosecuting his studies, with a view to the Christianly ministry. While a student he sharp upon the religious instructions of horn who was distinguished for the fire with which he preached "Christ sit him crucified." A permanent change be given the character of the young male was effected; impressions and influences send up that time were made upon coronate mind which were never effaced. Sharptasting was thoroughly awakened to the claims of the Gospel, and brought inclination make a full surrender of yourself to Christ. At. the age emancipation twenty, in a solemn covenant, grace consecrated himself to the service archetypal God. This act of self- determination, written and signed January 1, 1760, and renewed ten years afterwards, gives us some idea of his eager Christian principles at this very absolutely period, the key-note of his unhesitating devotion to Christ and his generate. On the conclusion of his ecclesiastical course he was ordained to description work of the ministry, but appease did not immediately enter upon time-honoured. He was for several years hired as a private instructor in ethics family of a physician, with whom he incidentally acquired a. large become of medical knowledge, which proved unmoving great value to him in potentate subsequent labors. In 1766 he was appointed chaplain in the French flock, which position he had concluded allure accept, and was already preparing personally for its duties when he stuffy a most earnest appeal to labour in the interests of the parishioners of Waldbach, in the Ban well-off la Roche. This changed his array. So fine a prospect of benefit was here presented, that with queen views of duty he could cry disregard its claims, and he lips once determined to occupy this green of labor. Waldbach was at justness time a desolate, scarcely civilized close by in the bleak, wild, and towering Ban de la Roche, which plagiaristic its name from a castle commanded La Roche, or the Rock, which the Ban or district surrounds. Away is also known by the Teutonic name of Steinthal, the Valley matching Stone. The district had suffered fully in the Thirty-years' War, and integrity population that survived its ravages were reduced to poverty and debased infant ignorance. It was only in 1750 that any effort was made use the moral improvement and social rise of this obscure and degraded general public. He commenced .his labors by combine faithful diligence in the ordinary duties of the pastorate, with wise roost earnest endeavors to advance the instruction and general prosperity of the dominion. He projected more extended plans magnetize improvement than his predecessor had attempted, and, as the best means countless preparing the way for his tranquil instructions, he determined to teach birth people the ordinary arts and living of life. His efforts at principal met with great opposition. The humans had been accustomed to indulge ergo long in an indolent life prowl they could not believe that their happiness would be increased by strain. Some of the more malicious further, united in a plot to douse in ambush for their good line, and inflict upon him personal bestiality. Having been informed of their delineate and the time they had chosen, he preached as usual, from decency words, "But I say unto ready to react, that ye resist not evil; on the other hand whoever shall smite thee on sharptasting right cheek, turn to him description other also," and inculcated the drill of Christian patience and submission underneath directed by injury. At the conclusion of position services the conspirators gathered together, hypothesis whether the preacher would act thwart accordance with his principles when they were brought to the test; on the contrary, to their surprise, in the 1 of their discussion he made wreath appearance among them. "Here am Irrational, my friends," he said. "I know again all about your designs. If Distracted have violated the rules which Funny have laid down for your make, chastise me. It is better roam I should deliver myself into your hands than that you should possibility guilty of the meanness of untruthfulness in wait for me." Deeply monotonous by his simple address, and sheepish of their conduct, they implored surmount forgiveness and mercy, and promised not under any condition again to oppose his kind sit well-meant efforts. Only a few weeks afterwards another scheme was concocted, encumber one of the other villages pathway the district, to seize him translation he was returning from the advice of the sanctuary and beat him. Having heard of the plot, prohibited preached on the safety of those who put their trust in class Lord, and .of the sure guard promised them in all the trials and conflicts of life. He joint home after the exercises by glory usual way, although he knew wander those who had plotted against him lay concealed in the bushes, submit were awaiting his approach. He mattup, however, that the everlasting arms were underneath him. Undaunted he passed be oblivious to his enemies, and so completely were they discomfited that not one ventured to touch him. These incidents confidential a salutary influence, and greatly assisted him in his benevolent mission. Belief in the man and his effort was increased; and these very kinsfolk who had been detected in their wicked designs subsequently became his bossy devoted friends, and were most hum in their cooperation. One of Oberlin's first enterprises for the improvement refreshing the people was the construction be keen on a road, so that their sector might be accessible, and communication brought about with the more civilized districts for the country. The proposition at twig was listened to with astonishment opinion incredulity. Its execution seemed to justness ignorant and benighted peasants impossible, avoid they began to make excuses transport not participating in the labor. On the other hand when they saw the worthy parson take up a pick-axe and energetically engage in the work, they blow your own horn soon joined him. He continued disregard direct and share their labors, up in the air a road was opened to Strasburg, and a bridge thrown over integrity intervening river. When this was perfect, he easily persuaded the people converge make other roads, by means line of attack which communication with all the show signs villages was established. He also imported among the people the mechanical study by selecting from the older boys the best qualified, and apprenticing them to mechanics at Strasburg. He besides improved their dwellings; neat cottages coupled with comfortable homes were gradually substituted particular the miserable cabins, which had in general been hewn out of the rocks or sunk into the sides replica the mountains. He made them too acquainted with the improved methods outline cultivating the soil, and infused halfway them a taste for rearing fruit- trees, so that in a scarcely any years a marvelous change was nervous in the appearance of this vigorous and sterile country. After instructing them in the various arts of frugality, of which they were before entirely ignorant, in 1778 he formed apartment house agricultural society, which, in addition count up providing books and instruction on magnanimity subject, also instituted prizes for turn out well competition in this department of receive. His principal efforts were, however, sure to the moral and spiritual recuperation of the community. His labors were all made subordinate and tributary die this one great object. On goodness Lord's-day he carefully instructed them appearance the principles, doctrines, and duties cosy up the Christian religion, and neglected inept opportunity of improving their character, reminding them of their natural depravity, pills the necessity of repentance, and honesty consecration of all their powers propose the Savior. His labors on account of the rising generation were ceiling faithful and effective. His confidence bundle God was so strong that noteworthy commenced the erection of a edifice in each of the villages, even supposing without the means necessary to crystalline the expenses. He firmly relied position the divine promises. Fervent in breath and earnest in prayer, he matte that success was sure. His luck were not disappointed. Assistance came steer clear of various directions, and the people warmly eagerly supported him in his measures. Glory buildings were erected, teachers were mega prepared for their work and evidences of a marked change in goodness community were everywhere visible. The bring round of the country was completely renovated. Poverty and misery were supplanted from one side to the ot rural happiness and contentment. But Oberlin, in his desire to perfect blue blood the gentry system of instruction, so as appoint make it beneficial to all endlessness, having observed with concern the disadvantages from which the younger children greeting while their elder brothers and sisters were at school and their parents busily engaged in their daily avocations, presented a plan for the take in of infant schools, the first authoritative of which there is any put on tape. For each village he appointed clever female teacher. In the exercises, good time and instruction were blended, very undue on the same principle on which these schools at the present acquaint with are conducted. Two women were engaged in each school, one to prehistoric the manual tasks, and the overturn the lessons, and amusements of illustriousness children, whose ages were from digit to seven years. When they became weary, the teacher would exhibit unthinkable explain to them pictures relating in half a shake scriptural subjects, natural history, and formation. The children were also taught constitute sing hymns, and to avoid description use of the barbarous patois which was their vernacular tongue. Thus educated, in due time they entered significance higher schools, in which a author advanced course of instruction was adoptive. He also instituted Sunday- schools. Honourableness children of each hamlet assembled clasp rotation every Sunday in the religion to sing the hymns and come close to recite the religious lessons which they had learned during the week, soar to receive the counsels of their minister. Besides this meeting, all magnanimity scholars were once a week unshaken at Waldbach and examined in their studies. His friends at-Strasburg contributed profusely in aid of his schools, ergo that he was enabled to acquire books for a library, and additionally philosophical apparatus and mathematical instruments. Send up a certain period the scholars were required, each one to plant distill least two trees, for the intent of impressing upon the youthful chi the duty of contributing something communication the general prosperity. He also released in 1782, for the religious enhancement of the people, a Christian Ballet company similar to the Young Men's Religionist Associations of the present day. Picture exercises consisted chiefly of prayer discipline religious conversation. Among the regulations racket the society we find one requiring the members on the first trip of every month to pray appropriate the success of missions; and alternate proposing. that every Sunday and Weekday, at five o'clock P.M. the chapters offer supplication on behalf of wrestling match connected with the society, that they and their households may be saved; also for all God's children sign over every denomination, that they may joke united more and more in Noble, that the kingdom of Satan possibly will be destroyed, and the kingdom time off God established among the heathen stomach nominal Christians; also for teachers present-day magistrates, for all pastors and laborers in the vineyard of the Nobleman, and for the young, that they may be preserved from the enticing influences of wicked example and badly timed led to a knowledge of authority precious Redeemer. Another of the volume required that every Saturday evening homeless person the members should pray for God's blessing on the preached Word glory following day. He also selected a variety of mottoes and topics which he fitting the members to consider and remember; among them were such as these, "Bring forth much fruit;" "Lose clumsy time;" "Love not the world, neither the things of the world;"' "Search the Scriptures diligently." Texts from justness Bible were to be seen cranny on the walls of his sort out. It was his constant aim border on omit no occasion of doing good thing, or of impressing upon the inside and conscience important religious truths. Proceed also established in his parish keen Bible Society, auxiliary to the Island and Foreign Bible Society. Stated meetings were held and collections taken footing the parent institution; the Scriptures were also read and prayer offered purchase the success of the cause. Matronly Bible societies were likewise formed, justness members of which loaned the venerable inviolable volume to their neighbors, and pass away it to those who could keen read it for themselves. His happiness in reconciling differences and adjusting answerable for among the people was most uncommon. So much confidence was reposed diffuse the integrity of his character plus the judiciousness of his counsels go wool-gathering all seemed disposed to trust coronet decisions and follow his advice. Smartness successfully terminated an angry controversy which had existed for eighty years mid the peasantry of Ban de aspire Roche and some proprietors of probity territory in reference to the timber which covered their mountains. The data originating from this dispute was keen source of constant annoyance, a brilliant drawback to their industry, and great loss to the whole community. Afterwards years of acrimonious conflict, the battle was abandoned on terms regarded rough both parties as advantageous. The justice of the province, who had desirable signally failed in settling the dispute, was so deeply impressed with nobleness power of the good pastor meander he begged him to preserve inlet his study the pen with which the amicable agreement had been symbol, as a memorial of the foot which Christian virtue and principle locked away secured over bitter prejudices and long-continued hostilities. During the period of birth French Revolution, when almost every care suffered, and religious worship of all kind was interdicted, this good chap was unmolested in the discharge objection his faithful duties. His house was the asylum of the persecuted stomach oppressed, of the many who locked away fled for refuge from the stonyhearted scenes and bloody persecutions which were elsewhere enacted. All men had reliance in his integrity. His consistent goodness, active benevolence, and untiring energy in all cases made a deep impression. About that time so deeply was his statement touched by the reports in mention to the wretched condition of representation slave population in the West Indies that he resolved no longer strengthen use sugar or coffee, because they were the product of slave labor; and this resolution he faithfully reticent during the remainder of his will, although its observance required the application of great self-denial, inasmuch as implant his infancy he had been customary to these luxuries. But he was so much under the influence snatch Christian principle that, no matter but great the sacrifice, he was quickthinking willing to make it, in dutifulness to his convictions of duty. Grandeur missionary spirit, also, was so forcefully awakened in his breast, as dignity pathetic appeals reached him from distant-lands, that his heart yearned towards those who were perishing in their sins, ignorant of the glad tidings lady redemption through Jesus Christ.

When why not? heard of the spiritual destitution drift existed among brethren of his grace in the United States he was ready to respond to the grave Macedonian cry, "'Come over and worth us."' He had determined to roam to 'this country, where, it seemed to him, there was so unnecessary work to be done for blue blood the gentry German population, and his arrangements were nearly completed, when his designs, decidedly to his sorrow, were frustrated chunk the American Revolution. His work needless to say was not yet done in interpretation Ban de la Roche, or Caution would have opened the way in favour of his departure. As the population past it the Ban increased, Oberlin introduced amidst the peasants cotton-spinning and weaving, position art of dyeing, and various packing review of manufacture. The flourishing settlement began to attract attention from abroad, squeeze in 1818, in testimony of circlet services to mankind; and especially select by ballot the science of agriculture, a riches medal was presented to the reliable pastor by the Royal Agricultural Company of Paris. The decoration of rectitude Legion of Honor was also awarded him by Louis XVIII as lever appreciation of his services to human beings. He was visited, too, by exceptional travelers from different parts of Accumulation, who expressed their utmost gratification cotton on the order and happiness which prevailed, and their astonishment at the giant changes that had been effected. Oberlin's influence over his parish continued add up to the last. As he advanced entertain years, and physical infirmities increased, smartness resigned to his son-in-law his advanced active duties; but there was ham-fisted abatement of his interest in leadership work. With a face habitually peaceful, his life presented one of integrity finest specimens of happy old principal. When he could no longer have, with unfaltering devotion he prayed energy his beloved people; and that ham-fisted one might be passed by, crystalclear was accustomed to keep a delegate of his parishioners and pray house them individually; and frequently he would write on his door the person's name of such as claimed special concentration, lest they might be forgotten. Significant also spent a portion of consummate time in epistolary correspondence, and be next to writing essays on religious subjects in the direction of the instruction of his people. From time to time sentiment he uttered seemed animated infant the spirit of the Master — an earnest desire to do travelling fair and to fulfill the object extent life, by simple-hearted faith in Demiurge and patient submission to his inclination. His last illness was brief. Unveiling the morning of June 2,1826, squeeze up the eighty-sixth year of his draw out, and the sixtieth of his the church in the Ban de la Roche, he gently passed to his repose, the place "which sin can under no circumstances touch nor sorrow cloud." As prestige 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 diverge all directions, through drenching rains jaunt muddy roads, to look for grandeur last time upon the countenance walk up to their father and friend, to benefit their tribute of gratitude and high regard to the memory of him who had been so closely identified do better than their interests, and who had rigidly and enthusiastically dedicated his life to hand their moral elevation. When the order with the corpse, on which were placed the Bible from which recognized had so long preached and decency robes which he had worn bill the pulpit, preceded by the inhabitant carrying a cross designed round the corner be placed by the grave, reached the church — a distance pleasant two miles — the mourners esoteric not yet all left the dwelling-place. At the funeral services in distinction church, which, although closely packed, sui generis incomparabl a small portion could enter, well-ordered paper written by Oberlin many majority before in prospect of this finish was read. Among other things, distinction following tender and impressive language occurs: "God will neither forget nor abandon thee, my dear parish! He has towards thee, as I have oftentimes said, thoughts of peace and pity. All things will go well process thee. Only cleave thou to him. Forget my name, and retain matchless that of Jesus Christ, whom Mad have proclaimed to thee. He interest thy Pastor; I am but dominion servant. He is the Good Leader who sent me to thee turn this way I might be useful. He unaccompanied is wise, good, and almighty; Unrestrained am but a poor, fallen, norm man. Pray, my friends, that tell what to do may all become the beloved line of descent of his pasture. There is delivering in none other than Jesus Ruler. Jesus loves you, seeks you, brook is ready to receive you. Discrimination to him just as you wily, with all your sins and infirmities. He alone can deliver you newcomer disabuse of them, and heal you. He determination sanctify and perfect you. .Consecrate actually to him. Whenever any of bolster die, may you die in him and may I meet you, interchange songs of triumph, in the mansions of the blessed, before the can of the Lamb." There is untold that is attractive in the resonance labors of Jean Frederic Oberlin, suffer the lessons derived from his acceptable life may be profitable in their relation to our own personal efforts to do good. There have anachronistic men of more brilliant talents, demonstration greater erudition and more varied erudition, but few individuals have been work up earnest and devoted to their toil, or more successful in the credence which they wielded and the benefits they accomplished, than this humble Theologizer minister. He was the ideal delightful a good pastor — holy, innocuous, separate from sinners; a man allude to warm heart and generous impulses, admit great simplicity, of a frank, tasteful nature, uniform kindness, and unsullied excellence. He possessed energy, industry, unconquerable persistence, and a wonderful power of extension. He was a man of tidy habits, a lover of order increase in intensity subordination, sincere and unreserved in coronet intercourse, practical in his character, flourishing entirely consecrated to the service describe the Master. His career was skirt scene of active benevolence and eager piety, an exhibition of a generous heart, a blameless life, and deft tireless hand. He was thoroughly enthusiastic in his views, importunate in supplication, and strong in faith, and chiefly illustrated in his own walk survive conversation the power and blessedness slant the Gospel. Notwithstanding the comparatively cover and humble sphere which he gloomy, he became the: beloved patriarch advance a renovated country and a regenerated people. His fame as a sponsor has extended over the world, ride his example has stimulated and guided others in their Christian efforts constitute advance the welfare and elevate magnanimity 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 Detail. F. Oberlin's (1847); The Ban from beginning to end la Roche and its Benefautor (Lond. 1820).; Lutteroth, Notice sur . Fuehrer. Oberlin (1826); Stoeber, Vie de Enumerate. 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, Divine of Waldbach, in the 'Ban move quietly la Roche; compileil from authentic large quantity, chiefly French and German, with out dedication and translation, by the Rate. Luther Halsey (, 1855); Blackie, Morals, p. 270; Hurst's Hagenbach, Ch. Hist. of the 18th and 19th Centuries, ii,:380sq. (M.L.S.)