but let this superintendence be wise, prudent, gentle, kind, and engaging, and whilst it leads you to take part in their amusements, and to direct, animate, and enliven them, let it also restrain them within due bounds. Whatever it costs you, God will restore it a thousand fold."

6

"May 29, 1803.

"And the Lord said unto Cain, where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not; Am I my brother's keeper?' Gen. iv. 9. The Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother?' Oh, may these words resound continually in the ears of every parent, Father, where is thy son?' Fathers of Belmont! Fathers of Bellefosse, of Waldbach, of Foudai, and Zolbach! Father, where is thy son? In what village; in what house; in what company? How is he employed? It behoves you to be able to answer these inquiries by night and by day; on Sundays and on working-days; wherever you are, and whatever you are doing. You are the guardians of your children; and whether they are employed in work, or in relaxation and amusement, it is your duty to superintend and direct their amusements and pursuits.

"Do it; do it, henceforth, with faithfulness, vigilance, and zeal; with earnest and secret for past

prayer that God may pardon you unfaithfulness, and deliver your sons from the sin and danger into which your carelessness, and want of parental watchfulness, may have This is the desire of

driven them.

"Your papa and minister,

"J. F. OBERLIN."

CHAPTER IX.

OBERLIN'S PASTORAL VISITS

INTERVIEW BETWEEN DR. AND

MRS. STEINKOPFF AND THE CONDUCTRICE OF BELLEFOSSE

THEIR VISIT ΤΟ THE COTTAGE OF MADELEINE KRÜGER;

ALSO TO THAT OF SOPHIA BERNARD -LETTER WRITTEN BY MRS. C. DURING A VISIT TO THE BAN DE LA ROCHE IN THE SUMMER OF 1820-LETTER FROM MRS. RAUSCHER TO THE PARIS BIBLE SOCIETY, CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THE DEATH OF SOPHIA BERNARD, &c.-AMOUNT OF THE SUMS RAISED AT DIFFERENT TIMES AT WALDBACH, IN SUPPORT OF VARIOUS CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

Ir was not in the pulpit alone that Oberlin sought to make known the truths of the Gospel; he was in the habit of paying pastoral visits to all the cottages in his parish; of conversing with their inhabitants on the subjects connected with their eternal welfare, and upon the various plans adopted by benevolent individuals in different parts of the world for the dissemination of religious knowledge.

In the hope of advancing their moral and spiritual welfare, he kept a book in which he made private memoranda respecting their various states, a task for which the insight he obtained into their respective characters, during his frequent visits, peculiarly qualified him. Amongst other heads in the book were "Idlers" and "Bad Managers." The Ten Commandments also furnished him with many distinct heads, under which he made remarks upon the state of his congregation, particularizing the conduct of such persons as he deemed reprehensible, that he might be the better able to adapt his discourses to their edification.

The affectionate manner in which he entered into familiar conversation with them upon such subjects as the diffusion of religious knowledge, the conversion of the heathen, and the exertions of God's devoted servants in bearing to others the "unsearchable riches of Christ," seldom failed to gain their attention, and to awaken in their hearts the warmest interest, whilst it had, at the same time, a most happy effect upon their manners, inducing, in some of the poor women particularly, a refinement and softness

not often met with in persons of the same class, entirely free from pride, awkwardness, forwardness, or grossièreté. The following anecdote is a pleasing illustration of these remarks.

During Dr. and Mrs. Steinkopff's visit to the Ban de la Roche, in 1820, they one day took a walk up the side of the mountain with Mr. Graff. The little path they were following, led to Bellefosse, whither they were going, to pay a visit to Madeleine Krüger, one of the exemplary poor women of that village. Many peasants had bowed to them as they passed, with an air of courtesy, and the women had addressed them with "J'ai l'honneur de vous saluer, Madame," making at the same time a curtsey that would not have disgraced an English drawing-room. In the middle of a wood, through which the road led, they met a peasant, simply attired, with a pleasing open countenance, and a basket at her back. "Madame," said she, addressing Mrs. Steinkopff, "J'ai l'honneur de vous saluer," and a most profound curtsey accompanied her words.

"Good morning! I am rejoiced to have