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 works from which such parts as are not original are chiefly translated or taken, are Mr. Wilks's little narrative, entitled "The Ban de la Roche and its Benefactor;" M. Lutteroth's "Notice sur Jean Frédéric Oberlin," already alluded to; the same work in German, with additions, by M. Krafft; " Promenades Alsaciennes, par M. Merlin;" and " Rapport fait à la Société Royale et Centrale d'Agriculture, par

* Although the names of the Rev. Daniel Wilson, Dr. Macbride, and William Allen, Esq., may not have been so particularly mentioned, the editor trusts they will accept the assurance of her grateful thanks, for their kindness in the loan of books and journals for reference.

M. le Comte François de Neufchâteau, sur l'agriculture, et la civilisation du Ban de la Roche."

The editor can scarcely suppose that any one will peruse 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 labours of love which, for a period of fifty years, were crowned with such signal success, without feeling an earnest desire that the benefit of those labours should, if possible, be extended and continued.

The difficulty of obtaining a pastor equally zealous in the discharge of his ministerial functions; equally distinguished for his singular benevolence; and equally devoted to the task of diffusing among a remote and unenlightened people the Gospel of peace and salvation, may lead many persons to suppose this impracticable; and so it undoubtedly is to a certain degree. His schools, however, which upon abundant evidence have been productive of the greatest

good, might be carried on, provided funds sufficient for their support could be obtained. During his life time several of them, especially the écoles à tricoter, were under the superintendance of conductrices, who either voluntarily devoted themselves to the task of instruction, or were salaried at his own expense. They are gone, with their beloved and revered pastor, to their eternal rest, and hired persons must now be employed in their place. This involves the necessity of an increase of funds beyond the means of a poor and isolated parish; and the principal end that the editor has in view, in the publication of this Memoir, is the hope that the emoluments arising from its sale, will enable her to contribute towards a subscription, already set on foot, for the purpose of forming establishments in the Ban de la Roche in commemoration of Oberlin's exertions, and on a similar plan to the schools he originally founded. It will also, she trusts, make the subject more generally known. The following extract, translated from the Compte rendu des souscriptions recueillies," will explain the nature of these intended establishments.

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After having spoken of the sepulchral monument, erected to his memory in the parish church of Waldbach, the writer of the article in question continues:

"We must now refer to the subscriptions set on foot for a charitable foundation, bearing the name of OBERLIN.

"We were, for a long time, undecided in our opinion respecting the best manner of employing the funds already collected. The example of our deceased friend, who always preferred utility to display, and the advice of some of the best informed inhabitants of the Ban de la Roche, who are extremely anxious to promote the institution of conductrices, have at length enabled us to come to a determination. It is to the enlargement and completion of this admirable institution, conceived at first by the late M. Stouber, and organized and brought into activity by Oberlin, that we intend to appropriate the funds already collected, and what may be in future received. For it is to this institution that that love of order and industry, those

feelings of filial and fraternal piety, and that religious spirit by which the present generation in this interesting country is distinguished, are chiefly owing. We think, therefore, that no monument can be more worthy of bearing the name of our late excellent pastor than an institution, in which he was so particularly interested, upon an enlarged scale. For the information of our readers we will give a slight sketch of this institution. In each of the five villages and three hamlets entrusted to Oberlin's pastoral care, he placed a person of mature age, whom he denominated a conductrice. It was her duty to assemble together all the children of the village, under seven years of age, once a week, for three or four hours, and to give them instruction. Having been herself previously initiated, through the kind assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Oberlin, in the branches of knowledge best adapted to the purpose, she taught the children by turns whatever appeared most suited to their respective age and capacity. The elder boys were taught to card wool and cotton, and the girls to spin, sew, and knit; even the youngest children were employed in