kindness and indulgence hardly to be expressed." Even at a very early age his frequent prayer was, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. O God, teach me to do thy will."

While Oberlin was a student of theology in the university at Strasburg, Dr. Lountz began to attract great attention by his preaching: Oberlin's mother went to hear him, and was so delighted by his powerful manner of proclaiming a crucified Saviour, and remission of sins through his atonement, that she entreated her favourite son to accompany her. Though warned by his superiors not to go, he complied with his mother's wishes, and heard with such delight the truths of the gospel from the lips of Dr. Lountz, that he became a regular attendant on his preaching, and was, without doubt, strengthened in the resolution he had made to devote himself wholly to God.

At the age of twenty he solemnly renewed his baptismal consecration to God, in a written covenant which differs but slightly from the one written by Dr. Doddridge, and recommended by him in his "Rise and Progress."*

"I would now urge you to make a solemn surrender of yourself to the service of God. Do not only form such a purpose in your heart, but expressly declare it in the divine presence.. Do it in express words. And perhaps it may be in many cases most expedient, as many pious divines have recommended, to do it in writing. Set your hand and seal to it, 'that on such a day of such a month and year, and at such a place, on full consideration

After having completed his studies, Oberlin was ordained, but he remained for some years without undertaking any pastoral engagement, either because he did not feel himself as yet sufficiently mature for so responsible a charge, or because no situation offered itself, adapted to the view which he had formed of his own character and suitableness. Like the admirable Fletcher, a man of kindred spirit, who refused to undertake the care of a parish because the emoluments were too large, and the duty was too small, Oberlin wished only for a station where he might find ample scope to be useful: for, having devoted himself to his Master's service, he sought neither worldly distinctions, nor worldly honours, but determined to be actuated only by the specific and prevailing desire of pleasing him, and of living to his glory. During this interval, which lasted from the

and serious reflection, you came to this happy resolution, that whatever others might do, you would serve the Lord.'

"Make the day of the transaction, if you conveniently can, a day of secret fasting and prayer; and when your heart is prepared with a becoming awe of the divine Majesty, with an humble confidence in his goodness, and an earnest desire of his favour, then present yourself on your knees before God, and read it over deliberately and solemnly; and when you have signed it, lay it by in some secure place, where you may review it whenever you please; and make it a rule with yourself to review it, if possible, at certain seasons of the year, that you may keep up the remembrance of it."-Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, chap. xvii, page 343.

The Rev. J. W. Fletcher, rector of Madeley, Shropshire.

year 1760 to 1767, he employed himself in private teaching, and became domestic tutor to the family of the then distinguished surgeon, M. Ziegenhagen, of Strasburg. While in this situation he acquired that surgical knowledge and acquaintance with medicine, which, in his subsequent life, proved so peculiarly useful, and enabled him to render such eminent services to his parishioners.

In the year 1766, the appointment of a chaplaincy in a French regiment was offered to Oberlin, and, as the situation promised to open a sphere of extensive usefulness, he agreed to accept it, and soon afterward left M. Ziegenhagen's employ, and commenced a preparatory course of reading. While thus engaged, the curacy of the Ban de la Roche became vacant, in consequence of M. Stouber's removing to Strasburg. Stouber, knowing Oberlin's piety and zeal, determined if possible to secure him for the vacant post, and with this view repaired to his lodging.

It was a little attic, up three pair of stairs. On opening the door, the first object that caught his attention was a small bed, standing in one corner of the room, covered with brown paper hangings. "That would just suit the Steinthal," said he to himself. On approaching the bed, he found Oberlin lying upon it, and suffering from a violent tooth-ache. He rallied him about the simplicity of his curtains, and the homeliness of his apartment. "And pray," continued he, after having taken a survey round

the room, "what is the use of that little iron pan that hangs over your table?" "That is my kitchen," replied Oberlin; "I am in the habit of dining at home with my parents every day, and they give me a large piece of bread to bring back in my pocket. At eight o'clock in the evening, I put my bread into that pan, and having sprinkled it with salt, and poured a little water upon it, I place it over my lamp, and go on with my studies till ten or eleven o'clock, when I generally begin to feel hungry, and relish my self-cooked supper more than the greatest dainties."

Stouber congratulated him on the happiness of possessing such a contented disposition; and assuring him that he was just the person he wished to find, communicated to him the object of his visit.

Oberlin was rejoiced at the proposition, and as soon as he could obtain an honourable release from the acceptance of the chaplaincy, and had ascertained that there were no prior claimants to the situation, he accepted it. The Ban de la Roche, as a sphere of pastoral labour, was wholly uninviting to any but those who, in singleness of heart, were wishing to forsake all for Christ: Oberlin, therefore, after many earnest prayers that a blessing might rest upon himself and upon the little flock committed to his charge, accompanied his new friend and patron thither, and arrived at Waldbach on the 30th of March, 1767. He was at this time in the twenty-seventh year of his age.

CHAPTER III.

Oberlin's first impressions on reaching WaldbachState of the parish-Improvements needed-Opposition manifested by the peasantry-Correspondence with M. Stouber-Letters from the latter-His marriage-Improvements in the condition of the roads-Agricultural improvements, &c.

ON Oberlin's arrival at Waldbach, he took up his residence at the parsonage house, a tolerably commodious building, formerly occupied by M. Stouber. It had a court-yard in front, and a good garden behind, and stood in a delightful situation, very near the church, being surrounded by steep dells clothed with wood, and rugged mountains, the tops and sides of which were partially covered with pines, and a few other straggling trees.

The first glance which he threw over the mountains destined to be the scene of his ministerial labours, convinced him, that notwithstanding the partial reformation effected by M. Stouber's exertions, neither the necessities of his flock, nor the difficulties which opposed their removal, were of any ordinary kind.

They were alike destitute of the means of mental and social intercourse; they spoke a rude dialect, which was the medium of no external information; they were entirely secluded from the neighbouring districts by the