The Press., 1886-02-04
FATHER OBERLIN.

John Frederic Oberin was born at Strasburg, August 31, l7i0.
 He was q young man of eminent talents and a well cultivated mind, having the benefits of liberal education. A promis. ing future lay before him, and various positions of honor and profit might have been his but he chose for his llfe's work l-a field of labor where few would have felt called to go. .....
 In the northeast of France was q cold, barren region, shut in by mountains from the rest of the country, and inhabited by Il rough and ignorant people. This coun- try, now called Alsace-Louaine, was ceded to Germany in 1871.
 To this place Oberlin went when young man and spent long life in the service of his Master, md for the good of his fellowmen.
 The people in the hamlets of Bran de la Roche were but little better than savages i; their poor, barren country had been drained of it's population and what little wealth it contained by a thirty years war, and war is the greatest calamity which can beiall any people. They had neither roads nor bridges and their houses were mere huts, affording but a aoor shelter. They were, of course, very ignorant, and in most respects their condition was but little better than tho sheep and swine they tended md on which they depended for their scanty food.
 Oberlin, like wise philanthropist, sought to improve the temporal condition of thls poor people, knowing that extreme poverty and wretchedness are not favor able to piety or moral improvement. But when he talked with them about tilling their land better, making roads and bridges and better homes to live in, they became angry they considered him bold person, who wished to take away their rights, and they determined to pun. ish hlm for it. Oberlin knew of their plots to wnylay md beat him. He preached Q sermon from these words l: "But say unto you that ye resist not evil''-and then went into their midst and gave himself up to them surprised and ashamed, they dId not harm him.
 It is said of him on another occasion, when he had heard of a similar plot, that he preached on the happiness and safety of those who love God, and then took n long journey on foot md alone, thus giv- ing those poor creatures an opportunity to accomplish their purpose but he re- turned safe and unharmed to his home. In this christian manner he gradually overcame ther prejudice and won their affections, and thus began that reforma- tion which has world wide fame. | Oberhn was faithful preacher and missionary to these poor people he taught them to improve their land in better manner, to take proper care of their hocEs and herds, he sent young men to Strasburg to learn trades, and they returned and taught others, so there were skilled mechanics as well as farmers in Ban de la Roche.
 Oberlin lived to see the fruit of his labors. During his life time the popula- tion of Ban de la Roche increased from five hundred to five thousand yet such was the increased fertility of tho soil, and the wealth of the people, that all lived in plenty and comfort. They had become a pious, God fearing people, and the gener- ation who came up after Oberlin went there, seemed different race of beings from their fathers.
 The French revolution occurred during the life time of Oberlin. While many parts of France were scenes of bloodshed and horror, this rocky, retired region of Ban de la Roche was quiet and peaceful, and many fugitive found safety and comfort among this happy, Sabbath low ing people
 Father Ocerlin was pastor at Ban de ln Roche nearly sixty years, having died June l, 1926. How pure aud noble the life of this man compared with many of tho great ones of tho earth, who lived for the qualification of self, and the degrade tion of their fellowmen. EnD l tfnn