CHAPTER VIII. 

 KrRAi. Upi-ift Elsewhere. 



One of the instructive historical instances of success- 

 ful grapplinij with the problem is found in the work of 

 John Frederick Oberlin in the Ban de la Roche, in 

 Alsace. 



True, in this case the chief factor in the present situ- 

 ation, the farmer entering into the industrial world, was 

 lacking; yet the principles employed l\v Oberlin apply 

 to-day. A man of genius, with a thorough and compre- 

 hensive education, of good birth and standing, he was 

 led through deep religious consecration to accept the 

 pastorate of Walder.sbach in the Ban de la Roche, de- 

 clining a chaplaincy in a French regiment to do so. The 

 parish was a small one of about one hundred families ; 

 the people spoke a patois which could be the means of no 

 external information ; they were without means of edu- 

 cation, and were sunk in poverty. There were no 

 bridges whereby conmiunication could Ik? carried on 

 with the outside world, but stepping-stones only over the 

 rivers. Here Oberlin spent his life, <lying beloved by 

 his people, honored by his count rv and the world. He 

 saw that to Kuc<'ced in religious work he must build up 

 the commiinity in every way; and e(»mbining alTection- 

 ate diligence in the pastorate with spiritual preaching, 

 he added to tlu-se resolute and wise endeavor to promote 

 ediM-afion an<l prosperity, lie began with the school ami 

 followed up with economic betterment. Having been a 



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