CHAPTER VIII. 

 RURAL UPLIFT ELSEWHERE. 



One of the instructive historical instances of success- 

 ful grappling 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 by 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 Waldersbach 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 communication could be carried on 

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

 rivers. Here Oberlin spent his life, dying beloved by 

 his people, honored by his country and the world. He 

 saw that to succeed in religious work he must build up 

 the community in every way ; and combining affection- 

 ate diligence in the pastorate with spiritual preaching, 

 he added to these resolute and wise endeavor to promote 

 education and prosperity. He began with the school and 

 followed up with economic betterment. Having been a 



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