OBERLIN, ,V1):1 ', JEAN Fttf:DEntc (1740 An Alsatian Lutheran clergyman and philanthropist. He was born at Strassburg. and studits1 at the gymnasium and nniversity of his native place. After finishing his theological stud ies he was ordained to the ministry. lint for sev eral years before entering upon its work lie gave private instruction in the family of a physician, from whom he aequired considerable medien1 knowledge. In 1766 lie was appointed chaplain in the French Army, lint was deterred from entering upon his chilies by an appointment in the following year as pastor of Ban-de-la Roche (Steinthal), a barren district on the bor ders of Alsace and Lorraine. Oberlin undertook the mission as the call of duty. and during the sixty years of his ministry wrought great changes in the charneter and condition of the people. His intelligence was superior, his will inflexible. his figure commanding. and in spite of opposition his courage as well as kindness finally won the day. gave speeial attention to improving the material condition of the people, himself leading in the work of building roads and bridges. Ile introduced improved agricul
tural methods, sent some of the more intelligent young men to Strasshurg to learn trades, and opened schools. Three Sabbaths lie preached in Freneh. the fourth in German. Ile created a patriarchal government in its purest form. put to practical use his knowledge of medicine. and founded a bank for lending money without in terest or security. An enemy of the-aristocracy and clergy, lie looked with favor on the French llevolution. The Steinthal became an asylum of refuge for many who lied to escape scenes of violence elsewhere. Outside his little canton he admiring friends. Oberlin College (q.v.) in ()hiss was named for him. His life has been written many times: IT Strither (Strass burg, 1831) ; Bos-mann (Stuttgart, 1855; 3 ed. 1879) ; Hackensehmidt (Strassburg, 1902) ; and in English by Josephine Butler (London, 1882).