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TESTIMONY OF THE CELEBRATED OBERLIN. 159
always connected with something heavenly, and ascribed
to the goodness of our heavenly Father ; in this manner
Oberlin connected the concerns of earth with the realities
of heaven, and brought down a celestial influence into the
common duties of life.
"The day after my arrival was the Sabbath, and I
anticipated much pleasure in hearing the venerable pastor
address his flock. He preached in French ; his discourse
was characterized by simplicity and warmth. He almost
invariably called Jesus his heavenly Father, which struck
many as a peculiarity not common with Christians in
general, but I well knew how he had contracted this habit
of addressing the object of his supreme love and worship.
From the work On Heaven and Hell, he had clearly
seen, that no other is acknowledged throughout heaven
as the Divine Father than the Lord Jesus Christ alone,
for he that seeth him seeth the Father.’ The church
was full, and humility and devotion seemed impressed
upon every countenance. He addressed them like a
father addressing his children, and often called them his
chers enfants, his beloved children. He said he had
baptized nearly all of them, and, as infants, had taken
them in his arms ; and they, when the service was over,
assembled around him, and called him papa, inquiring
after the health of himself and his family. They also
testified their regard and their gratitude by sending him
.
various presents the first flowers of the spring, the first
vegetables and fruits of the garden, were presented to the
beloved pastor, thus reciprocating the sweetest affections
of the mind by external emblems of gratitude and love.
How delightful, I thought, it is to be a pastor, when this
sweet spirit of reciprocation exists ! where the minister,
in his anxiety and labour to perform the arduous duties
of his office, is soothed and strengthened, not only by
the consciousness, depending on divine mercy and as
sistance, of having endeavoured to do what he could for
the instruction and salvation of his flock, but by the
sweet reciprocation of acknowledgment and affection.
66
I afterwards was eager to embrace the opportunity of
enjoying some conversation with Oberlin on the spiritual
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