ABSTRACT
A significant new project in the cause of public enlightenment was the free distribution to all householders of a new almanac, compiled and published by John Frederic Oberlin. Oberlin's advice concerning the act of installation constitutes an expression not only of his democratic view of the new office, but also of his ideas on the proper mutual relations between citizens and their elected representatives. Oberlin had long ago established the practice of holding weekly meetings with groups of his parishioners. In view of the fact that Oberlin was already actually doing what he here was asking permission to do, namely, giving object lesson instruction in natural history, this document is not entirely innocent of cunning in its phrasing. Oberlin kept abreast of political events by diligently reading the newspapers, which, as always, he shared and discussed with the people.
