be considered the head, is constantly losing ground. (Paulus' Life of Christ, has been certainly published ten years too late, and needed not the protection of a 12 years privilege against a reprint.) On the other hand, the philological School, which is not governed by interest for any theological system, but seeks with as much impartiality for the sense of the New Testament, as can be exercised without the aid of the Spirit of God, and then rejects whatever they consider as inconsistent with reason is gaining followers among the learned theologians every day. Faith is not every man's gift; but thankful acknowledgments are due to those who are laboring to remove the difficulties to its attainment, and who place opposite opinions in their true light. Every body then knows upon what ground he stands, and no one can excuse himself with the plea of ignorance.

Knapp.

THERE are few of the recent Theologians of Germany, more generally known in this country, or more worthy of esteem than the late Professor Knapp of Halle. The following very brief notice of his life derived principally from Bengel's Archiv für die Theologie may be acceptable to some of our readers.-He was born in the village of Glaucha, near Halle, in 1753. His Father was Professor of theology in the university of Halle, where his son was educated in the Royal Pædaigogium and in the school attached to the orphan-house. He followed the usual course of academical study, first at the university of Halle, and subsequently for a short period at Göttingen. He received the degree of Master of Philosophy, 1775, and commenced the duties of a teacher in Halle, in the department of classical literature, and in the course of the same year in the Exegesis of the Old and New Testament. In 1777, he was appointed extraordinary Professor of theo

logy, and in 1782 raised to the rank of ordinary Professor in the same department. He read a two years course of exegetical lectures, embracing all the books of the New Testament, another on theology, and a third on ecclesiastical history. On the death of Frelinghausen he was appointed con-director of the orphan-house in Halle with Dr. Schulze, and subsequently director with the late Chancellor Niemeyer. In 1816 he was made a member of the Royal consis torum for the province of Saxony, in 1817 he received the order of the Red Eagle, 3d class, and on the occasion of his Jubilee, in 1825, that of the second class, with the Oak leaf. As director of the extensive establishment connected with the orphan-house he had particular charge, of the orphan department, the latin school, the Bible institution and its missionary concerns. In regard to the last, his services were peculiarly important. From 1799 to 1925, he superintended the publication of the modern history of the evangelical institutions for the conversion of the heathen in the East Indies. His feelings not permitting him to admit of a public celebration of the 50th anniversary of his course as academical teacher, his numerous friends, the theological faculty, and the public authorities, took occasion to testify in the most unequivocal terms their high respect for his character and services. Among the works dedicated to him on this event, was one by the Chancellor Niemeyer. "A defence of the method of Instruction in Theology, pursued in the German Universities, against severe complaints and plausi, ble objections."

Knapp was one of those few Professors, who, during the long reign of Infidelity in Germany, retained their faith in the doctrines of the Gospel. He pursued a noiseless course, never engaging in controversy which was peculiarly unplea sant to his mild and timid character. He carried his reserve so far, that he seldom or never spoke on the subject of religious doctrines or experience even in his own family. He

manner.

would often, however, retire from the bustle and business of an university town, to the village of Gnadau, a Moravian settlement, about 40 miles from Halle, to spend several days in pious seclusion among this faithful and devoted class of Christians. In his official instructions, however, he uniformly taught and defended the truth, and as his lectures were always numerously attended, his influence in this way was not only salutary, but important. His writings are not numerous, but they are distinguished for their learning, maturity of judgment, correctness of opinion, and elegance of His Scripta varii argumenti, which are extensively circulated in this country, is one of his most important works. His son-in-law, Professor Thilo of Halle, has published since his death, his "Lectures on Doctrinal Theology." This work, from the fact that it is free from the philosophical character, which all recently published systems of this kind have assumed in Germany, has been rather coolly received even by the orthodox, but it is a work replete with valuable matter, particularly of an exegetical character, and is better suited to the state of things out of Germany, than almost any other work of this nature, which the prolific press of that country, has lately given birth to. It is also in contemplation to collect and publish the various articles of a biographical and theological character, which he furnished at different periods to various Periodical Journals.

It is certainly adapted to inspire a very sincere respect for this excellent man, to recall the trying circumstances under which he passed the greater part of his theological life, and the uniformity with which he adhered to the great doctrines of the Bible. He commenced his career, just as the great change in theology throughout Germany began to manifest itself, which carried forward in its course from one stage of defection to another, almost the entire body of theologians throughout the land. To remain firm in adherence to a system rejected and despised-by the learning and rank and whole spirit of the age; to stand almost alone, in his fide

lity to the doctrines of the Gospel is proof enough that he was sustained by what alone could sustain him, a deep convic tion of the truth of these doctrines founded on an experience of their power. It is true that in the early part of his course he was, in some measure, carried away by the example and influence of such teachers as Semler and Michaelis, but this was only for a short period, and to an inconsiderable extent. This is obvious from the fact, that his lectures on theology were written, or at least commenced as early as 1785, and that they were then in all essential particulars such as they were left at the death of their author. Dr. Scheibel says, that it was in the year 1794, that he experienced a decided change in his religious feelings, but his son-in-law, Professor Thilo maintains, that this was not the case, that his intimate connexion with the Moravians, his interest in their missionary concerns and other indications of inward piety are of an earlier date, and that he was in every period of his course a believing and biblical theologian. Such a man, Professor Thilo further remarks, was not likely to be carried away, by the arbitrary method of explaining the Sacred Scriptures which prevailed at that period, nor to subject theology to the constantly changing systems of philosophy. The lengths to which he saw, the rash innovators and improvers in theology, were disposed to go, and the evils which resulted from their reckless spirit tended only to confirm him the more, in his steadfast adherence to the word of God. Such a man is worthy of all honor, faithful amidst general defection, he has the merit of having sustained the severest trial to which a man can well be exposed.

Correspondence from Bavaria.

In this land the most pleasing prospects present themselyes, in relation to evangelical Christianity.-The King declares himself decidedly against Indifferentism and Rational

ism both among the Protestants and Catholics. The most decisive proof of his views, in this respect, is the nomination of the venerable RoтH, as President of the evangelical Consistorium and member of the Council of State; a decidedly evangelical man—already known for his distinguished classical attainments, and as the long continued friend of Jacobi, and the Editor of the works of Hamann. The King knew his character, and is said to have remarked, he wished to give the Protestants, a leader out of the sixteenth century, and could make no better choice for the Catholics.In Erlangen, a Christian spirit is manifesting itself among the students. Professor Kraft continues to labor there with increasingly good effect; he lectures on theology to a class of about sixty, and is heard with the greatest interest; in the introduction to his course, he related how he himself, after a long struggle with infidelity, had at last become a believer. The influence of the Professor of Natural History and Mineralogy Schubert, author of "Altes und Neues aus der höheren Seelenkunde," was also very considerable. He is now removed to the new university in Munich, but has in the Counsellor von Raumer a successor, who pursues the same Christian course. The Homiletisch liturgische Correspondenzblatt, published at Nuremburgh by the Pastor Brand, which advocates the cause of evangelical religion with so much zeal and talent, has a constantly increasing circulation. It is exciting attention and interest even in North Germany, in Bavaria it is read even by the peasants, and many ascribe the newly awakened religious life there, principally to this publication. In Ingolstadt, where Eck, the great opponent of Luther resided, an evangelical congregation has been formed three years since, through the zeal of a few pious officers who were stationed in the place; and to this congregation a pious minister now preaches the word of God.--The university of Munich, already one of the most important and attractive in Germany, presents a great variety of