OF this most eminent Christian scholar of the nineteenth century,
_The Tribune_ furnishes the following brief sketch. "The name of
JOHANN AUGUST WILHELM NEANDER is familiar to a large number of our
countrymen, both on account of his important contributions to the
science of theology, and his personal intimacy with many of our
eminent scholars, who have enjoyed the benefit of his instructions,
or who have made his acquaintance while pursuing their travels in
Germany. Although he had attained a greater age than might have been
anticipated from his habits as a confirmed invalid, being in his
sixty-second year, his decease cannot be announced without causing an
emotion of surprise and regret to a numerous circle who recognized in
him one of the most faithful and conscientious Christian teachers of
the present day.
"NEANDER, as it is well known, was descended from Jewish parents,
by whom he was instructed in the rudiments of religion, and at a
subsequent period of life became a convert to the Christian faith, by
personal inquiry and experience. He was born at Göttingen, in 1789,
but passed a considerable portion of his youth at Hamburg, where he
was initiated into the rudiments of a classical education. After he
had made a profession of Christianity, he continued his studies for
a short time at the Universities of Halle and Göttingen, returned to
Hamburg, and finally completed his University career at Heidelberg.
The following year he was called to the University of Berlin, as
Professor of Theology, where he soon gave promise of the brilliant
eminence which he has since attained. His first publications were
on special topics of ecclesiastical history, including treatises on
'The Emperor Julian and his Age,' 'St. Bernard and his Age,' 'The
Development of the Principal Systems of the Gnostics,' 'St. Chrysostom
and the Church in his Age,' and 'The Spirit of Tertullian,' with
an 'Introduction to his Writings.' These treatises are remarkable
monuments of diligence, accuracy, profoundness of research and breadth
of comprehension, showing the same intellectual qualities which
were afterward signally exhibited in the composition of his masterly
volumes on the history of the Christian Religion. His earliest
production in this department had for its object to present the most
important facts in Church history, in a form adapted to the great mass
of readers, without aiming at scientific precision or completeness.
This attempt was eminently successful. The first volume of his
great work entitled 'General History of the Church and the Christian
Religion,' was published in 1825, and it was not till twenty years
afterward that the work was brought to a close. The appearance of this
work formed a new epoch in ecclesiastical history. It at once betrayed
the power of a bold and original mind. Instead of consisting of a
meager and arid collection of facts, without scientific order, without
any vital coherence or symmetry, and without reference to the cardinal
elements of Christian experience, the whole work, though singularly
chaste and subdued in its tone, throbs with the emotions of genuine
life, depicting the influence of Christianity as a school for the
soul, and showing its radiant signatures of Divinity in its moral
triumphs through centuries.
"His smaller work on the first development of Christianity in the
Apostolic Age is marked by the same spirited characteristics, while
his 'Life of Jesus' is an able defense of the historical verity of
the sacred narrative against the ingenious and subtle suggestions of
Strauss.
"The writings and theological position of NEANDER have been fully
brought before the American public by Profs. ROBINSON, TORREY,
McCLINTOCK, SEARS, and other celebrated scholars who have done much to
diffuse a knowledge of the learned labors of Germany among intelligent
thinkers in our own country. NEANDER was free from the reproach which
attaches to so many of his fellow laborers, of covertly undermining
the foundation of Christianity, under the pretense of placing it on a
philosophical basis. His opinions are considered strictly evangelical,
though doubtless embodied in a modified form. In regard to the extent
and soundness of his learning, the clearness of his perceptions,
and the purity and nobleness of his character, there can be but one
feeling among those who are qualified to pronounce a judgment on the
subject.
"NEANDER was never married. He was the victim of almost constant ill
health. In many of his personal habits he was peculiar and eccentric.
With the wisdom of a sage, he combined the simplicity of a child. Many
amusing anecdotes are related of his oddities in the lecture-room,
which will serve to enliven the biography that will doubtless be
prepared at an early date. We have received no particulars concerning
his death, which is said to have been announced by private letters to
friends in Boston."
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