DISCOURSE I. FRED. AUG. GOT. THOLUCK, 1 D. THE University of Halle was founded in 1694, and has embraced, since 1816, that of Wittenberg which was merged into it with its stipends. Formerly each professor lectured in his own house; but in 1834 the king built an imposing edifice for that purpose in the new part of the city. A large library, various museums, an anatomical theater, chemical laboratory, botanical garden, and observatory, complete the literary apparatus. Some of the lectures are still delivered in Latin. The theological department is the most prominent, and is closely interwoven with the history of German Protestantism. It numbers more ordinary theological professorships, and theological students, than any other University Ir the winter of 1854 to '55 the whole number of students was six hundred and sixty. of whom three hundred and seventy-eight were theologians. During the former half of the last century Halle was the principal seat of the pietism of Spener and Franke; but from the time of Semler, the father of German Neology, it fell into the hands of Rationalism, as represented by the celebrated Hebrew scholar, Gesenius, and the didactic divine Wegstheider; from which it is now, however, most happily retrieved. And it is here, in this venerable University, that Professor Tholuck has lectured for the last forty years, and won for himself a lofty distinction. Dr. Frederic Augustus Gottreu Tholuck, was born at Breslau, the capital of Silesia, on the 30th of March, 1799; so that he is now a little short of sixty years of age. Like the great majority of distinguished scholars, he is of poor and humble descent. He labored for some time as a jeweler, in Silesia, an occupation which his father intended he should follow. But some benevolent friends furnished him the means to satisfy his noble ambition and ardent thirst for knowledge, in the gymnasium of his native city, and subsequently in the University of Berlin. He studied day and night to such an excess that he undermined his health, and has had ever since to suffer the bitter consequences. He had naturally a strong inclination to skepticism and pantheism. It is even reported that in a sophomorical college speech, he maintained in a public thesis the superiority of Mohammedanism to Christianity. But the experience of sin and grace in his heart, the intercourse with Neander and other pious men, and the study of the Scriptures saved him from the whirlpool of infidelity. He was awakened in his twentieth year as a student in Berlin, cotemporaneously with his friends, Julius Müller, Rothe, and Olshausen, who became subsequently distinguished divines. He gives, himself, a spirited and interesting account of the internal conflicts through which he passed, in his youthfus work, "Sin and the Redeemer" (first published in 1825), which in its various editions has done much good among the students. The conversion of Tholuck determined his call to the science of theology; and immediately after completir g his three years' course at the University of Berlin, he became one of the private teachers, succeeding the celebrated De Wette, with the title of Professor Extraordinarius. At the time of assuming this elevated chair (1819), he was but twenty years of age. Here he devoted himself, at first, with special zeal to the study of oriental languages and literature, and wrote, when quite a youth, from Arabic, Persic, and Turkish manuscripts, a learned volume, De Surffismo Persarum, or the mystic theosophy of the Persians. His mental precosity was remarkable. He was but twenty-two years old, when he published his "Hints for the Study of the Old Testament," and but twenty-three when he wrote his "Treatise on the Nature and Moral Influence of Heathenism;" an article which Gesenius pronounced the ablest which he had ever seen on the subject. He was but twenty-five years of age, when he published his "Commentary on the Romans;" which has passed through several editions in Germany, and has been translated into English, for the “Edinburg Biblical Cabinet." De Wette, though far from evangelical in his sentiments, pronounced this Commentary superior to any that had preceded it on the same Epistle. Besides these works, Professor Tholuck has since published numerous others; some of which are his "Practical Commentaries on the Psalms," "John's Gospel," and the "Epistle to the Hebrews." He has also, from the first, written very largely for the leading religious periodical literature of Germany. In 1839, he was favorably introduced to American scholars, by a sketch of his life, and several sermons, in the "Selections from German Litera. ture," by Professors B. B. Edwards, and Edwards A. Park. Dr. Knapp, Professor Ordinarius of Theology at Halle, having died in 1825, Tholuck was appointed in 1826, when but twenty-seven years of age, the successor of that distinguished theologian. His appointment was violently opposed by the Rationalists, at that time decidedly the most numerous as well as the strongest party at that seat of learning. He was scouted, hated, and ridiculed as a pietist, mystic, fanatic, radical, etc. But he persevered, and God has most richly blessed his labors, He has remained in his post ever since, with the exception of a short residence at Rome, in the capacity of a chaplain of the Prussian embassy; and mainly through nis influence, a revolution has been wrought in Halle, at least as far as theology is concerned. Rationalism has entirely disappeared from the theological faculty, and there is not one among its present ordinary professors (Tholuck, Müller, Moll, Hupfeld, Jacobi), who may not be regarded as orthodox in essential points, and evangelical in sentiment. In personal appearance, Dr. Tholuck is said to be almost as modest and unprepossessing, although not so original and startling, as the late Dr. Neander. He has a delicate frame, is of middle size, strongly bent forward, meager and emaciate‹, extremely nervous and irritable, and at times almost blind in consequence of excessive study. Hence he needs always the assistance of an amanuensis in reading and writing. But the format on of his noble forehead, and the expression of his face are highly intellectual and spiritual, and his voice is deep and solemn. He has never had any children. His first wife died of consumption soon after their marriage. His second wife, now living, is the daughter of Baron von Gemmingen, an esteemed nobleman of Stuttgart (originally of Muhlhausen in Baden). One of the most striking and lovely traits of his character is his warm attachment to students. He loves them like a father. He can not live without them. He rot only invites them freely to his house and table, but is almost invariably surrounded by two or three of them on the promenades which he is obliged to take for the benefit of his health, twice a day-before dinner and supper-in spite of rain and mud in muddy Halle. His free conversations in his peripatetic style are often more interesting and suggestive than his lectures. His object is not to make disciples and convert them to a particular system-for he himself can hardly be said to have a system—but to rouse their slumbering faculties, and to put them on the track of independent research. He instructs by his extensive information, entertains by his wit, wins by his affections, and edifies by his piety. Not unfrequently he exercises the students by odd and startling questions on remote and curious topics, in German, French, English, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, or any other language whi sh they may understand.* Dr. Tholuck has the reputation of an admirable teacher and lecturer, fresh, interesting, and instructive, and free from that tiresome pedantry and endless "Grundlichkeit," which characterize so many German scholars. He uses notes, and frequently dictates, but branches out into explanatory remarks and happy illustrations from all departments of knowledge and experience. He is also one of the most eloquent pulpit orators of Germany. He preaches every other week to the members of the University of Halle, and occasionally as guest on his vacation trips. His sickly, but spiritual and solemn appearance, the earnestness of his manner, the lightning flashes of his genius, his striking rhetorical transitions, and his deep religious experience, impart to his sermons, of which several volumes have been pubished, a high dgreee of impressiveness. The chief peculiarities of his discourses, are, a remarkable elevation and richness of evangelical sentiment; an absence of all display ‹f learning, of abstruse thought, and long continued argument (altogether common to the Germans); a liveliness and exuberance of fancy; vigor, sprightliness and boldness of expression; and a peculiar fervor, and tenderness, and childlike simplicity, which warm and attract every pious heart. His sermons are generally written, but not read; trusting to extemporaneous impulse, beyond what he is able to retain by their careful perusal previous to delivery. His pulpit address is said to be animated but not boisterous; neat, but not fastidious. Application was made to Professor Tholuck to indicate his pleasure in regard to a discourse for this work. He stated, in reply, that it was difficult so far to objectify one's self, as to select wisely from his own productions; but nevertheless, made his specification with sufficient minuteness; which of course, we have been careful to regard. It is translated from Vol. iv., of his Discourses, 2d edition, Halle, 1847; and is the first of a series entitled "Biblische Gemälde," etc.; or "Biblical Pictures" (representations), drawn from Passion and Easter week. The theme is fresh and original, and the discourse contains some fine thoughts. Toward the close especially, the preacher waxes warm, and becomes truly eloquent. Professor Tholuck was also kind enough, at our request, to refer to a likeness taken when in his prime, which has been forwarded from Berlin, and from which the accompanying portrait is engraved. * For many of these particulars, we are indebted to the Rev. Philip Schaff, D.D., te whose published letters on several of the German divines, especial obligations, in the prep aration of these sketches, are here acknowledged. |