New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-04


hearts prayer Believe me to be, my dear Dean.
Yours sincerely, n " oAHIoA"'
The Very Rev. the Dean OF Canterbury.
The following report of Prof. A. Tholuck, d. d.,
Halle Germany. ON Evangelical Theology in Ger
many - was read. in the absence of the author, by
the Rev Leopold Wtte of COethen, Prussia, as fol-
lows;
EVANGELICAL, THEOLOGY IN GERMANY.
BY PROP. A. THoLUcK D. d. or nAlLE' 'hRAANi
(Read By he Rev. Leopold Whe)
REVEREND GENTLEMEN: In attempting to read
10 you a short autobiography composed by Dr. IhoueN
for this meeting OF the ngelical Alliance, beg TO
state previously that yet addressed an audi-
ence In tho language spoken in your country therefore
may be allowed to hope that shall meet WIN you,
kind indulgence in overlooking any lmpeficcuohs VI
style or deficiencies of delivery to which foreigner
liable in attempting to express himself In your tongue
I am confident that your courtesy VIII not sruubo INV
that favor.
THoLUCK-sURyEY OF HIS THEOLOGICAL LIFE
Many time eountrymen of yours have asked me,
both by word of mouth and by letter. what Is now
the State OF Christianity and OF Theology in Germany
Many a time this question has been repeated 10 me :"
our synods IN Switzerland, Germany hoi"n"
France and England, and many time. though com
paratively short period had elapsed couiu o"''
give the same answer. only pointing out some peeu
lived friends if the grace of the Lord had granted me
that privilege rather than have sent you hihu
of theological report, would have spoken lroh oa',
TO heart In an assembly where shouiu h"'0 i
Christian brethren who for many years past nave oc
most cordially attached to me- and' aino"Sh I" iV'
eigner yet to many Of you shouid not nav 80 -
strancer-nay some might consider Inc an ola lriohu.
Sincerely deporing as do, that have been dehleu
that qualification beg express my thanks Tor your
kindly allowing 10 send to you dear young rehu
"a INV deputy aud to use him my mouhpece for sub
uniting to you retrospective review of tho develop
mont of German theology in this latter age
1t is tho life of a theoogian l am going to give a
sketch Of the life of who, being thrown together
with high and low, with kings, princes, ambassadors,
scholars and artists has taken part in all the eccesas
teal the Christian, or sometimes rather unchrstian
movements of his age that have been brought about IN
Germany, France, Switzerland, Holland, aud Sweden.
At one time should hardly have thought that it would
be Christian life and theology should once plead for
in my own country, the other side OF the Atlantic
grew up alenated from the Gospel and was far from
intending to devote myself to the study of divinity On
leaving the Gymnasium, when. according TO German
custom. / had to deliver address on any subject
might select myself, L chose 10 lecture on
the superiority" OF the Oriental world over
the Christian. In my school days already
had appledmy to the study OF oriental languages
Thus G was that philOOgy, especially Oriental PHI
loOgy became the center of my course or reading al
the university entered college after the French war;
at time when in Germany. particularly IN Prussia
new spirit OF vital faith had been awakened and had
taken possession both OF the church and OF the hcO
logical science slight traces OF that revival might
be discovered at Bresau. where began studying; but
more distinctly it seen IN Berlin that the gospel
was gaining ground IN the higher circles, and was
strenuousy upheld by the Court There went in 1916
TO continue my studies was introduced into some
circles frequently by superior men who made me ac-
auainted with Christian faith and Christian life. Yet
did | not give up my Oriental researches, but pur-
sued them steadily, without thinking that 1 should
ever pass over to the faculty OF divinity. IL was
trials and Affections that made mo consider 1t
the highest aim Of mans life 10 become q serv-
of Christ In consequence of too hard working be-
gan splitting blood. and was obliged for more than
year 10 interrupt my studies preparatory for an
academical chair. During this time my conscience sug
gested The question unto me- Surprising the end of thy
life had come, wOudst thou be able TO excupate myself
before Him. who has given the knowledge OF His Gospel
not only for promoting science but that thou mghtest
lead Others 10 the bissfu enlightenment that has
been granted thee Then made q vow 10 God within
my SOUL that, If ii pleased Him once more to restore
TO health would devote myself TO another calling than
issionarys life in Eastern countries, resolution
chiefly induced TO form by reading the life Of Martyr
Then it was that having some connection with Sir
encouraged tender my services TO the British and
Foreign Bible Society and offered agency that
society in Malta. Hoping that my st very delicate
state Of health would allow to discharge the duties
Of my office the point OF accepting wheni was
made evident that the Lord designed me for still
higher vocation. renewed attack Of splitting blood
forced me temporarily to renOunce the calling had
fixed upon bot just then the Prussan Government in
quired If should feel inclined to accept assistant
lin In Oriental on
the occasion OF DR.. DeWtte having to resign his chair
in the University OF Berlin.
60 was Unexpectedly removed into the Faculty of
Divinity. About the same time my health restored
and / may be allowed to say that hencefOrward /
adopted for my life the famous motto OF Count lin
zendorf al have but passion, and that is He and
He alOnew To bring back souls to Christ from that
time the daily nay, the hourly problem well as the
10y Of my life. The delivery of lectures the Old and
the New Testaments, well as on the leratures Of
the Orient and the Occident, the composition
Of critical treatises and of popular books Of edi-
fcatiOn. but first Of all the daily intercourse with
tho youth OF the University filed up every hour OF NV
existence And yet my thirst for gaining souls re-
NAMED unquenched. Every day prayed to God that
he might be pleased call me to that place where "A
hundred years before, August H. Francke had built his
orphan asyum and had by his addresses both from the
pulpit and the chair gathered a faithful community
teaching that the first stage the way TO the tree OF
knowledge by the tree Of life What the yearDing
soul of the youth had prayed for in store for the
man yet not TIL after a hard struggle. Having re-
turned from travels to England and Holland which the
lberaty OF our Government had enabled me under
take for scientific purposes was called upon to III the
chair Of Prot Knapp at Halle, lately deceased. In
spite OF many sacrifices my heart had 10 make joyfuy
acceded to the proposal It would be out Of place TO
give here a detailed account OF all the theological
schools that from the time Of the Reformation had
been founded within, based upon, the German
Church, and had contributed TO bring about
that state Of things which found existent when re-
moved TO Halle To the members OF this assembly Il ia
universally known how lifeless orthodoxy had
throughout the seventeenth century been predominant
in German churches and universities; how Spencer that
man OF faith and inward Christian life, was grnced 70