, professor of logic and metaphysics at GreifewaJd, was born in that town,
, professor of logic and metaphysics at GreifewaJd, was born in that town, Feb. 19, 1710,
and died there, March 1, 1791, after having enjoyed considerable fame, from his learning, zeal, benevolence, and
love of truth. His father was a poor shoe-maker, but by
extreme ceconomy his son was enabled to pursue his studies at Greifswald, and afterwards at the university of Jena.
He became the founder of the society or order of the Abelites, the object of which was the promotion of candour
and sincerity. His favourite maxim was, “Give every
thing on which you are immediately engaged, be it ever
so trifling, all the attention of which you are capable.
”
He thought he had discovered that want of attention is
the source of lukewarmness in the cause of virtue, and the
great promoter of vice; and imputed his attachment to the
duties of his office and of religion, to his constant observance of the above rule. His principal works are:
1. “Brontotheologie,
” or pious meditations on the phenomena of thunder and lightning, Greifswald, 1745, 8vo;
translated into Dutch 1747. 2. “Reflexions on the Augsburgh Confession,
” eight parts in Z vols. Sermons
” and
“Philosophical Dissertations.
” In those which he published in