David Gottlieb Niemeyer

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David Gottlieb Niemeyer (born November 1, 1745 in Halle (Saale) , † February 6, 1788 in Glaucha ) was a German Protestant theologian .

Life

David Gottlieb Niemeyer was born as the son of the archdeacon at the Marktkirche Johann Conrad Philipp Niemeyer (born November 25, 1711 in Petzen, † April 20, 1767 in Halle (Saale)) and his wife Auguste Sophie, daughter of Johann Anastasius Freylinghausen , on November 1 Born in Halle in 1745. His brother was August Hermann Niemeyer . At the age of eight he began his preparatory training at the Pedagogy of the Francke Foundations . There his uncle, the then education inspector Johann Anton Niemeyer, taught him. At Easter 1764 he moved to the University of Halle , where he worked with Johann Georg Knapp , Johann Salomo Semler and Johann August Nösselt , who transmitted a rationalist spirit to his students. In addition to his studies, he was a teacher at an orphanage in Halle. He was so talented as a teacher that he became inspector of the Latin secondary school as early as 1768 .

On Lent Sunday 1774, Niemeyer took a position as a deacon at St. Georgen zu Glaucha. In 1783 he was appointed pastor and his nephew, Gotthilf Anton Niemeyer, became a deacon.

Niemeyer suffered from unstable health for a long time, which is why he lived in seclusion, although he never suffered from serious illnesses. His general weakness made it clear that he would not live long, yet he continued to live normally even shortly before his death. Finally, in early 1788, he delivered his last sermon. Niemeyer died calmly and had not feared death. He had not lost his hard work in the last weeks of his life either. On the morning of February 6, 1788, his symptoms came to a head and he died around 7 a.m. He was buried with his parents in Halle on February 11th.

family

On May 9, 1776 married Niemeyer in Wernigerode Friederike Dorothee, daughter of the pastor of Wernigeroder St. John's Church, Joachim Leonhard Hermes (1713-1786) and his wife Susanne Sophie Hedwig Schmid. The marriage had two sons and two daughters, with one daughter dying early.

review

Niemeyer was considered a hardworking and charitable pastor. In 1786 he bought a special school house, which caused a dispute with three house fathers. He himself modified the liturgy a little. When he read them repeatedly, he interrupted sermons by singing, abolished private confession for his congregation and also wanted to abolish exorcism in the baptismal form. With this innovation, he angered a large part of his parishioners. This ensured that the number of communicants fell sharply under his pastorate .

Niemeyer worked as a theological writer. In addition to larger writings, he wrote occasional works and edited the 9th to the 20th volume of the journal for preachers . In recognition of his writings, he became a member of the “Zurich Ascetic Society” in 1776.

Niemeyer also campaigned for the poor and the needy.

Works

  • To the youth with their confirmation; from English (Hall 1775)
  • On the Growth of Christian Doctrine According to the Needs of Our Time (Leipzig 1778)
  • The best way to set up war and peace sermons (Hall 1779)
  • About bad and bad times; for instruction for unstudied students (Hall 1780)
  • Design of an exquisite library for prospective preachers (Hall 1781)
  • Preacher's library, or descriptive index of the most useful scriptures for preachers and future clergymen (Hall 1782–1784, three parts)
  • Consolation pamphlets for erection for those suffering who mourn the death of their husbands, children and friends (Halle 1783)
  • The worthy picture of the blessed director JG Knapp, presented on the day of the funeral
  • Inaugural sermon delivered in Halle (Nuremberg 1784)
  • Speech at the inauguration of the Glauchische Citizens School (Hall 1787)
  • Church and Reformation history of the city of Halle (Halle 1788)
  • Last sermon before his congregation. Along with a short message about his life and character (Halle 1788)

literature

personal data
SURNAME Niemeyer, David Gottlieb
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German Protestant theologian
DATE OF BIRTH November 1, 1745
PLACE OF BIRTH Halle (Saale)
DATE OF DEATH February 6, 1788
Place of death Glaucha