Friedrich Philipp Wilmsen

Friedrich Philipp Wilmsen (born February 23, 1770 in Magdeburg ; † May 4, 1831 in Berlin ) was a German Reformed theologian and educator.

Life

The son of the Reformed preacher in Magdeburg Friedrich Ernst Wilhelm Wilmsen (born January 29, 1736 in Halle (Saale); † May 23, 1797 in Berlin) and his wife Henriette Renate, the daughter of the Potsdam court pharmacist Karl Heinrich Marius Harsleben, was the third Child born under 16 siblings. His mother considered him a problem child, as he developed mentally particularly early, which was accompanied by sensitive nerve irritability. The mother was particularly educated and had written edifying essays, which her husband published in homiletic form under the title “Sermons of a Woman”, as did her son in 1812, a book of edification she had collected under the title “The teachings and commandments of the religion of Jesus Christ in proverbs and songs ”, preceded by a preface for his children and grandchildren.

When Wilmsen was seven years old, his father was called to the Parochialkirche in Berlin as the third preacher . During the first year, the father Friedrich and his older brother Karl had private tutors. He took over religious instruction himself according to the rigid form of dogmatics of the time. He offered reading and reading to the ever-growing circle of children who gathered around their father every evening. a. the then published “folk tales” by Johann Karl August Musäus .

In 1778 he and his older brother Karl attended the Berlin grammar school in the gray monastery . Repulsed by the prevailing drill from school life, he made friends with a clockmaker who lived in his parents' house and took care of the bell tower of the Parochial Church. This aroused an interest in mechanics in him, so that Wilmsen decided to become a watchmaker. However, he witnessed how this man was caught and crushed by its mechanism while repairing the church clock. While playing hide and seek in the vaults of the church, he found the body of a soldier who had hanged himself.

Those repulsive events triggered a nervous fever in the emotionally moved boy, which was to accompany him throughout his life. This suffering was exacerbated when he and his brother Karl broke into the ice while skating. While his brother was killed in the event, Friedrich Philipp survived through the courageous intervention of his teacher in the gray monastery of Karl Philipp Moritz . When this teacher, who was important for Wilmsen's development, stopped working at the Gray Monastery, his father sent him to the Joachimsthal Gymnasium . It was there that Johann Heinrich Ludwig Meierotto and Johann Jacob Engel had the greatest influence on his scientific training . It was Engel who gave young Wilmsen an understandable way of writing.

On May 1, 1787 Wilmsen enrolled at the University of Frankfurt (Oder) , a reformed university, to study theology and education. Since he did not like the dry teaching of teaching material there, he broke off his studies after a year and returned home. With a sermon he gave himself, he found courage to resume his studies in theology. In 1788 he moved to the University of Halle , where Johann August Nösselt , August Hermann Niemeyer and Georg Christian Knapp taught at the theological faculty. Here he had also dealt a lot with Christian Fürchtegott Gellert , Johann Caspar Lavater , Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock and Johann Gottfried Herder's works and passed his theological candidate examination.

He then returned to Berlin, where he earned his living for six years at the private school of the school reformer Johann Friedrich August Hartung (1762–1839) and trained his great teaching talent, from which he has since given both oral and written samples. His main concern was to counteract the sluggish mechanism and meandering in the elementary and elementary school system of that time and to pave the way for a freer, more intelligent method. For this purpose he had made contact with other young men who were dedicated to teaching. He was critical of the educational literature. In the lessons that he gradually took over in several institutions, he used what had proven itself.

Even then, Wilmsen came into contact with several educators, especially Friedrich Gedike . His first published work, Preliminary Exercises on Letter Writing for Young People , was published in 1789 at this time . In 1794 he had his letters printed for the promotion of catechetical studies after he had become a candidate for the cathedral church in Berlin. On the side, he had often represented other theologians at their sermons, for which he received a travel grant for Germany and Switzerland. Supported by a church foundation, Wilmsen, accompanied by the later court preacher Friedrich Wilhelm Schregel in Schwedt, undertook a journey through Germany and Switzerland, which he described in a special publication published in 1798.

This trip broadened his knowledge of the world and of human nature, as he came into personal contact with Lavater, Johann Jakob Hess , Heinrich Hirzel (1766–1833), Johann Jakob Hottinger and other prominent figures in the Swiss Reformed Church, among others . He returned to Berlin via Hamburg and Lübeck in 1797. On the way back he was told that his father was dying. When he arrived, his father had already died and so Wilmsen could only attend the funeral. Friedrich Philipp now had the duty to take care of his family, especially his mother.

Immediately after the funeral, the house fathers of the community met and elected him third preacher at the Berlin Parochial Church. After his ordination on March 18, 1798, he was introduced to the office on August 6, 1798. In 1812 he rose to the second and in 1827 to the first pastor of the parish. That time was a fruitful period of literary work for him.

On September 19, 1799, Wilmsen married Wilhelmine, the daughter of the secret war councilor Gottlob Friedrich Zenker, in the Parochial Church in Berlin. From this marriage there were six children, one of whom died at a young age. His son Karl August Friedrich Wilmsen also became a theologian. His eldest daughter Julia Philippine Wilmsen († 1832) married on December 29, 1820 with the then deacon at the St. Moritz Church in Halle Friedrich Christoph Hesekiel .

Act

Wilmsen's favorite pastime was teaching religion to the youth, through which he made a name for himself beyond his fatherland. He devoted particular care to Berlin institutes such as the Luisenstiftung , the Luisenstift and the Kermesser Orphanage. In addition, he achieved a lot as a member of the urban poor management.

Wilmsen gave lessons at the Luisenstiftung. He was also entrusted with the supervision of the hospital and the poor administration of the parochial community and the administration of the Kurmark preacher widow funds. Above all, however, his staff community grew from year to year and required his strength.

The union of the two Protestant denominations to form the Evangelical Church in Prussia in 1817 also celebrated the preachers of the Parochial Church , who were all strictly reformed in the past, on October 31 in the Nicolaikirche with their Lutheran ministers in the communion according to the united rite. At the instigation of Friedrich Wilhelm III. von Prussia , a commission was convened to work out a new common hymn book, which Wilmsen also belonged to for ten years. For this he came every Thursday with the provost Gottfrieb August Ludwig Hanstein (1772–1821), Samuel Marot (1770–1865), Konrad Gottlieb Ribbeck (1759–1826), Friedrich Ludwig Ritschl (1773–1844), Friedrich Daniel Ernst Schleiermacher (1768 –1834), Franz Theremin (1780–1846), August Gottlieb Spilleke (1778–1841) and later with August Neander (1789–1850) to review the songs.

His greatest importance, however, lies in the field of literature, which in his many literary works touched almost all branches of the pedagogy of the time, as well as belonged to the field of practical theology and devotional literature. In his day, they were liked to read and had several editions.

Works

• Preparatory letter writing exercises for the youth, for use in middle schools. Berlin and Stettin 1789, 1813
• Letters to promote catechetical study. Berlin 1794, 2nd vol. Berlin 1798 (also under the title: New letters to promote the study of catechetics, etc. )
• Textbook of geography for beginners in this science. 1st and 2nd half. Berlin 1794–1795. 2nd edition Berlin 1804
• Appendix to the textbook, questions on pleasant and useful repetition of geographic lessons. Berlin 1796
• Materials for teaching geography, an aid for prospective school teachers and private tutors. Berlin 1796
• Small Kinber Library on d. J. 1797. Berlin 1796, (published jointly with A. Härtung)
• Tales of a journey through a large part of Germany and Switzerland in 1796. Berlin 1798
• Acceptance sermon. Berlin 1798
• FP Wilmsen's, third preacher at the Parochialkirche in Berlin (his father's) moral speeches, published after his death, together with a brief description of his life. Berlin 1799
• Collection of exquisite poetic fables and stories for reading and declamation exercises. Berlin 1799, 1810, 1817, 1824
• Instructions for useful German language exercises in examples and tasks for teachers in community schools. Berlin 1799, 1802, 1813, 2nd volume Berlin 1805
• Paperback for the carefully educated youth of the female sex. Berlin 1799–1800, 2nd year.
• The Brandenburg child friend; a reading book for elementary schools. Berlin 1800, 14th edition, ibid. 1824
• Spelling and reading books for elementary schools. Berlin 1801, 13th edition, ibid. 1830
• The German Child Friend, a reading book for elementary schools. Berlin 1802, 2nd part: A reading book for higher middle schools and the lower classes of grammar schools. Berlin 1810 (The second part also under the title: Selected reading pieces from German prosaic sample writings; for the benefit of citizens' schools and the lower classes, etc. ) 19th revised and enlarged edition. Berlin 1812, 1839 ( online )
• Gallery of remarkable and rare animals; an instructive picture book for children. Berlin 1804, with 12 illum. Copper.
• Hymn book for elementary schools; together with an outline of the history of religion and an overview of the biblical writings. Berlin 1805, 1817
• Exercise sheets, or 150 exercises from language theory, earth description, natural history, history and technology; A tried and tested teaching aid in numerous school classes. In addition to a complete explanation of the tasks, as an aid for parents and teachers. Berlin 1808, 2nd edition under the title: Exercise sheets or 200 tasks u, sw Berlin 1809, 1812, 1818
• The Biblical History of the Old and New Testaments for Citizens Schools. Berlin 1809
• Textbook and reading book for daughter schools, published etc. Berlin 1810
• Elio, a historical paperback for the scientifically educated youth. Berlin 1811. (actually 1810), with coppers by Meno Haas.
• Instructions for the appropriate drafting of all written essays that occur in civil life; together with a little scripture theory and the most necessary material for style exercises. Berlin 1811
• The teaching of Jesus in short seats and chants for catechetical teaching. Berlin 1811, 1818
• The earth and its inhabitants. A geographical picture book for young people. Berlin 1812-1815. 3 parts (the 3rd also under the title: Foreign countries and peoples etc. ) With coppers.
• Appendix to the German Child Friend: Prosaic and poetic reading pieces to form the correct and expressive reading tone. Berlin 1812
• The first mind and memory exercises. A handbook for teachers in elementary schools. Berlin 1812, 1817, 1823,
• Preliminary exercises in letter writing. Berlin 1813
• Critical Yearbook of Homiletics and Ascetics. Berlin 1813–1814, 2 vols. (Or 4 booklets.) (Edited together with GAL Hanstein.)
• JF Tiede's conversations with God in the evenings on every day of the year. 9th edition obtained from F. Ph. Wilmsen. Hanover 1813, 2 parts
• The bible friend, or collection of biblical sayings and spiritual songs. In addition to some school prayers and the story of Jesus' passion. An appendix to the Branbenburg Children's Friends. Berlin 1814, (also under the title: The teachings and commandments of the religion of Jesus Christ in proverbs and songs. A book of edification for youth and old age. )
• Ordered material for exercises in spelling and writing; also useful as teaching material. A handbook for teachers in community schools. Berlin 1814
• Hero girls from Rome, Germany and Sweden's prehistoric times. Berlin 1814 ( online ), 1818, 1825
• Man in war, or heroism and greatness of mind in war stories from old and new times. A historical picture book for young people. Berlin 1815. (actually 1814.) With 7 ex. Copper, 1816, 1820
• Gustav's and Malvina's picture school. An educational book for children who are starting to read. Berlin 1815. (actually 1814.) 8. With 15 coppers, 1818, 1826
• The art of teaching. A guide for the ignorant, initially for teachers in elementary schools. Berlin 1815 ( online ), 1818
• The happy families in Friedheim. An entertaining and instructive reading book for boys and girls aged 10-14. Berlin 1815, with ex. Copper, 1824
• The life of Jesus, described by the evangelists, and portrayed in 54 songs by German mastersingers. Berlin 1816, 1826
• Herfilian's Morning of Life, or the youth story of a tested and pious girl. A book for virgins. Berlin 1816, 1822 (actually 1821), 1827
• Sermons on Sunday and feast day gospels by living clergymen for the whole year. Collected and published (with GAL Hanstein) for the benefit of the Luisenstift. Berlin 1817-1820, 2nd vol.
• The reading enthusiast. An instructive and entertaining picture book for boys and girls aged 8-10. Berlin 1817, with 24 woodcut pictures, 1821
• D. Martin Luther, the reformer. To celebrate the Reformation Festival in 1817. For the citizen, farmer and school youth. With Luther's portraits. Berlin (1817)
• Little stories for the nursery. A help book for mothers and teachers. Berlin 1818. With illum. Copper, 1827
• Adolph, Freiberrn v. Etiquette about dealing with people. 9th edition, (obtained from F. Ph. Wilmsen.) Hannover 1817 (1818), 3 parts ( online ), 1823.
• J. SF Nierüse's Guide to Geography for Schools and High Schools. 3rd edition, (obtained from F. Ph. Wilmsen.) Berlin 1818
• Human spirit on the throne and in the people. Picking flowers for the youth to stimulate religious feeling and to practice reading etc. Hanover 1818 With 1st copper.
• Rules of dealing with children; presented practically for parents and educators. Berlin 1818
• Forest and sea; a natural history reader. Berlin 1818, with illum. Copper.
• German reading book for building the mind and heart for school and home. Berlin 1819, 2nd parts (also under the title: Eupbrosine or German reading book for education, etc. ) 3rd edition Berlin 1827
• Eugenie, or the life of faith and love. A soul painting for the soulful of the female sex. Berlin 1819, with 3 coppers, 2nd edition. Berlin 1824
• The beauty of nature, portrayed by German model poets; a natural history reader. Berlin I820, with illum. Copper
• The teacher in elementary school. Leipzig 1821
• Handbook of natural history for the youth and their teachers. Berlin 1821, 3 vols. (Each volume has an allegorical title copper, vignettes and 50 coppers in royal), 1st volume ( online ); 2nd edition with a preface by D. H Lichtenstein and D. Fr. Klug, directors of the zoological museum. Berlin 1831, 3 vols.
• Monument of love, dedicated to the immortalized Probst v. GA L Hanstein from friends and admirers. With his portrait. Berlin 1821
• The rules of the German language, in the example »« and tasks. A handbook for community schools. Leipzig 1822
• Strange mountain trips, sea voyages and adventures of our time. Educationally told to the youth. Berlin 1822
• Preliminary exercises for attention and reflection, a methodical reader for young people. Hanover 1823
• Theodora. Moral Tales for the Female Youth. Berlin 1824, with 1 copper, 1 vignette and 1st music supplement. Berlin 1824, 1831
• Curriculum and course of German language teaching in girls' schools. Berlin 1824
• Weltton und Weltsitte, a counselor for young men and youths when they enter the big world. Hanover 1824, (Also under the title: Adolph Freiherrn v. Knigge on dealing with people. 4th part.)
• Miranda. A select collection of admirable and rare events and phenomena in art, nature and human life. For the youth. Berlin 1825, with 12 illum. Copper.
• Worship in spirit and in truth; in conversations with God on every day of the year. As the 11th revised edition of Sturm's morning hours. Hanover 1826. 2 vol., With 1 copper.
• Jucunde. Forty new stories for children ages 6-10. Years. A help book for mothers and teachers. Berlin 1827 (1826), with 12 illum. Copper. ( Online )
• Benigna or the life of nature; Preschool for natural history; a reading book for the youth and auxiliary book for teachers. Berlin 1827, with illum. Copper.
• Prämienluch for school children, to stimulate hard work and the love of science. Berlin 1827
• Cusevia. Devotional exercises in chants, prayers and meditations for female educational institutions and for family devotions. Berlin 1827, with 1 title copper.
• Apollonia, a collection of exquisite descriptions and stories for instructive entertainment for the inquisitive youth. Berlin 1828, with 12 illum. Copper.
• Historical representations, selected from German sample fonts. Berlin 1828
• Constantia; moral narratives for the female youth. Berlin 1829, with coppers and title vignette
• Pantheon of German heroes. Berlin 1829. With title coppers and vignettes.

literature

• Heinrich Doering : The learned theologians of Germany in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Verlag Johann Karl Gottfried Wagner, 1835, Neustadt an der Orla, vol. 4, p.
• Friedrich August Schmidt: New necrology of the Germans. Bernhard Friedrich Voigt, Ilmenau, 1833, 9th year (1831), 1st part, p. 387, ( online )
• Oskar Ludwig Bernhard Wolff: Encyclopedia of German national literature or biographical-critical lexicon of German poets and prose writers since the earliest times, along with samples from their works. Verlag Otto Wigand, Leipzig, 1842, 7th volume, p. 590, ( online )
• David Niemeyer, HB Wagnitz, JS father: New journal for preachers. Karl August Kümmel, Halle, 1831, 9th episode, 8th part, born in 1831, 1st volume (January to June). P. 246, ( online )
• Georg Christoph Hamberger , Johann Georg Meusel : The learned Teutschland, or lexicon of the now living German writers. Verlag Meyer, Lemgo, 5th ed., 1800, vol. 8, p. 542, ( online ); 1803, Vol. 10, p. 831, ( online ); 1805, Vol. 11, p. 746, ( online ); 1812, Vol. 16, p. 237 ( online ); 1827, Vol. 21, p. 597, ( online );
• Allgemeine Literatur-Zeitung from 1831. CA Schwetschke and Son, Halle Leipzig, 1831, Vol. 5, Sp. 345–348, ( online )
• Association of Scholars: General German conversation lexicon for the educated of every class, with the names of the articles in Latin, French, English and Italian, together with the German pronunciation of foreign words. Verlag Reichenbach, Leipzig, 1841, 2nd edition, 10th volume, p. 805, ( online )
• Marie Sydow:  Wilmsen, Friedrich Philipp . In: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). Volume 43, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1898, pp. 309-311.
• Otto Fischer: Evangelical Pastor's Book for the Mark Brandenburg, since the Reformation. Verlag ES Mittler & Sohn, Berlin, 1941, 2nd volume, 2nd part. P. 968

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Veronika Albrecht-Birkner : Pastor book of the church province of Saxony. Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, Leipzig, 2009, ISBN 978-3-374-02141-3 , Vol. 9, p. 421
2. ↑ * November 7, 1745, died between 1825 and 1831; Carl Wilhelm Otto August von Schindel: The German women writers of the nineteenth century. FA Brockhaus, Leipzig 1825, Part 2, p. 430, ( Online ) & Hamberger-Meusel
3. ↑ * January 10, 1768 in Bielefeld; † August 2, 1833 in Berlin; Son of court preacher Schregel, high school in Bielefeld, University of Halle, 1789 Schwedt castle and court preacher
4. ↑ * December 9, 1805 in Berlin; † March 28, 1883 in Crossen; Gymnasium Berlin Graues Kloster, Uni Halle, Uni Berlin, ord. August 21, 1837 as cathedral assistant preacher in Berlin, 1832 2nd ref. Pastor to Concordia in Landsberg, 1843 1st reformed pastor ibid., 1849-1883 pastor at the castle church in Crossen