taments in the original languages for themselves, and to make written comments upon it; and that they might very thoroughly understand the bible, they were enjoined zealously to study the oriental languages, especially the Chaldaic, Syriac, Rabbinic, Arabic, and Ethiopic. Subsequently, other oriental and many of the modern languages, as well as the philosophical sciences, were included in the sphere of study, and the continued occupation with the Latin language was highly regarded. This collegium was for many years a nursery, in which many very able men were prepared for the service of the church.

Franké's zeal in the formation of good expositors did not, however, confine itself to a comparatively small number of students; but it was his desire, that a solid and edifying exposition of the scriptures should form the basis of the theology of every divinity student; and to this purpose, the collegia biblica established in Hallé, chiefly through his endeavours, were made subservient. These collegia consisted of various small associations of students, who assembled weekly, once, or oftener, at an appointed hour, in order to read through, expound, and apply to their edification some book of the bible, which was not too difficult, beginning with the New Testament. The addresses were given in rotation, yet in such a manner, that those who did not take the lead, after the termination of the address, might add their remarks upon it. Novices in the study of divinity were also exhorted to a diligent attendance upon these meetings, but at first only as hearers; and only when they had acquired the entire confidence of their

1 It was by this Collegium that Michaelis was greatly assisted in the publication of his valuable Hebrew bible.

teachers and fellow-students, were they received amongst the number of those who delivered addresses. Either an academic private tutor, an inspector of the orphan-house, or some other authority presided on the occasion; but the direction was in the hands of the theological faculty.

Notwithstanding his many and various occupations, Franké was still able to devote a few hours every week to private intercourse with those students, who came to him for the purpose of asking advice on any occasion. In his Idea studiosi theologiæ, and his third Lection. paræn. part IV, he expresses himself very willing to receive such visits; and only begs the students not to be offended, if urgent business prevented him from immediately speaking with them, and compelled them to repeat their visit. He also appointed certain hours in the afternoon for this purpose, to which he called their attention, and entreated them, in their visits, to keep in view the object of them.

How much Franké interested himself for the temporal welfare of the students, will be noticed in the subsequent chapter, on the founding of the orphanhouse.

As regards the writings, by which Franké rendered himself useful in his capacity of Professor in Hallé, and which naturally, as well as his lectures, are an additional proof of the biblical and practical tendency of his mind, besides the monitory lectures already quoted, the Collegium Pastorale, which appeared long after his decease, and the Commentatio de scopo librorum Veteris et novi Testamenti, the following especially must be noticed:

1. MANUDUCTIO AD LECTIONEM SCRIPTURÆ SACRÆ.

Una cum additamentis, regulas, hermeneuticas de effectibus et enarrationes ac introductiones succinctas in aliquot epistolas paulinas complectentibus, first published in 1693. Franké, in his preface to this work, terms it "tenuia rudimenta et quasi incunabula hermeneutica sacra."

2. Observationes biblica, or remarks upon some passages of the Holy Scriptures, in which Luther's German version is compared with the original text, and it is modestly shewn, in what respects the peculiar sense of the words may be better understood, applied to edification in christian doctrine, and employed in prayer. Published in 1695. This work appeared monthly, in parts, from January to September. The contents may be inferred from the title.

Franké sought in it to penetrate more deeply into the meaning of several important passages of Scripture, especially such as were either falsely expounded, or not correctly expressed in Luther's translation.

His critique upon the customary exposition from which he deviated, was at once profound and modest; nor did he in this work, lose sight of the practical aim he had always chiefly in view. But this very work of Franké's, although so excellent, was not only most bitterly censured by his opponents, but even met with a very unpleasant reception from many of his friends-from several, because it was a monthly publication, which species of periodical works was at that time much abused, and seemed to betray worldly vanity; and hence even Spener wished the publication of the work might not have taken place, on account of the ferment it excited, although he had nothing to object to its contents.

Light is afforded us with respect to that which

induced Franké to the publication of this work, by a letter he wrote to M. Schadé, one of the preachers of the church of St. Nicholas in Berlin, and his most intimate friend, since the time they became acquainted with each other in Leipzig. Franké had sent copies of the work to some of his friends, requesting them to dispose of them; and this he did likewise to Schadé. This very worthy but extremely warmtempered man, wrote him a very severe letter filled with the bitterest reproaches. Franke's answer to it is one of the most beautiful effusions of his heart, and the excellence of its contents will justify the insertion of some of its most striking passages.

He writes, “I am well pleased, dear brother, that you have been angry with me; for your anger is for the sake of the good cause, for God, and from love to the church of God and myself. Hence I am not displeased with you, for having written me such a severe letter, but now love you more than before; and this letter is dearer to me than all the rest. I also entreat you, without deception or flattery, to reprove me frequently in this manner, and when you perceive the slightest cause for it, seize your pen immediately you feel inclined to do so; your letters will never come amiss to me. For I am grieved that we admonish each other so little, and where it is the case, that admonitions so easily embitter and separate the parties, so that afterwards, one can scarcely venture to repeat it.

"Some days ago, you wrote to me to awake! For this I thanked you before God. You then spoke still more severely, for which I thanked you still more, and besought a more abundant blessing upon you. Know therefore, my brother, that I cordially

love you, and that my soul cleaves to yours. Do you not know me, my brother? Why am I become so strange to thee, my brother Jonathan? Hear my account of the matter, my beloved, and then judge." He then, relates in a copious manner, what painful thoughts had occurred to his mind one day towards the end of the year 1694, whilst reflecting on the passage, 2 Cor. ix. 8,- God is able to make all grace abound unto you, that ye, having sufficiency in all things, may abound in every good work.' And he had thought within himself, "Is God thus able? I would gladly do much good to the poor, if I had wherewith to do it. But I am obliged to send many a one empty and unrelieved away." Whilst immersed in these painful cogitations, a letter reached him from a friend in Magdeburg, in which the latter described his poverty in the most affecting manner, and besought his aid. This pierced him to the heart; he considered and prayed, and took the reso~ lution to write every month something upon passages of Scripture, for the benefit of this friend; and being overloaded with official duties from morning till evening, he resolved to devote a part of the time he allowed himself for supper to this work. This he had accordingly carried into effect in this manner, confidence upon God, and without delay.'

in

He then continues ;-" With respect to a monthly periodical, I feel no scruple in my heart, for months are not unholy, but those who abuse them. As regards the passages of Scripture, I do not perceive any abuse. May I not openly write what I openly preach? I say nothing but what I believe and know

1 His distressed friend thus received in one year about one hundred and fifty dollars.