Floh, Jacob Hendrik

Floh, Jacob Hendrik was born in the year 1758, at Crefeld. He studied theology in the Baptist seminary in Amsterdam, He was invited in 1783 to take charge of the Baptist church at Enschede. Here he labored between forty and fifty years. He was a man of extensive knowledge and of a ready wit, and was indefatigable in his labors. He contributed greatly to promote the cause of education in the section of the country where he was located. Several valuable essays were written by him on the subject of education. One, on the Best Theory of Punishments and Rewards in Schools, received the prize from the Maatschappy tot nut van 't algemeen. Several works on other subjects were written by him. One, on the Indissoluble Connection between Virtue and true Happiness, was crowned by the same society. Another, on a kindred subject, we deem worthy of mention here: National Happiness cannot Exist without national Virtue. For a few years Floh allowed himself to be drawn aside from his ministerial vocation to engage in political life. In 1796 he was chosen representative of the people in the National Convention at the Hague. In 1798 he was chosen secretary of the first chamber of the representative body of the Batavian people. He acquitted himself in these positions with great credit. His theological views were Latitudinarian. His principal works are, Proeve eener beredeneerde verklaring der geschiedenis vcan's Heilands verzoeking in de woestijn, Deventer, 1790; lets over bedestonden, 1817. His attack on the Heidelberg Catechism, as teaching, in the answer to the fifth question, a doctrine dangerous to the state, made in the National Assembly at the Hague, was regarded as highly injudicious, and excited great indignation. It elicited -a triumphant reply from the pen of Ewaldus Kist, one of the most highly esteemed ministers of the Reformed Church. Floh attempted no reply. It was thought that he was himself convinced by the moderate and judicious reply of Kist. We may add in honor of Floh that this attack of his was regarded as an exception to his otherwise impartial conduct as a public representative. He died at Ensched6 in March, 1830. See B. Glasius,

Godgeleerd Nederland, i Deel, blz. 467 en very.; Ypey en Dermont's Geschiedenis der Nederlandsche Her-cormde Kerk, iv Deel, blz. 206 en very. (Breda, 1827). (J. P. W.)