Gerlach Otto Von

Gerlach Otto Von, a German theologian, was born in 1801 at Berlin, and studied first law and then theology at the university there. In 1828 he became privat decent in theology; in 1834, pastor of the Elizabeth-Kirche; in 1847, court preacher; in 1849, professor ordinarius of theology. He was a man of earnest piety, and labored zealously as pastor and in fostering missions at home and abroad. In this respect he has been called "the Wesley" of the Berlin Church. The translation of Wesley's sermon on "Awake, thou that sleepest!" was his first literacy work. He translated Baxter's Saint's Rest into German. His reputation was largely extended by his Commentar z. N.T. (Berlin, 1841; 3d ed. 1844, 2 volumes, 8vo; new ed. 1858). The O.T. was also added, the whole under the title Die heilige Schrift nach Luther's Uebersetzung mit Einleitungen u. erklarenden Anmerkungen (1847-53, 6 volumes). He also published a new edition of select writings of Luther (Berl. 1840-48, 24 volumes): — Relig. Zustand der Angli. Kirche

(Potsdam, 1845): — Kirchliche Armenpflege (trans. from Chalmers, 1847). The last two works were the fruit of a tour in England and Scotland, undertaken by Gerlach in 1842 at the command of the king, to investigate the workings of British Christianity. Gerlach died at Berlin, greatly lamented, October 24, 1849. — Methodist Quarterly Review, April, 1849, page 268; Herzog, Real-Encyklop. 5:83.