Hazelius, Ernest Lewis, Dd

Hazelius, Ernest Lewis, D.D.

was born in Neusalz. Prussia, Sept. 6, 1777. He was descended from a long line of Lutheran ministers. His theological studies were pursued at Niesky, a Moravian institution under the superintendence of bishop Anders. In 1800 he was appointed teacher of the classics in the Moravian Seminary at Nazareth, Pa. The position he accepted in opposition to the wishes of his friends, and at once embarked for America. In this institution he labored with efficiency for eight years, and was advanced to be head teacher and professor of theology. Differing from his brethren in their views of church government and discipline, he concluded to change his ecclesiastical relations, and to unite with the Lutheran Church, in whose service his fathers had so long lived and labored. In 1809 he removed to Philadelphia, and for a time had charge of a private classical school. For several years he labored as a, pastor in New Jersey, and in 1815 was elected professor of theology in Hartwick Seminary, and principal of the classical department. In 1830 he was chosen professor of Biblical and Oriental literature, and of the German language, in the seminary at Gettysburg, Pa.; and in 1834 he accepted the appointment of professor in the theological seminary of the Synod of South Carolina. All these positions he filled with ability and great satisfaction to the Church. He died Feb. 20,1853. As a scholar he occupied a high rank. The doctorate he received simultaneously from Union and Columbia Colleges, N. Y. His attainments in literature were varied and extensive. He published Life of Luther (1813) Materials for Catechization (1823): — Augsburg Confession, with Annotations: — History o' the Christian Church (1842):

— Hist. of the American Lutheran Church (1842): — Life of J. H. Stilling (1831). (M. L. S.)