Lith, Johann Wilhelm Von

Lith, Johann Wilhelm Von, a German theologian, was born at Anspach, in Bavaria, February 4, 1678. In 1693 he entered the University of Jena, and became in 1694 A.M. In the following year he went to the University of Altdorf to continue his studies; in 1697 he studied at the University of Halle, and in 1698 he was admitted to the philosophical faculty of that university. His health failing, he was obliged to leave for his native city. In 1707 he became dean at Wassertrüdingen. In 1710 he accepted a call to his native city as preacher of a foundation and counsellor of the Consistory; in addition to this, he became in 1714 city pastor. He died March 13, 1743. Von Lith repeatedly declined calls to far higher dignities abroad. His polemics against Catholicism prove him to have been a man of wide knowledge and great acuteness; and his repeatedly reprinted sermons, and his valuable contributions to the history of the Reformation, give evidence of his success as a great preacher and historian. We mention Erläuterung der Reformationshistorie von 1524-28 (Schwabach, 1733, 8vo; 2d edit. ibid. 1739, 8vo): — Disquisitio de adoratione puntris consecrati, etc.

(Suabmzi. 1754, 8vo). See Döring, Gelehrte Theol. Deutschlands, volume 2, s.v.