Mayer, Johann

Mayer, Johann a German theologian, was born Aug. 2,1697, at Nuremberg; studied at the high-schools of his native place until 1717, when he went to the University of Altdorf to study theology. In 1720 he removed to the University of Halle, and there enjoyed the instruction of the celebrated German savants Wolf and Michaelis. He continued his studies until 1725, when he finally secured the position of catechist, first at an orphan asylum and later at a prison. In 1727 he was made vicar, and in 1728 morning preacher at St. Waldburg. The year following he became pastor at Schwinunbach and Wengen; in 1732 dean of Spitalch, Nuremberg; in 1738 was transferred to the Church of St. Laurence; in 1749 became senior of the chapter. He died Sept. 3, 1760. Mayer's productions are mostly of an ascetic character; at the time of their publication they secured him much popularity, especially his Epistolische Betrachtungen des Todes (Nuremb. 1741, 4to). He also published a number of his sermons. For further details of his works, see Doring, Gelehrte Theologie Deutschlands, vol. 2, s.v.