Royaards, Herman John

Royaards, Herman John, professor of theology in the University of Utrecht for more than thirty years, beginning with 1823, was born in that city Oct. 3, 1794. In 1818 he obtained the degree of doctor in theology, and in the following year became pastor of the Reformed Church at Meerkerk, at which place he wrote a successful prize essay on the Book of Daniel (1821). His special department in the university was that of historical theology, to which he added that of Christian ethics. He aided in founding (1839) the journal Archief voor Kerkelyke Geschiedenis, and contributed various very important papers to its pages. The history of the Church in the Netherlands engaged his mind predominantly, and he rendered services of real value in its treatment, though almost a pioneer in that field. In 1842 he published a prize treatise entitled Invoering en Vestiging van het Christendom in Nederland, etc., and subsequently a complementary work under the title Geschiedenis van het Christendom en de Christelyke Kerk in Nederland gedurende de Middeneeuwen (pt. 1, 1849; pt. 2, 1853). He desired to write a history of the Reformation and of the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands, but did not live to execute his purpose. He, however, rendered meritorious service in a different direction, viz. in ecclesiastical jurisprudence, having published (1834 and 1837) a work on this subject entitled Hedendaagsch Kerkregt by de Hervormden in Nederland, and having taken active part in the repeated discussions relating to a concordat with the papal chair. He also prepared a Chrestomathia Patristica (pt. 1, 1831; pt. 2, 1837), intended to aid in the study of the Church fathers, and a Compendium Hist. Eccl. Christ. for use in academical instruction. He died Jan. 2, 1854. See Bournann, Natratio de H.J. Royaard's, in his Charta Theologioe (lraj. ad Rh. 1857), p. 1-90.