Hbbzoq^ lUcU-Encyhlopddie fur protestaniische The- ologie und Kirche, tin Verbindung mit vielen protestan- tischm Theoloyen und Gelehrten herausgegebm von Dr. Herzog, ord. Prof. d. Theologie in Erlangen (Gotha, 1854-66, 18 vols, and 8 supplementary vols., with In- dex volume additional). This great work professes to treat of all important subjects in the entire range of Protestant theological science in one alphabet. In scientific structure, as well as in extent of learning, this Cyclopedia fiur surpasses all others in the same field. Its greatest fault is want of careful editorial supervision ; each writer seems to have been allowed to treat his subject as he pleased, and to fill one page or ten, without sufficient reference to the com- parative importance of the subjects discussed. Its deficiencies in English and American topics are very marked; but, with all drawbacks, the ReaUEncyHo- pddie is a great treasury of theological and historical science, and must hold its place for many years as such. A condensed translation of the work was com- menced in 1856 by the Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D.D., assisted by distinguished theologians of various de- nominations. Unfortunately, the publication was sus- pended at the 12th number (article Josiah).
A brief Theological and Biblical Dictionary, which is to embrace in 2 vols, the whole field of theology, was began in Germany at the beginning of 1868 (^The- oloyisches Umv.-Lex. Elberfeld, 1868). The names of the editor and contributors are not given. In its ten- dency it promises to be entirely objective.
In France, a compendious *' Universal Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Science" {Dictiormaire Universel des Sciences Ecclesiastiques^ Tours, 1868), in 2 vols. , has been published by abb6 Glaire, well known by a number of exegetical works.
Besides the above, there are numerous hand-books, on special topics, arranged in alphabetical order, such as Fuhrmann, Handtcdrterbuch der chrisdichen Relig- ions-und Kirchen-geschichie (Halle, 1826-29, 4 vols. 8vo); Siegel, Bandbuch der christlich-kirchlichen AU tertk&mer (1836-88, 4 vols. 8vo) ; Doering,i>i« gelehrten Theologen Deutschktnds (Berlin, 1831-35, 4 vols. 8vo) ; Doering, Die deutschen Kanael-Redner (Berlin, 1830, 8vo) ; Bsrgier, Dictiomnaire de Thkologie (cd. by Gons-
set, Paris, 1854, 6 vols. 8vo) ; Newcomb, Missions (New York, 1854, 8vo) ; Jones, CSfcrfrfw rapky (Lond. 1829, 12mo) ; Jamieaon, Q^rf lynCj^ £i^KNtf Bio^rop^ (Lond. 1853, t2mo); Ho<dc,f ' tuxd Biography (Lond. 1846-1852, 8 vols. I&bo) ; Cfk pcedia 4^ Religious Denominations (Glasgov, 1MS&. m^ Martigny, Dictiomuxire des AntiqMa Ckrvtu ■— ^(tW. 1865, large 8vo). The abb£ Higne has pob&tedte series of the Eneydopidie Thiologiqite^ oooteiB volumes, and professing to treat of all sntfecte the range of theological literature. Fev oC tbma of scientific value, and the whole teries is, pei^^.* least important and useful of Migne's great kings.
Diderot, Dents, a French writer and i^dei ^ losopber, was bom Oct. 5, 1713, at Langres, ia Om pagne, where his fieither was a cutler. He w» i^ cated for the Church at the JeaaitB* Odfege of I» gres; but, declining to take orders, he stadiidb soon abandoned that pursuit, and devoted hisaefa literature. ** After ten years of obecnre dradgRT m became one of the most famous among dio«e dor and scientific men whose attacks on the ertalifrhrf s- der of things, religious and ecdeaiastical aa wdl ss jr litical, acted so powerfully in precipitating the Frsc Revolution. Diderot projected the EncfdefA^m Dictiormaire Raisonne des Sciences, des Arts el da I- tiers, which was designed not merely to enpersedcdi imperfect dictbnaries of Chambera and others tba i use, but to teach, on every occasion which cmdi s^a the teaching, the social and infidel doctrines visd were held by the writers. In the coarse of k, a£ i^ terwards, Diderot wrote several didactic tzeatiMt, » decent and irreligious novela, and two — ntiiiaa comedies ; and his published correspondence, cspedt)- ly with Voltaire and Grimm, throws much light cs at gloomy picture which French society and monl* is presented." He died at Paris July 30, 1784. -I^ great peculiarity of Diderot was his encytk^ii knowledge, and his versatility in comprelModli^ i n- riety of subjects. Less critioil than Voltaire, aadd philosophical than Rousseau, he exceeded bolii ■ i practical teacher. But in unbelief he onha^iT # vanced farther than either ; his temper lacked iss^ earnestness, and in later life he was an atbc^ 1 growth of unbelief may be traced In him: atiR<> was a doubter, next he became a deist, lastly ta ^c- ist. In the first stage he only translated Ei;^ works, and even condemned some of the EngSsk^ ists. His views seem gradually to have altered, peai*' ably under the influence of Volbiire*s writiBgi, sad of the infidel books smuggled into France ; and be Aes^ forth assumed a tone bolder and marked by pOl^idf■ disbelief. In 1746 he wrote hb Pensees PkHot^^lu^ intended to be placed in opposition to the Pattia d Pascal. Pascal, by a series of 8ceptl<»] propestksi had hoped to establish the neceeeitT of rerdsoa Diderot tried by the same method to show tfast this revelation must be untrue. The first porticm of ikr propositions bore upon philosofdiy and natural rd^ ion, but at length he came to weaken the proofr is the truth of Christianity, and controverted nut^iA and the truth of any system which reposes oa m»- cles ; 3ret even in this work he did not evince the ak- ism which he subsequently avowed. It was anc d- ter the imprisonment in which he was invcdvcdliT^ book that he projected the plan of the magsttotfit work, the EncychpSdiCj or universal dictjonary Ata- man knowledge. Its object, however, was wot o^ literary, but also theological; for it was deaigBeiti circulate among all classes new modes of tli^ikkc which should be opposed to aU that was traditkein Voltaire*s unbelief was merely destructive; tUs vi; reconstructive and systematic. The religion tt ^ great work was deism ; the philosophy of it was so- sationalist and almost materialist, seeming harilTb allow the existence of anything but mechsaial k*