Geibel, Johannes, a clergyman of the Eeformed Church of Germany, was born April 1, 177G, at Hanau. After finishing his theological studies at the Univers- it}' of Marburg, he was for a short time tutor in a fam- ily at Copenhagen. In 1797 he was appointed vicar of the aged pastor of the Reformed church at Lubeck, and, when the latter died in 1798, Geiliel became his successor. In his theological views Geibel had been influenced at first by Daub, Jacobi, and Schleiermachcr, subsequently by the mj'sticism of Kerner and the pe- culiar tenets of the Darbyites ; but gradually he con- formed himself more fully to the Reformed Church, in which he found the best expression of apostolical sim- plieit\- and truth. His theologj^ remained, however, nhvays more Biblical than denominational. He gain- ed a great i-eputation as a pulpit orator, and was re- garded as one of the most successful champions of Biblical orthodoxy against Rationalism, which at that time prevailed in a large number of the Reformed churches of Germany. He severely criticised the Lu- theran theses of Harms (q. v.), which he designated as obscure, one-side<l, and dictatorial, and inspired with an injurious spirit of sectarianism. He published an " Introduction into the Christian Doctrine" (Ehdcittniff 'in (He chri.<t/ic/ie Le/irc, 1821), and two "Guides to the Instruction in the Christian Doctrine" {Leitfaden hei d(vi Unterrichte in cler christl. Glavbenslehre, 1822 ; and Kurzer Lntfadcn, etc., 1825). He also wrote several pam])hlets in defence of his son, pastor Karl (ieibel, of Brunswick, who by his orthodox zeal had offended the rationalistic majoritj' of his own congregation, and was censured by the Reformed Synod of Lower Sax- ony. Geiliel declined several calls to other more lu- crative positions, and remained in Luljcck until April 11, 1847, wlien he resigned. He died en the 2oth of July, 1853. He is the father of the celebrated Ger-
man poet Geibel. — Herzocr, Real-EncyUopddie, xix, 643. (A. J. S.)
Geier, SIartin, D.D., a German theologian, was liorn at Leipsic in 1G14, became court-preacher at Dresden in 1G5G, professor of theologj' at Leipsic in IGGl, and died at Freiburg in 1G80. Among his writ- ings are commentaries on the Psalms, Proverlis, and Ecclesiastes, which, witli some valuable theological treatises, are collected in his Opera omnia qufn Latine edita sunt (Amst. 1G95, 2 vols. fol.). His commentarj' on the Psalms has been often published separateh'-, and is still esteemed.
Geiger, Franz Tiburtitis, a Roman Catholic theologian, was born at Harting, near Katisbon, in 1755. He studied at first under the Jesuits, then join- ed the Franciscans at Lucerne in 1772, and after 1773 applied himself to the study of philosophy at Ratis- bon, and of theolog}' at WUrzburg. He subseciuently became professor of Hebrew at Ratisbon, of rlietoric at Offenburg, of philosophy at Freiburg, and after- wards in the Franciscan school of Solothurn, and final- ly, in 1792, professor of theology at Lucerne, whence he became a leader of ultramontanism through Swit- zerland and Germany. This, however, made him man\' enemies, and in 1819 he was obliged to resign his position. He died IMa}' 8, 1843. A collection of his works has been published (Lucerne, 8 vols.). — Pierer, Univeisal-Leailcon, s. v. (J. N. P.)
Geiger, Jacob, a minister of the German Re- formed Church, was born in Allentown, Lehigh Coun- ty, Pa., Oct. 17, 1793. He began his studies with the Rev. Dr. J. C. Becker in Northampton County, Pa., in 1814, and subsequently completed them Avith the Rev. Dr. C. L. Becker in Baltimore, ]\Id. He was licensed and ordained in 181G, and in 1817 took charge of con- gregations in and around Manchester, Md., and not far from Baltimore, in which he labored up to the time of his death, Oct. 19, 1848. He was a very successful minister, having baptized S714 and confirmed 1G68 during a ministry of thirtv-one years. His charge at the time of his death numbered 1200 members. He preached only in the German language. (H. H.)
Geiler von Kaisersberg, an eminent preacher, was born IMarch 10, 1445, at Schaffhausen, and was ed- ucated at the Lhiivcrsity of Freiburg, where he became bachelor in 14G2, master in 14G3, member of the facul- ty of philosophy in 1465, and dean in 14G9. In 1470 he went to Basel, where he studied theology for five years, and Avas received as doctor in 1475. The follow- ing year he accepted the professorship of theology in Freiburg, and became also rector; but the bent of his genius led him to abandon a literary life, and devote himself to the pulpit. He was preacher of the cathe- dral of Strasburg until 1488, when he removed to Augs- burg, but returned to Strasburg, where he remained until his death, March 10, 1510. As an earnest, poAV- erful, and popular preacher, he had few rivals in that age. "His sermons, usually composed in Latin and delivered in German, are marked !)}' great eloquence and earnestness ; nor do they disdain the aids of Avit, sarcasm, an<l ridicule. Vivid pictures of life, Avarmth of feeling, and a bold, even rough morality, are their leading characteristics. In fact, Geiler's ethical zeal often urged him to a pungency of satire hardly in keep- ing Avith modern vieAvs of the dignity of the pulpit, but quite congruous with the taste of his OAvn age. His stA'le is A-igorous, free, and liA-ely, and in many re- spects he may be regarded as a sort of predecessor of Abraham a Sancta-Clara" (Chambers, s. v.). The only Avork of his ymblished during his lifetime Avas the Ora- tio habita in synodo Arr/cntinevsi (1482) ; he also edited the first collection of Gerson's Works (Strasb. 1488, 3 vols.). From his ]\ISS. a large number of semions Avere compiled and published after his death. Of these, the best known are his Nuvicula sive sjicculurn /atuo-