Kiesliiig, JoHAXN Rudolph, a German Protestant theologian, was born at Erfurt, Oct. 21, 170G; became first deacon of Wittemberg in 1738, extraordinary pro- fessor of philosophy at Leipzig in 1740, professor of Ori- ental languages in the same university m 174G, and, finally, professor of theologj^ at Erlangen in 17G2. He retained this latter position until his death, April 17, 1778. He wrote a large number of works, the most re- markable of wliich are, Exercitationes in quibus J. Chr. Tromhelli Dissertationes de cultu sanctorum modeste dilu- untur (Lpzg. 1742-1746, 3 pts. 4to) : — Historia de Usu , Symbolorum (Lpzg. 1753, 8vo) : — De Discijilina Clerico- rum, ex epistolis ecclesiast. conspicua, Liber (Lpzg. and Nuremberg, 1760, 8vo) : — Program, antiquoris Ecclesim Christianm hereticos contra immaculatam Jfajice I 'irginis conceptionem testes sistit (Erlangen, 1775, 4to) : — Lehrge- bdude d. WiedertduJ'er (Revel, 177G, 8vo). He also pub- lished during the j'ears 1756-61 the theological journal entitled Neue Beitrdge von alten v. neuen theolog. Sachen, established by J. E. Knapp in 1751 (Lpzg. 8vo). See Winer, Handb. d. iheologischen Literaiur ; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, xxvii, 716. (J. N. P.)
KifBn.WiLLi AM, a distinguished English Baptist min- ister, born in 1616, originally a merchant, by his wealth exerted great infiuence at the courts of king Charles II and James II, and thereby indirectly secured many favors to his brethren. By his means the false and scurrilous pamphlet entitled Baxter Baptized in Blood was exam- ined and condemned ; and by his intercession, also, twelve Baptists who had been condemned to death at Ayles- bury received the king's pardon. In 1G83, two of his grandsons, Benjamin and William Hewling, young gen- tlemen of great fortunes, accomplished education, and eminent piety, were concerned in the ill-timed and ill- fated expedition of the duke of Monmouth, which ter- minated in the destruction of almost all who had any hand in it, including the two Hewlings, though every effort was made by Kiffin to save their lives. Kiffin was pastor of the Baptist church, Devonshire Square, London, from 1639 to 1701. He died in the latter year, at an advanced age, "leaving behind him a. character of rare excellence, tried alike by the fire of prosperity and adversity in the most eventful times." He wrote in favor of strict communion in reply to John Bunyan, opposed Dr. Featley in the famous disputation at South-
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wark, aiid Avas handled with severity by Edwards in his Caiii/nediia. lie is regarded as the father of the " Par- ticular iSaptists." An estimate may be forined of the high position Kiffin must have occupied in his day if IMacaulay {[lUtory of Englaml,\o\. ii) coidd say, " Great as was the authority of Buuyan with Baptists, that of "William Kiriin was still greater. Kiffin was the first man among them in wealth and station." " His por- trait," says Skeats {Hist. English Free Churches, p. 15-i), "docs not bear out the once current-impression concern- ing the Baptists of that age. With skull-cap and flow- ing ringlets, with mustache and ' imperial,' with broad lace collar and ample gown (see his portrait in Wilson's Dissentiuf) Churches, i, 403), he resembles a gentleman Cavalier rather than any popidar ideal of a sour-visaged and discontented Anabaptist." See Crosby, Ilkt. Enyl. Baptists; and Lives (Lond. lG59,4to,and one by Joseph Gurney, 1833, 8vo ; also his Autobiography, edited by Orme. Lond. 1823, 8vo). (J. II. W.)
Kikayoii. See Gourd.
Kilburn, David, a Methodist Episcopal minister, born at Gilsum, N. H., October 24, 1784, was converted when seventeen years old, licensed to preach in 1805, and, after three years' labor as a local preacher, was re- ceived into the New England Conference, and obtained his first appointment at Union, Me. His subsequent stations were Keadticld, jNIc. ; Stanstead, Canada ; Dan- ville, Barnard and White lUver, Needham, Boston, Port- land, Me. ; Wethersfield and Barre,Yt. ; Providence, E. I. ; Lowell, Lynn-Common, Bridgewater, North-west Bridgewater, WaUham, Barre, Ashburnham, South Koy- alston, Enfield, and Southampton. He travelled also tlie following districts as presiding elder: Portland Dis- trict, Maine Conference ; New Hampshire, Boston, Springfield, and Providence Districts, in the New Eng- lantl Conference. In 1851 he became superannuated, in 1852-53 eifective, in 1854 supernumerary, in 1856 effec- tive, in 1858 again supernumerary, and in 1859 he again became superannuated, in which relation he remained till the time of his death, July 13, 18G5. Kilburn " was a man of great endurance, anil constitutionally qualified lor the immense labor he performed; of sound judg- ment, clear understanding, strong will; earnest and con- scientious in the performance of duty. During his la- borious ministry he sustained a high reputation and exerted a powerfid influence. . . . His prudent fore- sight, his comprehensive views, his knowledge of men, his almost intuitive perception of character, his urban- ity, his high moral and Christian virtues, entitled him to an honorable social and official position in the Church which he so faithfidlv served.'" — Couf. Minutes, 18G6, p. 5G.
Kilbye, Richard, an English theologian, was born at liatcliffe in the second half of the IGth century, and was educated at Oxford University, with which he was identified throughout life ; he was its rector in 1590, and held a professorship of the Hebrew language. He died Nov. 7, 1G20. Richard Kilbye was one of the transla- tors of king James's version of the Bible. He also pub- lished several Sermmis (1G13, etc.) and a Commenta7-y on Exodus.