Klesel. See Kiilesl,
Klette, JoiiANN Georg, a German Lutheran divine, was born at Eadeberg, in Meissen, October 12, IGoO, and studied theology at Leipzig and Wittenberg. He was made professor of theology and metaphysics at Zerbst in 1681. In 1606 he became pastor in that place, and died Dec. 28, 1697.
Kleuker, Johaxn Friedricii, one of the most em- inent modern German theologians, was bom at Osterode Oct. 21, 1719. He studied history, philosophy, and the- ology at the University of Gottingen. In 1773 he be- came a private tutor in Blickeburg, and there made the acquaintance of Herder, through whose influence he was appointed prorector of the gymnasium of Lemgo, and, in 1778 rector of the gymnasium of Osnabriick. Herder also induced and encouraged him to write on the tlieo- logical questions of the day. In acknowledgment of his literary activity and profound learning, he was made D.D. by the University of Helmstitdt in 1791. In 1798 he was appointed fourth ordinary professor of theology at Kiel, which position he filled with great success, lec- turing on the exegesis of the O. and N. Test., Christian apologetics. Christian anticiuities, ancient Church his- tory, the doctrine of Christ and of the apostles, symbol- ics, and Christian science, of which, in 1800, he publish- ed a Griuidriss or EncyUopadie d. Theologie in 2 vols., for the use of his numerous pupils. The last few years of his life were spent in retirement after he had vainly tried to oppose the progress of scientific rationalism. Kleuker, says Ilagenbach (see below), " was one of the few men who, in doctrine and writings, stood in avowed opposition to the prevailing theological spirit of his times, of which he said that 'it had so poisoned tlie whole atmosphere that men hardly dared to speak of Christ as anything more than a passing shadow.'" He was not even satisfied with Herder, who, as lie held, made too many concessions to the new style of doctrine and thinking. Yet his simple, evangelical faith, his humble piety, and his active interest in all that was grand and good, secured him the intimate friendship of
that class of men, while his profound learning, especial- ly in Oriental and in classical antiquities, procured him the respect and consideration of all scholars. In judg- ing a theologian, his influence on his associates and on the age in whicli he lived, it does not suffice to examine simply his ViTitings; as much, if not more, can be deter- mined of his character by the testimony of his life and death. With pleasure, then, do we point to the dying testimony of tliis celebrated German theologian. His biographer (see below) saj's of his last moments : " I had the fortune to be present when Kleuker died, for I must call it a good fortune to see a true Christian die as calm- ly as he did. As I came in, the approach of death was clearly indicated by his cold hands, almost motionless pulse, and difficult breathing. A kind of prophetic spir- it appeared to come over him when he once more warn- ed against the errors of his contemporaries by proclaim- ing the great truths that he had so often taught. After saying, ' It is jilainly recorded in all passages of the Old and New Testament that there is only one true Sa\-iour, and by them all the error of our day Avhich looks to self- redemption for salvation is refuted,' he sweetly fell back into the corner of the sofa, bowed his head, and, without experiencing the least convulsive struggle with death, fell asleep, and passed away into the better world," May 23, 1827. Kleuker's activity as a writer was wonderful. He wrote first a Latin programme, entitled Genius e sc)-ij)tis (intiquitaHs monumentishiinriendus (1775), which was followed in quick succession by Zend-Avesta nach Anquetil dii Perron (1776-1777, 3 parts): — Anhanrj 2. Zend- A vesta (1781 -1783, 2 vols.) :— Zend- A vesta im Kleinen (1789) : — Menschlicher Versuch ii. d. Sohn Gottes n. d. Menschen, in d. Zeit wie ausser d. Zeit (1776) : — Ge- dunken Pascals (1777) •.— Uebersetzuriff u. Erkliirung d. Schriften Salomons v.. d.Salomonischen Denkwiirdigl-eiten; Uebersetzunrj der Werke Plato's (1778-1797, 6 vols.) :— Johaimes, Petriis, imd Pauliis als Christologen hetrachtet (1785): — a prize essay, entitled Ueber d.Katur u.d.Ur- sjn-iinrj d.Emanationslehre b. d.Kabbalisten (1785) : — HoU- icells merkwiirdifje historische Nachrichten v.Indostan u. Bengalen, etc. (from the English, 1778) : — Abhandlungen. ii. d. Gesch., etc., A siens, von i>ir William Jones (from Lhe English, 1795-1797, 4 vols.) : — Einige Belehningen iiber Toleranz, Vernunft, OJ}'enbaritng,Watuleriing d. Israeliten. durchs rotke Meer jind Anferstehung Christi von d. Tod- ten (1778) : — Neue Priifung it.Erkldrungd.vorziiglichsten Beiveise f. d. Warheit ii. d. gottlichen Urspning d. Chris- tenthums w. d. Offenbarung iiberhaiipt (3 parts, 1788) : — AusfUhiiche Untersuchung d. Griinde J'. d. Aecktheit und Ghntbwiirdigkeit d. schriftlichen Urkunden d. Christen- thums (5 vols.) : — Qirintus Septimiiis Florens TertuUia- nus^s Vertheidigung d. christlichen ISache gfgen d.Heiden mit erlduternden Anmei-kungen (from the Latin, 1798) : — Briefe an eine christliche Freundin iiber d. Ilerder'sche Schrift V. Gottes Sohn (1802) :—Ueb. d. Ja ii.Nein d.bib- lisch-christlichen u. d.Vermtnftiheolog. (1819) : — Biblische Sgmpathien od.erldiitcrnde Bemerkimgen ii.Betrachtun- gen ii.d.Berichte d.Evangelisten v.Jesu Lehren v.Thaten 1820): — Ueb.d.alten und neuen Protestantismiis (1823). See H. P. Sexto, Exjwsitio Sermanis Jesu.Jok. V, 39 et siqyer ejus sententia de nexu inter scriptontm Mosaico— 7-um argumentum et doctrinam suam nonnulla (Helmst. 1792, 8vo); Notiz unci Kai-akteristik cl. iztlebenden theolo- gischen Schriftsteller Deiitschkmds (1797, p. 108 sq.) ; Xeiie Kielische gelehrte Zeititng (2 Jahrg. 1798), p. 282- 286 ; .J. O. Tliiess, Gelchrtengesch. d. Universitdt zu Kiel, i 375-447; YlaX]cn, J. F. Kleuker n. Briefe seiner Freunde ((iiittingen, 1842) ; Ilagenbach, Ch. Hist. 18th and mh C'ra/.ii, 190 sq.; U^rzog, Real-Encykl.y\i,7i2. (J.H.W.) Kley, Eduaku, a Jewish preacher and educator of note, born June 10, 1789, at Bemstadt, in SOesia, was prominently connected with the reformatory movements in the synagogue at the opening of the 19th centurj-. He was a teacher and preaclier at Berlin when, in 1818, the Progressive Jews of Hamburg called him to the su- perintendency of their schools, and later to the duties of a pastorate. Kley was the first Jew who preached in a