Moller, Henry, a Lutheran minister, noted for his valuable labors in the Lutheran interests in the L'nited States, was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1"49. When only a youth of fourteen he migrated to this country, and went to Philadelphia. There he was one day, shortly after his arrival, met in the street by the cele- brated Dr. Muhlenberg, who had known his people, and who recognised in the young man so striking a family resemblance as to induce him to stop and inquire his name. Identified by the doctor, Henry Avas at once giv- en a place in his own house, and everything was done to promote his welfare. The doctor also gave him an ap- pointment as assistant in a school in which he liimself was then teaching, while MoUer's leisure hours were devoted to the study of theology, under the direction of his patron. Moller was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Synod of Pennsylvania, and was willing to share
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the privations and sufferings incident to those early days, when the members of churches were scattered through the wilderness, like sheep without a shepherd. He en- gaged in i)reaching the (Jospel to the poor, in collecting congregations and rearing churches, in extending the principles of the Lutheran faith, and ])romoting the in- terests of the Redeemer's kingdom. During the Kevo- lutionary War he was chaplain of a German regiment in the army commanded by general Washington. jMiJl- ler's first regular pastoral charge was Reading, I'a. Thence he removed to I'liiladelphia, and later settled at Albany, N. Y., where he built the first Lutheran church, and promoted the interests of his sect. In 1788 he re- ceived and accepted a call to Xew Holland, Pa., and labored there until, in 1795, he was induced to take the Lutheran flock at Harrisburg, and he served them most acceptably for seven years. In 1802 MiiUer returned to Albany, and for six years more served the people to whom he had in his first connection so greatly en- deared himself. He next accepted a call to the united churches of Sharon and Xew Hliinebeck, N. Y., where he labored until physical infirmities rendered him un- able to attend to the active duties of his profession. Cheered by domestic affection and Christian hope, the last six years he lived were spent in retirement, " al- though," says a contemporary, "his whole life was de- voted to the interests of his divine Master. Lentil the end he sought opportunity to do good, and to make himself useful to those around liim." He died as he had lived, full of faith, calm and confident in the groat truths of that blessed religion which he had faithfully preached, Sept. 16, 1829. As a preacher, Mciller's talents were not brilliant, yet he accomplished greater things than the more highly gifted. As a man, his whole life was marked by integrity, truthfulness, and a contempt of everything mean or dishonorable. See (Lutheran) Evanfjel. Q'l.Rn: (memoirs of deceased ministers), 18G5, p. 273 sq. ; Sprague, A nnals of the A mer. Pulpit, vol. ix (Lutherans). (J. H.W.)
Mollius or Mollio, G iovanxi, a distinguished Ital- ian martyr in the Protectant cause, was a native of Mon- t ilcino, in the territory of Siena, and the descendant of a very respectable family. He was born near the opening of the 16th centurj'. When only twelve years of age he was placed in the monastery of Gray Friars, where he made rapid progress in arts, sciences, and languages. He entered the order of Minorites while yet a youtli, and took priest's orders when only eighteen. Every minute was improved in study of polite letters and the- ology, and he came soon to be noted for his learning and industrj'. After having pursued his studies six years longer at Ferrara, he was made theological lect- urer in the university of that city. He subsequently lectured at the universities of Brescia, Milan, and Pavia, and was appointed professor of theology in the Univer- sity of Bologna about l.')33. 'Ihere, on reading several treatises of the Reformers, he became at heart a zealous Protestant, and began to expound in its purity the Epis- tle to the Romans. Immense crowds soon attended his lectures, and, the report coming to Rome, he was seized by order of the pope, and, being denied a public trial, gave an account of his opinions in writing, con- firming them by scriptural authority. Mollius defended himself with such aliilily and address that the judges appointed by Paul HI to try the case were forced to ac- quit him, in the way of declaring that the sentiments which he had maintained were true, although tliey were such as could not be publicly taught at tiiat time without prejudice to the apostolical see. He was there- fore sent back to Bologna, with an admonition to abstain for the future from explaining tlie same doctrine (i. e. justification i)y faith). But continuing to expound the epistles of Paul as formerly, and with still greater ap- plause from his hearers— even the monks of difl'erent convents, many of the nobility, and individuals of epis- copal orders, attending them — cardinal Campeggio ])ro- cured an order from the pope to remove him from the
university (Pontaleon, Rerum in Eccl. Gest. lib. ix, fol. 263). Mollius did not remain idle when relieved of liis duties at the university, but continued his studies, and grew in strength among his fellows. He finally became lecturer to the monastery of St. Lorenzo at Naples. But even here he was persecuted; and in 1542 the opposi- tion grew so decided that he was frequently in great danger. He was several times imprisoned, but always escai)ed until the time of the accession of pope Julius HI, when he was hunted down at Ravenna, and trans- ported to Rome. On .Sept. 5, 1553, a public assembly of the Inquisition was held with great pomp, and Mol- lius was brought before that body, attended by six car- dinals and their episcopal assessors. All the prisoners brought forward in this session recanted and performed penance except Mollius and another, a native of Perugio named Tisserano, who refused to do violence to their con- science. When the articles of accusation against Mol- lius were read}-, permission was given him to speak. He defended the doctrines which he had taught respect- ing justification, the merit of good works, auricular con- fession, and the sacraments; pronounced the power claimed by the pope and his clergy to be usurped and antichristian ; and addressed his judges in a strain of bold and fervid invective, which silenced and chained them to their seats, at the same time that it cut them to the quick; and when he had finished his address, he threw the flaming torch which he held in his hand on the ground and extinguished it, thus showing to his accusers that he would rather extinguish life than suf- fer them to force a lie from him. Of course mercy to such a criminal was not within the gift of Rome, and he was consequently condemned, together with his companion, to instant death. They were at once con- veyed to the place of execution, first hung, and then burned to ashes. See Hist, des Martijrs, p. 264, 265; (ierdesius, Ital. Reform, p. 103 ; IM'Crie. Rtf. in Italy, p. 95, 124, 261 ; Young, Life of Pulmrio, ii, 113 sq. Fox, Book of Martyrs, p. 184, gives jMollius's history inaccu- rately. (J. li.W.)