In his writings, which take high rank in German lit- erature, Mriser often presents his ideas in a humorous garb, which, suiting the tastes of the peojjle, made him deservedly popular. His most important contribution to literature is his Geschirhte von Osnuhriick (2 vols. 17t)8; 2d and improved ed. 1780: 3d cd. 1820; a 3d vol. published from his literary remains l)y lIiTlxrt von Biir, 1824), a work which for critical rescaicli ami in>iiularity of diction still stands unsurpassed. His tclclirated short essays, which originally ai)peared from 1700-1782, in the Osnabriick Intellif/enzbldUer, and were afterwards pub- lished under the title of I'litriuHsche Phantasien (3d ed. prepared by his daughter, in 4 vols. [Berl. 1804]), relate mostly to local subjects, but are to this day calculated to enlighten the mind and improve the character of German officials. In his work on the German language and literature, he attacks the Gallomania and infidelity of Frederick the Great, and in a letter addressed to Jean Jacques Kousscau he opposes the theories of that phi- losopher. Rousseau had gained many followers even in Germany, and the public burning of his works (1705), instead of lianning him, had gained him new admirers. The burning of his works proved nothing. Moser, knowing that writings have to be refuted by writings, undertook tlie task of ojiposing Koussean with his own Aveapons. He issued his letter To the Vicur in Savoy, to be had of J. ./. Rousseuu, in which he maintained the necessit\' of a positive religion for the peojile. He ridi- culed the impractical character of a merely natural re- ligion with plain mother-wit. In order to meet Kous- seau on liis own stand-point, he adopted a very moder- ate idea of religion, such as even Hume might have .shared. " It is of the greatest necessity to have certain fortified articles of faith, whicli comfort the unfortunate, restrain the fortunate, humble the prouii, bind kings, and keep tradesmen within limits. It is impossible for the rough masses to be affected by the preaching of mere nature." " The preaching of God's works, that we have daily before our eyes, is like the singing of a ca- iiarj' bird, which its possessor has long since ceased to hear." " Natural religion," he argues, " is not oidy insuf- ficient for those classes which are commonly called ' the populace' {(ler POhel), but for all." " We arc all popidaee, and -God has done better in putting a bridle on our soul instead of on our noses ; for at least in one jjlace, I think-, it was very necessary for us, in order to be led ti> certain ends. Our religion was made for us populace, and not for angels." "The sentiment that men can be saved in all religions," lie says, ••stitles the very germ of true religion. I liavc found that the Christian religion is perfectly sufficient for all purposes which (lod can have for man, and I draw therefrom this conclusion, that we act foolishlj' in weakening or breaking so perfect a bond." Those outspoken, manly views of the eminent jurist had a great intluencc on the (k'rman mind, and his efforts proved most benericeiit to men like Schleier- macher and otliers. A eom]>lete ('dition of his works was published by lu 13. Abekcn (lierl. 1842, 10 vols.).
6 MOSER
See Herzog, lieal-Enct/Hop. xx, 170; Jocher, Gelehrten- Lex.; liechstcin, Deutsche .\f (inner ; Hurst's Hagenbach, Jli^t. of the \Hth and Vdth Centuries, i, 220.
Moser, Joiianx Jacou, a distinguished German Protestant jurist and hymnologist, noted for his efforts in behalf of the Church in her relation with the State, was born at Stuttgard, Jan. 18, 1701. He studied law in the University of Tiibingen, where he graduated in 1720, and was the very same year apjjointed extraordinary professor. As he had, however, but a small audience there, he went in 1721 to Vienna. The emperor and the vice-chancellor, count of Schiinborn, offered him a very prominent position on condition tliat he should abjure the Lutheran doctrines, but he steadfastly re- fused. On his return to his country, he was accused of having given to the emperor information concerning affairs wJiich the duke of Wlirtemberg desired should remain secret. In 1724 he returned to Vienna, and was still better received than the first time, the count of Schonborn presenting him a pension, and intrusting him with divers works concerning jurisprudence. Re- called to Stuttgard in 1720, Jloser was appointed coun- sellor of the regency, and the following year professor of jurisprudence in the ducal college of Tiibingen. An- noyed, however, by the jealousy of several of his col- leagues, he resigned in 1732. In 1733, duke Charles Alexander taking the reins of government, he was again made counsellor. In 1730 the king of I'russia made him privy counsellor and professor of jurispruilence at the University of Frankfort-on-the-Oder. In 1739 he resigned also this position in consequence of some dis- putes with his colleagues, and retired into private life at Ebersdorf. During the eight years he stayed there he was employed by several princes on highly impor- tant missions; thus in 1741 he represented the elector of Treves in the long discussions which preceded the election of emperor Charles VII. In 1747, after refus- ing to approve the religious changes introduced by count Zinzendorf, he accepted the arch-chancellorship of Hesse- Homburg, on the condition that he should be allowed to carry out his liberal views concerning government and political economy ; and when this privilege was sub- sequent!}' taken from him, he resigned his office and set- tletl at llanau, where he founded, in 1749, a professional school for young men destined for administration ser- vice. He afterwards became the legal adviser of Wi'ir- temberg ; and having in that capacity opposed the ar- bitrary measures of the prime minister, he was arrested July 12, 1759, and retained five years in prison, without judgment. Lilxrated by the Aulic Council in Septem- ber, 1704, he resumed his functions, in which he con- tinued six years longer, and then retired from official life. He died at Stuttgard Sept. 30, 1785. Among his works and pamphlets, numbering over five hundred vol- umes, covering, besides legal sulijects, also the depart- ment of practical religion, especially hymnology, those of his writings deserve special mention which liave more or less relation to ecclesiastical law and humanitarian objects; such are: Merkuiirdige Reichshofrath Conclusa (Francf. 1720, 8 vols. 8vo) : — Bibliotheca juris puhlici (Stuttg. 1729-1734, 3 vols. 8vo) •.—Miscellanea juridico- historica (Francf. 1729-1730, 2 vols. 8vo) -.—GrHndriss d. heutir/en Staalsreifassunr; von Deutschland (Tubing. 1 73 1 , 8 vo ; six edit ions since) : — Kinleituntj in den Reichs- hofraths-Process (Francf. 1733-1737, 4 vols.8vo):— i%;i- tagma dissert at ionum Jus publicum Gernianicuni illus- trantium (Tilbing. 1735, 4to) : — Corpus juris evangeli- corum ecclesiasticum (ZuUiciiau, 1737-1738, 2 vols. 4to) : — Altes deutsches Staatsrecht (Nuremb. 1737-1754, 53 parts, 4to) : — . 1 Ite u. neue Reichshofraths Conclusa in cau- sis illustribus (Francf. 1743-1740,3 parts. ^\-i),):—Opus- cula acadeinica selecta Juris capita explicantiit (Francf. 1745, 4to) : — Deutsches IStaatsarchiv (Francf. 1751-1757, 13 parts, 4to): — Neues deutsches JStaatsrecht (Stuttg. 17(!0-1772, 20 vols. 4to, with 3 vols, of sii]iplcment [Francf. 1781-1782,3 vols. 4to|, and an Index, 1775):— \'ermischte Nachrichten v. reichsrillerschaftlichen Such-