Munthe, Caspar Friedkich, a Danish scholar noted for his researches in the original of the N. T. Scriptures, flourished at Copenhagen as professor of Greek in the first half of the 18th century. He died in 1762. He wrote, Observationes philolngicce in Macros Xovi Testamenti Libios, ex Diodoro Siculo colkctm (Co- penh. and Lcips. 1755, 8vo).
Muntinghe, Herman, a Dutch theologian of some note, flourished as professor of theology at the Univer- sity of Groningen near the opening of this century. He died April 24, 1824. He was for some time pastor of the Reformed Church in Holland, but this is all we know of his personal history. As an author, however, he is well known by his Pars Theologi<e Christiana Theore- tica ((ironing'. 1801 ; 2d ed. 1818-22, 2 vols. 8vo). The first volume contains a compendious system of theology ; the second a succinct account of the leading controver- sies with regard to religious doctrine, with copious ref- erences in each to Dutch, German, and English writers. Of Dr.Muntinghe's other works, it may be sulhcient to mention a Latin Outline of Church Ilistorg, on the basis of Schrockh's Compendium, and a voluminous History of Mankind, to which frequent reference is made in his Theologi/.
Muuton, Antiionv, an l^nglish divine, fioiirished near the middle of the 18th century as curate of St. An- drew's church, Newcastle. He died in 1755. He was noted in his day as a pulpit orator of great excellence and power. " Some of his sermons," says a contemjio- rary, "would be pronounced truly excellent by every dispassionate judge." A volume of Munton's Sermons was published shortly after his death (Newcastle, 1756, 8vo).
Muntras, mystic verses or incantations which form the grand charm of the Hindi'i Brahmins. They oc- cupy a very prominent ]ilace in the Hindu religion. The constant and universal belief is that when the Brahmin repeats the Muntras the deities must come obedient to his call, agreeably to the Sanscrit verse: " The universe is uniler the power of the deities, the de- ities are under the power of the ^Muntras, the Muntras are tnuler the power of the Brahmins; consequently the Brahmins are gods." The ^luntras are the essence of tlie Vedas, and the united juiwer of Brahma, ^■ishnu, and Siva. See Gardner, Faiths of the World, p. 499.
MUNUS CHRISTI
737
MUNZER
Munus Christi. See Christ, Offices of, Miiiizer, Thomas, a religious enthusiast and fanat- ic of the great Keformatiou period, was born at Stolberg, in the Harz, about 1490. Of his youth we know little beyond what he stated himself to his judges at the time of "his death (Walch, Luther's Werke, xvi, 158), namely, that he had resided at Aschersleben, and had studied at the university in Halle, and had taken part in a con- spiracy against Ernest II, then archbishop of Magde- burg. As the archbishop died in 1513, this indicates how early MUnzer began to be connected with secret associations. He also manifested earh^ a great tenden- cj' to wandering from place to place in pursuance of visionary plans. He appears to have entered the Uni- versity of Leipsic soon after he left Halle ; at least we find him in 1515 with the degree of " magister artium" and bachelor of theology. He then acted as head of a school at Frohsen, near Aschersleben. In 1517 he ap- pears as teacher in a gymnasium at Brnnswick, then at Stolberg in the same year, and again at Leipsic i\\ .1519. Next he was made chaplain and confessor of the Ber- nardine nunnery of Beutitz, near Weissenfels. This he left in 1520, and was made preacher of the church of St. Mary, at Zwickau, the principal church in the place. His very first sermon there (Rogation Sunday, 1520) made a deep impression, and brought him a large num- ber of enemies as well as friends. At the breaking out of the Reformation, his unquiet spirit made him side at once with the movement. He entered into communica- tion with Luther, and was looked upon as one of the sturdiest champions of reform. But he only understood the negative view of the Reformer's doctrines, that which overthrew the existing form of clerical life. Mlin- zer now fearlessly attacked the mendicant orders, which were in a state of great prosperity at Zwickau, and soon found himself involved in a bitter controversy with their defender, brother Tiburtius of Weissenfels. I?oth parties had adherents among the population ; yet Mllnzer suc- ceeded in getting the ascendency by enlisting tlie sym- pathies of the most influential citizens, who had often suffered from the pride and arrogance of the monks. Miinzer, however, still showed some moderation, as he declared himself ready to submit to the decision of the bishop of Naumburg, and also addressed letters of justi- fication to Luther. Hardly was this quarrel over (to- wards the middle of 1520), when Miinzer became in- volved in another. In the same church of St, Mary to which he was attached was another priest having the same functions, and who had been installed some years before Miinzer. This priest was Dr. Johann (Sylvius) Wildenauer, a native of Eger, and generalh' known as Egranus. He inclined also to the doctrines of the Ref- ormation, but only accepted their humanistic conclu- sions, and went no further with Miinzer than condemn- ing the ignorance of the monks. On other points he sided with the aristocracy of the town, and his private life was not above reproach. He was vain, conceited, and much given to advancing paradoxical theories. He and Miinzer soon began to quarrel, and in November, 1520, they had already arrived at the point of exhibiting their differences in the pulpit. The population sided with Miinzer, seeing in him not only the reformer of the Church, but their defender against clerical oppression. Miinzer now gave full scope to his talents as a popular orator, and, helped on by the events of the times, had great success. Among his adherents was a weaver, Nich- olas Storch, who subsequently obtained some reputation. Being either already connected with the sect of Btihme, or led on by Miinzer alone, Storch soon became the head of a band of fanatics who boasted of supernatural com- munication, and spread by means of secret conventicles. Twelve apostles and seventy-two disciples were elected, and Miinzer and Storch became the heads of the soci- ety. This movement made steady progress, and by its influence Egranus was finally obliged to leave Zwickau for Joachimsthal. This, however, did not suffice to re- store peace to the town. Miinzer, probablv dissatis-