Schonherr, Johanx Heinuich, a very remark- able mid iuHucutial (ierman theosophist, was born at Memcl .\o\cml)er 30, 1770. At the age of fifteen he was sent ti Kdnigsberg to engage in trade. After a year of trial he concluded that he had not found his calling. IJv great self-denial he succeeded in en-
tering and passing through a gymnasium course, so that at the age of twenty-two he was ready for the universitj'. Even in his gymnasial course he be- came interested in those deep problems to wliich his subsequent life was given. But as yet it was a pe- riod of inner commotion. His early reverence for the Bible and orthodoxy was shaken by contact witli the Kantian philosophy. At first intent on studying the- ology, he now wavered and began with juris|)rudence. Soon he l)roke off from Kantian principles and endeav- ored, in his own way, to solve the ])roblem of destiny and immortality. After a year at Konigsberg he made an extensive journey, stopping a Avliile at (ireifswald and Kostock, and finally studying a whole year at the University of Kinteln. Here at Kinteln his system of theosophy began to take shape. It was rooted in a reaction against Kant's abstract idealism, and was a fervent grasping after realism. He imagined that in the simple words of revelation he had found a complete philosophy of being. "I even saw into the mystery of the Trinity," says he; "and I discovered that tlie world is a structure that leads to perfection." Leaving Hinteln in 1793, he passed through Gijttingen, Erfurt, and Jena, and finally stopped at Leipsic to continue the study of |)hilosophy. Here he led a quiet, studious life until February, 1794, and showed no signs of eccentric- ity. But of a sudden one morning he came into the room of a friend and inquired the way to the highest mountain of Thuringia, affirming that he must repair I thither at once. His manner awakened a belief of his I insanity, and he was at once taken to an asylum. Here I he at first refused all food. After a month he was re- leased. He returned to Konigsberg in the fidl convic- tion that he had discovered a new system of religious truth, and with the full determination to devote his life to its propagation. To university studies he gave no further attention, but, gaining liis daily bread by pri- vate instruction, he explained his thoughts in private, and gradually gathered to himself a little circle of ad- mirers. His earnest assaults upon the prevalent ration- alism, and his absolute enthusiasm for the literal writ- ten word of God, made a hap]iy impression upon many a youtlil'ul heart. Two regular weekly meetings were held, Wednesday and Sunday evenings, at which were had anitnated discussions on the profoundest problems of philosophy and religion. They extended far into the night, sometimes until daybreak. Ladies also at- tended. Usually they closed with a hymn and a sim- ple meal. These meetings were held not so much siinply to impart a fidly developed system as in or- der to develop and mature on all sides a number of fmidamental principles which were regarded as already settled and certain. Hence Schonherr was also him- self a seeker of light as well as a giver. As to his out- ward maimer, he was as unpretentious as a child, show- ing no trace of a desire to rule or to be held in extraor- I diiiary esteem. He was simply a thoroughly convinced j believer. He believed that he had found the key to a ] fuller understanding of revelation and a deeper insight into nature, and he felt that a great regeneration of Christendom would go out from his teachings. But he i had not tlie least intention of forming a sect; on the contrary, he was very constant in his attendance upon j the regular Church services, and he joined in them with j fervent devotion. Although tlie private meetings at I Schiinherr's house were never very large, still their very regularity and the striking appearance of Schonherr himself attracted tlie attention of the police to them. Measures were about to be taken for their suppression, when a casual meeting of Schiinherr with tlie minister of public worship made such a favorable impression as to cause the matter to be ilrojiped. Tlienceforth he was left to labor unmolested until liis death.
Among tlie young friends of Schiinlierr none contrib- uted more than J. VV^. Ebel (q. v.) to bring his teachings into public notice. P^bel had studied at Konigsberg and received the degree of Ph.D. at Leipsic. In 1810
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he obtained a place as preaclier in Konigsberg, where his intimacy with Schiinherr was renewetl. His preach- ing soon invited general attention. His manner was at- tractive, his language imaginative, and his chief themes (conversiiin and personal holiness) almost novel. Twice the clerical authorities were impelled to call him to give account of his doctrines and of Ids relations to Sclion- herr. But no good reason coulil ye: be seen for inter- fering with him. These failures to tind aught against him, especially the last one, in 1814, contrilmted to give even greater prominence to his ministry and his tlie(j- sophic views. In 1^(1(5 he attained to tlie most promi- nent place in the Church of the city. Tliis prominence soon opened the way for the conversion of not a few eminent persons. Even professors of the university and noble dukes and ladies were brought into close in- timacy with Schciidierr. In tlie year 1819, however, a violent disagreement arose between Ebel ami liis mas- ter. Ebel had ripened into spiritual independence, and could no longer concede the infallibility to Schonherr which the whole circle had hitherto passively admitted. Besides, he could nt)t admit the scripturalness of some of the later developments of his master's sj-stem. And when Schonherr actually proposed physical castigation as a means of hastening on the kingdom of God. and endeavored to sanction it by Scripture texts, Ebel took direct issue with him, and ventured to intimate to him that, while starting well, he had stop|)ed short and was yet entangled in the Hesh. Thenceforth there were two parties, the larger one following Ebel. Schonherr continued with his diminished circle just as before. In 1823 he made a journey to Si. Petersburg, and the next year another to Berlin; but he made no permanent im- pression. In 1825 he fell upon the insane notion of constructing a ship which was to move without sail against wind and stream, and to serve as a place of refuge for his followers amid the terrible judgments that were soon to fall upon the world. He actually con- structed it. On being lamiched, it went to pieces amid the derision of the witnessing multitude. This came near entirely breaking up his little band of followers; yet it did not in the least shake his faith in the truth of his system or in his divine call. But his career was now about run. Broken down in health by his self- mortitications and labors, he retired to Spittelhof, in the environs of Konigsberg, and there died of consumption, Oct. 15, 182(5, attended only by a single maid-servant, who was faithful to him to the last.