Van Til, Solomon, a learned Dutch theologian, was born Dec. 26, 1644, nt Weesp, near Amsterdam, of a fam- ily originally from the duchy of Cleves. He studied at Alkmaar and the University of Utrecht; but an imped- iment in his speech induced hiin to change from theol- ogy to medicine. Under the advice of Burman, how- ever, he resumed the study of theology at Leyden (1664), where he made the acquaintance of Cocceius, and adopt- ed the views of that theologian. In 1666 he became pastor of a village in North Holland, an<l for ten years devoted himself to Oriental languages, metaphysics, and theology. In 1682 he was called to Dort as pastor, and in 1684 he added to his duties those of the chair of his- tory and sacred philology. In August, 1702, he ex- changed this position for that of ]irofessor of theology at Leyden. He was long atflicteil with ^out, and died at Leyden, Oct. 31, 1713. Van Til was of an affable dispo- sition, and formed' a large literary and social circle of acquaintances. He wrote much in a peculiar and some- what harsh style, chiefly on scrijitural interpretation, including comments on the Psalms. ^Nlalachi, and St. Paul's Epistles. See Hoefer, Xour. Bioij. Generule, s. v. "Til."
Van Valkenburgh, Danikl, a Presbyterian min- ister, was born at Manheini, Herkimer Co,, N. Y., Jan. 8, 1805: went to scliotd at Hartwick Academy, Otsego Co., N. Y. : graduated at Union College, N. Y, ; studied theology in Auburn Theological Seminary ; was licensed bv the Cayuga Presbytery, Jan. 21, 1827, and ordained by the C)neida Presbytery, July 13, 1831. His ministry of thirty-six j'ears was devoted to lal)ors in the church- es at E\ans's Mills, Richlield Springs, Mexico, Taberg, Exeter, and Springfield — all in New York. He died Nov. 24, 1864, As a theologian he was thoroughly read, sys- tematic, and able; as a preacher he was faithful, direct, and clear. See Wilson, Presb. hist. A Imanac, 1806, p. 230.
Van Vechten, Jacob, D.D., a distinguished min- ister of the Rifornied (Dutch) Church, was born at Cats- kill, N. Y., in 1788. He graduated at Union College in 1809; at the Associate Reformed Theological Seminary
VAN VEEN
717
VAN VRANKEN
ill 1813, and at New Brunswick Theological Seminarj' in 1814, when he was licensed by the Classis of New Brunswick. He was pastor at Schenectady, N. Y., from 1815 to 1849, wlien lie removed to Albany, and employed his time in preaching in the city and surrounding coun- try, anil in literary work. In 18G8 he removed to Au- burn, where he spent the remainder of his days among his children. He died Sept. 15, 1871. He published Memoirg of John M. Mason, D.D., S.T.P.,with Portions of his Correspondence (1856). See Corwin, Manual of the R(f. Church in America, s. v.
Van Veen. See Yt;Nius.
Van Viane (or Vian\ Francis, a Flemish the- ologian, was born at Brussels, Oct. o, 1(515. He studied at the jiapal college of Louvain; was made director of the seminary at Jlechlin, minister at Brussels, and pres- ident of his alma mater at Louvain; but at length re- signed the last-named office. In 1677 he went to Rome on a theological errand. He died at Louvain, Sept. 5, 1693. See Biographie Universelle, s. v.
Van Viane, Matthe\Ar, brother of the preceding, also a theologian, a hilmrious private student, died at Louvain in the pupal college, Nov. 16, 1663, aged forty years.
Vanvitelli, Luioi, an Italian architect, was born at Naples in 1700. He lirst studied painting, but after- wards gave himself to architecture. He designed sev- eral churches in Urbino, and many other religious edi- fices in Kome and Na])les. His principal buildings are the Augnstinian convent at Kome, and the palace of Caserta, near Naples. He died in Naples, March 1, 1773. See Vanvitelli, I7/« di Luhji Vanvitelli (Naples, 1823).
Van Vleck, John, a Reformed (Dutch) minister, was born at Shawangunk, N. Y., in 1828; graduated at Rutgers College in 1852, and at the Theological Semi- nary in New Brunswick. N. J., in 1855. Immediately he became principal of llnUand Academy, which in 1866 was incorporated as •• Hope College." It is located at Holland, Mich., and was begun as a parochial and civil school at a very early perloil in the large colony of Hol- landers which settled on Black Lake in 1847-48, under the leadership of the Rev. A. C. Van Raalte, D.D. As a missionary of the Reformed Church, Mr. Van Vleck was the tirst to preach in English in the colony, and thus laid the foundation of the flourishing Second Reformed tJhurch in that city. In 1859 he became principal of the Academy at Kingston, N. Y. ; and in 1862 assumed the pastoral charge of the churches of Middleport and Wawarsing, in Orange Co. He died March 15, 1865, of consumption, which had been long preying upon his constitution. He was amiable, greatly beloved, thor- oughl)' trusted, conscientious, spiritually minded, a true scholar, and a Christian of exemplary character and high attainments in the divine life. He was a superior classical scholar and teacher. In the sacred languages, especially in Hebrew, he was not only a hard student, but an accomplished exegetical writer and instructor. He prepared a valuable critical work on Gethsemane, and another was far advanced upon the Song of Solo- mon at the time of his death. But he did not live to complete them for publication. See Corwin, Manual of the Ref. Church in A merica, s. v. (W. .J. R. T.)