THE NEW SCHAFF-HERZOG
kin by the representatives of the slain, not by public authorities; it belongs therefore to private as opposed to public justice. In nomadic society the perpetuation of the clan depends upon its fighting strength and its sense of unity. Hence assault upon a member of the clan, if attended with even unintended fatal results, involves the tribe, clan, or family of the slain in what is felt to be a sacred duty, the avenging of the shedding of blood. The custom is important from the standpoint of utilitarian ethics, since the knowledge that reparation will be demanded by the clan of the assailed restrains a potential assailant from wanton attack and makes men more careful in ordinary intercourse. The duty set by the institution is binding, and so close is the relationship in the clan (see Comparative Religion, VI, 1, b, § 1) that all its members may become involved, the result being a blood-feud between the clans of the assailant and the victim. Usually, however, the duty devolves upon the next of kin. Refusal on his part to exercise his right and perform his duty subjects him to utter contempt and even to outlawry.
In the advance of civilization the State assumes exclusively the function of Capital Punishment (q.v.) and the custom becomes obsolete. The Hebrew legislation furnishes an example of an intermediate condition, by which the right of the family of a man deliberately (not wantonly) murdered to execute justice was recognized and the murderer, when captured, was delivered by the authorities to the avenger of blood {go'el haddam, Lev. xix, 11-13; Num. xxxv, 19, 21, 27; for the general law of murder among the Hebrews consult Gen. ix, 6; Ex. xxi, 12; Lev. xxiv, 17; Josh. xx). Even in the case of accidental killing, the avenger of blood might kill the slayer if before the death of the high priest he found him outside the city of refuge in which he had taken sanctuary. See Law, Hebrew, Civil and Criminal, III.
Geo. W. Gilmore.
Bibliography: A. H. Post, Studien zur Entwicklungsgeschichte des Familienrechts , pp. 113-137, Oldenburg, 1889; Smith, Kinship (invaluable for the Semitic peoples, cf. also his Rel. of Sem.)\ and for modern savage practise, Spencer and F. J. Gillen, Native Tribes of Central Australia, London, 1899; idem, Northern Tribes of Central Australia, ib. 1904; DB. ii, 222-224; EB, ii, 1746-47.
BLOUNT, CHARLES. See Deism, I, § 3.
BLUMHARDT, CHRISTIAN GOTTLIEB: German Protestant; b. in Stuttgart Apr. 29, 1779; d. in Basel Dec. 19, 1838. He studied at Tubingen; in 1803 became secretary of the Deutsche Christentumsgesellschaft in Basel; minister at Burg, Wurttemberg, 1807; returned in 1816 to Basel as director of the missionary school. From 1816 he edited the Missionsmagazin, and from 1828 also the Heidenbote ; he published Versuch einer allgemeinen Missionsgeschichte der Kirche Christi (5 vols., Basel, 1828-37), reaching down to the time of the Reformation.
BLUMHARDT, JOHANN CHRISTOPH: German Lutheran; b. at Stuttgart July 16, 1805; d. at Boll (5 miles s.w. of Goppingen) Feb. 25, 1880. He studied at Tubingen; became teacher at the missionary institution at Basel 1830; succeeded Pastor
Barth at Mottlingen, near Calw, 1838. By the reported cure by prayer of a girl named Gottliebin Dittus, supposed to be a demoniac, which cure was effected after a two years' struggle, Blumhardt gained great fame. A revival followed, attended by so many people from so large an area that on Good Friday, 1845, no less than 176 localities were represented at the service. At his services so it is reported, healing of physical infirmities resulted from Blumhardt's laying on of hands in token of absolution. Blumhardt received calls to other places, but felt that his gifts and time belonged to the " distressed "; in order to be able to devote himself entirely to them, he bought in 1853 the royal watering-place Boll, which became an asylum for sufferers of all kinds, and from all ranks of society. The girl he had cured went with him as an assistant, accompanied by a brother and a sister whom Blumhardt had also cured. In 1869 and 1872 his sons joined him in the work. From all countries the afflicted flocked to his asylum, where his unique treatment seemed to give them new vital energy. At last sickness attacked him, and he ordained his son to the work with the words, " I consecrate thee to victory." In 1899 this son withdrew from the clergy, but continued to maintain the establishment at Boll. (J. Hesse.)
Bibliography: F. Zundel, Pfarrer J. C. Blumhardt, Zurich, 1887; T. H. Mandel, Der Sieg von Mottlingen im Licht des Glaubens und der Wissenschaft, Leipsic, 1895; C. Blumhardt, Gedanken aus dem Reiche Gottes im Anschluss an die Geschichte von Mottlingen und Bad Boll und unsere heutige Stellung, Bad Boll, 1895.
BLUNT, JOHN HENRY: Church of England scholar; b. in Chelsea, London, Aug. 25, 1823; d. in London Apr. 11, 1884. He gave up a business career for the ministry, studied at University College, Durham (M.A., 1855), and was ordained priest in 1855; after filling a number of curacies, he became in 1868 vicar of Kennington, near Oxford, and in 1873 rector of Beverston, Gloucestershire. He was a pronounced High-churchman, and an indefatigable writer both of articles for the periodicals and of books; among his works are a number of useful theological and Biblical compends, such as The Annotated Book of Common Prayer (2 vols., London, 1866; new ed., 1895); Dictionary of Doctrinal and Historical Theology (1870); The Book of Church Law (1872; 9th ed., revised by W. G. F. Phillimore and G. E. Jones. 1901); Dictionary of Sects, Heresies, Ecclesiastical Parties, and Schools of Religious Thought (1S74); The Annotated Bible : being a household commentary upon the Holy Scriptures, comprehending the results of modern discovery and criticism (3 vols., 1879-82); A Companion to the New Testament (1881); A Companion to the Old Testament (1883); also an important history of The Reformation of the Church of England (2 vols., 1869-82). At the time of his death he was working upon a Cyclopaedia of Religion (1884).
BLUNT, JOHN JAMES: English theologian; b. at Newcastle-under-Lyme (15 m. n.n.w. of Stafford), Staffordshire, 1794; d. at Cambridge June 18, 1855. He studied at St. John's College, Cambridge (B.A., and fellow, 1816; M.A., 1819: