RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Dietenberg'er
reformationis in concilio universali, all of which belong to the time of the great Western schism.
Paul Tschackbrt. Bibliography: For a full list of editions of the works of Dietrich and of literature on him consult: Potthaat, Wegvieiser, pp. 1051-55 (indispensable as an aid to special study). The best review of his life and writings is G. Erler, Dietrich von Nieheim, Leipsic, 1887. Consult further: J. B. Schwab, Johannes Gerson, Wiirzburg, 1858; H. V. Sauerland, Das Leben des Dietrich von Nieheim, Gottingen, 1875; P. Tschackert, Peter von Ailli, Gotha, 1877; A. Fritz, Zur Quellenkritik der Schriften Dietrichs von Niem, Paderborn, 1886; O. Lorenz, Deutschlands Geachichtsquellen, ii. 152, 313-323, 371-374, 413-414, Berlin, 1887; H. Finke, Acta conciliiConstantiensis, vol. i., Miinster, 1896; KL, iii. 1747-49.
DIETRICH, VEIT: German Reformer; b. in Nuremberg Dec. 8, 1506; d. there Mar. 25, 1549. Though only a shoemaker's son, he went in 1522 to the University of Wittenberg, where he soon gained the affection of Melanchthon. Later he came in close touch with Luther, who advised him to forsake medicine for theology; he shared Luther's house and board, and became his amanuensis and secretary. As such he accompanied Luther to the debate at Marburg in 1529, in the following year he went with Luther to Coburg on the way to the Diet at Augsburg. In 1533 he appears as dean of the faculty of arts in Wittenberg. On Dec. 14, 1535, he became minister at St. Sebald's in Nuremberg, and shortly after married a lady of Nuremberg. He was Melanchthon's lifelong friend, and had his confidence, knew his thoughts, and shared his cares as no other did except Camerarius; while more anti-Roman than Melanchthon, he was his disciple rather than Luther's. He edited and translated into German a number of Luther's and Melanchthon's minor writings; it is charged that he proceeded very arbitrarily in editing, sometimes suppressing Luther's views or changing them completely. Of his own works (which were very numerous) the most popular was the Summaria iiber das Alte Testament (Wittenberg, 1541), an attempt to give briefly " what it is most necessary and useful that the young people and the common man should know of each chapter." In 1544, with Melanchthon's help, he rendered a like service for the New Testament (reprinted by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri and Ohio, St. Louis, 1857).
(T. KOLDE.)
Bibliography: G. T. Strobel, Nachricht von dem Leben und den Schriften Veil Dietrichs, Nuremberg, 1772; J. Voigt, Briefwechael der beruhmtesten Gelehrten . der Reformation, pp. 171-216, Konigsberg, 1841; H. E. Jacobs, Martin Luther, New York, 1898; J. W. Richard, Philip Melanchthon, ib. 1898. Very numerous are the references to Dietrich in J. KSstlin, Martin Luther, Berlin, 1903.
DIEU, dyU, LUDOVICUS (LODEWIJK) DE:
Dutch Orientalist; b. at Flushing, Holland, Apr. 7, 1590; d. at Leyden Nov. 13, 1642. He studied m Leyden, where, under J. Scaliger, Oriental studies had thriven. The Library of the "Athens of Holland " was rich in Oriental manuscripts, and Thomas Erpenius, who was with Daniel Colonius (van Ceulen) the teacher who most impressed him, gaw to it that these treasures were well used. After completing his studies, in 1613 Dieu becg-me pastor at Middelburg, in 1615 he removed to Flushing, and in 1617 took charge of the Low German
congregation at Leyden, and served also as regent of the Walloon College until his death. He refused a call to the newly founded University of Utrecht, and also many other offers. He was a plain, rehable, and clear-eyed scholar, as a commentator he was highly esteemed, and was always active in the public weal. Because of the character of his studies and of his taste for linguistics he became an exegete, and employed in a new way, in the service of Biblical science, the translations from Oriental languages, especially those from the Syriac, the Arabic, and the Ethiopic, as well as his knowledge of Jewish literature. The study of Tremellius's Latin translation of the Syriac New Testament and the use of a translation into Hebrew of a part of the New Testament by Mercerus and Mtlnster gave his zeal new impetus in the same direction. Further to equip himself he dived into the translations of Oriental literature furnished by his friend Heinsius, librarian in Leyden. The fruits of his labors he gathered partly in writings on linguistics, partly in notes on difficult Biblical passages. The exegetical works completed in this period are collected under the title Critica sacra sive animadversiones in loca qucedam difficiliora Veteris et Novi Testamenti (Amsterdam, 1884), edited with good indexes.
In still another field Dieu's scientific work bore good fruit. Through a traveler to the Orient he got possession of some missionary tracts put into Persian by the Jesuit Jerome Xavier, and of a Life of Jesus and a Life of Peter, which were intended to bring to the " Mongols " the true word of God. He acquired a knowledge of Persian in order to examine the missionary methods of the Jesuits, and expressed disgust at the way in which they palmed off legends and falsehoods as truth. He proceeded to edit their works, added a Latin translation and valuable notes, and affixed a Persian grammar, that any one might investigate and see that he, a priest of science, fought with clean weapons. It is a missionary's duty, he taught, to learn the language, so as not to hinder the progress of the Gospel among the heathen. (G. Heinrici.)
BtBLiOGRAPHY: As an early source consult R. Simon, Histoire critique du V. T., pp. 440 sqq., Amsterdam, 1678; idem, Histoire critique des . commentateurs du N. T., pp. 787 sqq.; Rotterdam, 1693. Consult also Nic^ron, Memoires, XV. 85 sqq.; A. J. van der Aa, Biographisch Woordenboek der Nederlanden, iv. 53, Haarlem, 1859.
DIGGLE, JOHN WILLIAM: Anglican bishop of Carlisle; b. at Pendleton (a suburb of Manchester) Mar. 2, 1847. He studied at Merton College, Oxford (B.A., 1870), and was ordained priest in 1872. He was curate at Whalley Range, Lancashire (1871- 1872), All Saints', Liverpool (1872-74), St. John's, Walton, Liverpool (1874-75), and vicar oFMossley Hill, Liverpool (1875-96). He was canon of Carlisle and archdeacon of Westmorland (1896-1901), and examining chaplain to the bishop of Carlisle (1892-1901). He was rector of St. Martin's, Birmingham, in 1901-04, and arclideacon of Birmingham and rural dean in 1903-05. He was rural dean of Childwall in 1882-90, honorary canon of Liverpool in 1889-96, president of the Liverpool Council of Education in 1891, select preacher to the University of Oxford in 1898, and examining
Dike
Diocletian