RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Egyptian Research Account Eichhorn
adherence on the part of the clergy to the Augsburg Confession. In 1844 the six eastern provincial synods were convened and advocated the restoration of consistories in their ecclesiastical quality and the establishment of other synodical institutions. In 1846 at the instance of Prussia, conferences, represented by delegates from all the twentysix Protestant governments, were held (Berlin, Jan. 3), but they accomplished little except to serve as preludes for the Eisenach conferences (see Eisenach Conference).
In regard to the universities, Eichhorn declined to favor any particular doctrine, although he checked pantheistic speculation and deistic naturalism; moderate tendencies, on the other hand, were given free scope. He formed many plans, and efforts were made to acquaint the public through the press with the intentions of the government. But the revolution of Mar., 1848, made an end of all these plans and Eichhorn withdrew from public life. In his administration a special section was formed for Roman Catholic interests, and the bishops were permitted to communicate freely with Rome. (W. HoLLENBERGf.)
Bibliography: G. Eilers, Zur Beurteilung des Ministeriums Eichhorn, Berlin, 1849; O. Mejer, in Preussische Jahrbiicher, 1877, parts 2 and 3; H. von Treitschke, Deutsche Geschichte im 19. Jahrhundert, v. 229 sqq., Leipsic, 1894.
EICHHORN, JOHANN GOTTFRIED: Biblical scholar; b. at Dorrenzimmern (near Kiinzelsau, 24 m. n.e. of Heilbronn) in the principality of Hohenlohe-Oehringen, Oct. 16, 1752; d. at Gottingen June 14, 1827. His father was pastor at Dorrenzimmern. After preparatory studies in the town school at Weikersheim and the gymnasium at Heilbronn, he studied at Gottingen, 1770-74, under Michaelis, Walch, Miller, Schlozer, and Heyne. He became rector of the gymnasium at Ohrdruff, near Gotha, in 1774. The next year he was appointed ordinary professor of Oriental languages at Jena. In this period he published a number of treatises on the history and literature of the Orient, as well as of particular Mohammedan dominions. In the main, however, he devoted himself to the Biblical sciences. In the Repertorium fur biblische und morgenlandische Litteratur (Leipsic, 1777-86), edited by himself, he did much which was preliminary work to his Einleitung ins Alte Testament (3 vols., Leipsic, 1780-83). This work, which is distinguished alike by youthful enthusiasm, synoptical arrangement, comprehensive scholarship, and solid investigation, gained universal acceptance, and appeared in the fourth edition (5 vols., 1823-26). In it Eichhorn made Introduction a literary-historic science. A proof of the lively interest with which he pursued the study of Biblical literature is furnished by Allgemeine Bibliothek der biblischen Litteratur (10 vols., Leipsic, 1787-1803).
In 1788 he went to Gottingen as ordinary professor of philosophy; and here he exhibited until shortly before his death an exceedingly diversified activity, combined with rare powers of labor and indefatigable industry. His numerous lectures embraced not only the Biblical sciences, but also the history and literary life of ancient and modern times. At the same time he embodied the material IV.— 7
of his lectures in extensive works issued in rapid succession (cf. Hauck-Herzog, RE, v. 235 for list of his historical works). Nevertheless, the principal part of his activity was directed to Biblical science. Of his additional theological writings may be mentioned: Commentarius in Apocalypsin Joannis (2 vols., Gottingen, 1791); Einleitung in die apokryphischen Schriften des Alten Testaments (Leipsic, 1795); Einleitung in das Neue Testament (2 vols., Leipsic, 1804-12), containing detailed researches with reference to the origin of the Gospels; Die hebraischen Propheten (3 vols., Gottingen, 1816-19); and a metrical translation of the Book of Job (Leipsic, 1800; 2d ed., 1824). His lectures in the Gottingen Society of Sciences are also noteworthy. After Heyne's death (1812) he edited the Gottinger gelehrten Anzeigen, for which he wrote many literary notices.
The verdict upon Eichhorn and his works became less favorable not long after his death; his historical writings, which were really mere sketches, were found wanting in thorough investigation and painstaking conscientiousness. Still more sharply were his theological works censured, because the more accurate knowledge of the characteristics of this or that particular composition was lacking; and his research was not sufficiently free from prejudice. It may likewise be said against his exegesis that it neglected the psychologic element, and frequently explained away the profound content of the Biblical records by means of so called " natural " elucidation. His merit remains, however, in the fact that he not only vindicated the Bible against the ridicule of its enemies, but that far and wide he awakened love for the Biblical writings, especially the Old-Testament Scriptures, and the zeal to examine them carefully.
Carl Bertheatj.
Bibliography: F. Saalfeld, Geschichte der Universitdt Gottingen, pp. 332 sqq., Hanover, 1820; H. Doering, Die gelehrten Theologen Deutschlands, i. 356 sqq., Neustadt, 1831; H. Ewald, Jahrbilcher der biblischen Wissenschaft, i. 26 sqq., Gottingen, 1849; ADB, v. 731 sqq.; C. H. H. Wright, Introduction to O. T., London, 1890; C. A. Briggs, Study of Holy Scripture, passim, New York, 1899.
EICHHORN, KARL FRIEDRICH: German jurist; son of Johann Gottfried Eichhorn, b. at Jena Nov. 20, 1781; d. at Cologne July 5, 1854. He studied law at Gottingen, Wetzlar and Vienna. In 1803 he commenced his academic activity at Gottingen, was appointed professor of law at Frankfort-on-the-Oder in 1805, and was called in 1811 to Berlin. He served in the war of 1813, and four years later, at the wish of his father, accepted a call to Gottingen. He retired on account of illhealth in 1829, but in 1831 returned to Berlin, lectured for a year, then devoted his time partly to his high offices in civil administration, and partly to literary pursuits. He withdrew entirely from public life in 1847, and, after residing four years on his estate at Ammern (near Tubingen), removed to Cologne, where he spent the remainder of his life. Eichhorn was regarded as the foremost of the historical school of German jurists, and wrote a number of legal works which still take high rank. In the domain of canon law he wrote Grundsatze des Kirchenrechts der katholischen und der evange-
Eichstaett Eisenach Conference