RELIGIOUS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Neuchatel Nevin
tenstiicke aus der Zeit der Reformation (2 parts, Nuremberg, 1838); Lehrbuch der historisch-kritischen Einleitung in das Neue Testament (Leipsic, 1840); Neue Beitrdge zur Geschichte der Reformation, mit historisch-kritischen Anmerkungen (2 vols., 1841); Geschichte der Reformation von 1517-1532 (1842); Geschichte des evangelischen Protestantismus in Deutschland fur denkende und prufende Christen (2 parts, 1811 16); and Die Hauptversuche zur Pacifikation der evangelisch-protestantischen Kirche Deutschlands von der Reformation bis auf unsere Tage (1846). He also edited Handschriftliche Geschichte Matthdus Ratzebergers uber Luther und seine Zeit (Jena, 1850) and Georg Spalatins historischer Nachlass und Briefe (with L. Preller; 1851), besides continuing the third edition of W Miinscher's Lehrbuch der christlichen Dogmengeschichte (Cassel, 1838).
(A. ScHUMANNf.) Bibliography: Gothaische Zeitung, July 14, 1866; ADB, xxiii. 479 sqq.
NEUMANN, nei'man, CASPAR: Lutheran theologian and hymnist; b. at Breslau Sept. 14, 1648; d. at Breslau Jan. 27, 1715. He was pastor at St. Elizabeth's, Breslau, inspector over all the local churches and schools, and first professor in the two municipal gymnasia. He commanded wide learning in the spheres of political and natural science, but in theology he accomplished little that was noteworthy. Though unfriendly to Pietism, he was still characterized by deep devoutness, with some touch of Spener's spirit. He was less known through his collected sermons Licht und Recht (Berlin, 1716; Leipsic, 1731) than he was through his prayerbook Kern aller Gebete (enlarged in 2d-4th eds., Wittenberg, 1686-93; twenty- two issues down to his death; new edition Eisleben, 1882). Written originally for his private use, it became expanded into a comprehensive prayer-book. In the Evangelical Church of Germany, Neumann is even still better known through his thirty-nine church hymns, of which ten or twelve are retained to this day in the state church hymnals. A few of his hymns are: " Grosser Gott von alten Zeiten," Eng. transl. by H. J. Buckoll, " God of Ages never ending "; " Herr, es ist ein Tag erschienen "; " Nun, bricht die finstre Nacht herein "; and " Herr, auf Erden muss ich leiden," Eng. transl. by Miss Winkworth, " Lord, on earth I dwell sad-hearted." There is, however, more poetry in Neumann's prose than in his hymns. Hermann Beck.
Bibliography: Julian, Hymnology, p. 795; E. E. Koch, Geschichte des Kirchenliedes, v. 456 sqq., 7 vols., Stuttgart, 1866-72; A. F. W. Fischer, Kirchenlieder-Lexikon, pp. 459 sqq., 2 vols., Gotha, 1878-79; ADB, xxiii. 532 sqq.
NEUMARK, nei'mark, GEORG: Hymnist; b. at Langensalza (19 m. n.w. of Erfurt), Germany, Mar. 16, 1621; d. at Weimar (?) July 8, 1681. He studied jurisprudence at Konigsberg, then at Weimar he became ducal librarian and recorder, and later was keeper of the archives for the Palatinate. He belonged to the " pompous court set " of poets. Some of his spiritual hymns were meritotious, expressing, as they did, both a strong trust in God that was rooted in the depth of experience, and an intrinsic sensibility, and have remained in VIII— 9
use to the present. His most famous hymn was: " Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten " (Eng. transl. by Catherine Winkworth, " My God, I leave to thee my ways "). Hermann Beck.
Bibliography: E. E. Koch, Geschichte des Kirchenliedes, iii. 410 sqq., iv. 146 sqq., 7 vols., Stuttgart, 1866-72; Julian, Hymnology, pp. 795-797; ADB, xxiii. 539 sqq.
NEUMEISTER, ERDMANN: Lutheran theologian and hymnist; b. at Uchteritz near Weissenfels (20 m. s.w. of Leipsic) May 12, 1671; d. at Hamburg Aug. 18, 1756. He studied at Schulpforta and Leipsic, and after transient academic occupation entered the ministry, becoming pastor at St. James' Church in Hamburg in 1715. He was a vehement antagonist of Pietism, and took the field against Spener himself, and afterward against Zinzendorf. The influence he had with his contemporaries came through his ascetic writings and his hymns. Of the former mention may be made of his manual for communion: Der Zugang zum Gnadenstuhl Jesu Christi (Weissenfels, 1703 and often); Das Aufheben heiliger Hdnde zu Gott (2d ed., Hamburg, 1726); and Das Gott suchende und von Gott lebende Herz (Hamburg, 1731). He wrote many hymns of worth, not a few of which have survived to this day, among which may be named " Jesu, grosser Wunderstern," Eng. transl. by E. Cronenwett, " Jesus! great and wondrous star "; and " Jesus nimmt die Sunder an! " often translated into English, e.g., by Mrs. Bevan, " Sinners Jesus will receive." He was also the creator of the Church cantata. J. S. Bach, in particular, composed the music for seven of his cantatas.
Hermann Beck.
Bibliography: Julian, Hymnology, pp. 797-798; E. E. Koch, Geschichte des Kirchenlieds, v. 371, 7 vols., Stuttgart, 1866-72; ADB, xxiii. 543 sqq.
NEUTRI. See Francis, Saint, of Assisi, and the Franciscan Order, III, § 7.
NEVIN, ALFRED: Presbyterian; b. at Shippensburg, Pa., Mar. 14, 1816; d at Lancaster, Pa., Sept. 2, 1890. He graduated from Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pa., 1836, and from the Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, Pa., 1839; was pastor of the Cedar Grove Church, Pa., 1840^5; of the German Reformed Church, Chambersburg, Pa., 1845-52; of the Second Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, Pa., 1852-57; and of the Alexander Church, Philadelphia, 1857-61; he was also lecturer in the National School of Oratory, Philadelphia, 1878-80. Among his works are: Churches of the Valley; or, An Historical Sketch of the Presbyterian Congregations of Cumberland and Franklin Counties in Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, 1852); Guide to the Oracles (Lancaster, 1857), reissued as The Book Opened; Analysis of the Bible (Philadelphia, 1869); The Age Question: or, A Plea for Christian Union (1868); Popular Expositor: Gospel and Acts (1872); Notes, Exegetical, Practical and Devotional, on Exodus (1873) ; Parables of Jesus (1881); Triumph of Truth: or, Jesus the Light and Life of the World (1881); Encyclopaedia of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (1884).
Nevin
New England Theologry