THE NEW SCHAFF-HERZOG
perius's Homiletik und KatechiJc (in collaboration with E. C. Achelis; Berlin, 1901).
SACK BRETHREN (Fratres saccati, Saccophori, Sachetti): An order of hermits formed early in the thirteenth century for rigid asceticism and works of mercy. They received their name from the rough garments worn by them, though they were also known as "Penitential Brethren of Jesus Christ" and Boni Homines (q.v.). The Sack Brethren were introduced into England by Henry III. in 1257, though they had existed in Spain in the pontificate of Innocent III., and in France and Flanders. The order seems to have been suppressed by the Council of Lyons in 1275, probably because of heretical views rife among them, whereupon the brothers entered other orders, such as the Servites. The Sack Brethren lived extremely rigorously, abstaining from the use of wine, drinking only water, and practising communism of property. By the end of the fourteenth century their name had vanished from history.
A similar order of nuns was founded by Louis IX. of France in 1261. They termed themselves the "Penitent Daughters of Jesus," and were also called, from their habit, Saccaria? or Sachettes. Though the order survived only a short time in France, where the nunneries were near St. Andr6des-Arcs, Sack Sisters seem to have had houses in London as late as 1357. (0. ZocKLERf.)
Bibliography: Helyot, Ordres monastiques, iii. 175 sqq. ; Heimbucher, Orden und Kongregationen, ii. 182; A. G. Little, in English Historical Review, Jan., 1894, pp. 121 sqq.
SACK, sac, AUGUST FRIEDRICH WILHELM:
German Reformed; b. at Harzgerode (50 m. s.e. of Brunswick) Feb. 4, 1703; d. at Berlin Apr. 23, 1786. He was educated at Frankfort and Ley den, after which he was a private tutor in Groningen. Returning to Germany, he became, in 1728, tutor of the hereditary prince of Hesse-Homburg, and in 1731 was called to be third minister of the German Reformed church in Magdeburg, where he founded a poorhouse and orphan asylum which still exist. In 1738 he became first minister of the same church, and consistorial councilor and inspector of the Reformed churches in the duchy of Magdeburg. From 1740 until his retirement in 1780 he was court and cathedral preacher at Berlin and member of the consistory. Theologically he was orthodox in a period of religious indifference and latitudinarianism, yet possessed of characteristic Protestant independence of thought and averse to all forms of compulsion. Though his mediating position exposed him to severe criticism from adherents of more one-sided views, he enjoyed, in general, the support of men of all parties, many of whom he counted among his personal friends and correspondents. In 1745 Sack was chosen a member of the physical section of the Berlin Academy of Sciences, and from 1751 to 1706, in addition to his other duties, he was a visitor of the Reformed Joachimsthal Gymnasium. He also directed for a time the benevolent institutions connected with the cathedral, and during the residence of the royal family at Magdeburg during the Seven Years' War was not only their chaplain, but also the religious teacher of the princes and princesses.
Sack's theological convictions may be gathered most fully from his Verteidigter Glaube der Christen (Berlin, 1751), a popular presentation of apologetics and dogmatics, as well as from the notes and meditations contained in his Lebensbeschreibung (ed. F. S. G. Sack, 2 vols., Berlin, 1789). He was naturally under the influence of the philosophy of Leibnitz and Wolff, and consequently presupposed a natural religion based on concepts of divine perfections, the attainment of religious convictions by processes of reason, and the like. At the same time, he regarded such natural religion as inadequate for the needs of man, seeing perfection in the Bible alone, and seeking the proof of its divine inspiration in its contents and their effect on the human soul. The central point of revelation he held to be the mediation and the redemption by Christ; forgiveness and blessedness are possible only on condition of repentance and true faith in Christ the mediator. The doctrines of prevenient grace and justification by faith, on the other hand, are comparatively neglected, while regeneration is emphasized. His sermons were collected in six volumes (1735-64).
(K. H. SACKf.) Bibliography: The chief source is the Lebensbeschreibung, ut sup. Consult further: J. M. H. Doring, Die deutschen Kanzelredner des 18. und 19. J ahrhunderts, pp. 353-360, Neustadt, 1830; R. Rothe, Geschichte der Predigt, p. 421, Wittenberg, 1881.