HELLER: A family of Württemberg poets and theologians.

1. Matthius Hiller, Orientalist, was born at Stuttgart Feb. 15, 1646; d. at Königsbronn (45 m. e. of Stuttgart) Feb. 3, 1725. In 1677 he became assistant preacher in Herrenberg, 1686 preceptor in Bebenhausen, 1692 professor of Hebrew, 1698 of theology in Tübingen, 1716 abbot in Königsbronn. He wrote a Hebrew-Latin dictionary, also De arcano kdhib et keri (Tübingen, 1692), Onomastieum sacrum (1706), and Hierophyticon (Utrecht, 1725).

2. Friedrich Konrad Hiller, councilor of the chancery and hymn-writer, was born at Unter6wisheim, near Brilchaal (12 m. n.e. of Carlsruhe), 1662; d. there 1726. He wrote 172 hymns which he edited under the title Denkmnl der Erkenntnis, Liebe and Lob Gottes in neven geistliche» Liedem (Stuttgart, 1711).

3. Philipp Friedrich Hiller, hymn-writer, was born at MOMhausen-on-the-Enz (near Vaihingen, 15 m. n.w. of Stuttgart) Jan. 6, 1699; d. at Steinheimon-the-Albuch (near Heidenheim, 22 m. n.n.e. of Ulm) Apr. 24, 1769. He was educated at Maulbronn and Tübingen, was private tutor in Nuremberg from 1729 to 1731, became pastor of NeckarGr6ningen in 1732, of Mühlhausen-on-the-Enz in 1'736, and of Steinheim in 1748. In 1751 he almost completely lost his voice; and, being thus excluded from the pulpit, he devoted himself to hymn-writing. He put all the prayers of Johann Arndt's Paradiesgdrtlein into the form of songs under the title Johann Arndts Paradiesgartlein von neuem angelegt (4 parts, Nuremberg, 1729-31). Besides this work, he wrote more than a thousand hymns and religious songs which he published under the title Geistliches Liederkdstlein (2 parts, Stuttgart, 1762-1767). He also composed a life of Jesus in Alexandrine verses (2 parts, Heilbronn and Tübingen, 1752); Kurze and erbduliche Andachten bet der Beicht and dem heiligen Abendmahl (Tübingen and Stuttgart, 1752); Morgen- and Abendandaehten nach dem Gebet des Hewn (Stuttgart, 1785); finally a work in prose, Neues System aller Vorbilder Jesu Christi dureh das gdnze Alte Testament in zwei Teiien

(Stuttgart, 175"8). Hiller has become the favorite spiritual poet of Evangelical Württemberg.

(H. Mosapp.)

Bibliography: On 1. S. Pfuster, in Hisrophytiuon, Utrecht, 1725. On 2: Denkmal der Erkenntuia, preface, Stuttgart, 1711; E. E. Koch, Gteehidde des Kirchenlieds, v. 59 sqq., Stuttgart, 1889. On 3: O. F. Hamer, Nachrirhten von Liedardichiern des Auosburger Geeanpbucha, pp. 119-129, Schwabaoh, 1779; A. Knapp, Atiembergische Chmaktere, pp. 78-142, Stuttgart, 1870; E. E. Koch, ut sup., v. 107 sqq.; ADB, xu. 425 sqq.; Julian, Symnolocy, pp. 524-525.