MEGANDER (GROSSMANN), KASPAR: Swiss Reformer; b. at Zurich, 1495; d. there Aug.18,1545. He studied at Basel, and in 1518 became a chaplain in his native city. From the beginning he stood unconditionally on the side of Zwingli; after 1525 he was active at the exegetical school founded by Zwingli. In 1528 he was called as professor of theology and preacher to Bern where the foundation for a theological institution was being laid, and the management of ecclesiastical affairs fell into his hands.
The importance of Megander for the history of the church lies in his consistent attitude in the negotiations for union between the Swiss and the German Reformation. Bern formed the center of opposition to the efforts of Butzer, and Megander was the leading spirit of that opposition. At first his older colleagues shared entirely his Zwinglian views, but Sebastian Meyer, the friend of the Strasburg theologians, and Peter Kunz, who for a time had studied at Wittenberg, energetically endeavored to advance the union with the Saxons. Consequently both sides vehemently attacked each other, in colloquies and from the pulpit. A synod held on May 31, 1537, censured the offensive quarreling of both parties and requested silence. Another convention, held in September, gave Butzer an opportunity to defend himself, and declared itself satisfied with his justification. Megander, on the other hand, was asked to revise his catechism because Butzer and Kunz suspected it of heresies in the article on the Lord's Supper. Megander'a catechism had appeared in 1536, and although he was not disinclined to make changes, he was so deeply hurt by Butzer's immediate and inconsiderate revision that he refused to acknowledge it. Consequently he was dismissed before the end of 1537, and returned to Zurich where he was made dean at the cathedral. With Leo Jud Megander published "Annotations to Genesis and Exodus" (1527) after Zwingli'a oral lectures, also "Annotations. to the Epistle to the Hebrews and to I John" (1539). He also wrote short commentaries on Gala-
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Bibliography: The best sources are the letters of Zwingli, in which the activities of Megander often receive notice. The works on the life of Zwingli have also more or less to say of him. Consult: Hundeshegen, Die Konflikts des Zwdnglianinnue, Lutherthums, Calvinismus in der bernischen Landeakirche 163.8-68, Bern, 1842.
MEGAPOLENSIS, JOHANNES (Jan van Hekelenburg): Dutch missionary to the American Indians; b. at Koedyck, Holland, 1603; d. in New York City Jan. 24,1670. He came to America, 1642, on the invitation of the patroon of Reneselaerwyck, and labored as a frontier missionary. He remained until 1649 working among the Mohawk Indiana, whose language he learned, many of whom joined his church. He was thus the first missionary among the Indians, preceding John Eliot by three years. From 1649 to his death he was pastor of the Dutch Church in New Amsterdam (New York). His zeal led him into intolerance toward Lutherans and Independents. His valuable "Short Account of the Mohawk Indians, their Country, Language, Figure, Costume, Religion, and Government," written in Dutch and published without his consent (Amsterdam, 1651), is translated in Historical Collections, State of New York, vol. iii.
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