Mentzer, Balthasar

MENTZER, BALTHASAR: The name of four German scholars.

1. Balthasar the Elder: Theologian; b. at Allendorf (11 m. e. of Marburg) Feb. 27, 1565; d. at Marburg Jan. 6, 1627. After preliminary studies at the gymnasium at Hersfeld, he entered the University of Marburg in 1583; became pastor at Kirtorf in 1589; and professor at Marburg in 1596, enjoying the friendship of Ludwig III., landgrave of Hesse, until the latter's death in 1604. Mentzer was a strict adherent of Lutheran orthodoxy; the course of the new landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, Maurice, in favoring the Reformed type of doctrine was therefore a severe blow, intensified by the prohibition of discussions which involved the points at issue between Lutherans and Reformed and by the sending of advocates of the Reformed teachings to preach in Marburg. This gave an opportunity to the landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt to interfere in the affairs of Hesse. He therefore, in 1605 invited Mentzer and two other professors to establish a gymnasium at Giessen for the protection of Lutheranism. The new institution was a success from the first, and this led to the founding

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of the University of Giessen (1607), and Mentzer was one of the first professors chosen. When the political difficulties between the two landgraves ended in 1625, the university was transferred back to Marburg, and Mentzer was elected its first rector. In his new office he showed great zeal and ability, introducing new studies, taking great interest in the moral improvement of the students, and advising the theologians to refrain from mere scholasticism and to base their studies upon the Bible. He was an earnest, sincere, and devoted, if somewhat narrow, theologian. Practically all his writings were polemical, and had value only for his contemporaries. They were aimed in part at Johann Pistorius, Johann and Ludwig Crocius (qq.v.), and Anton Sadeel. Even his Exegesis Augustance Confessionis (Giessen, 1613) had a polemical purpose.

2. Balthasar II.: Theologian and diplomatist; son of the preceding; b. at Giessen May 14, 1614; d. at Darmstadt July 28, 1679. He was educated at the University of Marburg; accompanied Landgrave George II. on a journey to Saxony in 1631, and on his return finished his studies at Jena and Strasburg. He was appointed extraordinary professor at Marburg in 1640, and at the University of Rinteln in 1646; when the University of Giessen was reestablished in 1650, he was made professor of Hebrew and theology. He was, however, more at home in diplomacy and the landgrave made use of his talents in this direction. In 1652 Mentzer was appointed court preacher and superintendent at Darmstadt, and had ample opportunity for displaying his administrative talents. He was the constant companion of the landgrave in the latter's travels, and proved himself a capable diplomat. Several religious difficulties were settled satisfactorily through his skill and tact.

8. Balthasar III.: Mathematician, son of the preceding; b. at Rinteln Feb. 21, 1651; d. at Hamburg Mar. 8, 1727. In his sixteenth year he was elected professor of mathematics at the University of Giessen. He was a member of the orthodox party, and opposed the pietistic movement so energetically that he lost his position in 1693. A few years later he was chosen professor of mathematics at the Johanneum of Hamburg (a private institution).

4. Balthesar IV.: Theologian, son of the preceding; b. at Giessen Jan. 12, 1679; d. at Hanover Dec. 20, 1741. He studied philosophy and oriental languages at Leipsic and Wittenberg; spent some time in travel, then became pastor of the German Church in London in 1714; court preacher at Hanover, 1722; superintendent at Calenberg in 1726, and at Hanover, 1732.

(Erwin Preuschen.)

Bibliography: The Opera Latina of Balthwar I. were published Frankfort, 1669, and contain a brief account of his life by his eon-in-law, M. Hannecken; consult further for his life: F. W. Btrieder, Heaaiacha Gelehrten- and SchriftaWlerpesshiehte, viii. 418 sqq., Cassel, 1788 (contains on p. 424 a list of Balthasar's writings). On 2 consult: E. F. Neubauer, Hemiade Hebopfer, i. 379 sqq., Giessen, 1734; F. W. Strieder, ut sup., viii. 442 sqq.; W. M. Beaker, Goaehidte der Univeraitdt Giessen, Giessen, 1907.