Marezoll, Johann Gottlob

Marezoll, Johann Gottlob, a German theologian, was born at Plauen, grand-duchy of Saxe-Weim. — Eis., Dec. 25, 1761; studied theology at the University of Leipsic from 1779 to 1783; became then tutor for three years in a private family; in 1789 became preacher of the University of Gottingen, with the dignity of professor extraordinary of divinity, and lectured with success on moral philosophy and homiletics; in 1794 was honored by the University of Helmstadt with the doctorate of divinity, and in the same year also accepted a call to Copenhagen as pastor primarius of the German St. Peter's Church, where he was allowed much time for study; but the northern climate injuring his health, he obtained in 1802, by Herder's influence, a position at Jena as superintendent and pastor of the town church, and at the same time commenced lectures on homiletics at the university of that place. He died Jan. 15, 1828. Marezoll was a child of the rationalistic times in which he flourished; but still, with a strong desire to preach and spread abroad the teachings of the Gospel, and gifted with a spirited language and animating mode of delivery, he became a blessing to many thousands of hearers, and an example and a subject of imitation to thousands of students. His productions were repeatedly reprinted, and translated into several languages, and effected much good. He is justly styled one of Germany's greatest preachers of the 19th century. He wrote Das Christenthum ohne Gesch. u. Eisklein dumng (1787): — Bestimmunmg des Kanzelredners (1793), besides his sermons, published in 1790-1, 1806, 1811, 1829, etc.: — Prediten zur Esrinnerung an die fortdauernde Wirksamkeit der Reformation (Jena, 1822): — Homilien (1828): — Nachgelassene Predigten (1852, and since). See Herzog, Real- Encyklopädie, vol. 20, s.v.; Doring, Kanzelredner d. 18ten u. 19ten Jahrh. s.v.