Page:History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North.djvu/303

Rh lead us far beyond our present limits, and we will, therefore, content ourselves with brief notices of the most eminent writers in each department of research.

(1775-1850) was one of Denmark's greatest theologians. He, too, like so many other young men, had been powerfully impressed and strongly influenced by Steffens' teachings. By his great eloquence he was the first to champion a more sound development of the religious life, which in the beginning of this century was still fettered by the chains of rationalism. He was not a controversialist like Grundtvig, but still his influence on the character and tendency of the religious agitations was of great importance, for his vast learning, his profound knowledge of human nature and his commanding intellect lent an extraordinary weight to his words. By his writings and addresses he labored with indefatigable zeal for the advancement of religious life, filling in the meantime various high positions in the church. In 1834 he was made bishop of Zealand. Among his published works his brilliant "Betragtninger over de christelige Troeslærdomme" (Meditations on the tenets of the Christian faith) deserves particularly to be mentioned.

(1793-1877) is an important representative of the critical tendency within the domain of theology. By his first great work "Katholicismens og Protestantismens Kirkeforfatning," he drew upon himself the above mentioned violent attacks from the pen of Grundtvig. His later works, all of which are marked by great clearness and keen analysis, are chiefly devoted to historical criticism. Of no slight importance to the history of his time is his