SEMLER, JOHANN SALOMO, one of the most influential German theologians of the 18th c., was born Dec. 18, 1725, et Saalfeld, where his father was archdeacon; educated at Halle, and in 1749 went to Coburg as professor at the ,,gymnasium. In 1751 lie was appointed a professor of theology at Balls, where he 1: Ott with great success; and six years later, became director of the theological seminary there. Be died Mar. 14, 1791. Semler was, in the early part of his student-career, somem hat of a Pietist, but the pre lections of Sigm. Jak. Baumgarten may be said to have revolutionized his religions con victions, and swung him round to rationalism, of which he was the first systematic exponent. Semler's rationalism, however, was always moderate in degree, though defi nite enough in kind. As a thinker, he was deficient in philosophical consistency and breadth of view; and as a writer he possessed no literary skill or grace; but his works are valuable for the spirit of historical criticism.by which they are pervaded. The
principal are: Apparatus ad liberalem Veteris Testamenti Interpretatzonein 1773), Abhanalung ion der Untersuchuvg des Kanons (4 vols., Halle, 1771-75), De Damoniacis (Halle, 1760), Umstandliche Untersuchung der Daemonischen Lamle (Halle, 1762), Vcrsuek ejeer Bibhiciien Daemonologie (Halle, 1776), Selecta Capita Ilistorice (3 vols.: Halle. 17.07-69), Commentationes Historices de Antique Chrietianorum Stain (2 vols., Halle 1771-72), Versuch Christlicher Jahrldicher oder ausfiihrliche Tabellen fiber die' Eirehenge schichte bis cads Jahr. 1500 (2 vols., Halle, 1783-86), Obse•vationes nova, Tabus Ilistoria Christianornm usgue ad Constantinum Magnum illustratur 1784).-8de his Icbeimbe.-(h.re:bung von ihm selbst verfasst (Halle, 1781-82), Wolf Thber letzte Lebenstage (Halle, 1791), H. Schmid, Tkeologie Sender's (1858), and Tholuek in his Ver mischte Sehriften. .,