Spener

Spener, PHILIPP JACOB (1635-1705), founder of the sect of Pietists, was born in Alsace, and, after leaving Strasburg University, became public preacher of the city. In 1664 he received the degree of D.D., and, going to Frankfort, obtained a high ministerial position there. In 1670 he began the series of meetings of a religious character to which he gave the name of Collegia Pietatis, and from this the name of Pietist arose. He visited Dresden, where he was made Court preacher, and Berlin, but Halle became the real centre of the Pietistic movement. His earnestness and knowledge obtained for him almost universal respect, and he wrote many theological works, besides several on heraldry, and was the flrst person to introduce the study of heraldry into Germany.