Autobiography

XIV

provides for many thousands of his fellow citizens, even strangers! What did he not do for the theological seminary The "Stift" in Tübingen, a famous Protestant residence and school for training clergy where Andreä served. here! What for the Gymnasium A classical secondary school; specifically the Eberhard-Ludwigs-Gymnasium in Stuttgart. in Stuttgart! What for the social morals, which became increasingly corrupt with the progress of the Thirty Years’ War, A series of devastating conflicts in Central Europe (1618–1648) that caused immense population loss and social collapse. instead of the people being led toward piety by the general misfortune! What more might he have achieved if he had been allowed to work according to the full scope of his activity! How often was I tempted to wish, along with Spener: Philipp Jakob Spener (1635–1705), a later influential theologian known as the "father of Pietism." “Oh! if only I could awaken him, or men like him!” How necessary such true Württembergers would be in a state where no community spirit and no pure patriotism exist—despite our excellent constitution, which only requires a few improvements based on moderate principles—but where instead egoism, nepotism, (*) party spirit, etc., largely prevail! — but back to the work itself!

(*) See Mr. Privy Councilor Spittler’s Ludwig Timotheus Spittler (1752–1810), a prominent historian and statesman in the Duchy of Württemberg. History of Württemberg, p. 199 f.