Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 09.djvu/256

SYNDICALISM 212 SYTTGE representing the general body of con- sumers. SYNDICATES, originally, councils or bodies of syndics; afterward, associa- tions of persons formed with a view of promoting some particular enterprise, discharging some trust, or the like; now, combinations of capitalists for the pur- pose of controlling production and rais- ing prices; popularly known in the United States as "trusts." SYNECDOCHE, in rhetoric, a figure in which the whole is put for a part, or a part for the whole, as the species for the genus, the genus for the species, etc., as, a fleet of 10 sail. SYNERGISM, in Church history, a type of Semipelagianism which came into prominence in Germany in the 16th cen- tury, and which had for its chief repre- sentatives Erasmus and Melanchthon. Luther taught that the Fall rendered man incapable of all good, and powerless to contribute anjrthing to his conversion. Synergism, on the other hand, taught that "God does not deal with man as with a block, but draws him so that his will co-operates"; and this view was adopted in the Leipsic Interim (1548). A controversy arose on the subject, caused by the publication of a book in 1558 on the "Liberty of the Will," by Pfeffinger, a professor at Leipsic, which university together with Wittenberg rep- resented the Synergist view. Flacius, Professor of Theology at Jena, took the strictly Lutheran view which was adopted in the Formula of Concord. SYNESIUS, Bishop of Ptolemais in the Libyan Pentapolis, acted also the vari- ous parts of soldier, diplomatist, orator, philosopher and poet; born in Cyrene about A. D. 375. The contemporary of Augustine, he took pride in tracing his descent from the Heraclidse. the royal family of Sparta, who first colonized the Pentapolis, and inherited wealth and es- tates in the interior. He studied at Al- exandria under Hypatia, whose influence over him proved a dominant and lifelong one. He also studied in Athens, and re- turned to the Pentapolis, resolved to spend his life in study and in the pur- suits of a country gentleman. About 399 he was appointed by his fellow citi- zens a delegate from Cyrene to bring certain grievances before the Emperor Arcadius at Constantinople. He re- mained in that city for three years. In his speech "On Kingship" Synesius warns Arcadius sternly of the perilous nature of the times and points out the duties of a good king. During his stay at Constantinople a revolution took place, Arcadius was driven out by the Scythian general Gainas, and Aurelian, leader of the national party, banished. While waiting for an audience Syne- sius wrote a curious book entitled "Con- cerning Providence," In the form of an allegory he describes the contest be- tween Aurelian and Gainas, under the veil of a conflict between Osiris and Ty- phon, who personify Good and Evil; and deals with the question why God per- mits evil and delays so long to interfere. In a few weeks Gainas fell, Synesius at- tained the end of his mission, and sailed for home. The next eight years were a time of peace and happiness for Syne- sius; "books and the chase," he writes, "make up my life." About 403 he mar- ried a wife belonging to Alexandria. During these years he wrote his treatise "Concerning Dreams," a half -burlesque essay, "The Praise of Baldness" (he was bald himself), his "Dion, or on Self- discipline," the second part of his book on "Providence," several "Hymns," and a great many letters. This peaceful pe- riod was interrupted by war. The Liby- an nomads made raids on the fertile Pentapolis: there were no soldiers at Cyrene, but Synesius raised a troop of volunteers. The helpless governor Ce- realius fled; Cyrene was besieged and Synesius had to organize and direct the defense of the city. In 411 the people of Ptolemais, fear- ing the appointment of a corrupt gov- ernor, fixed on Sjmesius as their bishop. Synesius was most unwilling; but at last he yielded and was consecrated at Alex- andria in 410. On his return to Ptole- mais, finding the new governor An- dronicus playing the tyrant he boldly excommunicated him, and secured his recall. The Ausurians invaded the country, and Synesius had again to spend his nights on the ramparts and direct the defense. His only surviving child died. Synesius was broken with troubles, and both his philosophy and his religion ap- peared to fail him in his need. The city was relieved, but he fell ill and about 413 he died. His last letter was writ- ten to Hypatia who retained all his old affection and reverence. SYNGE, JOHN MILLINGTON, an Irish dramatist and poet, born in 1871. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, in 1892, and for 10 years fol- lowing studied languages and music in Germany, France, and Italy. He finally settled in Paris and devoted himself to the study of French literature. During the period of his stay on the continent, he annually made trips to the Arran