work on the geological survey of Prussia, he di- rected the preparation of the "Geological Chart of Prussia and the Thuringian States." The re- searches in paleontology, with which his name is most closely associated, resulted in the puhlica- tion of several important works, among which are: Beitragc ziir Komtnis der VerstcDicrungen des rheinische^i Vcbogungxricbirfics (18371 ; Un- tersuchungeii iihcr die Trilobiteii (1846) ; Leber einige Cephalopodcn atis dein M uschelkalh der Alptn (1807). Consult Dames, Gediichtnisrede auf Ernst Bcyrich (Berlin, IS'Jli).
BEYBOUT. l).-i'root or ba-rfJot'. See Beibut.
BEYSCHLAG, bl'shliio, Wiixibald (1823-
1000). A German Protestant theologian. He
was born at Frankfort-on-thc-Maiu, and studied
theology at Bonn and Berlin from 1840 to 1844.
In 1856 he became Court preacher at Karls-
ruhe, and in 1800 was called to the chair of
practical theology at Halle. With Wolters he
founded the Deiifschevnngelische Blatter, and in
1886 he was a ])rominent organizer of the so-
called Evangelical Alliance, for the safeguard-
ing of German Protestant interests. His works
include: Christolo<iic da Keuen Testaments
(1861) ) ; Der Altl.'atholizismus (1882); Leben
Jesu (1885) ; Xeule.itamenthehe Theologie (1891-
92) ; Ausmeinem Leben (1896-98) ; MelanclUhon
und sein Anteil an der dcutschcn Reformation
(1897) ; and Christenlehre auf Qrund des klei-
nen luthcranisehen Eatechismus (1900).
BE'ZA (properly de Bêze), Théodore (1519-1605). Next to Calvin the most energetic and
influential of the Genevese reformers. He was born of a noble family at VOzelay, in Burgundy, June 24, 1519. He received an admirable education in Orleans and Boiirges (1528-35), from :Melehior Wolmar, a German, who was especially learned in the Greek language, and also imbued with the principles of the Reformation, which he conmninicated to his pupil. In 1535 he went back to Orleans to study law, studied hard, and obtained his degree as licentiate of civil law. He then went to live in Paris, where he appears to have spent several years in a kind of fashionable dissipation, though he does not accuse him.self of any
gross profligacy. Beza possessed a handsome figure, which, together with his fine talents and good birth, opened to him the most brilliant prospects. Although not a priest, he pocketed the revenues of two benefices, while his income
was largely increased bj' the death of an elder
brother. He abandoned the law and took up
literature, and distinguished himself as a wit, a
scholar, and a poet. In 1548 he published Jii-
renilia, a volume of poems, which gave hira
high rank among the Latin poets of his day. Only
malice and ignorance could twist them into even
occasional indecencies ; but they were, by the ene-
mies of the Reformation, persistently vilified
after their author had become a Protestant
leader. Beza himself, in after-life, regretted
having published frivolous verses, because he had
come to see no value in anything which was not
distinctly religious. .
It was the desire of his relatives that he should enter the Church; but a private marriage which Beza had contracted in 1544 rendered this impossible. A severe illness attacked him in 1548, during the lapse of which the folly and sinfulness of his career vividly presented them- selves to his conscience; he repented, and on his recovery, in order to avoid the perils and perplexities of his position, he went to Geneva, along with his wife, October, 1548. In 1549 he was appointed Greek professor at Lau.sanne, an ollice which lie held for ten years. In 1550 he pub- lished with success a drama entitled The Hacri- /icc of Abraham, and delivered lectures on the Epistle to the Romans and the Epistles of Peter to crowded audiences. Out of these lectures ulti- mately sprang his translation of the New Testa- ment into Latin. In 1559 he went to (Jeneva, where he became Calvin's ablest coadjutor, and was appointed a theological ])rofessor and ])resi- dcnt of the college. He had already signalized himself b_v his work De Hwrcticis a Civili Ma- gistratii I'liniendis, in which, like many other good but mistaken men, he approved of the burn- ing of Servetus. His diplomatic tact was very pronounced. He induced the King of Navarre to exert his influence on behalf of the per.secuted French Protestants, and was persuaded by the latter to attend the conference of Catholic and Protestant divines held at Poissy in 1561. Here his courage, presence of mind, and dexterity made a very favorable impression on the French Court. Catharine de' Medici entertained so high an opinion of his abilities that she desired him to remain in France. While in Paris, he often preached before the King of Navarre and Cond6. On the outbreak of the Civil War (1562), he accompanied the latter as a kind of military chaplain, and after his capture attached himself to Coligny. In 1563 he once more returned to Geneva. In the following year Calvin died, and the care of the Genevese Church now fell (irinci- pally upon Beza's shoulders. Hepresided f)ver the sjTiods of French reformers held at La Roclielle in 1571 and at Nimes in 1572. In 1574 he was deputed by Conde to transact important business at the Court of the Palatinate: and in 1586 measured himself with the Wiirttcmbcrg divines, especially Jacob Andreil, at the religious confer- ence held at .Montbeliard. In 15S,S his first wife died, and, although verging on seventy, he mar- ried again the next year, a circumstance which his enemies, the Jesuits, tried to turn against him, but Beza, who still retained com])lete mas- tery over his faculties, retorted with his accus- tomed liveliness and skill. His first w-ife was Claudine Denosse, a burgher's daughter; his sec- ond was Catherine del Piano, the widow of a Gen- evese. He had no children by either wife, but he adopted the niece of the first, Genevifevc Denosse, and the granddaughter of the se<'(md. In 1597 his calumniators spread the report that Beza was dead, and at the last hour had returned to the bosom of the Church. The witty patriarch re- plied in an epigram full of sparkling vigor. He died October 13. 1605, at the age of eighty-six. Beza was thoroughly grounded in the princi- ples of his master, Calvin, in whose spirit he vigorously ruled the Genevan Church for forty years, exercising the influence of a patriarch. To secure its unity, strength, and ]>ermanence, he spared no pains, sacrificing even his personal possessions. I5y his abundant learning, his per- severing zeal, his acute intellect, his great elo- quence, and his impressive character, he ren- dered important services to his Church. He was the born gentleman among the Reformers, and so was often chosen to represent the French Re- formed Church in dealing with royalty and
