MDDM Ch. 30 "German Enthusiasts"

[jbor]

And again from _Brewer's_:

Enthusiasm. The word represents Greek *enthousiasmos*, literally 'possessed
by a god, from *en-* 'in', and *theos* 'god'. Inspiration is very similar,
from Latin *inspirare*, literally 'to breathe in (the god-like essence)'. In
the 17th and 18th Centuries the word enthusiasm was applied disparagingly to
emotional religion.

best

>> 
>> I seemed to remember some Religious etymology for the
>> word Enthusiast and sure enough:
>> 
>> Main Entry: en.thu.si.asm
>> Pronunciation: in-'thu-zE-"a-z&m, en-, also -'thyu-
>> Function: noun 
>> Etymology: Greek enthousiasmos, from enthousiazein to be inspired, irregular
>> from entheos inspired, from en- + theos god
>> 
>> Date: 1603 
>> 1 a : belief in special revelations of the Holy Spirit b : religious
>> fanaticism 
>> 2 a : strong excitement of feeling : ARDOR b : something inspiring zeal or
>> fervor 
>> 
>> Coupled with the fact that the phrase used is "German Enthusiasts" (caps)
>> meaning 1 above, may be relevant.
> 
> Yes, in this sense it might literally refer back to the prominent "German
> Pietist" faction in Philadelphia which was mentioned to Mason 293.17, and to
> previous references to Martin Luther in the text.
> 
> Pietists. A 17th Century Lutheran movement seeking to revive the life of the
> Lutheran church in Germany. It was started by P.J. Spencer (1633-1703), and
> the name was applied derisively by the orthodox in the same way as the term
> "Methodist" was used in England.
> 
> best
> 
> 
>