Bible Dictionaries

1910 New Catholic Dictionary

Johann Schall von Bell

Jesuit missionary to China. Born in Cologne, Germany in 1591; died in Beijing, China in August 15, 1666. He labored first in Sheii-si, and later was summoned to Peking to reform the Chinese Calendar. The Emperor Shun-chi appointed him president of the Board of Mathematics and raised him to the rank of mandarin. During the reign of Shun-chi Christianity was tolerated. In 1664Father Schall was thrown into prison and narrowly escaped death.