Jean Frederic, a distinguished Protestant divine, was born at Neuchâtel on the 25th November 1663. He gave early marks of great intellectual precocity, and reaped laurels in philosophy both at Zurich and Saumur while yet a mere lad. After obtaining his master's degree at the latter place, he studied theology successively at Orleans, Paris, and Geneva. He was afterwards appointed pastor of the Reformed church of his native town, a position which he continued to adorn by his learning and zeal during a long life. In the first years of his ministry the political condition of Neuchâtel was critical in the extreme, and the amicable settlement of its affairs which afterwards ensued was in a great measure owing to the sagacity, energy, and moderation of Ostervald. A close friendship was soon formed between the pastor of Neuchâtel, J. A. Turrettin of Geneva, and S. Werenfels of Bâle. These eminent men went by the name of "the triumvirate of Swiss divines," and did much to revive the cause of true religion in Switzerland. In addition to the active and laborious duties of a pastor and preacher, Ostervald found leisure to extend his reputation as a man of learning and piety in various able and popular works. He wrote a Traité des Sources de la Corruption, Amst. et Neuf. 1699; Catéchisme, ou Instruction dans la Religion Chrétienne, Genève, 1702; Traité contre l'Impureté, Amst., 1707; Arguments et Réflexions sur l'Ecriture Sainte, Neuf. 1720; Traduction de la Bible, Neuf. 1744; Sermons sur Divers Textes de l'Ecriture Sainte, Genève, 1722-24. Three other works bearing his name were published from notes of his lectures, but without the author's consent. These were Ethica Christiana, London, 1727; Théologie Compendium, Bâle, 1739; and Traité de l'Exercice du Ministère Sacré, Amst. 1737. His works attained to a great popularity with the French Protestants; and he was long spoken of among them as "le Grand Ostervald." His writings were likewise translated into English and German; and "Ostervald's Bible" was long well known and much prized in this country. Ostervald died on the 14th of April 1747, in his eighty-fourth year. (See his Life by David Durand, London, 1778.)