Jesus without wonder and veneration? We now see him in a situation where every thing tended to depress his mind. We see him surrounded by men who he well knew would ridicule his claims, and make them the foundation of his 6 the marked distinctions of Calvinism that might be freely left to men of less mental width. "Words," rather than "ideas," are the "horrors" that he and others have summoned up in this controversy; for from what moral difficulty are we freed by substituting for "decree" the word "permission," in the case of Him without whose permission the ocean tosseth never the smallest pebble on the strand. One set of phrases may sound less harshly than another; but the idea ever remains the same, if omnipotence and omniscience enter into our consideration. Might it not be wise for all parties to confess, that, in the dark twi light of the morn, when they have only so much light as maketh clear the path around and immediately before them, they have quarrelled regarding the minutiae of far-distant scenery, on which there falls not yet more brightness than sufficeth to mark its bold outlines? and may it not be unwise to struggle regarding phrases that a strictly logical inquiry will necessarily converge to one point, and that a point on which a full ray has not yet been cast, because none was needed? ruin. We see him in circumstances in which ambition and every earthly interest united to oppose the assertion of this high character. From his silence we see that at this trying moment he was perfectly composed, not agitated, not provoked, not hurried to imprudence by violence of passion, but capable of the calmest anticipation of the consequences of his acknowledgment. In this situation, when the solemnity of an oath was imposed on him, and when life or death rested on the words he uttered, we hear him breaking that silence which calumny could not interrupt, and in the most firm, serious, and majestic language claiming the honors of the Son of God, of the promised Messiah, of the Saviour of the world. We not only hear him assenting to the question, Art thou the Christ?' but adding to his assent a declaration of his glory, which he must have known would have been peculiarly offensive to the Jews, and applying to himself language which, under the old dispensation, had been limited to God, thus expressing his intimate union with the Father. If we consider the solemnity of the occasion, and the language employed by Christ, we are There was one topic connected with Calvinauthorized in saying, that, if Jesus did not de- ism, because taught by several of the gloomiest clare the truth, he was not merely a common theologians of that school, but not certainly held deceiver, but the very worst of deceivers. But by many of the men who are counted Calvinists, how can this be reconciled with his whole life that appears to have exercised a strong bias on and doctrines? and how could a man of such a Dr. Channing; as might, indeed, have been excharacter have made such a profession in circumstances which threatened nothing but humilia-pected from the natural kindness of his heart. We may tion and suffering?" describe that doctrine as "the reprobation of some infants." Certainly we cannot conceive how that terrible notion ever entered a human breast; but it came not out of the Bible, which, where it teaches any thing on the topic, teaches the reverse. It is lovely to think, standing by the corpse of a little child, whose spirit has known neither the temptations nor the sins of time—has lived and passed away unconscious of all the evil and the good in life- of how many such is the kingdom of heaven. And that has nothing to do with the corruption or the sinfulness indigenous to human nature. The Bible amply provides for and covers all doubts arising on that ground. There was little or no change in Dr. Channing's subsequent life. His position was that of a high Arian. He claimed to hold the views of Dr. Isaac Watts; although, so far as we can remember the opinions expressed by this English divine, they materially differ from any thing that we read in Channing's works; while the latter avowed that he could not assent to the views of Dr. Priestly, and held on this great topic, and kindred subjects, a position not so clear and defined as that taken by him on questions of infinitely less importance to himself and to others, on almost every other question to which he had turned his attention. The Calvinistic doctrines were the objects of his greatest enmity. On no other topic did he ever express the same intensity of bitter feeling. We do not wish to examine farther his theological tenets, because the quotations that we have already made are ample to show, that on this, the profession of his life, his mind held a less steady grasp, cast a weaker and more flickering light, than on any other question that exercised his talents or aroused his genius. Still, we may say that he entered a war of words regarding It must be acknowledged, that in Dr. Channing's theology there was a nervous wavering, that may have partly arisen from his caution in forming decisions; partly from a balancing between the doctrines of his youth and the creed of his adoption; partly because he loved the practices, activity, and enthusiasm of those whom he seems to have left, more than the stern intellectualism of the party whom he joined; partly because, we should likewise say, he stood almost alone, without the farthest verge of what are styled evangelical or orthodox principles, and yet so close upon the edge, that a frequent | small accumulations of health, against the de hearer or an attentive reader might for long suppose that he was within that circle, and fail to detect the character of the ground on which he had chosen to stand. This apparent uncertainty was not real at least it was not able to affect his own peace of mind and his own happiness. Few men seem to have lived more cheerfully, labored more devotedly, and died more confidently, than the celebrated preacher of Boston. Mr. Channing left Richmond in 1800, and at the close of 1801 he was elected Regent of Harvard University, which seems to have been a sinecure office, in humble imitation of many appointments in English Universities, undoubtedly meant for the advancement of learning, although not in every instance promotive of that object. He "began to preach in the autumn of 1802, being then in his twenty-third year." On the 1st of June, 1803, he was ordained pastor of Federal Street congregation, Boston, having refused a call by a much larger congregation of the same city, from a belief that his weakness rendered him incompetent for its duties. The first chapter of the second part of the Memoirs embraces the first ten years of Dr. Channing's ministry that is, to 1813. There is nothing more remarkable in these years than might be found in the life of many devoted, popular, and successful ministers. He was active in discharging the various duties connected with his profession. His congregation increased rapidly, for he was a preacher endowed with attractive eloquence; perfectly sincere, and devotedly earnest in his labors. His salary seems to have been at its minimum 1,200 dollars, equal to £300, and to have been increased to 1,500 dollars, or £375, during the first ten years of his ministry. These sums, in Boston, then a small city, and, indeed, in any place, at the beginning of the present century, were considered liberal; and yet Mr. Channing was always poor, not from extravagance, but from generosity; and the attention that he devoted to the younger members of his family. He seems to have passed his time very much as popular and devoted ministers find necessary now and everywhere. He projected various societies of a useful character, bearing an intimate resemblance to those that are still requisite and operative in crowded cities. He was deeply interested in the physical improvement of the inhabitants, in sanatory reforms, in assisting imigrants, and promoting intellectual progress by ordinary school instruction, and by mechanics' institutes. He seems also to have assisted in the establishment of friendly societies, of benefit clubs, and of the various methods then practised for providing, by the mands of weakness and sickness. Perhaps, if ministers of the gospel represented religion in a less contemplative and abstract view than is often done if they expressed more apparent interest in the material and physical well-being of the people around them they might be come as agents of religion more powerful and successful. The evils of the visible world often grow up so as to destroy in the mind any interest in the concerns of an unseen existence, even when there is no theoretical doubt or denial of their reality. And we should acknowledge that, for many efforts to reform the physical evils of society, it is indebted to the ministerial profession. Savings-banks in this country, which have been useful, and may yet be improved, were originated by a minister of the gospel. They formed the first effective engine for demonstrating the power of accumulation. The second chapter is chiefly occupied by extracts from his sermons on various subjects— principally the religious doctrines that he taught. There are some of these even of present interest; for the popular preacher of Boston rose far above those petulant jealousies of Britain that have generally characterised the people of the United States. There is no difficulty in tracing the cause of this jealousy. The States have received nearly all the most discontented inhab itants of this country who have been able to emigrate during the present century. Many of them had wrongs to plead against society; of many society had reason to complain, to be ashamed, and with their conduct to be indignant. The latter class especially hate the land that they have wronged. Many of them are clever, write in the press-for the American press is, with few exceptions, in the hands of third class men, even in point of ability. Hatred of England can be made to act as flattery of the native American. Vanity is gratified, and thus the feeling grows national. To this cause may be added the deportation of immense bodies of Irish, who are taught to hate, not the British Government but the British people, exactly in a ratio with the increase of their demands or their dependence upon them. They dislike them now more than in 1846, because, since then, we have had the famine, and the subscriptions or taxes of some ten millions sterling. His matured opinion of France, and of Napoleon, is recorded in a sermon preached on the 5th April, 1840 (a day of public fast): much work at home to care for America? He "Will it be said that the conqueror has too has indeed work at home; but, unhappily for this country, that work ever brings us to his view. There is one work, one object, which is ever present to the mind of Napoleon. It min-effecting his wishes and purposes, what reason gles with all his thoughts. It is his dream by have we to tremble! night, his care by day. He did not forget it on the shores of the Baltic, or the banks of the Danube. The ruin of England is the first, the most settled purpose of his heart. That nation is the only barrier to his ambition. In the opu lence, the energy, the public spirit, the liberty of England, he sees the only obstacles to universal dominion. England once fallen, and the civilized world lies at his feet. England erect, and there is one asylum for virtue, magnanimity, freedom; one spark which may set the world on fire; one nation to encourage the disaffected to hold up to the oppressed the standard of revolt. England, therefore, is the great object of the hostile fury of the French emperor. England is the great end of his plans; and his plans of course embrace all nations which come in contact with England; which love or hate her, which can give her support or contribute to her downfall. "We, then, we may be assured, are not overlooked by Napoleon. We are a nation sprung from England. We have received from her our laws, and many of our institutions. We speak her language, and in her language we dare to express the indignation which she feels at oppression. Besides, we have other ties which connect us with England. We are a commercial people, commercial by habit, commercial by our very situation. But no nation can be commercial without maintaining some connexion with England-without having many common interests with her without strengthening the foundations of her greatness. England is the great emporium of the world; and the conqueror knows that it is only by extinguishing the commerce of the world, by bringing every commercial nation to bear his yoke, that he can fix a mortal wound on England. Besides, we are the neighbours of some of the most valuable English colonies, and can exert an important influence on those channels of her commerce, those sources of her opulence. "The French Revolution was founded in infidelity, impiety, and atheism. This is the spirit of her chiefs, her most distinguished men; and this spirit she breathes, wherever she has influence. It is the most unhappy effect of French domination, that it degrades the human character to the lowest point. No manly virtues grow under this baleful, malignant star. France begins her conquests by corruption, by venality, by bribes; and where she succeeds, her deadly policy secures her from commotion by quenching all those generous sentiments which produce revolt under oppression. The conqueror thinks his work not half finished until the mind is conquered, its energy broken, its feeling for the public welfare subdued. Such are the effects of subjection to France, or, what is the same thing, of alliance with her; and when we consider how much this subjection is desired by Napoleon, when we consider the power and the arts which he can combine for "I fear there are many who attach ideas of happiness and glory to France, because they hear of the conquests of French armies; and I fear this impression reconciles them to the thought of union with her. They might know, and they ought to know, that France is drinking even to the dregs that cup of sorrow which she has mingled for other nations. They should be taught that she is most degraded in her moral and religious condition, and wretchedly impoverished; that her agriculture, her manufactures, her commercial cities, are falling to decay; that she is ground with oppressive taxes, most oppressively collected; that her youth are torn from their families to fill up the constant ravages which war and disease are making in her armies; that with all her sufferings, she is not permitted the poor privilege of complaining; that her cities, villages and houses are thronged with spies to catch and report the murmurs of disaffection. In a word, the people might and should be taught, that social confidence, public spirit, enterprise, cheerful industry, and moral and religious excellence, have almost forsaken that unhappy country." There is another passage in a discourse preached on the 23d July, 1812, the day of the public fast on account of the declaration of war with Great Britain, that might be usefully circulated in the United States at the present time, where and when both rulers and people talk over readily and lightly, at times, of war with Britain, as a blessing that would increase the sale of cotton bales and flour barrels. a "We have selected for our enemy the nation from which we sprang, and which has long afforded and still offers us a friendly and profitable intercourse a nation which has been for ages the stronghold of Protestant Christianitywhich everywhere exhibits temples of religion, institutions of benevolence, nurseries of science, the aids and means of human improvement nation which, with all the corruptions of her government, still enjoys many of the best blessings of civil liberty, and which is now contending for her own independence, and for the independence of other nations, against the oppressor of mankind. When I view my country taking part with the oppressor against that nation which has alone arrested his proud career of victory which is now spreading her shield over desolated Portugal and Spain - which is the chief hope of the civilized world-I blush - I mourn. We are linking ourselves with the acknowledged enemy of mankind - with a government which has left not a vestige of liberty where it has extended its blasting sway- which is at this moment ravaging nations that are chargeable with no crime but hatred of a foreign yoke. Into contact and communion with this bloody nation we are brought by this war and what can we gain by building up its power? On this subject too much plainness cannot be used. Let our government know that we deem alliance with France the worst of evils, threatening at once our morals, our liberty, and our religion. The remaining part of the first volume is occupied with the Unitarian controversy, which, in Boston, occupied the same ground, was conducted in the same manner, had the same result, and was followed by the same consequences, as occurred some years subsequently in Belfast, and the north of Ireland. The first chapter of the second volume, and the fourth of the second part of the Memoir, is chiefly occupied by extracts from Dr. Channing's practical works, from his correspondence, and from some notes that he had kept all extremely interesting, but too voluminous for particular notice. The fifth chapter embraces eight years of the real biography, from 1814 to 1822. "Wordsworth's excursion' "9 was the modern literary work in which Dr. Channing seems to have felt the greatest interest. He says, that excepting Shakspeare, he never read anything more. In the domestic affairs of the States, Dr. Channing was led to oppose often the policy of their rulers. He pleaded for freedom to the slave, and for justice to the Indian, and therefore he was often engaged in denouncing the policy of the Union, which he was still anxious to support in all its extent; and in 1814, although adverse to the war with England, he discountenanced an idea entertained in New England, of severing the Union on that account. In 1816, he was engaged in advocating the cause of temperance, which had then taken some root in the States. At the same period he was busy in forming Peace Societies, not on the principle that all wars are illegal, but on the more rational ground that all war should be prevented. He was busily occupied with all the benevolent societies formed in the city of Boston, and with many of the literary and educational institutions for which it is justly famed and to their prosperity he contributed in a very high degree. In the midst of the labors, many of them little known, that engrossed his years of strength, those changes came to his household that come on all. His biographer says: "When we last saw Mr. Channing in his home, the bright ring of brothers and sisters, clasped by a mother's love, was unbroken; and we purposely left untouched that image of the happy family of which his own pure, gentle, heavenly affection was the guardian angel. But long before the period at which our narrative has now arrived, link after link had been removed by the various chances and changes of life-by marriage, death, and inevitable dispersion. The eldest son, Francis, had early mar ried, as we have already seen; and the eldest daughter, whose gentle heart was from girlhood interlinked in destinies with Washington Allston, had been united to him on his return to America, after his studies in Italy, and had gone to England to share the uncertain fortunes of an artist and a man of genius; the third sister had also removed with her husband to New York. Of the four younger brothers, two had entered into the learned professions, two into mercantile pursuits; and thus the once large household had dwindled away. "But sadder separations followed. In the summer of 1810, Francis, from the effects of fatigue while engaged in the laborious discharge of his duties as a lawyer, was seized with hæmorrhage, and sank rapidly into a decline. He retired to Newport, where he lingered for a time among the beautiful scenery of his native island, receiving every kindness which the assiduous care of anxious friends could lavish, and in the autumn sailed with his wife and a favorite cousin for Rio de Janeiro, with the hope of finding benefit in a change of climate. But his strength had been too much exhausted, and on the nineteenth day of the voyage he died.” Some time afterwards, another change of a different character occurred: : "And now this faithful son and brother was himself to leave the roof which his own generous devotedness had made his mother's. In the summer of 1814, he had married his cousin, Ruth Gibbs, and after passing the winter in the parsonage, he was, by the earnest request of Mrs. Gibbs, to become for a time a member of her family. Here opened upon him a life most rich in gentle happiness and beautiful affection. His mother-in-law, who was the sister of his father, had much of the character of her brother, and nothing could have been more benignant than her whole aspect and manner. * "Inwardly and outwardly his lot henceforth was singularly serene. From about this time commenced, too, his summer visits to Rhode Island, where Mrs. Gibbs, who resided in Boston during the winter, retained a country-seat; and how much the few months annually passed amid the quiet charms of Oakland' attuned and harmonised his spirit will hereafter abundantly appear." In 1821, he made an extensive tour in the States, and the extracts from his journals in the second volume are more interesting to us than the extracts from similar notes of his European journey, which followed in 1822. The lake country of Cumberland and Westmoreland had more charms to him, from his intercourse with his favorite English poet, Wordsworth, than its celebrated picturesqueness. His European winter was spent in Italy. There is little or nothing in his correspondence from Europe deserv ing of notice, or if there be, it is omitted from his biography. The third part of the Memoir commences with the resumption of his ministerial duties in 1823. From that time onward he became through his works better known in this country. His opinion on public questions connected with the two countries was received with all the re ed to the companions of his children. The spir"Dr. Channing's hospitality was nowise limitit of his mother-in-law pervaded Oakland, and the rule was to keep every room filled with guests during the bright season. When the family mansion overflowed, friends found lodg ings in the immediate neighbourhood. Visitors, too, from Newport, and strangers from abroad, sought his society. So that every pleasant evening was sure to find a circle of intelligent and refined persons collected in the parlors, piɛzza, and garden. In this kind of intercourse much that was most beautiful in the character of Dr. Channing appeared. The absorbing thoughts of the student, the reserve of the recluse, were of interests, gracious dignity, tolerance of all put aside; and with variety of information, and forms of character and opinion, and simple frankness, he welcomed those who sought him to participate in his truth and peace." spect, although not the authority, conceded to the deliverance of an impartial judge. The third volume consists principally of extracts from his works, pamphlets, sermons, or correspondence. Many of the topics are interesting. He was a devoted republican, and yet he by no means considered it the only perfect system of political government. He was a universal suffragist, and still be considered some educational and moral test necessary. He was an abolitionist; but he did not adopt all the extreme lan guage of that party, and all their counsels that, sometimes, in the States, under the name of peace, savor greatly of violence. He was a politician; but his influence was only employed on topics that involved not merely political but also moral and religious considerations. He was a sectarian, but far removed from bigotry. He combatted for his creed and his connection; but he acknowledged that the latter was inefficient, and needed to be imbued with a greater enthusiasm, with a stronger spirit. He was a faithful citizen; but he eagerly opposed and he deeply deplored the grasping policy of his nation. He was an invalid for many years—always comparatively an invalid; but he did more work by May 26, 1834. Yesterday my mother died. the diligent use of time than many of the strong-What a change in my condition! During my est men. He was at the head or centre of whole life, her love has been unremitted. For many movements; but his professional duties, to how many years has she borne me in her thoughts the most minute, were conscientiously and punc- and heart! I have been privileged in so long tually discharged. He was surrounded by pub- ministering to her comfort, and I trust that she has received some happiness from my affection. lic engagements, but no man attended more anx"And now the friend of my whole life, who iously to the domestic and private duties of life. amidst all fluctuations of other friendships never He opposed nearly all the objects that a majori- changed, with whose very being I was entwined, ty of his fellow-citizens considered desirable; is gone. The first voice I ever heard I shall but still, even in that fiery land, he was exhear no more; the arms that first sustained me tremely popular while he lived, and his death are motionless; the expressive eye is quenched. The room where for years I received her counwas an event that caused almost universal resels and blessings holds only her lifeless frame. gret. Her chair is vacant! He was fond of children: "Dr. Channing's attachment to the young, indeed, was very strong, and continually deepening. In walking in Boston, one of his greatest pleasures was to pass among the crowds of children in the mall, and to watch their bright looks and bounding movements. And in the summer he always endeavoured to surround his children with a group of young friends. In a letter he says: Our days are very bright and happy; the house is filled with children: and the more of good children, the better.' He mingled in their scenes of merriment with cor He was happy in his family connections. His mother lived with him in his "pasturage" until her eighty-fourth year. She had lived with him half a century. Oaklands, where he passed a great part of his time, was the residence of his mother-in-law. death:- 66 He thus refers to his mother's "Dear friend, whose heart yearned over me through all trials, thou art gone! I can no longthy words of pious gratitude, offer prayers with er press thy hand, read thy countenance, hear thee to our common Father!" Still scheming and planning great works, still greedy for the advancement of all that seemed to him good, fading in bodily strength, growing in intellectual power, he passed the last eight of his life the eight years without his mother, whom he had loved well, and lived to repay for her mother's love and thus came the close: |