The Works of William E. Channing, D. D.

From: The Dial, Vol. I, No. II (Oct. 1840)
Author:
Published: Weeks Jordan and Company 1840 Boston

  WE welcome this beautiful edition, from a foreign land, of the writings of our eminent countryman. It is the only complete and correct collection of the works hitherto published, which he wishes to appear under his name; and, on that account, as well as for the intrinsic value of its contents, we rejoice that a corresponding edition is soon to be issued from the press in this city.

  The present volumes afford a striking illustration of the course of their author, as a believer in social progress, and the advocate of reform. There is a severe, logical consistency in the gradual unfolding of his views, which, to the inattentive reader, is frequently concealed by the rich and flowing style, of which Dr. Channing is such an admirable master. The statements, which are here brought together, in regard to the nature of man, the essential character of religion, the condition of society, and the hopes of the human race, may all be traced back to one or two predominant ideas, which have strongly acted on the mind of the author, which he clearly comprehends, and to which he is never false. He commences with the recognition of the moral principle, as the highest element in human nature. The purpose of religion is to develope and mature this principle, to give it a practical ascendancy over the soul, and to preserve it from degradation by the corruptions of the world. This principle connects man with his Maker, makes him conscious of a Divinity within him, guarantees to him the enjoyment of immortality, imposes the obligation of duty, and calls him to a sublime destiny. Religion, accordingly, is not the reception of a creed, but the cultivation of life; not the observance of forms, but inward holiness; it cannot cramp, enfeeble, and depress the mind; but its true influence is joyous, and ennobling; it reveals God to his children, in the brightest and most attractive forms, and commands them to be like him. But if the moral principle is the highest attribute of man, and the medium of his connexion with God, all other distinctions become trivial and unimportant. The possession of a moral nature makes man the equal of man everywhere. Hence, all assumption of authority over the conscience, all restrictions on freedom of mind, all claims to property in man, all pretension to superiority on account of outward privileges, are contrary to the Divine law. They do injustice both to the nature of man and the purposes of God. Now these principles give us a test of social arrangements. They must be applied as the measure of civilization. Every institution of man must be brought into judgment before their tribunal. The society, which does not ensure to every individual the means of unfolding and exercising his highest capacities, which permits any to pine in hopeless want, which values external prosperity more than moral perfection, which makes the pursuit of wealth the primary object, and neglects the culture of the soul, is not in accordance with the principles of religion, or the laws of human nature.

  Such are the conclusions, at which Dr. Channing arrives, and which he enforces on the world, with the fearless earnestness of a martyr. He commenced with theology; here his purpose was not so much to attack, as to explain; to redeem the moral element of Christianity from the speculations which concealed it, and vindicate the spirit of Jesus, as a spirit of freedom, of charity, of holiness, of universal truth. His position now is that of a social reformer. In his mind, the religion of love cannot be unfruitful. He has faith in man, in Christ, and in God; and accordingly he looks forward to a better future than the past. His writings, which will be most honored by the coming generations, relate to this object. They cannot fail to appreciate aright the magnanimity with which he refuses to yield to popular prejudices, the calm wisdom with which he looks into prevailing abuses, the courage and firmness with which he withstands the current of obloquy that a divine charity for the welfare of man always at first calls forth, and the hopeful serenity with which he watches the struggle between light and darkness, that betokens the speedy dawning of a better day.

  The Preface to this edition contains the following pregnant words, which may be regarded as his own confession of faith, and which embody the creed of the youth of this country, who are beginning, not so much to protest against the past, as to live in the present, and construct for the future.

  ”These volumes will show, that the author feels strongly the need of deep social changes, of a spiritual revolution in Christendom, of a new bond between man and man, of a new sense of the relation between man and his Creator. At the same time, they will show his firm belief, that our present low civilization, the central idea of which is wealth, cannot last forever; that the mass of men are not doomed hopelessly and irresistibly to the degradation of mind and heart in which they are now sunk ; that o. new comprehension of the end and dignity of a human being is to remodel social institutions and manners; that in Christianity and Ill the powers and principles of human nature, we have the promise of something holier and happier than now exists. It is a privilege to live in this faith, and a privilege to communicate it to others.

All Sub-Works of The Dial, Vol. I, No. II (Oct. 1840):
PDF Sub-Works open in a new tab. Close the tab when done viewing to return here.