xt70zp3vt94j https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt70zp3vt94j/data/mets.xml Channing, William Ellery, 1780-1842. 1880  books b92-199-30751855 English American Unitarian Association, : Boston : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Channing, W. H. (William Henry), 1810-1884. Life of William Ellery Channing, D.D. text Life of William Ellery Channing, D.D. 1880 2002 true xt70zp3vt94j section xt70zp3vt94j 































I

 




            THE LIFE


                   OF



WILLIAM ELLERY CIHANNING, D.D.



Etc Centnarp fEntorial fbition.





       BY HIS NEPHEW,

 WILLIAMI HENRY CHANNING.












        BOSTON:
AMERICAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION.



1880.

 





































            Copyriyht, 1880,

BY THE AMERICAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION.



       U.NIVERSITY PRESS:
JOIIN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE.

 









                 INTRODUCTION.




  A LrFE OF CHANNINNG, in one volume, appears among, the
memorials of his hundredth birthday, with the hope of mak-
ing this great-soule(d and free-thouglhted, this largely-loviing
and loftily-aspiring prophet of huimanity more widely knlown
by fellowv-Cliristians of all cornmunions, and by the people,
not of our Republic only, but of every nation throllghout
Christendom and the world.
  For his compeers, friends, and followers are gratefully con-
fident, that amiong the illustrious lives which have shed
truth, love, and quickening influence thirough the nineteenth
century none xvill be found more bright with promise of
a reconciled humian race than that of WILLIAM ELLEIRY
C HANNIN G.
  Truly he was the morning-star of a better day for man
madle one around our globe, by universal equity and
brotherly-kindlness, by integral culture and refinement, by
heroic works of beneficence and beauty, and above all by
living communion with the Living God, the Father, Sov-
ereign, and Friend of His whole family on earth and in
heaven, united in spirit with His Beloved Son, and growing
in His image, to perfection.
                                                 W. H. C.

 This page in the original text is blank.

 









                     PREFACE.




  THIs work is an autobiography, in so far as the materials
at my comminand have enabled me to give it that character,
anlld consists of extracts from private papers, sermons, and
letters, with such remarks only interwoven as seemed needed
for purposes of illustration. Its plan is very simple. After a
somewhat full an(l minute notice of Channing's early years,
which will l)e found to present many interesting facts, and
which no one hereafter could so well supply, the selections
from his manuscripts have been arranged according to the
twofold order of subject and of time. This method was
chosen as the one best fitted to convey an adequate impression
of the steadiness wvith which he held all objects of thought
before his mind, until his views became consistent and com-
plete ; and the growth of his opinionls is in this vay made
clear, as well as the result of his progress. A thorough reader
will consider an)y loss of vivacity in the narrative more than
compensated for by the knowledge thnis gained of the mental
and moral processes of an earnest seeker after truth and
riglHt.
  It was the original design to present a finished portrait of
WILLIAMi ELLERY CHANNING, regarded as a man, a miniister
of religion, a philosopher-, a reformer, and a statesman, - to
point out his place among the leading persons of the age,-
and, by exhiihitina his relations to various parties, to sketch
his life and times. Extensive preparations were made accord-

 


Vi                      PREFACE.

ingly. But experiment at length satisfied me that it was far
more difficult than had been supposed to shun the dishonesty
of making my honored relative the exponent of my prejudices,
without sinking into a tone of noncommittal yet more at vari-
ance with his character and with the truth. The biographer
has therefore preferred silence to partiality or tameness, has
limited himself to brief hints and descriptions, has stated for
Channing such opinions only as there could be no risk of mis-
apprehending or misrepresenting, and, in a word, has left him
to be his own interpreter.
                                                 W.-.IL C.


 














                TABLE OF CONTENTS.






                            PART FIRST.

               CHAPTE'R I-PARENTAGE ANI) BIRITHI.
                                 Page
Birth. ... . . ..     . . . . .     I William Channing
Win. Ellerr and     er An n-n R oeim..  I  Lucy Ellery
John (hanning amid Mary Chaloler .  4


                        CHAPTER Il. - BOYHOOD.
Childhood. .  . .   . . . . . . 10 'leligious influences .
Sclhoolhiistress.. . . . . . . It Character
Mr. Rogers                            N.. . .    .  . .  . I I New London  .
Intellectual traits  . . . . . . . 12 l)eath of his father .
IHoimne edicationn...  . . . . . 12 Rev. Henry Clhannigr .
Political influences.. . . . . . 13 Revival .


                    CHAPTER III. - COLLEGE LIFE.



General influences. . . . . . . 22 New birth .
Appearance and character .  .      24  Favorite studies .
Wa liigton Allston  . . . . . . 24 l Politics.
Literary societies  . . . . . . . 27 l Choice of profession .
Inlidelitv. . . . . . . . . . 30 i College frienidhips .



               ,32
...... .  .  .... 33:
...... .  . ..34
...... . .   .. ;38
...... . .   .. 40



CHAPTER IV.- - RIChION-D.



David Meade Randolph
Letter to his mother .
Society.
Slavery.
Politics.
School
Poverty.



. . 4:1 'Studies .
 .   1 43 Musing  .
 . 44  Entlhusiasm   .
 . 45 IPerfect society         .
    47  Preparation for the minlistry
..  52 Melf-consecration. .  ...
    53 lReturn



CHAPTER V.-STUDIES AND SETTLEMENT.



Domestic character .
Self-discipline .
I'ev. Dr. Hopkins  . . . 
le gent at Harvard Universit
Theological studies.



 . 77 Habits as a student .
     77 Doctrinal opinions
  .  80 First sernmon.
     8'I Ilnvitation to settle .
     8;86 !Ordination .



Page
   4



 . . . 14
 . . . 16
 . . . 19
.... ll
 . . . 21
 . . . 21



. .  . 55
     58
. .  . 59
. . . 6:3
 . . 0
. .  . 74
  ..  7 6



. . . 8.
. .  . 91
 . . 992
. . .  9:1
. . . 'f96

 





            CONTENTS.





      PART SECOND.


CHAPTER 1. - EARLY MINISTRY.



SeriousneFe .
Private papers.   .....
Removal of his familNy to Boston
Dis iiterestedliess .
I lllira ltli.. .  . .   .
Power as a preacher
Character as a pal-tor



  Page                                   Page
9 .   98 Frivnre s, I'ev. Dr. Kirikland, 11ev. J. S.
. . 113     Buckininster. Rev. S. C. Timelier  . 122
.. 110  Corres potid(le nce...  ..  .  .  . 125
. 111 Charities .  . .  . .  .  . .  . . 12;)
 . 115 Political sermions . .  . .  . .  . 1:.1
 ..1 16  lManners . .  . .  .  . .  . .  . It;
 . 120 The good milnister.  . . . . . . 187



CHAPTER. II.-SPIRITUAL GROWTH.



1  : 4al and, mental unityv
The key-llote. . ...     ..
ScurloN 1. -- Ueligion ,   ..
SECTION 11.- Hlumian Nature .



  14. 1  SECTION III. - Christ and Christian-
.. 142    itv ....     ..   ..   ...     . 161.
  1. 4:J SECTION IV.-Society  . . . . . 171
. . 1.54



          CIIAPTE1R III.-TEIE    UNITARIAN      CONTROVERSY.

Holiness, Trutil, Huinalnity, . .  . . 181 Remarks on Rev. Dr. Worcester's see-
Letters to friends.. . . . . . . 182      ond letter  . . . . . . . . . 212
Freedom of inquiry. . . . . . . 191 Christian onion    . . . . . . . . 2 15
Letter to Rev. Samutiel C. Thacher . . 194 Christian liberty . . . . . . . . 216
Remarks on Rev. Dr. Worcester's let-   Bejrr-street conference  . . . . . 218
  ter...........                 . 205 Congregationalism . .              22:3



                 CHAPTER IV. -SPIRITUAL         GROWTII.

Distaste for Controversy  . . . . . 225 SECTION  I. -Christ and Christian-
SECTION 1. - Religion.22)               itv .250
SECTI(N 11. - HuLiman Nature . . . 2:,88 SECrlON IV.- Society    . . . . . 2;5)7



               CHAPTER V. -MI)DLE-.AGE          MINISTRY.



Free inquiry .  . . . . . . . . 268 la vaid University .
Treatment of opponents .    . . . . 271 L Benevolence
Arianiisiim. . .  . .  . .  . .  . 274 Vestr.   ..   . ..
German writers . . . . . . . . 2.75      rowing celebrity
ordssworth. . . . . . . . . 275 Private paper s
Fall of Bonaparte  . . . . . . . 27 7Invitaition to New York
War with England  . . . . . . . 28!) Iamilv relations
PIeace amovemnents... . . . . . 282      eathi of his brother.
The Seminole war  . . . . . . . 287     )eath of his sister
P'rivateerin.  . . . . . . . . 288 Hlis marriage.
Missions  . . . . . . . . . . 288 Children.
Bible Society-.. .   . . . . . . 283 laptisn.
Theological school. . . . . . . 291 His sickness



......29:3
. .  .   ..295


.          3011

.... . .313
. . . .  .317
. .  ... 31.3
.. ..:319
     .  '3179

......321

......27



viii

 





                                  CONTENTS.



                  CHAPTER VI.- EUROPEAN JOURNEY.
                                   Page
Jonrnev in New flampshire and Ver-  Coleridge
  illolt.     .                      329 Switzerland..
l'arting words.     .                33:3 eflectiolis oil societv .
((can' ..                           333  Care for his children  .
The Lakes  . .    .7 Death of his iOuvlinlet son
Wordsworth..           .    .        341 Return.






                             PART        THIRD.

          CHAP'TER 1. -TILEI' MIFNISTRY ANDI LITERATURE.



Pevotedness to lis (ditties
Views of the ltillistry    .
'I'llcol,"ic i l sti lode ts
D)r. ('iannii in- as a preacher
(ontililud (llc)ilit..
SeI t lemI(lIt of a  collea( 'lle  .
Itelations to Federal Street SocietN



I357 VAiews of pzastoral duities
    3 1 lis function
 3r ) j 1. ('lianniing as all author
 383 His literar chliaracter .
 -) M  e    .iscellan ies
 .32  Literary correslp)lldce .n.e
.31):.  



CHAPTrtR II. -RELIGION AND PlIIIOSO(IIY.



lPlan of a work ol Man
Ilfi 1positioll of thought lt
Sdelf-re lian.te
'  ,ll mit! tl f( of  ailit i a
" I atinllittle of a Unlitarliani "



417 Principles of moral, religious, and po-
4119   litical sciencl (.                 436
423 Corres.pondenice on religion and philos-
425    ophy .                             440
.427



ClAPrER III. - SOCIAL REFORMS.



Clitrawter qa a reformer.            4 56
Sp1irit (if refoi n.    .      .     457
0 tS 1c 111dhristiallity          45!)
r ati(a1l applications of tile principle
If loe .          .464
Non -rsintanee  .4.6.6. ...        . 466
'I TratIllent of criiminals..        47(

IlaItitlols htoweell pool and rich  . 477
Mhijti-tN- at la g-..                479!
   'n  gation of workiing-meni  . . . 481



The lahorinig classec.        .       48.3
Sealmen. . . .                       487
Ilt- ucati.ll          .        .    488
Freedlomll of speech, - the Kineelatid pe-
  tition..                           504
Hlollis Street pulpit, -  1ev. Jhin Pier-
  1olt.               ...             07
Polwer of couimlled capital. .      8 5(
iRelations (f in1dILstiv  111(d  property .  510
C reed  a, a soc ial reftoille) 1. 515
Bright propllecies .                 515



CHtAITER IV.-TTIE ANTISLAVERY )MOVEMENT.



1 lal- imlpressiolns..       .
lU- vi'lenc e ill -,mall Crz .l  .  .
dId  es s11 i l rettil ill,     .
'I1lle e  lItflil y'ear of 1831  .
RseIlat ionis to t lic Abol)f1tiom  ts .
I'lhe sl'ngglC .
A1,O1  .



520 Book onl Slaver .537
521 Meeting of the New England Atitislav-
524   erv Convenltionl.    .   .40
52) PClseCultisil If Blirnev .        .    43
527 IMigllt of. petitiot .. ..43
532 Thle religiolls side of antislavery  544
533 Tile Texas plot    .      .547



ix



   Page
   . .343
   :344
 . 1 :4 5
. .:348
. .:50
... 54



. . 402
. . 404
  . 4015
    4 108
. . 411
. . 41:3

 





x



The Union.
Murder of Lovejoy.
Faneuil Hall meeting .
Letter to the Abolitionist,



CONTENTS.



Page                                      Page
 551 Antislaverv and the Federal Street
. 551   Society . . . . . . .          . . 570
. 5;52 Final view of I)r. Channing's relations
. 564   to the antislavery movement . . . 571



                           CHIAPTER V.-POLITICS,
Reli-ion and Politics. .. .   .    . 5 R4 Reign of commerce.       .   .    . 585
Youth and manhood of the political re-  Rtepudiation anld speculatiou.    587
  former.       .. . .  .         .    4 Claims of the IT1ited IStates to respect. 590
Patriotism.       . .  .      .    . 574 Politics in (Greaft Britai.9..4
Faith in free institutions       .575' The Liberal party in Iurope .  . . .()0
Native Atne lricanism. .             577 "Three Days'' in P aris .60
The political lesson taugght ly miobs . 579 1 Poland and LI ia.601. .   . .   
Strength of free governments  . . . 579 Germnany     .             .           G602
Universal suffrage. .8 . . . 5         R0 Relations of the Old World and the
Repu)blican institutions.582                New World.         .    .  .   .   604
Existing parties    .....           .84    Al ways yout ng for liberty" . . . 604


                           CHAPTER VI. - FRIENDS.



Friendship with Mr. Jonathan Phillips,  Other friends.
Rev. Dr. Tuckerman, and Charles        egard for women .
Follen  . . . . .      . . . . 607 IMiscellaneous correspondence



     . 60
0.. )0
  609-6333



CHAPTER VII.--IOZME LIFE.



Affectionateness.
Rhode Island .
Chronic debility.
Action and inaction .
Religion of meditation
Devoutness .
Love of nature
Youtbfuhleos of spirit .
Relations to his children
Interest in the young
Hospitalityv .
(Conversational power
A day at Oakland
S iindav.
loeturn to Boston  .
Relations to his mother
Her death and character



. . . 6314
. . . 6:A4
     .G3
. . .638
. .  . 64-
. . . 645
     9 .G49
 .  . 6.50
. . . 65 4
  . . 6-58
      6(; 9
 . . 661
.,  . 663
     6 .Gr,
  . . 666
     . 666
     7 .667



R Relations to his family
1eserve
Self-distrust
Dislike of fault-finding.  .
Self-command .   ...
Forbearance under injuries
Liberality.
Relations to society
Boston.
A dav in Boston.
laldits of study and writing
.Joiirneys
Simininer at Lenox  .
Bennington
Last days .
Funeral.
Monument .



NOTES . .. .. ......... ........... . 701
INDEX ...................... . . . . 703



. . . GO6!
     .  670
. . . 671
- .  . 67-2
- . . 674
. .  . 676
..  fi7 6

     , 680
   ..  681
. . . 681
. .  .686
- .  . 689
   ..  694
   . . r695
- . . 698
- . . 700


 











                        MEMOIR.

                     PART FIRST.




         CHAPTER I. -PARENTAGE       AND BIRTI.

                              1780.

ON the 7th of April, 1780, WILLIAM ELLERY CIHAN-ING, the
0      third child of WXILLIAM CIIANNING and Lucy ELLERY, Was
born in Newport, Rhode Island, U. S. A.
  His grandparents, upon the father's and the mother's side alike,
were persons of more than common energy, both iii character and
intelli(ence.
  William Eller, his mother's father, was a man of singular hearti-
ness, honesty-. goo(l sense. and simplicity. "' Graduated at Harvard
Colle(ge in 1747, lie entered up)on business as a merchant in his
native town, Newport, which then offerel every en couragemient
to an enterp)rising man, an(l was full of attractions to one of his
social temper. lIe married, early in life, Ann, tile daughter of
Judge Remington, of' Cambrid(ge, Massachusetts, an excellent
woman, lprudent, afflble, and hiospitable, ever watclhful. over her
children, and careftl. that her husband should find no p)lace so
agreeable to him as his home.
    Al. Ellerv, though tUrginr the votung to keel) to a single buisi-
ness, to love it, and finl(d distinction in it, and thougll. inclined in
his own habits to steady, systematic appulication, was obliged to
give upl) merchandise in the time of embarrassing revenue acts and
non-importation agreements, when there was little or nothing for
himl to (lo but to join heart and hland, as lie did, with the I SOlis
of Liberty,' and in 1770 began the practice of thle law. Ile was,
as lie savs in a letter, a ' stanch friend to l)olitical liberty, ad(l
that liberty with which the Gxospel has made us free.' And his
sense of the worth of freedomi could be the more relied o0. as it
did not spring froim eager sympathy with the sudden excitements
                               1

 



PARENTAGE AND BIRTI.



of the day, but from principles which his experience and reflection
had prudently developed and confirmed. It was a deep-seated
passion and a moral preference. To forward political liberty was,
in his view, to follow every individual to his own heart an( home
with a blessing. According to his own strong language, he placed
his obligations to up1hold liberty as high as those which bound him
to his wife and children. lie, had thus flar lheld no political or jucli-
cial office ; but lhe was known to the peol)le for his firmness, judg-
mnent, an(l devotion to the pul)lic cause ; had shown himself a
tblie-lheartecd man in the first struggles against encroachments
Upon the rights of the colonies; had been upon important com-
mittees, whose business was to procure the repeal of oppressive
revenue acts ; was acquainted with the active sl)irits who were
preparing themselves anud the people for a separation from the
another country ; and had inspired a general confidence in his fit-
ness for a high civil trust, let the aspect of affairs he ever so per-
plexinr.  Thus approved, lie was chosen as delegate of Rhode
Islan(l in the memorable Congress of 1776, and with his venerable
colleague, Stephenll opkins, set his name to the Declaration of
Indel)endence.
    Mr. Ellerv was in Congyress from 177 6 to 1786, with the excep-
tion of the years 1780 and 1782 ; and while there had universal
confidence for his prudent, straightforward, l)raetical view of affairs,
and for his consistent, independent, deci(led conduct. Besides the
respect which his abilities and character thus ohitained, his social
spirit andc powers of conversation, his wit, pleasantry, an(l good-
humored satire, which could enliven a party of friends, at their
lodgin(gs, or sweep away the fallacies and whims of members in a
debate, broughlt him into (leliglhtful intimacy waith leading men.
    His character bore the marks of habitual self-inspection and
self-resistance.  Huumilityv was the virtue which he seemed to prize
as the most comphreleni\ive and )roductive. His effort was to bring
everv thoughllt and (lesire into subjection before God, and to fintd
seeurity and motive in a fixed sense of his deficiencies and his obli-
gations. This constant study of humility was his light anrd strength.
It cleared an(l simplified the murpose of human life. It gave him
more and more the command of his faculties, and the exercise of
his affections, anud the power of de voting himself to duty. It showed
him on what false princil)les men are commonly pronounced great,
anl how monstrous are arrogance and oppression in a mortal. But
this moral warfare never threw an air of constraint or austerity
upon his intercourse with others. It seemed as if his spirits were
kept elastic by his constpnt guamrd over them. His very kindness



2

 




WILLIAM ELLERY.



and gentleness had none of the inertness of mnere (Tood temnper, but
were aninated by an active, cherished princil)le of love, 'wllilch (dis-
crinlinated its objects an[( was all alive bi'r the happiniess ot another.
   'I nli thle pursuit ot' truth, lie seenmed more anxious tbor the  el--
taintv than the amount and variety of results.  IIe was not ton(l of
inlula4,-ing in Conjectures, that lie imight, fill the voi(d where he had
iii vain loolked for satisfying truth ; nor was lhe unhlappy because ot'
the uncertainties which cannot I)e clearedl hf) in an inilierltect state
of being.  Ilis feeling's and wishes, and everv extraneous or acci-
dental circumstance, were as if tley dlidl not exist, in his sober-
minded inquiry. Or rather, thle very influences that are most ap)t to
mislead did but sound the alarmi to him to be sinuale-hiearted, and
made his power of (liscelning the keener. Ile hae(1 the l)lainest Coln-
mon-sense, an(l the most prudent judgment in coninion atthairs; awl
niot so much from lhaving( lived Iong in the world, as from  his ri-hit
temper of mind, and his habit of going, :lur into the reason of thmings.
This hionestv or fiuirness of mi(l was his glreat (listinction, an(l an
explanation of his character.  It was a proof of his moral and ill-
tellectual vioor.  It was a religious principle.  It ran through all
his studies and1 experience, restraining him from injulstice. an(l Colli-
pellingr him to Condemn injustice ; o)ening thle way throgll ancient
erlrors of whatever kind, and for the adllmission of Hi(Tht i'ronm what-
ever quarter; and mawking it absolutely impossible that lie should be
a feartisan 01' idolater in anvthincr.
  h' His kindness and warmith of affection were especially nianifest
in his intei'course with the young.  A l)lail mail, in years. livincr
ill retirement, andI obltrulding his opinions Upon no one, lie (dew
them to him as if lhe were their dependence a; nd they felt that
they oweol to hiim, not only some of their best-'einembered seasons
of pleasure, but in no small degree the direction antd coloring of
their thoughts.  When lie saw anything to blanme, lhe spoke plainly
and(] earnestly, and suffered no weakiness of affectiomi to conceal or
iinpai' the force of what he thought it his duty to say. If they
neglected his admonitions andrl disappointed his expectations, llis
re-riet was unmingled waith selfishness, and his affection unabated.
They mnight need it the more." 1

  After leaving Congress, Mr. Ellery was for many' years collector
of the customs in Newport, where he lived to the age of ninety-
three, beloved by -a large circle of relatives and friendls, and atlec-
tionately honored by his fellow-citizens.  Ile was reinarkable, to
  1 Life of William Ellery. By Edward Tyrrel Channmig. Sparks's American
Biography, Vol. VI., lst Series.



0
0

 





PARENTAGE AND BIRTI.



the very close of his long life, for youthfulness of feeling, bright-
ness of mind, and ready interest in nature, people, literature, events.
  This sketch of the gran(lfather will l)e found to illustrate in no
uniml)ortant cle(rree b)oth the character and iiltellect of his dlistin-
,guished grandson ; for William l)ut recorded his own experience,
when, after lhe had reaclhed mature life, he wrote to AIr. Ellerv
" You have hardly a grandchild who cannot trace back some of
his sentiments and l)rincil)les to your instructive an(l condescending
conversation."
  John (Jhannincg, William's grandfather on the paternal side, was
a resl)ectalble, and, till towards the close of life, a prosperous
merelhant of Newport. Ile was son of John Clhanning, of I)orset-
shire, England, -the first of the naame who caine to America, -
and of Mary Antram, who arrived in Boston in 1712, and were
soon after married. The wife of John Channing, Jr. was Mary
Chaloner (the widow of D)r. James Robinson, l)hysicinn), who
was lon(g remembered in Newport for her energy of character
and dignity of manner. She was a high-spirited and ardent,
yet religiouls and conscientious woman, and remarkable for activity
an(l method.
  William Chianning, their second son, was lborn in Newport, June
11, 1751, and educated at Nassau Hall, Princeton College, New
Jersey, where lie graduated in 1769. lIe read law with Oliver
Arnold, at Providence ; in 1771, began the practice of his .pro-
fession at Newport; in 1773, married Lucy Ellery, the daughter
of William Ellery; in 1 777, became attorney-general of' his native
State, an(l upon the adoption of the Federal Constitution. without
any solicitation on his part, was appointed to the office of (histrict
attorney for the district of Rhode Island.
  lIon. Asher Robbins, late member of the Senate of the United
States from Rhode Island, writes of him thus -

  "Mr. Channing was verv well read in the law, especially in the
forms of l)leading; law cases were his favorite readcing, even for
amusement. Ile had a large library, and one very well selected.
    He interestecl himself much in State politics, and his offlee
was the central lpoint of rendezvous, where the leading men coii-
gregated for their consultations.
    He was very popular in the State, was attorney-general and
district attorney at the samne time, and held both offices at the time
of his death.
  "his manner of speaking at the bar was rapid, vehement, and
impressive  never studied, nor exactly methodical in his pleadinogs



4

 




WILLIAM CIIANNING.



but lie always came well prepare(l as to matter annl auithority. IIe
had an extensive practice, attended all the courts regularly, and
was consi(lerel, for several years before his death, as the leadillng
counsel of the State.
   "'In person, lhe was of the middle statuire, well made, erect, and
of an open countenance ; lhe was Iively and pleasalit in his coln-
versation, and munch dispose(l to social intercourse  he was 11os-
pitahle and kinld-hlear ted. His agreeable mainner was one rleat
soturce of his general p)ol)ulalitv.
     lis temper was remarkably good. as were his malnllers, mild.
liberal, (generotus  his habits were also correct, temperate, inluds-
trious, min(lful and observant of all the duties and proprieties of
life."
  In alddition, his father-in-law, Mr. Ellery, says ofr him  -
     lIe rep)eatedly served as a deptuty for his native town  and
suich was his regard for its interests, that he did not decline that
service, until, by the extensiveness of his l)1ractice, and the ill-
crease of his famiinlv, lie was compelled to give to them his whole
attention.
    Ile early became the head of a family-. IHe married in the
tawenty--third veal of his age, and performe(l the offices anld char-
ities of a hlsban(1 anld fatlher with striet, constant, and tender
attenition, anld was l)eloved and(- resl)ected.
  i The law of kindness anld benevolellee Was in his heart and on
his toilnote. 'l'he persons eml)loved by him as domestics, an(l in
other services, hle treated with gleat humanity, anld reward(ed with
a liberal punetualitv.  Ile was an ol)edient an(l resl)ectfrl son, and
a mlost aflectionate lrotller anld friend.  To the poor lIIe was coin-
passionate. The nee(ly never went away from his houise emltv.
llis tab)he an(l his purse were always open to their wvants, and his
mIllifiheence was ever accompaniedl with a sweetness in the manner,
which donhled( the obligations of gratitude.
  "His religious sentiments were liberal. He was particularly
attached to the Congregational denomination of Christians, but
lie treated all goodc men of all denominations with kindness and
respect. Ile generously contributed to the support of Christian
worship in the society to which he belonged, and countenanced and
enlour1alg(ed it by a constant and reverential attendance, and the
ministers of religion experienced his hospitality.
    His political sentiments were displayed in a warm attachment
to the rights of mankind, chastened by a love of peace and order.
  "His countenance and deportment expressed the amiableness



5

 





PARENTAGE AND BIRTH.



and benevolence of his disposition, and his morals corresponded
with his manners. He was temperate an(l honest; lie was couir-
teous and res)ectful. As lhe keenly felt the distresses of mankind,
.so was lie as strongly dlisposed to relieve their sufferings. Ile
looked down with such pity on the poor an(l afflicted as encouraged
thenm to look up to him tor succor as to a brother."
  These reminisccnces of the father are confirmed and completed
by the following beautiful notice, written in 1841, by his son
William.: -
                                       "BOSTON, December 18, 1841.
  " Mv recollections of my father are imperfect, as lhe died when I
was thirteen years of age, and I had been sent from  home before
that event.  13ut the many testimonies which I have received to his
eminenee as a lawvver, as well as to his private virtues, make me
(lesilonLs that there should be somne memorial of 1lim.
    Mv father retained  rnuch -attachment to Princeton College,
where lie was educated, so that lhe thought of sending me there.
lie was time elassmate and friend of' Samuel S. Smith, afterwards
listinguished as a theologian, and as the president of that institu-
tion. In the last part of his collegiate days he enjoyed thle instruc-
tions of the celel)rated Dr. WVitherspoon.
    His ealr marriage and the ralpid increase of his family obliged
him to confille himself rig-i(lly to his profession. IIe was too busV
to give much time to general reading, or even to his family.  Still,
I have distinct iml)ressions of his excellence in his social relations.
lIe was time delight of the circle in which lie mo3ved. Ifis mother,
brothers. and sisters leaned on him as on no other. I well remeni-
l)er thle b)enignity of his countenance and voice. At the saine time
lie was a strict disciplinarian at home, and, according to the mlis-
taken notion-s of that time, kept me at too great a distance fromi
him. In truth. the prevalent notions of education were much more
iml)erfect thani ill our lay.
  "'I often went into courts, but was too young to understand mra
father's merits in the profession: y-et I had always heard of him as
standingy at its head. MIv brother savs that Judge Dawes usel
to speak of his style and manner as I mellifluous ' hut at times lie
was vehement, for I well recollect that I left time court-house in
fear. at hearingY hiiim indignantly reply to what seemed to him. un-
worthy language in the ol)lsosite counsel.
    His l)arelnts were religious, and the impressions made on Isis
young mind were never lost. lIe was the main l)illar of the
        Memoirs of the Rhode Island Bar. By Wilkins Updike, Esq.



6

 



WILLIAMNI CHANNING.



religious society to which lie belonged. The house of worship had
siuffcrcd much from the occupation of Newport by the British armn,
so as to be unfit for use  and I recollect few things in miv child-
hood more distinctly than his zeal in restoring it to its destination.
an(l in settling a minister. I cannot doubt that his religious char-
aCter received important aid from the ministry and friendIship of
1)r. Stiles, who was as eminent for l)iety as learning, and under whose
teatchinigs lie grew tip. Ile had a deep, I may say peculiar, abhor-
re101e of tile Vice of pmrofanieness ; andl such was his ilAiueLnee, thiat
hjis lasge faiily of esos escal)ed this taint to a remarkable degree.
tholl-oi brought t11) in the midlst of it. I recollect, withi gratitu(le,
thle strong impression which lie made on n)m- own mind. I ow-ed it
to him, that, tolioiuh living in the atmosohere of this vice, no pro-
ane wvorid ever passed mny lips.
  Z On one subject I think of' his state of mind with sorrow. His
fatleir, like most respectal)lc merelmants of that l)lace, p)ossessed
slaves iml)orte(l froin Africa.  They were tile domestics of the
family  and ny fatther had no sensibilitv to the evil. I remember.
however, with pleasure, tihe affectionate relation which Sul)siste d
between huin and the Africans (most of them aged) who continied
to live Nvithi 1W ,randhlather. These were lib)erated after the Revo-
lution ; but nothing could remove thiem from their old home, where
thev rather ruled than serve(l.  One of the females llsed to speak
of lherschf as the da(laoliter of an African prince ; anld she certainly
hiald nimuch of the bcaring of royalty. Th e dignity of her aspect
and. manner bespoke an uncommon woman.         She was called
Duchess, lprobal)ly on account of the rank she hlad (held in her ownii
country.  I knew her only after sihe was free, and had an establish-
menrt of' her own. Now anid then she invited all time children of
the various families withr vwhich she was connected to a party, anl(l
we were liberally feasted tunder her hospita 4le roof. My father
won the hearts of all his domestics. One of the sincerest mourners,
at his death, wvas an excellent wivomani whio had long lived with us,
anld vhinom he hmonmored for her piety.
    I recollect. distinetly, the great interest lie took in the political
qyestions which agitated the country. Thouglih but eight or nine
years of age, I was present when time Rhode Island Convention
ado(1(pte(l the Federal Constitution ; and the enthliusiasim of that
moment I can never foroet. My father entered with his whole
heart illto that unbounded exultation. Ile was one of tile most
devoted members of the Federal party.   At the beginning of the
IFrench Revolution lie shared in the universal hope and joy which
it inslired ; but I well recollect the sadn