He was an enthusiast and an optimist--admirable combination.
He was born in 1810, and died in 1884. His biography has been
written by Octavius B. Frothingham.
Channing saw the world through generous, charitable eyes.
He was an ardent admirer of Charles Fourier, and appreciated the
philosophy and social law-giving of that gigantic intellect.
The quotation we print above is an index to his whole character,
just as one flower tells the story of the beautiful garden in
which it grew.
Channing, unlike many sayers of fine things, was personally as
fine as the things he said. He was worthy even of his own best
thoughts, and that can be said for few fine thinkers.
Admire him. Read some of his sermons and other writings if you
have the chance.
THE EXISTENCE OF GOD--PARABLE OF THE BLIND KITTENS
The notion that small things, the petty details of life, such as
money getting, marriage questions, etc., are uppermost in the
modern human brain is entirely false.
If an editor asks: "Is marriage a failure?" he receives just so
many answers, and then the interest dies out.
If he asks: "Should a wife have pin money?" or "What is the
easiest way for a woman to earn a living?" he ceases to receive
answers after a short time.
But to questions concerning the immortality of the soul, the
existence of God, and man's destiny here and hereafter, the
answers are endless.
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