New-York tribune., 1875-01-12

QUESTION and frank express1On' fro1essor whitney
never fails TO welcome q chance for debate. and
though just and honorable to his adversaries, always
bares his arm before he strikes.
THB WORKS OF WILLIAM CLAIMING. q. D. svo. pp eai.
American Unitarian Association
Since the death of DR.. Charming. more than
thirty years ago. in his writings 1t may be
said throughout the civilized world has been seadiy
on the increase They have passed through repeated
editions In English and have been translated wholly OF
in part into the German French. italian, Hungarian
Icelaudic and Russian languages. The description
given Of Charming by the Chevaher Bunsen who cnar-
acterized the grand Christian saint and man OF
God prophet Of the Christian consciousness regarune
the future has been cordially accepted by devout and
thoughtful readers even by whose theological De-
nefs were at the widest variance from his own one
reason of this 10 TO be found In his rahs-
parent intellectual sincerity His integrity Oh purpose
equally conspicuous In his convicuonS auu IN n's
dOubts Next his love OF humanity, his most aroen'
passion was OF truth, Indeed IL was not MS
love of truth which inspired his profound devotion 70
the interests of humanity. He had no taste and little
eapacitv for controversy delighted In the compari-
son OF IDEAS especially with whose earnestness ana
good faith inspired him with confidence In their nten-
tions but atmosphere OF strife ana debate was not
congeual with his feelings, and prevented the free
exercise Of his highest faculties There was an almost
chIdhke simplicity in his mind, which, In spite OF
listen meekly to suggestions even from the humoest
ouarers and to maintain the attitude OF an inquirer,
rather than of teacher. He had no tincture OF Dog
matte spirit He was suspicious OF broad generaZa-
ttons tracing their origin Imagination and eOquence,
more often than TO accurate research and hence was
always dislnCned to the adoption Of system De re-
ioced III every glimpse of truth which was opened to
his sight but never presumed that he had exhausted
the circle of thought The of his mind was that OF
profound reverence. To him. few things were small
trivial or unmpOrtant There was a solemn ar IN MS
manner a tremuOus urgency IN his accents, wheh ne
smoke of the deep things Of God" OF the mysterious
greatness OF the SOUL Of the divine endowmens ana des
tuv OF man. which is sometimes family, but never fully
reflected from written Still his style is marked
by gracious fervor that is scarcely surpassed by It's
chaste beauty 1t is not the glow OF heated furnace
but the warmth OF a vernal day. revealing the pres
enee of celestial res Dr. Channngs mind attained lts
greatest freedom and power IN his pulpit dscourses'
Neither his cOOQual intercourse nor IN hs Iamliar
correspondence, he free from foFmaiIy 30 natu
raj and entirely himself when address
ing the congregation OF worshipers on congenlal
theme. His slight frame ylbrate1 with emotion: Als
low VOICE instinct with pathos and tenderness, touched
the heart of every hearer The scene was alive Win
more than dramatic intensity. 1t was not excitement
IL was not enthusiasm but the solemn communion OF
soul with soul The complete memorial that Is now
attainabe Of that rare and gifted genus, OF that
lonely and sanity man. whose soul "was like star
and dwelt apart" offered in the present volume It's
contents have lost none OF their interest with the lapse OF
years. Indeed they now form an impressive monument
of the past as well Of the author They will be vel
come TO generation OF readers as the reflex OF the
spirit Of an earlier age, whose influence is deeply I'm
pressed upon the character of the present.