Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-09
The Chnnninr Gentleman.

Inc present week IS made notable in relig-
ious circles, on both sides of the Atlantic, by
the attention which is directed to considering
the character and concentrating the SER
vices of William Ellery Charming, that lofty
and noble spirit who canle into the world at
Newport, r. l., on the late eth of April, 1880,
and departed from it at Bennington in this
State Oct. 3D. 1912. Commemoration exer-
cises began in Boston ON Sunday with spec
ial children's service, at which the children
from five Unitarian Sunday schools were
gathered to listen to addresses upon the life
and work of Claiming by Unitarian clergy
men and Gov. Long. On the same day, in
New York, Rev. Robert Collyer preached a
sermon on Channing's life and services
Brooklyn n. Y, joins in the celebration with
services which began at the church of the
Savior on Tuesday evening, and continued
through Wednesday with a varied programme
which included addresses 10y such well known
men as Rev. Dr. Ellis of the First church,
Boston, George William Curtis, Rev. DR.
Chaplin, Rev. Robert Collycr and others.
The interest of the week. however centers
about the great gathering,st Newport, where,
on Wednesday afternoon, the cornerstone of
a Charming memorial church was laid The
most noteworthy feature of the occasion was
a commemorative Grafton in the morning by
the Rev. Henry W. Bellows, d. d., on which
that distinguished divine had spent much care
full preparation. The evening previous ser
mon was preached by the Rev G.. W. Hos
mer, D. D., of Boston in the afternoon, at
the laying of the corner stone, there was an
address by DR.. Channing's nephew, the Rev.
w. II. Charming of London, and poem by
the Rev Charles T. Brooks and the services
were continued aud completed at the Opera
House in the evening. On the same evening,
in Boston, Rev, James Freeman Clarke
preached discourse, and addresses were de-
livered by DIR. Hedge and others. In various
other cities in this country and Canada, in
London, and in France, Italy and Holland,
commemorative services were held on Tues
day and Wednesday. At Greenfield, Mass,
to-day, Thursday, being the annual Fast in
that State, has been chosen as the day for
paying tribnte to the great religious leaders
life and teachings. In these services the
Unitarian clergymen and laymen of the Con
necticut valley, and all who choose, of what
ever faith, will participate.
Observances of such a character as these
(the Boston Journal well says would be i'm
possible if Charming We're held in remem-
brance only as a theologian, or the founder
of a sect. Especially would it be impossible
that the representatives of other denomiua-
tions-whose teachings were and are still hos
tile to his-should Join with such cordially
and heartiness in rendering tribute to his
memory. That particular branch of the
Christian church which reveres him as its
greatest teacher does well to claim the occa-
sion as peculiarly its own, and to celebrate it
with afiectionate enthusiasm. But that the
commemorative observances have a siguif-
canoe broader than the limits of any sect is
sufficiently proven by the fact that sectarian
differences do not restrict them. 1t is not as
a theologian, simply, but as great religious
teacher, as pure and noble man, as n leader
in the cause of temperance and human free
dom, as one who was abreast of his times in
every worthy enterprise, as one who was
maker of literature, helper and healer of
men, and at once preacher and example of
all that is highest in aspiration and conduct,
that men of all creeds and nationalities de
light to pay tribute to him. Such a man is
not the property of sect, but of the race.
As Oryille Dewey finely said of him, when the
sorrow which his death brought was still fresh
in the hearts of those who loved HIM, it was
his chosen mission to set forth the True, the
Right, the Godlike. That he did this by the
nobility of his life, as well rs by the inspira-
ton of his words, is one secret of the power
which his memory still has over the hearts of
men.