Daily globe., 1880-04-05
AMONG THE CHURCHES.
DIR. Channing's Centennial at Unity Church
Anniversary Services at Assumption
Church---CommuniOn at st. Louis.
DR.. ChanninD's Centennial.

DNs NCHtcuuAAA bp OhAeJ
Anniversary Services at Assumption
| hurch---Communion at st. Louis.
DR.. ChanninD's Centennial.
The exercises at Unity church, yesterday
morning, were of an interesting character. The
occasion was taken to have memorial services
| in honor of the centennial anniversary of DIR.
| William Ellery Channing's birth, which occurs
on Wednesday next.
| The services, in the selection of hymns
and the prayer delivered, were appropriate to
the purpose set forth. and made especially
SO by the recitation of Whittiers poem on DR..
| Charming. A portrait of Dr. Charming was
hung in front of the pulpit, beautifully orna-
mented with a wreath of choice flowers, sur
mounted by bouquet of exquisite Gala lilies.
The interest of the occasion eliminated in an
address delivered by the Rev. w. @. Gannett.
He began by alluding to the fact that Cham
ning's anniversary would be observed through
out the United States. What he had done for
humanity survived him. Prophets never
die" The wisdom they are imbued with sur
vive for the benefit and enlightenment of man
kind.
Following his brief introduction, the speaker
remarked that he would present series of pic
lures of Channing's life to illustrate two
points or phases of his career: "Channing
coming to himself;' 'Channing's connection
with the Unitarian movement" In pursuance
of this declaration. Mr.. Gannett gave sketch
of Channing's boyish days. He was born at
Newport, r. 1, April T. 1850; at IA years of age
he was sent to college. In this connection, the
parents of DR.. Charming were spoken OF, and
the mother eulogized as a truth-speaking wo-
man, to whom the sons marvellous purposes
and work for good were attributable. In this
way the career of DR.. Charming was treated.
His sejourn as teacher i'll Richmond, Va, in
fbaf 20, ,Ixy1 &c NJ al1h nfr III.
return home shattered in health from some in
ward disturbance, which fitted him by its suf-
fering for a better conception and action In
his work. Established as Presbyterian di-
vine in Federal Street Church, Boston, the
speaker alluded to his popularity as
teacher and preacher. His popularity
as evidenced by his increased congregation was
wondered at, as his sermons were not such as
addressed themselves to the ordinary listener.
They were free from ornate establishment, but
masterful and forcible In truth. In this lay
his power. He was earnest as if not convinced
and ''his eyes looked as if they had beheld the
gloly of God," so earnest were they in giving
expression to his thoughts in behalf of man
kind. In this manner the listener was led up,
to that period, when Oalvinism began to be in
vestigated, and the stern and unrelenting doc
trines of Puritanism began to be doubted. At
this juncture the speaker declared this period of
Channing's life could best be understoodsb ytell-
ing what Unitarianism meant, following which
doctrinal exposition of the Unitarian belief
or purpose was given. DR.. Ohanning's connec-
tion with this evolution in religion was named.
His power was cited by referring to his famous
Baltimore sermon, which first put in form the
belief or creed of the Unitarians, which l.
full recognition of divinity in Gods human
creatures. The bitter controversy following
this enunciation and which continued up to
Dr. Channings death in 1912 was referred to,
but throughout Charming was never violent,
never personal and accorded to his opponents
the full earnestness of sincere belief.
In summary, DIR. Channings life was de-
clared to have been for purpose nobly full
filled in the wisdom of God for the benefit of
man.
The same subject in a different phase will be
treated of next Sunday.