To love Christ we must know him. But what must we know respecting him? Must we know his countenance and form, must we know the manner in which he existed before his birth, or the manner in which he now exists? Must we know his precise rank in the universe, his precise power and influence? On all these points, indeed, just views would be gratifying and auxiliary to virtue. But love to Christ may exist and grow strong without them.
William Ellery Channing (1780-1842) was a pivotal figure in the literary and religious life in nineteenth-century America. Variously remembered as a Unitarian minister, a foe of slavery, and an essayist, much of his influence has now waned. This center's mission is to expose this great man to a new readership by publishing his best religious work electronically (some of which is now out of print in paper) and supply links to works about Channing.
Unitarian Christianity(1819)
This was Channing's manifesto by which the "liberal" Congregationalists (the Unitarians) established themselves apart from their "orthodox" kin.
William Henry Channing's My Symphony ("To live content....") is included for the convenience of our readers.