To George W. Julian

NOTE: George W. Julian (1817-18990 was an antislavery politician.

Philadelphia. ii mo. 14th 1848

— My dear Friend George W. Julian:

I will not attempt to make excuses or apologies for the seeming neglect of thy acceptable and frank letter recieved—(I can hardly believe it) nearly a year ago. That I have not been unmindful of its interesting contents you maybe assured when I tell you that I early after reading it, went to our frd. Wm. H. Furness and consulted him as to the works most likely to meet thy wants. I thought he might have some pamphlets or small publication wh he could furnish me with to send thee. He made no offer of any however, except a large work of Prof. Norton’s on the Prophecies &c. I had doubts of the propriety of borrowing a book to be sent so far. There is no Unitarian book store here, where their tracts &c can be procured: and the larger works are more expensive I presume than thou art aware of. Theodore Parker has published an elaborate work on the Old Testament the result of much research in the old languages as well as in German & French. Thomas McClintock, of Waterbury N.Y. a minister in our Societv and one of the best Bible students we have, says this work is by far the best he has seen. It exposes many errors and false prophecies and clears some Mysteries wh have greatly taxed the veneration of the believer. Theodore Parker’s boldness has driven some of the Unitarians the older School back to the "weak and beggarly elements". Prof. Norton is ready to disclaim his own productions— or rather to doubt the expediency of circulatg. them now.

Wm. H. Channing was with us last winter. I handed him thy letter requesting his opinion. He answered: There are no truly good works in the English on the Prophecies and Inspiration. The best that can be easily found are Palfrey’s lectures on the Old Testament and parts of Mr. Norton’s work on the Genuineness or authenticity of the Gospels. There are two translations from the German & French, wh may be found in Boston: "Introduction to the Old Testament"— from Dr. Welte—by Theodore Parker 2$ and a work from the French by some German, Elleria[?j—I think on the Inspiration of the Scriptures. Has your friend ever seen Mr. Furness’s book on the Gospels—Life of Jesus?’ This might help to answer his difficulties. All these books are unfortunately somewhat expensive. There are I believe some Unitarian tracts on the subject If I recollect right Furness’s work was on thy table, when we were at your house. That visit is oft recurred to with interest and pleasure, and I regret to appear so unmindful of your kind hospitalities as to suffer thy letter to lie so long unanswered.

I herewith send you a few Tracts and small works, some of which may prove altogether to radical for thy inquiring mind. That there have been gross impositions practiced upon the believer—the all-too credulous, must be acknowledged. Now that scepticism of the Theology of the Schools, has become some what a duty, free thinkers may go to the other extreme and fail to award to the Scriptures a!l the beautiful and blessed instruction they contain.I have for some years accustomed myself to read and examine them, as nearly as I would any other book, as Early education and veneration would permit. I have now no difficulty in deciding upon the human and ignorant origin of such parts as conflict with the known and eternal laws of Deity in the Physical creation: be the claim to the miraculous ever so high, & the assumption of the Prophetic and God-inspired, ever so strong. Still less, if possible, do I waver when any violation of the Divine and Eternal law of right, such as murder in any of its forms, Slavery in any of its degrees, and Priestcraft in its various phases as palmed upon the religious world is declared to be "Thus saith the Lord". It is impossible by any Theological ingenuity to reconcile the moral code of the Old & New Testament, as proceeding from Him who is "without variableness or shadow of turning." Far safer, therefore is it, to admit man to be fallible than judge God to be changeable. The popular system of faith is fast yielding to a more enlightened philosophy. Of latter time many of the Advocates of that system are beginning to recieve Dr. Channing’s views and really to regard him quite orthodox. As light advances no difficulty will be found to mould the Bible, that Convenient Creed-book, to the present pattern shewn in the mount.

The life of Dr. Channing just published by his nephew Wm. H Channing, is most interesting. I presume it may be found in Cincinnati. I don’t remember whether I spoke of the life of Joseph Blanco White, when with you. I have read it with deep interest. He was a Spanish Priest, who became too enlightened to retain his holy orders. He made his escape from Seville leaving his parents, also two lovely sisters who ended their days in a Convent— arriving in London he became a political editor and translator—recieving an Annuity from the Government during the reign of the Bonaparts in Spain and a pension continued to him. He afterwards joined the Church studied for the Ministry at Oxford in company with Newman & Pusey and others who have since made such a stir in the Church) He once entered the English pulpit; but his views became too enlightened to remain long there.

On examination he saw so little difference between the Romish Breviary and the English Liturgy, that he had to renounce the latter also, and became a Unitarian. Archbishop Whately was his most intimate friend. He lived several years in his Palace in Dublin, and corresponded with the learned of the age—Lord Holland—Southey--Coleridge--Newman--Pusey & others—’ His Unitarian views were the result of his own examination and reflection, with little aid from those of that faith. He was learned in the dead as well as living languages. The result of his Bible examinations would suit thee, I doubt not. The work has not been reprinted yet in this Country. The English is $2’. a copy, three vol. We have a copy which is now lent out— If thou would like the loan of it at some future time, I would gladly send it to thee by some safe conveyance, to be soon returned—as it is in demand, the few copies sent over being all bought up.— Blanco White was 6o years old when he first entered a dissenting meeting-house. The simplicity of the Unitarian preaching delighted him. James Martineau of Liverpool, and his Biographer, J. H. Thom were the preachers who edified him. The latter years of his life he corresponded with Dr. Channing, Dr. Norton, and G. Ripley,’’ on the miracles, Unitarian faith—Bible Authority &c. He went beyond the two former in his scepticism. But he retained to the close of a life of much bodily suffering, all the devotional feeling of a true Christian— — He died in 1842. Dr. Channing said there was not a man in England he so much wished to see as J. Blanco White.— His faith remained unshaken in "The Divine Light within us"—he reviews Geo. Fox—Barclay & John Woolman as clear expounders of their faith, while he could not agree with their mysticisms and superstitions. But I will not fill the sheet with my pet author.

The agitations and commotions of religious sects are among the interesting signs of the times. Our Quaker quietude is again disturbed: and both Orthodox and Hicksite are on the eve of another Separation. Several conventions and new Yearly meetings are being held. Michigan, Western N. York and Green Plain, Ohio, are all comeing out with a broader platform. We have only recieved the "Proceedings of Farmington, N. York. wh I will send as a sample of a broad "Basis". Thos. McClintock, before spoken of is the writer of that document. About 200 persons adopted it. The high-handed measures of those in power, must eventually open the eyes of the people to the impropriety and danger of conferring such power on our fellow mortals.— The congregational form of religious association will ultimately prevail as man comes to understand Christian liberty.

In the political world too, there seems to be a tendency strong toward the breaking up of old parties. In our view, and a discouraging one it is, military despotism seems to threaten the Country—but the discerner of the signs of the times, with larger hope, sees republican & true democratic principles on the advance— The rights of man being recognized to a greater extent and the spirit of Peace & universal Freedom rising toward the ascendant.— Let us all do our duty to accelerate the speed of these principles.

I have not written as to a stranger, but have run on in the familiar style of an old acquaintance. There was something congenial when we met at your house. Thy letter expressive of an assimilation in mind was gratifying. I know not that thy enquiring mind can be easily satisfied, but such as I can offer at any time shall be at thy service.

Didst thou recieve a copy of "The Transient &Permanent [in Christianity", by Theodore Parker] wh I sent thee some months ago?

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