A Research On William Ellery Channing And Humanitarian Reform Movement

William Ellery Channing(1780-1842) is a famous minister ,writer and religious thinker in American history.He actively took part in the American humanitarian reform during the 20- 40years of the 19th century. Channing's ideas of social reform originated directly from his religion.He had the belief in God's benevolence and human being's dignity.It also served as a starting point for his ideas of humanitarian reform.Channing's ideas of reform was the most splendid parts of all his thoughts.He was broad- minded and sanguine,also had confidence in the further improvement of the life of human being,and often encouraged everybody to take belief in the social progress and strive for it.He proposed a series of reform ideas, which consisted of views on war,views on charity,appealing for the abolition of slavery,opinions about educational reform,and on the elevation of the laboring classes, etc.Max Weber had said that Channing's ideas were all based on the lofty sentiments,which were impregnable.It is because of Channing's ideas of humanitarian reform had based on the human nature,originated from the conscience and faith, that it can liberate from the traditional customs and systems,and have general significance while go beyond the usual limits of time and space.The paper is composed of introduction,six chapters and conclusion.The introduction mainly describes the motivation of the research,the definition of the humanitarian reform,the relevant academic research review at home and abroad,and the basic framework of this dissertation.We can find that the status quo of the research of Channing all focusd on his religious thoughts,while the humanitarian reforms were regarded as the fruit of the Great Awakening.The paper intends to reconstruct the circumstances,associate Channing with the humanitarian reforms,and emphasize his characters of both a thinker and a reformer.During the 20- 40years of 19th century,as a humanitarian reformer and thinker, Channing joined the humanitarian reform movement,so it is very important to research the reform movement as a whole.The first chapter discusses at greater length this humanitarian reform.The backgrounds of reform consists of the development of religions,influences from abroad and the accomplishments of America itself;then discusses the main contents of reform;lastly,summarizes the characters of reform, which consist of newly explained the Bible,usage of the Golden Law,the means of propaganda,the voluntary associations,the procedure of the reform.Reconstructing the reform can provide the background for understanding the Channing's reform ideas.The forming of Channing's ideas of reform is connected with his experience.The second chapter discusses the bases of the forming of Channing's humanitarian reform. Firstly,the warm family;then the influences from Arminianism and Scottish moral philosophy, Arminianism changed the characters of the God,Scottish moral philosophy moulded his philosophy of virtue and disinterested benevolence;thirdly,change in politics,he was born in an family which was devoted to Federalism,but he finally broke with the Federalist viewpoint.The roots of Channing's ideas of humanitarian reform lay in his religious belief,he was worthy of the leader of Unitarianism.The third chapter focuses on the experience of Channing becoming the leader of Unitarianism,the experience clearly introduced the roots of Channing's reform opinions:God is benevolent,human being is dignified.Firstly,this chapter discusses the origins of Unitarianism as a kind of humanitarian religion in America;then introduces the procedure of Channing's becoming a minister;lastly,illustrates how did Channing become a leader step by step of Unitarianism.This procedure was of great importance to Channing,because all his ideas of reform were lay in his religious belief.The fourth chapter discusses how could Channing leave his level which benefitted from slavery,and become a strong abolitionist.This chapter consists of five parts,the first part discusses how did Channing begin to think about the destruction of slavery to the human nature and liberty;the second part discusses that Channing was stricken from both sides because of his opinions of abolition from the viewpoint of moral;the third part illustrates how did Channing connect conscience with action;the fourth part summarizes Channing's opinions of abolition,his principles and methods were practicable;the fifth part analyses his relations with William Lloyd Garrison:misunderstanding and understanding.Channing joined the reform movement from all-sides,the fifth chapter expoundes his ideas of other humanitarian reforms,consists of opinions about peace,education, charity and temperance.Channing appealed for peace and against war,but he wasn't a single pacifist,he approved justified war,and helped to form the Peace Society;he was concerned about the life surroundings and the status quo of education of the labouring classes;he promoted charity just because the poor people also are men,he promoted temperance,because intemperance destroys moral and dignity;lastly,this chapter analyses the principles of action,discusses Channing's opinions about individual action and group action.The sixth chapter evaluates Channing as a humanitarian reformer.He was an attractive minister and had strong sense of responsibility,so he promoted social reforms actively.As a reformer,he believed in liberty of thoughts and progress of society,so he took confidence in the improvement and progress.There were so many difficulties during the reform,but he showed dogged persistence,so there are many people follow and respect him.In the part of conclusion,firstly, emphasizes the power of Channing as a thinker and a reformer;then focuses on his inspiration to the modern world;lastly,analyses the further reflection from Channing as a history figure and humanitarian reform as a history movement.