I am tempted to introduce here a sketch of my father as he appeared
in those early days, writ-en by Rev. W. H. Channing, for "the London
Enquirer" of April 13, 1882:
[135] "It so happened then to me, while a youth of twelve or fifteen
years in training at the Boston Latin School for Harvard University,
that Dr. Dewey became a familiar guest in my mother's hospitable
house. He was at this period the temporary minister of Federal Street
Church, while Dr. Channing was seeking to renew his wasted energies,
for better work, in Europe. And on Mondays--after his exhausting
outpourings of Sunday--he was wont to 'drop in, while passing,' to
talk over the themes of his discourse, or for friendly interchange of
thought and sympathy. A special attraction was that the Misses Cabot,
the elder of whom became a few years later Mrs. Charles Follen (both
of whom will be remembered by English friends), made a common home
with my mother; and the radiant intelligence, glowing enthusiasm,
hearty affectionateness, and genial merriment of these bright-witted
sisters charmed him. Sometimes they probed with penetrating questions
the mystical metaphysics of the preceding day's sermon. Then, deeply
stirred, and all on fire with truths dawning on his vision, he would
rise from his chair and slowly pace the room, in a half soliloquy,
half rejoinder. At these times of high-wrought emotion his aspect was
commanding. His head was rounded like a dome, and he bore it erect, as
if its weight was a burden; his eyes, blue-gray in tint, were gentle,
while gleaming with inner light; the nostrils were outspread, as if
breathing in mountain-top air; and the mobile lips, the lower of which
protruded, apparently measured his deliberately accented words as if
they were coins stamped in the mint. It was intense delight for a boy
to listen to these luminous self-unfoldings, embodied in rhythmic
speech. They moved me more profoundly even than the suppressed feeling
of his awe-struck prayers, [136] or the fluent fervor of his pulpit
addresses; for they raised the veil, and admitted one into his Holy
of holies. At other times, literary or artistic themes, the newest
poem, novel, picture, concert, came up for discussion; and as these
ladies were verse-writers, essayists, critics, and lovers of beauty in
all forms, the conversations called out the rich genius and complex
tendencies and aptitudes of Dr. Dewey in stimulating suggestions, which
were refreshing as spring breezes. His mind gave hospitable welcome
to each new fact disclosed by science, to all generous hopes for
human refinement and ennobling ideals, while his discernment was keen
to detect false sentiment or flashy sophisms. Again, some startling
event would bring conventional customs and maxims to the judgment-bar
of pure Christian ethics, when his moral indignation blazed forth
with impartial equity against all degrading views of human nature,
debasing prejudices, and distrust of national progress,--sparing no
tyrant, however wealthy or high in station; pleading for the downcast,
however lowly; hoping for the fallen, however scorned. Thanks to this
clear-sighted moralist, he gave me, in his own example, a standard
of generous Optimism too sun-bright ever to be eclipsed. Let it not
be inferred from these hasty outlines, however, that Dr. Dewey was
habitually grave, or intent on serious topics solely, in social
intercourse So far from this, he continually startled one by his swift
transitions from solemn discourse to humorous descriptions of persons,
places, experiences. And as the Misses Cabot and my mother alike
regarded healthful laughter, cheery sallies, and childlike gayety as a
wise relief for overwrought brains or high-strung sensibilities, our
fireside sparkled with brilliant repartees and scintillating mirth. It
is [137] pleasantly remembered that, in such by-play, Dr. Dewey, while
often satirical, and prone to good-tempered banter, was never cynical,
and was intolerant of personal gossip or he intrusion of mean slander.
And to close the chapter of boyhood's acquaintance, it is gratefully
recalled how cordially sympathetic this earnest apostle was with my
youthful studies, trials, aspirations. All recollections, indeed, of
my uncle's curate--whom, as is well-known, le wished to become his
colleague--are charming; and before my matriculation at Harvard, one of
my most trusted religious guides was Orville Dewey." The Wares, both
Henry and William, were among my father's dearest friends at this time,
and the intimacy was interrupted only by death.
To Rev. Henry Ware.
NEW BEDFORD, Feb. 2, 1824. MY DEAR FRIEND,
There is a great cause committed to us,--not that of a party, but that
of principles. A contest as important as that of the Reformation is to
pass here, and I trust,-though with trembling,--I trust in God that
it is to be maintained with a better spirit. I cannot help feeling
that generations as boundless as shall spread from the Atlantic to
the Pacific shores wait for the result. The importance of everything
that is doing for the improvement of this country is fast swelling to
infinitude. These, dear sir, are some of my dreams, I fear I must call
them, rather than waking thoughts. It seems to me not a little to know
the age and country we live in. I think, and think, and think that
something must be done, and often [138] I feel, and feel, and feel that
I do nothing. What can we do to make ourselves and others aware of our
Christian duties and of the signs of this time?
There is one comfort,--Unitarianism will succeed just as far as it
is worthy of it,--and there are some forms of practical Unitarianism
that ought not to meet with any favor in the world. If the whole
mass becomes of this character, let it go down, till another wave of
providence shall bring it up again.
But enough of this preaching: you think of all these things, and a
thousand more, better than I can say them. I turn to your letter. Elder
H., for whom you ask, is a very good man,-very friendly to me; but le
is a terrible fanatic. He has Unitarian revivals that might match with
any of them. It is a curious fact that the Christians, as they call
themselves, Unitarian as they ire, form the most extravagant, fiery,
fanatical sect in this country.
Mrs. Dewey desires very friendly regards to Mrs. Ware, of whose
continued illness we are concerned to lean Let my kind remembrance be
joined with my wife's, and believe me very truly,
Your friend and brother,