very in science, a mechanical invention,
the statement of a natural law, comparative statistics, rules of
economy, diplomatic circulars, and fine magazine-writing. It is the
manoeuvring of the different arms in the great service of humanity,
solid or dashing, on a field already gained. But the thought which
organizes the fresh advance goes with the pioneer-train that bridges
streams, that mines the hill, that feels the country. The controlling
plan puts itself forth with that swarthy set of leather-aproned men
shouldering picks and axes. How brilliantly the uniforms defile
afterward, with flashing points and rhythmic swing, over the fresh
causeway, to hold and maintain a position whose value was ideally
conceived! So that the brightest facings do not cover the boldest
thought."

By omissions here and there,--in all not amounting to ten pages of
printed matter,--these literary remains of Theodore Parker might have
been made less offensive to believers in the Christian Revelation, as
well as to the not small class of gentlemanly skeptics who go through
whatever motions the best society esteems correct. In these days, many
worthy people, who are not quite sound upon Noah's ark, or even the
destruction of the swine, will wince perceptibly at hearing the Lord's
Supper called "a heathenish rite." And it would be unfair to the
memories of most noted men to stereotype for ten thousand eyes the rough
estimates of familiar letters, or the fragmentary ejaculations of a
private journal. But Mr. Parker never scrupled to exhibit before the
world all that was worst in him. There are few chapters that will not
recall defects publicly shown by the preacher and author. The reader can
scarcely miss a corroboration of a shrewd observation of Macaulay, that
there is no proposition so monstrously untrue in politics or morals as
to be incapable of proof by what shall sound like a logical
demonstration from admitted principles. Theodore Parker was a strong and
honest man. Yet few strong men have so lain at the mercy of some narrow
bit of logic; few honest ones have so warped facts to match opinions. We
speak of exceptional instances, not of ordinary habits. He seemed unable
to persuade himself that a scheme of faith which was false to him could
be true to others of equal intelligence and virtue. He fell too easily
into the spasmodic vice of the day, and said striking things rather than
true ones. He assumed a basis of faith every whit as dogma