Parker, Theodore, an American theologian of the extreme rationalistic order, was possessed of one of the brightest intellects of this century, and in many respects was fitted by nature to lead and to teach. He is not noted, however, as the founder of any school in religion or philosophy.
Theodore Parker was born in Lexington, Mass., Aug. 21, 1810. He was descended from an old Puri-
tan family. His grandfather and other near relatives were people of infiuence, and took a prominent part in the Revolutionary struggle. His father, Jolni Parker, was a millwright and pump -maker by trade, but he also tilled a large farm, and was besides noted for rare intellectual culture. He possessed some scientific knowledge, and though much given to speculation in religion and philosophy, was withal a godly man. He rejected the predestination theory in toto, and as the Calvinists were then in the ascendency, he came to dislike the Church. He was disinclined to believe all the miraculous in the Scriptures, but yet reverently accepted the authority of the Bible as, in a general sense, an inspired book, and not only went him- self regularly to Church service, but also insisted upoii daily worship in his family and their Church attend- ance. Theodore Parker's mother was a woman of more than ordinary ability and worth. She was well edu- cated, and possessed of great personal beauty and po- etic tastes. She was very domestic in her habits, and much devoted to her children ; in short, was an exam- ple of sweet, fresh, and instructive piety. As a youth Theodore Parker also enjoyed the advantages of a wholesome infiuence in his physical development. He was incited to activity in his father's shop and in the open field, and while he thus acquired habits of indus- try he also secured a well-developed frame and great physical endurance. His intellectual training depended largely on his own choice, and that was decitledly con- trolled by a thirst for knowledge. He was always study- ing, in school and out. In the summer noons, when others were enjo3-ing a nap under the trees, he refreshed himself with his book. The extent of his reading was astonishing. Before he was eight years old he had read the translation of Homer and Plutarch, Rollin's Ancient Htsto/'y, and all the other volumes of history and poetry that came in his wa}'. Books of travel and adventure were eagerly devoured. He went through Colburn's Algebra in three weeks. Nor did books alone engage his interest. He studied the stars and the flowers. The foreign fruits in Boston market, the husks and leaves that came wrapped around bales of goods from distant parts of the world, attracted his attention. Even the structure of the hills and the formation of the stones on his father's farm excited his curiosity. In the virtues of toil and economy his whole life was a school. In the summer he was employed in the usual la- bors of the farm and the workshop, digging, ploughing, haying, laying stone wall, mending wheels, repairing wagons, and making pumps, with as much conscience, if not with as much delight, as in the pursuit of his studies. The book was always near to fill up the crevices of time. He wanted more books than his father could afford to give him, and he could obtain them only by work. His first Latin grammar was the gift of his father; the Latin dictionary was paid for by picking huckle- berries when he was twelve years old. The gift of expression was as prompt as the gift of acquisition. He was an impassioned declaimer and a skilful mimic. While yet a schoolboy he had all the political events of the day at his tongue's end, and greatly amused the gossi[)S of the country tavern by his wise discussions of them. But his superiority called forth no jealousy among his comrades. He was always full of fun, and took part in play with the other boys in the most robust style. The testimonies to his moral character are of this stamp. He was modest, pure, single-minded, frank, and truthfuL His thoughts were busy with literature; his appetite for knowledge so eager as to preserve him from the temptations of his age.
He began to teach at seventeen, taking charge of district schools in the neighborhood for four successive winters. The last place at which he taught school was Waltham, and so determined was he to improve himself that he would frequently encourage his schol- ars to take up studies he was himself desirous of pursu- ing. Thus he formed a class in French after having
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