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Many leading literary and scientific figures have been Unitarians, including Emerson's contemporaries [[Oliver Wendell Holmes]] (1809–1894), a poet who was the father of the justice;  and Henry W. Longfellow (1807-1882), along with many scholars and educators. Unitarians include four presidents : [[John Adams]], [[John Quincy Adams]], [[Millard Fillmore]], and [[William Howard Taft]].  

Many leading literary and scientific figures have been Unitarians, including Emerson's contemporaries [[Oliver Wendell Holmes]] (1809–1894), a poet who was the father of the justice;  and Henry W. Longfellow (1807-1882), along with many scholars and educators. Unitarians include four presidents : [[John Adams]], [[John Quincy Adams]], [[Millard Fillmore]], and [[William Howard Taft]].  

===Liberal theology====

====Liberal theology====

William Ellery Channing, in his 1819 sermon "Unitarian Christianity," did much to define Unitarianism. Channing described Jesus as a man sent by God to inspire moral excellence on earth by his exemplary virtue. Thus the connection between God, Jesus, and human beings was moral, with God's universal love transmitted throughout. Therefore, there was no need for the distinctions of a Trinity. Influences on Channing toward this Christology included the writings of [[Francis Hutcheson]] and Joseph Butler.<ref> Nian-Sheng Huang,  "William Ellery Channing's Christology and Moral Power: Rereading 'Unitarian Christianity.'" ''Journal of Unitarian Universalist History'' 1999 26: 1-17.</ref>  

William Ellery Channing, in his 1819 sermon "Unitarian Christianity," did much to define Unitarianism. Channing described Jesus as a man sent by God to inspire moral excellence on earth by his exemplary virtue. Thus the connection between God, Jesus, and human beings was moral, with God's universal love transmitted throughout. Therefore, there was no need for the distinctions of a Trinity. Influences on Channing toward this Christology included the writings of [[Francis Hutcheson]] and Joseph Butler.<ref> Nian-Sheng Huang,  "William Ellery Channing's Christology and Moral Power: Rereading 'Unitarian Christianity.'" ''Journal of Unitarian Universalist History'' 1999 26: 1-17.</ref>