New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-20
RELIGION OF AMERICAN POETS.
tn. Re-, joan ~ Oldcck Unitarian Church,

IN. Re- second Unitarian Chureh BROOK
Ba
The Rev. John w. Chadwick. pastor of the
Second Unitarian Church. Clinton aud Congress-sts
Brooklyn delivered last evening the fourth OF his series
OF lectures or Vesper Talks they are termed by
HIN. oB the general subject Of The Religion OF our
POets." Tie hrst of this course was delivered Dec p
last. the special subject being "Longellow.' Tue
sec01d, gwen Jan. IS, was on "Whiuer," and
TIE tAId, delivered on March IS, Lowell" The
special subject Of Mr. Chadwick's discourse last
evening was Bryant and Emerson" The address con-
SISTED largely reading Of carefuliy-chOsen pas
sagcs the works of the two poets, those being ae-
eepted that most brightly reflected the religious belief
OF the aud displayed 70 the best advantage their
ue-s a. poets IntSrspersed between the quotations
were words of explanation aud comment. Below Is a
pretty fun abstract Of Mr.. Chadwick's lecture:
IFS the fortune necessarily the msfOrtune-Oi
Bryants poetry he exceedingly limited IA lts range
g 1 ard Ioeii ana whittier have worked many
worked This with gred' success finding In 10
SOLD OF the purest quahty 0nt neither the amount
DOR TIE variety Of ms acquisitions is anywhere
near equal 20 the quantity or variety OF poetic
treasure Vnlch his feOw-Dards have heaped together
80 lar the amount concerned there here reason
or regret Bryant has been saved rom over abundance
OF pCetca production bv the exgencies OF his editorial
position II has been his good fortune not 70 he poet
By profession His verses have been inspired by nc
been Obliged 20 multiply them IN order 10 in
SAID nowadays about the mouye IN works OF art
Many poem has other motive than 70 realize 50 or
written nor printed anything because OF suGh eX rlnsc
inspiration. Recently friend gave me lead pencil
Lead renci,s are only seldom Ii was marked John
ThOTcau. manufacturer" and recalled TO my mind a
John. once heard told by Mr. Elmer
son. Henry applied himself as the story goes
fathers craft, believing he could make better
pencil than then IN use After completing ms ex
permenis, he exhibited ms Work 70 chemists aud artists
10 Boston aud having obtained their certificates 20 its
equality with the best London pencils he returned nome
oOneated. He friends congratulated him that he had
should make another pencil Why should ~ said
he. Il would not 10 again what have done once
A ike disposition among poets would reduce their
me oyers Of poerv would be about as opulent as they
new Alter have fairly got the taste OF a
after Ae has Yielded up 70 rs tue secret OF ms most
for as We shall qnarrsl therefore, with the amount
of BIZ ants work, because 1t Is 50 small There IS
quarrel with the boundaries between which his
muse deposits itself Bryant has united in himself IN
quite a marvellous manner the functions OF the editor
and the poet. Whittier has also done this, but his
editorial confined the entire Slavery reform.
Bryant, man can do more than one thing but as
poet and only That one thing is 10 bring the
trart It's solemn steadfasness with lthe eetin gness
Of cur mortality. The poetry Of young men rs almost
attained 70 manhood aud confronts the weighty prob
lens OF existence there more OF sunlight aud lees OF
shadoy no MS verse But tine change IN Bryants case
has never been striking one al thAt he sees and sn s
is natural and healthy and appropriate 70 thon&huul
Tue transition the poetry of Bryant to that Of
Emerson not violent Emerson, 700, - p poe. o.
pntre ana OF All our poets IS the most realistic
Bat everywhere his realism Is III up and glorned Dy
broad beams sudden nashes 81 enat ~
never was on sea land" the Shaping spirit oi
ton. Emersou's poetry ls never literary e USE ~,
OF the stock phrases. You can never a, 49,
Thylne wors or his metaphors He looks at everything
Through his own eyes HIS poetry Aas Oeeh &C. ~
ftrnlessness and not without some reason ~ nc caH
not nave both rug and reason, ne gives up tne
De cannot have music ana meaniins' d"n
TIE music nGs succumD. IN Goetnc Son
yersauons be declares that II he cOuId i've
BIZ NE over be would poetry that womb shocA
deyOtees Of lyme aud rnytm and yet win honor ana
appliance by IL intrinsic Emerson has Done 'hls
Bat al The same ne u must be conceded that nc nae
the lyric faculty HIS prose often musical Ills
poem Humble Bee for Kind Is good that rhel.
Ieys 5ky LARK ~ Lot better. Ths same lyrlc lacuiy
that made tins poem possible finds preston IN various
poems % country and freedom, inspired by our grea'
nght with Slavery, bOIn lts eaer ana later stages
brst discu4sOn aud battle. Emerson Is scholar,
thinker recuse PHILOSOPHER. but rTst and always man
and American.