Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-10-10
A Boston Svmrosium
IL THE sACIED PRECINCTS OF ANDovEp.
ANDovER, Sept. 80

ANDovER, Sept. %.
To the Editor of the Free Press and Times:
Last evening in the lovely new Gothic
chapel ofthe Theologians, Twas reminded of
somewhat sarcastic notice of the Concord
School of Philosophers in your columns last
Summer. Father Alcett and Joseph Cook
met there toanswer questions on all the mys-
! teries and other oracular predictions toan eager
crowded audience, and the talk began with a
statement about this school, whose heresies
have caused all good orthodox people to look
at it with distrust. Mr. AlcOtt was full of
hopefulnoss, believing that the experiment
had proved that his trust was not in vain
and that these times were ripe for a school of
Philosophy, that the demand for it was in
the air about us The financial success, the
large attendance of scholars, over four hun
dred, from all parts of the Union, as well as
the fresh impetus given by the philosophers
to each other had shown a strong, deep
appetite for knowledge and made
glad his heart. His eulogy Of Mr..
Hurts, whom he considers the great
est living metaphysician, and of DR.
Jones, who for the past twenty years has
met a small company once week to read
and talk over Plato, might lead one to sus-
poet it was mutual admiration society they
formed in that Concord study.
Meanwhile, the contribution boxes had
been passed, and a varied collection it was
they brought in-questions ranging through
the heavens and earth. As each one was
read, Mr.. AlcOtt would start up with boyish
enthusiasm, pushing back his long white
hair and ready to attack the knottiest prob
lens. 1t was only when asked as to Emer-
sons religious belief that he shrank from
answering, hut at last said he believed him to
he a Christian ihcst Mr. Emerson ought to
be grateful to his old friend for formulating
his belief for it is doubtful whether he could
do so himself. lie finds the world such a
mystery he can but bow before il and dis
trust his own disccrnment
Mr. Cook read the questions as they came
by chance, though lie said there's no such
thing as chance, and the next inquiry was as
TO Mr.. Emerson's habit in writing The de
scription was such as any reader of his essays
might have expected. From his common
place book, kept fer the past fifty years, he
takes all scraps touching upon his topic,
shuffling them up in great uncertainty rs to
which will serve best as introduction, and
even after he has strung them together and
is in the lecture room changing them about.
No wonder that one can as well read some
essays backward as forward Another ques-
ton in regard to Emerson was, whether he
believed in personal existence after death,
and TO this Mr.. Alcott could give an en-
phatic yes, forh his friend had told him with
the assurance of conviction that all that was
real in us must survive, and that this incom-
pletc must he completed
Many of his hearers Were surprised At Mr.
Alcol's expression of a full belief in the
direct inspiration of the Scriptures and his
faith in the efficacy of prayer. lie said that
some of the sessions of the Concord school
were opencdb by prayer and he could have
wished that all were, for a philosophy which
does not accept prayer is rs false as the
heart is deeper than the head When asked
what he considered the religious tendencies
of Harvard College he told the story of a
seniors saying TO him that it wasn't consid-
cred ''gcnteel" TO talk of religion at Harvard,
and this student was the president of phi
lOsOphical society," he also quoted President
Eliot as saying that Harvard had
an advantage over other colleges,
in that it did not claim to
teach any religion. Mr. Alcott vcntured
upon prediction in regard TO the future of
Uniiarianism, prophesyng that in fifty years
il would be no more having been merged
i...s o.ti.S,i~.y r.4ssl ~. -I.1.~:s...-
The questions answered by Mr.. Cook were
chiefly in regard to Biology, endless punish
ment and the future of America
And this is Boston Symposium Only
at its close there was great cXaltation cx-
pressed that the Christian Thcism of Concord
could shake hands so cordially with the Or
thOdoXy of Andovcr.
1t seems the greatest audacitv for men to
subject themselves To such an ordeal even
though the chances are that they will he
questioned in regard to what they have pom
dered over for years. Mr.. Cook spoke with
earnestness, cloqucnce sometimes, marrcd a
little by touch of the theatrical Not the
least interesting part were the questions
themselves, as showing the bent Of the think
ing of these present days, even when there
was in them suggestion of the impcr-
tincnt curiosity of newspaper reporters
There is something sad as well as absurd
in the thought of Mr.. Alcott's going about
the country teaching or preaching as he does;
he cannot but lose some of that respect due
to old age. II is no wonder that his vanity
is ilattercd by hearing himself spoken of,
irrevercntly one might almost say. as the
modern Plato" by a man now at the very
height of popular favor lie has been rid
ing through the West in his daughter
! Louisa's chariot, introduced everywhere
as the father of Little Women.
and yesterday he was induced to
give an informal talk, telling of how
his girls were taught, and something
of them now. His quotation of "Clcanli-
ness is next To godliness' as from the Bible
caused some surprised Glances, and We were
amused at his irrcprcssihle laughter "a he
told of JOS pranks In a naive way he
spoke of the fact that she was "a little cross
now while shut up writing a new story for
St. Nicholas, hastily (likc any fond father
adding nn excuse for that peculiarly
! Then there was touch of humor in his
allusons to the new Friendship" Amy had
formed lately in Europe, that might perhaps
give softer touch TO her pictures hereafter.
| leaving us TO infer that soon there would h.
but one Little Woman 10y the name of Al
colt. l.. II. l..
a. an evidence of the increasing business
| prosperity of the country, it is stated that
during the year ending september |. .4jO
buildings were erected in the city of New
| York, at a cost of el4, ,3jl .jl2 This is an
/ increase of 322 buildings over the number
erected during the preceding year.